“The East Southern Africa (ESAf) strategy presents a clear roadmap that contextualizes the pursuance of ICRAF’s research goals and objectives at different landscape levels and scales. It also allows the centre to interact more effectively and efficiently with stakeholders.” These were the words of Margaret Kroma, ICRAF’s Deputy Director General for Partnerships and Impact during the three-day ESAf regional planning meeting that started on the16th of June, 2014.
She explained that the CGIAR reforms already taking shape will formulate proactive mechanisms aimed at countering development challenges while ensuring that ICRAF realizes its vision of transforming lives and landscapes with trees in production systems.
Her sentiments were further echoed by Prabhu Ravi, Deputy Director General for research who exuded confidence in the new strategy saying that it would enable the centre to competently respond to the needs of the region while factoring in stakeholder and donors concerns to help set an agenda for the future.
Jeremias Mowo, the regional coordinator for the ESAf region challenged the participants to take advantage of the numerous opportunities presented by the strategy and the knowledge products developed to transform lives and landscapes of vulnerable communities in the region.
On his part, Isaac Nyoka, the Southern Africa Nodal leader acknowledged the various opportunities that exist for further research and development. He listed the major ones as: biodiversity, fodder, nutrition, germplasm access, adoption, soil fertility and carbon sequestration. This he said, calls for the development of a strategy for domestication and breeding of multiple species.
The strategic plan covers 10 years (2013 – 2022) and was developed through a consultative and participatory process that included ICRAF management and staff at headquarters, the regional staff and partners.
Those in attendance included: Country representatives, Science domain leaders, Research unit leaders and scientists among others.
