Western and Central Africa

The West and Central Africa Semi-Arid Tropics (WCA-SAT)

Facts about ICRISAT in West and Central Africa

1972: Start of ICRISAT’s research activities in the Semi-Arid Tropics of West and Central Africa (SAT-WCA)

1989: Inauguration of Sadoré research station about 40 km from Niamey, Niger (500 ha) – Regional Hub from 1989-1998 and since 2002

1991: Inauguration of Samanko research station, about 7 km from Bamako, Mali (124 ha)

Staff (end of 2009)

Ca. 190 employees

• 29 international scientists
• 6 regional scientists
• Administration, technical support, field workers

Structure

Research and operations are managed by a Director with the support of an Assistant Director, a Finance Manager and an Administrative Manager. The Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) is an important link to the four Global Research Themes at the headquarters in India. The Management Committee (MC) and other divisions such as the Farm & Engineering Services Program (FESP) or the Purchase & Supply Division (PSD) guarantee a smooth and effective work flow. The country offices in Mali and Nigeria manage the projects and programs in their respective countries.

ICRISAT’s hub for West and Central Africa in Sadoré near Niamey, Niger.

ICRISAT’s Research Station in Samanko near Bamako, Mali.

Goal and Strategy

ICRISAT’s goal is to reduce poverty, enhance food and nutritional security, and protect the environment.

All our research activities are geared towards providing options, opportunities and incentives to resource-poor farmers to grow their way out of poverty. A primary driver for our strategy is to spur demand through market-orientated production and value addition while ensuring the farmers’ own food security. In partnership with beneficiaries we work on improving production and productivity, but also tackle a variety of other issues including:

• Processing and marketing surpluses from an increased production
• Diversification into other crops to respond to market demands
• Innovative risk management approaches to ensure natural resource health
• Providing sustainable solutions to nutrition and food safety constraints

Key components of our strategy are the Integrated Genetic and Natural Resources Management (IGNRM) approach, several Technology dissemination methods, strategic partnerships, and capacity building.

The participatory approach involves the farmer -- this is essential to our ICRISAT’s research.