A strategic meeting will bring together researchers, experts, decision-makers and partners from more than ten West and Central African countries in Thiès from November 25 to 27, 2025, to strengthen regional scientific collaboration around dry cereal value chains, a key sector for food resilience in the region.

This is a regional meeting for planning agricultural research activities and projects in West Africa, organized by the Regional Centre of Excellence on Dry Grains and Associated Crops (CRE-Dry Grains), within the framework of the implementation of the Food System Resilience Programme (PRSA/FSRP). This takes place in a regional context marked by food security challenges.

The organizers point out that the PRSA/FSRP is a major investment program supported by ECOWAS, AGRHYMET and CORAF, which aims to strengthen risk management, improve the sustainability of agricultural production and facilitate regional trade in foodstuffs.

Within this framework, the CRE-Dry Cereals plays a leading role in coordinating research efforts on dry cereals and associated crops. This regional planning meeting aims to: “present scientific advances on dry cereals in West Africa”; “identify research priorities and innovation needs”; “jointly develop research and development project proposals”; and “develop a coordinated action plan and a common roadmap for activities up to 2026”.

This framework provides an opportunity for exchange to strengthen research networks. Over three days, participants will analyze existing achievements, debate scientific and operational challenges, and propose solutions to accelerate the transformation of dry cereal value chains.

Plenary sessions, group work, and thematic discussions will help to harmonize approaches and encourage sharing

of experiences between: “national agricultural research systems (13 countries represented); international centers (ICRISAT, CIMMYT); ISRA-CERAAS and partner institutions; stakeholders using research results (agri-dealers, manufacturers of

machines, etc.) ».

In relation to the expected results, the following are planned at the end of the meeting: "an evaluation of the achievements of regional research; the identification of priority themes and the formulation of projects; the development of a short, medium and long term roadmap; the strengthening of the regional research and innovation network on dry cereals".