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Editorial

Preface: 2nd Edition of the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development’s Symposium on “Processing and Transformation of Agricultural Products in West and Central Africa: Achievements and Opportunities for Private Sector Engagement”

1
West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF), Dakar BP 48, Senegal
2
Faculté d’Agronomie, Université Abdou Moumouni, Niamey BP 10896, Niger
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Proceedings 2025, 118(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2025118001
Published: 8 May 2025

1. Introduction

1.1. Context

The agricultural sector faces new challenges, including pest and disease outbreaks, land degradation, and the effects of climate change. These challenges can be addressed through new technologies and practices, combined with appropriate tools and approaches for communication and knowledge management. These innovative technologies, practices, and approaches have the potential to increase production and productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, improve the quality of products and services, and make food systems more resilient and sustainable. Moreover, they provide a critical foundation for ensuring that agriculture remains a viable and thriving sector in the face of ongoing and future challenges.
In recognition of the pivotal role of research and development in addressing these challenges, CORAF organized an international symposium from 21st to 23rd November 2023, in Lomé, Togo. The theme of the symposium was, “Processing and transformation of Agricultural Products: Achievements and Opportunities Available to the Private Sector for Job and Wealth Creation in West and Central Africa”. The symposium, which was attended by 147 participants, started with a call for abstracts, and 265 abstracts were received from authors spread across the West, Central, and Eastern Africa region, out of which 31 papers were accepted as full research papers with 18 manuscripts finally accepted for publication after the peer-review process.
This symposium was more than just a gathering of minds; it was a confluence of ideas, a testament to the power of collaboration in advancing agricultural research and development. It provided a unique opportunity for plant breeders, researchers, students, private companies, national agricultural research systems, and policymakers to discuss their findings, share their achievements, and forge new partnerships. These interactions are the seeds from which future innovations will grow, paving the way for a more prosperous and resilient agricultural sector in West and Central Africa region and beyond.
The symposium’s outcomes and discussions, presented in this Proceedings volume, reflect the commitment of CORAF to advancing agriculture in the region, addressing contemporary challenges, and fostering innovative solutions for the benefit of West and Central Africa. Let it spark new ideas, foster deeper understandings, and ignite the drive to continue exploring and innovating in the field of agriculture.

1.2. Organizers

The Symposium is an annual regional scientific meeting in West and Central Africa focusing on current and important topics in the agricultural research and development areas. It is organized by the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF) and its partners. CORAF is a sub-regional organization made up of the national agricultural research systems (NARS) of 23 countries in West and Central Africa. It was established in 1987, with a mandate to coordinate and facilitate innovative and cutting-edge research products needed to unlock the agricultural potential of West and Central Africa.

1.3. Scopes and Topics

The 2023 symposium focused on “Processing and transformation of Agricultural Products: Achievements and Opportunities for Private Sector for Job and Wealth Creation in West and Central Africa”. For this proceeding, it covered three topics:
  • Foods processing and nutrition;
  • Postharvest management and conservation;
  • Foods security.

2. Committee Members

2.1. Organizing Committee

Dr. Emmanuel NJUKWE, CORAF, Senegal
Dr. Ayoni OGUNBAYO, CORAF, Senegal
Dr. Niéyidouba LAMIEN, CORAF, Senegal
Dr. G. Esaïe KPADONOU, CORAF, Senegal
Dr. Kyky Komlan GANYO, CORAF, Senegal
Dr. Caroline MAKAMTO SOBGUI, CORAF, Senegal
Dr. Réana FALL DIAGNE, CORAF, Senegal
Dr Fatou DIENG GUEYE, CORAF, Senegal
Dr. Yao LOMBO, Institut Togolais de Recherche Agronomique (ITRA), Togo
Dr. Kossi Koudjega, ITRA, Togo
Mr. Christel KENOU, CORAF, Senegal
Mr. Etsri ANANI, ITRA, Togo
Ms. Haby TAMBEDOU, CORAF, Senegal
Ms. Poko Alida NADINGA, CORAF, Senegal
Mrs. Pauline Ngandoul DIOUF, CORAF, Senegal
Ms. Henriette KABA, CORAF, Senegal
Mr. Mouhamadou LAMINE NIASS, CORAF, Senegal
Mrs. Sophie Yandé Ngning KAMONY, CORAF, Senegal

2.2. Scientific Committee

Prof. Aissatou DRAME YAYE, Université Abdou Moumouni, Niger
Prof. Mauricette OUALI-N’GORAN, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Côte d’Ivoire
Prof. Fonteh Florence ANYANGWE, University of Dschang, Cameroon
Prof. Isaac Oludayo DANIEL, University of Manitoba, Canada
Prof. Emmanuel K. AJANI, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Prof. Shehu Garki ADO, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria
Prof. Emmanuel MBETID-BESSANE, Université de Bangui, Centrafrique
Prof. Isaac Roger TCHOUAMO (retd), University of Dschang, Cameroon
Dr. Rachidatou SIKIROU, Institut National des Recherches Agricoles du Benin, Benin
Dr. Robert ZOUGMORE, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, Senegal
Dr. Pauline LIMI-MOUNJOUENPOU, Institut de Recherche Agricole pour le Développement, Cameroun
Dr. Maïmouna CISSE, Institut Sénégalais de Recherche Agricole, Senegal
Dr. Emmanuel NJUKWE, West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development, Senegal
Dr. Ekpetsi O. Chantal BOUKA GOTO, Institut Togolais de Recherche Agronomique, Togo
Prof. Kwasi Dzola AYISAH, Université de Lomé, Togo
Prof. Fousseni FOLEGA, Université de Lomé, Togo
Dr. Ayoni OGUNBAYO, West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development, Senegal
Dr. Caroline MAKAMTO SOBGUI, West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development, Senegal
Dr. Kyky Komlan GANYO, West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development, Senegal
Dr. G. Esaïe KPADONOU, West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development, Senegal

2.3. Advisory Committee

Dr. Moumini SAVADOGO, CORAF, Senegal
Dr. Abdou TENKOUANO, CORAF, Senegal
Dr. Alioune FALL, CORAF, Senegal
Dr. Ousmane NDOYE, CORAF, Senegal
Dr. Yacouba DIALLO, CORAF, Senegal

2.4. Independent Reviewers

Prof. Rasak OLAJIDE, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Prof. Sylvain DABADE, Université d’Abomey Calavi, Benin
Prof. Akeem Babatunde DAUDA, Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Nigeria
Dr. Felix Kwashie MADILO, Ho Technical University, Ghana
Dr. Paul HOUSSOU, Institut National des Recherches Agricoles du Benin, Benin
Dr. Oluwafunmilayo Olarewaju AMINU, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Nigeria
Dr. Adegbite S. ADEYEMI, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Nigeria
Dr. Sedo Eudes Landry ANIHOUVI, Université d’Abomey Calavi, Benin
Dr. Victoria NWADILI, National Root Crops Research Institute, Nigeria
Dr. Vincent Awe EZIN, Université d’Abomey Calavi, Benin
Dr. Christian ADJIBA, Université de Parakou, Benin
Dr. Ekpetsi O. Chantal BOUKA GOTO, Institut Togolais de Recherche Agronomique, Togo
Dr. Mahyao ADOLPHE, Centre National de Recherche Agronomique, Côte d’ivoire
Dr. Oluwadiran Olufunmilola OLUDOYIN, Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Nigeria
Dr. André ADJOGBOTO, Université de Parakou, Benin
Dr. Elysée M. HOUEDJOFONON, Institut National des Recherches Agricoles du Benin, Benin
Dr. Adrien DOGO, Université de Parakou, Benin
Dr. François ASSOGBA, Faculté des sciences agronomiques, Université d’Abomey Calavi, Benin
Dr. Herbert Afe IKOH, Faculté des sciences agronomiques, Université d’Abomey Calavi, Benin
Prof. Ahmed M. ABDEL-AZEEM, Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Egypt
Dr. Amarachi OSI, Université polytechnique de Bucharest, Roumanie

3. Sponsors

CORAF appreciates support of the Swiss Cooperation in funding the implementation of Technologies and Innovations for Increasing the Resilience of Production Systems and Family Farms in West and Central Africa (TARSPro) Program in West and Central Africa region.

Acknowledgments

Our deepest gratitude goes to the Swiss Cooperation, all the authors, reviewers, and contributors who made this symposium and the resulting publication possible. We are grateful to Dr. Moumini Savadogo for his guidance and encouragement. We also acknowledge the invaluable support of our partners, stakeholders, and collaborators. We appreciate our partners from the National Agricultural Research System (NARS) in the 23 countries, your unwavering belief in the transformative power of research fuels our collective mission and propels us forward.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Tenkouano, A.; Njukwe, E.; Kpadonou, G.E.; Ganyo, K.K.; Lamien, N.; Kenou, C.; Ogunbayo, A.; Yaye, A.D. Preface: 2nd Edition of the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development’s Symposium on “Processing and Transformation of Agricultural Products in West and Central Africa: Achievements and Opportunities for Private Sector Engagement”. Proceedings 2025, 118, 1. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2025118001

AMA Style

Tenkouano A, Njukwe E, Kpadonou GE, Ganyo KK, Lamien N, Kenou C, Ogunbayo A, Yaye AD. Preface: 2nd Edition of the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development’s Symposium on “Processing and Transformation of Agricultural Products in West and Central Africa: Achievements and Opportunities for Private Sector Engagement”. Proceedings. 2025; 118(1):1. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2025118001

Chicago/Turabian Style

Tenkouano, Abdou, Emmanuel Njukwe, G. Esaïe Kpadonou, Kyky Komla Ganyo, Niéyidouba Lamien, Christel Kenou, Ayoni Ogunbayo, and Aissatou Drame Yaye. 2025. "Preface: 2nd Edition of the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development’s Symposium on “Processing and Transformation of Agricultural Products in West and Central Africa: Achievements and Opportunities for Private Sector Engagement”" Proceedings 118, no. 1: 1. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2025118001

APA Style

Tenkouano, A., Njukwe, E., Kpadonou, G. E., Ganyo, K. K., Lamien, N., Kenou, C., Ogunbayo, A., & Yaye, A. D. (2025). Preface: 2nd Edition of the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development’s Symposium on “Processing and Transformation of Agricultural Products in West and Central Africa: Achievements and Opportunities for Private Sector Engagement”. Proceedings, 118(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2025118001

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