The Operational Mandate for theTechnical Centre for Agricultural

and Rural Cooperation (CTA)

André Vugayabagabo

Senior Programme Coordinator, CTA

CTA MANDATEMission: Cotonou Agreement. (June 2000)

Article 3 of Annex III

To strengthen policy and institutional capacity development and information and communication management capacities of ACP agricultural and rural development

organisations

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CORE CONCERNS

The core concern of the agreement itself, is the reduction of poverty in the ACP countries, particularly through programmes that promote food security.

Reference is also made to managing natural resources and improving regional integration.

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The centre has interpreted its mandateas being to support agricultural andrural development of ACP countriesthrough information andcommunication programmes.

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OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVES

In this context the centre is pursuing two broad objectives, to:

Improve the availability of and accessibility to adequate, accurate, timely and well targeted information, and

Improve information and communication management capacity of ACP agricultural and rural development organisations

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PROGRAMME AREAS

Information Products and Services

Communication Channels and Services

Information and communication management skills and systems

Planning and Corporate services

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Information Products and Services (IPS)

Specific ObjectivesTo increase the availability of different types of information

To improve the awareness of information services and products dealing with agricultural and rural development

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Strategies

Greater use of ICTs for publishing and dissemination

Greater involvement of ACP authors

Publications dealing with policies and decision-making

Strenthening of ACP information services

Development of additional partnerships with local ACP distribution agents

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Programme Components

Print publishing

Electronic publishing and development of ICT based information products

Distribution of publications in print and electronic format

Decentralisation of CTA’s information services

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Expected Outputs

Print format publishing

6 issues of Spore/Esporo (F, E & P)Institutional publications: CTA Annual Report publications catalogue, summary reports and proceedings of seminarsSupport to the publication of 50 new titles a year

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Expected Outputs

Electronic publishing and development of ICT based information products

Rural radio resource packs (5)

Activities and projects on ICT based information services

Electronic publication

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Expected Outputs

Distribution in print and electronic formats

At least 35 000 subscribers

75 000 publications in print format (PDS, DORA)

Publication of a new catalogue

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Expected Outputs

Strengthening of ACP Information Services

26 national and 6 regional QAS nodes operational

74 organisations receiving data bases (53 CD-ROM, 21 Internet Subscriptions)

About 2000 SDI profiles for 4000 researchers

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Communication Channels and Services

Specific objectives

To support the integrated use of communication channels

To intensify contacts and information exchange

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Strategies

Integrated approach to the support to regional organisations networks

Electronic discussion fora

Electronic information gateways on trade, policy and ICTs

Support to seminars consistent with CTA’s priority information themes

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Programme Components

Support to regional organisations and networks

ICT based dialogue and information exchange

Location-based seminars and study visits

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Expected Outputs

Improved exchange of information at regional level and between ACP regions

Better access to and use of information and knowledge

Increased capacity of regional organisations and networks to manage information and communication

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Expected outputs

Increased use of electronic networking

Improved effectiveness of conventional communication channels

More effective integration of conventional and electronic media

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ICM Skills and Systems (ISS)

Specific ObjectivesTo increase the capacity of ACP countries to acquire and manage agricultural information To increase the capacity of ACP countries to formulate and develop their own ICM strategies and systemsStrenthening the capacityof ACP countries in the implementation of S&T strategies that are relevant to agricultural sector

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Strategies

New ICM training courses in market information systems and information support to policy makers Increased emphasis on training representatives from non-governmental sectorEstablishment of a virtual library of training resources

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Strategies cont’d

Development of follow-up activities with past trainees

Exchange of experience of ICM support given to local and national partners

Integration of the training programme with other means of support given by CTA to local, national and regional ICM systems

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Expected Outputs

Training in ICM skills and systems: CTA courses

Training in ICM skills and systems: non - CTA courses

Integrated ICM support to CTA’s local and national partner organisations

New teaching materials for conventional training courses

Availability of teaching resource material through virtual library

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Expected Outputs

Integrated ICM support to CTA’s local and national partner organisations

Increased number of local and national organisations in ACP countries capable of generating and managing agricultural information

Increased number of local and national organisations in ACP countries able to develop ICM strategies

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Planning and Corporate Services (P & CS)

Specific Objectives

To improve the quality and volume of information used in formulating, implementing and monitoring CTA’s projects

To develop cost-effective methods for assessing the performance and impact of information products and services

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StrategiesGreater collaboration with specialist institutions involved in agricultural research and development Development of appropriate approaches for monitoring, evaluation and planning CTA’s projects and programmes Systematic management of external expertise and services

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Programme Components

Research on cross-cutting issues: gender

Development of impact assessment methods (ICM)

CTA programme planning, monitoring and evaluation

Internal IT networks

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Expected Outputs

CTA Programme Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation

Information on the performance of projects and services managed or supported by CTA

Recommendations and guidelines for improving future performance

Indicators for programme monitoring