The EU/ACP Science and Technology for Enhancing the Contribution of Tropical Roots to Development in ACP Countries

Donor: EU/ACP/STP II.

Duration: 2010-2014

Introduction: Despite the importance of tropical root and tuber crops to development in many ACP countries, insufficient investments attention has been accorded to the development of the commodities compared to cereal commodities. Consequently, scientists working on these crops are few and less represented among research grant applicants and funded proposals.

The key objective of the project was to build capacity of early career root crops scientists in various aspects of root crops research and development. The specific aim was to impart ideas, provide support and feedback, and raise awareness of the importance of tropical root crops for nutrition, income and climate change resilience; and to alert early career scientists on the importance of intellectual property, and ensuring that policy makers were aware of the role they could play in supporting this sector.

The project assessed the available capacities and needs for root and tuber crops research in the ACP regions and developed training materials to support regional training programmes on these issues.

AfrII has been able to conduct a comprehensive capacity needs assessments of early career scientists in the root and tuber crops sector in Uganda, and has trained and mentored over 150 young scientists and technologists to submit good project proposals for funding;  apply new scientific and technical knowledge on RTCs to contribute to development; and to assess research needs to facilitate the formulation and implementation of research policies favourable to enhancing the contribution of RTCs to development.

In addition, a total of 493 early career scientists from the 7 countries were trained in writing research proposals, research methodology and intellectual property rights. The project produced 3 training manuals on Research Proposal Writing, Research Methodology and Intellectual Property Rights. Four policy briefs were also produced on:

• Food security and global food crises,
• Impact of climate change and variability,
• Opportunities provided by bio-fuels and exports,
• Enterprise development and income generation.