1. The Operational Mandate for the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) André Vugayabagabo Senior Programme Coordinator, CTA

2. CTA MANDATE Mission: 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

3. 3 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.

4. 4

5. 5 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

6. 6 PROGRAMME AREAS Information Products and Services Communication Channels and Services Information and communication management skills and systems Planning and Corporate services

7. 7 Information Products and Services (IPS) Specific Objectives To increase the availability of different types of information To improve the awareness of information services and products dealing with agricultural and rural development

8. 8 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

9. 9 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

10. 10 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 seminars Support to the publication of 50 new titles a year

11. 11 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

12. 12 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

13. 13 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

14. 14 Communication Channels and Services Specific objectives To support the integrated use of communication channels To intensify contacts and information exchange

15. 15 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

16. 16 Programme Components Support to regional organisations and networks ICT based dialogue and information exchange Location-based seminars and study visits

17. 17 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

18. 18 Expected outputs Increased use of electronic networking Improved effectiveness of conventional communication channels More effective integration of conventional and electronic media

19. 19 ICM Skills and Systems (ISS) Specific Objectives To 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 systems Strenthening the capacityof ACP countries in the implementation of S&T strategies that are relevant to agricultural sector

20. 20 Strategies New ICM training courses in market information systems and information support to policy makers Increased emphasis on training representatives from non-governmental sector Establishment of a virtual library of training resources

21. 21 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

22. 22 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

23. 23 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

24. 24 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

25. 25 Strategies Greater 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

26. 26 Programme Components Research on cross-cutting issues: gender Development of impact assessment methods (ICM) CTA programme planning, monitoring and evaluation Internal IT networks

27. 27 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