Good News from the Field

The Government of Cote d'Ivoire approved the return of the Africa Rice Center (WARDA) staff to Bouake, and has established an Inter-Ministerial Commission to provide the conducive environment for scientists and staff to resume their research-for-development activities in Bouake and M'be.

"We are delighted with this development," said Kanayo Nwanze, Director General, WARDA. "It bodes well for WARDA's ability to continue delivering the benefits of modern science for improving agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa."

The Ivorian crisis has exacted a heavy toll on WARDA staff and their families. In September 2002, WARDA temporarily relocated its Headquarters to Abidjan with a sub-station in Bamako, Mali. Now, with strong signals that the peace process in Cote d'Ivoire is taking a positive turn toward final resolution, WARDA management and Board of Trustees have developed a progressive return plan to be implemented in phases. It is noteworthy that over 60 senior locally-recruited technical staff continued to maintain operations during 2003/04. Over 10 hectares of experimental plots and trials are being conducted this year. The WARDA homecoming is well on its way.