|
|
|
Honourable Ministers (of
Education and Scientific Research, Finance),
Head of IITA in Benin,
Representatives of the German Co-operation Agency (GTZ),
Representatives of the Danish Co-operation,
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is a real pleasure for me to be with you this morning for the official opening of the Workshop on Biological Control of maize pests in rural areas, with special reference to the Larger Grain Borer, Prostephanus truncatus, and the future development of the post-harvest sector in Sub-Saharan Africa.
On behalf of the Beninese government, I welcome you to Benin.
I would also like to express my appreciation to all the organisers for choosing Benin as host country to this meeting, the importance of which cannot be over-emphasised.
| Obviously, if I were to go by the objectives you have set, among which is to: |
| * | up-date the activities and skills obtained in the integrated control of maize pests; |
| * | discuss new approaches to research in the post-harvest sector, including stocking, |
| * | processing, transportation and marketing. |
I can only spur you on to ensure that your efforts come up with relevant decisions and recommendations that will promote the cultivation of maize.
As you well know, maize and cassava occupy a special place among food crops grown in the West African and Central sub-region, and must therefore occupy a choice position in the War against hunger and food insecurity.
In Benin, maize occupies most of the cultivated area, with an annual production figure of over 550,000 tons. Thanks to research and other efforts made to extend new production techniques, quantitative improvement is expected in the next few years. The use of improved varieties and fertilisers, coupled with good cultivation techniques already make it possible to obtain a yield of 3 t/ha in rural areas. However, maize store pests are a real nuisance, leading to high incidence of post-harvest loss, estimated according to statistics at between 20% and 30% of stocked production. We should also look into other opportunities that will continue to encourage the production of maize if this problem defies solution!
This is why the importance of the prevention of post-harvest loss cannot be over-emphasised, especially as it relates to small producers who have limited means.
Ladies and Gentlemen
| This Workshop being the brain child of: |
| * | IITA's Larger Grain Borer project, |
| * | the Test and Technology Transfer Unit (TT & TU) of GTZ and IITA, and |
| * | GTZ project on Integrated Control of the Larger Grain Borer in post- |
| * | harvest systems of small farmers. |
You would be free to exchange your different experiences on the Biological Control of maize pests with special reference to the Larger Grain Borer, and approach the control of these pests in an integrated manner.
By doing this, you would be contributing to the organisation of a maize chain and the improvement of its performance, which is one of the objectives of the action plan of the Beninese Government.
I am convinced that your presentations and deliberations will lead to new ideas that will yield fruit.
These skills are expected to leave their mark on National Research institutions, either for rapid transfer to users through the extension services, or if need be, to expand the scope of research in co-operation with international Research Centres.
In view of your different scientific skills, I am personally convinced that our expectations will be met.
It is on this optimistic note that I wish you fruitful deliberations and declare the Workshop on Biological Control of maize pests in rural areas open on this 13th day of October 1997.
Long live International Scientific Co-operation in the Service of Development.
Thank you.
|
|
|
 |