(a) State three characteristics of agricultural non-governmental organizations. (b) State five objectives of each of the following: (i) West African Rice De...

Answer Details

(a) Three characteristics of agricultural non-governmental organizations (NGOs):

• They are non-profit making; they are not established to earn profit for owners.
• They are voluntary and privately owned, that is, they are not owned or run by government.
• They are usually funded through donations, grants, membership dues and international aid.
• They operate in specific areas of agriculture such as research, funding, or extension.

(b)(i) Five objectives of the West Africa Rice Development Agency (WARDA / AfricaRice):

• To carry out research aimed at increasing rice production in West Africa.
• To develop improved, high-yielding rice varieties (for example NERICA).
• To train rice farmers and national research staff in modern rice production techniques.
• To reduce the region's dependence on imported rice and improve food security.
• To collect, store and distribute improved rice seeds and information to member countries.

(b)(ii) Five objectives of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA):

• To conduct research to increase the production of tropical food crops such as yam, cassava, cowpea, maize and soybean.
• To develop improved and disease-resistant crop varieties.
• To develop sustainable farming systems that conserve soil and the environment.
• To train agricultural scientists, technicians and farmers.
• To maintain a gene bank and conserve the genetic resources of tropical crops.

(c) Three other non-governmental organizations involved in agricultural development:

• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
• Sasakawa Global 2000.
• International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).