Continuous Excellent Growth of the Africa Rice Center

The Africa Rice Center Board of Trustees lauded the achievements of the Center in the past five years and has unanimously approved a second term to Director General Dr. Papa Abdoulaye Seck. The Trustees congratulated Dr. Sayeck and his team for "successfully steering the center on a path of continuous growth at a most challenging period" during its recently concluded annual board meeting.

Among the major achievements highlighted by the Board include:

• Increase in recovery of membership contribution.
•  A higher rate of accession of member States from 2006-2010. Madagascar has just joined the Center.
• The 78% increase in the Center's total budget in 2010 with a significant rise in fund reserves.
• Large number of research projects addressing major challenges of rice in Africa, including climate change.
• Stronger links with policy-makers through its Council of Ministers.
• Solid bonding with national programs.
• Close partnership with its sister Centers from the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), especially the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and with advanced research institutions.
• New strategic alliances with emerging countries.
• The Agricultural Merit Order of France awarded to the Director General and several international prizes to scientists.

For more on Africa Center and this news release, see http://www.africaricecenter.org/warda/newsrel-board-mar10.asp