As part of measures to address the challenge of climate change on worldÔÇÖs food production and agriculture, scientists recommend to search for genes in wild and traditional varieties of common food crops that could help plants to adapt to variable weather conditions, resist pest and disease, tolerate drought and produce sustainable yield. For this to happen, crop diversity must be properly conserved and easily accessed..

Staple crops are a crucial source of food, feed, raw materials, improved nutrition and employment and are a major source of income. The Staple Crops Programme focuses on banana, cassava, maize, millet, potato, rice, sorghum, sweetpotato and wheat, which are priority staples in the region.

ASARECA sees improved delivery and impact of scientific knowledge, policy options and technologies as a powerful instrument to drive the sub-region towards meeting the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Program (CAADP) which is the agricultural agenda of the African Union's, New Economic Partnership for African Development (AU/NEPAD).

Develop a shared vision and sub-regional goals

The Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) is a sub-regional not-for-profit association. It was established in 1994 by ten member countries represented by their national agricultural research for development institutes. The 10 member countries are: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Calliandra  is  a  multipurpose  tree  species grown primarily for forage as a supplement to   low   quality   roughages   for   ruminant livestock.    It  a  source  of    green  manure; provides  shade  for  coffee  and  tea,  stakes for climbing beans, is a source of wood fuel for cooking; controls soil erosion,  and is  a source of pollen  for honey production.Calliandra  leaf  hay  is  a  potential source  of  income  as  the  demand  for hay is now very high. Leaf hay is used to make nutrient feed blocks  in  addition  to  other  locally available materials such as molasses, maize  bran,  cotton  seed  cake,  farm waste and crop residues

Develop a shared vision and sub-regional goalsEmpower end-users of the programmes of the Association to ensure their meaningful participation in developing priorities for agricultural research, training, extension and education

ASARECA sees improved delivery and impact of scientific knowledge, policy options and technologies as a powerful instrument to drive the sub-region towards meeting the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Program (CAADP) which is the agricultural agenda of the African UnionÔÇÖs, New Economic Partnership for African Development (AU/NEPAD).

ASARECA sees improved delivery and impact of scientific knowledge, policy options and technologies as a powerful instrument to drive the sub-region towards meeting the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Program (CAADP) which is the agricultural agenda of the African UnionÔÇÖs, New Economic Partnership for African Development (AU/NEPAD).

The Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) is a sub-regional not-for-profit association. It was established in 1994 by ten member countries represented by their national agricultural research for development institutes. The 10 member countries are: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda

Calliandra is a multipurpose tree species grown primarily for forage as a supplement to low quality roughages for ruminant livestock. It a source of green manure; provides shade for coffee and tea, stakes for climbing beans, is a source of wood fuel for cooking; controls soil erosion, and is a source of pollen for honey production.Calliandra leaf hay is a potential source of income as the demand for hay is now very high. Leaf hay is used to make nutrient feed blocks in addition to other locally available materials such as molasses, maize bran, cotton seed cake, farm waste and crop residues