Dakar, Senegal – The West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF) has launched the second phase of its Technologies and Agricultural Innovations for Increasing the Resilience of Production and Family Farms (TARSPro) project, aiming to scale up agricultural innovations across the region. The initiative, formally launched on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, will focus on Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Chad.
The project’s second phase builds on the success of its first iteration, which identified and validated over 220 agricultural technologies and innovations – including climate-resilient crop varieties, high-yielding legumes, and sustainable intensification techniques. Now, the focus shifts to widespread adoption of these advancements.
CORAF Director Executive Dr. Moumini Savadogo welcomed the renewed partnership with the Swiss Development Cooperation, which is providing strategic and financial support for the initiative. “We salute the solidity of the partnership,” Dr. Savadogo said, noting that the continued support is opening a “decisive new stage” for the program.
The four-year, second phase of TARSPro will target key agricultural sectors including cereals (maize, rice, sorghum), legumes (cowpea, soybean, groundnut), roots and tubers (cassava, sweet potato), and animal production. The program aims for a 60% adoption rate, reaching nearly 975,000 direct users, increasing average yields by 30%, and achieving a seed trade volume of 36,700 tonnes.
The overarching goal of TARSPro II is to enhance food security and build resilience within West and Central African agricultural systems through the inclusive use of sustainable technologies. CORAF’s strategic plan, spanning 2018-2027, prioritizes the deployment of agricultural technologies to bolster production system resilience.
The launch of TARSPro II comes as regional food security remains a critical concern, and the project’s focus on scaling up proven innovations could have a significant impact on agricultural productivity and livelihoods. Senego.com reports that the project was presented by researcher Dr. Vianney W. Tarpaga, with representatives from the Swiss Cooperation likewise in attendance.
The Swiss Cooperation and CORAF recently renewed their partnership, signing a contract to initiate Phase II of the TARSPro project at the Forum of Agricultural Research Leaders in West and Central Africa.
