RA 00183.pdf - OAR@ICRISAT

duplication, national and international research programs need to cooperate with each
other.
6. Training of national program researchers by international agencies is extremely important
especially at the higher level (up to Ph.D.). This will help the scientists in the national
programs to update their knowledge on the latest development in crop protection, and
undertake meaningful research in their own countries.
7. The group was pleased that the groundnut disease manual would soon be available and
hoped that similar publications on other crop pests would be brought out.
8. Strengthening of research facilities of national programs by the international agencies in
the region should be seriously considered, since the effectiveness of the international
programs will be greatly enhanced by strong, functional national institutes.
Working Group on Utilization
Reports from countries represented indicate that groundnuts play an important role in the
socioeconomic life of people in Africa. Groundnuts are not only a food crop, a considerable
source of proteins and calories but also a cash crop which allows a good part of the population
to exercise a profitable commercial activity.
In view of the above, the Groundnut Utilization Working Group recommends that:
1. Research programs on groundnut processing and technology relating to crop protection,
agronomy, and breeding programs should be strengthened.
2. Harvesting techniques and postharvest processing should be improved in order to guarantee
hygienic standards and the market value of the product.
3. Special attention should be given to aflatoxin contamination risks connected to oil extraction
techniques which are used in the rural areas;
4. The quality of groundnut-based products available on market should be improved and
new products that combine groundnut derivatives and other cereal types should be
developed.
To meet these goals the Groundnut Utilization Working Group invites institutions such as
FAO, ICRISAT, Peanut CRSP, IRHO, and CORAF's groundnut network to combine
efforts in order:
• To promote training for a larger number of food technology research scientists to
improve the value derived from groundnut at the family and industrial level.
• To support and strengthen national research programs devoted to artisanal and industrial
groundnut processing technology.
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