On Wednesday 31 August, 2011, CTA and Wageningen UR (University & Research centre) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening the long-standing collaboration between the two organizations. The MoU identifies a number of priority areas for partnership: climate change and agriculture, food security, value chain development and support to agricultural and rural development (ARD) policy processes.
The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA)—a joint organization of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States and the European Union, was established in 1984. Its headquarters is in Wageningen. CTA has unparalleled experience in facilitating information and knowledge exchange in agriculture in ACP countries and between ACP and EU stakeholders and a strong network of partners. Wageningen UR is an internationally renowned institute in the domain of healthy food and living environment. Each organization brings its unique comparative advantage and together they can capitalize on their close proximity and knowledge and experience of their related areas of work to bring greater benefit to ACP countries and the EU.
The MoU was signed by the Director of CTA, Mr Michael Hailu, and the Vice-president of Wageningen UR, Rector Magnificus Martin Kropff. Future activities will include the conduct of joint workshops, conferences and training courses; commissioning of joint studies; cross-linking of websites and databases; exchange of experiences and lessons; engagement of graduate students in CTA projects and the preparation of joint project proposals.