NOARA

 

The Network of Organic Agriculture Researchers in Africa (NOARA) was established to unite and coordinate African organic and ecological agriculture scientific and technical researchers within and outside Africa. The network is an African initiative. The network was independently established by African organic researchers that met at Modena, Italy, in 2005 but was later launched in 2009, during the 1st African Organic Conference in Kampala. During the 2nd African Organic Conference (2nd AOC) held in Lusaka, Zambia, in May 2012, a side event brought together participants from almost all regions of Africa and Europe to discuss how to develop organic agriculture research agenda. Research was underscored as a critical component of any initiative designed to promote ecologically sustainable development of agriculture in Africa.

Vision:

Africa with zero hunger, poverty eradicated, improved livelihood and sustained ecosystem through innovative organic agriculture research.

Mission:

To establish and disseminate evidence-based scientific organic agricultural knowledge that can ensure healthy, ecological, fairness and care of organic agriculture actors in Africa for sustainable livelihood and ecosystem, leading to food security and sustainable development.

Objectives:
    Research and Training
  • Lead research agenda on organic and ecological agriculture in Africa
  • Coordinate organic and ecological agriculture training and research in Africa
  • Support or initiate research activities that contribute to the social, cultural and economic productivity of Africa’s smallholder farmers, processors and marketers, particularly, women and youths who have been largely marginalized
  • Demonstrate success stories useful for up scaling organic and ecological agricultural practices.

    • Policy and Stakeholder Engagements
  • Promote collaboration among organic and ecological agriculture researchers, practitioners, farmers and policy makers in Africa
  • Improvement of ecological organic agriculture database for influencing policy development in Africa
  • Advocate for mainstreaming of organic and ecological agriculture into agricultural research and innovation to enhance food security in Africa
  • Engage organizations producing organic and ecological inputs in confirmatory and adaptive research for possible recommendation of their products to end users in Africa and beyond.

    • Conferences and Information Dissemination
  • Organize conferences and meetings for the exchange of information on organic and ecological agriculture
  • Publish research and technical results on organic and ecological agriculture
  • Organise consortia of experts to address specific or emerging issues relating to organic and ecological agriculture in Africa.

    • Networking, Advocacy and Awards
  • Enhance partnerships for organic and ecological agriculture research in Africa and beyond.
  • Map out like-minded organisations.
  • Honour distinguished members as fellows of the network.
  • Represent the interest of organic and ecological agriculture researchers within and beyond Africa.
NOARA Publications:
  • Journal- African Journal of Organic Agriculture and Ecology (AJOAE)
  • Bulletin- African Organic Agriculture
  • Conference Proceedings
  • Other Publications

For more information about NOARA, visit www.noara.bio