Africa¿s basic industry is agriculture-based, not only in supporting the rural masses in their quest for food but also providing a large share of the GDP, contributing 30-40% of exports and 70% of employment. Recognizing agriculture as pivotal to Africa¿s development, FARA¿s strategy is to advocate for agricultural research and development by forging strategic alliances among its major partners and clients, the sub-regional organizations and the national agricultural research systems and other stakeholders including the International Agricultural Research Centers (IARC), NGOs, universities, policy-makers and farmers¿ organizations. The vision is ¿to enable Africa to achieve at least 6% annual growth rate in agriculture by the year 2020 through enhanced research and value adding to its products, consequently increasing food security, poverty alleviation and economic growth in a sustainable way¿. The mission of FARA is ¿to enhance and add value to the effectiveness and efficiency of agricultural research systems in Africa in order to contribute to agricultural development and economic growth and sustainable use of natural resources¿