Accra, May 29, GNA - A team of experts from the Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Cooperation (CTA) in Netherlands are in Accra to evaluate the impact of its products and services in improving agriculture in the country.

The results of the assessment would be used to advise the Centre on ways to strategically manage its products and services to ensure better collaboration with its country-based stakeholders. Mrs. Vivienne Oguya, Programmes Coordinator for CTA who made this known at the first focus group meeting in Accra said the Centre established in 1983 operating under the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and European Commission Cotonou Agreement was aimed at improving access to relevant, accurate and timely information on agricultural and rural development.

She said CTA funded by the European Union also worked at strengthening the information and communication management capacity of ACP organizations to ensure food security and sustainable management of natural resources.

Programmes of CTA covered a wide range of topics including trade, commodity markets, desertification, youth and farmers innovation. The Centre hoped to extend its operations to agriculture diversification, bio-energy, biodiversity, climate change, among others. Mrs. Oguya said the evaluation exercise would also include visits to key stakeholders, partners and beneficiaries throughout the country to gain a better understanding of the usage of CTA products and services. She said a similar exercise would be carried out in other countries such as Benin, Mali, South Africa, Madagascar, Uganda and Trinidad and Tobago.