CSIR-Crops Research Institute Unveils 5-Year Strategic Plan to Propel Agricultural Research and Innovation
The CSIR-Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI) has launched a new 5-year strategic plan at a colourful ceremony held on Tuesday, 27th June, 2023 at its Biotechnology Auditorium to guide the Institute’s activities from 2023 to 2027.
Hitherto, the CSIR-CRI had operated under a strategic plan that spanned 2015 to 2019. As the previous plan ended, it became imperative for the institute to devise a new strategic framework. This new plan aims to commercialize agricultural research and innovation, supporting agricultural growth, industrialization, and ultimately, enhancing livelihoods.
In his welcome address, the Director of the Institute, Prof. Moses Brandford Mochiah, emphasized the need for all staff members to be guided by the new Strategic Plan. “This new plan will become our Bible and it will direct all research activities at the Institute”, he indiated. He stressed that the Institute’s vision of becoming a center of excellence for innovation and quality agricultural research for development required a reformulated strategic plan, especially since the previous plan elapsed in 2019.
The event was chaired by the Board Chairman of the CSIR-CRI, Dr. Foster Boateng, who also doubles as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA). In his remarks, Dr. Boateng outlined four things he believed “drove the world”. These were food, water, data and energy. He recognized the vital role the Institute would continue to play in the future due to its focus on agricultural research.
“Dr. Boateng further stated that, “Strategy gives you discipline, focus, and structure. If you do things according to a certain structure, along that route, success will come.” He was very grateful to the Institute for putting such a detailed and progressive plan together and urged its management to ensure the successful implementation of the plan.
Key highlights of the new Strategic Plan were presented by Prof. Moses Brandford Mochiah, the Director of the Institute. He revealed that the strategic plan is anchored on five key priority areas.
These comprise:
Strategic Priority 1: Integrated Agricultural Research for Development (IAR4D)
Strategic Priority 2: Communication
Strategic Priority 3: Financial Sustainability
Strategic Priority 4: Human and Infrastructure Capacity Development
Strategic Priority 5: Systems and Management Procedures
He further noted that these priority areas will ensure the repositioning of the Institute to achieve its new set of goals and objectives. Prof. Mochiah added that the new plan had been meticulously crafted, considering various factors such as international and local markets, CSIR-CRI’s strengths and weaknesses, budgeting, staffing, and more. He was grateful to all members of the Committees who worked tirelessly to formulate the Strategic Plan.
Finally, Dr. Forster Boateng, officially launched the strategic plan on behalf of the Director and urged that the plan be monitored continuously to ensure its implementation.
A six-member Implementation Committee, chaired by the Deputy Director of the Institute, Dr. Maxwell Darko Asante, was inaugurated and charged with the successful execution and realization of the plan.
In his closing remarks, the Chairman pledged his commitment to help the Institute mobilize the needed resources to successfully execute the plan. Quoting Henry Ford, he stated, “Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”
The event was graced by the melodious CSIR-CRI choir.
Contributors: Patricia Konadu Mensah, Bernard Sakyiamah, Lynda Gifty Nsafoah, Enoch Bobie Agyemang.
