Prospects for cooperation and capacity building

SAGA and CropLife: the roots of cooperation and opportunities for capacity building

Cooperation with CropLife Africa Middle East continues an approach that accompanied the founding of the Sudanese Agricultural Chemicals Importers Association (SAGA): building a national professional association that draws on regional and international expertise to support Sudan’s agricultural sector and responsible professional practices.

In “SAGA Epic”, Dr. Al-Harith Mustafa, one of the association’s founders, records that the founding process began in early 1996 amid calls to establish national associations connected through regional and international frameworks. According to his account, the preparatory committee established contact with the Agrochemicals Association of Kenya (AAK) while developing SAGA’s institutional framework, before registration was approved in September 1996. This account highlights the role of regional connections and knowledge exchange from the founding stage.

Continuing this approach, SAGA regularly organizes Training of Trainers (TOT) workshops in cooperation with CropLife Africa Middle East. These workshops prepare professionals to pass knowledge and skills on to others, extending the reach of training and supporting continued learning across the sector.

This cooperation provides opportunities to develop trainers’ capabilities and exchange expertise on responsible pesticide use, protection of people and the environment, and professional practice. It aligns with CropLife’s focus on training and stewardship of crop protection products, as described on its official website.

SAGA aims to build on this relationship and expand its connections with professional associations, scientific institutions and training centers regionally and internationally, linking the needs of Sudan’s sector with relevant knowledge and expertise. Future cooperation could include locally responsive training programs, exchange of educational materials, assessment of training outcomes and broader opportunities for professional dialogue.

From its founding experience to capacity-building programs, the goal remains to translate international relationships into improved professional performance and service to farmers, contributing to a more effective and responsible sector.

Historical source: “SAGA Epic” by Dr. Al-Harith Mustafa, pages 1–2.