Agricultural extension professionals and managers in Africa have gathered in Accra for an international symposium on innovations in agricultural advisory services. The third symposium of the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS) is under the theme: “Going beyond production, agriculture for smallholder farmers”. Over 140 delegates from 36 countries in Africa, Europe and USA are participating in the forum, which has the purpose of sharing information, knowledge and good practice, stimulate country fora and operationalize AFAAS as a continental institution for linking agricultural advisory service actors. In an opening address, Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, Yaw Effa Berfa emphasized the need for agric advisory service to help reduce poverty. “Agricultural advisory services are fundamental to agriculture and rural development as they contribute to farmer empowerment, help link various actors in the agricultural value chain, support the diffusion of information and knowledge and contribute to improving livelihoods and building resilience” he stated. Agriculture has been identified by the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) as the key sector for achieving 6 percent of national economic growth on the African continent and meeting targets of the Millennium Development Goal. CAAPD calls for action within the framework of four interlinked pillars through reforms at national, sub-regional and continental levels. The mandate of Pillar IV – Agricultural research, technology dissemination and adoption – rests with the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), which in turn works with various institutions such as AFAAS to strengthen engagement between research and agricultural advisory services to effectively support African farmers. Executive Director of FARA, Prof. Monty Jones in a Keynote Address spoke on “Positioning Africa’s agricultural advisory services to effectively contribute to sustainable agricultural development: Issues and required transformation”. According to him the ultimate goal of agric advisory should be to reduce poverty, increase incomes and sustainable use of natural resources, stating that farming should no longer be seen as a way of life. “Today we should look at farming as a business. Today we should categorize our farmers as business people… advisory services should no longer focus on increasing yields, should no longer focus on reducing risks; they should focus on attaining development impact and development impact calls for us to put more money in the pockets of the farmers”, said Prof. Monty. AFAAS sees its role as a supporting institution that enhances competency of agricultural service providers, enabling them to better address the needs and demands of various value chain actors. AFAAS Chairperson, Dr. Salim Nahdy, in an interview with Luv Fm stated “AFAAS will stimulate the process in knowledge sharing and capacity building, organization sharing at both national levels through country chapters but also at continent level through AFAAS and linking up with other organizations like FARA and sub-regional organizations, NEPAD and AU. A General Assembly after the symposium will be used to validate the AFAAS operational documents, particularly its strategic plan and its constitution. It will also define AFASS governance structures. Established in 2004, the AFAAS vision is “Agricultural Advisory Services that effectively and efficiently contribute to sustained productivity and profitable growth of African agriculture”. Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh/Luv Fm/Ghana