Crop Protection Training Department activities contribute to one of the primary objectives of the Permanent Interstate Committee Against Drought in the Sahel (CILSS), that is, agricultural self-sufficiency. Thus, since 1982, the Crop Protection Training Department has been in charge of implementing this objective, by the increased protection of crops and agricultural products against pests, diseases, and noxious weeds, using methods which can readily be incorporated into traditional farming practices.

Training courses are variable in length, and are designed for persons in middle to high positions, who will be able to immediately apply and use the training. The training course for Technicians in Crop Protection is the longest, lasting 2 years, and may be taken by those having achieved the level of Technical Agent in Agriculture. Shorter courses (4 months), are aimed at the more highly trained, particularly crop protection instructors at schools of agriculture, who can disseminate the information to the various participating states, and who can train high-level technicians and agricultural engineers to assist and educate the local farmers more efficiently. Short courses of 3 weeks are organized by member states to address specific problems (i.e. locusts, borers) or to counter an organizational problem (i.e. phytosanitary control). Training courses generally do not directly involve local peasant farmers, but do so indirectly through the mediation of trained personnel.

As regards dissemination of information on plant protection these are the same categories of personnel who are in contact with the research workers in the Sahel.