SAFGRAD needed to redefine its mandate to cover more countries and commodities, tree crops, livestock etc., with an emphasis on processing of agricultural products and commercialization of technologies.
In 1987 SAFGRAD embarked on the second phase of operation. The organization was restructured as a regional collaborative crop network management centre . The overall goal of SAFGRAD phase 2 was to increase
By 1978, SAFGRAD was fully operational in most of the 26 OAU member states. Over the following eight years, it built up its capacity to coordinate a wide range of activities. By 1986, this coordination encompassed the following activities: