Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)

1. Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) Catalyzing the implementation of CAADP Pillar IV: strengthening innovation, science and technology capacity of FARA stakeholders CAADP Partnership Platform meeting 26 - 27 March 2009 NEPAD Secretariat, Pretoria – South Africa

2. Architecture of implementation of CAADP Pillar IV initiatives • FARA led and coordinated with emphasis on resource mobilization for cross country/sub-regional agricultural productivity programs • SROs -- ASARECA, CORAF/WECARD, SADC-FANR, NASRO manage and facilitate in-country cross boundary implementation • NARS do the actual implementation, learning and sharing at country level

3. SSA CP and IAR4D • Actors organised on an Innovation Platform (IP) • Non-linear (network) collaborative interaction • Research addresses constraints and opportunities agreed by IP actors in the context of value chains • Multidisciplinary and participatory action research process. • Institutional & human capacity building Research on the interface of processes driving productivity gains, care of the environment, improved access to efficient markets and supportive agricultural policies;

4. The Nine SSA CP projects…1/1 Southern Africa (ZMM) based on Value chain • Expansion of horticulture value chains in irrigated and rainfed systems. [Bioversity] • Integration of sustainable soil fertility management innovations into staple food value chains in high and low potential systems[SOFECSA/CIMMYT] • Integration of efficient water and nutrient use innovations in high and low potential cereal grains systems [TSBF-CIAT] • East Africa (L.Kivu) based on Watersheds • More food products and better nutrition at reduced cost and minimal degradation of the natural resource base [ISAR] • Beneficial conservation and sustainable use of natural resources [Makerere/ICRISAT] • Wealth creation through agro enterprise diversification and improved market access [CIAT]

5. The SSA CP’s 9 projects … 2/2 # of Partners in the 9 Projects Research-oriented institutions 44 (55%) Civil society groups 36 (45%) West Africa (KKM) based on agro-ecology • Innovation platforms to improve livelihoods in the Northern Guinea Savannah [IFDC] • Sustainable agricultural intensification in the Sudan Savannah zone[IITA] • Improving rural livelihoods in the Sahel of Niger [INRAN]

6. IPTA 3: processing and value addition using existing equipment IPTA 4: linking producers and women processors to local traders in cities and growth centers IPTA 1: improving access to improved variety / best-bet IPTA 2: Cultural practices i.e. water mgt to improve the productivity of the improved variety Generic DONATA Value Chain -- Innovation Platform for Technology Adoption (IPTA) • Knowledge hub • Mutual learning & experience sharing • Strengthenedcapacity • Trust & confidence (critical for private sector operators)

7. DONATA innovation platform for technology adoption (IPTA) NARS implementing at country level • Dynamic relevant multi-stakeholder platform actors -- farmers /farmer organizatons, agribusiness, NGOs/development agents , policymakers including community leaders, training & education, research • Planting material is the critical IPTA start-up item of the SRO selected crop commodities in the countries : • ASARECA -- QPM maize & Orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) value chain in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, D.R Congo • CORAF/WECARD -- OPV maize & Cassava value chain in Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroun, Sierra Leone, Congo Brazzaville, Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, (Liberia) • SADC-FANR -- OPV maize & OPV Sorghum value chain in Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia • NASRO (Northern Africa SRO) -- no project support as at now Contrasting IPTA operational modalities among SROs and this will be the significant learning curve in IPTA approach (collective action) for a regional agricultural best-bet dissemination • CYMMIT & CIP provides support to ASARECA IPTAs • CORAF & SADC- FANR focal institutions & IPTA stakeholders on their own • FAO yet to be fully engaged with the SROs

8. RAILS facilitating NARS learning teams and upgrade of ICT infrastructure • Facilitating provision and access to ICT equipment and tools to at least 38 countries (NARS) in Africa by 2012/2013 • Good progress with • Kenya, Burundi, DRC (ASARECA region) • Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina, Cameroun, Ghana (CORAF/WECARD region) • infrastructure, tools and training provided to national systems , help maintain national agricultural information contents and makes it easily accessible through internet • in collaboration with SROs, NARS learning platforms established in African countries to enhance resource-poor producers’ access to and use of agricultural knowledge and technologies for greater productivity and growth • FARA publishes quarterly newsletters, periodicals,policy briefs and monthly bulletins for the benefit of national stakeholders • inventory of innovative farmer advisory services on ICT use has been documented and available on-line

9. SCARDA strengthening competence and skills of stakeholders • Catalyze human and institutional capacities for initiating, designing, implementing and managing scientific research • Research Management skillsdelivered • 20 senior managers from CORAF NARIs trained • Modules on CD in 7 areas • Research Planning, Research Approaches and Models, Business Winning, Financial management, Managing People, Effective Communication, Change Management • Participant Action Plans (PAPs) developed and follow-up mentoring to strengthen Institutional capacity • Gambia, Mali, Ghana and Congo • Monitoring Evaluation Learning & Communication (MELC) training • 50 research staff from Burundi, Rwanda, Sudan, Botswana, Lesotho, Zambia trained • Farmer Participatory Research (FPR) Training • 46 research scientists from Lesotho and Botswana • Learning Platforms to exchange lessons and best practice nationally and regionally activated

10. SCARDA strengthening competence and skills of stakeholders Catalyze human and institutional capacities for initiating, designing, implementing and managing scientific research • Fast track activities • 76 out of 86 SRO selected MSc students placed at 17 Universities across SSA and University of Greenwich – NRI, UK • 10 out of 40 SRO selected MSc students placed at 2 universities -- University Kwazulu Natal & University of Pretoria through DONATA • Hassan II in Morocco undergoing reform, thus did not offer admission to students • However, CORAF/WECARD requests the addition of Université d’ AbomeyCalavi du Benin; Université de Dschang Cameroon • Short-term skills development of research & development practitioners • Student Female : Male ratio • 1 in 3 female student for SACRDA and DONATA respectively currently on MSc at African universities • Farmer training through DONATA

11. FARA M&E System Development • Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) • FAAP encourages within the context of CAADP, the establishment of M&E systems at country, sub-regional and continental levels • SROs lead at sub-regional level in tracking CAADP/FAAP progress • AU-NEPAD, RECs to set up systems with regional and continental coverage • FARA seeks to collaborate with these partner systems to ensure coverage of CAADP Pillar IV & FAAP issues • FARA currently developing own M&E system: strategy is to build on existing systems and to develop strong partnership with key actors • CAADP/FAAP : link with partners (AU/AETS, ReSAKSS-IFPRI, ASTI,..) • Program level: NRI for DONATA, RAILS, SCARDA; SROs and NARS • Impact assessment by a Third Independent party • Track livelihood and welfare outcome changes Strengthened collaboration between FARA and all stakeholder institutions involved in M&E of CAADP, is essential for tracking and reporting progress

12. Conclusion • SROs -- CARDESA for SADC region and NASRO for Northern Africa institutional development supported • FAAP responsive SRO & NARS multi-country productivity programs facilitated and 3 countries started implementation • High profile CAADP Pillar IV Expert Reference Group (ERG) establishment progressing well • Stakeholder demand driven projects -- SSA CP, DONATA, RAILS, SCARDA making good progress • Subsidiarity at appropriate level exists • FARA MTOP indicates exit strategy • Sub-regional farmer organizations, agribusiness/private sector (SME) and NGOs inclusion in ARD facilitated • Partnerships within and outside Africa facilitated and in particular, PAEPARD support continued