Promoting Partnerships for Enhancing Agricultural Research in Africa: the role of FARA

Boipelo Freude

FARAFARA- - a creation of the SROsa creation of the SROs- recognized technical arm of the African Union and NEPAD- recognized technical arm of the African Union and NEPAD

three functionsthree functions– Advocacy for agricultural Advocacy for agricultural

research research – Promoting partnerships Promoting partnerships

to build critical mass and build critical mass and share intellectual and share intellectual and physical assets.physical assets.

– Sharing and Sharing and dissemination of dissemination of information & learninginformation & learning

AARINENA: North African countries

ASARECAASARECA

CORAFCORAF

SADC/FANRSADC/FANR

CGIARARIs

Other IARCs

Development partners

Institutional partnershipsInstitutional partnerships

SROSRO

RECs National governmentsAU/NEPAD

FARAFARAGFAR

NARIs

Universities

Civil societies Farmers’ org NGOs Private sector

NARSNARS

Policy makers

African initiative New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD)

Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Program (CAADP)

4 CAADP Pillars

Pillar 1land & water mgt

Pillar 3Increasing food

supply & reducing hunger

Pillar 4Agricultural research, technology dissemination & adoption

Pillar 2Rural infrastructure &

trade-related capacities for market access

FAAP: The framework for African agricultural productivity was endorsed by the 7th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government calling on African member states and RECs to realign agricultural productivity programs to FAAP

CA

AD

P

6% g

row

th r

ate

in a

gri

cult

ure

4% g

row

th r

ate

in a

gri

cult

ura

l p

rod

uct

ivit

yPrioritize activities with highest

potential to impact productivity:

• Capacity weakness

• Insufficient end-user involvement

• Ineffective farmer support systems

• Systematic fragmentation among innovation systems elements

• Fragmented external support

• Inadequate investment in ARD

East Africa West Africa Southern Africa

North Africa

Country specific

Country specifi

c

Country specific

Country specific

FAAP at three levelsFAAP at three levels

•Programs and projects aligned to national priorities; Programs and projects aligned to national priorities; •Activities with no value-addition for trans-boundary collaborationActivities with no value-addition for trans-boundary collaboration•Draw upon the knowledge, and information sharing, &technologies at sub-Draw upon the knowledge, and information sharing, &technologies at sub-regional, regional and global levelsregional, regional and global levels

•Value addition of trans-boundary collaborationValue addition of trans-boundary collaboration

•Permits economies of scalePermits economies of scale

•Largely cross-sectoralLargely cross-sectoral

•foster efficiency, sustainability foster efficiency, sustainability and competitionand competition

•Reduce transaction costsReduce transaction costs

Regional

Identified needs

• African African Development Development Framework Framework

• Agricultural Agricultural innovations innovations systems systems approachapproach

• Capacity to Capacity to build capacitybuild capacity

• Outscale and Outscale and upscale upscale productsproducts

• Improve Improve information information and learning and learning exchangeexchange

• Develop Develop policies on policies on new new technologiestechnologies

• AdvocacyAdvocacy

• Promoting Promoting partnershipartnershi

pp

• Enhancing Enhancing exchange exchange

of of informatioinformatio

n and n and learninglearning

FARA’s FARA’s core core

businessbusiness

• SSA CPSSA CP

• SCARDA-BASICSCARDA-BASIC

• DONATADONATA

• RAILSRAILS

• ABBIABBI

FARA-led regional

initiatives

The Framework for African Agricultural Productivity

(FAAP)

Conclusion

Process of interaction and learning are crucial for ARD sustainability and effectiveness

Mutual confidence, sharing and accountability of all partners is crucial for ensuring sustainable partnerships