THE FIRST FEATS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

IMPROVING OWNERSHIP THROUGH INCLUSIVE TRADE POLICY MAKING

PROCESSES: LESSONS FROM AFRICAGENEVA, 1 OCTOBER 2009

Research Topics and Methodology for Sector-Specific Research in the Second Phase

By Rashid S. Kaukab

Deputy Director and Research Coordinator, CUTS Geneva Resource Centre

rsk@cuts.org

www.cuts-grc.org

SELECTION OF TOPICS: LINK WITH FEATS PHASE 1

Based on Findings of phase one study that affirm the importance of agriculture in FEATS Countries’ Economies

Agriculture sector contributes substantially to GDP, provides bulk of employment, foreign exchange earnings, and export diversification efforts focused in agriculture

Yet, rural areas have high poverty rates and substantial informal sector employment

Livelihood and employment concerns must be included in the development of the agricultural sector

Criteria used for Section of Proposed Topics

Within “trade in agriculture”; important for livelihoods and employment; and an area where further research and analysis can add

real value

SELECTION OF TOPICS: FEEDBACK FROM COUNTRY FEATS NRGS

Feedback from Kenya National Reference Group

Desired a topic in agriculture in the broader context of regional trade, including informal trade, with particular emphasis on rural poverty and livelihoods, and food security

Feedback from Malawi National Reference Group

Desired a topic in agriculture within the context of larger development constraints of Malawi (agricultural productivity and trade, rural poverty, livelihoods, landlockedness, under developed trade facilitation, etc.)

Feedback from Tanzania National Reference Group

Desired a topic in agriculture within the context of larger development objectives of Tanzania (dealing with rural poverty, improving livelihoods, etc.) while also looking at the issues related to regional trade

SELECTION OF TOPICS: FEEDBACK FROM COUNTRY FEATS NRGS

Feedback from Uganda National Reference Group

Desired a topic in agriculture within the context of larger development constraints of Uganda (rural poverty, impact of trade liberalization on livelihoods, landlockedness and trade facilitation, etc.)

Feedback from Zambia National Reference Group

Desired a topic in agriculture within the context of larger development constraints of Zambia (rural poverty and agricultural productivity, livelihoods, landlockedness and means to address these constraints through trade facilitation, etc.)

SELECTION OF TOPICS: FEEDBACK FROM COUNTRY FEATS NRGS

Summary of Feedback from Country FEATS NRGs

A topic in agriculture within the context of larger development objectives as well as constraints with emphasis on addressing rural poverty and livelihoods concerns

Importance of trade facilitation for landlocked countries Importance of regional as well as informal trade Issues of agricultural productivity also mentioned The research should analyse the complex relationships

involved and hence provide insights for future actions based on the past and current patterns

SELECTION OF TOPIC: FINAL PROPOSED TOPICS

Kenya and Tanzania

Regional Trade in Agriculture: Performance of and Prospects for Kenya/Tanzania with a Focus on Food Security and Rural Livelihoods

Malawi, Uganda and Zambia

A Policy Study of the linkages between Agricultural Productivity and Rural Livelihoods on the one hand and Trade in Agriculture and Trade Facilitation on the other: Recommendations for Poverty Reduction and Development for a Landlocked Country like Malawi/Uganda/Zambia

Allows for cross-country, cross-region comparisons

SELECTION OF TOPIC: TOR FINALIZATION

FEATS National Dialogues with Stakeholders held in April and May 2009

Discussed country ToRs and finalized with comments that added country specificities

Finalization through Interactive Process with Local Researchers

Detailed ToRs and work plans developed by local researchers in consultation with respective NRGs and CUTS

MAIN OBJECTIVES

To collect relevant information on the various aspects of the research topic

To analyse the information, including the examination of various relationships and linkages involved

To generate new insights and knowledge that carry practical implications

To contribute through recommendations to appropriate national and regional policies that can harness the potential of agriculture trade to achieve countries’ development objectives

METHODOLOGY: PRINCIPLES

Pooling of knowledge and expertise e.g. on trade in agriculture, food security, and rural livelihoods;

Cross-fertilization of ideas and experiences during the study process through involvement of national and international experts;

Facilitation of buy-in of the research and its findings by the relevant stakeholders in the country by involving them through country FEATS NRGs and meetings etc.

METHODOLOGY: PLAN

Literature search to expand and annotate research questions;

Data collection, fact finding and testing of hypotheses through country FEATS NRG consultations, other meetings, on-line collaboration with national, regional and international experts and partners, and targeted surveys;

Consultation with the Project Advisory Committee; Presentation of draft findings to National Stakeholders

Dialogue for validation and finalization.

ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

INTRODUCTION

ANALYSIS

RECOMMENDATIONS

Detailed ToR to be finalized

First draft shared with PAC and peers for review

Revised draft research studies ready

Present draft to National Dialogues in all project countries

Share research results at international conference in Geneva

Research Advocacy Networking

Sept. 2009:

June 2010:

Sept. 2010:

Oct.-Dec. 2010:

Jan. – March 2011:

TIMELINE

Thank You.

This sets the stage for country study ToRs presentations by the respective country

researchers.