A Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa: An outline of its rationale and implementation prospects

Information Sharing On the development of a

Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa ....

Dublin, Ireland, 13 April 2013

(Yihenew Zewdie)

1. Presentation Outline

• What is a Science Agenda for Agriculture in

Africa? • Why a Science Agenda now? • What factors play in favour of implementing

a Science Agenda?

2. What is a Science Agenda for

Agriculture in Africa? • Agriculture understood as comprising the

thematic focus areas enunciated in CAADP. • Science Agenda reference showing the

science, technology, extension, innovations, policy and social learning Africa needs to apply in order to meet its (agricultural) development goals – Emphasis is both on the breadth of Science and the

meaningful engagement between disciplines that are necessary to unlock the potentials of agriculture in Africa.

– Builds on previous attempts at charting a ‘Science Agenda’ (int’l & Pan-African)

2. Why a Science Agenda? • Need for an overarching strategic framework

to help – Encourage countries to place Science firmly in

their long-term agricultural development agenda; – Support the operationalisation of CAADP-aligned

plans and formulation of future iterations of such plans and programmes; • Essential that CAADP takes full advantage of the power

of science and technology in ag transformation. • Limited attention being given to the engagement of

tertiary agricultural educational institutions (TAEIs) with CAADP

2. Why a Science Agenda? (cont’d)

– Inform strategic planning development and/or review of key Continental and regional stakeholders;

– Create the conditions necessary for the alignment of research priorities of CG and other IARs with Africa’s long-term strategic interests; • Productivity Workshops - - need for more effective synergy

between CAADP plans and CGIAR initiatives

– Provide pointers for alignment of international development partners in the formulation of their assistance strategies and/or programmatic interventions

2. Why a Science Agenda? (cont’d) • Expected outcome of such an approach include the

following:

• Increase investments in science, technology assessment and innovation processes to strengthen the contribution of Science to Africa’s development.

• Strengthen synergies (e.g. between NARIS and educational institutions; between NARIS and CGIAR).

• Improve the evidence base for decision-making and investment so as to enhance results and impact.

3. Possible success factors for

implementing a Science Agenda • Formulation of a Science Agenda is sanctioned by the

AU Commission and the NEPAD Agency. – MoU between AUC and the CGIAR Consortium – ‘Sustaining the CAADP Momentum’ explicitly recognises

the Science Agenda as an important part of CAADP’s ten years strategic thrust

• The process has in-built mechanisms to enhance and deepen ownership by key (African) stakeholders. – Effort will go beyond ‘expert’ consultation, and will

engage with other key stakeholders (e.g., FOs, Advisory Service Institutions)

– Expert Panel; Oversight Team – Champion for the cause of the Science Agenda

MoU between AUC and CGIAR Consortium: Article 1 - Objectives

“The overall objective of this MoU is to establish a strategic partnership under CAADP between the AUC and the CGIAR Consortium to facilitate enhanced coordination, collaboration, and alignment between CGIAR Consortium members and initiatives and those of African agricultural research and development organizations at the country, sub-regional and continental levels with regard to their respective priorities, objectives, and programs for increased agricultural productivity in Africa.”

MoU between AUC and CGIAR Consortium: Article 1 - Objectives

• The specific objectives of the strategic partnership between the Commission and the CGIAR Consortium shall be to – (i) enhance the capacity of mandated African

institutions in articulating and advancing a Science and Technology Agenda for African Agriculture that is anchored in CAADP-based country and regional agriculture and food security investment plans; and

– (ii) strengthen synergies and complementarities between CGIAR planning processes for its Africa-oriented initiatives, on the one hand, and, on the other, CAADP-based priorities in research, policy analysis, training and knowledge management.”

3. Possible success factors (cont’d)

• The Science Agenda is designed to add value to already existing frameworks (e.g., FAAP, Pillar IV Strategy & OP).

• The Science Agenda offers a framework with sufficient foresight of mega-trends as well as immediate challenges and opportunities – In the short to the medium term, the Science

Agenda will help facilitate implementation of CAADP • The Science Agenda will have a broader focus:

Science beyond the bio-physical and endeavours to provide greater understanding of social, cultural and institutional issues.

3. Possible success factors (cont’d)

• Deliberations on the Science Agenda coincides with the proclamation, by AU, of 2014 as the ‘Year of Agriculture and Food Security’ and commemoration of CAADP’s 10th anniversary.

• Key recommendations of the Science Agenda work will be deliberated on by AU high-level organs, resulting in Summit-level Decisions.

• The Science Agenda work links the technical with the political: a consultative technical exercise with a game plan aimed at institutionalising the Agenda within the AU system.

Thank you!