Global Forum for Rural Advisory

ServicesSpace for Advocacy and

Leadership on RAS

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Definition: Rural Advisory ServicesDifferent activities that: Strengthen capacities Empower people Promote innovations

So people can… Obtain skills and

information Address rural

challenges© 2003 Anna Temu/IFPRI

219 Apr 2023 Presentation: What does GFRAS do?

Improved livelihoods

Who are we?

A forum and network

Rural advisory service actors• Extension providers (public, private, civil society)• Farmer organisations• Regional bodies including research• Academics, educational institutions• Donors• Policy makers

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History of GFRAS

Recognition of need for regional information sharing among extension in Africa (AFAAS)

Discussions at the Neuchâtel Initiative (NI) annual meeting

NI links to AFAAS 2009 NI meeting: Demand for dynamic,

proactive, formal structure to assure credible and clear voice for RAS at global level

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Why GFRAS?

RAS key to rural development, but… Limited voice at global level Lack of evidence-based advice on policies,

approaches, investment options Limited experience-sharing at local, regional level Lack of individual, organisational, institutional

capacity strengthening

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GFRAS Mission

Provide space for advocacy and leadership on rural advisory services within the global development agenda...

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© 2006 Yohannes Lemma/IFPRI

Presentation: What does GFRAS do?

...that promote sustainable rural growth and help the poor

GFRAS Objectives

Voice in global policy dialogues Evidence-based approaches and policies Interaction and networking for capacity

strengthening Creation of enabling environment for

investment

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Where GFRAS WorksGlobal level international networks, apex organisations, development

partners, inter-governmental structures, food security initiatives, climate change forums, research organisations

Regional/national level farmer’s umbrella organizations, regional networks,

government agencies, NGOs, civil society, private sector, academic networks

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Governance and Support (Inception Phase) Open structure with no formal membership Managed by secretariat Governed by steering committee :• African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services• Agridea• Danish Agricultural Advisory Services• Food and Agriculture Organisation• Glemminge Development Research• Global Forum for Agricultural Research• Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation• World Bank

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GFRAS Activities: Overview Map and match RAS actors and interests

Raise awareness for RAS globally Producing documents Attending meetings

Coordinating development of toolkit for evaluation of RAS

Help regional RAS to network

Holding a meeting for inter-continental experience sharing

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GFRAS Activities (1)

Engagement with stakeholders from different sectors Africa

Asia + Pacific

Latin America + Caribbean

Europe

Global

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GFRAS Activities (2)

Evaluation toolkit development Based on demand from stakeholders

Overview of case studies

Review of methods

Tools, methods, frameworks: toolkit

Workshop and validation

Field testing in 2011

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GFRAS Activities (3)

Harmonise worldwide data collection on RAS IFPRI worldwide assessment

FAO investment assessment

Joint data collection- over 100 countries

Joint publication of summaries and data

Available online through GFRAS?

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GFRAS Activities (4)

Support to regional networks African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS)

Joint Latin America consultation on extension with Rimisp

Asian extension event for 2011

Pacific Islands Extension Network

Central Asia Extension Network

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GFRAS Activities (5)

Inter-continental experience sharing Partnering with AFAAS, Rimisp

50-75 participants

Bringing participants from Africa, Asia, Pacific, Central Asia, Latin America, Caribbean, Europe

Regional experience sharing

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Upcoming activities (2011) Field testing evaluation toolkit African advisory services symposium with AFAAS Global extension conference with CTA Data sharing on status of extension worldwide with

FAO, IFPRI Working with initiative to provide training materials,

do pilot studies, do in-depth assessments in RAS

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Conclusion

...advocacy and leadership on pluralistic, demand-driven RAS within global development agenda that promote sustainable rural growth and help the poor

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© 2006 Tumuluru Kumar/IFPRI

For More Information:www.g-fras.org info@g-fras.org