Overview of the development process for ASAA: Progress to date and timeline

Presentation to Dublin Process Workshop: Dublin, Ireland April 13th 2013

Overview of the development process for

ASAA: Progress to date and timeline

by Geoffrey C. Mrema Co- Chair of EP of ASAA

Sokoine University of Agriculture [SUA]

P.O. Box 3233, MOROGORO, TANZANIA

Outline of the Presentation • Introduction • Initial FARA review of ASAA Oct 2012 – Feb 2013

– Purpose; ownership and audience of ASAA – Initial thoughts on the elements of the ASAA – Institutional arrangements for the development of ASAA

• Formation of the Expert Panel & its Workshops March & April 2013 – Recommendations on work-plan – Outline on the Discussion Paper on Framework for ASAA – Timeline for Delivery

• Concluding Remarks

• Concluding Comments


Introduction • The need for Agriculture Science Agenda for Africa

[ASAA] has been very well justified in several FARA & Dublin Process documents

• Although initial aim was to align CGIAR agenda to the CAADP one – imperative to look at the issue more broadly & take a long term perspective

• Need to align ASAA to the work of all players in AR4D process in Africa

• NARS & their SROs remain the largest part of AR4D in Africa – human; infrastructure; political support etc.

• Impact of CGIAR in Africa depends on efficient NARS and SROs as well as FARA.


Initial FARA Review - 1 • Purpose of ASAA:

– Recognized that ASAA emanates from the Dublin Process - alignment of CGIAR & CAADP agendas

– But content and imperative of ASAA go beyond alignment of CGIAR & CAADP agendas

– ASAA needs to align efforts of all AR4D actors [NARS; SROs; CGIAR; ARIs, private sector etc.] around a common framework

• Ownership & audience of ASAA: – Insufficient ownership & buy-in by key stakeholders affected impact of

previous similar initiatives – IAS report – Need to identify primary audience of the ASAA including developing its

appropriate communication strategy to key stakeholders – Policy makers particularly important for ASAA – need to prepare

special summary report for them especially for the AUC system culminating with a presentation to the July 2014 AUC Summit


Initial FARA review - 2 • Ideas on content of ASAA should include:

– Short, medium and long term perspectives - under the banner ‘Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa for the 21st Century’

– Priority science options for developmental impact e.g. increasing AgGDP; food security & nutrition; wealth creation & poverty reduction

– Pathways to sustainably overcoming the ‘ productivity trap’ in its implementation action plan

– Institutional aspects – including possible restructuring of main AR4D institutions around major functional areas – • Increasing productivity, incomes and protecting the environment • Improve nutrition; food safety and quality • Increase competitiveness & access to markets – post harvest systems • Knowledge generation and its application – education systems • Human capital development & enabling policies and institutions • Enhance integration & coordination at all levels [NARS.SRO,RO, Global],

FAP & Pillar 4 Documents


Initial FARA review - 3

• FARA recognized that ASAA has to be Africa led and owned including at policy level & at highest level – Need to set up institutional mechanisms to guide the

process of its development – The mechanisms need to report to current

governance structures of FARA & AUC including: • FARA Board and General Assembly • AUC Ministerial meetings and Summit

– Africa led and owned structures have to be established to guide the process including: • An Oversight Group [OG] to superintend the overall process • An Experts Panel [EP] to lead the technical process • Define role of the FARA Secretariat in the process


Institutional Issues -1

• Oversight Group - [OG]: – Under the FARA Board it provides oversight and coordination in

development of the ASAA & FARA secretariat is its convenor

• Composition: – AUC, NPCA, FARA Sec, AFAAS, PAFFO, PanAAC, Education networks – SROs (ASARECA, CCARDESA, CORAF/WECARD and NASRO), RECs, – The CGIAR Consortium, the World Bank and IFAD

• ToRs of OG: – Mainstream the ASAA into country and regional CAADP processes; – Ensure relevance, value addition and applicability of the ASAA’s content – Build stakeholder buy-in and ownership of the ASAA – Prepare ToRs and constitute the Expert Panel [EP] & its Teams – On Expert Panel’s advice, commission relevant studies to support the

development of ASAA; Ensure follow up of Expert Panel’s advice; – Facilitate establishment of synergies with complementary CAADP, CGIAR

& related programs


Institutional Issues - 2

• ToRs of the Expert Panel - [EP]: – Advise on the development of ASAA specifically on:

• Content and structure; Methodology and timeframe • Target audience; building buy-in & ownership by stakeholders • Complementary studies and consultations (e.g. D-groups, e-consultation) to

be commissioned; Peer review of the report

– Review relevant literature and collect the necessary data/information

– Prepare the ASAA document – draft by July 2013 final by November 2013

– Provide high-level political advocacy and champion the cause of the ASAA

• Chair of EP provides overall leadership & champions the ASAA • Co-chair provides technical leadership on the development of ASAA

including leadership of the Synthesis team


Institutional issues - 3

• ToRs for FARA Secretariat in the development of the ASAA: – Serving as focal point and convenor for the Science Agenda – Providing complementary technical support to Expert Panel & Oversight Group

• Guidance and technical support to facilitate compliance with technical aspects of their ToRs; • Identification and compilation of supporting documents; • Providing support in conceptualisation of content, methodology and process for development

of ASAA; • Leveraging resources and complementarities with other Forum activities; • Mobilisation of stakeholders to ensure buy-in and ownership; • Facilitating knowledge sharing, communication and public awareness • Hosting the official website for ASAA

– Providing administrative & operational support for effective functioning of the Expert Panel and Oversight Group including: • Providing logistical support; • Facilitating the constitution of the Expert Panel; • Facilitating dissemination of public awareness materials and capturing feedback during

development of the ASAA; • Recruiting consultants and facilitating compliance with administrative and legal aspects

of their contracts


Formation of Expert Panel [EP]

Expert Panel Membership

Presentation to FARA/IFAD Consultation on ASAA – Rome, Italy 19th March 2013

1. Kanayo Nwanze, Chair

2. Geoffrey Mrema, Co-Chair

3. Pierre Fabre

4. Lance O’Brien

5. Yusuf Abubakar

6. Ndeye Coumba Fall

7. Agnes Mwang'ombe

8. Siwa Msangi, IFPRI

9. Yihenew Zewdie

10.Howard Elliott

11.Mandivamba Rukuni

12.Gabrielle Persley,

EP Orientation & Planning Workshops - March 2013 • Orientation Workshop – Objective: to furnish EP with

background to ASAA; its envisaged structure and proposed development process

• Retreat by the EP – Objectives: to enable EP members to bond as a team; internalize their assignment; develop an outline of the ASAA and a timetable for its delivery & associated milestones

• Planning Workshop with FARA Secretariat: Objectives: To reflect on the outcomes of the EP Retreat; Agree on requirements for implementing the assignment including administrative issues.

• Proposals from the consultations of the EP considered by FARA and other stakeholders in workshops held in Accra and Rome and endorsed for implementation

Presentation to FARA/IFAD Consultation on ASAA – Rome, Italy 19th March 2013

EP Retreat – March 2013 - 1 • EP reviewed its ToRs and timeline for delivery of outcomes • The EP agreed to

– Produce a detailed discussion paper of the main issues involved in ASAA which will then be subjected to extensive stakeholder consultation

– The Discussion Paper [DP] draft title: A Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa: A Long Term Strategic Framework

– The draft of the paper should be ready by end of May 2013 for consideration by Oversight Group [OG] and other stakeholders before being tabled to the FARA General Assembly in July 2013 for consideration and approval

– The Science Agenda Framework Document should be finalized by the EP by 30th September 2013 for submission to the FARA Board at its November 2013 meeting and

– To the AUC for consideration by senior officials of MoA’s, Ministerial Meeting and the Summit in July 2014.

• The EP developed the detailed outline of the Discussion Paper


EP Retreat – March 2013 - 2 • The EP agreed on the following nine sections of the Discussion Paper:

1. Introduction 2. Setting the Scene 3. The state of science, technology, innovation and extension in

Agriculture in Africa 4. Mega trends affecting agricultural development in Africa 5. How can Science make a difference in agricultural development -

theory of change 6. Strategic issues in developing a Science Agenda 7. Suggested thematic focus areas where Science could make a

difference in Agriculture in Africa 8. Conditions for adoption of a Science Agenda 9. Proposed process of engagement and timeline


EP Retreat – March 2013 - 3 • 1. Introduction

– The changing global context & opportunities for Africa’s development – Purpose of the Discussion Paper – Scope of ASAA – CAADP; Science in a broad sense.

• 2. Setting the scene – Challenges of African agriculture (incl. Structural evolution of agriculture etc.) – Review of past visions and strategies for a Science Agenda in Africa – Why a Science Agenda now? – How this initiative is different from previous ones

• 3. The state of science, technology, innovation and extension in agriculture in Africa

– Evolution of science, technology, extension and innovation – Current state of science, technology, extension and innovation – Institutional architecture (need to also include reference to tertiary agricultural

educational institutions – TAEIs; different research approaches – formal and informal/participatory)


EP Retreat – March 2013 - 4 • 4. Mega Trends affecting agricultural development in Africa

– General: • Demographic trends: urbanization; ageing rural population, youth un-employment • Changing Dietary patterns; food safety & quality; nutrition • Mega- cities; -regions and –corridors; external demand for land & water resources • Regional integration & role of RECs, regional food trade; price volatility • ICTs and their role – Market information & rural finance, • Climate change and variability; trans-boundary river management • Conservation of genetic resources and bio-diversity protection

– Emerging Science Trends: • Sustainable intensification cf. policy emphasis on external input intensive agriculture • Bioinformatics & Emerging technologies (e.g., GMOs and nanotechnology) • Animal and plant associated diseases; Urban and peri-urban agriculture • Innovative social capital approaches • Agricultural mechanization and labor saving technologies • Institutional arrangements for agric. science and technology (from the domestic to the global

levels); Structural stability and sustainability of organisations (incl. ageing scientific staff)

5. How can Science make a difference in agricultural development in Africa:

• Desired outcomes, interventions and assumptions


EP Retreat – March 2013 - 5

6. Strategic issues in developing a Science Agenda:

• Scientific approaches relevant to African situation • What spectrum of science is needed to respond to African challenges?

What criteria can be used to prioritise the type of Science? • Enhancement of the effectiveness of agricultural development including

support to different classes of farmers? • Supporting the needs of farmers and other operators along the value chain at

different scales of operation? • Addressing the different roles of agriculture in Africa?

• Science and Policy interface: Increasing investments from public and private sectors, provision of data and evidence for more effective policy making; role of policies; institutions and leadership; improving current systems in innovation.

• Improving Existing Scientific Systems


EP Retreat – March 2013 - 6

7. Thematic Areas: – Increasing production & productivity – Climate Change adaptation and environmental

sustainability – Food systems, nutrition, safety and food security – Markets, regional integration and international trade – Social institutions, local knowledge and gender

relations – institutional and policy effectiveness


EP Retreat – March 2013 - 7 8. Conditions for adoption of the Science Agenda:

– Need for short; medium and long term agenda including visioning

– Linkage and support to CAADP at all levels – Support from national; regional and international

agencies in their strategic reviews to ASAA – Visioning : including building systemic capacity to

address emerging issues from ASAA in the long term – Inclusion if education and HR development capacity – Investment in science capacity & budgetary

allocations at right levels.


EP Retreat – 8: Outcomes

9. Process of engagement and timeline – Preliminary consultations – January – March – Preparation of Discussion paper March - May – Stakeholder consultation incl. OG; SROs June – Issues tabled at FARA GA July 20th – E-consultation – August 2013 – Preparation of final draft report OF ASAA by 30th

September – Approval by FARA Board Nov 2013, submission to

AUC for review & consultations Jan – June 2014 – Submission to AU Summit – July 2014.


Conclusions • FARA believes through outlined process a

credible ASAA report which has been subjected to extensive stakeholder consultation can be produced for consideration by the AUC Summit in July 2014

• FARA appreciates the support of the members of the Dublin Process and welcomes their comments and recommendations

THANK YOU!


Overview of the development process for ASAA: Progress to date and timeline

Education

Transcript of Overview of the development process for ASAA: Progress to date and timeline