Extensive Livestock Research Multi-Stakeholder Research Question Development Workshop

10th – 12th December 2012. Nairobi. LINKING RESEARCH TO APPLICATION WITHIN THE EXTENSIVE LIVESTOCK VALUE CHAIN.

EAFF together with its consortium partners in the PAEPARD program is organizing a continental multi stakeholder research question development workshop around the federating theme “Extensive livestock value chain” to:

1. Validate the federating theme of the Extensive value chain , the desk review and the document of strategy produced; 
2. Identify and/or refine research questions for the development of the livestock that were identified during the study that was conducted. 
3. Identify potential partnerships that can be formed to address gaps identified in the extensive livestock value chain 
4. Identify the Terms of Reference for platform and core group to take up the research question that is proritized forward 

The participants for this workshop include PAEPARD partners, national, regional stakeholders working in Farmer organizations, private sector, government, consumer organizations, research institutions, Universities, and farmers all interested in the extensive livestock value chain within eastern Africa region.

Participants came from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Zambia, France and the UK and represented research, education, farmers organizations, non-government organizations, national governments, agricultural extension and advisory services, the private sector and regional economic communities. The discussions were guided by a new Eastern Africa Livestock strategy commissioned by EAFF, and carried out by the Agency for Inter-regional Development, as an input to its strategic plan for 2012-2020.

In his opening remarks at the workshop Mr Philip Macharia Kiriro, President of EAFF, explained that a key pillar of the plan is “…trade and agribusiness with a special focus on value chain development and economic services to EAFF members…”. He indicated that EAFF’s livestock focus will be on the extensive beef value chain and that regional collaboration is need to ensure both productivity gains and improved market access.

One of the main tasks of workshop participants was to validate EAFF’s livestock strategy and to prioritize proposed areas for intervention at three stages along the value chain; namely, production, processing and marketing.

Afid presentation eaff research stakeholder wkshop121212

The group looking at production identified the need to improve the availability and quality of feed and water and to prevent and control pests and diseases as the two most important research issues. Improving food safety and quality standards and developing and promoting value addition technologies emerged as the key research issues for processing.

Finally, enhancing product standards and policies for improved market access and improving access to, and utilization of, market information were the priorities for research related to marketing. A core group of seven persons has been given the responsibility to draft a concept note and to identify additional organizations which might contribute to a new research initiative. Potential opportunities for funding have been identified and further work is being done to promote the initiative and secure additional support.

The full report LINKING RESEARCH TO APPLICATION WITHIN THE EXTENSIVE LIVESTOCK VALUE CHAIN can be downloaded here



The report of the meeting in English can be downloaded here

The report of the meeting in French can be downloaded here

Background:
PAEPARD partners shifted to a new user led brokerage procedure which is giving the lead to the “research users” partners (especially FOs but also the private sector) in the organization of brokerage activities in particular the organization of “brokerage workshops” around a federating theme that they have themselves chosen.

With this in mind EAFF through collaborative approaches and consultation within Eastern Africa stakeholders identified a federating theme to focus on Extensive livestock value chains. In May 2012, the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF) contracted the Agency for Inter-regional Development (AFID) to carry out a consultancy study to develop a Livestock Strategy for Eastern Africa. The focus of the strategy was given as “Extensive Livestock Systems” predominant in the dry areas of Eastern Africa. Major species involved were cattle, small ruminants (sheep and goat) and camels. Poultry and pig rearing in the target production systems which involve agro-pastoral and pastoral systems were also to be captured. The objective of this approach is to

• a) Reinforce the existing dynamics at national/regional level, 
• b) Improving existing partnerships between FO, research and others stakeholders (improvements in terms of partnerships design of diversity of stakeholders involved etc, and Deepen pending questions and potential solutions

Related PAEPARD blog post:

PAEPARD users' led process: Eastern Africa Livestock

Video interview with Dr. Jean Ndikumana who explains the objectives of the study: EAFF - Post handling of Extensive Livestock value chains in Eastern Africa with Specific Focus on Kenya and Uganda. 

He was interviewed during the EAC-Europe Food Security Thematic Policy Dialogue Workshop, 25th to 26th, October, 2012, Arusha, Tanzania.

He responds to following questions:

• How important is it to identify gaps in research which benefits pastoralism?
• How difficult is it to identify research gaps?
• Do farmers or pastoralists have the capacity to translate a problem into a research question?
• Was such consultation difficult?
• Which gaps did you identify?
• What is the way forward?
• Which is the most important recommendation?
• You recommend a multi sectorial approach?

Related:

Monday 14 January 2013. News from Africa Africa: Agricultural Researchers Call for Scaling up of Extensive Livestock Production

Learning and Innovation Platforms for Agricultural Knowledge and Technologies in Africa

1-5 October, 2012. Mwanza, Tanzania, Sixty five professionals and experts on knowledge sharing and technology dissemination gathered in Mwanza.They were focal points for RAILS and DONATA platforms currently funded by the AfDB/PSTAD project through FARA’s leadership with SROs’ (ASARECA, CORAF/WECARD and CCARDESA) coordinating support. IITA, CIP and ICRA are providing technical backstopping and NRI on M&E process. 

Participants shared experiences in managing knowledge exchange and innovation platforms. They learnt about evolution on the use of the value chain approach along the upward (inputs) and downward (commodity) chain. Most of the learning and innovation platforms led by research start with the seed upward chain. Stakeholders then get more engaged through greater interactions and understanding of issues and opportunities. This triggers interventions towards the downward chain such as processing and marketing of products.

Participants engaged in co-learning 

of the value chain approach

A field day allowed interaction with farmers, processors, traders of orange-fleshed-sweet potato in the Mwanza district. The learning and innovation platforms in Mwanza have evolved over the past 4 years of their operation, with greater ownership by the local governments and cooperatives managing processing plants. The platforms were facilitated by LZARDI, ASARECA, CIP and FARA.

The workshop highlighted the importance of shared understanding on the value chain approach and variations in actual practice of establishing learning and innovation platforms based on culture, environment and available resources. There are some platforms with formal and some with informal institutional structures. Their form and operation depend on transactions made among members i.e. financial resources shared or technical advice. The basic and initial objective is food security linked to development perspective.

As the learning and innovation platforms evolve, the commercial or business perspectives increases. Throughout the process, documentation and effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms becomes critical for enhanced learning and accountability.

1st October - 5 October 2012. Mwanza. Representatives from 24 African countries meet to reflect on achievements and challenges of implementing the dissemination of new agricultural technologies in Africa (Donata) project.

According to Dr Lydia Kimenya, the up-scaling programme manager from the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (Asareca), the conference aims at looking at achievements and draw lessons from current efforts to spread quality protein maize and orange fleshed sweet potatoes (Ofsps) in Africa.

“The conference, it is hoped, will further boost dissemination and adoption of improved agricultural technologies and innovations through innovation platforms,” she said.

According to her, the project on dissemination of new agricultural technologies in Africa is part of the promoting science and technology for agricultural development initiative funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) through the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (Fara).

Through Asareca, the project manages and coordinates the implementation of Donata in Eastern and Central Africa.

“It works together with the national agricultural research institutes of Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and while, Ethiopia, which joined later started implementing the project in 2008,” she explained.

Dr Kimenye explained that through the knowledge management and the up-scaling programme, Asareca had been working with the five East African counties to promote the transfer and dissemination of technologies in sweet potatoes and transfer and dissemination of technologies in quality protein maize.

“The technologies include improved varieties, crop management practices and post-harvest management and processing to produce value added products for human consumption and for livestock feeds,” she added. According to her, the two crops’ technologies are being promoted through an approach known as Innovation Platforms for Technology Adoption (Iptas).

“This approach engages and brings together researchers, field extension workers, farmers, policy makers, non-governmental organisations, Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), seed companies, input suppliers and processors to share information, knowledge and skills on proven technologies in order to widely disseminate them,” she added.

ASARECA announced Calls for Concept Notes

The Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) has the following announcements for Calls for Concept Notes 

1. CALL Ref: ASARECA-RC09-NRM&B-2012: Title: Linking Integrated Soil Fertility Management gains to agricultural product markets 
2. CALL REF: ASARECA_RC12_STAPLES-05: Title: Upscaling of new highland maize varieties in Ethiopia 
3. CALL REF: ASARECA_RC12_LFP-02: Title: Validating Management Practices to control Napier stunt and smut diseases for increased feed availability in small holder systems of Eastern and Central Africa (ECA). (Call For Concepts) 
4. CALL REF: ASARECA_RC12_LFP-04:Title: Validating the method using rumen liquor from slaughtered cattle as a source of inoculum for in-vitro gas production for forage evaluation 
5. CALL REF: ASARECA_RC12_LFP-03:Title: Up-scaling environmentally friendly acaricide management for preventing and controlling Tick and Tick –Borne diseases in Eastern and Central Africa 
6. CALL REF: ASARECA-RC010-NRM-2012: Title: Enhancing adaptive capacity of smallholders through the application of response farming innovations 
7. CALL REF: ASARECA- RC02-AGROBIO-2012: Title: Validation of Tsol 18 vaccine for control of Taenia Solium cysticercosis in ECA countries 
8. CALL REF: ASARECA- RC01-AGROBIO-2012: Title: Validation of Taenia Solium cysticercosis pen-side diagnostic kit developed by ASARECA and partner NARS in the ECA 
9. CALL REF: ASARECA-RC12-PAAP-01: Title: Enhancing adoption of harmonised standards to drive commercialisation of root and tuber crops in eastern and central Africa 
10. CALL REF: ASARECA-RC12-PAAP-02 : Title: Enhanced adoption of effective policies for increased regional trade in seeds in the ASARECA sub-region 
11. CALL REF. ASARECA_RC12_STAPLES-01:Title: Upscaling Banana Bacterial Wilt Management Technologies/innovations in Eastern and Central Africa 
12. CALL REF: ASARECA_RC12_STAPLES-02 : Title: Accelerating the Scaling Up of Innovations/ Technologies for of Quality Potato Seed Production in ECA

Informal stakeholder consultation on agriculture research in Africa

Prof. Monty JONES (FARA)

20-22 March 2012. Brussels, organized by the European Commission Directorate General for Development and Cooperation - DG DEVCO. Improving the quality and effectiveness of development cooperation with African agricultural knowledge organisations: Informal stakeholder consultation.

In order to improve the quality and effectiveness of development cooperation with African continental and sub-regional agricultural knowledge organisations, the European Commission organized an informal stakeholders consultation which brought together representatives of African agricultural knowledge organisations, of the Development Partners, and EC/EU experts.

Dan KISAUZI & Silim Mohamed NAHDY
(AFAAS) ; Paco SEREME & Harold
ROY MACAULEY (CORAF) ;
David NIELSON (World Bank)

David NIELSON, Melissa BROWN, Bremala
MALLI & Juergen ANTHOFER (WB)

The objectives of this meeting were to:

• share experiences of African continental and sub-regional leading organizations linked to agricultural research, advisory services, and tertiary agricultural education on how these organisations have contributed to the objectives of the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) under the Framework for African Agricultural Productivity (FAAP);



Carolyn GLYNN & Philip CHIVERTON
(Swedish University of Agricultural 
Sciences)
Nicoliene OUDWATER 
(AgriCulture ETC Foundation)

• dialogue with representatives of African continental and sub-regional organisations, Development Partners organisations, and EC/EU experts on the key lessons learnt through such processes – what worked well and less well and why;
• looking to the future, discuss how such processes might continue to be strengthened into the future and scaled up where appropriate, share views of African organisations on their future role in their mandate areas and discuss this with representatives of the Development Partners organisations and EC/EU experts.

The outcomes were:

Aissetou Drame YAYE (ANAFE), Adipala
EKWAME (RUFORUM), Ramadjita TABO
& Adewale ADEKUNLE (FARA)

• raised awareness of the value of African continental and sub-regional leading organizations linked to agricultural research, advisory services, and tertiary agricultural education in support to the objectives of CAADP;
• shared experience on key initiatives of African continental and sub-regional leading organizations linked to agricultural research, advisory services, and tertiary agricultural education to advance African agriculture;



Patrick TAWONEZVI & Mwape
BWANALI (CCARDESA)

• deepen understanding of the challenges and opportunities of African continental and sub-regional leading organizations linked to agricultural research, advisory services, and tertiary agricultural education to support the objectives of CAADP;
• recommendations made to donors and Development Partners organisations on how to increase effectiveness of their support to agricultural research, advisory services, and tertiary agricultural education in support to the objectives of CAADP.

South Sudan joins ASARECA

14-16th December 2011. Entebbe, Uganda. The world’s newest country was unanimously accepted to become the 11th member of the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in East and Central Africa (Asareca) during its first general assembly.

According to Harvard professor Calestous Juma, who gave the keynote address, South Sudan will play a key role in developing agriculture in the region by providing opportunities to apply the latest technologies on untested ground.

“South Sudan is lucky because it will get started with the latest and best agricultural technologies as it embarks on developing its economic base,” he said adding that since agriculture is the most viable industry the country can tap into and reap substantially because of being endowed with unfarmed soils and plenty of irrigation water from the Nile, it has potential to feed the region and generate more for selling into a food deficit world.

1st ASARECA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

By an interesting coincidence, a young Sudanese researcher who is studying in Kenya at the Kenyatta University’s department of biotechnology, Rashar Omer, has made history by developing the first drought-resistant maize gene that was unveiled at the conference and named Asareca gene. Slated for commercialisation in 2018, the gene is being touted by scientists who are excited by the breakthrough as having the potential to finally lead Africa to an agrarian revolution that has evaded the continent for decades.(source: The East African 28/12/2011, South Sudan - Africa's Next Farming Frontier)