Advancing a Science and Technology Agenda for African Agriculture

15 January 2013. Ababa, Ethiopia,  – In an event that highlights continued progress towards African agricultural sustainability, African Union Commission (AUC) Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, H.E. Rhoda Peace Tumusiime and Chief Executive Officer of the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers (CGIAR Consortium), Dr. Frank Rijsberman signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on behalf of the two organizations.

The MoU describes a strategic partnership under the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) of the AUC and 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.”

The MoU calls for joint actions to guide implementation of alignment of programs and support activities for CAADP, including: 

1. a research alignment plan that coordinates research programs with CAADP National Investment Plans; 
2. a Science and Technology Agenda for African Agriculture; 
3. a joint plan to support regional and sub-regional research activities; 
4. the development of joint African and CGIAR technology platforms; 
5. technical support; 
6. and joint sharing of information and knowledge.

Dublin II meeting: CAADP – CGIAR Alignment:

17–19 September. Dublin. The Dublin Momentum, is an initiative aimed at exploring how the international research agenda of the CGIAR can be aligned with African country and regional programmes around a Science Agenda for African Agriculture – and how development partners could best support such alignment.

The meeting provided the opportunity for greater connectivity and focus between CAADP and the CGIAR research programs (CRPs), thus bridging the gap between African demand for technical support and the CGIAR’s

The outcomes of two workshops were presented at the Dublin II meeting. These workshops intended to help countries draw upon best practices and technical resources to begin the detailed design of new investments and programmes in agricultural research, extension and education.

See communique of the Dublin process

Nairobi regional workshop on CAADP-CGIAR alignment

The first regional workshop, took place in Nairobi 27–30 August 2012. It ­was organised
jointly by the FARA Secretariat and the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA).

• The workshop brought together over 60 participants from seven ASARECA member countries (Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania); representatives of 12 CRPs from eight CGIAR centres (Biodiversity International, CIFOR, CIMMYT, ICARDA, ICRISAT, IFPRI, IITA and ILRI); and national agricultural research institutions. 
• During the 4-day workshop, the participants reviewed and identified key gaps and opportunities that can be addressed by research, extension and education by matching them with relevant research priorities, thus enabling the CRPs to tailor their research agenda effectively. 
• They also formulated preliminary action plans on how the CRPs can address the research, extension and education components of the investment plans as articulated in FARA’s Framework for African Agricultural Productivity (FAAP) and the CAADP Pillar IV Strategy and Operational Plan. These action plans will effectively move the research agenda from the planning stage to implementation. 
• See Final report of the meeting: Understanding CAADP, IPS and CRPS - caadpasareca - PBworks  Facilitation and Documentation by Paul Kibwika and Ahmed Zziwa, PICO-Uganda Ltd, 179 pages. 

The second workshop took place 4–6 September in Saly, Portudal, Senegal. Focusing on agricultural productivity in West Africa, the workshop brought together a similar number of participants from seven countries in West Africa (Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo) as well as the CGIAR CRP lead centres.

Related:

Mapping and Aligning CAADP Investment Plan Technology and Innovation Needs with African Agricultural R&D Investments.
The Dublin Momentum secured the commitment of key players to ensuring that the products and services of the international agricultural research community directed toward Africa will be aligned to needs and priorities articulated through CAADP-led processes and, more specifically, the national medium-term agricultural Investment Plans (IPs) developed as part of individual CAADP Compacts.The initial goal of this mapping platform is to develop and apply an approach by which technology and innovation needs, as embodied in agricultural development IPs, can be compared and contrasted with on-going and planned agricultural research investments in the region. The primary scope of R&D investments to be examined will be those of the CGIAR Consortium Research Programs (CRPs), and complementary activities by SROs and NARs.

The CAADP National Multi - Stakeholder Dialogue for Tanzania

A group photo of CAADP Dialogue participants

July 26th,2012. Dar es Salaam. Organized By: The Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources
Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN), The Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF) and Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and cooperative (MAFSC)

M. Futakamba- Deputy Permanent Secretary – MAFSC 

and Dr. Donatila Kaino

The main purpose of CAADP dialogue was to ensure multi-stakeholder participation in the development and implementation of agricultural policy This includes Non-State Actors (NSA) such as Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), farmer and producer organisations, researchers, parliamentarians, the private sector and the media.

In his opening remarks, an official in the Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Cooperatives Mr Mbogo Futakamba said the meeting stems from the fact that Non-State Actors have inadequate awareness of the CAADP process in the country. "The government values and embraces participation of non state actors in the country's development and agricultural sector in particular as a way to ending the woes of poverty in the society," he said.

Ms. M. Ndaba - Principal Economist in the Ministry of Agriculture Food 

Security and Cooperatives and head of Development Assistance and 

International Coordination in agriculture sector presenting CAADP 

Country status report for Tanzania

The main purpose of CAADP dialogue is to ensure multi-stakeholder participation in the development and implementation of agricultural policy. Some of the Non-State Actors (NSA) are like Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), farmer and producer organisations, researchers, parliamentarians, the private sector and the media.

Mr Futakamba mentioned Kilimo Kwanza and the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) as significant initiatives which aim at greater involvement of private sector in the agriculture activities. For example, SAGCOT's objective is to foster inclusive, commercially successful agribusinesses that will benefit the region's small-scale farmers, thus improving food security, reduce rural poverty and ensure environmental sustainability.

The PPP has emerged as a key vehicle to diversify economies, grow agribusiness, ensure food security and thrive. It also stimulates access to finance, inputs and markets for smallholder farmers. (source: All Africa 30 July: Tanzania: Experts Tout for PPP in Agriculture)

Related:
11 July 2012. Cameroon Embraces Africa's Comprehensive Agricultural Framework.  Cameroon has officially adhered to the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme. It was officially launched in Yaounde in a ceremony chaired by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Essimi Menye, representing the Prime Minister.

8th CAADP Partnership Platform

3rd and 4th of May 2012. Nairobi Kenya. The African Union Commission (AUC) and NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA) organised the 8th CAADP Partnership Platform (PP) Meeting around the theme of the meeting “Accelerating CAADP Implementation for results and impact.”

Over 200 participants, including agriculture experts, researchers, policy makers, civil society, development partners, farmers' groups and media from within Africa and beyond attended the two-day event.

The President of Pan African Farmers Organization (PAFO), Ms. Elizabeth Atangana, urged CAADP to put in place the mechanism for marketing Africa agriculture produce. She said the programme should also encourage agricultural research, promote inter-countries trade, strengthen cooperative societies, and empower women and youths in African rural areas. 

“CAADP is an opportunity but the slow implementation of its agenda is of concern to farmers. In Central Africa, the launch of CAADP is still facing a lot of challenges. I hope that this meeting will give us space and lead to conclusion, implementation and joining of countries that have not joined,” she said.

Background: CAADP was established in 2003 as part of the AU's NEPAD programme and as Africa's response to the various challenges facing agriculture in the continent. Some of its main goals are to influence countries to increase their budgetary allocation to agriculture by 10%, achieve 6% growth, promote land and water management, agricultural research, marketing and food security. Some 30 countries have signed the CAADP compact, which is a blueprint for accelerating agricultural growth, while over 24 countries have established agriculture and food security investment plans.

Second Annual Ministerial Dialogue on Integrating Research, Extension and Education in the CAADP Country Process for Increased Agricultural Productivity in Africa

18-19 April 2012. FARA Secretariat, Accra, Ghana.

The purpose of the dialogue was to provide a platform for Ministers of Agriculture; Science &; Technology; Education; and other agriculture-related Ministries to examine the topical issues relating to integrating research, extension and education into the CAADP country process for increased agricultural productivity in Africa.

Participants at the 2nd Annual Dialogue included: representatives of the Governments of Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Togo, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Also in attendance were the African Union/NEPAD, the ECOWAS Parliament, the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), ECOBank, Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACP/EU (CTA), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Kuffuor Foundation, the First Bank International, the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS), Tertiary Education for Agriculture Mechanism (TEAM Africa) and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA).

The specific objectives were to:

• Identify issues of strategic importance to integrating research, extension and education in the CAADP country process, stimulate dialogue on them. 
• Identify how to develop strategies for integrating research, extension and education in the CAADP country process. 
• Raise awareness among Ministers and parliamentarians of the need for increased investments in research, extension and education. 

See: ommuniqué

Presentations:

1. Enhancing agricultural development in Africa. Key note address by Pro. Monty P. Jones (FARA) 
2. Integrating research, extension and education in the CAADP country process for increased agricultural productivity. (Ms. Idowu Ejere- FARA)
3. Contribution of pillar IV to the CAADP country process. (Dr. Emmanuel Tambi- FARA)
4. CAADP country process. (Dr. Marcel Nwalozie- AU-NPCA) 
5. Innovation systems for enhancing the value of research, extension and education. (Dr. Adewale Adekunle- FARA) 
6. Funding of agricultural research, extension and education: private sector perspectives. (Mr. Dauda Lawal- First Bank International) 
7. Developing capacities for improving agricultural productivity. (Dr. Irene Annor-Frempong- FARA) Improving agricultural productivity through direct access to knowledge resources. (Dr. Stephen Rudgard- FAO)
8. CAADP Pillar IV strategy and operational plan. (Dr. Emmanuel Tambi - FARA) 
9. Agricultural Advisory Services (AAS) strategy and operational plan. (Dr. Silim Nahdy - AFAAS) Tertiary Agricultural Education (TAE) mechanism. (Prof. Hamidou Boly - TEAM Africa) 
10. Systems for knowledge management. (Mrs. Myra Wopereis - FARA) 
11. Emerging and cross-cutting issues affecting agriculture in Africa. (Dr. Ramadjita Tabo - FARA)

Increasing Agricultural Productivity & Enhancing Food Security in Africa

Synopsis of the international conference held 1-3 November 2011 in Addis Ababa

2nd April 2012. IFPRI. (34 pages) The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), in conjunction with the African Union Commission, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the Forum for Agricultural Research for Africa (FARA), organized an international conference on November 1–3, 2011, titled “Increasing Agricultural Productivity and Enhancing Food Security in Africa: New Challenges and Opportunities” in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

This conference provided a forum for the exchange of ideas, experiences, and innovations on improving agricultural productivity for achieving food security in Africa by: (i) showcasing research results on the trends, determinants, constraints, and opportunities for improving agricultural productivity in Africa within the framework of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP), national agricultural and rural development strategies, and investment plans; (ii) identifying areas for policy actions, further research, and innovations toward enhancing food security and reducing poverty in the continent; and (iii) encouraging appropriate communication strategies for conveying and implementing research results that improve agricultural productivity, enhance food security, and reduce rural poverty in Africa.

See PAEPARD blog post: Increasing Agricultural Productivity and Enhancing Food Security in Africa: New Challenges and Opportunities

African Ministers of finance discuss the implementation of CAADP

22–25 March 2012. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Meeting of the Committee of Experts of the 5th Joint
Annual Meetings of the AU Conference of Ministers of Economy and Finance and ECA Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. About 50 African ministers of Finance met for a two-day conference whose theme is “Unleashing Africa’s potential as a pole of global growth.”

A report on the implementation of the comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), being reviewed by a committee of African economic, finance and planning experts who met ahead of the ministers, said ministers of finance have a key role in facilitating faster and better implementation of national agriculture and food security investment plans.

Key messages to Ministers of Finance
The report calls on ministers of finance to initiate and facilitate effective spending instruments like public expenditure reviews, effective monitoring and evaluation systems and regular sectoral reviews and dialogue mechanisms for agriculture and related sectors for better results. During budget discussions, emphasis needs to be placed on complementarities of different sectors as the only instrument to determine and allocate sector budgets, says the report. The report says “budget process in countries should be used as instruments for better inter-and-intra sectoral coordination and that during budget discussions, emphasis needs to be placed on complementarities of different sectors as the only instrument to determine and allocate sector budgets.'

Background
In 2013, it will be ten years since the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) was endorsed in Maputo in 2003. Beyond the 29 countries that have signed CAADP Compacts, and more than 20 countries developed CAADP-based Agriculture and Food Security Investment Plans (AFSIPs), CAADP has since created space for inclusive participation of all relevant sector players – from within and outside the state and to the grassroots level. CAADP has raised the profile of the agricultural sector in national domestic politics and the attention to agriculture has significantly increased.

CAADP Facts
• 29 countries have signed CAADP Compacts
• 21 countries have CAADP Investment Plans Developed
• 15 countries have CAADP Business Meetings and defined financing modalities
• 6 received GAFSP money
• 7 have developed blueprints for private sector investment

ECOWAS, COMESA, EAC, SADC and the regional implementation of CAADP

March 5th, 2012. Brussels, ECDPM Office. Organizers: Dutch MFA and ECDPM.
In preparation of the 8th Partnership Platform at the end of March, this meeting was organized by the Dutch MFA and ECDPM and aimed at discussing and exploring how to facilitate and support greater involvement of all CAADP partners at the regional level and more effective harmonization of their interventions.

A mapping exercise, commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs on regional issues relating to CAADP, was recently completed by the ECDPM. The research focused on ECOWAS, COMESA, EAC, and SADC. Key findings and messages are compiled in a specific document for each REC, plus a condensed summary of cross-cutting messages relevant to donors supporting regional integration. The research findings include regional linkages horizontally with other RECs, and vertically with countries.

Meeting documents:
Agenda

ECDPM Executive summaries of regional mapping papers:
* COMESA
* SADC
* EAC
* ECOWAS

An informal report (posted 30/03/2012) from the meeting is available on ECDPM’s Talking Points blog. Participants discussed how to achieve faster progress on implementing the programme and stressed the need to identify concrete regional actions for faster progress. They also emphasised the importance of deciding on roles and responsibilities of different regional actors, and of improving coordination among development partners, and between development partners and Regional Economic Communities. Although these ideas do not represent formal positions, they could be used to guide discussion between development partners, Regional Economic Communities and other actors during the upcoming 8th CAADP Partnership Platform meeting.

Stakeholder Workshop on Tracking Investments in Agricultural Research for Development

January 20, 2012. Berlin. With clear recognition by the international community that, given the complexities of agricultural research for development (AR4D[2]), each current system of monitoring investments in AR4D only provides part of the overall picture, a technical workshop on tracking investments in AR4D was organized by GFAR in Berlin at GIZ headquarters.

A group of experts from the diverse monitoring systems presently operating, including representatives of the civil society, met to discuss this topic, to identify possible improvements that could be recommended at donor or recipient levels and to integrate and increase coverage and efficiency of the systems and mechanisms in place for tracking information on AR4D programmes and investments.

GFAR worked with the European Initiative on Agricultural Research for Development (EIARD) to develop the background concept for this meeting, which was supported by funds provided by EIARD under its EC-FSTP supported program. GFAR and others are also active in the Research Working Group of the Global Donor Platform (GDPRD) and took advantage of the GDPRD Annual General Assembly in Berlin, 17-18 January 2012 as a timely opportunity to bring together technical specialists, representatives of regional organizations and donors actively involved in GDPRD & EIARD.

Further references

summary_report_stakeholder_workshop_on_tracking_investments_in_agricultural_research_for_development.pdf
eiard_1.4_donor_support_to_caadp_pillar_4_-_phase_1_appendices_with_eu_logo.pdf
eiard_1.4_donor_support_to_caadp_pillar_4_-_phase_1_report_with_eu_logo.pdf
eiard_1.4_donor_support_to_caadp_pillar_4_-_phase_2_report_with_eu_logo.pdf

Emerging Policies and Partnerships under CAADP

December 2011. IFPRI Discussion Paper 01145. Emerging Policies and Partnerships under CAADP Implications for Long-Term Growth, Food Security, and Poverty Reduction.

The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) is one of the main components of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). CAADP is an initiative launched by the African Union Commission (AUC) in 2002 to serve as a continent-wide framework to facilitate faster agricultural growth and progress toward poverty reduction and food and nutrition security in Africa. CAADP seeks to promote policies and partnerships and raise investments in Africa’s agricultural sector and achieve better development outcomes.

This paper (December 2011, 32 p.) examines the new policy and investment planning and the review, dialogue, and partnership modalities and evaluates their likely impact on future growth and poverty-reduction outcomes.

The emerging trends are encouraging and point in the right direction: growth in the agricultural sector is being sustained; funding levels are rising; the quality of policy and planning documents is getting better; the availability of analytical tools, data, and capacities is improving; and strategic dialogue and partnerships around the agricultural sector are getting stronger and more inclusive.

Boosting Agricultural Higher education into CAADP

28th to 30th November 2011. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The African Network for Agriculture, Agroforestry and Natural Resource Education (ANAFE), ACP-EU Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Cooperation (CTA), Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the NEPAD Coordinating Agency, CORAF-WECARD and the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) held a Sensitization workshop for Engaging French Speaking African Higher Agricultural Education Institutions into CAADP.

Other key partners of the organization are the University of Ouagadougou, University of Abomey Calavi (Benin), the Association of African Universities (AAU), the African and Malagasy Council for Higher Education (CAMES), the Conference of rectors of Universities of Francophone West Africa, Central and Indian Ocean (CRUFAOCI), the Network of Institutions of higher Education in
Fishing (Afri-FishNet), the European Alliance on Agricultural Knowledge for development (Agrinatura) and the French consortium Agreenium.

During the three days conference, a number of papers were presented, followed by debates and discussions, and propositions made. This led to the following results:

• An increased awareness about the objectives, the constants and the expected outputs of the CAADP;
• A better understanding of the role to be played by Universities and other agricultural higher education institutions in cooperation with their supervisory ministries and those in charge of agriculture;
• The massive presence at the meeting of Universities, other higher education institutions and technical and financial partners, is a testimony of their willingness to be involved in actions undertaken for the attainment of the CAADP objectives;
• Important activities were formulated which will lead to a stronger involvement of agricultural training institutions;
• Concertation frameworks were proposed with CAADP, ANAFE, RUFORUM and FARA which will be able to serve for interaction between Universities and Agricultural training institutions.

Resources:

• Boosting Agricultural Higher education into CAADP
• Relance de l’enseignement supérieur Agricole à travers le programme détaillé de développement de l’agriculture en Afrique(PDDAA)

Guidelines for Non State Actor participation in CAADP processes

The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme’s Development Partners Task Team (CAADP DP TT) Non-state actors range from anyone from farmers, donors, consultants, NGOs and other groups taking action to implement the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).  


The paper by Ian Randall, “Guidelines for Non State Actor participation in CAADP processes”  proposes structures and processes to ensure how non-state actors can participate and contribute fully in CAADP and the growth of African agriculture at the country, regional and continental level to boost participation from all parties involved in the process of agricultural improvement.


Another paper, “Creating Strong Stakeholder Engagement in Feed the Future: Suggested Strategy and Guidelines,”  highlights the need to engage civil society in all stakeholder dialogues, in order to enhance resource mobilization and the efficiency and effectiveness of all development outcomes.

Reference:

Guidelines for Non State Actor participation in CAADP processes (2011; 1.31MB) These guidelines are written for all stakeholders committed to building broad and effective coalitions to lead the transformation of African agriculture. This includes Non State Actors themselves, Government bodies, and Development Partners.

French version>>>
Recommended Interventions to boost Non State Actor participation CAADP processes (2011; 214KB) Companion Document to the Guidelines for Non State Actor participation in CAADP processes.
French version>>>
“Creating Strong Stakeholder Engagement in Feed the Future: Suggested Strategy and Guidelines,” 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This brief is in response to a State Department request for civil society input on methods and mechanisms for stronger stakeholder engagement in the Feed the Future Initiative. It is part of an ongoing exchange on Feed the Future (FtF) topics between the InterAction community and officials at the State Department and USAID


Related:

10th November 2011. A dialogue platform bringing together stakeholders involved in Kenyan Agriculture, mainly drawn from Non Governmental Organisations, Civil Societies and Private sector to engage Kenyan government develop and harmonise agricultural pilicies in Kenya.

AAAPD Side event at World Food Prize & Mobilization of the African Diaspora

14 October, 2011. Africa is Ready for Business: Agriculture Development, Food Security & Wealth Creation. Event sponsored by Iowa State University, African Association of Agricultural professionals in the Diaspora & Partnership to Cut Hunger & Poverty in Africa. In Collaboration with: Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) / African Union/NEPAD Coordination & Planning Agency (AU/NCPA) / Swedish University of Agriculture Sciences (SLU).

Round Table Discussion on African Agriculture: Key Issues, Challenges and Prospects

•  Iowa State and African Agriculture: Finding a Match – David Acker, Dean – Faculty of Agriculture
• CAADP Implementation: Support for Agricultural Development in Africa – Dr. Richard Mkandawire, AU/NCPA
• Fostering Africa-US Public & Private Partnerships in Agricultural Research; Extension Investments – Dr. Monty Jones, FARA
• Harnessing African Diaspora in Africa’s Agricultural Development through teaching, research and extension – Dr. Peter Jeranyama, AAAPD
• Trans-Atlantic Cooperation for Africa’s Agriculture & Food security - Prof Lisa Forsse, Vice-Chancellor, Swedish Agriculture University

Public Forum on “Africa is Ready for Business: Agriculture Development, Food Security & Wealth Creation

Panelists:

• Hon. Jumanne Maghembe, /Minister of Agriculture – Republic of Tanzania
• Hon. Florence Chenoweth, /Minister of Agriculture – Republic of Liberia
• Hon. Aghatam Alhassane, Minister of Agriculture – Republic of Mali
• Hon. Pacheco, Minister of Agriculture – Republic of Mozambique
• Hon. Sally Kosgey, Minister of Agriculture – Republic of Kenya
• Dr. Monty Jones, Executive Secretary – Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa
• Dr. Richard Mkandawire - //Head of Partnerships, Resource Mobilization and Communication, AU/NPCA

REGIONAL PARLIAMENTARIANS DIALOGUE ON AGRICULTURE

5-7 October 2011. A three-day regional parliamentary dialogue on investments in agricultural value chains in Africa was held in Abuja, Nigeria.

The meeting, dubbed 2011 “Regional Parliamentary Dialogue: Enhancing Competitiveness through increased investments in Agriculture Value Chains in Africa” is been attended by legislators from the regional parliaments and national assemblies, government officials, researchers and agricultural scientists. The landmark dialogue organized by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) is a first of its kind in the continent bringing together agricultural technocrats and legislators to a roundtable. It follows the first Annual Dialogue of Ministers of Agriculture, Science and Technology held in April 2011 in Accra, Ghana.

In the official address, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, noted the need for closer co-operation between parliamentarians and technocrats in the agricultural sector to spur innovation, development and stability of agricultural growth in the Africa.

“We can sit and formulate policies, but the main drivers of the policies are parliamentarians. It is thus highly important to dialogue with parliamentarians so that implementation of what is agreed upon becomes easy”, the Minister noted, in a speech read on his behalf by Prof. Yusuf Abubarkar, a member of the Board of FARA.

The Minister appreciated the gains realized in enhancing competitiveness of agricultural value chains. “Food security and agricultural development is necessary with the developed countries today creating partnerships with Africa for the betterment of agricultural economies. At the same time, stronger strategic alliances with emerging powerful economies such as China, Japan and Brazil should be encouraged”, Dr. Adesina noted.

The Executive Director of FARA, Prof Monty Jones maintained that his organisation would continue to enhance value addition in policy, information knowledge and technology and encourage strategic alliances to benefit the continent and the attainment of economies of scale in economic production.

The private sector was urged to work closely with other stakeholders to enhance agriculture and boost the investments. At the moment, investment in the agriculture sector is barely 2% according to the FARA Executive Director as compared to 60% in the developed countries. Other important factors noted as vital for food production to reach the optimum level in the continent to reduce hunger include access to land, infrastructure, and improved variety of seeds.