The document outlines the objectives of a conference on agricultural research and development (R&D) in Africa, scheduled for December 2011, emphasizing the need to address low productivity among smallholder farmers. It discusses key topics such as government underinvestment in R&D, the training of future agricultural scientists, and strategies to improve the effectiveness of R&D systems. The conference aims to develop a vision for agricultural research in Africa and its implications for institutional arrangements over the next decade.

1. Conference Objectives Agricultural R&D: Investing in Africa’s Future 5-7 December 2011

2. R&D Context in Africa Increases in smallholder productivity central to agricultural growth Productivity remains low Rainfed farming systems are heterogeneous and complex Persistent underinvestment in R&D “ Small country” problem complicates NARI financing and organization

3. Central Question of the Conference How to finance, capacitate, and organize agricultural research in Africa to sustainably increase growth in smallholder productivity over the coming decade

4. Session I: Why do African governments underinvest in R&D What is the contribution of research to agricultural growth What are the finances available for research and is donor coordination necessary to increase effectiveness

5. Session II: Human Resource Development and R&D What are trends in human resources in African NARI’s and agricultural faculties How will the next generation of agricultural scientists be trained

6. Session III: Measuring and Improving Effectiveness of R&D Systems Designing M&E systems and implementing results frameworks Recent initiatives in impact assessment

7. Session IV: Aligning and Rationalizing R&D Structures Small country problem and increasing polarization in NARI capacity Evolving role of sub-regional structures Linkages to global capacities Implications of agricultural innovation systems for agricultural R&D

8. Synthesis Combining these four elements, what is the vision for agricultural research in Africa over the next decade and what are the implications for evolving institutional arrangements, including CAADP