Monty Jones Executive Director Opening access to information and knowledge in African agricultural S&T

Outline Background Political declarations Key Actors contributing to agricultural development Opportunities and role of information and knowledge Key elements in opening access What FARA can offer Conclusions

Background

Political declarations

Key Actors contributing to agricultural development

Opportunities and role of information and knowledge

Key elements in opening access

What FARA can offer

Conclusions

How does agriculture contribute? 40% export 30% GDP 30% foreign exchange earning 70-80% employment

40% export

30% GDP

30% foreign exchange earning

70-80% employment

Agriculture is important to transform an agriculture-based economy Source, WDR, 2008 In the 1980’s the emerging economies, e.g . India and Brazil , Agriculture share in GDP was 25% Public spending in agriculture was 14% of the total public spending Resulting to increased livelihood, food security and expanded economy In Africa, Agriculture share in GDP is 30% Public spending in agriculture is only 4% of total public spending

In the 1980’s the emerging economies, e.g . India and Brazil ,

Agriculture share in GDP was 25%

Public spending in agriculture was 14% of the total public spending

Resulting to increased livelihood, food security and expanded economy

In Africa,

Agriculture share in GDP is 30%

Public spending in agriculture is only 4% of total public spending

Political declarations AU support for CAADP “ Local ownership must begin with the national political will to develop and implement comprehensive food security strategies, based on sound scientific evidence , inclusive consultation, domestic investment and clear directions.” G8 ‘ l'Aquila' Joint Statement on Global Food Security, July 2009 African vision: 6% annual growth in agricultural production

AU support for CAADP

G8 ‘ l'Aquila' Joint Statement on Global Food Security, July 2009

Key actors contributing to agricultural development Policy makers Farmer agricultural advisory services Farmers and their associations Market intermediaries Processors Consumers and associations

Policy makers

Farmer agricultural advisory services

Farmers and their associations

Market intermediaries

Processors

Consumers and associations

Opportunities and role of information and knowledge Establishment of info systems for monitoring market performance and measuring market failures Development of info systems to address food security issues Agricultural production Government subsidies for food security Monitoring of water and land resources Disease problems Food transportation and storage Efficient marketing of agricultural products through info and telecom networks Provision of equitable access to new techniques for improving agricultural production Reduced food storage losses through more efficient distribution using ICT Source: African Information Society Initiative (AISI)

Establishment of info systems for monitoring market performance and measuring market failures

Development of info systems to address food security issues

Agricultural production

Government subsidies for food security

Monitoring of water and land resources

Disease problems

Food transportation and storage

Efficient marketing of agricultural products through info and telecom networks

Provision of equitable access to new techniques for improving agricultural production

Reduced food storage losses through more efficient distribution using ICT

Conclusions from 2009 Science Forum discussion on ICT transformation of agricultural science, research and technology generation; To promote more participatory, collaborative, creative and impact oriented agricultural science and innovation by investing in ICTs ICT is not just for the scientists but also for actors along the value chain eg. producers, traders and consumers Opportunities and role of information and knowledge

Conclusions from 2009 Science Forum discussion on ICT transformation of agricultural science, research and technology generation;

To promote more participatory, collaborative, creative and impact oriented agricultural science and innovation by investing in ICTs

ICT is not just for the scientists but also for actors along the value chain eg. producers, traders and consumers

Key questions in attaining opening access Are we advocating for its use to the right institutions? Do we have the right systems that can be easily accessed by intended users? Do the users have the skills and infrastructure to access? Do we have institutional policies in place to implement? Do we have available platforms for practitioners to share their challenges and lessons learnt?

Are we advocating for its use to the right institutions?

Do we have the right systems that can be easily accessed by intended users?

Do the users have the skills and infrastructure to access?

Do we have institutional policies in place to implement?

Do we have available platforms for practitioners to share their challenges and lessons learnt?

What FARA can offer

What can FARA offer Cohesive and complementary strategies on agricultural productivity To achieve; Evolution & reform of agricultural institutions & services Increasing the scale of Africa’s investment Aligned and coordinated support While working with; Extension, research, training & education African governments, private sector Development agencies, int’l financing institutions The Framework for African Agricultural Productivity (FAAP)

Evolution & reform of agricultural institutions & services

Increasing the scale of Africa’s investment

Aligned and coordinated support

Evolution and reform of agricultural institutions and services innovation systems approach Civil society Research and education Private Sector Human Capital Development Agencies Public Sector Innovation Systems Approach

Evolution and reform of agricultural institutions and services information and learning systems Market vendors communicate required products to farmers Policy makers access policy briefs and data to facilitate policy formulation Creating a market place for information and learning Farmers’ organizations empowered to share opinions and needs Scientists share information with potential partners or users

Evolution and reform of agricultural institutions and services innovation platform for technology adoption agricultural value chains in communities Mutual learning & experience sharing Building trust & confidence

Evolution and reform of agricultural institutions and services integrated capacity strengthening University agenda has to be more development oriented Students are taught in systemic thinking i.e. integration of disciplines and knowledge system to build skills for facilitating interactive learning Professors are encouraged; to change mindsets and build values that support the new ways of thinking and learning

Students are taught

in systemic thinking i.e. integration of disciplines and knowledge system

to build skills for facilitating interactive learning

Professors are encouraged;

to change mindsets and build values that support the new ways of thinking and learning

Conclusions Open access contributes to the transformation of African agricultural development, if it can; Catalyze agricultural innovations Improve African knowledge management Strengthen Africa’s capacity to build capacity Promote enabling policies Facilitate access to market

Open access contributes to the transformation of African agricultural development, if it can;

Catalyze agricultural innovations

Improve African knowledge management

Strengthen Africa’s capacity to build capacity

Promote enabling policies

Facilitate access to market

Thank you get bi-monthly news from African agriculture research for development by subscribing at : www.fara-africa.org