Information sharing on the development of a Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa With inputs for CAADP-CGIAR alignment April 13, 2013 Dublin, Ireland

1. A Science Agenda for Agriculture in
Africa: An outline of its rationale
and implementation prospects
Information Sharing
On the development of a
Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa ....
Dublin, Ireland, 13 April 2013
(Yihenew Zewdie)

2. 1. Presentation Outline
• What is a Science Agenda for Agriculture in
Africa?
• Why a Science Agenda now?
• What factors play in favour of implementing
a Science Agenda?

3. 2. What is a Science Agenda for
Agriculture in Africa?
• Agriculture understood as comprising the
thematic focus areas enunciated in CAADP.
• Science Agenda reference showing the
science, technology, extension, innovations,
policy and social learning Africa needs to apply
in order to meet its (agricultural) development
goals
– Emphasis is both on the breadth of Science and the
meaningful engagement between disciplines that are
necessary to unlock the potentials of agriculture in
Africa.
– Builds on previous attempts at charting a ‘Science
Agenda’ (int’l & Pan-African)

4. 2. Why a Science Agenda?
• Need for an overarching strategic framework
to help
– Encourage countries to place Science firmly in
their long-term agricultural development agenda;
– Support the operationalisation of CAADP-aligned
plans and formulation of future iterations of such
plans and programmes;
• Essential that CAADP takes full advantage of the power
of science and technology in ag transformation.
• Limited attention being given to the engagement of
tertiary agricultural educational institutions (TAEIs) with
CAADP

5. 2. Why a Science Agenda? (cont’d)
– Inform strategic planning development and/or review
of key Continental and regional stakeholders;
– Create the conditions necessary for the alignment of
research priorities of CG and other IARs with Africa’s
long-term strategic interests;
• Productivity Workshops - - need for more effective synergy
between CAADP plans and CGIAR initiatives
– Provide pointers for alignment of international
development partners in the formulation of their
assistance strategies and/or programmatic
interventions

6. 2. Why a Science Agenda? (cont’d)
• Expected outcome of such an approach include the
following:
• Increase investments in science, technology assessment
and innovation processes to strengthen the contribution of
Science to Africa’s development.
• Strengthen synergies (e.g. between NARIS and educational
institutions; between NARIS and CGIAR).
• Improve the evidence base for decision-making and
investment so as to enhance results and impact.

7. 3. Possible success factors for
implementing a Science Agenda
• Formulation of a Science Agenda is sanctioned by the
AU Commission and the NEPAD Agency.
– MoU between AUC and the CGIAR Consortium
– ‘Sustaining the CAADP Momentum’ explicitly recognises
the Science Agenda as an important part of CAADP’s ten
years strategic thrust
• The process has in-built mechanisms to enhance and
deepen ownership by key (African) stakeholders.
– Effort will go beyond ‘expert’ consultation, and will
engage with other key stakeholders (e.g., FOs, Advisory
Service Institutions)
– Expert Panel; Oversight Team
– Champion for the cause of the Science Agenda

8. MoU between AUC and CGIAR
Consortium: Article 1 - Objectives
“The overall objective of this MoU is to establish a
strategic partnership under CAADP between the
AUC and the 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.”

9. MoU between AUC and CGIAR
Consortium: Article 1 - Objectives
• The specific objectives of the strategic
partnership between the Commission and the
CGIAR Consortium shall be to
– (i) enhance the capacity of mandated African
institutions in articulating and advancing a Science
and Technology Agenda for African Agriculture that
is anchored in CAADP-based country and regional
agriculture and food security investment plans; and
– (ii) strengthen synergies and complementarities
between CGIAR planning processes for its Africa-
oriented initiatives, on the one hand, and, on the
other, CAADP-based priorities in research, policy
analysis, training and knowledge management.”

10. 3. Possible success factors (cont’d)
• The Science Agenda is designed to add value to
already existing frameworks (e.g., FAAP, Pillar IV
Strategy & OP).
• The Science Agenda offers a framework with
sufficient foresight of mega-trends as well as
immediate challenges and opportunities
– In the short to the medium term, the Science
Agenda will help facilitate implementation of CAADP
• The Science Agenda will have a broader focus:
Science beyond the bio-physical and endeavours
to provide greater understanding of social,
cultural and institutional issues.

11. 3. Possible success factors (cont’d)
• Deliberations on the Science Agenda coincides
with the proclamation, by AU, of 2014 as the
‘Year of Agriculture and Food Security’ and
commemoration of CAADP’s 10th anniversary.
• Key recommendations of the Science Agenda
work will be deliberated on by AU high-level
organs, resulting in Summit-level Decisions.
• The Science Agenda work links the
technical with the political: a consultative
technical exercise with a game plan aimed at
institutionalising the Agenda within the AU
system.

12. Thank you!