Dr. Abdou Tenkouano delivered talking points on regional agricultural innovation for food and nutrition security in Africa. He emphasized that (1) coordination and collaboration are needed to address multiple challenges including climate change, conflicts, and health crises through a risk-centric strategy. (2) Partnership-based approaches listening to local communities are key to developing resilient food systems. Regional mechanisms are needed for oversight of agriculture, humanitarian aid, and development activities to promote equity and efficiency.

1. Dr Abdou Tenkouano
Executive Director, CORAF
Talking Points at RPCA_12-14April2023
Paris, France
Regional Agricultural
Innovation System for Food and
Nutrition Security: Progress
and Policy Issues

2. armed
conflicts
changing
diets
environmental
degradation
climate
change
global
health
crises
KEY MESSAGE :
Coordination and Collaboration
Unprecedented convergence
of multiple disruptors
Uncoordinated
Responses
“Finally, the members invite
ECOWAS, UEMOA, CILSS, CORAF
and their partners to federate their
efforts to optimize the contribution
of agricultural research and
innovation to the sustainability of
food systems, food and nutritional
security and policy-making.”

3. Talking Point ONE:
Risk-Centric Strategy
“Put risk management at the
center of agricultural research,
production, and market
development programs”
Agriculture under Pressure:
Implications for Agricultural Development
in U.S. Foreign Assistance
By Julie Howard and Emmy Simmons
Report Released on 11 August 2020
More focus on innovations
that expand access to
savings and credit facilities
that are critical to the ability
of SHF and SMEs to recover
from shocks and sustain
production systems.
Balance IMMEDIACY with RESILIENCE : Respond to immediate needs without
compromising preparedness for future shocks
“Thank you for
reminding us of what
can be accomplished
through regional
collaboration, and
for the insights
on how we can still
work - and the
importance of
continuing work
efforts -in fragile,
conflict-affected
regions.” – Julie H.

4. Transformative Resources
Better Food Systems – Better Health Systems

5. Equitable Funding for Local
Changemakers
Local Context Matters
– Now More Than Ever –
Percent of IHA
received by local and
national NGOs in
2018
(Source: The Global
Humanitarian Assistance
Report 2019)
Percent of the US$ 9 Bn
grants from US
foundations directed to
SSA that went to local
organizations in 2018
(Source: The State of Global
Giving by U.S. Foundations 2019)

6. Support for a Regional
Mechanism for Orientation
and Coordination of
Humanitarian and
Development Activities
EQUITY AND
EFFICIENCY
TAKE HOME MESSAGE 1
Coordination & Collaboration

7. Partnerships means MORE
TOGETHER and LESS ALONE
Talking Point TWO:
Partnership-Centric Strategy
“The vehicle for
delivery on this
mission will be
partnership-based
agricultural
research-for-
development.”
IARC/UNIV
This means we cannot use PRESCRIPTIVE
approaches. We should listen to those that live
the problems and who have the most stake at
solving the problems.

8. Sowing & Growing Resilience
Current: 25 %
Taux de Couverture
Semences
Target: 75 %
Bulk – Package – Brand – Sell
Distribution
(Certified Seeds)
Assembling
Contracting
Production
Accredited
Inspectors
Proximity
Sales
Points
Community Seed
Production
DEMOS / GAP
Seed
Entrepreneurs
Pre-Production
(Early Generation Seeds)
« Big »
Companies
SeedTracker© 1.0 WASIX© 2.0
Demand Creation
Trade Barriers
Control
Plan
Communication
Coordination & Collaboration

9. Engaging The Private Sector
CRSPAO
Reg’l Seed
Consortium
Coordination & Collaboration
WAFA
Compliance
Regional Input
Certification
Agents
(RICA)

10. Coordination & Collaboration
Good News
Harmonization of legislation is
occurring - what we need to avoid
is over regulation.
Innovation Systems Approach –
provides platform for private-
public dialogue to create dynamic
regulatory environments and
hasten processes
Review of phytosanitary
procedures in West Africa which
resulted in a reduced list of
quarantine pests
Engaging The Private Sector

11. • From a supplier perspective
• Forecast well ahead demand and supply (2-3 years for
seeds, 6-9 months for fertilizers)
• Build loyalty by providing value added services (it doesn’t
work with tender & subsidy systems)
• Guarantee supply of quality product on time
• Offer proven technology packages that reduce risks for
clients
• From a policy maker perspective
• Increase access to and de-risk finance for agro-dealers to
develop their businesses
• Improve local seed/fertilizer producer knowledge
• Strengthen food Value Chains (food systems)
• Remove national barriers to fluidity in regional trade
Bundled Services
(FeSERWAM – 800 Agro Input Packages)
ClimInput

12. Establish a regional
observatory of quality of
agri-inputs – to implement
the Integrated Regional
Policy on agri- inputs
RESPONSIBILITY
AND
ACCOUNTABILITY
TAKE HOME MESSAGE 2
Coordination & Collaboration

13. Coordination and Collaboration
Establish a Regional Observatory
of Quality of Agri-Inputs – to
implement the Integrated
Regional Policy on agri- inputs
Support for a Regional
Mechanism for Orientation and
Coordination of Humanitarian
and Development Activities
Thank You !!!
“Finally, the members invite
ECOWAS, UEMOA, CILSS, CORAF
and their partners to federate their
efforts to optimize the contribution
of agricultural research and
innovation to the sustainability of
food systems, food and nutritional
security and policy-making.”