Challenges of Agricultural Research for Food Sovereignty Research for Food Sovereignty and Poverty Reduction in SSA

Presentation at the Meeting of Farmer Organisations’ Network and Agricultural Producers in Africa and the Carabiansand Agricultural Producers in Africa and the Carabians

George A MULUHGeorge A. MULUH

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Challenges for Agricultural R h i W t d C t l Research in West and Central

AfricaMake research results available to end usersGetting stakeholders on the research agendaGenerating appropriate technologiesKnowledge Management (integrating indigenous knowledge with science)knowledge with science) Low Productivity & Competitiveness of AgricultureGlobal and Regional Market Integration

• Challenges to integration and the improvements of markets revolve around advocacy and policy research.

• Reduction of the tariff protection and subsidies that the• Reduction of the tariff protection and subsidies that the developed countries provide for their agriculture

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Challenges for Agricultural R h i W t d C t l Research in West and Central

AfricaBiophysical Constraints

• The sub-region is faced with such bio-physical constraintsThe sub region is faced with such bio physical constraints as droughts, soil acidity, nutrient depleted and degraded soils, etc., which impinge on agricultural development.

Conflicts• Conflict and post-conflict conditions are some important p p

features of many member states. This should require some special solution aimed at an adequate re-launching of agricultural research for development interventions forof agricultural research for development interventions for specific and targeted reasons.

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Challenges for Agricultural Research in West and Central Research in West and Central

AfricaA i lt l P liAgricultural Policy

• Agricultural policies, often defined in the absence of the participation of the grassroots stakeholders, are not only inadequately articulated with macro economic policies but ofteninadequately articulated with macro-economic policies, but often amounts to action plans, programmes and projects whose implementation largely depend on external financial assistance

Agricultural Research Support• Most NARS have remained unsustainable, mainly due to very

limited budgets in particular for research and operationallimited budgets in particular for research and operational expenditures.

• Furthermore, the existing fragmented support provided to the West and Central Africa agricultural research needs to be gadequately coordinated, harmonized and channelled to ensure greater productivity and accountability.

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Challenges for Agricultural R h i W t d C t l Research in West and Central

AfricaPoverty Issues

• The countries that make up the WCA region are among the t i th ld [UNDP 2006] h h d bj tpoorest in the world [UNDP 2006] where hunger and abject

poverty constitute a pandemic. Food InsecurityO f th j h ll f i i lt i th WCA• One of the major challenges facing agriculture in the WCA is that of conveniently feeding an ever growing and rapidly urbanizing population Social and EnvironmentalSocial and Environmental

• Key on the social and environmental context is to reverse the trend of inadequate stakeholder participation in the sector as a means of promoting sustained management ofsector as a means of promoting sustained management of social and environmental resources.

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CORAF/WECARD Response to the Challenges Facing WCA Challenges Facing WCA

Agriculture

Further to the above challenges and other important id ti h th CAADP f k d FAAPconsiderations such as the CAADP framework and FAAP

principles, CORAF/WECARD has just revised and reviewed its development strategy for Agricultural research i WCAin WCA.

Other Reasons for the Review Included

Fragmented support across Africa for agricultural research, which needs to be co-ordinated and harmonised involvingwhich needs to be co ordinated and harmonised, involving a wide range of stakeholders, including farmers and Producer organisations.

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Sub-regional Response to the Challenges Facing WCA Challenges Facing WCA

Agriculture

FAAP provides the framework for CORAF/WECARD operations, which need to support both national and sub-regional programmesregional programmes.

Several CORAF/WECARD members are involved in overlapping organisations and plans; there is a need to approach this rationally and develop some means of ensuring effective support to the sub-regionensuring effective support to the sub region.

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StrategicStrategic PlanPlanStrategicStrategic PlanPlan2007 2007 201620162007 2007 -- 20162016

Putting farmers and end-users at the centre of researchat the centre of research

Strategic Plan

Background and context the challengesBackground and context – the challengesRationale for a revised Strategic PlanMain elements of the Strategic PlanMain elements of the Strategic Plan

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The Challenge – Hunger & Malnutrition

10Source: World Bank, 2005

The Challenge PovertyThe Challenge - Poverty

60

70

day)

50

60

s th

an $

1/d

30

40

tes

(% le

ss

Actual trendMDG target

10

20

Pove

rty

Rat

g

0

1990

1992

1994

1996

1998

2000

2002

2004

2006

2008

2010

2012

2014

P

2015

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The Challenge Reduce povertyThe Challenge –Reduce poverty

DEVELOPMENT REGION

% OF PEOPLE LIVING IN POVERTY

% REDUCTION IN NUMBER OF POOR IN RELATION TO A 1% INCREASE IN CROP YIELD

EAST ASIA 15 0.48

SOUTH ASIA 40 0 48SOUTH ASIA 40 0.48

AFRICA 46 0.72

LATIN AMERICA

16 0.10

It is estimated that 1% increase in staple crop yield can lift 2

12million people out of poverty in Africa (Thirtle et al. 2003)

The Challenge Production trendsThe Challenge – Production trends

140

160

180DevelopingCountries

100

120

140

961=

100) ECOWAS

40

60

80

Inde

x (1

9

SSA

0

20

40 CEEAC

(1961 200 ) 2006

1961

1965

1969

1973

1977

1981

1985

1989

1993

1997

2001

2005

13Net per capita agricultural production (1961-2005); IFPRI, 2006

Potentials for Growth

7000

6000CoastalSahel

4000

5000

US$

)

Central

3000(mill

ion

U

1000

2000

0

1000

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a

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Rice

Maize

Millet

Sorgh

um Cas

sava

Yams

Groundnu

t Oil P

alm

Banan

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Beans

Cocoa

Coffee

Cott

on

Rationale for a Revised Strategic Plan

Address poverty reduction more directlyStrategy focus with effective operational phasesgy p pIAR4D and small-scale farmers focusChanging roles and responsibilities ofChanging roles and responsibilities of CORAF/WECARD in line with regional prioritiesEmbrace the principles of CAADP and FAAPp p

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General ObjectiveGeneral ObjectiveGeneral ObjectiveGeneral Objective

Hi h b d b d i lt lHigh broad-based agricultural growth sustainablygrowth sustainably established in WCA

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Key Elements of The General ObjectiveThe General Objective

Target set by CAADP of achieving 6% growth rateFocused on small scale farmers in particularCreating employment, and increasing availability of

d d d d tunprocessed and processed products Focused on production-consumption supply chainEnsuring environmental sustainability – maintaining the NR-baseI d S t i th bImprove and Sustain the resource base

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Specific ObjectiveSpecific Objective

BroadBroad--based agricultural based agricultural productivity competitivenessproductivity competitivenessproductivity, competitiveness productivity, competitiveness

and markets sustainably and markets sustainably yyimproved for targeted groups improved for targeted groups

i WCAi WCAin WCAin WCA

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Key Elements of The Specific Objective

All i l i f d th i l d d i dAllows inclusion of poor and otherwise excluded groups – improved livelihoods of poor farmers, employees, poor consumersIt requires productivity [not only production] to have actually improved Prod cti it is o tp t/inp t an efficienc meas reProductivity is output/input – an efficiency measure– Implies successful uptake of research

Competitiveness is about farmers’ and operators’ ability to engage f ll i th k t i lit t d dsuccessfully in the market on price, quality, standards

– More than access – the markets themselves, which are an exchange process

– Implies successful uptake of policy researchAims for improvements which must be sustainable– Environmental, social, economic, institutional, politicalEnvironmental, social, economic, institutional, political

Coherent with CAADP statements, and IFPRI findingsCoherent with ECOWAS, CEEAC, UEMOA and CEMAC agric policies

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Results to be deliveredResults – to be delivered

Appropriate technologies and innovations developed

Strategic decision-making options for policy, institutions and markets developed

Sub-regional agricultural research system strengthened and coordinated

D d f i lt l k l d f t t d li t

coordinated

Demand for agricultural knowledge from targeted clients facilitated and met

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Result 1: Appropriate technologies and i ti d l dinnovations developed

Use of IAR4D approach (Innovation systemsUse of IAR4D approach (Innovation systems approach)Appropriate to various target groupspp p g g pTechnology generation has been core activity of agricultural research systems, now and in the pastUltimate outcome is appropriate technology and/or innovationResult 2: Strategic decision-making options for

Options are effective and applied; intended to inform policy, institutions, and markets developed

policy This result is about policy analysis and research

21This theme has not received much attention in the past – business unusual!

Result 3: Sub-Regional agricultural research h d d di dsystem strengthened and coordinated

CORAF/WECARD role of capacity buildingSub-regional research system is sum of all sub-systems and organisationsTwo elements: strengthening and coordinationTwo elements: strengthening and coordinationUltimate outcome is a strengthened system with greater coordination

Result 4: Demand for agricultural knowledge f t t d li t f ilit t d d tfrom targeted clients facilitated and met

Ensures that R1, R2, and R3 are demand-led and that , , 3results are usedUltimate outcome is that demand is actually met –

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ystronger and broader than ‘delivered into uptake pathways’ – business unusual

CORAF/WECARD Operational Plan2007-20112007 2011

Program ApproachLinking CORAF/WECARD strategic functions

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Programme Approach StructureProgramme Approach - Structure

1. Livestock, Fisheries and Aquaculture2. Staple Crops2. Staple Crops3. Non-staple crops4. Natural Resource Management, 5 Policy markets trade5. Policy, markets, trade 6. Knowledge management7. Capacity strengthening and co-ordination8 Biotechnology and Biosafety

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8. Biotechnology and Biosafety

Technical research – using an integrated approach based on systems and commodities employing new holistic, participatory methodologies:p p y g1. Livestock, Fisheries and Aquaculture2. Staple Crops3 Non-staple crops3. Non staple crops4. Natural Resource Management5. Biotechnology and Bio-safetyPolicy research identifying and responding to key issuesPolicy research – identifying and responding to key issues preventing achievement of the improved markets, competitiveness and productivity through research:

6 Policy Markets Trade6. Policy, Markets, Trade, Institutions and Socio-economicsEfficient research delivery – improving information and knowledge management and access, including research g g , ginto mechanisms and methodologies:7. Knowledge management8. Capacity strengthening and co-ordination

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p y g g

NRM Programme NRM Programme

Natural Resource Management ProgrammeAims at:Developing appropriate technologies and innovations forDeveloping appropriate technologies and innovations for natural resource managementIdentifying and supporting the development of strategic decisions-making options for effective natural resource management policyStrengthening and coordinating the sub-regionalStrengthening and coordinating the sub regional agricultural research system relevant to natural resource managementFacilitating and meeting the demand for agriculturalFacilitating and meeting the demand for agricultural knowledge relating to natural resource management from targeted clients

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High Priority Issues for NRM Programme

Natural Resource Management includes: forest genetic resources, agro-forestry, agricultural biodiversity)Priorities:Priorities:Development of methods for better characterisation and conservation of of BiodiversitySoil fertility (integrated water and nutrient management)Research on micro-dosing inputs (seeds and fertilizer)Carbon sequestrationCarbon sequestrationResearch on climate change indicators (biological) and consequences on agricultural productivityDevelopment of appropriate land use systems

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Current Initiatives under this programme

The following projects are being implemented:Combining Water Harvest Techniques and N t i t M t t S t i F dNutrient Management to Sustain Food Production in the Dry Lands of West AfricaFertilizer micro dosing and drought tolerantFertilizer micro-dosing and drought tolerant varieties technology transfer for small farmer prosperity in the Sahelprosperity in the SahelPromoting use of Indigenous Phosphate Rock for soil fertility recapitalization in the Sahely p

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SummaryStructural and functional linkages

8 programmesProgramme strategies will provide inter-programme

idguidanceNetworking remains a mechanism for implementationCapacity Strengthening, Co-ordination and Knowledge Management are core functionsC F ti id bli i t dCore Functions provide enabling environment and mechanism for delivery of ResultsCo ordination key component of IAR4D paradigmCo-ordination key component of IAR4D paradigm –Secretariat pivotal role directly and indirectlyCoherent with CAADP; compliant with FAAP

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Coherent with CAADP; compliant with FAAP

ConclusionsConclusions

Small-scale farmers and end users at the center of researchIAR4D i l i f d d diIAR4D – inclusive of gender and diverse groupsKnowledge Management among stakeholder groups enhancedenhancedCapacity of farmers of farmers strengthened to take effectively make use of opportunities in the global marketeffectively make use of opportunities in the global market placeAchieve a 6% CAADP TargetAchieve a 6% CAADP Target

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Thank youThank you

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316/16/2008

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