ifpri policy seminar "african agricultural research and development progress, challenges,...
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Speakers: Nienke Beintema Eugene Terry Greg Traxler Held at IFPRI, Washington, DC on Thursday, 7 April 2011TRANSCRIPT
African Agricultural R&D Investments and Capacities: Trends and Challenges
Presentation at the IFPRI Policy Seminar “African Agricultural Research and Development: Progress, Challenges, Opportunities”
Washington, DC – April 7, 2011
Nienke BeintemaHead, Agricultural S&T Indicators (ASTI) initiative,
IFPRI-Rome office
■ Trends since 2001■ Key investment challenges■ Key human resource capacity challenges■ Recommended action points
Outline
■ R&D is a major contributor to economic growth and poverty reduction
■ Greater investments in R&D are crucial for productivity growth in SSA
■ Monitoring and benchmarking inputs, outputs, and performance of agricultural R&D is essential■ NEPAD target: Allocation of at least 1 percent of GDP to
R&D
Importance of Agricultural R&D
Investment and Capacity Trends in Africa
■ Overall, agricultural R&D investments and capacity increased by 20 percent during 2001-08
■ .
Main Drivers of Spending Growth, 2001-08
■ Growth occurred in a few countries and focused on boosting low salaries and rehabilitating infrastructure/equipment.
Who is Lagging Behind?
■ 2001-08 marked by decline in 13 countries (including many in francophone West Africa). Decline started in 1990s for some.
Investment Challenge: Underinvestment
■ In 2008, only 8 countries invested more than 1% of their AgGDP in agricultural R&D.
0 20 40 60 80 100
Benin (INRAB)Burundi (ISABU)
Rwanda (ISAR)Burkina Faso (INERA, IRSAT, CNSF)
Uganda (NARO)Mali (IER)
Mozambique (IIAM, IIP)Eritrea (NARI)
Madagascar (FOFIFA)Guinea (IRAG)
Donors, development banks, and SROs Government OtherShare of total funding
Investment Challenge: High Donor-Dependency
■ Many countries are extremely dependent on donor funding and development bank loans.
0
5
10
15
20
25
1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007Government Donors, development banks, and SROsOther
Milli
on 20
05 PP
P doll
ars
Investment Challenge: Volatility
■ Donor and government funding has been highly volatile, making viable research programs difficult.
0
5
10
15
20
25
1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007Government Donors, development banks, and SROsOther
Milli
on 20
05 PP
P doll
ars INRAN, NigerZARI, Zambia
24% 27%
47% 43%
29% 30%
0
20
40
60
80
100
2001 2008
Shar
es o
f FTE
rese
arch
ers (
%)
BSc MSc PhD
Capacity Challenge: Decreasing Qualifications
■ Shares of BSc-qualified staff have increased in some countries since 2000.
Capacity Challenge: Influx of Young Researchers
■ Large influx of young scientists with BSc degrees, who need adequate training opportunities and mentoring.
0 20 40 60 80 100
UgandaZambia
South AfricaBotswana
MalawiEthiopia
< 31 years 31–40 years 41-50 years > 50 years
Shares of full–time equivalent researchers (%)
0 20 40 60 80 100
NigerNigeriaGhana
Burkina FasoKenya
Senegal
< 31 years 31–40 years 41-50 years > 50 years
Shares of full–time equivalent researchers (%)
Capacity Challenge: High Staff Turnover
■ Many researchers left agencies due to low salaries/conditions of service. Many retired – more will retire in coming years.
Key Areas that Governments, Donors, and Other Stakeholders Must Address
■ Providing higher and more stable funding levels
■ Addressing existing and imminent challenges in human resource capacity
■ Maximizing regional and subregional cooperation in agricultural R&D
Thank you
Please visit www.asti.cgiar.org