FARA’s evolution as a weaver of knowledge networks

1. Informal stakeholder consultation Improving the quality and effectiveness of development cooperation with African agricultural knowledge organisations EC, Brussels, 20-22 March 2012 FARA’s evolution as a weaver of knowledge networks Prof. Monty P. Jones Executive Director, FARA

2. Presentation Outline • Background • FARA’s experience (one case particularly relevant for learning) • What worked well and less well and why • Funding (2008-2011); sources, level and mechanisms • Outlook for the future: challenges and opportunities

3. Background • Growth of African economies is hugely dependent on performance of agriculture • Productivity growth is a key driver for agric. performance & poverty reduction—accounts for ½ of 6% CAADP target

4. FARA’s Value Proposition a strategic platform for networking to reinforce capacities of Africa’s agricultural research system Improved performance of institutions & entire R&D system; better quality R&D plans, policies & program designs Improved productivity, competitiveness & Markets

5. FARA: single hub network (2002-2007) FARA started as (single hub network) • provide African vision of AR4D • advocacy and resource mobilisation; • promote exchange of info, tech & HR FAAP SSA CP SCARDA DONATA RAILS Demanded greater understanding of constituents = NARS Assessment NARIS, FO, NGOs, PS

6. FARA: facilitating multi-hubs (2007-2012) Providing networking support functions • advocacy and policy; • access to knowledge and technologies; • capacity strengthening; • partnership and strategic alliances.

7. Testing & scaling out innovative approaches Enhancing R&D impact Stakeholder Consultations Institutional strengthening NARS Assessment SCARDA Piloting an innovative approach for institutional strengthening SSA CP Formulate IAR4D & assess its performance Evaluation Evaluation & reflection Scale out approach via e.g. CAADP Processes, CRPs, GCARD Scale out approach via e.g. CAADP Process

8. Testing & scaling out innovative approaches Others Consultations + scoping studies • Linking universities, agribusiness and research (UniBRAIN) • Safe Stewardship of biotechnologies (SABIMA) • Strategic alliances with other regions & countries (Europe, Brazil, China)—PAEPARD Knowledge & Technologies RAILS + DONATA Test innovative approaches for knowledge management & technology dissemination Jean Jacques Andrianaivo farmer Leader from Madagascar (http://www.erails.net/MG/jean-jacques-a/) Co-creation & co-learning Scale out approach via e.g. CAADP Process

9. Impacts • Achieved jointly with partners (AUC, NPCA, RECs, SROs, CGIAR, actors in Research, Extension & Education; Farmer Organizations, private sector, DPs, etc) • SCARDA focal institutions: • Positive changes outnumbered negative ones 4:1 • RAILS • (Initially ~3,000 stakeholders in 29 countries enhance capacity to communicate & access knowledge • DONATA • Farming communities expand livelihood sources by ~50-100% in 21 countries • CAADP • 21 IPs aligned with FAAP principles • Impacts from pilots are to be replicated numerous times by scaling out • SSA CP Pilot site in Nigeria • 120% ↑ in yield of soyabeans (0.9 – 2.0t/ha) • Additional US$500/ha / season • 150K farmer beneficiaries

10. What worked well (success factors) • Focusing on major constraints cutting across the region • A common framework for the continent (the FAAP) • Strong buy-in by stakeholders across the value chain and at all geographical scales • Partnerships for action • Funding: availability + stability especially for core functions (MDTF)

11. Challenges & why Why • Fragmentation (stakeholders, geog scale--subsidiarity) • Low absorption capacities of stakeholders • Funding: shortfalls + competition among partner institutions • High transaction costs of working thru partnerships • Challenges reflect state of Africa’s science & innovation and are the focus of FARA interventions • New approaches & partnerships require incubation period to build trust and accountability among partners

12. Expenditure (2008-2011) 19.3m Core funds managed through MDTF; TBAs: Bilateral agreements 17.2m 15.9m 11.5m 75% 60% 81% 68%

13. FARA’s funding (2003-2018): Expenditure, budgeted & projected Expenditure (actuals) Projection Budget TBAs TBAs TBAs MDTF2 MDTF1 MDTF1 Core (bilateral) Core (bilateral)

14. 2012 and beyond: looking into the future with increase number of networks, knowledge hubs and stronger linkages among institutions

15. FARA Secretariat weaving knowledge networks (2012 and beyond)

16. Africa’s agriculture science and innovation landscape

17. Going forward …1/2 • Envisaged roles • Connecting (including observatory & think tank) • Catalyzing & • Communicating • FARA set to develop a new MTOP (2014 – 2018) & refresh its strategic plan • Future networking support to focus on: • Advocacy + policy • Knowledge & innovation • Capacities & Institutions • Opportunities & Investments • CAADP: deepen integration of PIV with other pillars; • Central Africa • Education & Extension • Agric. Science agenda (CGIAR--CAADP)

18. Going forward …2/2

19. Available funding in millions of US$ (2012-13) & Projected funding requirements for 2014-18

20. Thank You www.fara-africa.org