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Meeting in Support of Scientific & Technical Partnerships in Africa:

Summary and Next Steps

September 29 and 30, 2014 IFPRI, Washington, D.C.

Background

A meeting was organized and hosted by the IFPRI Scientific & Technical Partnerships in Africa team on

behalf of the CGIAR Consortium, and held in Washington, D.C. on September 29 and 30, 2014, in

Support of Scientific and Technical Partnerships in Africa, with the objective to deliberate on and

activate the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the African Union

Commission (AUC) and the CGIAR Consortium. In attendance were over 30 partners1 from African

institutions, development partners and colleagues from five CGIAR Research Programs (CRPs).

The meeting built on the good progress made over the past few years on the CGIAR alignment to

CAADP, initiated through the Dublin Process. The next steps solidify the partnership and move to action

– through activities in support of targets and goals listed in the Malabo Declaration to deliver on the

next phase of CAADP.

The meeting focused on three main topics:

1. How CGIAR will respond to and support the implementation of the Malabo Declaration through

supporting the Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa (S3A), which has been led by FARA over

the past year and will be launched formally in Johannesburg in November;

2. The role new tools and technology platforms will play in the delivery of the Science Agenda, and

how to conduct the collaboration between CGIAR, FARA and the SROs to deliver, and;

3. In follow-up to the Climate Summit held that week in New York City, a session was held to

discuss how the AUC and CGIAR, including CCAFS and others, will come together to deliver on

the technical research and implementation at the country level on Climate Smart Agriculture.

1 African partner institutions included the AUC, FARA, ASARECA, CORAF/WECARD and RUFORUM, with regrets sent

by CCARDESA. The development partners included the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, IFAD, ACIAR/AIFSC, USAID and the World Bank. In addition, five CGIAR Research Programs joined including PIM, A4NH, CCAFS, RTB and Humidtropics.

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All presentations and background documents for the meeting can be found on the Agricultural Science

and Technology Indicators (ASTI) website under S&T Partnerships in Africa at

http://www.asti.cgiar.org/scientific-and-technical-partnerships

AUC and CGIAR Partnership to Deliver on the Science and Technology Agenda for Agriculture

in Africa

The meeting began with the acknowledgment that this is a strategically unique time for action between

African institutions and CGIAR. Two important areas of joint work are driving this partnership forward,

the first being the Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa (S3A) and how engagement with CGIAR and

other partners will deliver on the set of future generation issues, and secondly, how to secure and

solidify the partnership in a way that activates the larger science community to address and solve the

problems Africa faces today. Partnerships, it was noted, need to move in strategic directions and toward

country-specific orientation, aligned to country priorities identified in the National Agriculture and Food

Security Investment Plans (NAFSIPs) in order to address (and be driven by) country-led actions. The

nature of partnerships is shifting and moving from “project” oriented activities to a country-wide

approach, complete with the need for parallel financing from country governments, in addition to

development assistance, to address the strategic work required.

CAADP is now 10 years old and has served as a powerful framework for advocacy asserting the strategic

importance of agricultural transformation for Africa’s future. As an African owned and led initiative, it

now has 40 countries with signed compacts and 32 NAFSIPs in place. During the 23rd Ordinary Session of

the AU Assembly Summit of the Heads of State in June this year, the Malabo Declaration was made and

includes seven commitments:

A recommitment to the Principles and Values of the CAADP Process

Recommitment to enhance investment finance in agriculture (uphold 10% public spending

target and operationalization of the African Investment Bank)

Commitment to zero hunger – ending hunger by 2025 (doubling productivity by focusing on

inputs, irrigation and mechanization, and reduced post-harvest losses and to nutrition --

reduced stunting to 10%)

Commitment to halving poverty by 2025, through inclusive agricultural growth and

transformation (including a sustained annual sector growth in agricultural GDP of at least 6%,

establishing private-public partnerships for at least five priority agricultural commodity value

chains with strong linkages to smallholder agriculture, job creation for at least 30% of the youth

in agricultural value chains, and preferential entry and participation by women and youth in

gainful agribusiness)

Commitment to boosting intra-African trade in agricultural commodities and services

Commitment to enhancing resilience of livelihoods and production systems to climate

variability and other shocks (ensure that by 2025, at least 30% of farm/pastoral households are

resilient to shocks) and,

Commitment to Mutual Accountability to Actions and Results (through the CAADP Results

Framework – with a biennial agricultural review process)

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The immediate actions underway by the AUC and NEPAD to deliver on these commitments include the

preparation of an implementation strategy and roadmap (ISRM) to be submitted to the next Heads of

State Meeting in January, 2015. This will require an updating of the CAADP Results Framework to

measure, track and report against progress on the implementation of the Malabo Declaration as part of

the Commitment to Mutual Accountability to Actions and Results. Specific calls for actions also address:

• African Agricultural Research and Knowledge Institutions to vigorously support the realization

of this agenda through an integrated and coherent manner, building on national systems and

capacities

• Development Partners to rally and align their technical and financial support in a harmonized

and coordinated manner to support the implementation of the provisions of this Declaration.

The challenge is to align future research with the targets that have been set and, participants noted that

this may call for new ways of working together. This comes at a time for CGIAR when the Strategy and

Results Framework (SRF) for the next phase of the reform is under development and formulation of the

next phase of CGIAR Research Programs (CRPs) will soon be underway, presenting an excellent

opportunity for even greater levels of engagement as per the MoU between AUC and the CGIAR

Consortium.

The Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa, began as a work stream under the CGIAR alignment to

CAADP activities, and will be launched by FARA at the Celebrating FARA event in Johannesburg, South

Africa, in November. The group emphasized that the Science Agenda is a living document, written for

multiple audiences, and will require continued attention and collaboration to identify the important

issues, and will need to be monitored and updated over time. While the Science Agenda is African

owned and led, it calls upon partners to work with Africa to address the vision that by 2030 Africa will

have ensured its own food and nutrition security. The technical themes covered in the Science Agenda

include:

Sustainable productivity in major farming systems

Food systems and value chains

Agricultural biodiversity and natural resource management (NRM)

Mega trends and challenges

Financing science

With three cross cutting themes – foresight, biosciences and climate change

In terms of targeted outcomes, FARA highlighted in the short-term there is a need for an increase in

funding for science across Africa, in the medium-term there will be an increase in research capacity, and

in the long-term there is a need for doubling in agricultural productivity. The attending SROs

(CORAF/WECARD and ASARECA) along with RUFORUM (a consortium of 42 universities operating in

Eastern and Southern Africa) provided insights based on their five year Operational Plans (2014-2018) as

to how they are working in tandem to deliver on the Science Agenda, and laid out some of the

challenges and opportunities ahead.

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A technical convening was held at IFPRI in advance of this meeting, to discuss some of the critical areas

for additional support and engagement on the part of CGIAR (see Appendix A). This led to further

discussion on how to assess the aggregate cost for the Science Agenda and what is needed in terms of

capacity to meet the growth targets, and ensure the institutional architecture is in place to achieve the

desired results. One of the challenges, in response to monitoring mega trends and progress achieved

over time, will be to revisit, re-evaluate and reform the agenda as needed. It was clear to the group that

quantitative analysis is needed to further develop the next steps and assess what additional research is

needed in each of the thematic areas. Comments were made that the Science Agenda by its very nature

is meant to have a sharp focus within the agricultural sector. In its translation into a coherent set of

actions, it will be important to build on operational links (within and beyond the primary sector), to

include positive nutritional and health outcomes. At the same time, it is critical that CGIAR work hand in

hand with FARA and the SROs, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities. The group agreed that

CGIAR can help play a role in defining the guidelines that are needed at the country level and link

research efforts to actual problems and solutions in support of longer-term agricultural impact.

In order to move ahead, the group discussed the need to develop what became known as the “5 C’s” to

advance the strategic partnership:

1) Coordination: The need to ensure proper coordination of actions and implementation among CGIAR

parties and the FARA, SROs and RUFORUM in connection with CAADP and S3A implementation.

2) Co-location: Increased efforts to have initiatives of CGIAR and other parties located within particular

countries and sites, and functioning together.

3) Collaboration: Enhanced efforts at joint planning and joint implementation of initiatives, including and

in relation to co-location (above).

4) “Clearing House” or connecting services at the country and sub-regional levels: A service offered by

the SROs. This involves the identification of one party within each region to play a coordination focal

point role, in support of working together and would create stronger outcomes in terms of

collaboration, and

5) Communication – Develop new ways of sharing information to assist in the continued refinement of

roles, responsibilities and ultimately stronger shared impact.

Next Steps

Building on the AUC-CGIAR MoU, it is important to put in place a Set of Principles that will help

define the business practice between the partners, as a reference point for alignment and future

work together;

The specifics for moving forward are based on the MoU and found under Mechanisms for

Cooperation (See Appendix B, Article 2). These will be developed through engagement at the

continental, sub-regional and country levels as part of the next phase for both CAADP and

CGIAR;

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The Celebrating FARA event, where the Science Agenda will be launched, will serve as the next

round for discussion and an opportunity for expanding and deepening engagement;

The second round of CRP formulation will begin in the coming year and be in place by 2017. It

will consist of the GCARD3 process, based on consultations in about 20 countries, 3 regions and

a global conference to take place during the course of 2015. CAADP is the framework that will

drive African country and regional engagement, and the Malabo Declaration will serve as an

opportunity to engage and bring into focus commitments to develop, track and monitor mutual

targets and goals as included in the CAADP Results Framework 2015-2025.

To further activate the AUC-CGIAR partnership and move from the MOU to action, staff

members from AUC-DREA, FARA, CGIAR Consortium Office and S&T Partnerships in Africa

program at IFPRI formed a Task Team2 to follow up on areas needing further collaboration and

coordination.

Tools, Technologies and Platforms to Deliver on the Science Agenda

Discussion focused on the need for new tools, to be used along with existing innovation platforms – and

the different roles and responsibilities required -- to bring the African Agriculture Technology Platform

(AATP) to life. The AATP is under development and will consist of using both virtual technology

platforms and innovation platforms (IPs) to contribute to the goals and targets set in the NAFSIPs. The

AATP consists of two components: on the ground activities and existing innovation platforms (led by

FARA and the SROs, with support from CGIAR); and (2) an underlying, web-based decision-making tool

called the Virtual Information Platform (VIP), to support the overall AATP effort designed by CGIAR

partners, in collaboration with FARA ,the SROs and national universities3. A demonstration was

provided by IFPRI’s Harvest Choice program to stimulate discussion as to how both the virtual and the

physical components of technology platforms can find practical applications to work together in the

delivery of data and its various uses at the country level. The data used to develop the virtual tools or

platforms have a harmonized multidisciplinary database on 10km grids across Sub-Saharan Africa. The

database can assist spatially-explicit farming systems-level analysis for characterizing farming systems

and constraints, setting targets of, for example, productivity improvement, nutrition enhancement, and

scaling-up adoption. The database developed by Harvest Choice (as of April, 2014) contains over 600

indicators covering biophysical, crop production, socio-economic, markets and health and nutrition

variables. Similarly, the use of commodity prioritization tools (to help users identify country-specific

priority commodities – for economic impact, importance to the poor, nutritional values, impact on

natural resources) – and geospatial targeting tools – to help users identify where target intervention or

2 Task Team Members include: Maurice Lorka (AUC-DREA), Irene Frempong (FARA Secretariat), Alain Vidal (CGIAR

Consortium Office) and Kerri Wright Platais (IFPRI/S&T Partnerships in Africa) 3 Important to note the term Innovation Platform defines known and clearly-defined mechanisms used primarily by

FARA, the SROs and other ag-related partners to collaborate, share information and take decisions, based on the face-to-face delivery of research outputs. The virtual tools used in the development of CGIAR research focus on building and combining the data, metrics, models and tools required for decision support analysis, priority setting and the analytics for measurement. These can be used to then populate the FARA and SRO-led Innovation Platforms or provide the tools for measurement of progress towards targets (including prioritization of investments) for the national agricultural investment plans.

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technologies can best perform and thus have greater potential for scalable impact, taking into account

an array of biophysical and socioeconomic factors (i.e. temperature, rainfall, elevation, slope, market

accessibility, and linkages with household income, gender and education) are under development and

ready for greater integration and use at the country level.

The development of the virtual platforms is intended to find new ways to use data from one platform

and combine with others – working over different time frames. The virtual platforms offer a variety of

uses that include technology tracking tools, opportunities to monitor the release of new technologies,

targeting for dissemination of technologies, use as an advocacy tool in mapping research activities or

use in priority setting processes, or use to gauge where there are gaps or additional areas in need of

attention -- across value chains and in different agro-ecological zones. The issue is not whether to

develop one data platform over another, but rather to find ways to help the platforms connect and share

information in a way that is useful for multiple end-users. And, equally as important, to address the

research questions that need to be addressed. In the case of the VIP, a key end-user group is research

managers, to help them make better decisions. Leaders in extension and other development

organizations will benefit in terms of aligning technologies to their intervention locations and to track

adoption.

In the case of the innovation platforms, in use by FARA and the SROs, the end users are often farmer

groups, depending on the research and development needs. The group discussed the fact that there are

a plethora of innovation platforms in existence, some more effective than others. It is important to not

duplicate efforts, and create connectivity and complementarities among the different platforms, where

possible. There is a need to evaluate and rationalize the innovation platforms that are in existence, to

understand which ones could benefit or add value if combined with the virtual tools for improved

efficiency. Ultimately, it is important to view the different platforms as a partnership, where anyone can

contribute information, including the private sector, civil society, national research and higher

educational institutions, who will all play a role in the delivery and use of information generated through

both the virtual and innovation platforms. ASTI’s work was also mentioned as providing new tools to

evaluate performance through the use of indicators to examine the links between R&D tools and make

targeted investment decisions. The next phase of ASTI will focus more on the dissemination and uptake

of ASTI data at the national level, to further complement the next phase of CAADP, and target policy and

country level decision makers. RUFORUM has initiated discussions with ASTI to strengthen information

collection from African universities.

The role of capacity development and quality assurance was also discussed, along with the need to

share lessons learned from how data has been aggregated in the past, and how to improve this going

forward. This will require coordination and a characterization of the technologies, which CGIAR and

SROs are doing and could do more of collaboratively. Concerns were raised on the involvement of FARA

Secretariat and the SROs in developing the technology platform and how far country and sub-regional

priorities have been taken into account (i.e. how diagnostic tools are integrated across all levels of

information).

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Next Steps

FARA and the SROs will develop the African Agriculture Technology Platform (AATP) and

convene a meeting of ICT-KM and geospatial experts among the CGIAR partnership to explore

what is required to fully connect and integrate the Virtual Information Platform (as it is

developed) with the on-the-ground delivery mechanisms of the Innovation Platforms;

Some assessment is needed to determine which of the existing Innovation Platforms are most

useful and the best candidates for connecting with the VIP as it is further developed;

Country level pilots are needed and will go forward, as part of the opportunity to expand the

usefulness of the various tools, drawing from a larger pool of partners (including the private

sector, seed industry, civil society partners, etc.) and focused on country-specific challenges and

solutions;

It is important to get new tools and technologies into the hands of the country and sub-regional

partners and link with existing delivery systems within CAADP, such as the ReSAKSS platforms,

to raise the use and awareness of platforms to deliver new technologies.

Create opportunities for the University systems to engage fully with these initiatives.

Activating Malabo Post-Climate Summit

A special session was held the second day of the meeting on the importance of Climate Change and its

impact on Africa is listed among the specific targets in the Malabo Declaration in creating resilience. It is

also an area of great importance for CGIAR where 60 percent of the research portfolio is contributing to

climate-smart agriculture (CSA). The AUC and CGIAR have a role and responsibility to take collective

action on the delivery of technologies and research to combat the effects of climate change. One way to

do this will be to ensure that there is technical backing to help provide guidance and reality checks when

integrating Climate Smart Agriculture goals into the NAFSIPs and setting in motion country level

activities. It will also be important to coordinate efforts. In January, at the Heads of State Summit, the

road map and commitments will become part and parcel of the next steps, requiring strong coordination

to move ahead.

Based on a concept note produced by USAID to mainstream CSA into African National and Regional

Agriculture and Food Security Investment Plans as background to the African Leaders Summit in August,

a stock taking discussion was held covering five specific areas where additional coordination is needed:

1) Climate vulnerability assessments, 2) Country stocktaking and profiling, 3) Assessment of technologies

and practices reducing risks, 4) Capacity Building and 5) Coordination. There are now three key groups

coordinating the work of the Global Alliance, which was formally launched during the Climate Summit in

New York City. The three groups include Knowledge, Institutions and Finance, with CCAFS and FAO

coordinating the Knowledge group. It is important to work closely with the Climate Smart African

Alliance4 and ensure technical coordination is in place for country level discussions. The NORAD funded

4 The Climate Smart Africa Alliance includes the NEPAD Agency as the convener; technical partners including CGIAR

CCAFS, FARA, FANRPAN & FAO; and International NGOs including OxFAM, CARE Int., Action Aid, CRS, Concern Worldwide and World Vision

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work being done by FARA for instance, is to discern the socio-economic factors around the adoption of

climate smart technologies and options and to build capacity of NARIs on climate smart agriculture.

In addition, several issues were raised including the need to help connect the technical capacity with the

demand on the ground. There is a need to establish a participatory process, so that the questions

coming from the countries can be answered and so that technical information is available to decision

makers. In other sectors for CAADP the Joint Sector Reviews (JSRs) are used as the process to allow

stakeholders to observe and take note of what exists and what is needed in country policy formulation.

The suggestion was made that this same process should be incorporated into the CSA country work.

CGIAR-CCAFS has put together a Country Compendium, to which many partners contributed. ECOWAS

and COMESA are working in tandem with the SROs to look at appropriate CSA technologies, supported

through the World Bank’s East and West Africa Agriculture Productivity Projects (EAAPP and WAAPP),

which can be included as part of the technical background work.

Next Steps

Between now and February there is a need to come together (AUC and CGIAR) with partners to

assess what technical work is needed (the supply side) and match how best to deliver at the

national levels (the demand side) for CSA work.

The African Union Commission will organize a meeting in early November on the

implementation strategy and road map to implement the Malabo Declaration. The meeting will

discuss actions to achieve implementation of the declaration, including CSA and other core parts

of the Declaration, and allow for better clarity on the approach to further CSA collaboration.

A technical convening will need to be organized in early February with CGIAR-CCAFS and other

non-CGIAR technical partners to meet with African partner institutions and determine the best

way forward for coordination to better translate the science and technology components,

including modelling and the use of appropriate technologies, into action on the ground.

Additional international meetings will focus on technology and innovations in Africa, such as the

Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA), (March 9-11) Abu Dhabi, where Climate

Smart Agriculture will feature. The work on technology platforms (and the combined work of

the virtual information and actual innovation platforms) along with shared goals and targets for

national level activities can feature. The organizers have expressed a strong desire to have

CAADP partners from all participating countries in attendance.

This will be followed, (March 15-17) by the Third Global Conference on Climate Smart

Agriculture in Montpellier, and will feature the research on CSA through the AUC and CGIAR

partnership.

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Moving Forward in Support of S&T Partnerships in Africa

Background Material for a Meeting at IFPRI September 29 and 30, 2014

Background

A small, technical meeting was held at IFPRI on September 8, 2014 to discuss how best to formulate a

CGIAR-wide response in support of the science and technology agenda and broader-based partnerships

in Africa. With the advent of the Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa: Connecting Science to transform

agriculture in Africa (S3A), an effort coordinated under the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa

(FARA) and Chaired by Dr. Kanayo Nwanze, President of the International Fund for Agricultural

Development, in which the CGIAR participated -- and in recognition of the Memorandum of

Understanding signed between the African Union Commission (AUC) and CGIAR Consortium Office – the

time is ripe to engage in new partnerships around the science and technology landscape in Africa.

The strategic partnership between the Commission and the Consortium as stated in the MoU will work

to:

1) Enhance the capacity of mandated African institutions in articulating and advancing an African Science

and Technology agenda for agriculture that is anchored in CAADP-based country and regional

agriculture and food security investment plans; and

2) Strengthen synergies and complementarities between CGIAR planning processes for its African-

oriented initiatives, on the one hand, and, on the other, CAADP-based priorities in research, policy

analysis, training and knowledge management

This meeting and concept note, serve as background to prepare for additional meetings and activities

of the CAADP and CGIAR partners, and captures some of the key ideas raised around the need for

continued partnerships in support of the science agenda and the research for development platforms

within Africa.

In his preamble, Dr. Nwanze rightly pointed out that “this continental Science Agenda will only translate

into stronger nations and better lives for the people of Africa if it is supported by coherent investment in

science for agriculture-for-development and will inspire reform of the related institutions.” The backdrop

for engagement lies in the Key Messages taken from the S3A:

1) Africa should commit to strengthen its role as a player in global science for agriculture to drive the

transformation of agriculture and society;

APPENDIX A

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2) Science for agriculture in Africa is too important to be outsourced. African leaders must take

responsibility for enhancing the role of science in their societies;

3) Science is critical for the preservation and use of Africa’s rich biological heritage and indigenous and

local knowledge;

4) Agricultural transformation in Africa will not happen without realizing the potential of women and

young people;

5) Now is the time to increase investments in science for agriculture in Africa, when countries have the

means and opportunities to invest, and gain returns and specifically

a) Investing in science is necessary and feasible

b) The private sector is increasingly important in agribusiness

c) National financial commitment by government is the key that unlocks other support

d) High rates of return on investments in science for agriculture, in the order of 40-60% have shown

consistently in several global studies, and

6) African Solidarity in Science is an important dimension of the strategy for harnessing the power of

science – and Africa’s partnerships in science shall be based on the principles of: mutual benefit,

mutual responsibility and mutual accountability.

It is therefore time to focus on the development and deepening of substantive partnerships between

CGIAR and other advanced research institutes with research and development partners in Africa, at the

national, regional and international level in pursuit of the following goals and targets, as collectively we:

Identify common development problems and research challenges that need to be addressed

Share relevant knowledge, data sets and base line data for mutual benefit

Pursue joint resource mobilization efforts

Share responsibility for implementing a joint research for development program and

Share accountability in the delivery of results

Science and Technology Challenges and Response

The meeting noted that there are major challenges in the discovery and delivery of science and technology

in Africa. It commended the inclusion in the Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa of an overview of

several areas where science and technology development offers new opportunities for the transformation

of agriculture in the countries of Africa. These areas are grouped as follows:

Sustainable productivity in crop and livestock based systems, aquatic systems, agroforestry and

forestry systems

Agricultural mechanization

Food systems and value chains

Post-harvest handling, food processing safety and storage

Agricultural biodiversity and natural resource management

Responses to mega trends and emerging challenges, including foresight

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The meeting noted that the CGIAR research institutes and research programs and their partners have

relevant scientific research underway in all of these areas. There was additional discussion on some areas

which merit further investigation. For example, in the area of crop improvement, recent research,

including that published by IFPRI/ASTI, has shown that the rate of uptake of high performing varieties

(HPVs) in sub Saharan Africa is less than 30% (in contrast to about 60% uptake in Asia and 80% uptake in

South America). This suggests the need for including more demand-led approaches in the development

of new plant varieties that meet market demand. It may also call for further exploration into the multiple

and complex interaction of challenges for technology adoption in Africa, including, inter alia, the

considerable environmental, cultural and infrastructural heterogeneity. There was also some discussion

on the new developments in livestock genomics that make the delivery of genetic gains through new

breeds of livestock more feasible in tropical livestock systems (e.g. poultry, dairy cows). The importance

of conservation, characterization and utilization of biodiversity, including livestock-wildlife interactions

was also noted.

The meeting noted that the CGIAR has substantial data and research results that could inform the

implementation of science and development programs in Africa, and that one of the roles of the AU-CGIAR

science partnership could be to make this wealth of knowledge systematically available to the wide range

of partners in Africa, nationally, sub-regionally and Pan African.

Areas discussed (but not limited to, nor prioritized) that require more in-depth analysis to guide decision

makers included:

Dimensioning of investments – Current levels of investments in S&T; gaps and opportunities;

what are the implications of different levels of investments

Total factor productivity (TFP) – Unpacking the influences on TFP of investments in S&T and other

factors

Institutional architecture – How to develop in practice a coherent, functional system that

comprises national, sub regional organizations (SROs), Pan African, and international partners

Foresight modelling and prioritization of investment choices in S&T in Africa

Expanding the use of tools, modeling and technology platforms to provide the technical evidence

needed as research demands address Climate Change and other major global issues

Policy framework for investing in science – incentives and systems for introducing new

technologies including varietal release procedures, intellectual property rights, regulatory

frameworks, public-private collaborations; private R&D investment, regional seed trade and

foreign direct investment

Capacity strengthening needs, at various levels from institutions to individuals, and across the

areas of expertise required in a functioning research system, from science through to

management, and what is the role of the CGIAR

Competition and cooperation between smallholder agriculture with industrial development, including agribusiness, large-scale farming, and manufacturing sectors.

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With respect to the interface of research and capacity, the group noted the CGIAR has developed a

systems thinking approach with regard to capacity development. The main innovation from this emphasis

will include mechanisms to learn and adapt as required across different impact pathways. Guidelines

developed by the CGIAR CapDev Community propose nine key elements of capacity development to

consider:

1. Capacity needs assessment and intervention strategy design

2. Design and delivery of innovative learning materials and approaches must be included

3. Develop the CRPs and CGIAR Centers capacity to partner in new ways

4. Develop future research leaders through fellowships

5. Increase gender-sensitive approaches throughout the capacity development process

6. Focus on institutional strengthening

7. Include monitoring and evaluation (M&E) throughout

8. Pay attention to organizational development

9. Increase the amount of research supporting capacity development

Joint Priority Setting to Deepen Partnerships

The MoU between AUC and CGIAR serves as the guiding framework for aligning research activities and

developing long-term research and technological development goals for Africa. This includes joint priority

setting (through the development of the CAADP National Investment Plans at the country and regional

levels) and the formulation of the Strategy and Results Framework (SRF) to help guide next steps for CGIAR

Research Programs. This includes all aspects of the CAADP institutions and delivery research systems,

including the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the Sub Regional Organizations (SROs) and

RUFORUM, a network of universities for capacity building in agriculture, linked to the AUC.

Alignment involves a high degree of trust and willingness to give and take in a partnership arrangement.

The vision of the S3A is an Africa that is a global player in science for agriculture. As a global player Africa

will exercise leadership where it develops its comparative advantage and it will benefit from collaboration

where it can. Partnership will begin with a true commitment by African leaders to support the elements

of the Agenda: The Heads of State endorsed the principle that national commitment is the key that unlocks

international collaboration. This commitment includes: 1) a minimum science base to support inter-

African mobility; 2) the encouragement of the diaspora through productive rotation and longer-term

assignments; 3) the alignment of credentials and facilitation of intra-African exchanges; and 4) functioning

networks for the flow of ideas, people and resources.

The basic building blocks of the architecture are in place for alignment around shared priorities and

research processes. How these building blocks are managed and encouraged will determine how future

alignment in the form of partnerships succeeds. The partnerships must be adaptive, and the costs of

adaptation must be carefully reviewed so that research does not suffer. We look forward to expanding

this discussion and creating opportunities to debate and design the most efficient way forward within a

shared agenda.

APPENDIX B

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Meeting in Support of Scientific & Technical Partnerships

in Africa

September 29 and 30, 2014 9:30-5:30 and 9:30-3:00

IFPRI Conference Room 4BC

Background: During the last few years the CGIAR has engaged in a deeper partnership with

institutions in support of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP).

Several workstreams under that partnership were formulated and solidified through the signing

of an MoU between the African Union Commission and CGIAR in January, 2013. One of these

workstreams included the formulation of a science and technology agenda for African

agriculture.

The specific objectives, as listed in the MoU, in support of the strategic partnership between the Commission and the CGIAR Consortium include:

(i) “Enhance the capacity of mandated African institutions in articulating and advancing an African Science and Technology agenda for 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.”

This year FARA led and commissioned the writing of the Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa

(S3A) written by experts across the African agricultural landscape, including several authors with

current and past work with CGIAR, specifically with expertise in Africa, and Chaired by Kanayo

Nwanze, President of IFAD and former Director General of AfricaRice. This agenda will be

launched on the 28th of November in Johannesburg on the margins of the Celebrating FARA

event. The launch in itself will be preceded by CGIAR-coordinated technology fair to showcase

the present strength of technology application in African agriculture and its future strategies.

APPENDIX C

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Meeting Objectives: This meeting will provide an opportunity to share information and

formulate next steps across the CAADP-CGIAR partnership framework – with specific attention

to partnership with FARA and SROs on the Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa and the role

larger scientific and technical research partnerships will play in support of and responding to

the call for agricultural transformation in Africa.

During this meeting we will:

Discuss activation of the CAADP-CGIAR partnership via joint programs and activities and

begin to formulate how to determine and support the targets and goals defined in S3A;

Receive an overview from FARA for implementation of S3A and hear perspectives from

CORAF, ASARECA and RUFORUM regarding their roles to deliver -- and explore how CGIAR

programs can engage and support the S3A as it develops;

Receive an update on the CAADP Results Framework and its importance for the science

and technology agenda;

Frame next steps to expand interaction with FARA and SROs, clarify roles and leadership

in support of furthering development of technology platforms and S&T engagement

across CRPs and Center programs; and

Take time the second day to hear from colleagues who attended the Climate Summit in

New York City, and explore next steps within the AUC and CAADP partnership to frame

up CSA deliverables in Africa.

Agenda

9:30 Welcome (A. Vidal, K.W. Platais)

9:45 Introductions, Agenda and Meeting Objectives (J. Hill, D. Nielson and K.W. Platais)

10:00 Overview from AUC – setting the stage for deeper engagement (A. Haile-Gabrielle) Hear

from the AUC regarding next steps from the Malabo Declaration and links to concrete next steps

for implementing the CAADP’s next phase – around S&T partnerships, targets, and holding each

other accountable

10:20 Part I: CAADP Results Framework – Defining Next Steps and the Role of S&T

Strategic highlights and opportunities to work together to deliver on the next phase of CAADP, and

as a means of strengthening joint priority setting (B. Keizire, M. Bwalya)

Q and A from participants

11:00 Coffee Break

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11:15 Part II: Overview and implementation of the Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa

FARA to provide an overview for next steps for S3A, with perspectives from CORAF, ASARECA and

RUFORUM and their roles in the delivery

(Y. Akinbamijo, A. Njoya, F. Wachira, M. Osiru)

Q and A from participants

12:00 Lunch

1:00 Part III: Responding to the call for Science and Technology Agenda in Africa

Building on a technical meeting held at IFPRI earlier in September, discuss how the CGIAR can

participate in the delivering of the S3A, including how data, indicators and science and technology

platforms can contribute to the S3A.

Interactive panel discussion to engage in the S3A

(K. Atta-Krah, J. McDermott, I. Frempong, A. Njoya, F. Place, S. Msangi)

Q and A from participants

2:30 Platforms, tools and new technologies (J. Koo)

Presentation on the Technology Platform (what it is and what it is not), followed by a

panel discussion on its 1) origin, 2) application and 3) future development – how can we

use these tools to deliver on the Science Agenda and track its performance? How can we

strengthen shared engagement in the use and development of these tools? Can we

measure returns on investment to research? How to develop ways in which virtual and

on-the-ground innovation platforms can complement? What capacity is needed as we

do?

Panel: M. Lorka (AUC-DREA), Y. Akinbamijo (FARA), K. Brooks (PIM), S. Wood (Technology

Guru), F. Wachira (ASARECA), M. Osiru (RUFORUM), N. Beintema (ASTI)

Q&A from participants

3:30 Coffee Break

4:00 (Panel Discussion and Q&A cont.)

4:30 Round Robin: Observations from Development Partners

Observations and opportunities – what development partners would like to see

accomplished in the next year to help FARA and SROs implement S3A (M. Wood

(ACIAR), S. Wood (BMGF), R. Bertram/J. Hill (USAID), S. Mathur (IFAD), E. Pehu (WB)

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5:00 Next Steps (A. Vidal, K.W. Platais)

5:30 Adjourn

Tuesday, September 30th -- Day for Discussions, Demos and a Deeper Dive

IFPRI Conference Room 4BC

9:30 Session on Tools and Technologies: Demonstrations and a Deeper Dive on applications

for the Science Agenda

VIP Demo – HarvestChoice

ASTI Demo

Discuss Roles and Responsibilities of FARA and the SROs in the Technology Platform

Prepare for next steps, including the Technology Fair at the FARA Celebration (November

26-28, Johannesburg) and the Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA) 2015

Conference, Abu Dhabi (March 9-11, 2015)

11:00 Coffee Break

11:30 Report from Partners attending the Climate Summit

Hear from colleagues who attended the Climate Summit on the targets and goals set –

and how the scientific contributions to the climate agenda can be incorporated in the

CAADP-CGIAR partnership and chart out key next steps.

(E. Fotabong, M. Bwalya, D. Garrity, A. de Pinto, A. Tall)

1:00 Lunch

2:00 Wrap-up Session on modalities to support implementation of the S3A and roadmap for

2015 -- FARA, SROs and RUFORM with CRPs and Centers – next steps to close of meeting

3:00 Coffee and Adjourn