Bio-resources Innovations Network for Eastern African Development

Bio-Innovate Program

Delivering Biosciences Innovations to the Market Place: Bio-Innovate Program Strategy

Seyoum Leta

First Bio-Innovate Regional Scientific ConferenceUnited Nations Conference Centre (UNCC-ECA)Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 25-27 February 2013

Presentation outline

• Bio-Innovate Program overview• Why Bio-Innovate• Vision, mission and objectives • Program Thematic Focus • Bio-Innovate competitive grant scheme• Innovations in the making• Bio-Innovate Program Focus beyond

2014

Opportunities for knowledge based bio-economy for Sub-Saharan Africa

• Wide Variety bio-resources across the region• modern biosciences is providing an increasingly

powerful innovations • Capacities to adapt and use modern biosciences

in various sectors are emerging • Increased emphasis on the role of biosceinces

innovations at various levels• There are common development agendas within

the regional policy bodies (IGAD, ECA, CAADP, NEPAD, ASARECA, etc.), which would benefit from joint regional implementation

The Missing Link

• Capacities in biosciences in various sectors are scarce and scattered, with few strong regional initiatives

• No Effective R&D networks comprised of local institutions, regional and international research organizations linking with private sectors to use modern bioscience as a tool for development

• Missing link from research to innovation to delivery to end users

• Gap in translating innovations into forms easily adopted by end users - farming communities, agro-processors, stakeholders in economy

• Unfavorable policy environment for innovation

Bio-resources Innovations Network for Eastern African Development (Bio-Innovate) Program

BurundiEthiopiaKenyaRwanda TanzaniaUganda

Established in 2010 to catalyze and support multidisciplinary biosciences and product oriented innovation activities in the eastern Africa

To strengthen biosciences innovations for stimulating adaptability of small scale farming systems to climate changeEnhance crop, feed and biofuel productivity and provide farmers with more agribusiness opportunitiesAddress environmental pollution and climate change threats by creating and up-scaling innovative technologies with a view of creating more productive and sustainable agro-process industriesPolling expertise through regional innovation network, enabling policy analysis on cross cutting issues

WHY

• Need for innovation systems approach engaging new and existing actors in and outside the region through a new bio-resource innovation and policy platform for boosting eastern Africa development

• Need for integrated approach in addressing development challenges that require collective regional action to maximize synergies and impact;• Agricultural productivity constraints, market opportunities,

environmental problems such as climate change are regional in nature and require regional convergence and joint efforts;

• sharing of scarce R&D infrastructure and key competences to avoid duplication and harness available resources

• Creating mechanism for bringing new knowledge and technologies to a broad set of institutions and can thus serve as a dynamic and effective means for developing regional public goods and new products

Vision

Vision To develop into a Program of excellence for

“BIORESOURCES INNOVATION FUND” and Science, Technology and Innovation think-tank that contributes to sustainable and integrated utilization of bio-resources for economic development of Eastern Africa

Currently, the program comprises of 9 innovation and policy consortia projects and 57 partnering and collaborating institutions

Program is supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, 2010 – 2014

Complimentary funds from private sector

Collaborators and Partners

Business Not-as-Usual

• Emphasis on product development and generation of new knowledge

• Partnership approach to deliver innovations to the end users.

• Regional nature of the Program to allow for:

– sharing available resources and exchange of information and technologies across the region

– complementarity and synergies and avoid duplication

– wider impact of innovations

• Program is also addressing policy issues

• RBM approach in Program and project implementation to ensure that focus is on results and outcomes. M&E adopted to reflect RBM approach.

Proj

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Project 2. Cassava, Potato and Sweet PotatoProject 2. Cassava, Potato and Sweet Potato

Project 1. Sorghum and MilletProject 1. Sorghum and Millet

Project 4. Bio-energy and mushroom production from agro-industrial wastes

Project 4. Bio-energy and mushroom production from agro-industrial wastes

Project 5. Waste treatment and production of biogas and bio-fertilizers

Project 5. Waste treatment and production of biogas and bio-fertilizers

Project 6. Sorghum and Millet value additionProject 6. Sorghum and Millet value addition

Project 7. Bio-enhanced seedsProject 7. Bio-enhanced seeds

Project 8. Industrial enzymes applicationProject 8. Industrial enzymes application

Project 9. Bio-sciences innovation policyProject 9. Bio-sciences innovation policy

1. Crop Productivity and Resilience to Climate Change

2. Agro-industrial Waste and

Wastewater Treatment and Value Addition

3. Innovation Incubation and Promotion of

Targeted value chains

4. Bio-resources Innovation Policy and Sustainability

Analysis

Bio-Innovate Thematic Focus

Proof of concept Product development Delivery systems

Universities, R4DInstitutionsUniversities, R4DInstitutions

Universities and R4D institutions, Private sector,

R4D systemsPrivate sector, policy makers, market systems

R4D systemsPrivate sector, policy makers, market systems

Product conceptFeasibility studiesProduct incubation

• Field testing• System/process

establishment• Protocols, tools

Technological innovationTesting /field evaluationOptimization /scale-upField production

MarketingCommercializationPut to end users

Early safety evaluationEarly safety evaluation

• STI policies• Germplasm exchange/

Genetic resource policies• IP framework

• STI policies• Germplasm exchange/

Genetic resource policies• IP framework

Regulatory approvals•Field trial and technology development, bio-pesticide registration,•Product safety and quality•Technology transfer and licensing

ACTORS

POLICY

Bio-Innovate Projects Product development along the innovation pathway/value chains

Bio-Innovate consortia project composition

Consortia composition is multi-disciplinary, multi-country to ensure Regionality, Relevance, Efficiency, and Impact

Program Implementation

Bio-Innovate Competitive Scheme

Program Implementation Manual

Guide implementing institutions through the project cycle

Contracting and roles of partners in consortia

Procedures to effectively implement, monitor and evaluate projects

Fund management guidelines

Adoption of results-based management approach with a focus on results and outcomes as opposed to activities and outputs

Identity

Has identified strategic, thematic focus areas that interface value addition and innovation through interlinked activities in Eastern Africa

Is focusing on delivering new products through bioscience innovation systems involving a range of value chain actors critical to span the process from science to production and markets

Is implemented as a technology and policy platform via a competitive grant scheme

Focuses on biosciences innovations in agriculture, the environment and agro-processing industry, with support to regional, interdisciplinary innovation projects

Lessons

OpportunitiesBetter chance of delivery of technologies

to end users with strong partnerships

Allow for pooling of expertise and key competencies and creates synergies among research institutions

Maximization of resources – human, capital and financial

Impact is wider – technologies succeeding in one country can be replicated and adopted in others

ChallengesManaging many partners poses a

lot of challenges

Continuous and proactivity in co-ordination and monitoring of project activities, reviewing results and ensuring compliance with procedures

Communication is key

Harmonizing procedures difficult due to institutional differences

Key points for consideration by the Implementing Partners

• Need to focus on delivering innovations aimed at solving end-user problems hence the need to continue to intimately engage private sector and famers in implementation.

• Need for increasing role of the PI in coordinating and ensuring that the Project achieves its mission

• Need for efficient communication within the consortia and with the PMO• Need for concerted efforts in documenting achievements and project

events through Program website, newsletter• Rigorous M&R activities to capture on going activities, achievements and

engage the media for outreach activities.• Partners should take full advantage of the alternative procurement process

the PMO is offering for procuring equipment, chemicals and reagents• Mid-Term REVIEW of the Program currently underway to measure progress

and inform future direction and funding of the Program.• Scientists to submit full papers not later than 31st March for peer review for

publication in the Conference Proceedings.

Some innovations in the making

Project 1: Drought resistant sorghum field evaluation , Kenya

Project 2: Drought and disease resistant sweet potato varieties selection, Tanzania

Project 3: Farmers selecting canning bean varieties, Kenya

Project 3: Women packing bean varieties in small affordable packets, Ethiopia

Project 4: Construction of mushroom cultivation from sisal facilities, Kilifi Plantation, Kenya

Project 5: Biogas plant, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Project 5: Slaughterhouse wastewater recycling and biogas and bio-fertilizer production, Kampala, Uganda

Ready to eat snacksMalted non-alcoholic beverage

Project 6: Value added sorghum and millet products

Integrated technologies for wastewater treatment, biogas production and water reuse at Modgjo Tannery Sc.co., Ethiopia

Biodigester

Constructed wetland

Sludge Drying

Equalization Tank

Screen

Integrated system for wastewater treatment, biogas production at Banana Investment Ltd, Arusha

Project 9: The Bio-Innovate Team discussing policy issues with State Minister for Ministry of Science and Technology, Ethiopia.

Policy issues:•Constraints to biosciences innovation •Access to genetic resources policy•Intellectual property protection•Biotechnology and biosafety policies•Networking and capacity building•PPPs and technology transfer

Bio-Innovate Beyond 2014

• Up-scaling and commercialization of promising innovations from the current thematic area consortia projects

• Widen the scope of the Bio-Innovate focus areas with focus on delivery of innovations to end users involving private sector partners

• Integrate technology delivery systems with studies on cross cutting issues

• Strengthen and increase the existing network partners

Bio-Innovate Vision beyond 2014

Policy Innovation Practice Impact Policy Innovation Practice Impact

Eastern African Agriculture and EnvironmentEastern African Agriculture and Environment

Collective regional and international efforts can bring an impact!

Acknowledgements

•Ministries/councils for Science &Technology •Bio-Innovate Projects Leaders and Teams•Private sectors •All other partners and collaborators

for more information please visit www.bioinnovate-africa.org/