AFRICA EXTENSION WEEK - High-level panel discussion agree on action plan
The gathering of nearly 600 African delegates showcased a strong commitment to sensitizing stakeholders about the action plan, rationale work streams, shaping immediate practical innovation actions
ABUJA, NIGERIA (Planet Defence) - The Africa Wide Agriculture Extension Week (AAEW2023), which convened in Abuja, Nigeria from 27th - 28th, November marked a significant milestone in the collective pursuit of action plans aimed at strengthening the partnership between Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research and Africa’s Research (CGAIR), Innovation, and Education coordinating Institutions (AARIEIs) writes Grace Musimani from Abuja, Nigeria.
Central to this gathering was a high-level panel reaffirming Africa's dedication to bolstering research, extension, and education on the continent. The panel emphasized the pivotal role of various institutions in spearheading policy development, alignment, and rigorous monitoring and evaluation efforts toward a fortified AARIEIs.
Dr. Dan Kisawuzi, moderator of the high-level panel, outlined the panel's objective: to identify key elements of a common AARIEL framework for partnership and the scaling of technologies and innovations. The panel hosted principals from different institutions aligned in this new continental partnership.
These luminaries included Dr. Silim Nadhy, Executive Director of the African Forum for Agriculture Advisory Services (AFAAS); Professor Cliff Sibusiso Dlamini, Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) Executive Director; Dr. Patrick Okori, Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) Executive Director; Dr. Emmanuel Njukwe, representing Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF) Executive Director and delivering a virtual presentation; and a representation from the European Union.
Dr. Silim Nadhy, Executive Director of AFAAS, highlighted the panel as an outcome of collaborative efforts between AARIEIs principals and CGIAR, aiming to develop an inclusive plan or roadmap for implementing the action plan.
"Over recent weeks, several principals of Africa's AARIEIs, together with Dr. Harold Roy-Macauley—Managing Director, Regions and Partnership at the CGIAR, have strategized on advancing the action plan for strengthening the partnership between CGIAR and the AARIEIs. While launched in Durban in June 2023, progress towards its implementation has been limited," briefed Dr. Silim Nadhy.
Dr. Nadhy added that these actions were integrated into a proposal to the Africa Development Bank (AfDB), and recommended two high-level sessions to sensitize stakeholders about the action plan, its antecedents, rationale, work streams, and to formulate immediate practical actions.
Dr. Emmanuel Njukwe emphasized the potential of AARIEIs' action plans for fostering greater partnerships. "This will help establish a stronger system to support country-specific issues. Collectively, we can leverage resources, integrating available research and technologies, making it more accessible across countries and reaching all partners and farmers," explained Njukwe.
Professor Dlamini stated that CCARDESA's work with ministries of agriculture and other partners aligns with this new commitment, redefining the operations and actions of all institutions to better serve Africa's agenda.
"AARIEIs bring new hope for Africa. To ensure ownership, we need mutual accountability among partnering institutions," emphasized RUFORUM Executive Secretary, Dr. Patrick Okori.
"We need a shared vision for this partnership, contributing to a transition towards a robust food system based on research, innovation, and technology. Research plays a pivotal role in Africa’s agricultural agenda," noted a European Union representative via Zoom.
He emphasized, "To develop impactful research that benefits the people, collaboration is crucial. We must create funding mechanisms and ensure that national governments can support research."
The action plan, launched in June 2023, aims to operationalize the 2022 Abidjan II communique, encapsulating agreements by the African Development Bank, the African Union Commission (AUC), Forum for Agriculture Research in Africa, and CGIAR.
The essence of the communique stresses Africa's urgent need to transform its food, land, and water systems despite multiple threats such as climate change, conflict, and pandemics. The four signatories committed to working together to address these issues and align institutional structures, funding, strategy, and capacity.
The action plan seeks to revitalize African Agricultural Innovation Systems, enabling the generation and delivery of scientific solutions at an appropriate scale and scope, catalyzing research-to-innovation and development delivery.