C2.1. The Tropical Agriculture Platform

Andrea SonninoResearch and Extension Branch

FAO – Rome, ItalyAndrea.sonnino@fao.org

Institutional Knowledge and Learning:

the Tropical Agriculture Platform

GCARD 2 Session C2.1

Punta del Este, Uruguay, 28 October 2012

Institutional Knowledge and Learning:

the Tropical Agriculture Platform

• Introduction• The Tropical

Agriculture Platform concept

• The progress made

Tropical Agriculture • Pervasive poverty and food

insecurity• All but 3 least developed

countries• 40% of human population,

only 25% of world food production

• Agriculture = up to 30% of GDP, up to 40% of labour force

• Less than 10% of global investments in Ag R&D in LDC

Increased investments in agricultural innovation

• The GCARD-I called for a tripling of AR4D investments

• IFPRI estimates need for investment increase from US$ 5.1 to US$ 16.4 billion per year by 2025

• To fill the capacity gaps becomes an urgent and essential prerequisite

Insufficient and unreliable investments in R&D are only a part of the problem

• To fill the capacity gaps is an urgent and essential prerequisite– full participation of farmers – coherent research and

extension policies– strengthened institutions– skilled human capacities

• STRENGTHENED Agricultural Innovation Systems

TAP genesis

• Concept approved by G20 Agriculture Ministers Declaration, Paris, Jun 2011

• Discussed at G20 Conference on Ag. Research for Development, Montpellier, Sep 2011

• Developed by Informal Stakeholder Consultation, Rome, Dec 2011

• Endorsed by G20 Agriculture & Development Working Groups, Mar-May 2012, and by G20 Leaders’ Summit, Mexico, Jun 2012

• Recognized by the G-8 Summit, USA, May 2012• Launch at G20 MACS, Mexico, Sep 201• First operational meeting in Punta del Este, 28 Oct 2012

Institutional Knowledge and Learning:

the Tropical Agriculture Platform

• Introduction• The Tropical

Agriculture Platform concept

• The progress made

The Problems at Stake Numerous interventions addressing gaps in capacity and

knowledge in agricultural innovation in tropical areas have:• Insufficient alignment with country/regional policies &

needs• Insufficient coordination and synergy between them • Small-scale activities with high transaction costs and

limited impact• Inadequate analysis of interdisciplinary needs and the

demands of agricultural markets.

The TAP objective

Greater coherence of capacity development and knowledge sharing to improve agricultural production and productivity in the tropics, with a particular focus on smallholders.

The TAP Approach

Multilateral, multi-sectoral facilitation mechanism

Convening stakeholders at global and national level

Enabling actors to contribute through partnerships

Creating more coherent actions with greater impact

Aligning with national, regional and global policy frameworks

FAO acting as a global facilitator and convenor

The TAP Target Groups

Target Groups (directly affected): • policymakers and institutions

in agricultural innovation (research, extension, education etc),

• the private sector and civil society active in innovation systems

• relevant development agencies, fora etc.

Initial TAP Outputs

1. Assessment : compiled through global and regional bodies/mechanisms (CGIAR, GFAR, GFRAS, RECs, FARA, etc.) on institutional and individual capacities and needs in agricultural innovation systems in the target countries

2. Strategic Action Plan: short-, medium- and long-term capacity development priorities for collective action to strengthen agricultural innovation systems

3. Common Framework for Capacity Development: shared principles and values, good practice guidelines, and case studies

Principal TAP Outputs4. “Policy Dialogue Space”: multi-stakeholder interactions for

clear and coherent national policies

5. “Marketplace”: brokerage of effective capacity development approaches and partnerships

6. “TAPipedia”: information systems that enhance knowledge flows in tropical innovation systems

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Assessment of current Capacities and Needs

Strategic Action Plan

Enhanced Policy Dialogue

Effective Capacity Development Partnerships

Enhanced knowledge exchange in support of capacity development

The TAP Outputs

The difference TAP will make

• Partnerships and shared visions fostered to promote:– capacity development interventions more coherent and

aligned with national plans and demands– national leadership and ownership acknowledged

• Capacity development solutions developed at scale and with lower transaction costs

• Knowledge and experiences shared between broad constituencies of stakeholders

Institutional Knowledge and Learning:

the Tropical Agriculture Platform

• Introduction• The Tropical

Agriculture Platform concept

• The progress made

The initial steps

• Constituency formed– 63 invited – 29 partners – More announced– Others support

• Draft operational framework and workplan for inception phase

TAP Partners as of 28 October 2012

Global Fora Regional Fora International Organizations

Others

GCHERA AARIRENA IFAD AGRA

GFRAS APAARI World Bank Agrinatura

GFAR CAACARI IICA ITPGRFA

YPARD FARA CTA

TAP Partners as of 28 October 2012

National Research Institutions International Research Institutes

AGREENIUM France

IAARD Indonesia

INTA Argentina

CABIUK

ICIMODNepal

ARC South Africa

INIASpain

JIRCASJapan

CATIECosta Rica

ICIPEKenya

CAAS and CATASChina

INIFAPMexico

Wageningen UniversityHolland

ICBAUAE

Next steps

• Inception phase (component 1 + institutional arrangements) – From November 2012 to

March/April 2013

• Workshop in China – March/April 2013

• Implementation (components 2 to 4)– From April/May 2013 on

Thank you for your attention