1 monty jones aasw2013 continental initiative and emerging issues

Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa

Prof. Monty P. Jones

Executive Director, FARA

African Agriculture R&D: Continental Initiatives and

Emerging Trends

6th Africa Agriculture Science Wee Accra, Ghana 15-20 July 2013

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7/27/2013 2Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa

Outline

1. Background to why continental approaches and initiatives are increasingly important

2. Reflection on on-going continental initiatives

3. Emerging mega-trends

4. Conclusions



Africa Rising !• Over a decade of strong economic

growth (5% / year)

Real GDP growth (%age) and prospects



Sustained economic growth has increased..

• Prosperity ( middle class)

• Consumption and demand for services

• Resources for public investment in infrastructure & other productive sectors

• Attractiveness of Africa as an investment destination

Is every African Rising?

1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 1996 1999 2002 2005 20080

20

40

60

80

100

East Asia & Pacific

China

South Asia

LAC

MENA

SSA

Developing World

Poverty Rate (% of population below $2/day in 2005 PPP)

Source: World Bank, 2012



Challenge concerning Africa’s impressive economic growth

1. Sustaining the growth over the long term & enhancing it

2. Making the growth more inclusive & environmentally sustainable



Agriculture’s Contribution

1. Productivity & Competitiveness

2. Highest poverty reducing potential

Rate of return on investments

Level of investment

Level of economic growth

Trend of Africa’s agric. competitivenessG

loba

l Com

petiti

vene

ss In

dex

(1-7

) bes

t

Innovation (1-7) best

Source: The Global Competitiveness Report 2012–20013, World Economic Forum, 2012

Innovation vs Competitiveness



A better balance is needed• Africa’s R&D agenda emphasizes Productivity

but insufficient attention to Competitiveness

• Productivity - emphasis on land, water

and inputs;

- Insufficient attention to labour productivity

Fragmentation impedes competitiveness

31 countries have a population of less than 12m

16 countries home to 25% of population are land locked



Growing Relevance of Continental and Regional Actors …1 of 2

Deeping regional integration

Regional / Pan-Africa policy frameworks

Regional / Pan-Africa institutions to coordinate implementation



Growing Relevance of Continental and Regional Actors …2 of 2

2. Developing critical mass, economies of scale & efficiencies necessary to competitiveness

3. Addressing regional & trans-boundary issues (climate change, watershed etc)

4. Brokering partnerships on behalf of many countries e.g. Africa-Brazil, Africa-Europe, Africa-China

Reflection on Continental Agric R&D initiatives1 CAADP: Principal framework for transformation

Reflection on Continental Agric. R&D initiatives …2 of 4

1 CAADP: Principal framework

2. Inter-regional partnerships for technology transfer and capacity development• Africa-Brazil• Africa-Europe (PAEPARD)• Africa-UK-China• G8 New Alliance for food security &

nutrition

3.Commodity-focussed initiativesRice, Cassava, Maize, Wheat

5.Global initiatives with a substantial Africa focus• Feed the Future• GAFSP• Australia IFSC

6. FARA-led continental projects

SSA-CP, RAILS, DONATA, UNIBRAIN, SABIMA, Africa-adapt, Foresight academy

4.Continental ARD institutionsAGRA, AATF, BECA, AFAAS, ANAFE, TEAM-

Africa, PAFO, PanAAC, PANGOC

7. APPsWAAP, EAAPP, APSA

8. CAADP-CGIAR alignmentScience Agenda for Agriculture in Africa



Reflection on continental Agric R&D initiatives …3 of 4

• Almost all the investment in continental initiatives is external– Care is taken to assure African buy-in and ownership

• Cost effective mechanism for coordination to assure synergies and avoid duplication is desirable

• Increased attention to improving adoption of technologies and policies --- Innovation Platforms



Reflection on continental Agric R&D initiatives …4 of 4

• Recognition that countries in post-conflict and protracted crisis situations have unique needs

• Value of foresight appreciated

• Pursue productivity in context of competitiveness

• “Publish or perish” is making way for “impact or perish”

Mega trends shaping the agricultural transformation agenda …1/2

Mega trends shaping the agricultural transformation agenda …2/2

Need for Africa to reach consensus on possible futures it wants to realise and pursue them



Concluding Remarks

• Increasing the effectiveness of African agric. R&D in contributing to sustaining growth and reducing poverty requires more attention on Competitiveness

• Need to better harness regional and Pan African approaches and institutions for increased efficiency

• Major changes underway. Need to act now; to determine the future agriculture that Africa wants and to pursue it

Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa

Thank you for the attention

Business

1 monty jones aasw2013 continental initiative and emerging issues