POLICY ANALYSIS AND ADVOCACY PROGRAMME

The Policy Analysis and Advocacy Programme of ASARECA facilitates the provision of an appropriate regulatory and incentive structure for enhanced agricultural performance.

These are some of the key programme highlights:

• In 2002, countries in eastern Africa signed a regional agreement to harmonise policies and procedures to enable intra-regional trade in seed and enhance access to improved seed by farmers. As a result, seed production and trade has more than tripled, while prices for the key tradable—seed maize—have also stabilised. The total welfare gain for enhanced intra-regional trade in seed maize alone arising from harmonised seed policies has been estimated at US$ 727 million per year for the ASARECA region.
• PAAP has also facilitated improvements in the dairy policy environment. PAAP supported a training and certification business development service scheme that has been embraced by dairy regulatory authorities and enhanced informal dairy markets in the region. As part of this initiative, the Eastern Africa Dairy Regulatory Authorities Council (EADRAC) was created to spearhead efforts in reducing the non-tariff barriers and efforts are underway to harmonise dairy standards under EAC.     
• At the grassroots, PAAP has facilitated capacity building efforts to formulate and enforce bye-laws geared at enhancing the adoption of sustainable land management innovations in the highlands of eastern Africa. The current reach is 4,011 households - 40,657 metres of trenches – 92,366 tree seedlings - 3,168 metres of soil bunds – 6 check dams to manage soil and water.
• PAAP has supported the generation of standards for cassava and potato and their products for the East African Community (EAC). The standards provide specifications for quality and grades necessary for commercial utilisation of cassava, potato and related products.  

• PAAP is leading a regional programme on biotechnology and biosafety policy for eastern and southern Africa (RABESA). Three evidence-based regional policy guidelines were developed for commercial planting; commercial trade; and food aid containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The guidelines are expected to be endorsed for use in member countries by the COMESA Council of Ministers in 2012.

• The regional climate change strategy for ASARECA countries expounds on key options for adaptation to climate change that will enhance the resilience of agriculture to anticipated impacts hence ensuring food security to the future.
• PAAP has mapped investment options by dryland development domain. Over half of the ASARECA region is arid to semi arid.  

List of Projects
Policy Analysis and Advocacy Strategy [PDF]