We are on track in implementing CAADP-XP4—ASARECA, AFAAS, CCARDESSA, CORAF, and FARA

ASARECA, AFAAS, FARA, CCARDESSA, and CORAF are by far the most formidable institutions needed in the attainment of the African Agriculture vision.

By Ben Moses Ilakut

NAIROBI, KENYA: The five consortium members constituting the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP ex-Pillar IV) Programme have asserted that they are on track in implementing the unique initiative aimed at enabling agricultural research and innovation, and Extension services to contribute effectively to food and nutrition security, economic development and climate mitigation in Africa.

In a meeting held from January 31 to February 5, 2022 in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, the partners representing three key African Agricultural Research of development umbrella bodies (ASARECA, CCARDESSA and CORAF) together with the continental apex bodies—FARA, for agricultural research and AFAAS, for agricultural extension, boasted of a 50% percent success rate just mid-way the Programme, which is expected to end in December 2023.

The Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA); Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA); West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF); and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), and the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS) are currently implementing the CAADP-XP4 Programme alongside the National Agricultural Research Institutes  (NARIs) in their member countries across the continent.

A timely intervention funded by EU

The CAADP-XP4 Programme is funded by the European Union under the initiative “Development Smart Innovation through Research in Agriculture” (DeSIRA) to the tune of EUR 30 million over a four-year period (2019- 2023).

Each of five institutions has been allocated an equal share of the kitty to implement capacity strengthening initiatives in their sub-regions and member countries. They have also been encouraged to leverage resources by collaborating in areas of complementarity. DeSIRA is an EU initiative aimed at deploying science and innovation to achieve inclusive, sustainable and climate relevant transformation of agriculture and related food systems in partner countries across the globe. The fund is managed by IFAD.

CAADP-XP4 Technical Committee discuss programme implementation in Nairobi, Kenya

In a statement to participants, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Task Team Leader for the Programme, Dr. Malu Ndavi, noted that the emphasis of CAADP-XP4 is to improve the capacity, effectiveness and positioning of the Regional and sub-regional Agriculture Research and Extension Pillar organizations and the National Agriculture Research Systems (NARS), and promote collaboration and knowledge sharing among the organizations. The enhanced capacities are anticipated to spur agricultural research and innovation, and extension services to contribute effectively to food and nutrition security, economic development and climate mitigation in Africa.

Formidable institutions

In a comment, David Nielson, a Resource Mobilisation Consultant and former World Bank official, who is familiar with resourcing African Agriculture, noted that ASARECA, AFAAS, FARA, CCARDESSA, and CORAF are by far the most formidable institutions needed in the attainment of the African Agriculture vision.

During the meeting, the CAADP-XP4 consortium members reviewed achievements, challenges, lessons learnt and provided away forward to better deliver on the five outputs of the Programme. The outputs are: Capacity strengthening; multi-stakeholder partnerships; policy and markets; knowledge management; planning, coordination and visibility.

The review, considered an important activity in tracking progress and providing direction, was attended by the Executive Directors of the Five Pillar 4 Institutions, who constitute the Programme top Governance organ called the Advisory Committee. They include:  Dr. Enock Warinda, Executive Director, ASARECA; Dr. Silim Nahdy, Executive Director, AFAAS; Dr. Abdou Tankouano, Executive Director, CORAF; Dr. Yemi Akinbamijo, Executive Director, FARA; and Dr. Cliff Dlamini, Executive Director, CCARDESSA.

For effective delivery of its outputs, the Programme is functionally run by Technical Committee (TC) comprising senior programme managers of the Pillar 4 Institutions. The TC works closely with subject matter specialists from the institutions.

Goal, objectives and expected out comes

The programme goal is to contribute to the implementation of Agenda 2030. It will contribute to the progressive achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (zero hunger) and to the action to combat climate change and its impacts (SDG13). It promotes progress towards ending poverty (SDG1), gender equality (SDG5), decent work and economic growth (SDG8), and responsible consumption and production (SDG12). The project will additionally contribute to Agenda 2063 and the Malabo Declaration of the African Union (AU).