Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa

Editor's Notes

• #2: S3A: also strategy for agric transformation in AU STI agenda
• #5: Identifying the broad areas of science to be developed in partnership with the main stakeholders Facilitating the necessary transformation of national science and technology institutions Help focus on the need for human capacity building at all levels Facilitate increased funding from diversified sources to support science
• #6: Facilitate alignment of actions and resources to ensure value-for-money and desirable impact Facilitate effective partnerships among mandated African institutions at sub-regional/regional levels and between these actors and their external partners. Committing to solidarity in science by sharing information, technologies, information, facilities and staff in pursuit of common challenges and opportunities.
• #7: Need for an enduring collective vision for science in Agriculture by Africa The vision for the Science Agenda is therefore that: “By 2030 Africa ensures its food and nutrition security; becomes a recognised global scientific player in agriculture and food systems and the world’s bread-basket” This calls for science to be valued better by Africa’s ordinary citizens. Science can no longer be a mysterious activity, understood and appreciated by a few. Scientists, policy makers and politicians alike need to deploy a vision of science-driven agricultural transformation to African society at large. In the short- to the-medium-term the Science Agenda is aligned with and implemented to advance CAADP’s targets under the Sustaining the CAADP Momentum strategy. Research themes should connect science with needs and opportunities in African agriculture In many countries, agricultural production is moving from subsistence systems to more market-led systems. Productivity is the result of several factors, including higher yielding crop varieties; better breeds, feed and health of livestock; the interactions of genetics with the environment; better management of natural resources, including water for rain-fed and irrigated agriculture; crop and animal husbandry; external agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizer, agricultural machinery and implements; access to credit to purchase inputs; availability of labour; and market access, through value chains, linking farmers to markets. The relative importance of these factors varies by country and community and by farming system. Strengthening institutional systems of science for agriculture in Africa at National, regional or continental as well as Global levels to enable the institutions to define their needs for science and agricultural research and a capacity to be a knowledgeable borrower of new technologies from the regional and global stock of knowledge. Sustainable financing of the Science Agenda for Africa - The S3A will encourage financial and technical partners, bilateral and multilateral agencies, and African partners to maintain and expand support. CAADP investment plans are a basis for commitment to financing science and technology. Mobilizing revenues from Africa’s growing economies is a priority of S3A Creating a favourable policy environment for the performance of science - This refers to enabling legislation and regulations; “credible, salient and legitimate” policy messages; strong commitment to youth and women and gender equity; etc. A fund to promote African solidarity in science -A special fund, the “African Science for Agricultural Transformation Initiative” (ASATI), is needed as major vehicle to ensuring that no country is left behind, and that each country has a minimum capacity to address its needs. Potential ASATI activities include: science honours; increasing scientist mobility; and engaging the African Diaspora.