MODES OF OPERATION CIAT s role is in strategic research (the production of public goods that address key cross – cutting issues) on mutually agreed topics, where CIAT has a comparative advantage. NARS and other partners implement the rest of the research and development activities in the bean value chains (Fig 4.). PABRA s R4D agenda is facilitated by CIAT and implemented by network partners, which include: NARS, NGOs, GOs, Community based organizations, selected rural communities, private entrepreneurs (seeds and other complementary input suppliers and grain traders) and farmers – with the support from the Sub-Regional Organizations.

NETWORK GOVERNANCE The networks are autonomous and each one is managed by a network coordinator who closely work with the sub-regional organizations (SROs): the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), the Southern Africa Development Community s Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Unit (SADC/FANR) and for the upcoming network, the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF/WECARD). Each network is governed by a steering committee (SC), which is composed of the NARS team leaders, and additional participants from the universities, NGOs, farmers organizations and the private sector. All networks implement the same log frame under PABRA. Activities in the annual work plan are developed using bottom-up approaches, whereby national bean program work plans are reviewed and approved by the regional network SC. Work-plans of the 3 networks are consolidated into the PABRA work plan and budget, for approval by the PABRA steering committee.

WHAT IS PABRA? The Pan Africa Bean Research Alliance is a consortium of African-owned regional bean networks consisting of National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) from 28 countries in sub- Saharan Africa, the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and a number of donor organizations. The regional bean networks are Eastern and

,seirtnuoc 9 gnirevoc )NERBACE( krowteN hcraeseR naeB acirfA lartneCSouthern Africa Bean Research Network (SABRN), covering 11 countries and a new network: West and Central Africa Bean Research Network (WECABREN), covering 10 countries (Fig 1). PABRA s focus is to improve bean productivity, utilization and commercialization for the benefit of the urban and rural poor. The ultimate goal is to enhance food security, income generation and health of poor communities in a gender equitable manner.

  High quality seed, from trusted sources availed to over 0.5 m small holder farmers in 2 years

  Seed available at outlets nearest to farmers

  Packed in ‘risk free’ sizes.

With agronomic advice

Public-Private Partnership in Bean Seed Production and Distribution

Pan Africa Bean Research Alliance R. Buruchara1, R. Chirwa2 , M.M. Abang1 and J.C Rubyogo2

1 International Center for Tropical Agriculture, Kawanda Research Station, P.O. Box 6742, Kampala-Uganda 2 International Center for Tropical Agriculture, Chitedze Research Station, P.O. Box 158 Lilongwe Malawi

HOW DOES PABRA OPERATE?

9

11

10

Fig 1: Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA) Member Countries (28)

Figure 4: Linkage among PABRA partners

THE BEAUTY OF PARTNERSHIPS PABRA facilitates collaborative research within and between the networks by providing a forum for building and maintaining linkages to multiple partners. These collaborative linkages are maintained and strengthened through joint priority-setting, planning, agreed division of responsibilities, joint implementation of activities, and joint reporting. Collaboration is based on national members interest and on comparative advantage. In this way, research technologies are shared among countries and significantly contribute to scaling up and wider distribution efforts. Through this partnership, PABRA facilitated seed access to 7.5 million farmers between 2003-2008 and more than 4 million between 2009-2010. In Malawi alone, the collaboration with Demeter Agriculture Ltd (Fig. 5.) has resulted in scaling-up and use of small packs, reaching almost 0.5 millions households with seed of improved varieties in 2 years.

Figure 5 : Demeter Agriculture packing bean seeds in small packs Figure 3: Members of PABRA Steering Committee 2011

PABRA’s Links with Partners for Complementary and Efficient Use of Resources

Technology adaptation and policy support •  Engage partners for

adaptive research to develop/refine technology across multiple countries

•  Test approaches to upscale fast, widely + with equity.

•  Publish and share results

Technology development + priority setting Identify key research constraints /opportunities • Catalyze teams for strategic and applied work • Publish /share results to feed into future work

Catalyze links and partnerships to reach users. •  Provide tools and methods

for wide impact ; skills and knowledge enhancement

•  Raise awareness •  Test and use technologies

CIAT Scientists

NARES: Scientists

Development Partners and

Policy makers

End Users / Beneficiaries

Fig 2: PABRA’s networks and facilitator