The Regional Plan for Collective Action in Eastern & Southern Africa

The Regional Plan for Collective Action in Eastern & Southern Africa

Improving post-crisis recovery through agricultural research

Improving post-crisis recovery through agricultural research

Presented by Ravi Prabhu at the Workshop on Defining a Strategic Agricultural Research Agenda on Post-Crisis/Post-Shock Recovery in

Highly Stressed Systems, Nairobi, May 22-23, 2008

Presented by Ravi Prabhu at the Workshop on Defining a Strategic Agricultural Research Agenda on Post-Crisis/Post-Shock Recovery in

Highly Stressed Systems, Nairobi, May 22-23, 2008

OverviewOverview

The context for the Regional Plan

Strategy

Flagship 4

Conclusion

The context for the Regional Plan

Strategy

Flagship 4

Conclusion

Africa’s development agendaAfrica’s development agenda

Africa’s Development Agenda Articulated by AU/NEPAD in CAADP (esp.

Pillars 1 & 4)

Further interpreted by FARA (FAAP), ASARECA – strategy and 7 new programs,

&

SADC-FANR – RISDP (and MAPP)

6% Agricultural growth target

10% investment in Agriculture target

Africa’s Development Agenda Articulated by AU/NEPAD in CAADP (esp.

Pillars 1 & 4)

Further interpreted by FARA (FAAP), ASARECA – strategy and 7 new programs,

&

SADC-FANR – RISDP (and MAPP)

6% Agricultural growth target

10% investment in Agriculture target

CGIAR ShortcomingsCGIAR Shortcomings

Successive reviews – SSA Task Force, Inter Academy Council highlighted problems: Overlaps

Gaps

Competing competencies

Lack of cohesion & synergy … resulting in

Inability to contribute effectively to Africa’s development agenda

Successive reviews – SSA Task Force, Inter Academy Council highlighted problems: Overlaps

Gaps

Competing competencies

Lack of cohesion & synergy … resulting in

Inability to contribute effectively to Africa’s development agenda

CGIAR ResponseCGIAR Response

Clear call for greater cohesion, coordination and collective action

Many options discussed, including adjusting present structure of CGIAR Centers

Regional Plan process selected as being the least risky, most promising

Does not preclude later adjustment to structure, if required

Clear call for greater cohesion, coordination and collective action

Many options discussed, including adjusting present structure of CGIAR Centers

Regional Plan process selected as being the least risky, most promising

Does not preclude later adjustment to structure, if required

Regional PlansRegional Plans

Two plans: West & Central Africa

Eastern & Southern Africa

Common goal, principles

Emerged from extensive consultations among Centers and Partners

Different emphases, arising from consultations

Two plans: West & Central Africa

Eastern & Southern Africa

Common goal, principles

Emerged from extensive consultations among Centers and Partners

Different emphases, arising from consultations

To foster the emergence of a coordinated, cohesive program of agricultural research that

produces clear economies of scale and scope at low transaction costs,

in order to successfully address regional priorities.

These priorities range from complex problems of stagnant or falling agricultural productivity, poverty to impacts of climate variation.

To foster the emergence of a coordinated, cohesive program of agricultural research that

produces clear economies of scale and scope at low transaction costs,

in order to successfully address regional priorities.

These priorities range from complex problems of stagnant or falling agricultural productivity, poverty to impacts of climate variation.

GoalGoal

Operational spaceOperational space

Regional Goals

System Priorities Available Capacities

The only form of CGIAR Collective Action focusing on Intersecting Regional Goals with System Priorities

The only form of CGIAR Collective Action focusing on Intersecting Regional Goals with System Priorities

Complex problems require a systemic approach and collective action –

if many ‘mini green revolutions’ are to result

Complex problems require a systemic approach and collective action –

if many ‘mini green revolutions’ are to result

Three main outcomes drive the plan:1. A clearer picture of the research in the region

(e.g. through an inventory of research)

2. A program of work that adds value and addresses both regional & system priorities (e.g. through the Flagship Programs)

3. A results oriented culture that is based on shared knowledge, information and action (e.g. through self-organising communities of practice of

concerned researchers)

Three main outcomes drive the plan:1. A clearer picture of the research in the region

(e.g. through an inventory of research)

2. A program of work that adds value and addresses both regional & system priorities (e.g. through the Flagship Programs)

3. A results oriented culture that is based on shared knowledge, information and action (e.g. through self-organising communities of practice of

concerned researchers)

Regional Plan for ESARegional Plan for ESA

Flagship 1: Integrated natural resources management

Flagship 2: Markets, institutions, information & the upscaling challenge

Flagship 3: Conservation, use and enhancement of genetic resources

Flagship 4: Improving agricultural livelihoods in high stress/unstable environments

Flagship 1: Integrated natural resources management

Flagship 2: Markets, institutions, information & the upscaling challenge

Flagship 3: Conservation, use and enhancement of genetic resources

Flagship 4: Improving agricultural livelihoods in high stress/unstable environments

Flagship ProgramsFlagship Programs

……

F1: “Understanding and adapting to drivers of change”; “observatories of rural change”

F2: “Market Development as a mechanism of pro-poor growth”

F3: “Towards common methods, tools and approaches”

F4: CARRSS, Food Price Crisis, Developing a strategic research agenda

F1: “Understanding and adapting to drivers of change”; “observatories of rural change”

F2: “Market Development as a mechanism of pro-poor growth”

F3: “Towards common methods, tools and approaches”

F4: CARRSS, Food Price Crisis, Developing a strategic research agenda

…current focii…current focii

Flagship 4Flagship 4

Improving impact of emergency response on agricultural livelihoods in highly stressed and unstable systems – 17 of 25 countries in the region!

a) Understanding the impact of ‘stress’ on farmingsystems, seed systems, livestock and social systems

b) Understanding the impact of aid on these systems to avoid interventions that exacerbate the consequences of future shocks

c) Shaping and sequencing the responses during emergency, post-emergency and recovery phases and identifying institutional models appropriate in fragile states

Improving impact of emergency response on agricultural livelihoods in highly stressed and unstable systems – 17 of 25 countries in the region!

a) Understanding the impact of ‘stress’ on farmingsystems, seed systems, livestock and social systems

b) Understanding the impact of aid on these systems to avoid interventions that exacerbate the consequences of future shocks

c) Shaping and sequencing the responses during emergency, post-emergency and recovery phases and identifying institutional models appropriate in fragile states

ShortShort

LongLong

1. Develop a shared understanding of the nature of the research, define its demand and scope

2. Identify/develop a theoretical framework to underpin the research

3. Distill lessons from past research experiences 4. Identify a possible program of work, project

opportunities 5. Explore opportunities to develop a ‘community of

practice’ as the mode for collective action

1. Develop a shared understanding of the nature of the research, define its demand and scope

2. Identify/develop a theoretical framework to underpin the research

3. Distill lessons from past research experiences 4. Identify a possible program of work, project

opportunities 5. Explore opportunities to develop a ‘community of

practice’ as the mode for collective action

Workshop AimsWorkshop Aims

The Alliance of the CGIAR Centres, created by the Centres to better deliver on the CGIAR mission, is a new framework and mechanism for collective action.

The Regional Plans are a concrete expression of the Alliance’s commitment to Africa’s development agenda.

Flagship 4 represents an opportunity to speed up the process of recovery of agricultural livelihoods and systems

The Alliance of the CGIAR Centres, created by the Centres to better deliver on the CGIAR mission, is a new framework and mechanism for collective action.

The Regional Plans are a concrete expression of the Alliance’s commitment to Africa’s development agenda.

Flagship 4 represents an opportunity to speed up the process of recovery of agricultural livelihoods and systems

ConclusionConclusion

Thank you for your attention!Thank you for your attention!