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Demanding Innovation
Researchers in ACP countries are facing a growing range of challenges. They are required to respond effectively to the demands of policy makers, private sector investors and donor agencies, farmers and other stakeholders in the agri-food chain. They are being asked to deliver research outputs that will improve agricultural productivity, food quality and food safety, in order to increase their countries competitiveness in global markets, and contribute to food security, poverty alleviation and sustainable development. At the same time, researchers must be socially and ethically responsible and contribute to the advancement of science and technology. As the demands for accountability increase and the levels of funding diminish, researchers need to prioritize and strategize their responses.

Differentiated S&T strategies for improving productivity of ACP farming systems
ACP farming systems are very diverse and the scientific community must be able to provide adequate responses to meet the varied needs of small subsistence farmers who make up the majority of the ACP farming community while simultaneously addressing the needs of the medium to large-scale farming enterprises to compete on price, quality, responsiveness to changing consumer demands and reliability in supply in all markets. Therein lies the challenge as there is no one-size fits all approach that will enable researchers to respond to the needs of small scale farmers who are primarily concerned with sustainable livelihoods or medium to large-scale farms who wish to remain competitive and take advantage of any opportunities despite deteriorating environmental conditions and trade and economic restrictions. Within the last few years, the ACP region has seen a resurgence of emphasis on family farms which are being valued not only for their contribution to maintaining social order but to environmental sustainability. This dossier provides guidance and lessons learned on the need for the ACP region to apply a differentiated strategic approach for using science to enhance the performance of ACP agricultural sector.

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ICT for transforming research for agricultural and rural development
...
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Measuring the impact of agricultural research
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Tertiary agricultural education

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Enhancing competitiveness in the ACP poultry value chain
The poultry value chain in Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP) countries involves both large-scale integrated enterprises and small-scale production systems. The former have benefited from capital investments, access to information and scientific research, whereas the latter remain isolated despite their significance. Family poultry comprises approximately 80% of the world's total poultry stock and plays a key role in many households in ACP countries for food and nutrition security, livelihoods and conservation of indigenous breeds. An analysis of the family poultry value chain, including its poor productivity and low financial and technical inputs, shows that it contrasts markedly with conditions in large-scale commercial poultry enterprises. Governments and researchers would be well advised to thoroughly review the family poultry value chains to identify priorities for science and innovation that can contribute to improved efficiency for the provision of eggs, live birds, fresh-chilled, frozen and other value-added poultry products. This summary is provided by CABI and CTA, July 2012.
Other commodities

Bananas
The ACP Group of States need to adjust the approach to agricultural production, marketing and distribution to be able to compete in national, regional and international markets. Traditional commodities such as banana are no longer assured of guaranteed prices and ready access to international markets. How then should the ACP region respond? Commodities, traditionally considered as food security crops are now being looked at in a different light. Can scientists assist the countries in making informed decisions to improve efficiency, cost effectiveness, quality and competitiveness?

Coffee
The ACP Group of States need to adjust the approach to agricultural production, marketing and distribution to be able to compete in national, regional and international markets. Traditional commodities such as coffee are no longer assured of guaranteed prices and ready access to international markets. How then should the ACP region respond? Commodities, traditionally considered as food security crops are now being looked at in a different light. Can scientists assist the countries in making informed decisions to improve efficiency, cost effectiveness, quality and competitiveness?
Rice value chain
Sugarcane
Vegetables

CTA/WUR Inception Workshop “Mainstreaming Tertiary Education in ACP ARD Policy Processes: Increasing Food Supply and Reducing Hunger”

Author:

Introduction:

Dates: 18-21 September 2012

Venue: CTA Headquarters, Wageningen, The Netherlands

UPDATE NOVEMBER 2012:The workshop report has been published. Find it here.

CTA and WUR in collaboration with ACP partner networks and organizations have chosen food security as the initial content domain to determine the extent of engagement of ACP tertiary education institutes in ARD policy processes. Firstly, this is one of the most pressing issues nationally, regionally and internationally and universities are currently looking for ways to (re)orient their education, research and community outreach towards addressing food security. Secondly, food security links to the core business of Wageningen University and its recently established Centre for Sustainable Development and Food Security. Thirdly, capacity development is seen as a key strategic intervention area and designing and piloting methodologies for learning lessons for enhancing the engagement of tertiary education institutes in ARD policy processes specifically CAADP and the major ARD policy instruments in the Caribbean and Pacific are deemed necessary by CTA.

The objective of the inception workshop is to generate consensus, understanding and commitment with respect to the project’s ambitions and methods for mainstreaming tertiary education in ACP ARD policy processes with a focus on increasing food supply and reducing hunger.

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Date(s)
18-21 September 2012

Location
CTA Headquarters, Wageningen,
The Nethelands

At the bottom of this page, find the workshop's programme to download.

PRESENTATIONS (random order)

Michael Hailu: Orientation to CTA

Rudy Rabbinge: From Food Production to Food Security

Ernest R. Aubee: Status of the ECOWAP-CAADP implementation

Wellington N. Ekaya: Mobilizing and Strengthening Capacities of Universities to Foster Innovations Responsive to Farming Communities in Africa – The RUFORUM Approach

Harjitsingh Rekhi & Hazel Patterson-Andrews: Food and Nutrition Situation in Trinidad and Tobago

Jimaima Lako & David Rohindra: Status of Food Security in the Pacific Island Region

Lamon Rutten: Innovative Agricultural Finance and Risk Management Instruments

Olu Ajayi: ARD Policy Planning at CTA - Key Regional Messages

S. Chakeredza: ANAFE - Improving the Quality, Relevance and Application of Agricultural Education in Africa

Hamidou Boly: Towards Transforming Tertiary Education for Agriculture

M. E. Gounga: Food and Nutritional Situation in the Region of Maradi, Niger – Contribution of Université de Maradi

Université Abdou Moumouni : État des lieux de la sécurité alimentaire et nutritionnelle au Niger

Jim Woodhill: Netherlands Food and Nutrition Security Programme

Joyce Kinabo & Abel K. Kaaya: Current State of Food Security – Research, Education and Outreach in Sokoine University of Agriculture

Newton M. Nyairo & Eric K. Bett: Current State of Food Security – Research, Education and Outreach in Kenyatta University

Salimata Pousga & Mamoudou H. Dicko: Current State of Food Security – Research, Education and Outreach in Burkina's Universities

Tala Gueye & Saliou Ndiaye : État actuel de la sécurité alimentaire – Recherche, enseignement et vulgarisation communautaire à l’Université de Thiès, Sénégal

Jan Verhagen: Agriculture and Climate

Wouter Hijweege: New Roles for Tertiary Agricultural Education

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