Project profile — Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa - Phase III

• Africa, regional (100.00%)

• Agricultural policy and administrative management:
Agricultural policy and administrative management (31110) (50.00%)
Agricultural research (31182) (50.00%)

• Gender equality (significant objective)
• Environmental sustainability (cross-cutting) (not targeted)
• Participatory development and good governance (not targeted)
• Trade development (not targeted)
• Biodiversity (not targeted)
• Climate change mitigation (not targeted)
• Climate Change Adaptation (not targeted)
• Urban issues (not targeted)
• Desertification (not targeted)
• Children's issues (not targeted)
• Youth Issues (not targeted)
• Indigenous Issues (not targeted)
• Disability (not targeted)
• ICT as a tool for development (not targeted)

This project contributes to the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) goal of achieving 6% growth per year in the agricultural sector Africa-wide by 2015. The project supports the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) in stimulating agricultural development, increasing economic growth, and improving health and food security in Africa, while enhancing the quality of the environment. This phase of the project involves: the establishment of a network of agricultural research experts who aim to support African countries to develop and implement their national agricultural strategies; assisting regional organizations to disseminate improved crop varieties (e.g. quality protein maize) to farmers; and the development of a network of African negotiators that can better market agriculture in the regional and international spheres. It is estimated that in Africa approximately 80% of the people depend directly or indirectly on the agricultural sector. FARA has been designated by the African Union/New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AU/NEPAD) as the lead institution responsible for coordinating one of the four components of CAADP, encompassing agricultural research, technology dissemination and adoption. FARA is a pan-African agricultural research network that is working with a wide variety of partners to improve African agricultural research and assist women and men farmers to adopt improved crop varieties and new farming techniques.

N/A

Results achieved as of March 2012 include: In its role as one of the lead institutions of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), FARA has ensured that 29 countries and one regional economic community (REC) have integrated agricultural research in their program; and 22 countries and one REC have aligned their investment plans with CAADP. At the end of 2011, a total of 93 innovation platforms for technology adoption (IPTAs) had been established with over 20,000 farmer members. At least 58,000 farmers had benefited from spill overs from IPTAs. Crop yields among IPTA members increased 25–50%, and their products sold at better prices. Value addition to farm products was shared throughout the platforms, and the combination of these changes improved farmers’ incomes from 50 to 100%.

• Proactive disclosure
• Related activities: Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa III - Monitoring