Third Edition

Daily Digest
Third Edition
7TH AASW AND FARA GA ADOPT 6 POINT CALL
TO ACTION ON AFRICAN AGRICULTURE
Dr. Geraldine Mukeshimana,
Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources of Rwanda,
The 7th African Agriculture Science Week
(AASW) and General Assembly (GA) of the
Forum for Agricultural Research for Africa
(FARA) has ended with the adoption of a six
point call-to-action to be implemented over
the next three years to support efforts to
achieve the Africa Feed Africa initiative and
also impact livelihoods on the continent.
The call to action was adopted by a high
level team of experts in Agriculture at the
Kigali round table held as part of the 4
day 7th AASW and FARA GA in Camp
Kigali Rwanda.
Presenting the call to action, Dr. Geraldine
Mukeshimana, Minister of Agriculture
and Animal Resources of Rwanda,
said
participants at the 7th AASW and FARA
GA called on actors in African agriculture
research and innovation to join forces
to facilitate increased adoption of
appropriate technology and innovation by
rural communities to sustainably increase
their productivity. This can be achieved by
spelling out innovative technology platform
models across Africa.
They are to strengthen the capacity
of research institutions to appreciate
innovations of intermediary institutions
and work with them to provide advisory
services to end users to enable them
adopt the innovations identified. This
should be supported by the enabling
regulatory framework and policies under
rural infrastructure required. There should
be advocates for the management of the
desired agricultural and food systems of
the future.
Actors are to identify, prioritise and
develop the research innovation capacities
and actions required at all levels to meet
current and future needs. This requires
strategic and critical assessment of existing
demand and to meet labour market needs.
Attention should be given to developing
strong processes for multi sectoral and
stakeholder approaches towards building
the needed synergies for greater buy-in
for agricultural sector targets. Institutional
arrangement for coordinating agricultural
corrective productions and capacity
building at continental sub regional and
national levels should be strengthened.
Key players and actors in agriculture were
called upon to promote the development
of value chain agri-business and youth
agri-preneurship. This will in turn ensure
institutional support for the creation of
viable small and large scale enterprises
that add value to agricultural produce and
deliver to market needs in environmentally
sustainable and socially equitable ways.
Actors should also ensure that the right
policies and interventions are in place to
promote intra regional trade. Focus should
be given to institutional, financial and
technical innovations that attract the youth
into all stages of agricultural value chain.
Industry actors are to develop data and
knowledge systems to create a public
evidence-based and new mechanism to
clearly demonstrate the most impact
and return on investment in national and
international agriculture and food research
and innovations. This will require advocates
to push for open sharing of data and science
applications in agriculture at national
regional and global levels. It also requires
cultivating a culture where decisions are
informed by evidence.
Actors were called upon to generate
appropriate indicators of agricultural science,
technology and innovation indicators for
food nutrition, security, economic, social
and health and environmental benefit,
recognizing the cost synergies and tradeoffs.
Actors were also charged to establish the
agric-science technology and innovation
observatory.
Dr. Mukeshimana said the 7th AASW and
FARA GA recognised the pivotal role of
research and innovation in agriculture for
achieving the goals and targets set out
in the continent’s policy framework on
agriculture.
She noted that policy frameworks
such as the comprehensive agricultural
development programme agreed by
stakeholders in the Malabo declaration
to accelerate agricultural development
and transformation through science,
technology and innovation strategies for
Africa; the African Development Bank’s
“Africa Feed Africa” initiative and the UN’s
sustainable development goals are all
geared towards food security for Africa.
The Minister said it was felt that ending
poverty, hunger and malnutrition in Africa
requires integrated agricultural innovation
systems that are sustainable, equitable and
economically viable for small holder farmers
as well as ensuring equal opportunities for
women, the youth and the marginalized so
that no one is left behind.
According to her, to capitalize on increased
application of science and technology as
a means to improve livelihoods in terms
of food and nutrition security, wealth and
job creation as well as natural resource
management, the 7th AASW brought
together key actors in agriculture research
and innovation to deliberate on the critical
actions required to achieve this goal leading
to the development of the call to action.
The science week deliberated on five
thematic
areas
namely
sustainable
productivity, value chain in agribusiness
and the youth, sustainable financing, data
and knowledge systems and capacity for
development.
“FARA’S GOVERNANCE SYSTEM IS ROBUST”...
IMMEDIATE PAST BOARD CHAIR
changes to ensure that its resources are
home grown. She noted that FARA’s
agricultural research and development has
for a long time depended on foreign donor
funding though African member countries
are the beneficiaries of the research.
Dr. Charity Kruger
Immediate past Chairperson of FARA
Dr Charity Kruger, immediate past
chairperson of FARA has said that the
organization’s governance system has
remained robust and responsive to the
changes in the operating environment.
“Though we encountered challenges in the
past three years regarding our dwindling
resources, the Board applied itself and kept
the ship afloat”, she said.
Delivering her report to the General
Assembly of FARA at the just ended 7th
African Agriculture Science Week and
FARA General Assembly held in Kigali
Rwanda, Dr Kruger thanked the Board for
diligently working as a cohesive team and
supporting the organization’s activities as
well as partners of FARA who supported
the science week which she described as a
landmark conference.
In her report to the General Assembly, Dr
Kruger noted that there was a need for the
Board to be innovative to ensure that FARA
stays afloat. To achieve this, a small group
of influential individuals were appointed
to partner with FARA and the Board to
mobilize resources.
During the period under review she said
the Board approved the annual work plan
of FARA and also advocated for policy
The Board, among other things guided
the restructuring of the FARA secretariat
to make it leaner and more cost effective.
Other activities include endorsing and
establishing the science for agricultural
consortium, a platform for deepening
collective action among FARA members
and implementation of the Science Agenda
in Agriculture in Africa, she said.
Dr. Kruger said the Board also inaugurated
the FARA Award for the leadership prize for
advancing agriculture science technology
and innovation and the first laureate was
inducted at the just ended 7th AASW
conference. ‘’The forum will continue to
give this award to deserving laureates to
motivate the rest of Africa to be advocates
for African STI and ensure that the dreams
of the forum becomes a reality”.
She reported that the Board also
facilitated the establishment of the African
Agribusiness Incubation Network (AAIN)
under the university business research
in agri- business innovative programme.
According to her the aim of AAIN is
to strengthen
agribusiness incubation
capacity, commercialise
agriculture
technologies,
innovation and supply
and establish agribusiness incubators in
applying science, adding that , “AAIN is a
success story”.
Furthermore, she said the Board initiated
several
refinements
to
strengthen
governance at FARA. “These include self
assessment of the Board as a whole and
this process uncovered areas where the
Board needs to make improvements” she
explained.
Dr. Kruger indicated that during the period
under review, she and Board members
applied the assessments and the challenging
areas have been fully addressed to
enable the Board continue to improve its
effectiveness.
THE JOURNEY TO THE TOP THROUGH AGRICULTURE
- AS TOLD BY DR AKINWUMI AYODEJI ADESINA,
PRESIDENT, AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK
it for him. At that age he did not have a say
in the course to pursue at the university.
His father determined that for him.
DR AKINWUMI AYODEJI ADESINA,
PRESIDENT, AfDB
There is a popular wise saying; “Man
proposes, but God disposes; neither is
the way of man in his own hands”. This
saying profoundly reflects the journey
of Dr. Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina to his
current position as President of the African
Development Bank.
Dr. Adesina told the story of his journey to
the top through agriculture after receiving
the FARA leadership Prize for Advancing
Agriculture, Science and Technology
and innovation in Africa at the 7th Africa
Agriculture Science Week and General
Assembly of FARA held in Kigali, Rwanda .
He was the first Laureate of the Award.
“I grew up in a very poor neighbourhood
but my father was determined to give
good education to his son in the medical
profession” - his father’s dream profession
he himself could not achieve. At the age 14
he was eligible to apply to the university
and his father secured the forms and filled
“My father’s first choice was always
medicine, the second choice was veterinary
medicine and the third was dentistry”. As
far as his father was concerned he has to
pursue a medical course. He missed the
first attempt to be selected because he
missed the mark by a few points so he
went on to pursue his “A levels”.
“ After A levels, my father again filled the
form and his first choice was medicine, the
second choice was veterinary medicine and
the third was dentistry”. Again he missed
entering medical school by a few marks but
this time he was offered agriculture. When
his father got to know about the offer he
said, “God must really want you to be in
agriculture”, at this time his father had no
choice but allow him to pursue the course
he has been offered at the university.
I went into agriculture and pursued my
degree course and on to my Phd in the US.
“When I completed my course, I wrote my
father a letter and said, Dad, I am now a
Doctor, you can leave me alone now”. Years
after, Akinwumi’s first son graduated from
medical school in the US and his father was
at his grandson’s graduation.
His father always calls Akinwumi “Doctor’,
so as he stood with his father and son, the
old man now in his 90s called “Dr.” when
Akinwumi responded “Yes Dad” his father
said “No, I mean the real Doctor”.
Dr Adesina had to remind his Dad that
even medical doctors tell patients to take
medicine often after food and so agric was
still more important.
Dr Adesina has lived a rich and fulfilled life
with background of academic laurels and
service to humanity and still counting.
He has been awarded the Commander Of
The Order of the Niger (CON) among several
other national awards. He is a distinguished
and accomplished development economist
and an agricultural development expert
with 25 years
international experience.
He is the immediate past Federal Minister
of Agriculture and Rural Development in
Nigeria leaving an indelible mark of service
in the sector.
While dedicating the award to all farmers
and fishermen and all the people who
have been working so hard in every part
of the continent, Dr Adesina renewed his
commitment to score more goals in the
agriculture sector for Africa.
Perhaps if he had pursued medicine he
would not have achieved the strides he
has made today. Indeed Man proposes and
God Disposes; neither is the way of man in
his own hands.
FARA ESTABLISHES INNOVATION PLATFORMS IN
AGRICULTURE TO IMPROVE INCOME AND WELLBEING
Dr. Yemi Akinbamijo, Executive Director of FARA
Presenting his report
FARA has established about 400 innovative
platforms involving social, institutional
and policy inter-phases in agriculture to
improve income, wellbeing and economic
development of small holder farmers in
Africa.
The platforms are currently being scaled
up across Africa and would be a standard
method for conducting food research and
innovation among other activities in the
agriculture value chain.
This was contained in a report by the
Executive Director of FARA,
Dr. Yemi Akinbamijo on how far FARA
has implemented actions agreed at the
6th African Agriculture Science Week
(AASW6) held in Accra Ghana.
At that conference held in July 2013
an eight-point recommendation was
adopted for FARA to implement. The
recommendations include involving all the
social, institutional and policy inter-phases
to apply technologies to improve income,
wellbeing and economic development of
small holders; addressing gender issues
; and use of ICT to positively impact rural
development. The others are; farming
systems and scaling technology up and
out; the need to build strong partnerships
to address agricultural needs; exploring
funding opportunities with contributions
from traditional external and domestic
development partners. The rest are, bridging
gap between policy pronouncement and
implementation by African government on
agriculture and catalyze effective impact
driven partnerships.
Dr. Akinbamijo said FARA has initiated
efforts with institutions and extension
departments of universities to encourage
them to take the lead in what FARA has
been doing regarding the innovation
platforms.
On gender and youth, Dr Akinbamijo
said guidelines have been developed for
several of FARA’s programmes notably
the innovation platform on agribusiness
development gender and youth networks.
He said there are also initiatives to apply ICT
in agricultural development and mentioned
the example of the Nigerian input subsidy
reform which registered a huge impact
that was driven by ICT. “The mobile money
revolution is a technology platform which
most of the stakeholders have plugged” he
said.
Regarding the formation of partnerships
towards fostering food security,
Dr. Akinbamijo said a lot of bilateral
partnerships have been struck and FARA
has strengthened its relationship with the
AU and other relevant institutions.
He informed the assembly that the Science
for Agriculture Consortium has been
established which now coalesces all of
these institutions and the SROs among
others.
Currently, he said FARA is working to
advance the implementation of the Science
Agenda and has at the moment enjoyed
tremendous support at the country level
from IFAD and the government of Australia
which has provided significant support to
implementing the science agenda.
He observed that there was a need to revisit
recommendations of the General Assembly
to ensure that members’ recommendations
become the mode of operations. “We need
to develop the implementation plans with
indicators and targets so that what we do
remains measurable. We need mechanisms
for annual monitoring and reporting to the
General Assembly through the Board of
Directors” he emphasized.
A soft copy of the report on the 6th General
Assembly has been made available on
FARA website. The report was endorsed
by acclamation by the General Assembly.
CHECKING OUT THE THOUSAND HILLS AND MILLION
SMILES OF RWANDA
It was an exciting time for participants at
the 7th Africa Agricultural Science Week
and General Assembly particularly first
timers to Kigali as they took time off to tour
Rwanda. This is a country that prides itself
of its hills, beautiful scenery and friendly
people.
Rwanda, lying in the great lakes region in
East Africa, is dominated in the west by
mountains with numerous lakes meandering
throughout the country. What hits travelers
to Rwanda is the cool dry weather which
can be very soothing for participants from
hot humid regions of Africa.
By 8:00am on June 15 2016, the day
set aside as part of FARA’s 7th African
Agricultural Science Week (AASW) and
General Assembly, fleets of buses loaded
with participants moved to different tour
sites to see what makes Rwanda a unique
country.
Selected tour sites covered unique
agricultural,
cultural
and
traditional
locations.
The
participants
visited 120 Ha
PRESIDENTIAL PALACE MUSEUM / KIGALI
Rugeramigozi Irrigation Scheme, located in
Muhanga / Southern province, 55km from
Kigali city. This was a marshland that was
purposefully rehabilitated with the support
of partners and the implementation of
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
clear strategies to turn the once failed rice
growing project into a very successful one
where rice is now grown twice a year.
They also saw the K-Lab, a unique open
technology hub in Kigali where students,
fresh
graduates,
entrepreneurs
and
innovators work on their ideas/projects to
turn them into viable business models.
They did not miss out on the Kigali Special
Economic Zones (SEZs), a programme
within the Rwanda Development Board that
is designed to address domestic private
sector constraints.
The RAB Southern Agricultural Zone
Division that is responsible for overall
coordination of countrywide agricultural
research activities and driving sciencebased technology generation for sustainable
agriculture development was not left out.
It was opened to participants to see hw the
zone is strategically transforming Rwanda.
The conference coincided with the 11th
National Agricultural Show, held annually
to exhibit innovations and best practices
in the Agriculture sector in Rwanda. Some
participants also visited the exhibition
centre.
The Strategic Grain Reserves was one of
the places participants toured. It was put
in place as key infrastructure to support
famers in that area. The grain reserve
has the capacity of storing 6,000 tones.
Its main role is to buy and store farmers’
produce and resell it when needed.
The Lakeside Fish Farm was another
attraction for participants
as they got
to see at first hand the success story of a
couple who gave up everything to follow
their dream in Rwanda.
Preserving History
Rwanda has preserved the country’s history
and incidents which serves as points of
lessons for the people. Some participants
toured these historical sites and came back
in deep thought with profound lessons. The
historical sites visited include the Kigali
Genocide Memorial Site where 259,000
victims have been buried and the Ntarama
Genocide Memorial where more than 5000
victims of genocide were also buried to
serve as a reminder of the 1994 Genocide.
The Presidential Palace, residence of the
former President of Rwanda, Juvenile
Habyarimana whose plane was shot down
on 6th April, 1994 was visited. It is alleged
that the event triggered the Rwandan
Genocide.
KIGALI GENOCIDE MEMORIAL
Another site of interest was the Agahozo
- Shalom Youth Village (ASYV), home to
youth who were orphaned during and after
the genocide in 1994. The village is designed
to care for, protect and nurture these young
people.
There is the Natural History Museum housed
in a building that was once the residence
of Dr. Richard Kandt a German explorer
who founded Kigali in 1908 as the centre
for administration for German-East Africa.
The Museum has some really interesting
information on Rwanda’s flora, fauna and
geology and biological history among
others.
IKIRENGA CULTURAL CENTRE
Other places visited
The Ikirenga Cultural Centre is another
place toured. Participants experienced the
incredible showcase and preservation of
Rwandan culture and tradition through
arts. At the centre, visitors experienced the
Rwandan traditional living from the 16th
Century up to today.
Unique art and craft pieces are available
while visitors are also entertained with
numerous cultural dances.
Other places participants visited were
Rwanda Best Farm which undertakes
modern agriculture production using
greenhouse technology and growing a
variety of fruits, fresh vegetables among
others. It provides technical assistance
and capacity building to local farmers
who are engaged for practical training
programmes.
Urwibutso
Enterprise,
engaged in agribusiness activities along the
agriculture value chains, animal husbandry
and agro processing was also visited.
MEET FARA’S NEW BOARD CHAIRMAN
DR. EPHRAIM A. MUKISIRA,
FARA’S NEW BOARD CHAIRMAN
Dr. Ephraim A. Mukisira holds a Phd in
Animal Science from McGill University
(1994), Canada, an MSc Degree from the
Louisiana State University (1984), USA and
a BSc degree in Agriculture (Hons) (1980)
from the University of Nairobi.
He worked for the Kenya Agriculture
Research Institute (KARI) from 1980 to
2014. Within this period, he was actively
involved in crop-livestock research and
held several managerial positions as an
Assistant Director (2000-2002); Deputy
Director, Research and Technology (20022005) and the Director General/CEO of
KARI (2005-2014). Upon his retirement
from the public service, he became a
consultant in crop-livestock systems with
the International Livestock Research
Institute.
During his career as a researcher, Dr. Mukisira
acquired skills in research management
and implementation, setting of research
priorities, monitoring and evaluation of
major research projects, in effective team
building and in sound management. Initial
activities in KARI involved planning and
undertaking livestock research activities in
a regional setting. In subsequent years, he
was instrumental in building and sustaining
the current research infrastructure at
KARI, embracing strategies for technology
generation and up-scaling of appropriate
technologies; this impacted positively
on the livelihood of many farmers and
pastoralists. He also played a leading role
in establishing operational frameworks
for engaging the public sector, private
sector, the development partners and key
stakeholders along the commodity value
chains.
In 2008-10, he served as the Chairman of
the Board of Directors of the Association
for Strengthening Agricultural Research
in East and Central Africa (ASARECA) in
Entebbe, Uganda. Within the same period,
he served as a member of the Board of
the Forum for Agricultural Research in
Africa (FARA) in Accra, Ghana. He also
served as a member of the World Council
of Animal Production (WCAP), and at one
time served as Secretary to the All Africa
Society of Animal Production, and a Board
Member at the Commission for Science and
Technology, Kenya. Besides, he has served
on regional and international agricultural
research
committees
and
Technical
Advisory Boards for several Projects/
programmes.
Dr. Mukisira has published several articles
in referred journals, in conference
proceedings and represented Kenya in
key policy dialogue meetings, regionally
and internationally. He has contributed
to the publication of 3 books for use
in the agricultural sector. He has also
won meritorious awards, locally and
globally, in recognition for his outstanding
contribution to agricultural research
and development. His research focuses
mainly on crop – livestock integration;
Fodder/crop residue improvement and
utilisation; Nitrogen usage in ruminant and
non-ruminant nutrition; Rumen function;
Characterization of anti-nutritive factors,
mostly
in
non-conventional
protein
feedstuffs; sustainability of technologies,
environmental
effects
of
various
technologies and the integration of gender
in agricultural R&D activities.
In recognition of his distinguished service
to the Nation, President Kibaki decorated
him with the Order of the Grand Warrior
(OGW, 2007) and the Moran of Burning
Spear (MBS, 2010).
CONFERENCE IN PICTURES
CLOSING CEREMONY IN PICTURES
CONFERENCE IN PICTURES
CLOSING CEREMONY IN PICTURES
CONFERENCE IN PICTURES
CLOSING CEREMONY IN PICTURES
CONFERENCE IN PICTURES
CLOSING CEREMONY IN PICTURES
CONFERENCE IN PICTURES
CLOSING CEREMONY IN PICTURES
CONFERENCE IN PICTURES
CLOSING CEREMONY IN PICTURES
CONFERENCE IN PICTURES
#AASW7 SOCIAL MEDIA REPORTERS
CONFERENCE IN PICTURES
RWANDA’S CULTURE ON DISPLAY
Website: www.faraafrica.org
Blog: http://faraafrica.wordpress.com
Facebook Page: Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa. https://www.facebook.com/FARAAfrica/
FARA Social Media Team (Facebook Page): https://www.facebook.com/groups/aasw6smt/
Twitter: @FARAinfo. https://twitter.com/FARAinfo
Youtube: FARA Africa. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEJQGxNwCCFuEHCTDOljeqg
Instagram: fara.africa. https://www.instagram.com/fara.africa/
Google Group: https://groups.google.com/a/cgxchange.org/forum/#!forum/fara-smt-group