Strategies

In the development of its new strategic plan, ASARECA identified knowledge management, technology uptake and upscaling as among the critical thematic areas in agricultural research for development (AR4D) that require strengthening. The strategy review process noted that while the ASARECA networks had adopted a production-to-consumption concept in their approach to AR4D and had, to some extent, acquired experience with technology uptake, there were still weaknesses in capacity, especially in competencies and in understanding emerging approaches for upscaling knowledge and technologies. In addition, a need for greater integration of the ASARECA technical portfolio was highlighted as critical for harnessing the synergy of programmes and for providing support in cross-cutting thematic issues such as upscaling, policy and natural resource management to commodity oriented programmes.

The Knowledge Management and Upscaling Programme (KMUS) was established as one of the 7 research programmes and mandated to address technology uptake and upscaling, and knowledge management. The programme was further mandated to implement the elements in CAADP Pillar IV that deal with technology dissemination and adoption, agricultural extension, education and training, and farmer empowerment.

The PAAP 2008-2013 strategy takes an integrated approach to tackling poverty by proposing approaches that will contribute to enhanced productivity and competitiveness along the value chain through reforming policies, regulations and procedures that impede investment in appropriate technologies, and that restrict sectoral growth and trade. Drawing up evidence-based options when formulating policy will be promoted. The result will be efficient market chains along the production-to-consumption continuum, improved links between research and development, and supportive policies and institutions. Ultimately, supportive policies and institutions will encourage investment by offering incentives that will allow judicious use of resources to enhance livelihoods while at the same time will ensure that natural resources are conserved and allowed to rejuvenate for future generations.

The strategy defines the scope of Agro-biotechnology to encompass a range of diverse technologies derived from molecular genetics, plant physiology (especially tissue culture related techniques), genetic engineering and the emergent sciences such as bioinformatics, genomics and proteomics as applied in crop improvement and management as well as applications of biotechnology in the livestock sub-sector. These technologies are clustered on the basis of themes, and prioritized. Identified thematic areas include: (1) Biotechnology development, transfer and commercialization (2) Biotechnology infrastructure and human capacity mobilization and development. (3) Agro-biodiversity conservation and utilization. (4) Bio-policy development and harmonization and (5) Biotechnology communication and outreach.

This strategy sets out the role of the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) Natural Resource Management and Biodiversity Programme in responding to livelihood and environmental management challenges in Eastern and Central Africa sub-region. It defines the programme's vision, mission and values, identifies the challenges that confront the vulnerable populations in the sub-region, and provides pathways through which ASARECA will contribute to resolving them. In so doing, the strategy lays out the programmeÔÇÖs research agenda for the next five years, 2009-2014, and articulates an implementation framework .

To address the identified constraints facing the livestock and fisheries subsectors in the Eastern and Central Africa sub-region, the Livestock and Fisheries Programme (LFP) has identified 4 priority themes each with several sub-thematic areas of intervention. The thematic and sub-thematic areas of intervention express a strong commitment to impact as the strategic orientation and positioning LFP as a regional leader in livestock and fisheries research for development. The thematic areas are (i) Improving livestock and fisheries Productivity; (ii) Improving access to markets; (iii) Improving value addition in input and output marketing chains; (iv) Improving sustainable interaction between livestock, fisheries and the environment.

In the next five years, the Programme's vision is innovative agricultural technologies in high value crops significantly contributing to increased household incomes and improved livelihoods in eastern and central Africa. In pursuance of this vision, the programme will put in place mechanisms to make it an excellent hub to develop and promote agricultural innovations in the specific commodities mandated to it notably; oil crops, pulses, fruits, vegetables, coffee and tea. The mission of the programme will be to generate and promote uptake of appropriate market-oriented technologies in high value crops in eastern and central Africa.

The Staple Crops Programme is responsible for agricultural research for development on the following 9 commodities: banana, cassava, potato, sweet potato, maize, sorghum, millet, rice and wheat. These staple crops contribute to the socio-economic well-being of the people in the ECA region in several ways. The crops provide raw materials for the local industries (agro-processing); help alleviate poverty; contribute to improved nutrition; contribute to natural resource management; and provide employment. There is also some cross-border trade and to a limited extent, export of the commodities to markets outside the ECA region. Most of the staple crops rank high in food security and/or income generation - See more at: http://www.asareca.org/taxonomy/term/9#sthash.xaMbt4rb.dpuf

Within its overall vision for change, ASARECA has taken concrete steps to mainstream gender into its agricultural research agenda and institutional framework by developing a GMS for the period 2011-2015. The strategy is founded on the lessons learnt from two previous gender interventions and the findings of the Gender Audit that was conducted in 2009. The approved log-frame of ASARECA already provides the mandate for mainstreaming gender.

The Partnerships and Capacity Development (PCD) unit has been created in ASARECA to manage partnerships and capacity development initiatives of the organisation. In order to implement its functions, PCD has developed a strategy which defines the strategic areas where it will focus its efforts in partnerships and capacity development in the sub-region and how this will be done during the short- and medium-term periods. The strategy also identifies the challenges and constraints in partnerships and capacity development in the ECA sub-region. These challenges include how to realign the mindsets of most current agricultural research actors towards development impact; how to identify, build and manage successful partnerships; the strategies, capacity and skills to do these; and the systems, procedures and approaches for implementing programmes. How to institutionalise and catalyse partnerships, resource mobilisation for implementing partnership programmes, and mechanisms for bringing potential partners together are also challenges.

ASARECA is an association of national agricultural research systems (NARS) in 10 countries of eastern and southern Africa working in concert with donors, key partners and stakeholders in agricultural research for development. It is a vehicle for regional cooperation and collective action that facilitates agricultural and institutional innovation and the sharing of gains from research. ASARECA is an institution that serves its members and inestors through: 1) strategic guidance on research for development priorities in the subregion; 2) representation and an institution memory of the region in international and emerging Africa-wide fora, 3) maintenance of multiple mechanism to facilitate collaboration at the subregional level (e.g., networks, competitive grants, exploratory initiatives), and 4) facilities for on-going monitoring and evaluation of regional programs supported by multiple donors. As both the creation and instrument of the national agricultural research institutes, ASARECA adds value to their work particularly where regional collective action is required. The ownership of ASARECA by its members and its openness to its investors gives it a unique character in subregional organizations.