Kampala Ministerial Conference on Higher Education in Agriculture in Africa

Daniel Karanja & Peter Jeranyama’s Report on Kampala Ministerial Conference on Higher Education in Agriculture in Africa (CHEA), Munyonyo Kampala 15 – 19^th November 2010

Why We Participated:

·         to participate in an African led initiatives in higher education in agriculture

·         to discuss partnerships with AU/NEPAD Coordinating Agency, RUFORUM, FARA and others

·         to be recognized by the African political leadership that AAAPD is a legitimate partner in agriculture development and needs to be invited at the table

·         to foster new relationship and strengthen existing ones;

·         to provide input in the Ministerial Communique, and ensure recognition of the role and potential of the African Diaspora to Africa’s higher education development

AAAPD Attendees

·         Peter Jeranyama,  President of AAAPD

·         Daniel Karanja, Director of Africa Outreach, AAAPD. Daniel was  also represented his institution, Partnership to Cut Hunger and Poverty in Africa , which paid for his expenses

Activities

·         Peter presented on Leveraging Agricultural Knowledge, Innovation & Resources through Collaboration with African Diaspora Networks in the Theme 6 Panel Discussion (see Program and other Conference Proceedings at: http://www.ruforum.org/content/proceedings-ministerial-conference-higher-education-agriculture-africa-chea) 

·         Daniel participated in drafting the final Ministerial communiqué (see copy at: http://www.ruforum.org/sites/default/files/file/CHEA/CHEA%20FINAL/Communique%20Final.pdf)

·         Daniel and Peter met and discussed about AAAPD with representative from several organizations including (i) The World Bank- Washington, D.C. (Eiha Pehu and David Nielson), (ii) RUFORUM (Prof. Ekwamu Adipala and Moses Osiru), (iii) CAADP (Prof. Richard Mkandawire), (iv) FARA (Dr. Monty Jones), (v) AGRA (Dr. Rufaro Mundakadze, (vi) ANAFE (Dr. Aissetou Yaye, Executive Director), (vii)PROTA (Dr. Achigan-Dako & Dr. Zacharia Magombo), (viii) Vice Chancellors from COMESA countries (ix) Education and Agriculture/Lands Ministers from COMESA (Minister of Land Reform, Zimbabwe [Dr. Herbert Murerwa], Vice Minister of Education, Mozambique [ Prof. Doutor Arlindo Chilundo],  Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources [Dr. Agnes Matilda Kalibata], (x)SLU (Swedish University of Agriculture) [Dr. Linley Chiwona-Karltun], (xi) AU-Commission of Education {Beatrice Khamati-Njenga}, (xii) USAID {Kaarli Sundsmo}, (xiii) Rockefeller Foundation, (xiv) IDRC (Pascal Sangiga), (xv) Winrock International, (xvi) FARNPAN {Dr. Lindiwe Sibanda), (xvii) Min of Agriculture & Min. of Finance, Uganda and others

Outcomes of the side meetings

·         In the World Bank lunch meeting with Eiha and David, they suggested that AAAPD help strengthen national capacities in implementing CAADP agriculture investment plans as required under the CAADP process.

·          22 countries are at the stage signed their CAADP compacts but often  are constrained by lack of implementing skills

·         The WB suggested AAAPD raise a team of 20 appropriately skilled people to work as consultants for countries with respect to the CAADP process. The full cost for 2-3 weeks assignment may be about  $400K; the World Bank can cover half the cost and AAAPD raise the other half from BMGF or otherwise

·         AAAPD Secretariat was discussed  and Eiha/David felt that AAAPD will  need a Secretariat to be more effective (an idea that the BMGF is beginning to warm up to—especially now that the WB is taking us seriously)

·         Meeting with CEO of FARNPAN---FANRPAN would like to involve the Diaspora for capacity building at project level. FARNPAN has the mandate to implement (??? NOT SURE ABOUT THIS) a SADC CAAPD compact. They run $6M program and would invite AAAPD to request a formal affiliation and terms of reference be drawn. The idea is for FARNPAN and AAAPD to draft contract for each project we are involved in and progress measured against that contract. The major focus areas may be on policy analysis and role of gender in meeting millennium development goals

·         Executive Secretary, FARA—FARA would like to involve AAAPD in planning and co-hosting a Diaspora regional meeting, that will highlight the role and contributions of the Diaspora and help create tangible partnerships and programs. Key issues are reaching out to existing capacity in the Diaspora to complement what is available in the continent, and also thinking about replacing retiring cadre of scientists and other professionals. FARA is concerned about the absence of skilled staff in the continent and low publication levels by African scientist---these are areas the Diaspora could help in. FARA recognizes the skills resident in the Diaspora and it is good to tap into it to enhance capacity on projects on the ground. FARA is pleading for Action! Action! Action!. IDRC – we had a meeting with IDRC officers responsible for the East and Southern Africa region based in Nairobi. They are keen to work with the Diaspora and are funding a Diaspora-related project with AGRA. We should follow-up with a potential concept/proposal, especially throughout Canada Diaspora.

·         ANAFE – is keen to involve the Diaspora in its program. Need to peruse their projects and determine entry points, while thinking of new creative ideas. Idea is to develop joint projects and look for joint funds. One such project where we could collaborate is the UNIBRAIN funded by DANIDA

·         CAADP AU/NEPAD Agency – There is need for political leadership in Africa to recognize Diaspora assets. The Diaspora can also be involved in Monitoring & Evaluation of NEPAD/CAADP programs, modeling change, and in creative business development. To achieve the 6% agricultural growth and meet the 10% GDP allocations to agriculture as pledged in the Maputo declaration of 2003, Africa need significant increase in human resources, and the Diaspora can help support that. Non state actors such as the Diaspora involvement and CSO’s involvement is key in the CAADP process and in raising the level of advocacy to engage government, donors, etc and in assessing impacts of programs and investments (need to show data that demonstrate good returns to investments in agriculture—data collection is scant).

·         RUFORUM –need creative ways of strengthening capacities. We need to make best use of what we have. ICT connectivity has become better but more needs to be done. Need to create platforms that allows sharing of information

·         Need to support practical training –like on the job training while completing degrees. Utilize human resources from the North. Develop capacities with the right skills—focus must be on the entire agricultural value chain

Concentrate opportunities within North-South and South-South cooperation’s—must all rally around the CAADP framework

·         AGRA – Developing capacities should also include infrastructural considerations ---students should have access to good dorms and lab facilities. Need to be innovative at problem solving, don’t reinvent problems. Ensure implementation of programs and enhance farmer productivity

·         All must be supply driven to demand driven investments

Final Communiqué reads in part:

Commit, in view of the above observations, to support local and international partnerships which address critical capacity needs for sustainable agricultural development. This includes partnerships amongst universities and engagement with communities, private sector and the African Diaspora’s.

At the Conclusion of Partnerships Side Event:

The Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlements (also Acting Min. of Higher Education), Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr. Herbert Murerwa read this statement: 

Africans in the Diaspora are an important resource to the continent. They contribute immense resources in terms of their remittances and development projects. But they possess greater resource and value that needs to be harnessed: intellectual skills, institutional resources and networks. The Association of African Agricultural Professionals in the Diaspora (AAAPD) is recognized by this Forum as a critical resource to Africa’s development efforts and will be formally affiliated with the African Union/NEPAD’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).CAADP serves as a conduit through which Africans in Diaspora can contribute their skills, resources and networks in support of African-led development initiatives.