Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa to Energize the Continent's Farmers

The Entrepreneur Pressroom

The fourth General Assembly of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) together with Africa Agriculture Science Week is taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa. The meeting is slated from 10-16 June 2007. FARA is an umbrella organisation of major stakeholders in agricultural research and development in Africa. It has been operating as the technical arm of NEPAD for five years, driving the implementation of NEPAD's Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) fourth pillar on 'agricultural research and technology dissemination and adoption'.

This year’s General Assembly and Agriculture Science Week provide a unique opportunity for African managers and policy planners to reflect on how effectively African agricultural institutions and organisations are contributing to achieving the continent's vision of increasing agricultural productivity. NEPAD anticipates increasing productivity in the continent by 6% per annum.

At the ongoing meeting, information is presented by diverse stakeholders in the continent. For instance:

• National research institutions have developed technologies and have important success stories to tell on how they have contributed to improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and pastoralists.

• Development agencies have their own experiences to share on how they have assisted farmers to increase the productivity of their holdings.

• Civil society organisations also have their success stories on how they have worked together with communities in creating networks of knowledge resources that respond directly to the needs of farmers.

The General Assembly has drawn representatives of FARA’s constituents from all African and non-African institutions involved in African agricultural research and development. These broad range of stakeholders are expected to profer solutions that would energize and spur Africa's farmers to sustained productivity.

NEPAD’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) is based on four pillars, viz:

Pillar 1: Extending the area under sustainable land management and reliable water control systems

Pillar 2: Improving rural infrastructure and market access

Pillar 3: Increasing food supply and reducing hunger

Pillar 4: Agricultural research, technology dissemination and adoption

At the close of the meeting in South Africa, the delegates are expected to propose an action plan to speed up the realisation of the continent's agenda and vision for agriculture.