FARA, the apex continental organization coordinating and advocating for agricultural research for development in Africa, is set to launch and facilitate FAO’s request to develop a strategy to provide guidance, coherence, and alignment for impact at the country level through better use of science and innovation.
The FAO has undertaken important steps to strengthen its work on science and innovation, including efforts to transform itself into a more innovative organization that is capable of assisting countries to scale up appropriate innovations based on science. The FAO Director-General has thus requested the development of a strategy to provide guidance, coherence, and alignment for impact at the country level through better use of science and innovation.
The Strategy will strengthen the use of science and innovation and will be a key tool for the implementation of the Strategic Framework (2022-31) and the SDG through science and innovation.
To have impact, the Strategy must respond to the challenges and needs of stakeholders by engaging them throughout its preparation process.
The specific objectives of these engagements are:
To identify science and innovation needs and gaps at regional and country levels.
To discuss innovation priorities and to broaden the common understanding of innovation.
To provide inputs for the development of the thematic priorities of the Strategy.
To identify how to strengthen FAO’s role on science policy and research at national and regional levels.
To identify priorities for partnerships.
FARA intends to launch and facilitate discussions among its constituents, partners, donors, and networks. You are warmly invited to actively participate in discussing pertinent questions which will be posted on the FARANet.
Your views will be collated and discussed from Wednesday, Jan 26th to Sunday, Feb 7th and then feedback summarised for further consultation and validation meeting on 15th or 16th February 2022
The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) is the apex continental organization coordinating and advocating for agricultural research for development. FARA is the designated technical Institution of the African Union Commission and African Union Development Agency on matters concerning agriculture science, technology and innovation.
The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), in collaboration with the Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV) in Brazil, invites submissions from interested African scientists to teach non-degree, virtual mobility online courses in English through UFV.
The coordinator of each UFV requested course will evaluate your application, based on your curriculum vitae and transcript of records.
Before March 4, the UFV international office will inform you the list of courses you are approved to register for.
Classes will start on March 7, 2022 (except for INF100, which starts on May 2, 2022).
IMPORTANT :
Good internet connection is mandatory to follow the activities!
For academic mobility, one of the required documents is an official nomination from the home institution. “Self-nominated” candidates are not accepted for academic mobility.
The program does not provide a degree – students who conclude courses will receive only an official transcript of records from UFV.
We may all have organized virtual learning sessions, but how many of us have organized effective sessions in the agricultural systems setting? Well, this calls for a deeper reflection. I recently participated in the #KM4AgDChallenge which I believe fits the description of an effective learning program.
A novice in the field of Knowledge Management: Finding a new family
In August 2021, I got an opportunity from the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services to participate in the Knowledge Management for Agricultural development Challenge. Organized by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), AFAAS, CCARDESA, CORAF, ASARECA, in cooperation with the Knowledge for Development Partnership (K4DP) and partners YPARD and GFAR, the challenge aimed at building appropriate capacities, establishing communities of practice for Knowledge Management, and strengthening mechanisms for knowledge generation to accelerate the achievement of the CAADP Malabo goals by 2025 and the SDGs by 2030. The maiden version was attended by 28 participants (10 women, 18 men) from 22 countries, and over 20 experienced facilitators globally sourced.
Above: Participants in the 2021 KM4AgD Challenge
Joining this challenge was an eye opener for me. I was one of the many people who could not explicitly differentiate between information and knowledge; and who did not care about the relevance of knowledge management in the growth of individuals and organizations, nor elucidate the difference between tacit and explicit knowledge. If anyone asked me that question again, my response would be different-courtesy of the several KM essential sessions delivered by the top authorities in the KM space globally that I participated in. I am loving this new field.
Content and key outputs of the Challenge:
Categorized under three major components, the content revolved around essentials of knowledge management, advanced knowledge management and knowledge societies. Another outstanding aspect was when we were tasked to identify knowledge challenges in agriculture, develop concepts, organize and deliver knowledge cafés. The execution process of bringing different people together virtually to work on a common task was amazing-despite the busy schedules. This was crowned with a conference to share outputs from the 3 months challenge. In general, the outputs were 28 KM strategies for different organizations, 20 country policy briefs and statements on Knowledge Management, and 10 thematic policy briefs derived from the knowledge cafes, now christened as the KM for Agricultural development Agenda. The output around networking and friendships may be difficult to quantify, but it was overwhelming..
A mix of methodologies: learning, friendship and fun
According to the Collins English dictionary, camaraderie is a feeling of trust and friendship among a group of people who have usually known each other for a long time or gone through some kind of experience together. This is what I felt being part of the KM4AgDChallenge family.
Some of the key tenets of a family are togetherness, compassion, trust, friendship. The KM4AgD Challenge team fit that description. The Lead facilitators Dr Andreas Brandner and Mr Benjamin Abugri and guest speakers were friendly and used delivery approaches that were conducive for adult learners. Despite the virtual nature of the course, it felt as if we were together in one physical classroom.
The blend of methodologies including simulation-group work, follow ups, WhatsApp reminders, videos, all made learning easy. The art walk during the conference cannot be forgotten. If I missed a session, I would be sure to find it in the class folder, or, even before checking the folder, I would contact the trainers or fellow participants for a quick brief-which they gladly did.
Above: Dr Andreas sharing light moments with some of the participants from Uganda Elizabeth Asiimwe (Left) and Charles Masereka (right).
These flexible methodologies complemented by sharing light moments, celebrating one another were my social highlights which contributed a lot to learning. Any chance of any members meeting could not go unnoticed-whether it was Dr Andreas meeting with some participants at a conference in the Southern part of Africa, Mr Benjamin meeting with participants in related avenue in Uganda, or fellow participants meeting at a conference in Benin, Uganda, we would not miss the happy ‘selfies’ on the class WhatsApp group. What a great family!
Staying connected…
At the end of the challenge, participants were inaugurated in the Community of Practice for Knowledge Management. I am overjoyed that this high energy will continue. Each of the participants was unique and has a lot to offer.
As I write this, I am on a process to recover from the jetlag, having arrived this morning from the #KM4AgChallenge conference in Ghana. It was worth it! The intellectual exchanges, the interaction, the hospitality by our Ghanaian hosts, the short trips in Accra are much appreciated. Special thanks to the FARA Executive Director Dr Yemi Akinbamijo for the words of wisdom. He challenged us to apply the learnings and be the best knowledge managers which is a major component of agricultural development in Africa. ‘‘If you rest, you rust’’ remarked Dr Akinbamijo.
A section of participants and organizers during the KM4AgDChallenge Conference in Accra, Ghana
Highlights of the training and conference can be seen at the hashtag #KM4AgDChallenge
The KM4AgD Challenge is an integrated, strategic, educational and transformational long-term initiative to advance sustainable agricultural knowledge societies, linked with research to create scientific substance, evidence and outreach for Africa AR4D. It will be a lighthouse project for knowledge-based development in AR4D in Africa, and will take place annually in a growing number of countries. Please look out for the next opportunity!
Gratitude
Thanks to AFAAS, FARA, CCARDESA, ASARECA, CORAF, KDP and partners GFAR, YPARD for organizing the challenge. Special appreciation to AFAAS, the Uganda Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (UFAAS), and GREAT, Makerere University for enabling me to participate.
We did it! Group 4 teammates-Marc Bappa from Cameroon, Phidel Hazel Arunga from Kenya, Zainab Abdulai from Ghana and Lorato Bailang from Botswana-we made it! The Uganda team-Victoria Mbigidde and Charles Masereka.
As emphasized by all the speakers at the conference, this maiden challenge was just the beginning of the engagement with Knowledge Management. Upwards!
Above (L): Mr Benjamin Abugri and Elizabeth meet in Kampala during the FARA-AFAAS meeting on interoperability of KM and MEL systems; (R): Elizabeth and fellow participant Marc Bappa from Cameroon meet in Kampala during the Africa-wide Agricultural Extension Week co-organized by AFAAS.
Above: Dr Andreas (C) meets with participants under CCARDESA in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Above: Dr Andreas with Elizabeth (L) in Kampala, and Benjamin (R) in Accra
For inquiries about the KM4AgD Challenge, please contact:
La conférence continentale est organisée en collaboration avec le Partenariat sur les connaissances pour le développement (K4DP), la Plateforme des jeunes professionnels pour la recherche agricole pour le développement (YPARD) et le Forum mondial sur la recherche et l’innovation agricoles (GFAR). Cette rencontre, qui durera trois jours, se tiendra du 7 au 9 décembre 2021 à Accra. La présence physique à la réunion sera limitée à 40 participants venus de plus de 20 pays d’Afrique. La conférence en ligne sera ouverte au grand public (veuillez vous inscrire ici).
La conférence sera ouverte le 7 décembre 2021 par le Dr Yemi Akinbamijo, Directeur exécutif du FARA. L’allocution d’ouverture sera suivie d’une série de déclarations de bonne volonté d’organisations partenaires. Dr Sarah Cummings, une personnalité de premier plan de la communauté internationale pour la gestion des connaissances (KM4Dev) et Directrice au K4DP prononcera le discours liminaire intitulé : Une sixième génération de gestion des connaissances pour le développement ? Les conséquences pour l’agriculture en Afrique. Le discours sera suivi d’un exposé ayant pour thème « Promouvoir l’Agenda scientifique pour l’agriculture en Afrique (S3A), les objectifs du PDDAA de Malabo et le programme des ODD en Afrique par le biais de la gestion des connaissances en vue de l’amélioration de la production et de la productivité en Afrique » présenté par le Dr Irene Annor-Frempong, Coordinatrice du projet LEAP4FNSSA et ancienne Directrice de la recherche et de l’innovation du FARA. Les 28 participants au Challenge 2021 dédié à la KM4AgD présenteront tour à tour les projets de concepts de gestion de connaissances et Challenges de pays en vue de recevoir des contributions et une validation.
La présentation des concepts et des challenges élaborés dans le cadre du Challenge dédié à la KM4AgD se poursuivra le deuxième jour (8 décembre 2021). La dernière journée sera consacrée à la validation des dix documents sur la gestion des connaissances élaborés à partir des dix Challenges identifiés ; à l’inauguration de la communauté de pratique pour la gestion des connaissances et l’intelligence artificielle du KM4AgD ; à un exposé du Pr Kimir Dalkir de l’Université McGill (Canada) sur la portée des fausses nouvelles et de la désinformation et un autre du Dr Andreas Brandner, un des directeurs fondateurs du K4DP sur le concept de l’utilisation de l’art pour illustrer les connaissances ; une cérémonie spéciale de remise de certificats aux lauréats du Challenge 2021 et une cérémonie internationale de remise de récompenses aux lauréats du prix prestigieux de l’excellence en gestion des connaissances et la diffusion du Communiqué de la conférence.
La conférence est organisée dans le cadre du programme PDDAA-XP4 financé par l’Union européenne (UE) et géré par le Fonds international pour le développement agricole (FIDA). Dr Aggrey Agumya, Directeur de la recherche et de l’innovation du FARA coordonnera la conférence avec l’appui de M. Benjamin Abugri, spécialiste principal de la gestion des connaissances, de l’apprentissage et de la connaissance du FARA, et du Dr Andreas Brandner, Directeur au K4DP et Coordonnateur du Challenge 2021 dédié au KM4AgD.
À propos du FARA
Le Forum pour la recherche agricole en Afrique (FARA) est l’organisation faîtière continentale chargée de coordonner et de promouvoir la recherche agricole pour le développement (AR4D). Le FARA est l’organe technique de la Commission de l’Union Africaine et de l’Agence de Développement de l’Union africaine sur les questions relatives aux sciences agricoles, à la technologie et à l’innovation.
The 5th of December is the 2021 World Soil Day, this year’s theme is “Halt Soil Salinization and Boost Soil Productivity”. In Africa, 50% of the irrigated lands have different levels of salinization problems, although only 6% of our agricultural lands are irrigated. Notwithstanding the growth in demand for food and fiber, and increase in intensification models; Africa must prepare to prevent salinization by using appropriate irrigation techniques.
In Africa, Our Soil is Our life. It is the richest resource we own; it is our primary production asset. A household with land can never be labeled as poor because its land could be made to produce sustenance and wealth for the household. The Soil is a bundle of life; a teaspoon contains trillions of individual microbial lives amidst organic and mineral matter. Our Soil is the purifier of our environment, the source and sink of numerous soil nutrients. It is one resource we will use to sink carbon and limit the destruction of climate change, an affliction we are suffering from when others are the cause.
It is noteworthy that 60% of the available arable land in the world is in Africa. I guessed that this is one positive thing about Africa, one resource our continent could be proud of holding in trust for the world to feed its teeming population. It then can position Africa and its posterity for health and wealth. Alas! While the world looks on, the most treasured asset of Africa is getting lost to land degradation! The frightening statistics indicated that erosion takes away 50 million tons of topsoil per year. Fertility degradation from nutrient mining makes 27% of the arable Soil infertile and largely unproductive.
Africa needs to wake up to this reality and salvage itself from the upcoming food slavery by halting its land degradation. Africa leaders cannot afford to play the politics of silence to this menace; neither can the farmers nor other land users lend an unconcerned posture. Our platform is collapsing, and we are the only one that can mend it and mend it well.
The first step to managing Africa soil is to accept the fact that our soils are inherently fragile and must be handled carefully to sustain long-term food and fiber production. Current land-use practices have shown that the majority in Africa are oblivious of this scientific truth and its long-term implication on the overall wellbeing of our society. We urgently need coherent policies and guidelines on land use and management of the different landscapes. We need to recommend and enforce the best practices in land clearing and tillage practices for agriculture at all levels. Land capability assessment needs to be done, to prevent farming on marginal soils or the use of fertile soils for other construction purposes; both are counterproductive.
Africa needs to rise to this challenge and develop an Africa-owned and Africa-driven approach to solve this problem. At the instance of the Africa Union Commission, FARA is working with all stakeholders in Africa agriculture to develop the Soil Initiative for Africa (SIA) to address land degradation in Africa. The SIA will engage all in co-creation and implementation of the solutions. It will give attention to the development of appropriate policies and institutional frameworks to stop the pace of soil degradation at all levels of governance and societal order in Africa. It will scale up existing technologies as well as facilitate the development of new technologies to respond to emerging issues. The capacity issues will be addressed headlong using holistic approaches. The quagmire of the soil information system will be addressed by building on all existing systems and ensuring that Africa owns an upgradable system that meets the needs of all using the best ICT facilities. Effective soil knowledge management will be developed including a dashboard that informs necessary actions. The SIA will embrace all production systems ranging from the agroecology social movement to the integrated soil fertility management and the conventional practices using mineral fertilizer.
The cooperation of all is needed to ensure the success of the soil Initiative for Africa. Let’s pull together and deliver together to halt the degradation and start the restoration of the already degraded Africa soil.
