Written by: Charles Yoronimu Masereka (YPARD Uganda)
Knowledge, a very fundamental requirement for the success of the agriculture sector. According to the Oxford English dictionary, knowledge is “Facts, information, and skills acquired through experience or education, the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject”.
Doing something that someone is knowledgeable about makes everything, including life so easy. When you have facts about an activity, you will never go wrong. For knowledge to be effective for a particular purpose, there is a need for proper knowledge management. You can have knowledgeable people, but if their knowledge is not well managed, there will likely be a lot of misinformation and failures in ventures.
Being part of the participants is a huge milestone in my service in developing and advancing the agriculture sector in Uganda and Africa at large. We the youth have a big input we ought to provide for the world’s food systems to flourish. With other participants selected from about 20 other countries across the continent and with a passion for the agriculture sector, we are the next generation of knowledge managers.
Launched on 08th September 2021, the presentations have truly been fundamental and will take our knowledge levels a notch higher. Notably were the presentations on “Reaching the last mile” by ensuring that all knowledge is shared with the ultimate beneficiaries, monitoring the use of the knowledge gained, and ensuring that the results from the acquired knowledge are viable and of great use to the beneficiaries. Secondly is the “Community of Practice” (CoP) discussion which highlights the need for collaborations, working together, teamwork, and having a common goal to help solve an existing problem is a great tool for growth and development. A community that works together easily grows and advances its goals ahead. With all the other presentations, the challenge training is so much on spot.
Going through December, the challenge will close with an Africa Agriculture Knowledge Management Hybrid Conference and the participants will be certified and recognized at the same conference.
I am personally grateful for the opportunity given to be part of this maiden Knowledge Management for Agricultural Development Challenge and trust that by the time the same concludes, I will be a better knowledge champion to foster the development and growth of the agriculture sector and improve the world’s food value chains and systems.
Indigenous agricultural practices adopted by locals largely depend on traditional knowledge. Such knowledge is common in the agricultural system to preserve the ecosystem and biodiversity. Traditional knowledge has proven to be useful in sustainable food production and the support of human and animal health. Farmers possess a vast pool of indigenous knowledge in agricultural management which reduces external input dependency by utilizing various renewable farm resources through agricultural practices. Such practices have a bearing on rural development and nature conservation. They contribute to maintaining the ecosystem of the particular area and thus lead to sustainable use of biodiversity conservation. However, such indigenous knowledge is not systematically recorded; therefore, it is not easily accessible to agricultural researchers. Yet these are valuable practices worth considering in farmer-to-farmer training or local technology transfer.
As the Lead of Green Agro Invest, I am committed to building the capacity of the rural smallholder farms especially the young people. This is our contribution to the development of the food system by creating jobs and wealth through the Seed for Food (SFF) programs initiative by Green Agro Invest in partnership with YPARD Ghana and Footprints Bridge International (F-BRIDGE).
In Ghana, several efforts have been made to maximize the potential of the agricultural sector as an engine for industrial growth. The Green Agro Invest, a social enterprise has recognized through its flagship program, Seed for Food (SFF) that enhanced agricultural performance is key to growth and poverty reduction through its direct impact on:
i. Job creation and increased opportunities, especially for women and young people,
ii. Food security and improved nutrition, and
iii. Strengthening resilience for knowledge managements for agriculture development (KM4AgD)
The objective of this activity is to enable young agripreneurs, university students, and young people in general within the rural communities to get familiar with and get connected with the different business support services available for transforming their subsistence operations into commercially viable enterprises through integrated knowledge management for agriculture developments (KM4AgD). It is also aimed at enabling the youth to learn best practices and incubation models that can be replicated in their respective communities, homes, backyard farming in building a resilience urban farming. The Centre of excellence is stationed at Ho in the Volta Region of Ghana.
The program also involves the training of rural farmers and the creation of tools that will contribute to the designing of policies that maintain biodiversity. The team is passionate about working to change young people’s minds about indigenous agriculture through agribusiness education and Knowledge Management for Agriculture Development (KM4AgD) Tools. Agribusiness education is one of the most important aspects which could be leveraged for the transfer of important ethics in the sector. Other important features of the program are peer-to-peer mentoring and the capitalization of the experiences of rural farmers- particularly the young for the creation of jobs. Hence, it can preserve both indigenous knowledge and biodiversity for achieving sustainable development.
My Experience in the KM4AgD Challenge
The Andreas Brandner presentation is an eye-opener for strengthening the level of tools in leverage for designing key KM processes capturing, communication, and dissemination which at the hearts of Green Agro Invest in using these tools to catalyze its training to promote sustainable agriculture and thriving agribusiness through research and technology development for jobs creation.
Erie Tamale “said KM is a powerhouse of all implementation, hence have a sustainable system available that demonstrate the need for knowledge capturing experience for rural farmers with effective extension and other support services to farmers, processors, and traders for improved livelihood in our quest in achieving our mission.
I believe that his presentation and practical experience sharing from the facilitators give us hope that we are on track, hence a quote from Andrianjafy Rosa on how to make a communities of practices fly:
from AFAAS – “Pursuing a clear purpose is critical if a KM practitioners is keen on reaching the last mile to impacts and generating income and Livelihood for sustainable development” This statement sum up to my hearts in delivering in our mandate at Green Agro Invest and replica to other organization that I am working for as well.
It was very insightful and informative through KM4AgD Challenge which I have been selected to be part of the participants hence one-week training so far that will become a lighthouse for forward-looking and innovation in Knowledge Management for Agricultural Developments (KM4AgD) value chain.
The highlight from this first edition of KM4AgD Challenge organized by FARA and its partners (AFAAS, ASARECA, CCARDESA, CORAF, YPARD & K4DP) currently ongoing program helps me to take into account agricultural and rural transformation, the expansion of digitalization and technologies, new economic models and knowledge managements developments that can create attractive employment and business opportunities for youth.
The Green Agro Invest is open to partnership with organizations, institutions, and individuals concerned with the generation of innovative finance to build a knowledge developments Hub and greenhouses within the community. The ultimate is to strengthen the Centre of excellence through training sessions, agricultural research, and Knowledge Management for Agriculture Developments (KM4AgD) education and agribusiness incubation models programs. With this more young people will be empowered to contribute to a resilient agri-food system in conformity to climate-smart and urban farming developments.
KM4AgD Challenge: Opening Remarks by Dr Yemi Akinbamijo, Executive Director, FARA
Date: 8th September 2021
Colleague Executive Directors of the Sub-Regional Organizations of AS ARECA, CORAF, CCARDESA & NASRO
and the Executive Director AFAAS , Prof. Andreas Brandner & Dr Sarah Cummings (Executive Director & Director of Knowledge for Development Partnership – K4DP), Prof. Dr. Kimiz Dalkir, Prof of KM @ McGill University, Dr. Annet.K. Nabatanzi Muyimba, Dean, Makerere University Business School, Uganda, Facilitators (over 20) of the KM4AgD Challenge 2021 drawn from K4DP, the Selected participants (25) of the 2021 Challenge from 20 NARES & YPARD, Invited guests & participants.
It is a great joy for me to welcome all of you, especially to this very unique day when we are flagging off the maiden Knowledge Management for Agricultural Development (KM4AgD) Challenge within the agricultural innovation system (AIS) and the Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa (S3A).
In collaboration with AFAAS and the SROs (CCARDESA, ASARECA & CORAF), FARA is launching the KM4AgD Challenge as a joint activity under the CAADP-XP4 programme with funding support from the European Commission (EC) administered by IFAD.
The five organisations have jointly conceived the Challenge as an annual activity and partnering with the Knowledge for Development Partnership (K4DP), a global network of experienced KM practitioners and academics.
Knowledge is at the heart of Sustainable Development. Today’s societies are characterized by a predominant and still growing share of knowledge work at all levels of institutions.
Knowledge is essential because it supports decision making evidence-based planning and increases institutional credibility. Knowledge is critical for research organisations because research is an essential component in generating knowledge.
According to experts, Knowledge is a primary resource of societies – dynamically changing through several drivers like globalisation, digitalisation, specialisation, and more (K4DP, 2018).
Unfortunately, existing agricultural knowledge and statistics are spotty and unreliable in Africa – this despite the existence of official statistics agencies in most, if not all, African countries
The case poses a substantial challenge to CAADP-Malabo Indicators and monitoring progress towards these indicators’ biennial targets, which is tracked through Biennial Reviews (BR)[1]at the country level. This situation also poses challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The role of AR&D institutions in knowledge generation, dissemination and use towards Africa’s agenda in halving poverty by 2025 through the CAADP Malabo commitment as well as contributing to the SDGs 2030 cannot be overemphasised
Several significant institutional developments in recent years by FARA and partners provide a valuable foundation for an attempt to improve Africa’s agricultural knowledge, information and data capture and dissemination. Examples:
In 2017, FARA and partners, through the S3A consultations, took feedback from over 40 NARIs, analysed and assessed ways to improve the “Forum’s” information management and collaboration with our partners, and came up with the following: FARADataInformS, an online observatory of AR4D in Africa.
In 2020, the CAADP-XP4 institutions established a collective agenda christened the “Akosombo Integration Agenda” out of which a Continental Data Capture Strategy (CDCS) was published.
The agenda outlined seven key areas of integration, including (1) Knowledge Management Approaches, (2) KM Tools, (3) Knowledge Resource, (4) KM Processes, (5) Communities, (6) KM Capacity Development and (7) Knowledge Ecosystems for AR4D
Therefore, this Challenge aims to improve the capture and dissemination of knowledge in African agriculture by building the appropriate capacities, establishing communities of practice, and strengthening knowledge generation, dissemination, and use mechanisms.
It comprises collaborative activities, including training KM professionals, data collection, demanded knowledge products, and three (3) key questions. These will start on September 13 and spread over to November 30. Findlings from the Challenge will be shared through a Continental KM Conference during the week of December 6 to 10, 2021.
In this context, the CAADP-XP4 Partners and the K4DP have come together to develop KM4AgD Challenge, that can be adopted and implemented across the continent.
Therefore, the main aim for this workshop is to officially launch and provide information about KM challenges among CAADP-XP4 institutions to create awareness and generate support for the maiden edition of the initiative.
FARA, AFAAS and SROs are committed to deploying the KM4AgD Challenge ad invite key partners and other key stakeholders within Africa’s AIS to join in sustaining this initiative.
Thank you for coming, and I wish you the best.
[1 The Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) has created a process to increase countries’ ownership of data, inclusivity of data structures, and learning about agricultural progress amongst key stakeholders on the African continent. This process is called the CAADP Biennial Review (BR).
NAIROBI, KENYA — The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) on Sept. 8 was awarded the 2021 Africa Food Prize for work that has improved food security across 13 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
ICRISAT, a CGIAR Research Center, is a non-profit, non-political public international research organization that conducts agricultural research for development in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa with a wide array of partners throughout the world.
Between 2007 and 2019, ICRISAT led a collaboration of partners to deliver the Tropical Legumes Project. The project, undertaken together with the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), developed 266 improved legume varieties and almost half a million tonnes of seed for a range of legume crops, including cowpeas, pigeon peas, chickpea, common bean, groundnut, and soybeans. These new varieties have helped more than 25 million smallholder farmers become more resilient to climate change, as well as pest and disease outbreaks.
In addition to these new varieties, the project trained 52 scientists who are already working in national research institutes across the continent. ICRISAT said training these next-generation scientists in the countries where the projects were implemented has helped strengthen the research capacity of national agricultural research systems in Africa and contributed to sustaining the gains the projects have made.
Congratulating the winner, H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, chairman of the Africa Food Prize committee and former president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, said: “ICRISAT’s leadership in developing seeds
that not only end malnutrition but also survive in semi-arid areas is inspiring other agricultural organizations to rethink seed development and farming practices that suit and solve Africa’s agricultural challenges.
“Their work is also important as it provides an inclusive approach that supports the whole agricultural value chain, from farm to fork, providing farmers with farming tools and a market for their produce,’’ he said.
Accepting the award, Jacqueline d’Arros Hughes, ICRISAT director general, said the Institute’s work spanned the entire value chain, from high-end genomics to markets and agri-business in dryland cropping systems.
“We also empower women and attract youth back to agriculture using the latest tools and technologies available to make farming profitable,” Hughes said. “The Africa Food Prize is a major accolade and recognition of ICRISAT’s work in Africa and reinforces our belief that agriculture can be profitable for smallholder farmers. It is also testament to the work of our close collaborators, the national agriculture research and extension systems, without whose support this would not have been possible. We dedicate this award to the smallholder farmers in the drylands of Africa, as they are the ones who inspire us with their patience and perseverance in the face of adversity.”
Dryland ecosystems cover 45% of Africa’s landmass and feed and support almost half a billion people. However, these systems are fragile and prone to the effects of climate change and environmental degradation.
Programs like the Tropical Legumes projects help the millions of smallholder farmers relying on drylands ecosystems to grow more food and become more resilient in the face of climate change. The project has been implemented in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
The Africa Food Prize recognizes outstanding African individuals and institutions leading efforts in the following areas: transformation of Africa’s foods systems; promotion of sustainable agricultural practices; support for smallholder farmers to raise incomes; resilience in the wake of climate change impacts; and access to high-quality agricultural inputs, knowledge, and equipment. The award, that includes a $100,000 prize, celebrates those changing the reality of farming in Africa from a struggle practice to a business that lifts communities out of poverty.
The generation of quality jobs as part of regional and national economic growth and development process is central to ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth. As part of efforts to support job creation for the ever-increasing youth population, many countries in the Sub-Saharan regions of Africa have implemented youth employment programmes over the past years. In the year 2020, the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), together with its country partners in Ghana, Benin, Malawi and Ethiopia, used mixed methods research designs to assess the effectiveness of youth employment initiatives that have been implemented over the last two decades in creating sustainable jobs. The research identified a total of 47 major initiatives (comprising 20 youth-centered and 27 general initiatives). Figure 1 shows the distribution of the 47 initiatives based on International Labour Organization’s classifications[1].
Figure 1. Distribution of youth employment initiatives
[1] (i) Employment services – such as providing information on labour market, counselling, job search services and placement;
(ii) Skill development training programmes -including those that provide adult literacy training, off and on the job training and financial incentives for training;
(iii) Employment creation programmes – including those that offer wage subsidies, public work employment of short duration, self- employment programmes and entrepreneurship development activities; and
(iv) Integrated programme – that involves a mixture of the other interventions.
The research identified key success factors concerning the design, implementation structure, partnership, coverage and financing mechanisms that are worth considering in the design of future youth employment initiatives. They included:
promotion of skill development youth employment programmes that factor youth development challenges in the design of the initiatives by addressing youth specific issues such as provision of tailored training and capacity building, as well as access to resources (for example land, technologies, startup capital and opportunities to acquire work experience); and
integration of value chain approach in developing agricultural-based youth employment initiatives.
The research findings further showed that factors such as age, interest in agricultural related enterprises, trade and commerce, and artisanal enterprises influenced participation in the youth employment programmes. Also, factors such as proximity of youth training centers, jobs in agricultural value chains, and trade and commerce led to the creation of sustainable occupations for the participants who engaged in them.
Youth employment initiatives that take the above-mentioned factors into consideration in their design have huge potentials for job creation. However, the jobs created will have better chances of sustainability if they are implemented together with these five propositions:
Design of monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure continuous assessment of progress, lesson leaning and adjustments when needed. This will also provide data to inform decisions.
Development of guidance and counseling systems to support the youth in making informed career choices and decisions.
Establishment of a coherent coordination mechanism among implementing partners.
Integration of holistic capacity building facilities, particularly in rural areas.
Creation of innovative funding mechanisms to support sustainable implementation of youth employment initiatives.
