Discussions on foresight for food systems have never been more critical than they are today. This became more evident when a team of officials from FARA (Wole Fatunbi, Abdulrazak Ibrahim, Kwaku Antwi, Karen Musikoyo-Nguru), CCARDESA (Baitsi Podisi), and AFAAS (Samson Eshetu, Martin Sekeleti, Frances Nakakawa, Gifty Narh Guiella, Nkiru Meludu, and Dele Tologbonse) attended a 4-day workshop at the University of Oxford. The workshop was facilitated by experts from the University of Oxford (Jim Woodhill, John Ingram, Monika Zurek) and Wageningen University and Research (Herman Brouwer and Just Dengerink). The workshop which took place from the 5th to the 8th of July 2022 highlighted the importance of applying foresight techniques for policy decisions, especially in the global food system. Africa, being on the margins of integration through the continental free trade agreement, should ensure that smallholder farmers are well positioned to benefit from the USD 1 trillion Agriculture and agribusiness market in Africa that was predicted by the World Bank (AFDB, 2019).
Given the number of growing challenges and competing priorities, we are also experiencing complexity, volatility, and ambiguity. More specifically, increased urbanization has caused rising demand for more varied and sophisticated foods, which presents an opportunity for policymakers, regulators, researchers, and the private sector to work together in establishing sustainable food systems. Perhaps, this is an opportune time to address the unpredictability of the future and the pace of change as we have it today due to the increase in digital technology. Therefore, I believe that strengthening our capacities to meet different demands in our various roles and gain the ability to think and decide more holistically is critical in the food systems transition. In this case, institutions that think ahead and plan better will be better prepared to take advantage of the opportunities that rapid social and technological progress is creating.
During the four-day foresight workshop, the team undertook an exercise of scanning whereby a thorough discussion led to the identification of climate change as a significant issue that affects food production and circulation. The team then carried out an analysis of the trends in Africa’s food system. The trend analysis, in this case, examined the nature, causes, rate of development, and impacts of climate change on the food system. Scenario development and analysis were explored whereby future possibilities were discussed. Ideally, a scenario should show various plausible ways that the future might unfold. As such, several scenarios could be developed to support decision-making processes as well as for planning purposes.
Here is an example of scenarios generated in a foresight activity carried out by FARA and key stakeholders in Malawi. The activity analyzed the interactions and emerging effects of the transition of the tobacco value chain in Malawi and the likely policy responses to those effects.
Given that foresight is generally the act of looking to and thinking about the future, the CAADP XP4 consortium and its partners have recognized that foresight is a necessary skill in Africa’s AR4D. Mainly because foresight techniques help in,
Planning and supporting institutions to be more proactive especially in addressing emerging issues.
Policy alignment and sound decision-making. This is especially if multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder teams are involved in the process.
Strengthening the capacity of multi-stakeholder platforms to collaborate and prioritize and develop more sustainable interventions for Agriculture transformation.
Going forward, it was agreed that collaboration between Foresight4Food, which is pioneered by the University of Oxford, and Africa Foresight Academy, which is hosted by FARA, will carry out foresight activities for sustainable and inclusive food systems. This will involve carrying out horizon scanning, trend analysis, and scenario mapping. Further awareness must be created at the policy level and with different stakeholders. In addition, capacity-building efforts will be geared towards developing foresight capabilities as well as establishing a foresight community of practice.
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The process for the elaboration of the Africa Climate Smart Agriculture Framework (ACSAF) was launched in a high-level event held at the Africa Food Pavilion at the CoP27, Sharm El Sheik, Egypt. The hybrid event was jointly organized by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa, The Government of Liberia, the government of Egypt, the Africa Union Commission, One-CGIAR, AMCOW, AfDB, SROs etc.
The event featured high-level opening remarks by the Chair of FARA, Dr. Alioune Fall, and Professor Wilson K. Tarpeh, the Director of the Liberia Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In their opening remarks, the dignitaries emphasized the need to have an instrument that will ensure good coordination of the efforts to foster prosperity as well as the sustainability of African agriculture. Indeed, Africa can no longer wait, as this kind of effort should have taken place more than a decade ago.
In her keynote presentation, the H.E Hon. Jeannine Cooper, the Minister of Agriculture in Liberia and the champion of Climate Smart Agriculture and ACSAF reiterated the need to put together a coherent partnership instrument like ACSAF to ensure that all partners move together in a direction that allows for progress, unity of purpose and accountability, these essential progress attributes seem to be slipping away in the Africa approach towards its agricultural development. We can no longer afford an incoherent multiplicity of voices at negotiation; we need to tidy up our acts at home so as to have a one-Africa voice in the committee of nations; ACSAF will help in this direction. Dr. Akinbamijo, the Executive director of FARA in his keynote presentation indicated the current and the projected harm of climate change in Africa; he indicated that we could avert the poor projection by acting in a coherent manner now. He further indicated that the ACSAF is an alliance of the willing that strives to leverage on the power of partnerships and strategic alliances to put CSA into practical use in a coherent version to deliver the African agriculture we want. The elaboration of ACSAF will be all-encompassing and will strive to be a practical instrument to coordinate the different initiatives; track progress and accountability; ensure stewardship, joint learning, and strategic planning; facilitate scaling of successes with minimal transboundary disturbances. Facilitate Partnerships for delivery of CSA; Chart the direction for continental development on CSA, foster active knowledge management; Improve policy design and decision-making and mobilize financial resources and accelerate scaling.
Responding to questions during the panel discussion HE Hon Jeannine Cooper, spelled out the need to define Climate Smart Agriculture with an African lens; imported models, strategies, and pathways from other parts of the world have failed the continent, she opted that Africa needs to think outside the box and come up with her own model and that needs to be done speedily. On the issue of resources to fund the rekindling of the climate-smart agriculture transition, the Honorable minister noted the difficulty in accessing climate change funds by African countries, while the interest rate is low for the developed nation, the rate for African countries is 8-10 times that of the more advanced nation, she opined that negotiation should go in this direction to ensure that Africa can fund its science and infrastructure need for CSA transition.
Dr. Mark Smith the Director General of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) a member of the one-CGIAR responding to the issues of water as a key production resource that is battered by climate change. He reiterated that available technologies for irrigation and drainage need to be leveraged for change if Africa will smartly adapt to climate change. He expressed the willingness of its institute to cooperate with others under the ACSAF instrument to leverage resources and activities for the African smallholder system.
The Executive Managing Director of the one-CGIAR, Dr. Claudia Sadoff in a closing remark indicated the willingness of the CGIAR to back up the process and contribute from the knowledge and technology angle to the good work the ACSAF portends to carry out.
The ACSAF framework will endear a consultative process, and best partnership practice and will swing into action as early as things are done for its launch at CoP27 in Dubai by 2023.
Following the decision of Marco Ferroni to retire and step down from his position as CGIAR System Board Chair after five years of service on December 31, 2022, CGIAR is pleased to announce that current Board member Lindiwe Majele Sibanda will succeed him in January 2023.
Dr. Marco Ferroni, said, “I take great pleasure in announcing that Dr. Lindiwe Majele Sibanda will be CGIAR’s next System Board Chair. Throughout her distinguished career, Lindiwe has made substantial contributions to challenges facing global science for agriculture, food systems and the environment. She has a proven track record of harnessing partnerships in research and innovation to drive food systems transformation and foster sustainable food and nutrition security. In addition to formal training in governance and management of change processes, Lindiwe is trained as a multi-cultural dialogue moderator and has a strong track record working with diverse teams in international environments. Her appointment is made following a robust selection process and will ensure a seamless transition in the System Board’s leadership.”
Dr. Juergen Voegele, CGIAR’s System Council Chair since July 2016, and World Bank Vice President for Sustainable Development, said, “I want to express my sincere appreciation to Marco Ferroni for his outstanding contribution to CGIAR, its science, people and mission, during his tenure as System Board Chair. Typically, Board Chairs serve for a maximum term of four years. Marco graciously accepted the System Board’s request that he stay through to end-2022, to steer CGIAR through an essential transformation of its systems, towards a unified and integrated international institution better equipped to develop innovative solutions to the multiple, interconnected threats to food, nutrition, and water security we are facing today. Thank you for your commitment, energy and dedication, Marco. I wish you all the best going forward.”
Dr. Voegele continued, “On behalf of the System Council, I welcome Dr. Sibanda and wish her every success in her new role. She is an accomplished, strategic leader, and I am confident that CGIAR will go from strength to strength with her at the helm of the System Board, whilst continuing to serve as a member of all One CGIAR Center Boards.”
Dr. Marco Ferroni said, “It has been an immense privilege to serve as CGIAR’s System Board Chair for the past five and a half eventful years. This is the right time for me to step down from my CGIAR Board appointments. I have very much enjoyed working closely with Lindiwe since she joined the System Board in early 2021. She has a formidable vision and leadership skills, and I know she will do an outstanding job steering CGIAR through the next phase of its integration, development and growth.”
“I am looking forward to taking up the role of Chair of CGIAR’s System Board, and keen to put my experience in science, agriculture, climate change and nutrition to work in advancing CGIAR’s mission – together with colleagues across the organization, and partners around the world – to deliver the science and innovations needed to tackle the many threats related to food, land and water and deliver a food-secure future,” said Dr. Lindiwe Majele Sibanda. She added,“As well as applying a policy and institutional perspective, I have a direct, personal connection to agriculture – I’m a farmer as well as a scientist.”
The African Union is pleased to invite you to the side event during the African Union Extraordinary Summit on Industrialization and Economic Diversification and AfCFTA that will be taking place in Niamey, Niger during Africa Industrialization Week. The theme of the side event is “The Common African Agro-parks (CAAPs) as a vehicle for Africa’s Economic Transformation, within the framework of the Comprehensive African Agricultural Programme (CAADP) and the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063″.
The event will be held in a hybrid format on 24th November 2022 from 05:00 – 7:30 PM Nairobi Time.
Online link details;
The event is expected to bring together more than 100 high-level stakeholders; and will be addressed by high-level dignitaries from Africa and the international community. The participants will include Africa Union’s members’ states, public and private stakeholders, including Trade, Industry, and Agriculture Ministers, the African Union (AU) Commission, UN agencies, African regional organizations and the private sector, financial institutions, donors, civil society, non-governmental organizations, academia, and media.
The side event is organized by the Forum for Agriculture Research in Africa (FARA) on behalf of the Africa Union, and in cooperation with, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Africa Export-Import Bank (AFREXIMBANK), the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the AU Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), the Pan African Agribusiness Apex Chamber (PAAAC), Pan-African Farmer’s Organization (PAFO), the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
