Dr. Alioune Fall, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Forum for Agriculture Research in Africa, has called on the members of the consortium and all stakeholders to prepare to take up new ways of doing things, particularly in agricultural research and innovation on the continent, in the wake of the corona virus pandemic that has hit the world.
Giving his opening remarks at the first regional and continental e-forum on the contribution of agricultural research and innovation in mitigating the impact of COVID-19 in Africa, Dr. Fall, who is also the Director General of Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles (ISRA), reiterated that the COVID-19 is more than a health crisis which has precipitated shocks in other sectors among which the worst hit is Africa’s agriculture and food system, thereby requiring immediate and brisk action to develop and implement a sector-relevant response.
“COVID-19 is also projected to be with us a for a very long time, such that, living with it will become the new norm”, Dr. Fall intimates. He likened the crisis to climate change and indicated that world must find a way of developing appropriate response to and living with the pandemic. He also notes that as organizations within the food and agriculture research value chain, there is need to make a choice between staying idle and be consumed by the shocks of the virus or to put appropriate systems in place, formulating smart regional systems to mitigate its impact and thereby help improve the livelihoods of the people on the continent.
The eForum is the first in the series of webinars by the implementing institutions under the European Union funded CAADP XP4 programme. The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) ex-Pillar IV Africa Regional and Sub-regional Organizations for Agricultural Research and Innovation project (CAADP XP4), is funded by the European Union (EU) under the Development Smart Innovation through Research in Agriculture (DeSIRA) initiative and administered by IFAD.
The programme which brings together the major continental and sub-regional organizations AFAAS, ASARECA, CCARDESA, CORAF and FARA, aims at contributing to Agenda 2063 and to the climate-relevant CAADP goals as set in the 2014 African Union’s Malabo Declaration in advancing Accelerated African Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods.
The objective is to enable agricultural research and innovation, including extension services, to contribute effectively to food and nutrition security, economic development and climate mitigation in Africa.
Regional body and UN agency join forces to minimize lockdown’s impact on the continent where one in five goes hungry
16 April 2020, Rome – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the African Union (AU) and international partners today described the food and agriculture system as “an essential service that must continue to operate during periods of lockdown, emergency, curfew and other containment measures”.
In a joint declaration, they committed to supporting access to food and nutrition for Africa’s most vulnerable; providing Africans with social safety nets; minimizing disruptions to the safe movement and transport of essential people, and to the transport and marketing of goods and services; and keeping borders open on the continent for the food and agriculture trade.
The document was adopted at a gathering co-organized by the AU and FAO and convened virtually. All 55 AU member states were represented, 45 at minister level. The debate was moderated by the AU Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, Josefa Sacko.
In his opening remarks, Director-General QU Dongyu said quick, strategic action was needed to lessen the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food security in Africa. “Border closures restrict trade and limit food availability in many countries, particularly those dependent on food imports,” he said. He expressed support for measures that do not lead to disruptions in food supply chains: these must be “kept alive,” he stressed.
Angela Thoko Didiza, Minister for Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development of South Africa, joined Qu in opening the debate. The Minister, whose country currently chairs the AU, cautioned against any moves to weaken inter-regional trade. Both officials highlighted the toll taken by lockdowns in a continent where informal markets, rather than supermarkets, provide a lifeline for most consumers.
FAO’s Chief Economist, Maximo Torero, pointed to growing evidence of logistical strains in food markets – strains which Qu suggested should be mitigated by “shortening the chain”: producing more, better, and locally if possible.
Minister after minister intervened to outline the challenges posed by the pandemic, in a region of the world where a fifth of the population is undernourished. The CEO of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), Ibrahim Mayaki, warned of risks to social stability if food and cash were to run low among Africa’s urban residents. Many government representatives described strenuous efforts to bolster welfare benefits, often at great cost to national budgets.
Echoing these concerns, the European Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski, outlined an EU support package for Africa that should eventually exceed $20 billion. The World Bank’s Simeon Ehui also detailed support initiatives, including the possibility of re-purposing $3.2 billion in uncommitted funding. Speaking for the African Development Bank, Martin Fregene concluded with details of a COVID-19 response programme that includes targeted technical and financial support.
Ben Moses Ilakut: As the novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) continues to spread rapidly across the globe, countries across the world have shut down major socio-economic functions, putting livelihoods in a precarious situation.
A genuine fear that the worst is yet to come in regards to food and nutrition security is looming. The months of April, May and even the proceeding ones could pose some of the worst disruptions in food supply chains ever since the Global Food Crisis of 2007-2008 sparked off by rising food prices. The crisis reached an unprecedented peak in 2011 prompting ASARECA in partnership with the CGIAR to undertake evidence-based advocacy to curb food prices. The approach then was to keep policy-makers well informed of the food trends and their implications to avoid ad-hoc policy actions, which could have worsened the situation.
Policy options
Some of the recommendations given to the leaders at the time included: Working collaboratively as a region to allow food to move from production zones and areas of surplus to areas of deficiency; and making efforts to turn the crisis into a stimulus for domestic production, regional trade and integration. The arithmetic of doing this in the face of the Coronavirus is complicated since a balance has to be made between stopping the spread of the disease through restricted person-to-person contact on one hand, and ensuring emergency movements to provide families with food on the other hand. But the balancing act can be done.
A good example is the approach taken by Uganda. In his regular briefings, on measures to contain the spread of the disease, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has literally shut down all functions that could compromise social distancing. He, however, has consistently been careful not to extend restrictions to cross-border and internal cargo movement, especially the movement of food supplies. Inbound and outbound cargo has been spared the travel ban, just as internal deliveries have been. This is a move that Governments across the world could exercise since, according to FAO, “there is still enough food to feed all people.”
Open markets like this in most African suburbs get supplies from rural farms
Where things are going wrong
The CGIAR, the largest global AR4D grouping, has highlighted key areas where things could go haywire if not addressed. They include The food systems which have been significantly affected, and whose impacts will grow if processing enterprises cannot restart production in a near future; production of staple food crops if the outbreak continues into critical planting periods; domestic and international trade disruptions, which may trigger food price panics; restrictions on mobility which may lead to labour shortages, among others.
Resourcing the rural food baskets
Luckily, the African rural areas are not as vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19 as are the cities. Many Governments have already taken measures to stop the urban populations from transferring the virus to the rural areas, which are naturally the food baskets. However, there is a danger that restrictions of movement could affect farm productivity due to shortage of fertilizers, veterinary services and other inputs, while the closure of food cooking businesses could curtail fresh produce and fisheries products, affecting producers and suppliers. The Governments should, therefore, move to ensure that the rural areas are resourced with agricultural inputs and resident extension services to encourage them to produce more to feed the urban populations. Given the currently favourable rain patterns, this could turn out to be an opportunity for farmers to reap big from their urban folk who have been grounded and are requiring more food supplies.
Logistics for movement of food
There is also a need to put in place logistical systems including storage, transport and protective gear, to move food from places of production and surplus to places of deficiency. Noting that the Corona pandemic could escalate before it calms down, governments could besides securing lives from the virus, invest in postharvest facilities to store, and move food where it is most needed.
Areas for emergency action
According to the CGIAR, action now needs to focus on: Increasing support for production entities; ensuring the smooth flow of trade and making full use of international markets to secure food supply and demand; ensuring smooth logistical operations of regional agricultural and food supply chains; monitoring food prices and strengthening market supervision; explaining issues related to wet-markets and livestock-wildlife interface and how to mitigate future zoonotic disease and supporting one-health approaches; increasing resilience and mitigation of social disruptions by increasing local food productivity and water access. It is clear from this list that coordinated regional action towards production and keeping food circulation has an important place in pushing back the impacts of COVID-19.
It is arguable that if policy leaders desist from interrupting food exports and imports, the impact of Corona Virus on food and nutrition security will be minimal
Finally, as the world grapples with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the FAO has attempted to answer critical questions in the face of the pandemic globally. Some of the key questions posed and answered by FAO are:
Will COVID-19 have negative impacts on global food security?
Whose food security and livelihoods are most at risk due to the pandemic?
What are the implications of the COVID-19 situation – now and in the future – for food production, agricultural and fishery/aquaculture supply chains and markets?
How will the pandemic affect food demand?
What is the connection between COVID-19 and animals?
The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) is in the process of registering new suppliers, Individual Consultants and other Service Providers for the years 2020/2021. The exercise is also intended to clean our current Supplier/Consultant database of dormant vendors and admit new ones to improve the system.
Prospective and eligible firms and Individuals interested in transacting business with FARA with sound technical know-how of the relevant field may apply on the prescribed application forms for pre-qualification to facilitate the compilation of the vendors’ database at no fee. In the case where relevant documents required in this advert are not provided by applicant, application may be rejected.
Interested Firms and Individual Consultants willing to apply can do so by downloading the respective forms (A or B) below or by physically picking up the application form at the Reception of FARA Secretariat, Accra.
You may also download the Pdf version of this advert HERE
The categories of goods, works and services required for registration includes, but not limited to, the following:
Goods and Equipment
Agricultural inputs
Furniture and fittings
Electrical Accessories
Machinery and equipment
Refreshment Items
Generator Sets
IT Supplies and Accessories
Fuels, Oils and Lubricants
Printed Material and Stationery
Supply of Vehicles, Motorcycles and Accessories
Spare Parts (Vehicle & Plant)
Textbooks and Library Books
Teaching and Learning Materials
Field logistics and Equipment
Construction Materials (Paints etc…)
Others:
2. Works and Maintenance
Renovations/ Maintenance of Buildings and Structures
Water Systems (Boreholes, Dams, etc)
Sewage and Drainage Systems
Others:
3. Consultancy Services
Financial Audit services
Human Resources
Strategy Planning & Project Management
Animal Science & Health
Agricultural Biotechnology & Biochemistry
Gender and Youth
Engineering Consultants
Agricultural Economics, Value Chain & Agribusiness
Plant Pathology
Environmental Safeguards
Social Safeguards
Agriculture Foresight
Capacity Development in AR4D
Legal Consultants
Governance
Procurement
Baseline Studies
IT Solutions
Knowledge Management
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Others:
4. Technical Services
General Cleaning Services
Design, Printing and publication services
Special Services/ Protocol
IT Software Solutions, Database Engineering & Web Maintenance
Training, Seminar and Conference
Car Rental Services
Catering services
Banking / Financial Services
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Painting Works
Repair and Servicing of Air conditioners
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Insurance
Supply of decorations and corporate gifts
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Events Management
Travel, Transport, Supply of Air tickets
Advertising and Branding
Fumigation and Pest Control Services
Carpentry Works
Electrical Works
Routine Maintenance, Servicing and Repair of vehicles
Provision of short-term training courses
Parcel collection and Delivery services
Third Party Logistics services
Translation Services (languages)
Interpretation
Security Services
Alarm services and Monitoring
Routine Maintenance, Servicing and Repair of Generators
Others:
Applicants (Firms) are required to provide documents relating to the following:
An introductory letter clearly stating area of specialization/business lines, address, business location, reliable phone number(s), e-mail address (if any), and any contact or information that might be useful
Company Profile
Fully filled Registration form A (for all firms)
Fully filled Registration form B (for Individual Consultants only)
Current Business Registration and Commencement Certificate
VAT Registration Certificate (or if exempted, evidence of exemption)
Evidence of fulfillment of tax obligations (Current IRS Tax Clearance Certificate) as of 31st December 2019
Copy of Valid SSNIT Clearance Certificate (evidence of exemption if any). As at 31st December, 2019
Ministry of Works and Housing Clearance Certificate (Construction companies only)
Evidence of Financial Viability to offer credit facility.
Registration Criteria
All applicants would be assessed on a merit-point basis using a criteria based on the indicators identified from (a-j) above. Applicants must score up to 50% or above, overall to qualify for acceptance.
All duly completed application form, introduction letter together with the relevant supporting documents enclosed and marked “Registration of Suppliers/Contractors/Service Providers” should be delivered or email to the address [email protected].
The deadline for submission of application is Friday, March 27, 2020.
Interested firms, suppliers, contractors and service providers seeking clarification, should kindly contact FARA’s Procurement Unit – Monday to Friday between 9.00am to 4.00pm.
Contact/ Pick up/Submission of Application Forms Address:
The 2020 meeting of the programme coordination panel for the Ex-CAADP Pillar IV institutions is being hosted by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), in Accra. As a technical arm of the African Union, FARA is responsible for the advancement and coordination of Agricultural Research for Development in Africa.
To effectively play its coordination role, FARA has instituted a Programme Coordination Panel (PC Panel) to provide technical advice, quality assurance and relevance of its Programmes and Projects in line with its mandate of deepening and coordinating Integrated Agricultural Research for Development in Africa.
The PC Panel aims to build the capacity and readiness of FARA to coordinate, take advantage of opportunities, enhance synergies and accountability and reduce duplications in the implementation of the CAADP XP4. The PC Panel is currently FARA’s main instrument for peer reviewing and joint planning, which is used to provide direct advisory support to the forum’s Directorate of Research and Innovation for ensuring programme quality, and alignment of FARA’s programmes to other AR4D interventions in Africa.
The two-day PC Panel engagement seeks among other things:
to take stock of the highlights of the implementation of FARA’s Strategy (2019- 2028), to guide reflection on strategic direction to the AR4D interventions on the continent;
identify areas of alignment of FARA’s Strategy to respective strategies of SROs and AFAAS to jointly support AR4D institutions in Africa;
refine areas of planning to strengthen partnership and cooperation among partner-member institutions of the PC panel;
the update specifically the joint planning and portfolio review mechanisms within the CAADP-XP4 Project
Addressing the participants, the Executive Director of FARA, Dr Yemi Akinbamijo, underscored the need for open and frank deliberations as that is the surest way of creating the needed synergy for alignment for implementing the CAADP XP4.
“The PC Panel is instituted to help build our preparedness to work together in the area of AR4D in Africa. It is a peer review mechanism, where we are encouraged to open our books to one another, having a frank conversation and drawing on the experiences of everyone in the room”
Dr Akinbamijo also indicated that
“as a part of keeping our eyes on the ball, and to take stock of the highlights of the implementation of our strategy, we hope that this forum will help us to reflect on our strategic directions for our AR4D interventions on the continent”.
Dr Malu Ndavi, Programme Manager for the CAADP XP4 at the International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, used the occasion to reiterate the expectations of the European Commission who are the funders of the CAADP XP4 Programme and also suggested the expansion of the PC Panel to accommodate views from other actors in the agricultural science research value chain such as farmers.
“There are very specific achievements that the EC expects from the CAADXP4 implementing institutions. We want the partners to be more external-looking as opposed to internal-looking, to enhance collaboration. There should be the possibility to include representatives of farmer organizations on the PC Panel, to provide inputs to the strategic thrust of the CAADP XP4”
On his part, Dr. Kwesi Attah-Krah, Director, Advocacy and Country Alignment, Office of the Director-General, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, reminded the participants of the need for collaboration and alignment as the success of FARA is vital to the overall success of Agricultural Research for Development in Africa.
The PC Panel is constituted by Directors of Research and Innovation of AR4D institutions in Africa, notably, FARA, AFAAS, ASARECA, CCARDESA, CORAF and NAASRO. Other members include Directors, Advisors and Lead Specialists in FARA.
