Platform for African – European Partnership in Agricultural Research for Development

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

ReNAPRI Stakeholder Conference

14-16 November 2023
. Victoria Falls Zimbabwe 10th Annual ReNAPRI Stakeholder Conference
The theme for this year’s conference perceives of the continent as being, “In Motion, fortifying Africa’s food system through increased productivity, climate resilience and adaptation”.

The key objectives of the 10th Annual ReNAPRI Stakeholders’ Conference were as follows: 
  1. Sparke policy conversations around key thematic areas that the network has explored in recent times (fertilizer and soil health; value chain analysis for policy prioritisation; climate change; effects of shocks on commodities (food, fuels and fertilizer availability and prices) 
  2. Receive feedback/validation from stakeholders, including policy makers, vis a vis the various topics that will be presented during the conference 
  3. Discuss and appreciate the relevance of local think tanks and the kind of support required to sustain them, as we celebrate the 10 editions of the ReNAPRI Annual Stakeholder Conferences. 

14/11 Session 1 Beyond the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health (AFSH) Summit: Support towards operationalization of the AFSH Action Plan

The African Union (AU) has made a bold decision to address the widespread soil health problem in Africa through two iniaves; the Africa Ferlizer and Soil Health (AFSH) Action Plan, and the Soil Initiave for Africa (SIA). 
  • Moderator: Dr. Antony Chapoto, Technical Chair, ReNAPRI 
  • Key Presenter Dr. John Olwande, Research Fellow, Tegemeo Institute/ReNAPRI 
  • Key Presenter Dr. Shamie Zingore, Director of Research and Development, African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI). 
  • Constance Munyenyembe, Country Director for Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania, IFDC 
  • William Chadza, Executive Director, MwAPATA 
  • Marie-Claire Kalihangabo, Coordinator, Africa Fertilizer Financing.Mechanism (AFFM) 
  • Dr. Maria Wanzala, Policy Services Director, AFAP 
  • Dr. Liesl Wiese-Rozanov, International Consultant 
  • Vandi Gamba, Agricultural Officer, Farm Input Support Services Department, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nigeria

14/11 Session 2 Prioritization of Agricultural Policies and Investments through Value Chain Analysis

This session provided a brief overview of the Prioritisation through Value Chain Analysis (PPVC) approach and the ongoing capacity development programme within ReNAPRI, which was followed by three in-country case studies where the PPVC approach has been implemented and which can demonstrate positive policy influence that is rigorously and demonstrably targeted towards Inclusive Agricultural Transformation (IAT) outcomes.
  • Moderator: Dr. Thina Moyo, Senior Lecturer, Namibia University of Science and Technology 
  • Key Presenters Prof. Ferdi Meyer, Director of the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) 
  • Key Presenters Dr. Zena Theopist Mpenda, ReNAPRI Research Director (SUA, Tanzania)
  • Dr. Timothy Njagi Njeru, Research Fellow, Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development Joyce Minofu, Research Analyst, MwAPATA Institute 
  • Elifadhili Ezekiel, Head of Operation of QSTEK Farming Ltd 
  • Dr. James Gakuo Mwangi, Managing Director, First Choice Mineral Feeds 
  • Dr. Rodwell Mzonde, Director, Agricultural Planning Services, Malawi's Ministry of Agriculture 
  • Dr. Mogale Sebopetsa, Head, Agriculture Department Western Cape Government, South Africa
Below recording only captures the Q&A of the panel

14/11 High Level Panel Discussion Strengthening local expertise to deliver high-quality research for policymaking and influence: ‘Localization’.

This High-Level Panel Discussion interrogated the perceptions of eminent persons/experts/leaders from Africa and beyond and enlightened the audience on what a continentally connected, thriving capacity-building ecosystem for modern policy making and advocacy should reflect
  • Prof. Thomas Jayne, Emeritus Professor, Michigan State University, US
  • Michael Surdakasa, Africa Fertilizer Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP
  • Dr. Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director, FARA 
  • Dr. Lilian Kirimi, ReNAPRI Research Director (Tegemeo) 
  • Alan Rennison, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF
  • Dr. Emily Weeks, USAID Washington 
  • Dr Michele Mbo'o-Tchouawou, Deputy Director Programs, African Women in Agricultural Research and Development AWARD, Kenya
  • Prof. Peter Quartey, ReNAPRI Finance Chairperson
  • Dr Dirk Troskie Director: Business Planning and Strategy in the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) in South Africa. Southern African representative on the Executive Committee of the African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE) as well as being invited by the African Union to participate in the process to develop a Geographical Indication (GI) Strategy for Africa. The WCDoA is considered as one of the leading evaluating Departments in the country and on the African Continent.

14/11 Sustainable Food Systems in Africa I: Role of Zimbabwe’s Agriculture in attaining Vision 2030

15/11 SEED TRADE IN EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA

The objective of the session was to bring clarity and focus to the policy and regulatory issues that are negatively affecting the cross-border trade of seed, with a view to identifying recommendations and tools that can help facilitate trade and deepen the integration of the regional seed market. 
  • Moderator: Dr. Tinashe Kapuya, ReNAPRI Research Director 
  • Key Presenter Dr. John Mukuka, CEO, ACTESA, COMESA 
  • Key Presenter Dr. Takemore Chagomoka, Regional Manager, Seed Co West & Central Africa 
  • Key Presenter Dr. Learnmore Mwadzingeni, Soybean Breeder, Seed Co Group 
  • Dr. Emmanuel Mwakiwa, ReNAPRI Research Director, University of Zimbabwe 
  • Dr. Jackson Langat, Measurement, Learning and Evaluation Advisor 
  • Dr. Shephard Siziba, Lecturer, University of Zimbabwe

15/11 Session 3 Implementation of NDCs and NAPs in Africa under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change: Lessons Learnt from four (4) Pilot Countries

The African Union Commission's Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (AUC-DARBE) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) jointly officially launched the Comprehensive Africa Climate Change Initiative (CACCI) on 8th November 2021, during the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of Pares (COP26) held in Glasgow, United Kingdom. 

CACCI is focused on providing support to selected African Union (AU) member States in their efforts to respond to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and, is designed to contribute to the implementation of the African Climate Change Strategy, while complementing the African Union's Green Recovery Plan. 

Working in the 4 pilot countries, ReNAPRI and AKADEMIYA2063, have been collaborating with local partners to build capacities needed for data gathering and analyses, together with technical and inter-ministerial coordination around two broad topics: i. to facilitate implementation of and reporting against NDCs; and ii. to develop and implement NAPs to adapt to climate change in ways that promote resilience, food security, and inclusive growth.
  • Moderator: Tracey Davids, Executive Director, Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP)
  • Speaker Dr. Emily Weeks, Senior Policy Advisor, Bureau for Food Security - USAID 
  • Speaker Prof. David Tschirley, MSU & PRCI 
  • Speaker Harsen Nyambe, AU (Director for Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy) 
  • Key Presenters Dr. Antony Chapoto, Research Director, Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute (IAPRI) 
  • Octave Nshimiyimana, Director General, MINAGRI Rwanda 
  • Prospera Anku Okrah, Deputy Director, Public Extension Services, Ministry of Food and Agriculture Agricultural Extension Services, Ghana 
  • Hedges Tembo, Chief Green Economy Officer, Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, Zambia 
  • Dr. Suresh Babu, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI 
  • Justin EDAH, Director of Planning, Administration and Finance, Benin 
  • Thabani Mathews Siziba, Economist, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Zimbabwe

15/11 Session 4 Effects of global shocks on food, fuels, and fertilizer (prices and availability) on food systems in Africa: a case of the conflict in Ukraine

This session discussed the effects of the global shocks, with a bias towards the recent Russia-Ukrainian War, on the African agri-food system and in turn suggest practical solutions that could be used to increase the resilience of the agri-food systems to exogenous shocks.
  • Moderator: Candice Mwakalyelye, Journalist, Zimbabwe 
  • Key Presenters Dr. Emmanuel Mwakiwa, ReNAPRI Research Director, University of Zimbabwe 
  • Key Presenters  Prof. Ayala Wineman, Assistant Professor Michigan State University (MSU
  • Boubacar Dramé, Technical Advisor, Ministry of Agriculture, Senegal. He has participated in the last 10 years in the major projects implemented by various international organizations such as UNIDO or COLEACP EDES EU in favour of sanitary and phytosanitary inspection bodies in the region
  • Kristy Cook, Senior Policy Advisor, USAID 
  • Dr. Clemens Breisinger, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI 
  • Panduleni Elago, African Union Commission. She currently serves as a Senior CAADP Advisor in Agriculture Development activities at the African Union Commission, within the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARBE), located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In this capacity, she is responsible for providing technical support to implement the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Business Plan for 2022-2025. She also offers support to the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Member States, and key stakeholder partners in the planning, programming, and implementation of initiatives that promote the advancement of the CAADP Malabo agenda, strategic multi-stakeholder engagement,
  • Dr. Takemore Chagomoka, Regional Manager, Seed Co West & Central Africa 
  • Rosemary Chikarakara, CEO, Consumer Council of Zimbabwe 


16/11 Session 5 The 2023 OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook and FAO’s support to the AUC in promoting agribusiness development towards enhancing implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

This side event convened by FAO will have two segments. The first segment will examine the 2023 OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook and a 2022 special scenario analysis on achieving Zero Hunger sustainably. The second segment will examine FAO's support to the AUC in facilitating enhance implementation of the AfCFTA agreement towards the development of priority agricultural value chains and in particular the partnership with the AUDA-NEPAD in developing an Agribusiness Flagship Programme for Southern Africa. 




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