AU Policies and Decisions for the Use of STI in the Implementation of a Sustainable African Agriculture

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1 AU Policies and Decisions for the Use of STI in the Implementation of a Sustainable African Agriculture August 30-31, Ghent, Belgium Jeremy Tinga OUEDRAOGO Head of the NEPAD Regional Office for West Africa Director of the African Biosafety Network of Expertise - ABNE

2 Outline Features of African Agriculture AU and the issue of Hunger, Food and Nutrition security AU and Science, Technology and Innovation AU decisions towards Innovation development, regulation and deployment

3 Features African Agriculture Agriculture drives Africa s economy (32% GDP) Untapped agricultural potential (60% unexplored arable land) Number of undernourished people to increase from ~240m in 2015 to ~320m by 2025 Largely subsistence and not strongly linked to industrial growth and increased markets Employ more than 50 millions of people Exports raw products 95% rainfed Traditional hoe still used

4 The Issue of Hunger & Malnutrition Zero hunger by 2023 is not an emotional outburst. It is an imperative. It is non-negotiable. It is more than a priority It is a condition of africans being There people in the world so hungry that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread

5 To achieve food and nutrition security in Africa, Innovation for sustainable agriculture crucial Requirements partnerships and research organisations to embrace the goal of sustainable intensification; fair and efficient markets; systems of education that produce the African innovators of tomorrow; farmer innovation to be embedded in formal processes,

6 new technologies to address a wide range of food and nutrition security and environmental challenges supportive government policies and leadership creating enabling environments fit for the purpose of innovation for sustainable intensified agriculture. What is AU doing to support the implementation of a sustainable agriculture development in the continent?

7 Importance of Agric Accelerate Africa Agriculture transformation Need to INNOVATE Do we have the potential for that?

8 Africa, a continent with enormous assets

9 Africa, a continent with enormous assets

10 Enormous potential - to feed itself - to eliminate hunger and food insecurity, - to be a major player in global food markets. This potential lies in its land, water and oceans, in its men and women, in its knowledge and huge markets. Industrial transformation of Africa based on modern transformation of Agriculture, mainly in rural areas. Africa s youth and abundant untapped arable land are a potential winning combination What is AU doing to support the implementation of a sustainable agriculture development in the continent?

11 Continental Decisions and Initiatives on Agriculture Agenda 2063 CAADP Malabo Declaration STISA 2024 mission is to Accelerate Africa s transition to an innovation-led, Knowledge-based Economy Priority 1: Eradication of hunger and achieving food security

12 Africa Union Agenda 2063 It is a strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation - over the next 50 years. Its builds on, and seeks to accelerate the implementation of past and existing continental initiatives for growth and sustainable development.

13 Scientific Innovation in Agenda 2063 ASPIRATION 1. A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development through, increasing agricultural production and productivity; investments in science, technology, research and innovation;. Africa s agriculture to be modern and productive, using science, technology, innovation.

14 Science and innovation have long informed agriculture.

15 MISSION of STISA-2024: Accelerate Africa s transition to an innovation-led, knwoledgebased economy

16 PREREQUISITE ACTIONS - A strong political will and trust in the intellectual capacity of the sons and daughters of the continent - Revamp STI infrastructure in African countries - Enhance technical and professional competencies - Take measures to curb brain drain so that the limited means of the continent are not transformed to investment in other continents - Achieve the necessary critical mass of human capital needed - Provide enabling environment for STI - Build a strong science culture - Strengthen IP and regulatory systems - Encourage collaboration within and between states in the area of innovation and entrepreneurship

17 Declaration of Maputo In 2003 Maputo declaration, Among the key policy positions relevant to agriculture at the Maputo summit was the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Program (CAADP) Every member state committed to devote up to 10% of their National budget to the Agricultural sector The development of a Biosafety Regulatory Systems for Africa was part of the recommendations

18 Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) CAADP is a pan-african framework that provides a set of principles and broadly defined strategies to help countries: p.shtml Critically review their own situations and Identify investment opportunities with optimal impact and returns.

19 The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) CAADP champions reform in the agricultural sector, setting broad targets: 6% annual growth in agricultural GDP, and An allocation of at least 10% of public expenditures to the agricultural sector. p.shtml

20 The Malabo Declaration The 2014, Malabo Commitments through the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) where the commitments laid down approaches and strategies in achieving Elimination of Extreme Hunger, Malnutrition, Poverty and increased prosperity. Modernized methods and tools were seen to be a better approach towards transforming the continent s Agriculture to improve yields and quality of crops to counter the challenges of hunger, and malnutrition.

21 CAADP RESULTS FRAMEWORK B5A4E98D0AC.pdf

22 Institutional Development and other Initiatives NEPAD Agency ABNE FARA and NARS High Level Panels Private Initiatives and International Agric research systems

23 The New Partnership for Africa s Development -NEPAD- Technical arm the African Union Policy development Coordinate and Implement development programmes CAADP African Biosafety Network of Expertise (ABNE) Implement the AU Head of State and Government s decisions

24 ABNE, a Continental decision STI, yesterday slumbering, today it is in the middle of the economic development strategies Drivers of change

25 International Biosafety Related Treaties Rio Conference on Environment and development CBD modern biotechnology regulation emphasis Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

26 Co-evolutionary Approach Recommendation by AU- NEPAD s High-Level African Panel on modern biotechnology biotechnology and biosafety should co-evolve so that technology and regulations together can help promote innovations

27 NEPAD-ABNE Role in Africa VISION: An African-led programme that provides world class biosafety regulatory support services towards Africa s socioeconomic development MISSION: To provide support for the development of functional biosafety regulatory systems that enable access to beneficial technologies while protecting human health and the environment Africa in the International negotiations CBD processes and COP-MOP sessions

28 Focus Countries & Current Regulatory Status Ghana Kenya Malawi Nigeria Uganda Ethiopia Mozambique Swaziland Tanzania Zambia Cameroun Togo Senegal Namibia Cote d Ivoire Sudan Burkina Faso Rwanda

29 Scientific Research Systems The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) : coordinating and advocating for agricultural research-for-development. FARA serves as the technical arm of the African Union Commission on matters concerning agriculture science, technology and innovation.

30 National research systems National Agricultural systems Ministerial Departments in charge of Scientific research Heads of State with scientific background elected National and Continental Academy of sciences

31 Africa and Emerging technologies Decision Assembly/AU/Draft/Dec.12(XXVI) In January 2016 NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC) took a decision Assembly/AU/Draft/Dec.12(XXVI) para 22, - NEPAD Agency to work with the AUC to advise member states and RECs on technology prospecting including regulatory and ethical requirements for the continent to benefit from emerging technologies - NEPAD Agency to establish a system for obtaining expert contribution on technology development, acquisition, and deployment for economic development

32 Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.649(XXIX) ASSEMBLY OF THE UNION July 2017 Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA COMMITS to invest in the development and regulation of the gene-drive technology as well as other new innovations including next generation insecticides for Indoor Residual Spraying and Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets, Rapid Diagnostic Tests and Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy for the elimination of malaria and REQUESTS the Commission, WHO and NEPAD Agency to support these initiatives;

33 High- Level African Panel on Emerging Technologies (APET) Appointed in November 2016 by AU Chair Person Dlamini Zuma 9 members - Eminent experts To advise the Union, its various organs, and Member States on harnessing emerging technologies. To provide regulatory and ethical expertise To Provide recommendations on regional institutional arrangements required to promote and sustain common regulatory approaches to the application and use of emerging technologies for economic

34 Late Prof Calestous Juma, former chair of AU-APET Members of the AU-APET and the CEO of NEPAD Current chair is Prof Yaye Kene Gassama

35 1. Drones on the Horizon - Transforming Africa's Agriculture 2. Gene Drives for Malaria Control and Elimination in Africa 3. Micro-Grids - Empowering Communities and Enabling Transformation in Africa Reports launched in the margins of the African Innovation summit. 07 June Kigali, Rwanda.

36 Partnerships In the continent At International level AfDB High 5 Africa Agriculture Technology Foundation

37 Making African agriculture attractive to young people Fostering innovation and deepen collaborative research is crucial for sustainable growth and jobs in agriculture. Farming needs to become : modern, using ICT, technology and big data, machinery, improved varieties, breeds and inputs.

38 Accelerate Agriculture transformation of Africa Need to INNOVATE Do we have the potential for that: Yes Do we have the technologies: Yes Is the political will expressed: Yes Is enabling environment created: In good progress

39 The adoption of innovation required to increase productivity cannot be simply decreed. must meet the needs of producers and, for health and environment, must concern the entire national communities. implies risks that farmers would consider as minimal in a more predictable environment with more secure predicted incomes that justify the adoption of new technology packages.

40 As global youth populations 300m and unemployment swell to unprecedented levels, it is comforting to imagine the development of a stable, secure, and diversified rural economy powered by youth, with trade and services industries growing alongside the traditional agricultural sector.

41 Make the Technology accessible Create Enabling Environment Ensure the Partners and the Social license

42 From To African Union Development Agency