from the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development |
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JAFSCD article by Lailà B. Lokosang (African Union Commission), Leonard Kipkemoi Kirui and
Joyce Mukua Maru (both at the International Potato Center), Joseph Karugia, Sirak Bahta, and
Dolapo Enahoro (all at the International Livestock Research Institute) |
Food insecurity and malnutrition have persisted in Africa for decades, despite reported economic growth and improvements in the agriculture sector. Africa is not on track to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, with hunger continuing to rise. The COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war have exacerbated these challenges by driving up prices and creating scarcities of essential agricultural inputs such as fertilizer and fuel.
In a new JAFSCD article, Research brief: Analysis of policy responses to seed, fertilizer, food and fuel shocks in three African Regional Economic Communities, authors Lailà Lokosang, Leonard Kirui, Joyce Maru, Joseph Karugia, Sirak Bahta, and Dolapo Enahoro present initial findings to assess whether African governments acted on high-level commitments made nearly three years ago to mitigate the effects of these crises. The study conducts a comparative analysis of policy responses across three African Regional Economic Communities (RECs): The Eastern African Community (EAC), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and Southern Africa Development Cooperation (SADC). It seeks to determine the implementation and impact of these policies, aiming to draw lessons, influence future policy formulation, and share experiences across countries and regions. Corresponding author Leonard Kipkemoi Kirui can be reached at L.Kirui@cgiar.org.
KEY FINDINGS
Varied Responses: African Union (AU) member states responded in various ways to the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war crises, with many countries yet to fully implement the AU’s 2020 Call for Action.
Mixed Perceptions: Only about a third of respondents believed that governments made commendable efforts to mitigate the crisis’s effects. Regional Differences: Eastern Africa: Expanded social protection programs to support food production and market access.
ECOWAS: Supported smallholder producers, promoted innovation, and facilitated investment finance. SADC: Displayed a generally low level of response compared to other regions.
Lack of Coherent Strategy: There was no immediate and aggressive intervention from RECs or continental organizations to help member states develop coherent action plans aligned with continental policy recommendations.
Dissatisfaction with Responses: Key informants were generally dissatisfied with the responses to both the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. - Need for Further Study: Additional research is required to assess the impact of these responses, particularly focusing on smallholder farmers and vulnerable groups.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE - Support for member states:
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The African Union Commission and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) should establish capacity and develop strategies to help member states create harmonized agri-food systems and action plans for resilience.
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An aggressive advocacy strategy should be developed to engage national leaders, encouraging them to allocate resources for implementing the resolutions from the July 2020 Joint Ministerial Declaration.
- Focus on inputs and food supply:
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Member states should prioritize strengthening the inputs and food supply subsectors to effectively mitigate the crisis, aiming for food sovereignty, increased intra-African trade in agricultural commodities, and reduced dependence on food imports.
- Evidence-based policy development:
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CGIAR’s initiative on National Policies and Strategies and other policy-making institutions should use the evidence from this study to develop policy briefs with actionable recommendations for AU member states.
- A larger study should be conducted to evaluate the impact of response interventions, using this research as a basis for further investigation.
SHARE ON YOUR SOCIALS
From the COVID-19 pandemic to the Russia-Ukraine war, Africa's food systems are under pressure. A new study examines how governments responded. Understanding the gaps in policy can help us find solutions.
#Africa #FoodCrisis #Policy #FoodSecurity #Research @AfricanUnion @CGIAR
Read the @JAFSCD article for free: https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2024.141.009
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Photo above: Staff from the World Food Programme, the International Potato Center, and Kenya's Ministry of Agriculture visit farmer Makai Mamo (second from right) in Isiolo County, Kenya, in June 2021. Mamo leads a women's group that has introduced biofortified orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) to the surrounding community. Photo by V. Atakos (CIP-SSA) and used under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 license via Flickr.
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POSITION OPENING FROM JAFSCD SHAREHOLDER
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The successful candidate will develop and lead externally funded research and extension programs that support and strengthen the viability of the New Jersey agricultural sector and individual farms. Through active engagement with the agricultural community, the Specialist will identify existing and emerging opportunities and needs, conduct applied research to assess what technical assistance and policies would help farmers take advantage of these opportunities, and provide educational outreach in the agricultural community across different scales of operation, commodities, and production systems.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS AND TO APPLY |
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Wed., Dec. 11, 2024, 1:00–2:30 pm ET
Details and register HERE |
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As more research funding agencies begin to support the use of transdisciplinary and engaged research practices in their programs, to help generate tangible, positive societal impacts, we can take advantage of opportunities to learn from programs that have been early adopters of these modes of research. The increased emphasis on engagement throughout the research process is helping to shine a light on the importance of partnerships, relationships, and trust in moving research into practice and policy.
Yet identifying these intangible characteristics in proposals and project reports is not always a straightforward process. In this webinar, we will hear from program leaders who have been soliciting, reviewing, funding, and evaluating transdisciplinary and engaged research for several years. They will share what they have learned about crafting requests for proposals to encourage the inclusion of transdisciplinary research practices, how their programs review and rate proposals, and the criteria and tools they use to evaluate the outcomes of individual projects and the impacts of their programs.
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Speakers: Aparna Bamzai-Dodson, U.S. Geological Survey North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (NC CASC)
Maeghan Brass, University of Michigan Water Center Charlotte Hudson, Pew Charitable Trusts Molly Hunter, Joint Fire Science Program Moderator: Alison M. Meadow, University of Arizona, Office of Societal Impact |
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