Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)

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Start date: 2019

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 165
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    Diversity and consumer perception of Neglected and Underutilise Crop Species (NUS) in the North West Region of Cameroon
    (2026-06) Ethelyn Echep Forschibe, Glenn-Neuville Akwenui, Akwa Nerine Kecha, Ignatius Azeteh
    This Presentation explores the study of the diversity of Neglected and Underutilized Crop Species in Bamenda, Cameroon, and how consumer perception influences their consumption.
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    Africa Manifesto and Plan of Action on Forgotten Foods
    (FARA, 2021) FARA, GFAR, CAADXP4
    The Africa Manifesto and Plan of Action on Forgotten Foods presents a continental framework for promoting the production, utilization, conservation, and commercialization of forgotten foods in Africa. The document argues that Africa's increasing food insecurity is linked to an overreliance on a limited number of staple crops and the gradual abandonment of traditional food systems. Forgotten foods are identified as valuable resources with significant nutritional, medicinal, economic, cultural, and environmental benefits that can contribute to food security, poverty reduction, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods. The manifesto highlights the limited research, policy attention, extension support, and market development devoted to forgotten foods and calls for coordinated action among governments, research institutions, development partners, private sector actors, and farming communities. It proposes strategic interventions including awareness creation, research and innovation, participatory breeding, sustainable seed systems, conservation of genetic resources, market development, capacity strengthening, policy advocacy, curriculum integration, and resource mobilization. The document serves as both a policy advocacy instrument and a strategic roadmap for integrating forgotten foods into Africa’s agricultural transformation agenda, while contributing to the achievement of food and nutrition security, climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development goals.
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    Compendium of Forgotten Foods in Africa
    (FAO, 2024) FAO, FARA
    The Compendium of Forgotten Foods in Africa is a comprehensive reference resource documenting 100 forgotten food crops prioritized by stakeholders across Africa. Developed by FAO and FARA, the publication provides detailed information on botanical classification, agroecological suitability, agronomic requirements, nutritional composition, traditional and medicinal uses, and value-addition opportunities for a wide range of indigenous African food species. The compendium was produced as a response to the United Nations Food Systems Summit and the Global Manifesto on Forgotten Foods, providing evidence-based information to support the integration of forgotten foods into African food systems. It contributes to efforts aimed at improving access to nutritious foods, promoting sustainable consumption patterns, strengthening nature-positive food production systems, advancing equitable livelihoods, and enhancing resilience to shocks and climate-related challenges. Designed as a practical sourcebook, the publication serves researchers, nutritionists, policymakers, development practitioners, and other stakeholders seeking to promote, conserve, research, and commercialize Africa’s forgotten foods as part of broader food systems transformation initiatives.
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    Demystifying Indigenous Knowledge systems as Superstition in Advancing African Agriculture
    (FARA, 2026-05-28) Benjamin B. Jabik (PhD)
    This presentation examines the role of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in advancing sustainable agricultural development in Africa and challenges the tendency to dismiss local knowledge as superstition. The author argues that Indigenous Knowledge represents a systematic, experience-based, and context-specific body of knowledge developed by local communities through long-term interaction with their environment. Using qualitative and ethnographic approaches, the presentation distinguishes Indigenous Knowledge from myths and superstition by emphasizing its practical utility, ecological specificity, cultural grounding, and intergenerational transmission. The discussion highlights the importance of Indigenous Knowledge in agricultural resilience, biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, seasonal forecasting, agroforestry, soil fertility management, and sustainable farming systems. The presentation further advocates for integrating Indigenous Knowledge Systems into agricultural research, policy, curriculum development, and innovation systems in Africa. It concludes that documenting, investing in, and institutionalizing Indigenous Knowledge can contribute significantly to sustainable agricultural transformation, climate resilience, and locally driven innovation across the continent.
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    Letter of Agreement between the African Union Soil Observatory (AUSO) Horizon Europe Project and the Soil Health Monitoring and Information Systems for Sustainable Soil Management in the Mediterranean Region (SOILS4MED) PRIMA Project
    (FARA, 2026-05) FARA, AUSO, Soils4Med, UNISS, EU
    This Letter of Agreement (LoA) formalizes collaboration between the African Union Soil Observatory (AUSO) Horizon Europe Project and the SOILS4MED PRIMA Project on knowledge exchange, soil health monitoring, soil information systems, sustainable land management, and capacity building. The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between African and Mediterranean institutions working to improve soil health governance, food security, and climate resilience. The agreement outlines areas of collaboration including joint research initiatives, exchange of scientific information, organization of conferences and training programs, strengthening National Soil Information Systems (NSIS) in Africa, policy engagement, and development of soil health indicators and monitoring methodologies. The LoA further defines mechanisms for intellectual property management, collaborative agreements, data sharing, acknowledgment procedures, confidentiality requirements, and governance arrangements supporting long-term cooperation between the two projects. Annex I provides a detailed framework governing background intellectual property, access rights, use conditions, and acknowledgment requirements for datasets, methodologies, soil information system architectures, mapping tools, and training materials exchanged under the collaboration.
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    Survey Report Identifying Capacity Gaps and Relevant Data Sources for Target Groups/Institutions
    (FARA, 2026-05) FARA
    This report presents the outcomes of a comprehensive survey conducted under the StEPPFoS project to identify institutional capacity gaps and relevant data sources for target groups and institutions engaged in evidence-based policymaking for sustainable food systems in Africa. Developed as Deliverable D1.1 under Work Package 1 (WP1), the report synthesizes evidence intended to support consortium activities and strengthen institutional capacities across PANAP member countries. The study reveals that while many institutions demonstrate strong commitment to staff development and policy engagement, significant gaps remain in formal capacity assessment systems, analytical skills, economic modelling expertise, and data accessibility. The report further reviews major national and international datasets, modelling tools, and analytical methodologies relevant to food and nutrition policy impact analysis in African contexts. Recommendations include strengthening formal capacity assessment mechanisms, expanding training in economic modelling and analytical tools, and integrating continuous capacity building into institutional programmes and projects.
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    StEPPFoS Project Initial Data Management Plan
    (FARA, 2026-05) FARA, LifeWatch ERIC, ACU, EU
    This publication presents the Initial Data Management Plan (DMP) for the StEPPFoS project and establishes the framework for the responsible management, preservation, dissemination, and long-term accessibility of data generated throughout the project lifecycle. The document provides operational guidelines for handling research data, metadata, publications, digital assets, and other project outputs in compliance with Horizon Europe requirements and FAIR data principles. The DMP outlines mechanisms for ensuring that project data are Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR), while also addressing ethical compliance, data security, intellectual property rights, and GDPR requirements. It describes procedures for metadata creation, repository management, controlled access, data preservation, and open science dissemination through institutional repositories such as AARIISpace, FARADataInformS, and Zenodo. The publication further documents the governance arrangements, workflows, and technical infrastructure supporting data stewardship within the StEPPFoS consortium. It provides metadata templates, accessibility classifications, interoperability standards, repository workflows, and guidance for the long-term sustainability of research outputs generated through the project’s multi-country and multi-stakeholder collaborations.
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    PANAP CSA MEL Framework Narrative Report
    (FARA, 2026-05) FARA, ACU, PANAP, EU, JRC
    This report presents the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Framework Narrative Report for the Pan-African Network for Economic Analysis of Policies (PANAP), developed under the StEPPFoS project. The framework establishes structures, methods, and processes for monitoring progress, evaluating performance, and enabling adaptive learning to strengthen science-policy interfaces (SPIs) across Africa’s agrifood systems. Grounded in developmental evaluation and systems thinking, the framework supports adaptive and participatory learning through single-, double-, and triple-loop reflection mechanisms. Core components include a Participatory Theory of Change (ToC) and Dynamic Learning Agendas (DLAs), which facilitate collaboration among policymakers, researchers, funders, and food system actors to co-identify barriers, co-design solutions, and improve policy-research coordination in complex policy environments. The framework positions PANAP as a learning network that advances evidence-informed and transformative food system policies through systems-oriented evaluation, transdisciplinary engagement, and iterative learning approaches. It further aligns PANAP activities with continental initiatives such as the AU-EU Innovation Agenda and the FNSSA Partnership to support sustainable, inclusive, and scalable agrifood system transformation across Africa
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    PANAP-FNSSA Partnership MEL Framework
    (FARA, 2026-05) FARA, ACU, PANAP, EU, CEAFIRST
    This report presents the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Framework developed for the PANAP-FNSSA Partnership under the StEPPFoS project. The framework is designed to strengthen science-policy integration by enhancing collaboration between research and innovation (R&I) actors and policymakers working within African agri-food systems. The framework establishes methodologies and processes for identifying synergies between PANAP-member agri-food policies and Food, Nutrition Security, and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) research and innovation initiatives. It employs systems-oriented, policy-focused, and process-based MEL approaches to support evidence-informed policymaking and the scaling of innovations across African food systems. A key feature of the framework is its “double-complexity” MEL approach, which acknowledges the multi-level, dynamic, and non-linear nature of food systems and policy environments. The report emphasizes participatory multi-actor workshops, dynamic learning agendas, policy and R&I mapping, and scaling analysis to facilitate critical reflection and collaborative learning among policymakers, researchers, private-sector actors, and civil society stakeholders. The framework further proposes mechanisms for identifying policy implementation bottlenecks, scaling challenges for innovations, and opportunities for stronger policy-research coordination. Through participatory approaches and systems analysis, the MEL framework aims to support sustainable food systems transformation, strengthen evidence-based policy practices, and foster integrated science-policy ecosystems across Africa and Europe.