Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14659/47

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Has files: YesStart date: 2025

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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.
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    Results of the Literature Review and Survey on Policy-Research Interactions
    (FARA, 2026-05) FARA, UoH, AFAAS, FANRPAN, RUFORUM, ECDPM, KIPPRA
    This report presents findings from a systematic literature review, stakeholder interviews, and surveys examining policy-research interactions within sustainable food systems in Africa. Conducted under Work Package 1 (WP1) of the StEPPFoS project, the study investigates how researchers, policymakers, and research brokers engage with one another and how scientific evidence is incorporated into policymaking processes. The report analyses the barriers and facilitators influencing evidence uptake, policy engagement, and collaboration across research and policy communities. It highlights persistent challenges including weak communication channels, limited institutional coordination, insufficient trust between actors, differing incentives, and inadequate mechanisms for translating scientific evidence into actionable policy recommendations. Using bibliometric analysis, literature screening, interviews, and surveys, the study maps trends in science-policy interface research from 2000–2024, with strong emphasis on African food systems, sustainable agriculture, environmental sustainability, and development policy. The review incorporates peer-reviewed literature, grey literature, case studies, and policy reports sourced primarily from Scopus and Google Scholar databases. The findings reveal the importance of knowledge brokers, multi-stakeholder engagement platforms, participatory research, and institutional collaboration in improving policy-research interaction. The report also identifies promising strategies such as co-creation of knowledge, improved evidence communication, strengthened partnerships, and digital knowledge-sharing systems to bridge the divide between research and policymaking. The report concludes that strengthening evidence-informed policymaking in Africa’s food systems requires sustained investment in institutional capacity, communication mechanisms, collaborative platforms, and inclusive approaches that connect science, policy, and practice.
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    Scoping Report on Exchange Institutions for Knowledge Sharing
    (FARA, 2026-05) FARA, CSIR-STEPRI
    This scoping report examines the capacities, institutional structures, collaboration mechanisms, and knowledge-sharing practices of exchange institutions involved in the StEPPFoS consortium under the EU-AU Partnership on Sustainable Food Systems. The report contributes to Work Package 1 (WP1) of the StEPPFoS project, which seeks to generate evidence to support consortium activities and strengthen research-policy linkages within Africa’s food and nutrition ecosystems. Using an online rapid survey administered to all 16 consortium partner institutions across 11 countries, the study achieved a 100% response rate and mapped institutional roles, capacities, governance arrangements, knowledge-sharing platforms, and stakeholder engagement approaches. The findings reveal that participating institutions primarily focus on research, policy engagement, multi-stakeholder dialogue facilitation, capacity building, and digital platform development. Knowledge exchange activities are largely implemented through workshops, conferences, publications, digital hubs, and collaborative learning platforms. The report identifies several emerging trends shaping knowledge exchange, including digital transformation, artificial intelligence and machine learning, virtual collaboration, participatory design, crowdsourcing, and open-access knowledge systems. However, persistent barriers such as weak digital infrastructure, limited monitoring and evaluation systems, intellectual property concerns, data security limitations, stakeholder resistance to evidence uptake, and language and cultural barriers continue to constrain effective knowledge dissemination and policy influence. The study recommends strengthening institutional collaboration, enhancing digital infrastructure, promoting inclusive and equitable knowledge-sharing systems, expanding participatory and co-creation approaches, investing in evidence synthesis capacities, and developing robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems. It concludes that strengthening Africa’s knowledge exchange ecosystem requires sustained investment in partnerships, digital innovation, inclusive engagement, and adaptive knowledge systems capable of supporting evidence-informed policymaking and sustainable food systems transformation.
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    Database of PANAP & FNSSA Roadmap Activities, Data and Modelling Tools
    (FARA, 2026-05) FARA
    This report presents Deliverable D1.4 of the StEPPFoS project, focusing on the development of a comprehensive database of projects, programmes, policies, roadmap activities, data systems, and modelling tools related to agrifood systems across Africa. The database integrates information from PANAP and non-PANAP institutions and provides a structured framework for mapping thematic priorities, implementation mechanisms, policy linkages, and institutional collaboration patterns. The report combines survey findings, desk reviews, validation exercises, and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) to generate insights into governance structures, financing mechanisms, institutional coordination, evidence-to-policy pathways, and implementation capacity within African agrifood systems. It highlights the importance of interoperable data systems, sustained institutional learning, regional collaboration, and evidence-aligned policymaking to support sustainable food systems transformation in Africa.
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    Stakeholders Engagement Plan - Strengthening Evidence-Based Policy Practice for Sustainable Food Systems under the EU–AU Partnership
    (FARA, 2026) FARA
    The Stakeholders Engagement Plan presents the stakeholder engagement framework developed under the StEPPFoS project to strengthen collaboration among policymakers, researchers, practitioners, donor organizations, and food systems actors involved in sustainable food systems transformation in Africa and Europe. The report outlines participatory engagement mechanisms, communication strategies, collaborative platforms, policy dialogues, and knowledge-sharing activities designed to enhance evidence-based policymaking and strengthen the science-policy interface. It details stakeholder engagement approaches across multiple work packages, including participatory workshops, webinars, knowledge exchange forums, donor roundtables, virtual collaboration platforms, monitoring and learning frameworks, and policy dialogue mechanisms. The plan aims to foster continuous interaction, co-creation, capacity strengthening, and knowledge dissemination among PANAP members, FNSSA partners, and broader agricultural research-for-development stakeholders.