Sirte, 29 June 2009 - “Let us make agriculture a viable investment option that will open more opportunities for enhanced investment and growth of African Agriculture”. Mrs. Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union, was speaking today, Monday 29 June 2009, while addressing journalists at a press conference held at the margins of the 13^th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU in Sirte, Libya, under the theme: “Investing in Agriculture for Economic Growth and Food Security”.

On the issue of exportation and importation of commodities, the Commissioner stressed on the need for AU Member States to encourage the processing of agricultural products within Africa, so as to create employment and encourage integrated markets, given that integration is a top priory on the agenda of the African Union. “We have land, water and other resources, thus, we need to invest in agriculture for economic growth and food security”, she said.

Mrs. Tumusiime further explained that regional integration also offers Africa the opportunity to concentrate and capitalize on the areas and products where each region and/or country has a comparative advantage, and from which it can benefit from its competitive edge. “This has also got the potential to enable Africa to scale-up its infrastructural development, thereby improving the environment for trade”, she noted.  

The Commissioner said that, notwithstanding the competing national priorities, governments should invest more in agriculture as it has a positive multiplier effect on other sectors. She further underscored the need for African governments to convert the continent’s annual food import bill of US$33 billion into investment in agriculture.

Other issues discussed during the press conference include: the theme of the 13^th AU Summit, “Investing in agriculture for economic growth and food security”; the impact of high food prices on food security in Africa; the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP); Africa’s self-sufficiency; and land policy in Africa.

Commissioner Tumusiime underscored the necessity to work hand in hand with development partners at the national level, as well as with the civil society to enhance agriculture development in Africa.  She linked food security to poverty eradication, saying that food security is not only production of food, but also the raising of household incomes and national revenue to be able to afford food and nutritional security.

Tripoli, 27^th June 2009 – “The outcome of the CAADP Day will feed into the agenda of the Heads of State at the 13^th Session of the Assembly in a couple of days as they address themselves to the theme of the summit, which is ‘Investing in Agriculture for Economic Growth and Food Security”, said Erastus Mwencha the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission during his opening remarks today.

In attendance at the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme  (CAADP) Day proceedings which were held at the Corinthia Bab Hotel in Tripoli, Libya where more than 200 participants including African Ministers of agriculture, regional economic communities, civil society organizations development partners and farmers.

CAADP is a programme of the African Union’s (AU) New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). Under the guidance of the AU-NEPAD, the CAADP Day provided the participants with an opportunity to engage each other on progress and challenges faced to date in the implementation of CAADP.

Speaking on behalf of the host country the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Mr. Abubakar Al Man Souri the country’s Minister of Agriculture highlighted the relevance of value- addition and production in up-scaling agriculture in Africa.

“We have to increase investments and intra-African trade in agriculture if we are going to achieve sustainable development in Africa”, he added.

In his remarks to the participants, Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, the CEO of NEPAD reiterated the relevance of CAADP to Africa before going on to highlight the role of the private sector in agriculture.

“We also need to boost our regional and domestic markets through the development of policy reforms, institutional innovations and infrastructure investments that can help to raise productivity and profitability in the agricultural sector”, said Dr.Mayaki.

According to Prof. Richard Mkandawire of the Agriculture Unit at NEPAD, the deliberations and decisions from the CAADP Day will be put forward at the Heads of State Summit as part of the on-going process to renew continental commitments to the CAADP target of increasing agricultural sectoral growth by 6% per annum.

Development partners in attendance called upon the stakeholders of African agriculture to push for the roll out of CAADP implementation at the national-level.

Tripoli, 26^th June 2009 - The 12^th Session of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government of African Union Summit in January 2009 in Addis Ababa took a Decision (Assembly/AU/Dec232 (XII)) selecting the Theme of the 13^th Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of African Union to be: “Investing in Agriculture for Economic Growth and Food Security”.

The following sub themes where position papers are being prepared will be discussed: climate change, regional agriculture trade, investment financing and set-up of pro-poor initiatives to improve the performance of rural economies.   

It is also in this regard that the African Union’s New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) is convening a ‘Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme’ “CAADP DAY” prior to the start of the Summit.

The Day is to be held on the 27^th of June 2009 at the Corinthia Africa Bab Hotel in Tripoli, Libya.

According to Prof. Richard Mkandawire of the Agriculture Unit at NEPAD, “the CAADP DAY is meant to act as a conversation day between African political leaders, farmers, private sector representatives, leaders of think tank institutions, representatives from the diaspora and the development partners”.

“This CAADP Day will afford our leaders, the AU-NEPAD and even the development partners an opportunity to engage each other on progress achieved in the implementation of CAADP since 2003 and also explore the challenges that will delay the process, if not addressed,” he added.

More than 200 participants are expected including the CEO of NEPAD Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, Commissioners from the AU, African Ministers of Agriculture, development partners and farmers organisations. 

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) brought together representatives of the public and private sectors, including farmer’s organizations, development partners and civil society from June 17 to 18, 2009 in Dakar Senegal, to propose a framework for integrating the private sector into the CAADP Agenda.

CAADP - is an Africa-led and Africa-owned AU-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) initiative and framework to rationalise and revitalise African agriculture for economic growth and lasting poverty reduction.

The workshop was aimed at creating specific public-private alliances in the areas of smallholder-friendly value chain development through enterprise growth and finance in major commodity sectors for the purposes of boosting economic growth and competitiveness.

In addition, deliberations were held on how regional and domestic market development through policy reforms, institutional innovations, and infrastructure investments could be directed towards raising supply, improving quality whilst also reducing the cost of moving modern inputs and products across local and trans-border markets.

Participants at the workshop were also keen to explore the issue of institutional development and capacity building to overcome tariff and technical barriers to accessing global markets.

The meeting reflected on the value of existing partnerships, alliances and developments such as those concerning the Hewlett Infrastructure Project, ReSAKSS, AGRA’s announcement of an agreement with Standard Bank and private equity investments in agri-related projects.

It is within this context that the key issue of public sector investment in support CAADP was also reviewed with many participants arguing that African agricultural stakeholders and leaders need to push for more private-public partnerships in agriculture in order to sustain Africa’s recovery plan.

Participants at the workshop included CMA / AOC, the Government of Senegal, AU / NEPAD / ECOWAS, the World Bank, IFPRI, USAID, AfDB, ECA, the private sector, AGRA, FAO, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the EU and farmers organizations.

NEPAD PAN AFRICAN CASSAVA INITIATIVE (NPACI)

CALL FOR CONSULTANCY SERVICES

The NEPAD Pan African Cassava Initiative (NPACI) is seeking the services of consultants to conduct a study on ‘‘Cassava Investment in Africa: Taking Inventory of Initiatives in Africa in View of Positioning Cassava as a Strategic Commodity’’. NPACI was launched by NEPAD in 2004 as a means to tap on the enormous potential of cassava in Africa for food security and income generation. The Initiative is implemented by The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) with funding from by W.K. Kellogg Foundation.  It is based on a transformation strategy that focuses on developing three interrelated components:  Market research and development; Technology generation for development and, Competitive and sustainable production.

NPACI is a strategic institutional arrangement that is aimed at promoting public-private partnership and also linking national and international agricultural research and extension systems to initiatives/investments on cassava in Africa to ensure food security and income generation of the people of Africa. A fine balance must guide the development of the cassava sub-sector, so as to ensure the continuation of cassava as a source of food security, while expanding its potential as an income generating product through value addition and commercialization in its potential markets. To strike this balance to ensure the responsible growth of the cassava sub-sector, coordination at all levels within the African cassava industry is required to facilitate communication, sharing of expertise and collaboration. If this is to be borne, increased funding must also be allocated to initiatives to develop the industry holistically. An up-to-date database of all cassava related initiatives, stakeholders and funders will lead to better understanding of the interests and collaborative potential in the industry as well as prevent unnecessary duplication of projects. It will also facilitate better coordination and information sharing, including sharing of resources, expertise and experiences across the African cassava industry.

Objective of the study

The major objective of the study is to create a database of cassava initiatives in Africa (at national, regional and continental levels), to strengthen sharing and encouraging collaboration and partnerships among various stakeholders in the cassava sector.

Scope and Focus of the Study

This study will be continental in scope. It will make an inventory of all cassava initiatives in Africa and try to ascertain the networks at all levels that are working to develop the sector.

Duration of the Consultancy

The study will be done within a period of 8 weeks commencing 1^st July 2009. 

Outputs

1.     Study main report

2.     Up-to-date database of cassava initiatives in Africa

Consultant Qualifications

The consultants for this assignment should be highly motivated, analytical, forward thinking, and experienced professionals.  The consultants should have experience on inventory and evaluation of national, regional, continental subsector development and financing programmes and projects, as well as stakeholder’s interaction initiatives.  The suitable candidates should have at least 5 years experience, combined with the following qualifications:

Required:

Ø  Advanced degree in agricultural economics, economics and international development

Ø  Experience in evaluation/assessment of national and multi-country agriculture programmes and projects

Ø  Experience and familiarity with sub-sector financing mechanisms and relationships with key stakeholders and development partners

Ø  Spoken and written fluency in English and/or French

Selection Process

In view of the time limitations, NPACI Coordination Unit is prepared to go for competitive bidding to recruit the consultants following the usual procedure.

Application

Interested candidates should forward their application to the following address by 25^th June 2009. Contact the NPACI Coordinators for more information.

NPACI Coordinator

IITA Kinshasa,

B.P. 16761, Kinshasa 1, R.D. Congo

Av. Comité Urbain no.12, C/Gombe

Kinshasa, R. D. Congo

Tel: +243992253355

Email: n.mahungu@cgiar.org and sjumbo@iitamw.org