Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development, Agriculture Research Policy: Governance and Support for Agriculture Research Dr. Miltone W. Ayieko, Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development, Egerton University Conference on: Priority Setting in Agriculture Research: Closing the Gaps Towards Sustainable Food and Nutrition Security 13th - 14th September 2018

Outline of Presentation Contextualizing agricultural transformation The Policy – research nexus Interaction between policy and research Enabling environment for agricultural research Constraints to agriculture research Support for agriculture research

Contextualizing agricultural Transformation Kenya economy is heavily dependent on agriculture Transformation is key to overall economic growth Shift from subsistence to commercial production Shift from diversification to specialization Increasing agricultural productivity Value addition Food & nutrition security Income diversification Research critical to achieving ag transformation

Contextualizing agricultural Transformation Role of research in agricultural transformation Develop appropriate technologies, innovations and knowledge Scale up adoption & commercialization of these technologies Promote efficiency of ag production especially for smallholders Cost (cost of production, time, profit margins) Environmental adaptation (disease, pest, soils, rainfall, temps) Provide evidence on transformation and opportunities for further investments Policy makers Private sector

The Policy – Research Nexus: How Policy influences Research Direct engagement with policy makers (demand-driven) Engage with policy makers to learn priority policy challenges (gaps) Undertake demand-driven research to address gaps Research findings fed into policy engagement Policy impact Mostly reactive Supply-driven Researchers generate impactful ideas and knowledge that then influences the policy making process Proactive Useful in discovery of new innovations and overcoming known barriers

Evidence-based vs evidence-informed Policy making Coherent, self-evident research evidence that can be translated into policy measures Evidence-informed: Shift towards process-based rather than outcome-based understanding of evidence use Policy should be made in light of available evidence, but also permit the recognition of political nature of decision-making

Interaction between policy and research Consultation Dissemination Policy influences the research agenda Policy Research Research need to respond to policy gaps to be relevant Policy needs evidence based for effectiveness and impact Research provides evidence to influence policy

Enabling environment for agricultural research Policies to transform agriculture already developed: Vision 2030; ASDS/ASGTS Specific policies Regulation - AFA, KEPHIS Production – Inputs e.g. seed, fertilizer, mechanization, Knowledge – NARs, STI, University charters Information – National Agricultural Sector Extension Policy (NASEP) A key challenge has been implementation and learning Hence failure to achieve food security

Enabling environment for Ag research Enabling environment requires: Consultation and dialogue Agenda setting Intellectual property Incentive researchers Adequate funding for research Utilization of findings – Knowledge, information and communication Effective dissemination Demand by policy makers Access and Benefit Sharing

Constraints to Agricultural Research Policy Constraints: Inadequate policies Few NAIPs have allocated sufficient resources to agricultural research Inadequate resourcing Human, Financial, Physical Weak coordination and collaboration between: national and international research organizations research and extension researchers and users

Constraints to Agricultural Research Long run effects vs Short run effects Returns in Ag R&D take time to manifest, therefore its overlooked for ‘quick win’ programs Farmers’ lack of political bargaining power Donor vs Government priorities Although donors support R&D, key focus is on areas of interest. Govt funding barely focuses on long term research priorities & needs In the devolution era, funding for research and extension have significantly declined

Research underfunded

Support for agriculture research Funding for agriculture research inadequate, declining

Ag Researchers (FTE) per population (mn)

R&D spending as a share of Ag GDP (%)

Trends in Ag TFP growth in Kenya Factors affecting Total Factor Productivity (TFP): National agricultural research Economic policy reforms (e.g., amount of funding to agriculture) Agricultural extension

Strengthening research for Agricultural transformation Adequate funding for agricultural research Efficiency of public expenditures Support training and capacity development for research & innovations Support devolved public extension systems Human and financial resources Build effective models of extension Design of extension systems suited to local environment & needs Responsive to local demands Enhance role of the private sector in Ag R&D Financing models Uptake of innovations Supporting environment to support Ag R&D IPR Demand for evidence & research Promote learning

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