The European Alliance on Agricultural Knowledge for Development Torsten Rødel Berg, Phd, Senior Research Internationalization Adviser Dept. of Agroecology, Aarhus University EFARD, 24 November 2015, Bruxelles
AGRINATURA is a grouping of European universities and research organizations with a common interest in supporting agricultural development in a sustainable manner in order to improve people’s lives.
Joining forces for agricultural knowledge for development Agrinatura was created in 2009 by NATURA and ECART Some 2000 development- oriented researchers 30 member organisations 17 countries
What unites us… Recognition of need for more effective linkages between farmers and producer associations and research and extension + policy Need for more investment in research, education and innovation in the Global South Sustainable agriculture – agri-food systems, climate smart approaches
Reflecting EU and global research agendas SCAR and SDC alignment: Food first focus, based on sustainable agriculture: Global interactions as regards climate effects, access to resources, technological, biological and social resilience Knowledge systems with more emphasis on research and higher education as creators and co-creators of development relevant knowledge.
A vibrant European agricultural research area with sufficient critical mass to meet the common global challenges, in partnership with developing and emerging economy countries. Our Vision
1.Policy advocacy for agricultural research and education for development / support & advice to policy making at European level 2.Strategic alliances, partnerships and networks with stakeholders in development 3.Joint (north-south) participation in European / international programmes and projects 4.Unlock synergy/capitalise on added value of collective action vested in member organisations Four strategic goals
Activities, Goal 1. Policy advocacy contribution to Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development (GCARD) Contribution to Global Conference on Higher Education in Africa (GCHERA), Forum for Agric Research in Africa (FARA) GA Representation of European research and education stakeholders at EFARD, Association for European Life Science Universities (ICA) etc. Liaison with DG research, DG Devco (Directorate-General for Development and Cooperation), advocating for ARD, advocacy at the EU Parliament level
Activities, Goal 2: Strategic alliances, partnerships & networks Other regional ARD platforms, part. RUFORUM World Farmers Organisation Tropical Agriculture Platform partner Tropentag: Goettingen 2012, Hohenheim 2013, Prague 2014, Berlin 2015
Activities, goal 3: Joint programmes and projects, examples PAEPARD (Platform for African-European Partnerships on Agricultural Research for Development) CGIAR Monitoring FARMAF – Farm Risk Management for Africa: EU financed, Agrinatura Implemented Academic partnerships with focus on capacity building: Edulink, Tempus, Erasmus Mundus, Erasmus + -Joint master and PhD courses at the European level (AgrisMundus, Agtrain);AgrisMundusAgtrain - ALFABET scholarships - ASK Asia - Trainings organized with Ruforum and Anafe
Capacity Development for Agricultural Innovation Systems (CDAIS) Funded by EC, jointly implemented Tropical Agriculture Platform (FAO - TAP) Agrinatura project – Goal of making agricultural innovation systems more efficient in meeting the demands of farmers, agri-business and consumers Activities: Capacity development interventions for selected agricultural innovation partnerships Countries: Angola, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Bangladesh, Laos, Guatemala, Honduras
Capacity Development for Agricultural Innovation Systems (CDAIS) Progress: Agrinatura-FAO agreement signed TAP CD-AIS Common Framework developed Country teams established (Agrinatura, FAO, National Coordinator/Manager), Scoping studies near completion (8 countries) National Inception workshops started (Nov 15- Feb 16;) Needs assessment planned (Jan-June 2016)
ProIntensAfrica Not Agrinatura project, but Coordination and Support Action CSA by (many) Agrinatura members and African ARD landscape (FARA). Consortium of 23 countries in Africa and Europe Identifies pathways to Sustainable Intensification of African Agri-food systems 7 Work packages, paving the way for Joint Programs, ERA-NETs and potential new funding instruments
ProIntensAfrica Progress: H2020 CALL: SUSTAINABLE FOOD SECURITY – RESILIENT AND RESOURCE- EFFICIENT VALUE CHAINS ERA-NET Cofund: EU-Africa Research and Innovation partnership on food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture – DL Feb 2016
15 AARHUS UNIVERSITY FOULUM