Tracking Investments in Agricultural Research for Development- The WANA Region

1. Tracking Investments in Agricultural Research for Development- The WANA Region Presentation by SamirHabbab

2. Characteristics of Agriculture Research 4 Development in WANA Region • The WANA region covers 24 countries • The WANA region is characterized by an arid and semi arid environment.

3. Characteristics of Agriculture Research and Development in WANA Region • Most countries of the Region have invested heavily in irrigation over the past half century. • The stakeholders in agricultural research and development in the WANA region, suffer a lot in accessing and exchanging relevant agricultural information and knowledge in a timely manner

4. Characteristics of Agriculture Research and Development in WANA Region • Agricultural research in the WANA region is limited by: • lack of investment, • insufficient monitoring and impact assessment, • limited coverage of unfavorable agro ecologies, • poor incentives for research staff in some countries, and • limited regional and international cooperation. • A little support from the industry is available for research and development activities. • National research expenditures are below 2% of the agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

5. Characteristics of Agriculture Research and Development in WANA Region In the fields of Technology, information, knowledge and innovations in NENA region, there is a need to: • Enhance the monitoring and evaluation system and developing their researches. • Identify policies and improve decision makers and politician awareness on the importance and role of agricultural research and innovation.

6. Characteristics of Agriculture Research and Development in WANA Region • Search for a mechanism and activate it to link all the centers in the region with a viable communication network for mutual coordination, and to benefit from the expertise of each other collaboration. • Creating an effective extension system for the country to create linkages with farmers, researchers and civil society organizations, and to facilitate technology transfer

7. The Role of AARINENA in Providing Information on AR4D • the AARINENA established a Regional Agricultural Information System (RAIS), host the AARINENA-RAIS Secretariat. The RAIS serves as an information repository and exchange mechanism at the regional level. • The RAIS stakeholders included National Agriculture Research Systems (NARSs), Advanced Research Institutions (ARIs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), International Agriculture Research Centers (IARCs), the private sector, farmers' organizations, and development assistance agencies.

8. The Role of AARINENA in Providing Information on AR4D • AARINENA retreat in November (2011), recommended the essential collective action at national level by all stakeholders to: • 1- monitor the implementation the post-GCARD1 actions for reporting at 2012, • 2- develop a baseline and M&E system for tracking progress on the Status of AR4D in the NENA region, • 3- Strengthening AARINENA’s role and capabilities to initiate and support regional collaboration.

9. The Role of AARINENA in Providing Information on AR4D • Redesign financial flow mechanisms including competitive grants criteria such as potential development impact, alignment with policy objectives, inclusiveness (policy makers, farmers, private sector), participation and transparency • Expand regional networks to not only include researchers but also farmer organizations and extension agencies

10. Results of the Agricultural Science & Technology Indicators (ASTI) Survey Recently AARINENA in collaboration with ASTI/IFPRI team conducted an updated survey on Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators (ASTI ) in selected countries representing NENA five sub-regions ( Iran, Egypt , Morocco, Jordan, Oman, and Syria). Egypt was selected to represent these results

11. Results of the Agricultural Science & Technology Indicators (ASTI) Survey Egypt The Agricultural Research Center (ARC) consists of: • 16 research institutes • 7 central laboratories in Cairo • 4 regional councils for research and extension, • 10 regional research, extension, and training stations, • 37 commodity oriented research, extension, and training stations located all over the country.

12. Number of researchers

13. Total Number of Female Researchers and Female Technicians Expenditure (million US$) Source of funding Growth rate 15.5%

14. Summary Results of the ASTI Survey in 2010

15. Recommendations • Public investments in agricultural knowledge systems is requested to promote interactive knowledge networks; • Investment is in researches related to an innovation, information, knowledge, and education coalition. • Invest on data collection, compilation, analysis and dissemination related to AR4D activities in the Region.

16. Recommendations • AARINENA in collaboration with the NARS and international partners would develop a M&E system for tracking progress on the status of AR4D in the NENA region, including the establishment of a baseline. • Strengthen AARINENA’s role and capabilities to initiate and support regional coordination, collaboration, “matching” capabilities of different NARS and forming a bridge between NARS and international agencies, whenever appropriate.

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