Capacity Development was one of the priority areas of need identified in the work of the CGIAR during GCARD 2, and was again emphasized by partners in the CGIAR Consortium Partnership Survey that was undertaken in 2013 with support from the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR).
During the last week of October, 2013, capacity development focal points from the CGIAR Centers and Research Programmes (CRPs), the Consortium office and key partner organizations, met in Nairobi to begin to define guiding principles and elements of a CGIAR Capacity Development Strategy. The CGIAR group met for several days and partners were then invited to discuss the plans developed and present their perspectives on actions required by the Consortium.
Mark Holderness, GFAR Executive Secretary, took part on behalf of the wide range of stakeholder fora and networks brought together in GFAR. Dr Holderness gave the opening address entitled: “Balancing the Equation: CGIAR and Capacity Development in National AR4D Systems.”
In his talk, he emphasized the importance of the CGIAR’s supporting capacity development in partners in order to realize desired impacts on the ground, and the essential need to ensure that partners of all forms are enabled to make use of the products of international research , so that technologies do not remain ‘on the shelf’.
He also emphasized the need to now balance the equation, matching the great achievement of increased investment in international research with matching investment and self-determination in national systems of research and innovation, so that they can effectively partner, use, sustain and build on that research. The talk highlighted the need to work across the public, private and civil sectors, as innovation occurs in each, and to include and address all relevant dimensions of research, extension, education and enterprise.
The talk reflected also that ‘yield gaps’ are not only a product of technological constraints, but also of inputs vs returns and of farmers natural risk aversion in changing practices, particularly where additional inputs and potential debts are required. This highlights the needs for farmer-centred approaches and gendered perspectives in capacity development and education, as well as addressing the new forms of knowledge and skills required in enabling change in rural communities and in managing any risks associated with changing practices.
Dr Holderness also described the Tropical Agriculture Platform (TAP) capacity development initiative, involving FAO, GFAR and a number of other national and international partners, working together to develop capacities in some of the world’s poorest countries. He invited the CGIAR capacity development focal points to take part in TAP, to benefit from the possibilities of new partnerships and to participate in collective efforts to work within a focused framework of support to the countries concerned.
This theme was continued by Christian Hoste of Agreenium, who is also the first Chair of the new TAP initiative. Agreenium brings together nearly 7,000 research scientists and provides a single entry point to the French research system, with huge potential for cross-posting of research staff for capacity development. In turn, Wellington Ekaya of RUFORUM highlighted the critical need for outreach and cross-linkage with African universities. RUFORUM, linking 32 universities, shows the potential for networked action in strengthening curricula and training, including the potential value of the African diaspora.
The University of Nairobi also emphasized the need to consider more internship opportunities and cross-placements with the university sector. For ICRA, Richard Hawkins also emphasized the need for capacities to be addressed at all levels, from individual competency, to organizational capabilities and through to the wider enabling environment. He emphasized that many past capacity development actions of the CGIAR had put much emphasis on individual capacities, rather than those of organizations and institutions. He also emphasized that capacity development partners to the CGIAR also themselves required funding to be able to fulfil their roles effectively. Joseph Mehtu of ASARECA emphasized the need for agricultural innovation systems approaches, inclusive of all actors and the need, in Africa, for linkage to the CAADP process.
The CGIAR capacity development focal points recognized these priorities and the questions they raised regarding the reach and scope of the CGIARs role. The unrecognized capacity gaps internally and in partners were seen as a major need to be addressed in planning for effective uptake pathways through to farmers. In conclusion, they agreed the need to integrate capacity development into the ongoing CGIAR reform process, to pursue opportunities in capacity development and elaborate a common M&E and impact framework for this. Listening to partners, they strongly emphasized the need for CGIAR capacity development to be embedded within broader strategies, as set out in the GCARD Roadmap and to revisit the theories of change and impact pathways proposed for the CGIAR’s Research Programmes, to better address capacity development demand expressed by partners in the innovation systems concerned and provide effective and focused strategic frameworks for such actions.
Following the meeting, the CGIAR participants have launched a community of practice (CoP) to foster mutual learning, co-creation, collective actions, sharing of best practices and advocacy within the CGIAR System and to facilitate interaction with partners beyond the international centres. GFAR and a small group of institutional partners will form part of the CoP, to advise on needs and perspectives of national partners of all forms and foster links with available networks and platforms. Luis Solórzano, Chief of Staff of the CGIAR Consortium Office reflected that: ”Our Community of Practice is committed to make a significant contribution to the goals of the CGIAR and looks forward to continue working with you and others to collectively improve the capabilities of our partners and beneficiaries and in the process our own.” These principles have now been taken up into thinking for the 2014 Management Update for the CGIAR’s Strategy and Results Framework, now also being made available for public comment and feedback through GFAR’s stakeholder networks and fora.
More information on the meeting outcomes can be found here:
Presentation of Mark Holderness can be found here: