Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa

(ASARECA): An Introduction

Presented at the Maize Lethal Necrosis Diseases Mini Workshop, 25th June 2015, Juba-South Sudan

Brian E. Isabirye, Ph.D SAFN-ASARECA

b.isabirye@asareca.org

Eastern and Central Africa (ECA)

• Similar challenges to improve agriculture’s performance.

• Food production in the region is consistently lower than population growth (377, 955, 000; 2013), (By 2050, an additional 370M to feed)

• Similar agro-ecological zones, hence same TIMPs.

• Opportunity to share research results as a result of regional collective action, collaboration and specialization...

• Need for regional leadership…

ASARECA

……

VisionRegional leader in agricultural research and development for improved livelihoods in Eastern and Central Africa

MissionEnhance regional collective action and leveraged agricultural research for development…in Eastern and Central Africa. GoalEnhanced sustainable productivity, value added and competitiveness of the sub- regional agricultural system

Facilitate the generation of appropriate technologies, innovations and management practices for the sub-region.

Disseminate and up-scaling of appropriate TIMPs across borders.

Ensure an enabling policy environment for agricultural transformation.

Enhance institutional and stakeholder capacities for innovation generation

A regional hub and think tank for agric knowledge, information and learning.

ASARECA does

Three Themes were identified in consultation with stakeholders and in consideration of current priorities

Exact number and nature of the themes is fairly dynamic to address changing situations

Proposals were/ are formulated under each theme to address prioritised, sub-regional challenges and/or opportunities

ASARECA Thematic Approach

Technical and policy issues relating to natural resource management

CAADP Pillar IV: Integrated Natural Resource Management and Policy for Sustainable Agriculture

1. Natural Resource Management and Eco-systems Services

Commercialisation and access to

input and output markets to promote

value addition to agricultural products

Value chains and innovation systems

and importance of trade in driving

market processes

CAADP Pillar IV theme of

Development of Sustainable

Market Chains

2. Market, Market Linkages and Trade

Biotic and abiotic constraints of livestock

and crops climate change, pests and

diseases

Nutrition and food security, mechanisation,

harvest processes, post-harvest handling,

storage and management

CAADP Pillar IV through Theme of Adaptive

Management of Appropriate Germplasm.

3. Sustainable Agriculture and FN

Maize in ASARECA

Goal:

To enhance sustainable productivity, value added and competitiveness of the Maize production systems in ECA  Purpose:

To enhance utilization of TIMPs for sustainable productivity of Maize production.

Our Maize Research themes

1. Identification and management of information and technologies (Germplasm) of regional importance to maize; knowledge management, utilization and learning.

2. Addressing regional threats to sustainable improvement in the productivity and competitiveness of maize in ECA; frameworks for response, and strategic agricultural research to address the region’s agricultural production threats (e.g. MLN)

3. Enhancing productivity, value addition and improving access to regional and global markets of maize; Support to regional trade and value chains

MLN in ASARECA

Presentations

Anne: Overview of MLN, Management (Case of Kenya),

and Recommendations/ Way forward

Luka: Experience and efforts in management of MLN in S.

Sudan

Douglas: Preliminary findings of the MLN survey in S. Sudan

Shukran!!!