Annual Report 2005
Annual Report 2005 CTA headquarters Agro Business Park 2 6708 PW Wageningen The Netherlands Tel: +31 317 467100; fax: +31 317 460067; e-mail: [email protected]
Postal address: Postbus 380 6700 AJ Wageningen The Netherlands
Brussels Branch Office Rue Montoyer 39 1000 Brussels Belgium Tel: +32 2 513 7436/2 502 2319; fax: +32 2 511 3868 E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
Caribbean Regional Branch Office Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) University Campus St Augustine Trinidad WI Tel: +1 868 645 1205; fax: +1 868 645 1208; e-mail: [email protected]
Pacific Regional Branch Office Institute for Research, Extension and Training in Agriculture (IRETA) University of the South Pacific Alafua Campus Private Mail Bag Apia Samoa Tel: +0685 22372/21882; fax: +0685 22933/22347; e-mail: [email protected]
CTA is the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU
Website: www.cta.int Contents
Foreword v Hansjörg Neun
Introduction ix
CTA Activities and Highlights 1
Information Products and Services Department (IPSD) 2
The role of intermediaries in information dissemination: reaching others through others 3
Highlights 10
Communication Channels and Services Department (CCSD) 12
Rural radio: creating conditions to cement its place in African development 13
Highlights 20
CTA Seminar 2005: Linking ICTs with food and nutrition security 22
Information and Communication Management Skills and Systems Department (ICMSSD) 24
The role of information and communication in the development of rural communities 25
Highlights 32 Planning and Corporate Services (P&CS) 34
Balancing needs and strategy: stakeholders have their say 35
Highlights 42
Regional Branch Offices 44
CARDI: Caribbean branch office furthers regional aims 44
IRETA: Keeping up the pace in the Pacific 45
Brussels Office Strengthening institutional collaborations 46
Administrative Services, Budget and Human Resources (ASBHR) 47
CTA Advisory Committee 53
ACP and EU states 57
CTA Products and Services 59
Information Products and Services Department 60
Communication Channels and Services Department 67
Information and Communication Management Skills and Systems Department 76
Planning and Corporate Services 85
Acronyms and abbreviations 89
Index 94
CTA Annual Report 2005 Compact Disc Foreword
In many respects 2005 will be remembered globally as the year of the disaster. It was indelibly marked by terrible events such as the tsunami at the end of 2004, which killed some 230,000 people in south-east Asia; Africa’s ‘silent tsunamis’ in the form of widespread natural disasters and resulting poverty; Hurricane Katrina in the USA; the devastating earthquake in Pakistan (which killed an estimated 90,000 people); a profound crisis regarding the European Union (EU) constitution; terrorist attacks in London and violence in France; sharply rising fuel prices and the global threat posed by avian influenza.
Nonetheless, 2005 also lived up to the hopes of those who billed it as ‘the year of development’. The EU, as the world’s biggest donor, agreed to substantially increase development aid and committed itself to deliver more, better and faster. The United Nations’ (UN’s) Millennium Conference in September concluded with strong support for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). And in Hong Kong, the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreed at its conference to adopt a Ministerial Declaration recognising the important role of the the finalisation of the 2006 programme of development package, including aid for trade. activities and budget, and preparations to attend the joint ACP-EU Council of Ministers In the midst of these far-reaching global 30th session, which culminated in the signing changes, the 5-year term of my predecessor, of the revised Cotonou Agreement (in Mr Carl Greenidge came to an end in February. Luxembourg on 25 June), which, of course, Following a 2-month phase managed by forms the foundation of our organisation. Mr Jean-Claude Burguet as Interim Director, I joined CTA in May. However, a review of previous annual reports, from 1983 to 2004, reveals that CTA is This was an exciting time to commence constantly challenged to adapt its products and my duties at CTA due to the ongoing services to the evolving environment in the exercises within the Centre. These included African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries,
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Foreword
which results from changing priorities, new and (ii) there is scope for increasing the information and communication technologies impact and sustainability of CTA ’s activities. and a rapidly evolving technical landscape. The Centre has spent considerable time collaborating on these exercises, feeding in not just our own but also our partners’ rich CTA as a learning organisation1 expertise and experience.
In 2005 CTA organised two audits (for 2003 The evaluation’s findings show that CTA is and 2004) and an external evaluation of its endowed with: 5-year Strategic Plan (SP) and the associated Framework for Action (FFA) (2001–2005). • experience in many themes related to These were rewarding exercises whose agriculture, rural development, food security, primary conclusions, in a nutshell, were natural resource management and trade; that while CTA is doing the right thing, it is not always doing things right. This means • expertise in the form of a professional, highly that CTA fulfils its mandate in an effective qualified and motivated workforce; manner but that (i) there is room for further improvements in efficiency (a topic that • networks, both professional and social and a has been reported recurrently in the past) great number of partners;
1 CTA ’s approach to organisational learning, Special Paper, CTA Annual Report 2003
CTA Objectives
Objective 1 Objective 2
Improved availability of and access to appropriate (relevant, Improved information and adequate, accurate, timely and well-adapted) information for communication management (ICM) ACP agricultural and rural development capacity of ACP agricultural and rural development organisations
Programme 1 Programme 2 Programme 3
Information Products and Communication Channels ICM Skills and Systems Services and Services Increased human capacity to Increased availability of Supporting an integrated use generate and manage agricultural information of communication channels information
Increased awareness of Strengthening contacts and Increased capacity to formulate and information sources information exchange develop ICM strategies and models
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Foreword
• demand from 79 ACP countries that the identified in the audits and the sensitisation Centre can barely meet in entirety due workshops. to limited operational budgets and human resource constraints; • Re-enforcement of contacts with authorities in Brussels, as well as the systematic • confidence – ACP beneficiaries trust CTA involvement of EU Delegations and ACP and appreciate CTA ’s flexibility and its often governments through their National quick response to their requirements. Authorising Officers (NAOs) in events organised by CTA in ACP countries. The evaluation findings also provide key elements and form a sound basis for further sharpening • Organisation of an internal seminar on new the Centre’s profile, identifying its comparative information technology (IT)-tools such as advantage and its niche, for elaborating the new Weblogs, Wikis, e-mail discussion groups Strategic Plan (SP) 2007–2010. (d-groups) and rich site summaries (RSS) and their relevance for improving communication Based largely on the recommendations that with CTA ’s target groups, an initiative that came out of the two external audits and the will be further explored within the Centre. external evaluation, CTA has initiated a number of changes to its project cycle management Allowing for new advice and guidance from (PCM) process. Immediate improvements have its ACP and EU stakeholders and supervisory been observed in the Centre’s efficiency (saving authorities, CTA ’s next Strategic Plan will pay time and money) through the following efforts: particular attention to the following issues:
• Assessment of the experience of CTA ’s • Redefining medium-term priorities that project and management staff in the logical better match CTA ’s limited capacities. To framework (log-frame) methodology for this end, CTA will analyse its comparative project evaluation, and identification of advantage; update and further elaborate training needs. This led to the re-introduction its criteria and strategies on a number of a one-page narrative for all projects. These of issues, including the choice of themes summaries provide all relevant information and sectors, targeting of beneficiaries and in a concise manner including the problems selection of partner organisations; and being addressed, overall objective, project review and strengthen its approaches to purpose, results and activities, budget, needs assessment, impact analysis and the implementation period etc. This information management of feedback from beneficiaries. will form the basis of a database on CTA activities. • Identifying ways, where feasible, of further strengthening information and • Analysis of shortcomings related to project communications management and cycle and project contract management technology( ICM/ICT) in the Centre’s combined with sensitisation workshops on portfolio of interventions, while not losing CTA ’s financial regulations and its Vade track of conventional services such as print mecum, involving all staff. This also helped media, training, study visits, etc. in the review of the weaknesses in contract management and related aspects of project • Ensuring that CTA continues to strengthen implementation. A working group drew up linkages with other development an action plan to deal with the concerns organisations such as the European
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Foreword
Commission (EC), EU Member States’ information, communication and capacity- bilateral organisations, regional and building projects as shown in this annual report. multilateral agencies and universities (by means of joint activities, the systematic CTA has drawn up its 2006 programme of exchange of information, web-links, etc.). activities, which is designed to consolidate the previous 5-year Strategic Plan and also to focus • Finding suitable ways to communicate more on implementing the findings of the evaluation effectively with its supervisory institutions and audits. in Brussels, as well as with its partners in the six ACP regions (especially in light of the Let me conclude by saying that I happily significant physical separations). accept the challenge, presented to me as CTA helmsman, of guiding CTA as a joint ACP-EU These ambitious changes will necessarily institution and all my CTA colleagues through require a review of CTA ’s internal structure hopefully not too many troubled waters. and modifications to the composition of certain As an organisation, we also look forward to programmes (as is typically required within ensuring continuity of professional services evolving environments). CTA ’s vision will focus to our partners and ACP beneficiaries in the on the drive to expand its impact further by coming years as well as continuing with existing making better use of its expertise and by adopting endeavours and embracing new opportunities as a stronger commercial approach aimed at they may arise. attracting additional funding (e.g. for investment in activities as well as in infrastructure/hardware of ACP partner organisations).
In addition to these demanding activities, CTA successfully implemented its 2005 programme of activities with a wide-ranging portfolio of Dr Hansjörg Neun, Director CTA
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Introduction
Introduction
Challenges in a changing on its eve, which killed an estimated 230,000 environment – 2005 from a people; Hurricane Katrina, which hit New Orleans in August, affecting a geographical CTA perspective area in south-eastern USA as large as Germany (with total damages estimated at US$125 billion Twenty-two years ago, the Technical Centre for or €100 billion), and an earthquake that struck Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) was Pakistan in October with an estimated death toll established to develop and provide services that of 90,000 people. improve access to information for agricultural and rural development for countries in the These natural disasters had a profound impact ACP region. The Centre’s mandate remains on the international discussion about natural the same. Radical changes however, have taken disaster prevention, management and response place in the world within which CTA operates. systems. The tsunami also precipitated an The technological revolution has irrevocably international call for support, resulting in a impacted nearly every aspect of our professional worldwide response that galvanised public lives; globalisation has brought into stark relief and private funds for immediate assistance the inequities of our world and the need to and reconstruction of the affected areas and work together to ensure its sustainability. In families. The response to the tsunami1 was addition to this, societal and economic changes so significant that some international pundits are acquiring greater significance as they change contrasted it with awareness of the ongoing the playing field and especially the fields of ‘silent tsunamis’ in other parts of this world, agricultural and rural development in which but mainly in Africa: natural disasters and CTA operates. crises of poverty and health that, while equally devastating, had not been so successful in In the midst of these interconnected and capturing the public imagination. The topic far-ranging developments, 2005 started however, is relevant to the CTA and its ACP and ended with a slew of natural and man- partners as it speaks to the ever-present need made catastrophes. These brought into new for governance and early warning systems to perspective the crucial need for efficient and prepare for such tragedies. effective information and communication management (ICM) systems that contribute to Historically speaking, events outside the knowledge sharing and increased South–South ACP countries have always impacted them. cooperation between developing countries Globalisation has, if anything, enhanced this such as those covered by the Centre’s phenomenon, as it has effectively shrunk the mandate. playing field, bringing further repercussions for CTA and its ACP members. Events that shaped the year The strong upsurge in petroleum prices once Looking back from a development perspective, again recalled the general but largely ignored 2005 is marked by disasters such as the tsunami wisdom that fossil fuels are a non-renewable
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resource. It also rekindled debate about the its impact still constitutes one of the major potentially negative effects of the continued challenges of development assistance, depletion of these natural resources on industrial especially in post-conflict territories, which growth, employment, world markets, developing must overcome enormous challenges on the countries and particularly agricultural production. road back to sustainability and democracy. This represents another area of concern for CTA ’s target groups in ACP countries, who Avian influenza (or ‘bird flu’) poses an unknown with their dependence on fossil fuels and relative and unlimited threat for the human species, inability to absorb price increases may be particularly given the possibility of the mutation negatively impacted by such developments. of its pathogen H5N1, enabling human-to- human transmission. While the developed Hurricane Katrina fuelled the discussion countries are working assiduously to prepare on how fossil fuel use and carbon dioxide for a possible epidemic, the countries of the
(CO2) production affect climate change and South, given their existing preoccupations, may highlighted the fact that global climate change not be able to fight the disease with the same represents a major threat to agriculture. Some vigour. What then will be its impact on these estimates predict yield declines as early as already beleaguered states? The implications for 2020. This bears great significance for CTA and agriculture, the wastage in terms of livestock directly relates to our mandate. The issue of and the risk to other animals are also of climate change comes literally to the doorstep significant concern to CTA. of some of our members in the Pacific, who, due to rising sea levels, are looking at the prospect of evacuating their traditional homes. Global policy themes
2005 will also be recorded as the year in which The year 2015 – by which time the UN Europe experienced a major crisis over the member states have pledged to meet the eight vetoing of the new EU constitution by France Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – is and The Netherlands. In their analysis of the barely a blink away and much remains to be results, EU heads of state acknowledged the done. Recent EU and UN initiatives have communication crisis with their communities. recognised that considerably more inputs are This highlighted the importance of efficient necessary if the MDGs are to be met. CTA, communication2 with target groups and gave on the verge of laying out its Strategic Plan for even greater impetus to CTA ’s determination to 2007 – 2010, is committed to working with its listen to its audiences in setting its priorities, and country members to help them to achieve the by establishing a more demand-driven culture MDGs relevant to them, many of which fall within the organisation. directly into CTA ’s purview.
The challenges of immigration and the Significant agreements affecting development, problems created by the social and economic the MDGs and ultimately CTA ’s work in this imbalances induced by rural-to-urban drift field in the coming period, were reached in 2005. were brought to the fore by the serious violence that exploded in French suburbs later in the year. This was due mainly to the Ripples from the G8 and UN poor integration of immigrants, high levels of unemployment and poverty. Migration is The main agreements of the G8 Summit causing increasing concern and mitigating (6–8 July, Gleneagles, Scotland), addressed x CTA Annual Report 2005
Introduction
development in Africa and techniques to Advancing information and ICT tackle global climate change. The bomb attacks in London during the Summit With approximately 19,000 participants (7 July) forced the G8 leaders to discuss (representing governments, civil society, support for peace in the Middle East and business and the media), the second phase means to counter global terrorism and of the World Summit on the Information the proliferation of weapons. In a similar Society (WSIS, 16–18 November, Tunis) vein, CTA has committed to working was one of the most important UN events with its post-conflict members to assist of the year. This conference aimed to put in where possible in their return to stability. place the ‘Plan of action’ adopted at the first In this light, the Centre, in assessing the phase of the summit in 2003 in Geneva, and priority needs for the African region, has led to agreements on the management of the given priority to the requirements of these internet, financing mechanisms and how to countries in the Needs Assessment Study follow up on developments inspired by the for Africa, which was initiated in 2005 and Geneva and Tunis meetings. will commence in 2006. CTA ’s participation at WSIS permitted The UN summit 20053, renamed ‘The the Centre to introduce itself to some of World Summit’ at the General Assembly’s the international players in the field and 60th session (14–16 September, New York), to contribute to deliberations on youth brought together more than 170 heads of and gender, two of CTA ’s strategic topics. state and governments to review progress With respect to the Youth Caucus, the made on the MDGs in light of the fact that Centre was able to promote its activities sub-Saharan Africa is not on target to reach that are geared towards raising interest many of them. The summit confirmed its among young people in using information commitment to achieve the MDGs by 2015 and communication technologies (ICTs) and pledged to make an additional US$50 and in using ICTs in rural development. billion (€40 billion) available by 2010 and to Additionally, CTA was able to network cancel the official debt of heavily indebted with partner organisations to identify poor countries (HIPCs). possible areas of collaboration within its areas of operation. Prior to the summit, the EU set a timetable to reach new levels of Official Development Among the many promising innovations Assistance (ODA). Accordingly, ODA will presented at Tunis, the US programme account for 0.56% of the EU’s collective for ‘one laptop per child,’ which seeks to gross national income by 2010 to result in an provide scaled-down US$100 laptops to additional €20 billion annually. By 2015 this school children in developing countries, proportion will reach 0.7%. Furthermore, was certainly one of the most attractive. EU member states agreed to support the The first prototypes are expected in 2006. G8 agreement to write off debt. These Even though the target audience is school initiatives, although well-meant, still need children, CTA sees potential in this plan for to be supplemented on the ground, by a a revolution in the impact of ICTs in rural network of organisations like CTA who can areas of ACP countries. work with and within the regions to put in place the underpinnings to ensure the In light of CTA ’s adoption of youth as one countries’ capability of achieving the MDGs. of its strategic interests and the second
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MDG on universal primary education, CTA with developed-country trade tariffs) is sees WSIS and the outcomes proposed undermined by reductions in developed- there as positive advances for rural country tariffs, certainly remains a key issue development. for the ACP group. As part of the G90 (one of the groups of less developed countries) ACP countries will have to continue pushing Trade negotiations their own trade agenda in the context of current negotiations on Economic The outcome of the 6th World Trade Partnership Agreements (EPAs), which Organization (WTO) ministerial conference are aimed at redefining the trade regime held in Hong Kong in December 2005 was between EU and ACP countries. reported as a modest but significant step in the current trade negotiation process. But establishing detailed procedures for change, Policy events in the ACP especially in agriculture, by the end of context April 2006 remains the major challenge for WTO members. Despite limited progress in certain areas, considerable work still needs Trade continued to be one of the more to be done in the immediate future on the vexing and persistent issues throughout three pillars of the agricultural negotiations 2005. The ACP Secretariat, in recognition of (market access, domestic support and export the key role played by trade in development, competition). continued to promote greater transparency and faster advances for its members. One of the most significant breakthroughs was the decision to eliminate all forms of During the 9th Session of the ACP-EU agricultural export subsidies by 2013. Other Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA), held promising signs included the agreement to in Bamako, Mali in April 2005, the debates give flexibility to developing countries in stressed the increased effort needed to terms of protecting their markets (special achieve poverty eradication and the MDGs. products and special safeguard mechanisms) They also focused on the need to redirect and the commitment of all developed and the EU’s policy on development in order to emerging countries to give duty-free and improve the efficiency of aid; and on the quota-free access to exports from least need for stronger policy coordination and for developed countries (LDCs) in 97% of all prioritising sub-Saharan Africa. tariff lines. At the heart of the discussions lay two Achieving the objectives of the Doha fundamental prerequisites: for new sources Development Agenda – the new round of financing and for stronger emphasis on of trade negotiations launched in 2001 the development objective of the EPAs. by the WTO – will mainly depend on In this regard, it was recognised that the willingness of the so-called G4 (EU, trade must play a key role in promoting USA, Brazil, India) to take into account development as part of a broader agenda, the needs of the poorest countries. The which includes the expansion of supply issue of preference erosion, in which capacities, the removal of bottlenecks which the competitive advantage gained from cripple trade, and support for industry, ‘tariff preferences’ (exemptions compared stability and infrastructure. xii CTA Annual Report 2005
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Agriculture and trade nutrition security, drawing where possible on available ICM tools such as participatory global The ACP-EU JPA 10th Session (19–24 mapping and management information systems November 2005, Edinburgh, Scotland) (MIS), which facilitate increased identification, stressed the urgent need for reduction in allocation and planning of resources. export subsidies from developed countries. On sugar reform, JPA members asked for support to help ACP countries to address the Finance and policy impact of the EU reform on their industries, and called on the European Council and the At their June meeting, the ACP Council of Commission to provide at least €80 million in Ministers reiterated the crucial importance 2006 for adapting the industry through means of regional integration as a step towards of diversification. the development of ACP countries. The Council once again emphasised that additional The JPA expressed its concern that the very resources are required if ACP countries low tariff recently announced for the new are to benefit from trade opportunities by banana regime will not preserve remunerative building their supply-side capacities, such as market access for ACP suppliers, particularly infrastructure, transport and communication the most vulnerable. The Assembly called systems and measures to enhance their for an extension of current import arrangements export competitiveness. Regional markets beyond 1 January 2006 to allow the are the primary source of growth for local negotiation of a balanced decision that is economies. Of the 53 African countries, 39 acceptable to all parties. For cotton, JPA have populations under 15 million, and 21 have still seeks a solution to the problem of the populations under 5 million. With notable subsidies and domestic support offered by exceptions, these make for small markets. developed countries to their own suppliers, The expansion of regional markets is which penalise African cotton producers. therefore particularly important to landlocked JPA deliberations give hope for further countries and to the small and vulnerable collaboration with CTA in the areas of islands of the Caribbean and the Pacific. fisheries, energy and natural disasters. Financial matters considered at the ACP The main outcomes of the 82nd ACP Council Ministerial Meeting of the Finance and of Ministers meeting (5–8 December 2005, Development Committee (11–15 June Brussels, Belgium) included the adoption 2005, Niamey,Niger) included extending of decisions on various issues relating to the 9th European Development Fund agriculture and trade. In view of the severe (EDF) Financial Protocol to cover 2006 food crisis affecting Malawi, Mozambique and 2007 (i.e. beyond its original remit of and Lesotho at that time, the ministers 2001–2005); preparations for the 10th EDF; recommended that the planned ACP-EU and harmonisation of rules and procedures Facility for Natural Disasters include the between the EDF and mainstream EU setting up of early-warning mechanisms funding. The proposal to set up an ACP-EU relating to food security and drought forecasts. Facility for Natural Disasters was considered CTA has offered to collaborate with the to be of very high priority by the ACP ACP Secretariat in setting up this facility Ambassadors, who also asked for continued and continues, through its programmes, to support for the Centre for Development of promote viable alternatives to ensure food and Enterprise (CDE) and CTA.
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Implications for CTA The signing of the revised Cotonou Agreement by the EU and 76 ACP countries Despite the encouraging financial news, the at the ACP-EU Council of Ministers meeting changing demands on CTA and the shifting in Luxembourg laid the groundwork for environment in which it operates are not a new set of provisions covering a broad reflected in its current budget, making it range of issues. These include a provision difficult for the Centre to achieve the lofty for strengthened political dialogue and objectives set by its stakeholders. references to the fight against terrorism. “Poverty reduction remains at the heart of The Centre’s budget over the last 5-year the revised agreement, while the continuation period has been static at €14,000,000 per of sustainable, long-term financing and year, reflecting neither population growth inclusion of important security and political nor inflation rates. To enable a more dynamic dialogue provisions render our partnership and adaptable approach to the realities of even more effective”, said Louis Michel, changing circumstances, these increases EU Commissioner for Development and would be reflected in a CTA budget of around Humanitarian Aid. €16.45 million, increasing to €20 million in 2010 (based on an average 2.6% population growth in ACP countries and inflation at Major policy events within the EU 1.5%). Accordingly, CTA staff levels should be boosted to 47 (compared with 42 in 2005), In 2005, the EU initiated a revision of increasing to 53 in 2010. This extrapolation many of its internal policies and made would just allow CTA to maintain its significant decisions that would influence EU efficiency as set out in 2001 (the year of development policy. It agreed to an overall reference). Discussions on various procedures increase in aid finance and to the creation of to increase CTA ’s operational resources have a coherent framework for development policy been initiated and are being actively pursued. that underlines the Union’s commitment to development co-operation. Given the fact that the EU provides the Centre’s funding, Looking forward and back these policy decisions may have a direct impact on the Centre and by extension, its member The ACP Committee of Ambassadors countries. proposed that 2005 be a year of celebrations to mark 30 years of the ACP Group’s existence. The ACP Council of Ministers The new EU development policy proclaimed 6 June as ‘ACP Day’. CTA was pleased to celebrate this achievement On 22 November, EU member states agreed with the CDE and the ACP Group and on a document entitled the ‘European participated in a joint display of printed Consensus on Development,’ a development and audiovisual information at the ACP policy for the EU (encompassing the Secretariat in Brussels. The joint display in Commission and the member states) that itself indicated the importance and benefits presents a strategy for long-term, equitable of sharing information on the agricultural globalisation. It does not replace the and rural development priorities for ACP Cotonou Agreement but has a broader field countries. of application. Poverty eradication, including xiv CTA Annual Report 2005
Introduction
the pursuit of the MDGs, is recognised as billion, compared with €34.6 billion in the the primary objective of the policy and previous 7-year period. development is acknowledged as a goal in and of itself, not as a tool to serve other EU interests. The EU Strategy for Africa
The document also mentions the EU’s On 15–16 December, the European Council ODA targets for 2010 and 2015. A section adopted conclusions on the Commission’s on policy coherence states clearly that all proposal for an EU Strategy for Africa, also policies likely to affect developing countries taking into account the Council conclusions need to take account of development of 22 November, a paper on security by the objectives. On trade policy, the document High Representative for Common Foreign and highlights the importance of opening markets Security Policy, and the Parliament’s report but also acknowledges that “developing on the Strategy. The Council’s November countries should decide and reform trade conclusions called for a comprehensive strategy policy in line with their broader national encompassing development, security and development plans.” human rights, taking account of development objectives in all relevant EU policies.
The EU budget 2006–2013 The overall perspective with regard to economic growth (by means of regional On 15 December, 2005 the European integration and trade) remains one of Parliament adopted the EU budget for 2006. liberalisation. The EU is committed to This shows an increase in the budget line establishing an improved monitoring mechanism for co-financing with non-governmental for development objectives within the EPA organisations (NGOs) of €10 million (bringing process, and to promote the Organisation for the total to €210 million). In addition to Economic Cooperation and Development an increased allocation to the European (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Initiative on Human Rights and Democracy, Enterprises in Africa. increases were also seen in many areas of interest for CTA: food security, poverty, diseases other than HIV/AIDS, malaria Conclusion and tuberculosis, humanitarian aid and disaster preparedness. A new budget line As the Centre looks to wind up the current amounting to €23.3 million for an additional 5-year Strategic Plan and to make preparations contribution to the MDGs was also created. for the next, it does so against a backdrop of local changes with global impact. These The European Council reached agreement necessitate now, more than ever, that if CTA ’s on the EU’s future budget (the Financial members are to achieve the targets set for them Perspective, 2007–2013) at the European by the MDGs, the Centre must work even Summit on 16 December. The basis for the harder to strengthen their capacity to produce, agreement is that EU spending will total acquire, exchange and utilise information in the 1.045% of European gross domestic product area of agriculture and rural development. (GDP), down from 1.09% in the previous period (2000–2006). The EU’s external The unfortunate aftermath of the tsunami has policy areas will have a total budget of €50 shown us that ignorance is not bliss. To help our
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countries get up to speed, develop their capacity Notes and turn themselves around, it is crucial that we improve the quality of and access to the 1. With 139.000.000 entries in Google for Tsunami information that they need. (15/01/2006)
CTA ’s strength lies in its ability to work with its 2. In light of this, the EC adopted on 1 February 2006 a partners, in the EU and at all levels throughout White Paper on an EC Policy following the publication of the Commission Action Plan on Communication, adopted the ACP region, towards alleviating poverty in July 2005. The Plan outlines the steps that the EC and achieving stability, especially in post-conflict intends to take to reform its own communication activities, countries. In line with MDG 8, which relates to to get closer to citizens and to be more responsive to their developing global partnerships for development, concerns. CTA aims to work with its partners to find 3. www.un.org/summit2005 viable solutions to the obstacles to agricultural and rural development. It will do this through the implementation of its current and future Strategic Plans.
A cursory analysis of the events of 2005 reveals a preoccupation with achieving the MDGs, with trade-related issues and their impacts, with sourcing realistic funding mechanisms and with finding ways to cope with the increasingly chaotic and unpredictable environment that characterises the dawning of the 21st century. As the Centre plunges into the process of crafting its Strategic Plan for 2007–2010, it does so in acute awareness of the needs and priorities established by its stakeholders, both those ‘on the ground’ and those within the political directorate.
xvi CTA Activities and Highlights CTA Annual Report 2005
Information Products and Services
Standing: V. Oguya, J. Matturi, S. Bel, K. Hackshaw, G. Gonçalves Bahre, E. Beij. Seated: M. Vandreck, J. Mugah, A. Legroscollard, C. Guiot. Missing: M. Hoek
Information Products and Services Department (IPSD)
he IPSD has two main objectives – to The department’s activities are structured Tincrease the availability of information and around three areas: to improve awareness of information sources. Its strategies focus on providing information on • Print and electronic publishing agriculture and rural development, encouraging This deals with publications supported and greater involvement of ACP authors and published in their entirety by CTA (such publishers in publishing activities, promoting the as the Annual Report and Spore/Esporo) use of various media and integrating information and those produced in collaboration with dissemination activities. partners. Collaborative publishing activities
2 CTA Annual Report 2005
Information Products and Services
facilitate access by ACP authors and and provides selected ACP centres with publishers to financial and other forms of publications that are not published or co- support from CTA while reducing the unit published by CTA. cost of publications and thus increasing the availability of information. Electronic versions • Strengthening of ACP information of documents are produced for the CTA services website, the virtual resource centre Anancy, This is structured around three linked radio and TV. projects: the Question-and-Answer Service (QAS) which provides information on • Distribution of information products request to stakeholders in ACP countries, the The Publications Distribution Service Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) (PDS) distributes titles on CTA ’s list on service, which provides researchers with a subscription basis and through a credit up-to-date information tailored to their field points scheme; some titles are also available of interest; and the Database Subscription on the CTA website and on Anancy. programme, which enables ACP centres to The Dissemination of Reference Books receive CD-ROMs and online subscriptions on Agriculture (DORA) programme is to agricultural databases. integrated into the credit points scheme
The role of intermediaries in information Standing: V. Oguya, J. Matturi, S. Bel, K. Hackshaw, G. Gonçalves Bahre, E. Beij. Seated: M. Vandreck, J. Mugah, A. Legroscollard, C. Guiot. Missing: M. Hoek dissemination: reaching others through others
A typical model of communication comprises of ‘infomediary’ – referring to an online business at least three components: the sender, the that facilitates the sharing of electronic data. message, and the recipient. More advanced models include other aspects such as The terms ‘intermediary’ and ‘infomediary’ interference or noise and the medium used. assume special importance in organisations At CTA, where our mandate focuses on the such as CTA. Here a small workforce of just dissemination of information, muting the over 40 people is charged with implementing noise and selecting the right media represent programmes to bridge information gaps important elements in ensuring the efficiency on topics related to agriculture and rural and effectiveness of our communication development for the 79 member countries strategies. of the ACP regions and, to a lesser extent, those of the 25 member countries of the EU. According to the Shorter Oxford Dictionary, the To reach such a widely flung ‘clientele’ with noun ‘intermediary’ refers to ‘a person who acts the limited staff capacity available, the Centre between others, a mediator, a go-between’. An relies on a complex web of intermediaries who internet search reveals a related term, which are specialised in different fields and located in would seem more suited to our purposes, that different regions.
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Information Products and Services
The production and dissemination of information is one of CTA ’s key functions. In 1991, inspired by the success of the book Where Of the three operational departments at the There is No Doctor by David Werner et al., Dr Hadrill Centre, the IPSD is structured around the suggested that CTA publish a manual on how to activities of print and electronic publishing, treat animals where vets were either unavailable or distributing publications and increasing the flow of information available to and within CTA non-existent. The subsequent CTA bestseller, Where member countries. While the IPSD focuses There is No Vet, was produced in collaboration with on information generation and sharing, it is Oxfam and Macmillan. The book was redrafted clear that without the input of our partners several times as various prospective authors pulled in a variety of fields, it would be impossible out; it took until 1999 for the English version to be to complete the chain. For information to published and 2002 for the French. A rare mix of come alive, it needs people. IPSD, therefore, abilities, an extensive network of contacts and wide- in common with the other two operational ranging travel enabled the eventual author, Bill departments, works with many partners in Forse, to complete the task. Since publication, CTA diverse fields to achieve its objectives. has sent 7000 copies to ACP readers, and thousands more have been sold through its co-publishers. Partners in print
For both institutional and co-publications, the chain starts with writers, who compile Looking at the income disparities in his native a first draft of the document for approval by Cameroon, Ajaga Nji had one key idea ringing CTA. The text is then edited and translated in his head for many years: ‘why do poor people into French or English and in some cases, remain poor?’ That idea inspired him to write Portuguese. Then the graphic designer the book with the same title (see caption below). generates a design to match the theme, look and Once the book was published, he wanted to feel of the publication. distribute it as widely as possible so he sent it to the hub of an established network, CTA, where After translation and layout, the text goes to press – the end result of which is a finished it was announced in a well-known publication: publication, ready for Spore. distribution. The product is then handed over to a mailing house, contracted to store the publications For institutional publications, i.e. those and distribute them to publications that CTA produces based on its subscribers to the PDS. own activities, or on studies that have been contracted by the Centre, IPSD works with a number of translators, editors, graphic designers and printers to take the publications from Why Poor People Remain Poor: Key start to finish. Co-publications – produced Elements for Poverty Alleviation and through collaboration with both EU and ACP Sustainable Development. (Nji, A. 2004. ISBN 9956 401 05 6. stakeholders – rely on similar partnerships. For further information e-mail: [email protected]) 4 CTA Annual Report 2005
Information Products and Services
Information that is not circulated is of little use. Weaving media and e-mediaries Once publications are ready, it is the turn of the information professionals to help the Centre CTA also works with many organisations to disseminate and expand access to its products. disseminate information via the electronic For this, CTA counts on a network of partner media. The methods include digital satellite organisations, librarians, trainers, extension broadcasting, blogging, rich site summary agents and media professionals – whose role (RSS) feeds and CTA ’s corporate website is particularly important when it comes to the and specialised portals. Just like the print Question-and-Answer (QAS) service as we will intermediaries, the e-mediaries come into see later. These individuals and organisations play at different times and handle different help the Centre to achieve the two-way flow stages of the e-publication process. This necessary to ensure that information not only year, having revised its contract with First reaches its target audiences, but that feedback Voice International (FVI: formerly World on the publications and the circumstances under Space Foundation), an organisation that which they are used comes back to the Centre. works with community groups, international organisations and government agencies to In the case of CTA ’s flagship magazine, Spore deliver information to impoverished rural and and its Portuguese cousin, Esporo, the chain urban populations in Africa and Asia using the is even more extended. The magazine is AfriStar™ and AsiaStar™ broadcast satellites, put together by a team of consultants, with the Centre is once again exploring the digital constant input from CTA. The consultants airwaves. depend on a network of correspondents based throughout Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific to supply them with information on topical themes of relevance to the readers – most of whom are based in ACP countries.
Participants at the CTA/FVI course in Mali
While CTA is well known for its work in radio, in 2005 it added faces to the voices and introduced a series of television products, starting with Agriflash, a monthly slot in the Business Africa TV programme. For these CTA ’s flagship publication Spore and the Portuguese version Esporo 5 CTA Annual Report 2005
Information Products and Services
products the Centre collaborates with a new Using people to reach people set of intermediaries with television expertise, to produce and broadcast information on In some instances, instead of using machines African agriculture to rural audiences. In and technology to reach people, we go directly addition to its partners in mainstream TV, to them – as in the case of the QAS, which CTA works with independent consultants to generally involves intricate networks set up create documentaries and videos, a trend it solely to connect those who have specific hopes to extend and expand in the immediate information with those who need it. future with a focus on integrating its existing information products into various media. This service reaches deep into communities to engage intermediaries at every level, from the Branching into these new media outlets adds person in the village responsible for receiving another layer of intermediaries, which means requests to the college professors and librarians that the Centre can further integrate its who fulfil them. This process has been further activities and create even greater synergies facilitated by the decentralisation of some of the among its products, services and even service Centre’s information services, undertaken to providers. The FVI partnership, for example, ensure that the impact of the Centre’s activities has allowed the Centre to examine new ways is extended to grassroots level. Decentralisation of assisting users of the QAS, for example, by helps to build and empower our intermediaries using digital satellite broadcasting to uplink and infomediaries in the South, as it supports some of the frequently asked questions. and develops their capacities and access to information so that they can more efficiently facilitate the two-way flow of information between their environments and CTA. Taking the word further. CTA CTA is not afraid to start an information information is translated into revolution. The Centre embraces ‘any Swahili in this means necessary’ for getting information on African magazine agricultural and rural development to the far corners of ACP countries. Whether it’s via a network of information centres or an individual agronomist using a mobile telephone, CTA ensures not only that the information is provided, but also that the means of connecting that information to people in the field are actively pursued.
The SDI project, for example, in which service providers carry out thematic searches and supply the resulting outputs to subscribers, is currently active in 67 of the 79 ACP countries.
In 2001, IPSD overhauled CTA ’s document delivery service to make it more ‘user-friendly’. Document delivery requests, which were previously associated with individual services,
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Not all the centres are at the same level of Mr Barubuka, a Tanzanian farmer, sent a development. The constant, however, is that detailed information request to CTA seeking each grew out of a participatory selection literature on the ‘India Aloe’ plant, as well process involving several partners and relevant agencies in that particular area. Each was also as contact details for experts on the crop, designed to service its particular region or lists of relevant internet sites, addresses and community by means of services tailored to the conditions of various potential sponsors to needs of that community. growers and marketing information. The Centre did an internet-based literature search and downloaded the appropriate People-based evaluation information. They also invited Mr Barubuka to join CTA ’s Publications Distribution Service, The task does not stop at establishing provided the details of experts supplied services. The services must be constantly by CTA ’s Science and Technology specialist improved, by working with end users and introduced him to the Centre’s trade and service providers, to enhance their portal, Agritrade, from which he could access relevance and reach. This takes us beyond implementation to monitoring and evaluation. information on sanitary and phytosanitary The best results are obtained if our partners regulations within EU trade requirements. and intermediaries are involved in the Lastly, they forwarded his request to the planning process. They can then more readily Centre’s QAS partners in Tanzania for identify with the task and experience greater additional relevant information attuned to ‘buy-in’ to the programmes, ensuring a local climatic conditions. greater commitment to and alignment with their aims.
Worldwide networks
are now amalgamated and coordinated by one The question still stands however: how can service provider, CAB International (CABI). just over 40 people reach out to the world? Information on this service, frequently used For CTA, the answer is: by creating local by subscribers to the SDI service, is available and regional links, and by working with through local QAS centres. and through organisations that know the terrain. Intermediaries do not just help to Formal or informal? That depends on the disseminate information. They are invaluable organisations concerned and the job that needs for determining information requirements and to be done. Significant projects can grow out giving feedback from the fields. They help us of simple beginnings. Simple observations can get to the real issues and the real information lead to best-selling publications. Community needs. They also help ascertain the deterrents initiatives can lead to dramatic changes in to receiving and using the information that we existing programmes. The devolution of the provide. QAS is an example of the ongoing development of services. At the time of writing, CTA has IPSD recruits intermediaries to assist CTA established 36 national QAS centres, seven of in achieving its mandate in different ways. which also act as regional coordinating centres. It does this formally, by sub-contracting
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them as consultants or by forming strategic Notes partnerships, and also informally, through working arrangements established over time, or 1. Infomediaries: see http://www.bitpipe.com/tlist/ by capitalising on common goals and strengths. Infomediaries.html (accessed 9 September 2005). Our ‘chain’ is like a constantly expanding circle, embracing new links and clusters of expertise 2. Sillars, S. 1988. Success in communication. John Murray as it evolves, to create a constantly developing Publishers Ltd, London, UK. sphere of communication. 3. Leeuwis, C. and van den Ban, A. W. 2004. The challenge is to effectively capitalise on Communication for rural innovation: rethinking agricultural these resources so that we not only maintain extension (3rd edition), Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, UK but also improve the level of service offered and CTA, Wageningen, The Netherlands. to our many users. As the world changes, we expect our own products and services to 4. Oguya, V. ‘Description of products and services produced change, as well as the delivery models that back by QAS and SDI Services.’ CTA, Wageningen, The them up. The real challenge lies in establishing Netherlands (unpublished). how best we can all work together to ensure that we appreciate and value not just the end products, but also the richness of the chain that feeds them.
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A selection of 2005 CTA publications 9 How to become a bookseller Up-to-date information for policy-makers
The new book is ready, hot off the press. It is well written, attractively CTA ’s improved SDI service management website, managed designed and beautifully printed. But is this enough to ensure the by CABI and CIRAD. book will reach its intended audience? Will they read it? It all depends
Highlights on the vital link joining authors and publishers to their readers – the bookshop or bookseller. Just as agricultural extension officers act as Since 1988 CTA ’s Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) intermediaries between researchers and farmers, booksellers provide service has been helping to improve research capability by providing continuity in the information delivery chain, thereby supporting agricultural researchers in the ACP region with up-to-date information educational, cultural and economic progress. In the developing world, on their research topics. Every two months, researchers receive a list of booksellers face a number of challenges, including low literacy levels new publications, including abstracts, compiled via multiple databases and insecure financial structures. To succeed in their business and to and distributed by either airmail or e-mail. fulfil their role in community development, booksellers need good communication and social skills in addition to retail and management CTA coordinates the service delivery and monitoring and evaluation abilities. of this service. A recent evaluation study revealed that it benefits not only people involved in research but also those involved in the policy- A Practical Guide to Bookselling is a new title published by CTA and making process who often have trouble accessing timely, relevant the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications and reliable information. We have therefore extended the SDI service (INASP). Developed in close collaboration with the Pan-African to this category of users, which includes chief executives of farmer- Booksellers Association (PABA), the guide considers the role of the based organisations, directors of government organisations and senior bookseller in urban and rural communities in developing countries. researchers of national organisations. Available in English and French, it provides guidance on establishing and running a successful bookselling business and is designed to be a Early feedback indicates that the service has been well received by resource for both existing and new booksellers. It covers subjects such these people, with most subscribers preferring to receive their updates as starting a business, planning ahead, managing stock and staff and in print format. We have received comments such as “Very beneficial, developing marketing strategies. With contributions from successful I’d like to continue receiving the service,” and “I’ve not been able to booksellers around Africa, the book draws on personal experiences get information like this before”. Some recipients have asked if their and provides many practical examples of managing a bookselling colleagues in other institutions can receive the updates. The service business. is obviously meeting a need, so we plan to expand to a wider policy audience in 2006. A Practical Guide to Bookselling: ISBN 1 902928 16 4 or 92 9081 269 9 The organisations contracted to manage the SDI service are CAB International, UK and the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD). In 2005, as a means of improving the efficiency of the service, we asked them to develop a web interface that would allow CTA to manage more efficiently the process of ensuring that registered users were receiving the bimonthly bibliographic outputs on time, as well as the full text documents that each registered user can request. Combining the information from this interface with the feedback received from users through client response forms will help to keep the service relevant to its users and help CTA to formulate strategies for improved delivery mechanisms.
Solidarité Paysanne pour le Développement Agricole et Social (SOPADAS) is a training organisation from the Democratic Republic of Congo, now located in a refugee camp in Tanzania. As a PDS subscriber, SOPADAS orders
Information Products and Services Information Products publications on crop production, animal production, food processing and ICM.
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Information Products and Services Far-flung rural communities get connected What’s new on TV? Imagine you are a pastoralist living in northern Uganda or southern Sudan and you need to make informed decisions about the management of your cattle. The nearest internet access is Not content with print and hundreds of miles away. What do you do? web publishing, CTA is now getting into television, by CTA has long been aiming to improve access to information for launching a series of TV the most far-flung rural communities and, since 2002, we have programmes designed been exploiting the considerable potential of digital satellite to improve coverage broadcasting. An arrangement with First Voice International (FVI; of agricultural topics formerly the WorldSpace Foundation) enables us to beam many and demonstrate of our print and electronic publications to Africa and the Pacific how information on a daily basis. Digital satellite broadcasting allows operators can help the rural using radio receivers to download information to a radio or economies of computer. The information can then be repackaged and adapted ACP countries. for local audiences. The system also allows communities to share In 2005, with their knowledge with the rest of the world through the FVI global People TV, a French network. media company, we created a series Feedback on digital satellite broadcasting revealed that the of 3-minute videos impact of the broadcasts was limited by a lack of equipment and on agriculture called knowledge. So, in collaboration with FVI, we organised training Agriflash. Broadcast courses in Zambia (in English) and in Mali (in French). Over 40 in English, French and users from about 20 countries attended the two courses, learning Portuguese, these are where to look for information, how to download it and how to aired during the last week of Keeping up to date send data or materials for broadcast. every month on Business Africa, with the Agriflash a programme that appears on 35 TV broadcasts. The concept of digital satellite broadcasting was well received networks, mostly in Africa. by all participants and many have begun teaching others within their local communities. “It was a really rich and rewarding Agriflash covers positive, topical events in the world of African experience…especially as we managed to download documents agriculture. Examples include processing opportunities for Nigerian- that were very helpful for our communities and for our work on grown cassava, the reasons for Uganda’s recent increase in milk the ground,” commented one participant. Others could see the production, and how producers and small-scale manufacturers can potential for the most needy areas, stating: “it is really well suited keep up to date with the prices of raw materials, inputs and cash crops for far-flung rural communities who don’t have access to the via internet sites. internet,” and “it’s a scientific and technological revolution that is most adapted to the rural world”. We have also begun to co-produce a series of 8-minute reports with People TV, which provide an opportunity to highlight some of CTA ’s services within the ACP regions. Four of these were broadcast on Business Africa in 2005, covering the topics of partnerships for information, the CTA Question-and-Answer Service (QAS: see pages 64 and 65), market information systems and access to international markets.
The next step is to produce even longer documentaries to stimulate community discussion or provide the basis for an extension service. This is a fairly major undertaking requiring several partners. For example, we are currently collaborating with an international network to produce several reports on how biotechnologies can be adapted for use in villages. In another collaborative arrangement, we are working with Arte (the Strasbourg-based TV company) to make a documentary about the 2004/2005 locust invasion in Mauritania.
In addition to TV products, we are preparing information kits that pull together a mix of resources such as printed documents, radio recordings and photographs to provide a complete multimedia package on a given issue. And there is certainly no lack of topics to cover. Those in the pipeline include beekeeping and participatory geographic information systems.
See http://tv.cta.int for more information on the broadcast Picking up the signal so that information can be received by a wider audience programmes, videos and related information. thanks to the partnership between CTA and FVI.
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Standing: O. Ndiaye, M. Ngala-Mianda, K. Painting, G. Rambaldi, A. Koda-Traoré, L. Scheepers. Seated: J. Woodend, J. Fonseca, H. John-Charles. Missing: A. Vugayabagabo
Communication Channels and Services Department (CCSD)
he specific objectives of the work of this These objectives are being pursued through: Tdepartment are: • developing an integrated approach to the • to support the integrated use of support provided to regional organisations communication channels; and networks;
• to intensify contacts and information • increasing the use of electronic discussion exchange. fora (including their use for seminars);
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• developing electronic information gateways between professionals working in the ACP on topics of strategic importance to agricultural and rural sectors, and as a platform agricultural and rural development; for promoting dialogue and the exchange of information between ACP bodies and • promoting the effective use of conventional professionals. media such as radio and television; The department’s main output is increased two- • organising an annual seminar on an ICM way information flows, reflected in the intensive topic; and extensive use of networking arrangements such as electronic networks and forums, face- • organising joint seminars and study visits to-face meetings, radio and various multimedia on a wide range of agricultural and rural channels. It encourages the use of regional development topics; agricultural information services and networks for inputting and downloading information, • providing support for ACP nationals to including databases from CTA and other attend seminars organised by institutions partners. Where there is no direct access to other than CTA. ICT-based information services, CTA promotes the use of complementary conventional In implementing the CCSD programme, CTA communication channels. acts as a broker between organisations and
Standing: O. Ndiaye, M. Ngala-Mianda, K. Painting, G. Rambaldi, A. Koda-Traoré, L. Scheepers. Seated: J. Woodend, J. Fonseca, H. John-Charles. Missing: A. Vugayabagabo Rural radio: creating conditions to cement its place in African development
The extraordinary recent advances in digital However, the progress seen in some countries communications have brought with them major is not mirrored in all, for a variety of reasons. socio-economic transformations. One of these Presented here is an analysis of the issues is in the management and communication of surrounding the development and use of radio techniques and knowledge for development. throughout Africa, which presents the greatest challenge of all. First, though, a clear definition For ACP countries in general, and Africa’s is provided for what is commonly called ‘rural member states in particular, radio is still, radio.’ The way that rural radio is used in however, the most effective method of Africa, and the socio-economic, technological communication and information dissemination and regulatory contexts that currently make up and as such plays an essential role within ACP rural Africa’s radio landscape are also sketched rural communities. Technological advances out. in rural radio therefore bring with them hope and increased expectations for the many Finally, attention is drawn to the role of independent radio broadcasters and their rural policy-makers and supporting bodies such as listeners. CTA in producing favourable conditions for
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the development of low-cost radio networks, post-colonial development in Africa are set out including facilitating the use of new ICTs. in Table 1.
Its evolution reflects the various development Evolution of the concept of paradigms that Africa has experienced since the rural radio in Africa end of the colonial period. Flexibility is key to defining the service, agreed In Africa, rural radio has taken many forms and the participants of the radio workshop held names: farm radio (in the 1960s), radio clubs in Lilongwe, Malawi , 26–29 April 2005 and (from the end of the 1960s to the mid-1970s), organised by CTA, the Food and Agriculture classical rural radio and educational radio (at Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the end of the 1970s) and finally ‘community’ the Southern African Development Community type local rural radio (in the 1980s)1. The Centre of Communication for Development characteristics of these stages of rural radio’s (SADC-CCD)2. Whether it is called local or
Table 1: Development of Africa’s rural radio
Type Features Constraints
Farm radio Centralised, state-run radio providing A limited view of development, focused (1960s) information on health, hygiene and home on increasing agricultural productivity and economics to rural communities resulting in programmes designed in isola- tion.
Radio clubs Farm radio, but supported by listener clubs, Weak coordination between villagers and (late 1960s) discussions and collective decision-making. organisers; isolated production centres, inadequate links with government technical departments or NGOs Poor planning and insufficient consultation with or involvement of the listener com- munities.
Educational radio A variety of radio stations with a variety of Lack of financial resources, a scarcity of (late 1970s) aims and styles. They transformed the way competent managers, lack of common culture was disseminated, also aimed to language, censorship. bring about profound behavioural changes by altering people’s states of mind.
Community-type ‘Communication democratisation’ – a will- Many stations reluctant to relinquish some local rural radio ingness to meet the needs of the commu- of their power to communities. Democ- (1980) nity by broadcasting local content. Allowed ratisation is still in its infancy in several men and women in the local community to countries. participate extensively.
Source: Adapted from Ilboudo, 2001
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over the past few years, opening up previously unexplored areas to radio. A number of different developments3 are worth mentioning:
• using the internet to network the radio stations, enabling them to work together;
• providing Web radio for local and dispersed communities;
• enabling radio as an internet access interface for communities.
However, in the drive to reduce hardware and A community radio station in Southern Africa application costs, the number and diversity of joint ICT-radio stations has gone into decline. community radio, or free or participative radio, it According to a recent study by the United is the process used to produce the programmes, Nations Educational, Scientific,and Cultural together with their content, which determines if Organization (UNESCO)4, the equipment it can be called ‘rural radio.’ For rural radio to be installation costs for a community radio station truly rural, it must have the following features: vary from US$10,000 (€8,121) for a range of 25 km, to US$50,000 (€40,604) for a 50-km range • programmes are constructed around the and US$100,000 (€81,210)for a regional radio needs of the communities they serve; station covering 80–100 km.
• various people and organisations contribute to Nonetheless, there are some shining examples their production; of success. For instance, 407 km from Mali’s capital Bamako is Koutiala, an area which • exchanges are interactive; has its own community multimedia centre (CMC). With support from UNESCO, this • local culture and knowledge are valued and has combined local radio with the internet developed. and associated technologies. Since 2001, other CMCs have also been created including Rather than an information tool targeted at the community, rural radio is a community’s means of expression.
Radio and ICT: the current state of play
Compared with the rest of the world, Africa is poorly equipped with modern ICTs – and the gap is widening. However, on the continental scale, ICT development has been spectacular
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in particular Toumbouctou (Mali), Dassagho Challenges such as this will undoubtedly be (Burkina Faso), Banikoara (Benin) and Dakar fraught with conflicts of interest, to say nothing (Senegal)5. of legal, regulatory and socio-professional repercussions. At the regional level, it is worth noting the experience gained by the Panos Institute in using its information network to develop Political and institutional Residel, a development project that ran from challenges 1999 to 2000 and demonstrated how to use the internet to achieve media pluralism. The project was supported by CTA6. Even where there is full consensus on the role played by radio, setting up the minimum In Niger, the experience of Bankilaré’s solar- conditions for expanding rural radio depends powered, self-managed, rural radio pilot has largely on the perception of the authorities and enabled significant progress to be made in the more particularly on the way they evaluate design and implementation of an innovative the risks associated with this technology. national rural radio programme. This aims to set Considered by many as an instrument for up 50 reasonably priced and easy-to-run FM ideological propaganda, radio has been the radio broadcasting stations that are powered by exclusive preserve of governments for a long solar energy (an abundant energy resource in time. Radio development goes hand in hand Niger) and are well adapted to the physical and with the process of democratisation. human conditions present 7. Unfortunately, in several countries the benefits CTA recently signed a draft agreement of legal and regulatory reforms are still not with the World Association of Community being realised. Government ministries are Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) for the joint often given the use of rural radio in order production and broadcasting of community to produce and broadcast programmes for radio programmes in 35 African countries. The rural populations9. In many cases a ‘top two institutions are using existing operational down’ approach to communication continues radio stations, which already have digital audio to persist in a world where participation is on facilities, suitable software, and a vast network everyone’s lips. Aside from the political effects of local correspondents with computerised of such practices, government-run technical production and recording equipment. The aim departments often lack staff trained in radio of the project is to promote the growing use of production. modern information technologies in order to generate and broadcast local content. Creating and maintaining radio output in many cases involves parliament, the The challenge is not just a technological telecommunications regulatory authority, one. Given the flexibility of modern ICTs, the government ministry for information, and in particular their modular nature, these national radio broadcasting companies and technologies hardly pose any restrictions that the government’s technical departments could be considered insurmountable. Rather, responsible for rural development. Across these their integration within rural communities organisations there is often wide divergence using the strengths and capacity of those in the levels of available information and communities should be seen more as a challenge motivation for such schemes, and some rather for development organisations8. ‘interesting’ practical arrangements.
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Consider Malawi, for example, where the listeners are served: institutional and regulatory information service of the Ministry for conditions must also be met if political will is to Agriculture provides an illustration of the be transformed into sustained action. difficulties that must be overcome on a daily basis. The elements of radio programmes intended for its rural communities first have Capacity building and training to be collected by the various relay stations around the country. The programmes must Rural radio needs training input. Rural then be produced at Lilongwe, in the Ministry of journalists face the same problems as the Agriculture’s technical facilities. Then they must rural sector itself; so it is no surprise that rural be sent out to Blantyre, for that is where the radio attracts few aspiring professionals. For broadcasting station is located. decades the only rural radio technical college in existence in Africa was Centre International Such difficulties will only be overcome if a critical d’Etudes en Radios Rurales de Ouagadougou mass of sub-Saharan African policy-makers are (CIERRO) in Burkina Faso, which later became made fully aware of the URTNA the issues and make (Union des a sustained effort to Radiodiffusions promote the right et Télévisions conditions for setting Nationales up radio stations. d’Afrique) Training Center. These conditions However, include laws to the situation simplify access to the is gradually airwave frequencies, improving in and incentives this part of the to encourage the continent with acquisition and use of Community and rural radio stations benefit from communication at many levels the emergence telecommunications of specialist infrastructures. institutions in Decisions that make telecommunications a countries such as Senegal. national priority, with its own sizeable budget, and that reduce the licence fees and taxes on In Southern and Eastern Africa, there remains broadcasting equipment are required. Policy- a vacuum, which SADC-CCD is finding makers should also create a framework which difficult to fill. It is therefore hoped that the supports the flow of information between CTA/FAO/SADC–CCD project, to build the various protagonists (radio project awareness of rural radio among Southern and initiators, information ministries, government Eastern Africa’s policy-makers and to provide a departments, development agencies, non- regional training centre to serve these areas, is governmental organisations, etc.,) involved in completed successfully as scheduled10. the creation and maintenance of quality radio programme production. A recent study carried out jointly by the URTNA Training Center and SADC-CCD, Setting up radio stations close to communities with the support of CTA and FAO,11 concluded is therefore not enough to ensure that rural that the following areas need to be addressed:
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Radio represents a major information source for rural communities, especially rural youth
training in the running and maintenance as CD-ROMs. The FAO is collaborating with of digital equipment; training in the study of several organisations including CTA in the rural audiences and in the measurement development of the Information Management of the impact of programmes; training in the Resource Kit (IMARK)12 covering the management of stations and in marketing; management and optimum use of information and training in the setting up of sound library and communication. Modules for IMARK management and documentation systems. could cover sectors such as radio. However, Ultimately, better policies for training the development organisations and partners still trainers are also needed, together with the need to identify the best methods for the careful identification and drafting of new concerted implementation of such tools. modules and curricula. Another important requirement is a post-training monitoring Thanks to socio-political changes (multi- mechanism to ensure standards are raised and party systems, democratisation and the maintained consistently. progressive liberalisation of the airwaves), rural radio has gone through significant The internet certainly offers opportunities to changes and has evolved from an approach do this via ‘electronic communities,’ which have that favoured the broadcasting of information not yet been explored. When such communities for rural communities to one that is gradually are built around common practices, they can incorporating interactive, participatory become creative strongholds, strengthening and processes in which the rural communities promoting both informal and formal networks. themselves are becoming the main players. They could also be used as launch pads for distance learning. However, given the structural constraints that still remain, the African states and the various Where there is no internet access, variations departments within their governments still have on these themes are possible using media such an essential role to play in law reform and in
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the setting up of suitable training structures so research report, Paris University, Nanterre. Available as not to jeopardise the dynamism that these at: www.africanti.org/resultats/documents/externes/ changes have inspired. dealohento.pdf (accessed 27 April 2006).
Meanwhile, supporting organisations must 6. Senghor, D. 2001. The Panos Institute in the face of new produce a framework for cooperation based challenges: Radio Pluralism and ICTs in West Africa. on what could be called an ‘international Presentation to First International Workshop on Farm consortium of rural radio partners’. CTA has Radio Broadcasting. FAO, Rome, Italy. always taken a special interest in the setting up of partnership programmes, and so the Centre 7. Benamrane, D. 2001. Consolidation du réseau des itself would play an active role in the promotion radios rurales et des centres d’information pour le of such a plan, by ensuring that the participatory développement au Niger. [Consolidation of Niger’s rural nature of development communication is taken radio network and development information centres.] into account when drafting and implementing (RURANET/CID). See: www.unitar.org/isd/dt/ddt2- projects. forum.html (accessed 29 September 2005).
8. Greenidge, C. B. 2002. Information et communication : Notes le véritable défi des zones rurales [Information and Communication: The Real Challenge for Rural Areas]. 1. Ilboudo, J. 2001. Rural Radio: Role and Use over the Past CTA, Wageningen, The Netherlands. Three Decades. (Report.) FAO, Rome, Italy. 9. Chad: Legislation: Decree No. 561/MIC/PR/92 dated 16 2. CTA, FAO and SADC-CCD. 2005. Sensitisation October 1992 on the organisation and responsibilities of workshop on rural radio for decision makers in Eastern the Ministry for Information and Culture. and Southern Africa. Lilongwe, Malawi. Concept note available at: www.fao.org/sd/ruralradio/en/24546/ 10. CTA, FAO and SADC-CCD. 2005. The Lilongwe highlight_101896en.html (accessed 27 April 2006). Declaration. Proceedings of the rural radio awareness- building workshop for Southern and Eastern Africa’s 3. Girard B. (ed). 2003. The One to Watch: Radio, New policy makers. [Déclaration de Lilongwe. Actes de ICTs and Interactivity. (Report.) FAO, Rome, Italy. l’atelier de sensibilisation sur la radio rurale à l’intention Available at: http://comunica.org/1-2-watch/ (accessed des décideurs politiques d’Afrique Australe et 27 April 2006). Orientale.] CTA, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
4. UNESCO, DaniCom and Worsoe, N. 2005. 11. SADC-CCD and URTNA-CF. 2003. Etude sur la Configuration of Radio Stations and Media Centres: a formation des formateurs en radio rurale. [A study of practical guide to procurement of technical equipment for rural radio trainer training.] CIERRO, Ouagadougou, Community Media initiatives. (Manual.) UNESCO, Paris. Burkina Faso.
5. Lohento, K. 2003. Usage des NTIC et médiation des 12. The aim of IMARK is to mobilise and build upon existing savoirs en milieu rural Africain: Etudes de cas au Bénin et resources to create a comprehensive suite of distance au Mali. [NICT usage and knowledge mediation in rural learning resources for information management and Africa: Case studies from Benin and Mali.] Pre-doctoral exchange. http://www.fao.org/imark/
19 Revolution in web-based Networking market information information sharing
Nobody would deny that the internet has revolutionised the way we communicate and share information. Now the revolution is moving one step further with the advent of RSS. Short for rich site summary (but also known as really simple syndication), RSS is a lightweight standard format for syndicating web content. So why has it attracted so much interest? And how can CTA use it to help ACP countries access information?
Users in ACP countries can benefit from RSS in several ways. RSS feeds are usually very small files, so are generally easy to download. When a web site produces an RSS feed, ACP users can quickly scan the feed to locate new content without actually visiting the site, thereby avoiding the attendant problems of slow connection speeds. Web content suitable for syndication includes events listings, news stories, headlines, project updates, excerpts from discussion forums or even corporate information.
Highlights RSS is highly compatible and easy to access, use and share. It can CTA works hard to stimulate use of new information and communication be viewed on a range of hardware including desktop computers, technologies. As part of this goal, and working in partnership with the laptops, mobile telephones and personal digital assistants information and documentation centre of Germany’s Ministry of Agriculture (PDAs); it can also be easily incorporated into a range of software (ZADI), we have developed an integrated web-based platform for Reseau des applications. Users like it because they can access information Systemes d’Informtion sur les Marches de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (RESIMAO), from a variety of devices; web managers like it because they can the network of West African market information systems. RESIMAO brings promote their own content and display content from other sources together the national market information systems of eight countries (Benin, on their web sites. Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo). The system regularly monitors the prices of all agricultural products, including In the future, it is likely that the majority of publishers and news livestock and meat. sites will produce RSS feeds. RSS feeds are available from CTA ’s portals (ICT Update, Agritrade, Knowledge for Development and RESIMAO has several goals. It aims to facilitate better commercial decision- Anancy) and also from Spore (in three languages). CTA is also making by all parties through effective information management (capture, looking into the practicalities of providing an aggregator service processing, analysis and dissemination of information). It also aims to promote that would collect and classify relevant RSS feeds and make them development of national market information systems through managerial available to the agricultural research and development community. and financial autonomy and to invigorate market information systems via The first step was taken in February, when the Centre hosted a monitoring and evaluation exercises. meeting of RSS experts. The web platform provides access to product and price information gathered from 390 rural and urban markets and 39 targeted markets at the sub-regional level. Weekly gathering, input and analysis of information allows for continuous monitoring of these markets. The data are then made available in real time via the internet portal or as weekly, monthly, quarterly or semi-annual bulletins that review price changes. Users can arrange to be notified automatically of price changes by text messages (SMS or short message service) on their mobile telephones. Prices are also published annually in directories.
RESIMAO’s member countries share market information weekly via the web platform. Using an interactive map, they can zoom in on different regional and national markets and find out about product and price movements. In early 2006, each country will have its own national page in addition to the regional platform. The national pages will follow the regional model and users will have the option of incorporating provincial information. Take a look at the RESIMAO web site: www.resimao.org.
Mapping for change
Demand-driven and bottom-up approaches to development can often be very successful, but only when grassroots organisations are able to communicate effectively with higher
Communication Channels and Services authorities, policy-makers and research and development institutions. All issues related to resources (e.g. use, control, access/tenure and customary values) have spatial dimensions, and this is where participatory geographic information systems (PGIS) come into their own. PGIS combine a range of 20
Young and old alike can participate in mapping out their environment CTA Annual Report 2005
Communication Channels and Services Onions start the ball rolling
Onions are a common food and cash crop in West and Central Africa, providing many small-scale farmers with much-needed income. Trade in onions – and a whole range of cash crops – could non-tariff barriers (administrative procedures, services, transport-related be considerably enhanced if regional decision- and policy- constraints, etc.), facts useful for advocacy and lobbying, elements that makers had better access to appropriate information and if the determine competitiveness along the commodity chain, and material information available was packaged and disseminated in a more to satisfy regulatory, customs and commercial requirements. This suitable way. In collaboration with the Conference of Ministers of information will be made available to a range of people involved in the Agriculture of West and Central Africa (CMA-WCA). CTA is helping onion trade, from individual farmers and market traders to processing to improve this situation by developing regional observatories for companies, transporters, exporters and policy-makers. Information will agricultural commodity chains. The goal is to enhance intra-regional be presented in an appropriate format for the different audiences. trade by increasing the volume of traded goods and improving competitiveness of refined produce. The initiative hopes to improve At the ORO launch meeting, the participants discussed the need to regional public and corporate trade policies and to identify and define carefully the information they need to capture without suffering exploit business opportunities in regional trade. information overload. CMA-WCA plan to build on the experience gained to set up a series of commodity chain observatories for roots/tubers, The first regional observatory – the Observatoire Régional de fruits/vegetables and cattle/beef. By collecting information from a range l’Oignon (ORO) – was launched in March 2005 in Niamey by the of agricultural commodities, it should be possible to identify and exploit Minister of Agricultural Development of Niger, M. Labo Moussa. links between different sectors, thereby enhancing regional trade and It will provide information such as demand and supply analysis, improving trade policies for the benefit of the poor.
Gardens of hope
to the market opportunities created by growing urban populations and allows the urban poor and families affected by HIV/AIDS who lack purchasing power to grow their own nutritious food.
Focusing on the topics of urban agriculture and HIV/AIDS in South Africa, the study tour took 25 representatives from governmental organisations, NGOs, municipal councils, farmer organisations and research institutions from Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe to visit 13 urban agriculture projects. These included family, community and institutional (e.g. hospitals and schools) gardens in low-income neighbourhoods of Johannesburg and Cape Town.
The participants concluded that agriculture in urban areas can Study trip participants discuss the benefits of urban agriculture. contribute to better nutrition, raise household incomes and enhance life expectancy and the quality of life of HIV-infected people. Moreover, urban agriculture can encourage communities to work together and to “Many thousands of urban poor and HIV-infected people will be better include the disadvantaged, despite the social stigma of HIV/AIDS. They fed and have a longer life if given the chance to operate a food garden.” recommended that central and municipal governments, in consultation The comment was made by a township dweller in South Africa during with civil society, should review existing policies and regulations regarding a study tour organised by CTA, The Netherlands-based International urban agriculture and put in place a policy framework that recognises Network of Resource Centres on Urban Agriculture and Food Security urban agriculture as a legitimate practice and fosters its development. (RUAF) and Abalimi Bezekhaya, a South African NGO. The study tour was The need for appropriate guidelines to govern the conduct and practice held because urban agriculture is emerging as a much-needed response of urban agriculture was also recognised.
geo-spatial information management tools and methods (e.g. sketch countries. A CTA-supported pre-conference PGIS course was maps, three-dimensional models, aerial photographs and satellite organised and funded in collaboration with the International imagery), which are shared fully with local communities. The practice Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation helps to visualise, geo-reference and add authority to indigenous (ITC), Ermis–Africa and the Christensen Fund. CTA published knowledge, thereby supporting bottom-up communication. a special issue of ICT Update on PGIS concurrently with the conference. Mapping for Change, an international conference on participatory spatial information, management and communication (7–10 In the same year, CTA supported a PGIS project in Fiji. This has September 2005, Nairobi, Kenya) was organised by CTA and other raised global awareness of the practice to the extent that the development partners. The event benefited from a long list of Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and UNESCO are institutional sponsors and was attended by 155 participants from 45 now interested in running similar initiatives. 21 CTA Annual Report 2005
CTA Seminar 2005: Linking ICTs with Food and Nutrition Security
CTA Seminar 2005: Linking ICTs with food and nutrition security
growing incidence of obesity and other lifestyle-related illnesses.
To be effective, the role of ICTs must vary within the regions, in accordance with the differences in the problems identified. In Africa, ICTs are needed more for diagnostic purposes, for early warning and for sharing information such as prices etc. Information requirements in the Caribbean and the Pacific centre more around the need to understand the underlying problems and the issues, as well as to raise awareness of the nutritional value of traditional The opening ceremony of the CTA 2005 seminar in Belize. foods to aid people in making better lifestyle choices. It is also important to emphasise the links between agriculture, nutrition, health and In 2004, CTA proposed to explore the issues trade in order to emphasise the issue of FNS to surrounding food and nutrition security (FNS) policy-makers. from a different angle: by looking at the ways that improved information and communication This task has only just begun. Participants in management could positively impact on FNS all the seminars pointed out the necessity for within the ACP region. It became apparent, greater political direction and clear policies to however, that the issues are not the same for put FNS plans into action. CTA will build on all regions. The Centre decided to host three the recommendations and conclusions gleaned seminars, one each in Africa, the Caribbean from all three seminars, the last two of which and the Pacific, to more closely investigate the are described below, to develop a plan of action phenomenon in the different regions. that will allow the Centre to work with its stakeholders to reduce poverty and provide not The first seminar was held in Maputo, only food for thought, but also access to food Mozambique (see Annual Report 2004 for for all. more information). The seminars in the Caribbean and the Pacific were held during 2005 in Belize and Samoa, respectively. While ICTs for FNS in the Caribbean the African continent battles to meet the UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Can information from the past help the pertaining to food security, the problem in future? The seminar in Belize,entitled ‘The the Caribbean and the Pacific is a growing role of information and communication tools tendency to move away from more traditional in implementing food and nutrition security foods and to embrace less nutritionally plans in the Caribbean’ included field visits balanced fast food. This is resulting in a for the participants in which they were taken
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CTA Seminar 2005: Linking ICTs with Food and Nutrition Security
to a Mayan pyramid, the population of which communities return to healthier diets. Looking mysteriously disappeared centuries ago. Was at the important contribution that information this because of food insecurity? and communication can make, and the ways in Was it because their information systems failed which these could help, participants identified to sound the warning that their lifestyle choices the use of regional networks such as e-forums, were unsustainable? That information is not databases and websites as being valuable. They currently available, but lessons on achieving also concluded that better information on exotic food security were available from one of the food crops and trees adapted to atoll islands can other stops on the field trip – the Mennonite encourage islanders to return to better diets. community, a food-sufficient group that has managed to become a world producer of red Healthy eating aside, Pacific communities need beans and black-eyed peas. improved information and communication on many topics to ensure greater food and Between the failure of one community and the nutrition security: trade agreements, marketing, success of another, there are many lessons to pesticides, organic certification and post- be learned. These include the identification harvesting. The package of tools identified as of a broad range of priority information needs being helpful in this campaign included posters, in the area of FNS, to capture the interests pamphlets, manuals, study visits, training of the various stakeholders and provide the courses and ICTs. Armed with these, Pacific necessary data and information required communities stand a far better chance of for effective decision making. In short, the growing and eating the food they really need, and meeting agreed that adequate, timely and using local crops and trees as a source of revenue. relevant information can aid decision makers in designing appropriate food, price and other As with the Caribbean seminar, this workshop related policies and thereby contribute to identified a broad range of priority information improvements in the nutrition and health needs in FNS to capture the interests of the status of the population. various stakeholders (from policy-makers and government officials to NGOs, the private sector, the media, producers and consumers) ICTs for FNS in the Pacific and also to provide the necessary data and information for effective decision making in The seminar in Samoa, entitled ‘The role of this critical area. The seminar recognised the information and communication tools in food need to develop a policy strategy document and nutrition security in the Pacific region for the benefit of policy and decision makers to urged better promotion of traditional foods highlight the importance of FNS in the Pacific as a key part of any strategy aimed at helping countries of the ACP region.
23 CTA Annual Report 2005
Information and Communication Management Skills and Systems
Standing: U. Klein Leugemors-Ezeunala, R. Obubo, M. Paauw. Seated: E. Kort-Nerincx, T. Doudet, A. Degrave. Missing: J. Francis, I. Tiemogo
Information and Communication Management Skills and Systems Department (ICMSSD)
he ICMSSD addresses the problem of and national levels and helps build the capacity Tthe shortage of skills and experience in to design and use cost-effective ICM systems information and communication management to improve information access and knowledge (ICM) in agricultural and rural development flows. in ACP countries by providing opportunities for ACP nationals to acquire the requisite The specific objectives of the department are to: knowledge and skills. In doing so, it contributes to improving the processes of policy formulation • increase the capacity of ACP organisations and programme implementation at community to acquire, analyse, generate, document,
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Information and Communication Management Skills and Systems
package and manage agricultural information; with the aim of improving their overall and use communication tools effectively; organisational performance;
• build the capacity of these organisations to • establish effective ICM systems, based develop and implement ICM strategies and on conventional as well as digital and services; online communication channels, through partnership arrangements with ACP public, • build their capacity through the exchange professional and NGOs – partnerships that of information to develop and implement are expected to lead to the development of science, technology and innovation (ST&I) improved information and communication policies and strategies. services for the agricultural community;
There are three main components of the • improve ICM methodologies and strategies ICMSSD programme: training, support to for formulating and implementing effective local and national ACP partner organisations, ST&I policies and programmes to transform and support for ST&I strategies. These the agricultural sectors. components are aimed at helping CTA ’s partners to: The ultimate goals are for ICMSSD to promote awareness and enhance knowledge • adopt more effective ICM strategies, of the importance of ICM and ST&I, to make more intensive use of information improve policy formulation and implementation and communication technologies (ICTs) processes and to make ACP agriculture more and develop their own training materials, knowledge-intensive.
Standing: U. Klein Leugemors-Ezeunala, R. Obubo, M. Paauw. Seated: E. Kort-Nerincx, T. Doudet, A. Degrave. Missing: J. Francis, I. Tiemogo The role of information and communication in the development of rural communities
While technology may not in itself solve ICMSSD is moving forward on plans to fulfill socio-economic problems, the availability of this objective and to address the challenges it ICTs is a prerequisite for economic and social presents in the context of rural communities. development. However, the ACP countries have, to a large extent, been incapable of acquiring the information technologies required The development process to galvanise their economic development. Economic development is the process of The ICMSSD of CTA has as its objective improving the well-being of a country’s 'improving the information and communication inhabitants by increasing the wealth-creating management capacity of ACP agricultural and capacity of that country. This process requires rural development organisations'. Through legal and institutional underpinnings that offer a range of partnerships and programmes, incentives for innovation and investment.
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Information and Communication Management Skills and Systems
Sustainable development is “development Increasingly, people in both rural and urban that meets the needs of the present without areas want to know what is being decided compromising the ability of future generations on their behalf. They also want to participate to meet their own needs,” according to the in the process of decision-making for Brundtland Report, published in 1987 by the development, both during project identification United Nations. A key aim of sustainable and formulation, and when projects are being development is to overcome the problems of implemented. A programme of strategic environmental degradation. communication can empower people to take part in this way, because it encourages the design and creation of tools that facilitate Rural development and consultation with and full participation of all the communication stakeholders. The process of communication for development Rural development has presented a significant seeks to disseminate timely, accurate and challenge for both developing and developed updated information to specific stakeholders, countries for more than 30 years. to the general public and especially to the rural stakeholders; to raise the general awareness According to World Bank estimates, 1.2 billion of issues related to development projects; and people still live in severe poverty on less than US$1 to integrate communication and knowledge (around €0.80) per day, and many more have management into development approaches. limited access to basic necessities. Approximately 75% of poor people live in rural areas.
Local songs and dances can be used to disseminate information within communities.
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Information and Communication Management Skills and Systems
Information and wealth the MDGs, aptly described the situation when creation in rural communities he observed, “Today’s world is not divided by ideology but by technology. A small part Human enterprise depends to a large extent of the globe accounting for some 15% of the on the power of information. Between 1997 Earth’s population provides nearly all of the and 2003 the World Bank spent some US$220 world’s technology innovations. A second million (approximately €176 million) on part, involving perhaps half of the world’s knowledge sharing activities. population, is able to adapt these technologies in production and consumption. The remaining Improved communication systems can help part, covering about a third of the world’s rural communities gain access to relevant population, is technologically disconnected, and timely information on agricultural and neither innovating at home nor adopting rural development and to make a significant foreign technologies.” impact on agricultural production and food security. The dramatic expansion of various forms of electronic communication tools has brought with it unprecedented opportunities for knowledge and information sharing and dissemination among policy-makers, development agents, farmers and other rural entrepreneurs.
For example, ICTs can provide development workers with relevant data on government policies and services, markets and prices and new technologies. They can also provide timely information for farmers on weather conditions and crop and livestock production parameters.
However, the distribution of ICTs around the world is uneven, to the disadvantage of ACP countries, most of which are on the wrong side of the phenomenon now often referred to as the ‘digital divide’. Given that a large proportion Turning the tables – researchers learn from farmers of the population in these countries still has to survive on the equivalent of less than US$1 or €0.80 a day, the situation is difficult to improve. It is in the light of the immense potential of information technologies to spur on the If there is a positive correlation between ICT development process that the United Nations use and economic gains, the widening digital has specifically included provision for this in divide can only exacerbate the current socio- MDG 8: “Develop a global partnership for economic divide between industrialised and development.” Target 18 for this Goal is: “In developing countries. cooperation with the private sector, make available the benefits of new technologies— Jeffrey D Sachs, Special Advisor to United especially information and communications Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on technologies.”
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ICTs in the current rural enrolment ratio and the literacy rate for 15-24 setting in ACP countries year-olds show that Africa is lagging behind2. Where the world average for primary enrolment The state of ICTs in the ACP countries poses a was 84.2% in 2001/02, the figure for sub- great challenge to CTA in its quest to improve Saharan Africa was 62.2% for that year. information and communication in these countries. African countries represent the As already noted, information and greatest challenge of all. A recent CTA study of communication technologies are specifically the use of ICTs in Africa revealed that countries mentioned as part of MDG 8 which includes a in Eastern and Southern Africa are severely target aimed at making available the benefits of handicapped in their ability to facilitate the flow information and communications technologies. of information. However, the disadvantageous literacy and The results of the progress report on the MDGs school enrolment rates suggest that even if the paint a similar picture. When the statistics of ICTs are made available, some sections of the the progress report are used to appraise the population, especially the rural poor, will remain prospects for these countries, it is clear that unable to access them due to illiteracy. The CTA has a daunting task ahead. indicators of Target 18 (Indicator 47 – Telephone lines and cellular subscribers and Indicator 48 Goal 1 of the MDGs is to “Eradicate extreme – Personal computers and Internet users) show poverty and hunger,” its target to “Halve a very low level of achievement of this target between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of especially in Africa, CTA ’s biggest region of people whose income is less than one dollar coverage. a day.” The key indicator for this target is the percentage of the population with less than US$1 (approximately €0.80) of purchasing power parity (PPP) per day. The report’s figures for this indicator for countries in the ACP regions are: 46.4% for sub-Saharan Africa, 9.5% for Latin America and the Caribbean and 10.2% for South-East Asia and Oceania. The situation for sub-Saharan Africa is even more pronounced when it is considered that although the situation has improved in the other two regions over the last few years, it has deteriorated in sub-Saharan Africa1.
Without a reasonable reduction in the level of poverty, the capacity of poor people to acquire and use ICTs is greatly impaired.
Another crucial development goal on which the use of ICTs depends is the level of literacy. MDG 3 aims to “Achieve universal primary education”. Basic education is the sine qua non of the use of ICTs. However reports on the net Sharing knowledge in a community setting
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CTA ’s capacity building responsibility
To promote sharing and dissemination of technologies, CTA has a mandate to increase the availability of information and the awareness of information sources throughout ACP regions, and thereby to build the capacity of ACP institutions to generate and manage information and to formulate their own information management strategies.
Efforts to fulfil this mandate are hampered by certain limitations, as Dr Monty Jones, the Executive Secretary of the Forum for The 2nd edition of Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the Knowledge for Development pointed out during his lecture at CTA ’s newsletter, th 20 anniversary. The most significant of an output of these limitations are: limited digital content, the ST&I sub- inadequate infrastructure, weak or non- programme existent ICT policy framework, weak national agricultural information systems, uncoordinated efforts at the national level and poor, expensive who disseminate the technologies to farmers. connectivity. The farmers then analyse their advantages and disadvantages, verify their technical validity and Nevertheless, CTA undertakes various economic efficiency, and then either adopt or activities under its capacity development reject them. programme to address the issue of knowledge sharing. These activities are undertaken through The new approach encourages scientists the sub-programmes responsible for ST&I, local to look first at the techniques the farmers and national partnerships, and training. themselves are testing and to use the outcome of these studies as a starting point for on-farm research and development conducted jointly by Supporting innovation farmers and scientists. Inevitably, the scientists soon appreciate and admire the wealth of The ST&I sub-programme undertakes various accumulated knowledge and skills of the farmer knowledge-exchange activities and facilitates innovators. them through a dedicated web portal, called ‘Knowledge for development,’ which is also In collaboration with the Centre linked to CTA ’s home page. for International Cooperation, Vrije University, Amsterdam and with national One interesting innovation in knowledge sharing organizations, CTA hosted three workshops entails a shift in the conventional technology entitled ‘Identifying and analysing farmer transfer paradigm. Typically, scientists develop experimentation and innovation/Bridging the new agricultural technologies, test them on- gap in the Agricultural, Science, Technology and station, and pass them to extension agents Innovation (ASTI) system.’ These were held
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Information and Communication Management Skills and Systems
in Jamaica, Papua New Guinea and Senegal. Farmer innovation has worked in the past and can be stimulated to work again now, so that it may contribute to agricultural growth and development.
Partnerships for information
The National and Local Partnership sub- programme of CTA is conducting projects with a number of partners in order to strengthen their communications activities and enhance their information base. One such project is with a local environmental non-governmental organisation, Mar Ambiente e Pesca Artesanal (MARAPA), on the islands of São Tome and Principe off Going straight to the market for information the west coast of Africa, whose objective is to sensitise local communities to the need to protect the coastal environment. ICM themes. Thematic areas include scientific writing, web page creation and management, Other projects in the sub-programme include public awareness and communication skills, developing village information centres with scientific data analysis, the production of ANOPACI (Association Nationale des extension materials, rural radio programme Organisations Professionnelles Agricoles de production, the management of CTA ’s Côte d’Ivoire); developing village libraries QAS service, market information system with INADES (Institut Africain pour le management and annual report writing. Développement Economique et Social) in Burkina Faso; reinforcing information tools The Training sub-programme has also and channels with WOFAN (Women Farmers supported local learning for farmers in Advancement Network) in Nigeria; and Eastern Africa through an internet platform. building rural centres for agricultural information Local learning relies on rapid and frequent with AVIDEL (Association Villageoise pour information flows between and among groups le Développement Local) in Burundi. In of farmers and with these groups and their local Cameroon, the focus is on the management service providers. The emphasis is on horizontal of environmental information in partnership communication flows, not hierarchical top- with UNGC (Unité Nationale de Gestion et de down flows, because much of the information Coordination). at international and national levels lacks relevance to local people.
Local learning and training Farmers share challenges and new ideas with each other: concrete and practical things like The Training sub-programme engages in several how to market specific products or how to activities that enhance the capacity of ACP obtain micro-finance for an enterprise. They institutions to generate, share and disseminate share their service demands with service knowledge, by means of training courses with providers and receive advice on what to do next.
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CTA is also forming partnerships and developing Notes training material in electronic formats to reach its clientele with products that enhance the 1. MDG information is taken from the United Nations information and communication capacity of Millennium Development Goals 2004 report. See: www. ACP countries. un.org/millenniumgoals (accessed 6 October 2005). Information on rural poverty and development is taken from The World Bank’s Global Development Learning Outlook Network (www.gdln.org, accessed 5 October 2005).
The ICM work that the CTA is undertaking 2. Literacy rates were 87.3% worldwide for the period is making important and valuable differences. 2000–2004 but just 74% for sub-Saharan Africa (further However, given the limitations that have information is at unstats.un.org/unsd/mi/mi_worldregn. been observed on the achievement of the asp, accessed 5 October 2005). MDGs, and the fact that these will provide the structural underpinning for the CTA ’s work Additional background can be found in: in ACP countries, development goals in rural communities will take longer to reach. Campbell, D. 2001. ‘Can the Digital Divide be contained?’. International Labour Review, Vol. 140, no. 2.
Castells, M. September 1999. Information Technology, Globalization and Social Development. UNRISD Discussion Paper No. 114 (www.unrisd.org, accessed 4 October 2005).
31 Making the most of market information systems Women farmers have their say
In 2002, CTA began working with the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN), a Nigerian NGO. The project aimed to empower women farmers in remote rural areas by delivering knowledge and education via radio broadcasts. The weekly programme, Guntun gatarinka (‘self reliance’ in Hausa), enables the voices of local people to be heard and has proved very successful at disseminating and sharing knowledge. Women who have taken part in the broadcasts say that their status among their own communities has improved and that they feel more confident to voice their opinions. The broadcasts have stimulated greater interaction between community members and between farmers and government officials. They also allow cultural practices to be aired, thus helping to keep them alive. Learning about market information Examples of topics covered include the storage and preservation of food (e.g. the ‘pot-in-pot’ method of Highlights Agricultural producers and traders need access to market information storing fruit and vegetables), safe pesticide use, fuel-wood if they are to get the best prices, sell at the best time and increase conservation (e.g. the use of fuel-efficient mud stoves) and the the volume of trade, thereby raising income levels for a wide range of importance of planting trees. people involved in the commodity sector. CTA has been helping to promote effective market information systems (MIS) for the past ten After only three years, the programme has spread from the years and, although there are many success stories, there is still a need original four to a total of 15 communities in Kano State. to ensure that new systems meet the needs of their stakeholders. After Information is now disseminated via TV and radio and through some consideration, we decided that the best way to do this would be newsletters published in Hausa and English. Extension workers through training courses run in partnership with regional and national have used knowledge gained from the broadcasts to improve organisations. training methods. In addition to providing information on agricultural issues, the programmes address literacy needs We began in Nairobi in 2002 with a training workshop run in collaboration and challenge policy decisions. The project is not exclusive to with FOODNET, where the Food and Agriculture Organization of the women; although they are the target beneficiaries, the design United Nations (FAO) and the Kenya Agricultural Commodity Exchange and implementation of the initiative encompasses community (KACE) also played significant roles. We then ran a series of training capacity building, with services also offered to men and courses in West Africa in 2003/04 in collaboration with the International youths. Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)–Africa. Participants were from the public and private sectors and were already engaged in or supporting MIS in their countries. They included representatives from MIS agencies, farmers’ organisations and the media. In 2005, a similar course was conducted in the South Pacific to encourage officers from ministries of agriculture and other public and private sector agencies to support the development of MIS. Participants from Samoa have already initiated an MIS newsletter in their country.
The main objective of the courses is to improve the capacity of public Building on farmer knowledge in and private sector institutions to source and create market information, Madagascar thereby encouraging them to set up new MIS or improve existing ones in their local communities. The courses also address specific weaknesses, such as lack of competence in the use of appropriate data processing The Bureau de Liaison des Centres de Formation Rurale (BIMTT) is a software. long-established network of 76 centres specialising in group facilitation, training and information services in rural areas of Madagascar. Over In 2005, our training initiative received a boost when IFDC was appointed the past 30 years, BIMTT has amassed a wealth of experience and by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) knowledge in agricultural development, public awareness and training. to organise and coordinate the Market Information Systems and Trade CTA is now working in partnership with this network to help it to fulfil Organisations in West Africa (MISTOWA) project. This project aims its communication objectives, which include dissemination of technical to increase regional agricultural trade and promote food security by knowledge on crop and livestock production and natural resource linking existing regional market information efforts, thereby improving management. The network currently publishes a bimonthly bulletin and their performance and making them more accessible to producers and technical sheets, which are distributed through network members to rural traders. A further objective is to increase the number and effectiveness of communities. regional trader and producer organisations. An important part of BIMTT’s strategy is the preservation of traditional Our range of support to MIS-related activities has grown over the years local knowledge, a resource that is rich and varied, easy to access, and and now encompasses national partnerships, regional partnerships, part of the local cultural fabric. BIMTT encourages researchers and information and communication technology activities and a selection of technicians to take account of local knowledge within the framework of a Information and Communication Management Skills Systems publications in addition to training courses. We are now seeking to gain participatory approach to development. This makes for easier adoption greater synergy at CTA by establishing an interdepartmental working group and developing a clear strategy for the future. 32 CTA Annual Report 2005 New policy briefs Information and Communication Management Skills and Systems
On November 11, 2005, at their 4th meeting, the Advisory Committee on Science and Technology for ACP Agricultural and Rural Development approved two policy briefs: Harnessing Biodiversity for Sustainable Strengthening linkages Development and ACP Region must Harness Biotechnology for a Better Future. The path to this achievement was an unusual one and CTA played a All countries have an agricultural key part. science, technology and innovation (ASTI) system, which CTA facilitated regional dialogues among biotechnology experts in Africa, comprises a complex mix of Caribbean and the Pacific and provided support for them to participate in actors. If there are good linkages international fora. Here experts from each region met and discussed the between the different stakeholder key science and technology (S&T) issues impacting on agriculture and rural groups, then the country should development that required urgent policy intervention. The next stage was be able to respond to the a meeting in Wageningen in April 2005, at which the ACP scientists and challenges of meeting food policy-makers, in collaboration with leading policy experts and subject security goals and remaining matter specialists from Africa and the EU, rose to the challenge of drafting competitive in national, regional the policy briefs. and international markets. However, in several ACP countries, The drafts were then subjected to an exhaustive process of consultations the ASTI system functions with stakeholders at the national level in the ACP region, before being inefficiently, often due to weak finalised and presented to the Advisory Committee for review and approval linkages among the key actors. In in November 2005. This innovative approach to supporting the ACP 2005 CTA initiated a programme region in its efforts to shape policy direction on key S&T issues was well to help ACP countries bridge appreciated by ACP and EU partners and will be repeated. this gap. The focus is on building capacity: first to analyse the ASTI system and second, to strengthen the linkages among policy-makers, scientists, farmers/other entrepreneurs and stakeholders in the agri-food chain.
The initiative was launched in April at a meeting of ACP scientists (supported by EU experts) in The Netherlands. The participants learned how to write policy briefs that would influence decision-making on emerging S&T issues. They also prepared two ACP policy briefs (see ‘New policy briefs’), that have been widely disseminated.
The next step was to hold workshops with representatives of farmers’ organisations, commodity boards, universities, colleges, national Participants at the 4th meeting of the Advisory Committee for Science research organisations and key ministries in Jamaica, Papua New and Technology held at CTA Guinea and Senegal. These were designed to build capacity to identify and analyse farmer experimentation and innovation. The workshop participants then conducted a case study in each country, with the aim of documenting farmer innovation and bringing the results to the attention of policy-makers and other stakeholders. Farmer innovations and practices can contribute significantly to agricultural growth and of technical innovations and generates solutions that respond well to development, but only when researchers, academics and policy-makers farmers’ economic conditions. recognise their value.
The network also aims to keep rural people informed of the risks Another gap in some ACP ASTI systems is due to agricultural of certain on-farm practices, notably pesticide use. Despite the research agendas not being linked to the needs of farmers and high price of pesticides and chemical fertilisers, such products other entrepreneurs. To address this issue, the project organised are increasingly popular because of their short-term benefits. another series of workshops with representatives of key stakeholder Unfortunately, rural users are often badly informed about correct organisations (educational and research institutions, farmers, input product use and associated product risks. As a result, people may be suppliers, standard-setting boards and research scientists) in the poisoned and the environment contaminated. To alleviate the lack of floriculture industry in Kenya and the cassava sector in Cameroon. information on this issue and supply farmers with alternatives, BIMTT The workshops were designed to build capacity for identifying research uses eye-catching, attractive information products such as diaries and needs, prioritising and developing research plans. Participants also agricultural lunar calendars, produced in Madagascar. considered how to work with policy-makers to promote support for industry growth. They then conducted case studies and presented their BIMTT uses other media too. Radio, for example, allows for wide findings to policy-makers and other stakeholders. information dissemination in rural areas. In addition, village drama productions can have significant and targeted impact. Performances This project, alongside other CTA initiatives designed to improve deal with local issues and are produced and staged in local dialects, linkages and support policy dialogue in ST&I for agriculture and rural by professional puppeteers and folklore troupes. development in ACP countries, are reported on the CTA website (http://knowledge.cta.int/).
33 CTA Annual Report 2005
Planning and Corporate Services
Standing: C. Webster, L. Visser-Mabogunje. Seated: I. Khadar, D. Kleinbussink. Missing: V. Fautrel, E. Baillais
Planning and Corporate Services (P&CS)
This department was established to improve development of indicators for programme the overall quality, efficiency and consistency of monitoring. CTA ’s operational programmes. It is responsible for the following tasks: 3. Submitting proposals for the improved coordination, integration and consistency of 1. Monitoring CTA ’s environment in order CTA ’s activities. to identify emerging issues and trends, and making proposals for their translation into 4. Coordinating documentation and support for projects and services. Advisory Committee meetings.
2. Preparing guidelines for planning, managing 5. Coordinating cooperation with other and monitoring CTA activities, including the organisations (including ACP and EU organisations, and CTA ’s Brussels Office). 34 CTA Annual Report 2005
Planning and Corporate Services
6. Preparing and supervising systematic • performance and impact evaluation, focusing programme evaluations and monitoring the on Task 6; implementation of evaluation outcomes. • CTA ’s internal IT systems, focusing on Task 7. 7. Coordinating and managing CTA ’s computing systems, network and databases. Socio-economic analysis and awareness-raising activities are implemented in collaboration with P&CS implements an annual programme of specialist institutions, which undertake research activities and a number of support services. on topics relating to agricultural development The programme and services are grouped into and CTA ’s cross-cutting issues in ACP countries. four main components: Activities under the remaining three components are implemented using in-house expertise and • socioeconomic analysis and awareness external consultants, as appropriate. raising, focusing on Task 1 and reviewing the impacts of cross-cutting issues such as In 2005 P&CS took on greater responsibility gender, social capital, ICTs and youth, and of for coordinating Centre-wide activities. This CTA ’s special development themes; included efforts to improve the Centre’s contract management system and the management of • supporting the management of CTA ’s project the Programmes Committee, which advises the cycle (Tasks 2, 3, 4 and 5); Director on the suitability of projects for CTA ’s financial and technical support.
Standing: C. Webster, L. Visser-Mabogunje. Seated: I. Khadar, D. Kleinbussink. Missing: V. Fautrel, E. Baillais Balancing needs and strategy: stakeholders have their say
As an ICM1 service provider for agricultural CTA took a pragmatic view and opted to and rural development in ACP countries, CTA develop a strategy that combines the benefits must maintain a careful balance between of both approaches. The strategy therefore being demand-driven and being pro-active in balances the need to address the expressed its operations. This balancing act can present demands of CTA ’s stakeholders, partners and a dilemma, the importance of which was beneficiaries with the potential long-term underlined in an evaluation report produced for advantages of developing programmes that CTA by Oxford Policy Management (OPM)2 anticipate future needs and demands. in May 2000, which urged CTA to make a strategic choice between ‘setting its own An important step in pursuing this modified agenda’ and ‘reacting to demand’. strategy was the establishment of a central department, P&CS, responsible for, among In putting together its Strategic Plan and other things, “monitoring CTA ’s environment in Framework for Action (SP/FFA) 2001–2005, order to identify emerging issues and trends and
35 CTA Annual Report 2005
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make proposals for their translation into CTA ’s initiated in 2003 in the Pacific region, followed in programmes and activities as appropriate”3. 2004 by a similar set of studies in the Caribbean region and extended in 2005 to six post-conflict Since becoming fully operational in 2002, P&CS countries in Africa. This essay focuses on the has undertaken many studies and organised lessons learned to date from that exercise. various expert consultations (highlighted in CTA ’s previous Annual Reports4) which between them have contributed to: The CTA approach to needs assessment • establishing the Agritrade portal;
• raising awareness among CTA staff of Needs assessment is described as ‘a decision- various development topics, including making tool for planning resource allocation’. biotechnology, new ICTs, intellectual It involves the gathering and analysis of property rights (IPRs) and social capital; information about an organisation, its environment, its capacity needs and problems • formulating a gender strategy for the Centre; and possible solutions5.
• obtaining relevant information for preparing In embarking on country-level assessments, strategies on communication, youth, social CTA was aware of some potential capital and market information systems shortcomings of the approach, such as the (MIS). high costs of implementing such an ambitious study and the possibility that consultants These studies and consultations have helped to would identify a ‘shopping list’ of demands and highlight and strengthen CTA ’s shift towards a expectations outside the purview of CTA ’s more pro-active stance in the short- to medium- framework for intervention. To address this, term. Its longer-term strategy, however, will an extensive consultation with CTA managers be underpinned by an ongoing, wide-ranging and project coordinators produced terms of assessment of country needs across the ACP reference for the studies to ensure that they region. The country needs assessment was serve CTA departments and operations as efficiently and as cost-effectively as possible. A ‘rapid-appraisal’ methodology was adopted, as outlined below.
Objectives
The studies aimed to:
• identify the agricultural information needs of key actors/ beneficiaries of CTA products and services;
• identify the capacity-building requirements for information and communication management of potential actors/ beneficiaries of CTA activities and services; The Agritrade portal
36 CTA Annual Report 2005
Planning and Corporate Services
• identify potential partners/beneficiaries country profile (based on economic and for CTA activities and services; social data) and to identify and select key institutions in agriculture and rural • gather ‘baseline data’ about existing development; ICM and ICT infrastructure to facilitate subsequent monitoring activities. • conducted face-to-face interviews with relevant stakeholders in those institutions and organisations identified, in some cases Methodology holding group discussions;
Local consultants were chosen in each • supplemented that survey activity of the countries selected and regional with questionnaires and in some cases, coordinators were appointed for each of telephone interviews. the Caribbean and the Pacific regions. (A similar methodology was adopted for This approach gave CTA a general overview Africa, although here the 2005 activities of the key issues, and a profile of the main focused on preparatory work to tender for institutions, on a per-country basis. and appoint the consultants. The actual studies will be launched in 2006.) Countries covered and reports completed Detailed briefing sessions were held with the consultants, who then: As noted previously, the studies in the Caribbean and the Pacific were completed • undertook a desk review of the available between 2003 and 2005. The countries literature and information to develop the covered are included in the table below.
TABLE 1: Country needs assessment
Time period Region Countries
2003–2005 Pacific Cook Islands, Fiji, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga
2004–2005 Caribbean Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lu- cia, Suriname, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago
2006 Post-conflict African Angola, Eritrea, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Rwanda, States* Sierra Leone
* The focus is on developing an official CTA strategy and approach that addresses the specific needs of post-conflict countries
37 CTA Annual Report 2005
Planning and Corporate Services
Key messages from country • the need for CTA to conduct more ICM needs assessments6 training targeted at agricultural and rural development institutions; Although the studies were conducted in multi- cultural, geographically diverse countries at • requests for CTA to develop publications and differing stages of development and with their seminars on additional themes. own specific concerns, a number of important issues were noted that were common to all the The second set of key messages, i.e. those falling countries, in varying degrees. more-or-less outside the range of products and services currently provided by CTA, relate The reports revealed a wide range of concerns to national and regional needs that require and messages specifically pertinent to CTA ’s the concerted involvement of governments, activities. It also uncovered matters of some regional and multilateral agencies. Four such relevance to CTA ’s work but which currently ICM concerns, which are shared by nearly all the correspond to only a fraction of CTA ’s project countries covered, are highlighted. portfolio. The first set of key messages, i.e. those of immediate concern to CTA, may be i. The absence of an overall national agricultural summarised as follows: information policy and accompanying information strategy • the need for CTA to work with new/ The country needs assessment reports underlined additional partners identified by the the need for a comprehensive national policy to consultants on the basis of CTA selection build the capacity of information staff together criteria; with a transparent national structure that forges and embodies effective links and communication • the need for CTA to make itself better channels between organisations in the field of known and to promote its lesser known information services. Overall, the national policy services; should guide national and institutional information management processes as well as provide for dialogue at various levels to identify users and their specific needs; identify technical options; determine the roles of the various institutions and create support for the policy.
In addition, ACP governments should be encouraged to see the potential of ICTs as a tool for advancing education and research. For this to be effective, telecommunication policy, regulatory and user-related issues need to be addressed.
ii. Poor internal networking for information adaptation, dissemination and exchange Information services in the agricultural sector were seen to be fragmented, poorly managed and administered in isolation from each other. Where relevant information may have Livestock in Zambia: a valuable resource in community farming. Godfrey Chitalu 38 CTA Annual Report 2005
Planning and Corporate Services
been available at the level of, for example, a government ministry, research institute or non-governmental organisation, it often did not reach those who needed it, while those in need of information did not know where it could be found. Additionally, in many cases, it was deemed that the available information had not been adapted and packaged for specific programme areas because the cultural requirements and local context had not been taken into account.
A coordinated effort is required from institutions and organisations to form ‘information consortia’ for the benefit of sharing resources. More efforts should be made to utilise existing information channels effectively, e.g. radio and television, to support information dissemination in rural areas. Groundnut harvest, Zambia. The information needs of communities such as these were gleaned from the P&CS needs assessment exercise. Effective mechanisms for providing better Godfrey Chitalu access to available information for all who need it are required. Creating an integrated agricultural information system, as in Papua New Guinea where various funding agencies came together to do so7 is one possible solution. iv. The need to sensitise key stakeholders in Moreover, institutions and organisations need agriculture and rural development to cooperate on the development of low-cost A recurrent theme was the need to sensitise IT solutions and networks that would optimise all stakeholders in the agricultural and rural resources and encourage collaboration among development sector so that they recognise the the various stakeholders in the agricultural and pivotal role of information for policy planning rural development sector. and work programme implementation. There is also a pressing need to increase public iii. Weak information infrastructure awareness of the available information. Serious deficiencies were observed in ICM, such as the lack (or sub-optimal allocation) The assessment also highlighted the importance of human, IT software, IT hardware, and/or of informing stakeholders not only of CTA ’s financial resources. While there were selected products and services, but also of those of institutions with some capacity for ICM, in other institutions and organisations at the others no staff were dedicated to ICM. In national, regional and international levels, which some cases, although staff were technically offer information services and programmes competent in some ICT applications, training in complementary to those of CTA. Hands-on ICM was lacking. Institutions were also seen to workshops and the publication of case studies lack capacity for continuing development and addressing the advantages and pitfalls of maintenance of web sites, resulting in little or information use and its application to problems no information exchange on these web sites. were recommended.
39 CTA Annual Report 2005
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Implications for CTA critical mass of resources and thereby improve efficiency and attain economies of scale. Once The findings and recommendations of the needs again a balance must be found between these assessment studies show that CTA should competing pressures. continue to strengthen its role in ICM within agriculture and rural development. While the findings highlight many areas of interest that The way forward for CTA fit into CTA ’s current work programme, they have also touched on issues that pose additional The needs assessment studies were originally challenges for the Centre. conceived to feed into CTA ’s current Strategic Plan. While they were cost-effective, they The first of these comes from the study’s have taken longer to complete than initially recommendation that CTA should support the foreseen due to the participatory and feedback- creation of national agricultural information oriented approach adopted. The findings and policies and accompanying information recommendations will be made as operational strategies. This recommendation takes the and practical as possible, in order to serve Centre into uncharted territory. While it is several purposes: undoubtedly an area of critical importance for coordinated and effective information i. Improve the targeting of CTA ’s products and management and dissemination, CTA needs services within ACP countries to make significant changes to its project CTA must find realistic ways of collaborating portfolio and skills-mix before it can address this with the new potential partner organisations challenge in a meaningful fashion. identified in the different country studies.
Secondly, overwhelming feedback from the ii. Compile baseline data for benchmarking country needs assessments calls for heavy Key information on ICTs and ICM in the ACP investment from CTA in development at the institutional level, to increase the capacity and capability of organisations in ICM and ICTs. This is in stark contrast to the increasing pressure on the Centre from its supervisory authorities and other political-level stakeholders, for CTA to increase its direct interventions and impact at the level of farmers. CTA would require additional resources in order to be able to meet both sets of demands.
Thirdly, the study advises that CTA takes note of the new and potential partners that were identified in the countries covered by the needs assessments. This finding places another dilemma before the Centre: the recent evaluation of CTA ’s Strategic Plan/Framework for Action (SP/FFA 2001–2005) calls for CTA Collaborative GIS technologies, such as those displayed at the 2005 to decrease the number of partners with Observatory, support creation of national agricultural information which it is working, in order to increase the policies and strategies
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countries studied will be brought together into Notes a database. These data will be used to improve the monitoring, measurement and performance 1. Information and Communication Management (ICM) of CTA ’s activities. can be defined as “a multidisciplinary concept or practice spanning four main disciplines of information iii. Promote dialogue with regional, international technology, information management, communication and multilateral institutions and management to improve the use of information in The studies have also identified key institutions organisations and in society at large”. active in the area of information generation and dissemination in agriculture and rural 2. The implementation of CTA ’s Mid-Term Plan (1996– development. By engaging in dialogue with 2000) was evaluated by Oxford Policy Management, UK. these institutions, CTA can establish plans for complementary and coordinated interventions 3. CTA Strategic Plan and Framework for Action (SP/FFA: in order to optimise the use of its limited 2001–2005): www.cta.int/about/stratplan.pdf (accessed resources in traditional areas (e.g. capacity- 27 April 2006). building and publications dissemination), while looking at new potential areas of national 4. See CTA Annual Reports for 2002–2005 at www.cta.int. agricultural information policy and strategy development. 5. Horton, D., et al. 2003. “Evaluating Capacity Development: Experiences from Research and These needs assessment studies will provide Development Organizations around the World”. an invaluable backdrop to CTA ’s strategic ISNAR-CTA-IDRC, www.isnar.cgiar.org. planning phase for the period 2007–2010. The information they provide will form 6. A programme funded by the Australian Contribution to the framework for the consideration and a National Agricultural Research System (ACNARS) to formulation of new strategic orientations as make results of agricultural research available not only to well as for the maintenance and enhancement the research institutes but also to the wider arena. of traditional services. The studies will also provide an insight as to how, given the Centre’s 7. Under the Cotonou Agreement, CTA ’s mandate covers limited human and financial resources and 79 ACP member countries. extensive mandate8, local initiatives may be complemented and, where possible, dialogue facilitated to optimise resources and strengthen CTA ’s capacity building initiatives.
41 The ‘Smart Toolkit’ – an aid to Harnessing ICT for natural resource evaluation management
Participants at the launch of the Smart Toolkit in Tanzania
At CTA, we work hard to ensure our information products
Highlights and services remain relevant and useful. The ‘Smart Toolkit’ is our latest evaluation tool, developed in collaboration with the International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD) and the Royal Tropical Institute of The Netherlands (KIT).
Work on the Smart Toolkit began in 2001. The project has had input from a range of contributors from ACP national and regional organisations. Once the initial set of tools were written, the contributors continued to interact through The spread of ICT has brought many advantages, but there are also e-mail and ‘d-groups’ – e-mail discussion groups in which dangers associated with its use in developing countries. Consider, for an appointed ‘virtual’ chairperson prepares, leads and example, the challenges of harnessing ICT to help governments and summarises exchanges on various issues of interest – and planning authorities manage natural resources without disenfranchising the by taking part in a three-day consultation in Wageningen local communities who depend on these resources for their livelihoods. in September 2003. In 2004, the group focused on harmonising the tools, ensuring their accuracy and clarity, This and other associated issues were addressed at CTA ’s 8th ‘Observatory and identifying and writing new tools that would make the on ICTs,’ held in collaboration with the environmental research institute toolkit more complete. The aim was to develop tools that Alterra at Wageningen University, and the International Institute for Geo- are cost-effective, easy to apply, suitable for self-evaluation Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), both in The Netherlands, exercises and especially adapted to information projects in October 2005. and services. The goals of the Observatory are to improve the common pool of The year 2005 saw the culmination of all these efforts in knowledge available in this area; to provide a mechanism for monitoring the Smart Toolkit launch (page 88), which occurred at technical developments that could benefit those working in agriculture, a workshop in Tanzania attended by about 40 people rural development and natural resources management; and to raise including development experts, evaluation specialists, awareness of ICT-related issues among policy-makers. The October information professionals, local and international meeting focused specifically on ICT issues relating to land tenure and dignitaries (including a representative of the EU access. The 20 participants came from a variety of backgrounds, including delegation), representatives of some of CTA ’s partner government ministries, universities, research institutions, farmers’ organisations in Eastern and Southern Africa, and of associations and NGOs. course the writers and collaborators on the project. The meeting helped to lay the foundations for promoting and The participants concluded that surveyors should change the way they monitoring the Toolkit in other ACP regions. think and operate with respect to land tenure issues. They also agreed that governments should work more closely with local communities, taking The Smart Toolkit has several parts. Part 1 explains the account of local knowledge. The technique of participatory geographic basics of evaluation and indicates, through checklists information systems (PGIS) can be used to advantage in this respect. ICTs and tables, which tools can be used at different stages can help governments, local planning authorities and local people to come of a given evaluation exercise. Part 2 contains tools for together and register customary tenure systems, giving local communities evaluating specific products and services, such as training more security of tenure. courses, newsletters, websites, QAS, small libraries and resource centres, radio programmes and databases. In Scientists using ICT to promote more sustainable use of natural resources Part 3, tools are referred to as process modules, since face significant challenges. These relate to the ownership and security of they relate to general aspects of evaluations: planning, data, rules for information sharing, the need for simple tools for community implementation, report writing and follow-up. use, and the need to build technical capacity in PGIS, among other things.
The toolkit is designed to meet the needs of information The meeting provoked a lively series of discussions and debates over the Planning and Corporate Services managers and practitioners working for small or resource- three days. While the benefits of ICTs were undisputed, technological poor information service providers who do not have access optimism was tempered by the call to integrate ICTs with traditional to specialised evaluation expertise or experience. methodologies in a people-centred approach. 42 CTA Annual Report 2005
Planning and Corporate Services
Managing evaluation follow-up: CTA seminars and study visits
work (see figure below, which is based on responses obtained in the Southern African region). They were also satisfied with the organisational arrangements.
The evaluation also revealed aspects of the seminars and study visits that could be improved. For example, most participants were men aged 36 to 55 years and there is a need to attract more women and younger people. There should also be more representation from farmers’ organisations. CTA should encourage participants to share information via e-mails and websites and should keep a comprehensive database of all participants with their correct e-mail addresses. This would enable CTA to maintain contact with participants and conduct follow-up activities (e.g. dissemination of proceedings). Finally, the Centre could adopt more efficient internal processes for planning and managing seminars and study visits and the monitoring and evaluation processes could also be improved.
During 2005, P&CS and CCSD analysed the evaluation findings and planned how CTA would implement the changes that will improve the performance and impact of the seminars and study visits. This meant first regrouping the recommendations into three main categories: changes already implemented or in progress; actions to be carried out in the short term but for which a detailed plan and policy would be required before implementation; and changes that may be feasible only in the medium to long term. Since CTA is about to start formulating a new Strategic Plan (2007–2010), discussions on the medium- and long-term measures can take place within overall corporate strategic planning. This includes decisions about the budget to be allocated, follow-up strategies for individual participants and CTA study visit to South Africa, focusing on the benefits of urban measurement of cost-effectiveness. agriculture to families affected by HIV/AIDS.
In 2004 the P&CS department supervised the evaluation of CTA ’s extensive seminar and study visits sub-programme. The insights and implications from this evaluation came to light after Awareness of CTA activities (3%) a process of analysis carried out in 2005. Attended and present Implementation of new at conference (11%) The seminar and study visits sub-programme, which is managed knowledge (17%) by the CCSD, includes some of CTA ’s longest-running services: its annual seminars, the co-seminars, the Seminar Support Programme and study visits. (See the CCSD Products and Services tables on pages 72–75 for full details.) The overall aim Policy development Publishing of these services is to promote contact, dialogue and alliance- (14%) (11%) building on agricultural and rural development issues pertaining to ACP countries. Over the three-year period covered by the evaluation (2001–2003) CCSD organised three annual seminars and six study visits, co-organised 34 seminars and provided financial support to approximately 150 seminars under the Interaction with new Seminar Support Programme. On average CTA financed the contact (14%) Community improvement participation of about 800 ACP nationals per year under this (24%) sub-programme, including researchers, extension workers, Improved report information specialists, academics, and representatives of NGOs writing (3%) Private sector involvement (3%) and farmers associations. number of responses = 39 The evaluation took the form of e-mail questionnaires to people who participated in seminars and study visits between 2001 and 2003. The results indicate that the majority of participants FIGURE 1: Ways in which participants from Southern Africa stated that they found the seminars and study visits to be highly relevant to their benefited from CTA-sponsored seminars 43 CTA Annual Report 2005
Regional Branch Offices
Regional Branch Offices
CARDI as CariPestNet, the Caribbean Agricultural Information Service (CAIS), the Caribbean Farmers’ and NGOs’ Network (CaFANN) and Caribbean branch office the Caribbean Network of National Fisherfolk furthers regional aims Organisations (CARNUFO) with a view to increasing their capacity and sustainability. A regional moderators’ meeting with CariPestNet ensured that the network has an approved strategy and work programme.
In 2005 the RBOC co-hosted a seminar on ‘The role of information and communication in implementing food and nutrition security plans in the Caribbean,’ (14–18 March, Belize) (page 22). The Institute also participated in the CTA Advisory Body on Science, Technology and Innovation. In relation to this, CARDI co-hosted a seminar and training workshop in July on Agriculture, Science, Technology and Innovation (ASTI) in Jamaica. Hot peppers: one of several successful outputs of CARDI’s breeding programmes. CARDI’s involvement has transformed Over 20 extension personnel and communication hot peppers into a profitable commodity crop for the region. CARDI officers from the region increased their skills in electronic production and publishing of agricultural information products through a training course in Dominica in January The partnership between the Caribbean 2005. Working with CTA ’s seminar support Agricultural Research and Development Institute programme, CARDI facilitated the attendance (CARDI) and the CTA provides qualifying of five Caribbean scientists at the 41st Annual Caribbean nations with better access to the Meeting of the Caribbean Food Crop Society Centre’s products and services while promoting (CFCS) in July 2005. the mutual objectives of both organisations. CARDI hosts CTA ’s Regional Branch Office for The devolution of the QAS in Barbados, the Caribbean (RBOC). Jamaica, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts/Nevis and St Lucia continued. Plans are in progress to develop these local information Caribbean networks services in Antigua and Barbuda and Trinidad and Tobago. Networking is an integral part of the Institute’s strategy and CARDI, with CTA support, In collaboration with CTA, CARDI coordinated continues to facilitate or provide technical a regional agricultural information needs assistance to several Caribbean networks such assessment for the Caribbean. The RBOC also
44 CTA Annual Report 2005
Regional Branch Offices
staged or participated in several exhibitions, food processing, organic farming, trade and which highlighted CTA ’s programmes and marketing and natural resources. publications to farmers and producer groups, policy-makers, researchers, information IRETA collaborated with CTA to stage specialists, and other stakeholders in the two major food and security activities: a agricultural and rural development sector in seminar entitled: ‘The role of information and the Caribbean. communication tools in food and nutrition security’ in Samoa (see page 23) and a study visit on ‘Livestock and marketing’ in Fiji. Food IRETA processing was covered at a workshop entitled ‘Food processing and adding value to Pacific produce’ in the Solomon Islands. Keeping up the pace in the Pacific In-country seminars and demonstrations were carried out in Kiribati and Marshall Islands under the project ‘Strengthening organic farming in atoll countries’. Trade and marketing are one of the growth and development thrusts in the region and a training course on ‘Market information system management’ was held in the Cook Islands and prompted the Samoa Ministry of Agriculture to launch the newsletter Market Link.
IRETA also produced a widely circulated policy briefing paper following a workshop called ‘Agro-forestry and mixed cropping’ and continues to publish the South Pacific Agriculture News, which now reaches 1,500 people, including decision-makers, technocrats and Newsletter and leaflets produced by IRETA, part of a suite of farmers. products designed to inform agricultural development in the Pacific region. The information management activities continue to develop: the focus was on the QAS, the SDI service and publications. QAS dealt CTA ’s Regional Branch Office for the Pacific with more than 1,300 queries and SDI registered (RBOP) is hosted by the Institute for Research, nearly 30 new researchers, as well as a surge of Training and Extension in Agriculture and Rural interest from others. Development (IRETA), of the University of the South Pacific. IRETA continues to assist CTA-supported networking in the Pacific. The Agricultural The RBOP works with CTA to enhance the Liaison Officer (ALO) network provides links to Centre’s role in the region and to facilitate information sources for agricultural ministries, access to relevant agricultural information by farmers and other stakeholders. Its functions people and institutions of the Pacific. In 2005, were reinforced in 2005 through electronic the activities implemented covered FNS, networking facilities and ‘satellite meetings’.
45 CTA Annual Report 2005
CTA Brussels Office
CTA Brussels Office
The Brussels Web-log, online at http://brussels.cta.int
Strengthening institutional collaborations
The Brussels Office operates as an antenna preparing a workshop on support to family office for CTA, raising awareness of the agriculture and ACP small-scale farmers with the Centre’s programmes and activities among the ACP-EC group; and participating actively in the Brussels-based EU and ACP bodies by means ACP Group’s 30th anniversary celebrations. of a programme of information and liaison activities. CTA ’s Brussels Office staff monitor In order to strengthen dialogue and the exchange developments and topics emerging from relevant of information, the Brussels Office facilitated a ACP and EU fora and organisations working in number of visits by the new Director to the main areas of relevance to the Centre and share these Brussels-based organisations relevant to CTA ’s insights with CTA partners. work.
Some 2005 highlights included coordinating the The Brussels Office also plays a crucial role information and communication group within the in relaying relevant agricultural and rural ACP-EU initiative on cotton, which is aimed at development information produced by assisting Africa’s cotton producers; following up organisations operating within the ACP-EU on the meeting on ACP-EU fisheries relations agreement as well as other organisations based through e-consultations; organising a workshop in Brussels, to our ACP audience. This it does on support to rural women's networks and via a web-log at http://brussels.cta.int (where the fight against HIV/AIDS in rural areas; information is updated daily) and a weekly contributing to the establishment of the initiative e-bulletin in French and English, sent to more for an ACP-EU facility on natural disasters; than 1,600 subscribers.
46 CTA Annual Report 2005
Administrative Services
Standing: S. Millon, J. Nijhof, R. Tempel, B. Samoura. Seated: T. Mendo-Essiane, J.C. Burguet. Missing: I.Boto, I. Dolfing, H. Oguli, M. Robbertsen
Administrative Services, Budget and Human Resources (ASBHR)
n 2005, CTA appointed a new Director Advisory Committee with an Executive Ito replace Mr Carl B Greenidge, whose Board. 5-year term ended on 28 February. The Centre’s Supervisory Authorities nominated Proposed changes to CTA ’s regulations Dr Hansjörg Neun, a German national who (financial, operating and staff issues), which took up the position on 1 May. would allow it to re-adjust its internal regulations, were submitted for examination Additionally, the European Commission to the Centre’s Supervisory Authorities. instigated a process to replace CTA ’s
Budget EU member states contribute. The budgetary provisions for the years 2001–2005 (the The CTA is funded by the European ‘Ninth EDF Financial Protocol’) were set out Development Fund (EDF), to which all the in the CTA ’s Strategic Plan (see Table 1).
47 CTA Annual Report 2005
Administrative Services
TABLE 1: CTA budget forecast, 2001–2005 (in €‘000)
Year Title 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Total Titles I and II 5,200 5,500 5,500 5,500 5,700 27,400 Title III 8,200 8,300 8,600 8,800 9,000 42,900 TOTAL 13,400 13,800 14,100 14,300 14,700 70,300
TABLE 2: CTA budget for 2005 (in €‘000)
Income Amount Percentage EDF contribution 15,580 98.8 Other income 190 1.2 TOTAL 15,770 100.0 Budget allocation Title I – Staff costs 4,818 30.6 Title II – Running costs 1,422 9.0 Title III – Operational programme costs* 9,530 60.4 TOTAL 15,770 100.0
* See breakdown in Table 3
TABLE 3: Budget for operational programmes, 2005 (in €‘000)
Programme Amount Percentage Information Products and Services Department Publishing in print and electronic format 1,169 ICT-based information services 300 Distribution of publications 800 Decentralisation of information services 570 Miscellaneous 20 TOTAL 2,859 30.0 Communication Channels and Services Department Strengthening networks (especially at regional level) 1,167 Internet-based dialogue and information exchange 712 Location-based seminars and other communication services 975 Miscellaneous 5 TOTAL 2,859 30.0 ICM Skills and Systems Department ICM training 1,090 ICM support to partner organisations 1,025 Support to development of science and technology 720 Miscellaneous 24 TOTAL 2,859 30.0 Planning and Corporate Services Studies, consultations and evaluations 845 Internal information technology network 80 Miscellaneous 28 TOTAL 953 10.0
48 CTA Annual Report 2005
Administrative Services
Supervisory structure of CTA
ACP-EU Council of Ministers
ACP Council of Ministers EU Council of Ministers
ACP-EU Committee of Ambassadors
Committee of the Permanent Representatives ACP Committee of Ambassadors to the EU (COREPER)
ACP Sub-Committee on Sustainable ACP Group of the Development COREPER
Advisory European ACP Secretariat Committee Commission
Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) ACP-EC Cotonou Agreement
Organisational structure of CTA
DIRECTOR
PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATIVE ACCOUNTING BRUSSELS CORPORATE SERVICES, BUDGET SERVICES AND OFFICE SERVICES AND HUMAN FINANCIAL RESOURCES CONTROL
INFORMATION AND INFORMATION PRODUCTS COMMUNICATION COMMUNICATION AND SERVICES CHANNELS AND SERVICES MANAGEMENT SKILLS AND DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT SYSTEMS DEPARTMENT
49 CTA Annual Report 2005
Administrative Services
The ACP-EU Committee of Ambassadors Finances sets the rules for adopting the budget for the financial year that starts on 1 January The CTA’s accounts are audited each year by and ends on 31 December. The Committee two auditors, one appointed by the EU and also approves the draft programme and the the other by the ACP states. The auditors draft budget sent by the Centre at the end of sent their reports for the 2004 financial year June (2004) for the forthcoming year (2005) to the Supervisory Authorities at the end of and submitted to them for approval by the November 2005. The 2005 financial year audit European Commission (EC). will begin after the required documents have been submitted to the auditors, which occurs Following its approval, the budget is put before 31 March 2006. before the EDF Committee, which considers it alongside the remaining credits available For 2005 and subsequent financial years and in to CTA under the 5-year budget. The 2005 accordance with the terms of the grant contract financial year was the last year of the initial between the CTA and the EC which oversees Ninth EDF Financial Protocol. At the time the management of the annual budgets, the the draft 2005 budget was being considered auditors appointed by the EU and the ACP (in November 2004) the available credits states will be replaced by an international firm amounted to only 85% of what was required of auditors. The Centre therefore issued a call for the budget. for tenders during the second half of 2005.
The draft programme and budget In addition to the internal audit, the EDF has submitted to the Supervisory Authorities ordered an external audit of the 2003 financial is accompanied by the CTA Advisory year accounts. The final reports are expected Committee’s report. Following the budgetary during the first quarter of 2006. restrictions encountered in 2005 and the decision – initiated by the Commission and Finally, it is interesting to note the change in not finalised as of 31 December 2005 – to total actual expenditure of the Centre over the replace the 30-member Advisory Committee period 2000 to 2005. with a six-member Executive Board, the activities of the Advisory Committee were suspended, including the overview FIGURE 1: Annual expenditure, of the Programme of Activities for 2006. 2000–2005 (in €‘000) Comments, observations and suggestions were nevertheless solicited via an electronic consultation from members. 14,623 14,357 15,000 13,293 12,140 12,747 12,000 11,420 Budget overview: 2000 to 2005 9,000 6,000 The figures for the 2005 budget are in line 3,000
with the 5-year budget forecast figures of Amount (€’000) the Strategic Plan, the only difference being 0 that the budgetary figures take inflation into 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 account, whereas the forecast figures do not. Year
50 CTA Annual Report 2005
Administrative Services
Public relations
The arrival of the new Director to CTA provided an opportunity to organise meetings with the Centre’s Supervisory Authorities to update them on the latest developments within CTA. The Director used the operational activities organised by the Centre in the various regions as an opportunity to meet with the Centre’s partners, with a view to incorporating, where relevant, their expectations and suggestions into the new 2007–2010 Action Plan.
As part of its corporate image management, CTA revised its stationery (right) to highlight the leaf emblem, which forms the basis of its well-known logo.
CTA receives science and technology award CTA’s new stationery
The National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST) of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has presented an award to CTA in recognition of the Centre’s support of regional and extra-regional exchanges on systems to promote agricultural and rural development, in particular the commercialisation of agricultural biotechnology within the context of science and technology policy.
The award also recognises support from CTA in bio-safety training, which has promoted the safe use of agricultural biotechnology products in the Caribbean, and CTA’s contributions to national meetings in member countries of the Caribbean Council for Science and Technology (CCST), in which a draft Caribbean Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Framework was deliberated. NIHERST, on presenting the award, stated: “CTA has been a key partner to NIHERST and the CCST in promoting regional co-operation in the application of science, technology and innovation Judith Ann Francis, Senior Programme Coordinator, Science and Technology at CTA for national and regional development and in accepting the award on behalf of CTA from facilitating international linkages.” Mrs Maureen Manchouck, President, NIHERST.
51 CTA Annual Report 2005
Administrative Services
CTA personnel, 2005
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR INFORMATION PRODUCTS AND Lucie Scheepers Dr Hansjörg Neun ** SERVICES DEPARTMENT (IPSD) Project Assistant Director Joseph Mugah Manager Marceline Ngala-Mianda Helen Oguli Senior Secretary Executive Secretary Vivienne Oguya Programme Coordinator/Decentralised Hildreth John-Charles PLANNING AND CORPORATE Information Secretary SERVICES (P&CS) INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION Dr Ibrahim Khadar Chantal Guiot Programme Coordinator/Co-publications MANAGEMENT SKILLS AND SYSTEMS Manager DEPARTMENT (ICMSSD) Christine Webster Karen Hackshaw Programme Coordinator/Institutional Thierry Doudet Deputy Manager Publications Manager Vincent Fautrel Sarah Bel Ibrahim Tiemogo Programme Coordinator/Planning Programme Coordinator/Co-publications Senior Programme Coordinator/ Partnerships Eric Baillais ** Murielle Vandreck Programme Coordinator/IT Programme Coordinator/Publications Judith Ann Francis Distribution Senior Programme Coordinator/Science Lola Visser-Mabogunje and Technology Project Assistant Jenessi Matturi Project Assistant Rodger Obubo Deborah Kleinbussink Programme Coordinator/Training Senior Administrative Assistant Anne Legroscollard Senior Administrative Assistant Uzo Klein Leugemors-Ezeunala ADMINISTRATION, BUDGET AND Project Assistant HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT Mirjam Hoek (ABHRD) Secretary Armelle Degrave Jean-Claude Burguet Project Assistant Manager Evelyne Beij * ** Secretary Evelyne Kort-Nerinx * Julia Nijhof Secretary Gabriela Gonçalves Bahre * ** Senior Administrative Assistant Secretary Mik Paauw * ** Secretary Inge Dolfing * COMMUNICATION CHANNELS AND Secretary SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CCSD) STAFF MEMBERS WHO LEFT CTA IN 2005 Thomas Mendo-Essiane Oumy Ndiaye Carl B Greenidge, Director Messenger Manager José Filipe Fonseca Gesa Wesseler, Programme Coordinator/ Bandjoura Samoura Cross-cutting Issues Driver Senior Programme Coordinator/ Regional Partnership Bede Key, Programme Coordinator/IT Marguerite Robbertsen * Kevin Painting Receptionist Irene Prins, Mail/Archives Senior Programme Coordinator/ICT Richard Tempel * Marianne Broekhuizen, Secretary André Vugayabagabo Caretaker Senior Programme Coordinator/ BRUSSELS OFFICE Promotion of Information Exchange STAFF MEMBERS RECRUITED IN 2005 Dr Hansjörg Neun, Director Isolina Boto John Woodend Manager Programme Coordinator/Promotion of Eric Baillais, Programme Coordinator/IT Information Exchange ACCOUNTING SERVICES AND Mik Paauw, Secretary FINANCIAL CONTROL UNIT Aboubacar Koda-Traoré Sunita Millon Programme Coordinator/Library Evelyne Beij, Secretary Manager Giacomo Rambaldi Gabriela Gonçalves Bahre, Secretary Antoinette Senou Programme Coordinator/Regional * appointed under local contract Senior Administrative Assistant Partnerships ** recruited in 2005
52 CTA Annual Report 2005
CTA Advisory Committee
CTA Advisory Committee
The CTA Advisory Committee, which provides The Committee’s Annual Meeting is normally technical advice to CTA ’s Director, consists of held in June. 30 members, 15 of whom represent the ACP Group of States and 15 the EU Member States. In 2005 CTA ’s Supervisory Authorities Representatives of the EC, the Secretariat took the decision to replace the Advisory of the EU Council of Ministers and the ACP Committee with a six-member Executive Secretariat attend as observers. Board. Nonetheless, the Committee continued to provide pertinent advice to CTA ’s Director while awaiting the appointment of the Board.
Members of the CTA Advisory Committee
Representing the ACP Kenya Professor Agnes Mwang’ombe CENTRAL AFRICA Dean, Faculty of Agriculture Congo University of Nairobi M. Joseph Bondobaye Ingénieur Agroéconomiste Rwanda Consultant, Questions de Coopération Mr Alfred Bill Mutebwa et Développement Agricoles et Rurales Project Coordinator/Projet de Développement des auprès de l’Ambassade du Congo Cultures de Rente et d’Exportation (PDCRE) au Bénélux et à l’UE Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources
Gabon WEST AFRICA M. Jacques Anguile Benin Conseiller Spécial M. Soule Abdoulaye Manigui Présidence de la République Gabonaise Directeur Ministère de l’Agriculture, de l’Elevage et de la Pêche EAST AFRICA Eritrea Guinea Mr Oghbazghi Semere M. Ibrahima Fofana Director General Chef de la Division Department of Research and Human Resources Direction Nationale de l’Agriculture Ministry of Agriculture Ministère de l’Agriculture et de l’Elevage
53 CTA Annual Report 2005
CTA Advisory Committee
Niger Representing the EU M. Ibrahim Oumarou Austria Président de la Commission de Développement Rural Dr Manfred Schnitzer et de l’Environnement Head of Unit, Development Cooperation with Assemblée Nationale du Niger Africa, Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria SOUTHERN AFRICA Belgium Angola Professor Eric Tollens Professeur David N’Salambi Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Coordinateur des Recherches Vétérinaires Faculteit Landbouwkundige en Toegepaste Institut des Recherches Vétérinaires Biologische Wetenschappen Ministère de l’Agriculture et du Développement Rural Departement Agrotechniek en-Economie Namibia Denmark Mr Kintinu Sageus Dr Jørgen Henriksen Administrative Assistant to the Permanent Secretary Independent Consultant Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development
Finland Zambia Dr Juha Helenius Mr Albert Chalabesa Professor Deputy Director Department of Applied Biology Soils and Crops Research Branch University of Helsinki Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives
CARIBBEAN France Dominican Republic Mme Florence Lasbennes Chargée de Mission Dr José Rafael Espaillat Bureau des Politiques Agricoles et de la Sécurité Head of the Cooperation and Exchange Unit Alimentaire Instituto Dominicano de Investigaciones Sous-directeur du Développement Economique Agropecuarias y Forestales et de l’Environnement Direction Générale de Coopération Internationale et du Grenada Développement (DGCID) Ministère des Affaires Etrangères Dr Dunstan Anthony Carl Campbell Independent Consultant Germany PACIFIC Dr Wilhelm Suden Tonga Independent Consultant Mr Haniteli ‘Ofa Fa’anunu Director Greece Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Mrs Heleni Boulkou Special Administrator Vanuatu Directorate for Agricultural Policy Division for EU issues – International Relations Hon. Mr Stevens Kalsakau and Trade Policy Minister of Agriculture, Quarantine, Forestry and Ministry of Rural Development and Food Fisheries
54 CTA Annual Report 2005
CTA Advisory Committee
Ireland Spain Dr David Beehan Mr José Alvarez Ramos Deputy Chief Inspector Agricultural Counsellor Department of Agriculture and Food Agricultural Office Embassy of Spain Italy Sweden Dr Bernardo Palestini Dirigente Mr Inge Gerremo Dipartimento delle Politiche di Mercato Senior Advisor, Multilateral Affairs Department for Natural Resources and the Environment Luxembourg Swedish International Development Cooperation M. Jos Thill Agency (Sida) Conseiller Economique Service d’Economie Rurale United Kingdom Mr Dylan Winder The Netherlands Rural Livelihoods Adviser Dr Bram Huijsman Information and Communication for Development Director Team, Policy Division North–South Centre Department for International Development Wageningen University and Research Centre Observers Portugal European Commission Dr Augusto Manuel Correia Secretariat of the EU Council of Ministers Associate Professor ACP Secretariat Instituto Portugues de Agronomia Universidade Técnica de Lisboa
55 55 CTA Annual Report 2005
ACP and EU States
50
54 59 49 52 57 53 58 60 61 7 55 51 19 63 5662
ACP and EU States
Africa Caribbean 1 Angola 16 Eritrea 33 Niger 49 Antigua and 2 Benin 17 Ethiopia 34 Nigeria Barbuda 3 Botswana 18 Gabon 35 Rwanda 50 Bahamas 4 Burkina Faso 19 The Gambia 36 São Tomé and 51 Barbados 5 Burundi 20 Ghana Principe 52 Belize 6 Cameroon 21 Guinea 37 Senegal 53 Dominica 7 Cape Verde 22 Guinea Bissau 38 Seychelles 54 Dominican Republic 8 Central African 23 Kenya 39 Sierra Leone 55 Grenada Republic 24 Lesotho 40 Somalia 56 Guyana 9 Chad 25 Liberia 41 South Africa 57 Haïti 10 Comoros 26 Madagascar 42 Sudan 58 Jamaica 11 Congo 27 Malawi 43 Swaziland 59 St Kitts and Nevis 12 Côte d'Ivoire 28 Mali 44 Tanzania 60 St Lucia 13 Democratic Republic 29 Mauritania 45 Togo 61 St Vincent and of Congo 30 Mauritius 46 Uganda the Grenadines 14 Djibouti 31 Mozambique 47 Zambia 62 Suriname 57 15 Equatorial Guinea 32 Namibia 48 Zimbabwe 63 Trinidad and Tobago 85 101
84 92 83 93 102 87 96 103 90 94 82 80 98 79 89 86 99 91 97 100 88
95 81
29 28 33 16 37 19 4 9 42 21 2 14 69 22 66 34 6 17 39 12 20 8 72 25 45 15 40 68 46 36 23 70 18 11 35 13 5 44 73 75 77 38 65 10 64 1 74 47 27 78 67 26 71 48 31 30 76 32 3 43 24 41
Pacific Europe 64 Cook Islands 79 Austria 96 Poland 65 East Timor 80 Belgium 97 Portugal 66 Federated States 81 Cyprus 98 Slovakia of Micronesia 82 Czech Republic 99 Slovenia 67 Fiji 83 Denmark 100 Spain 68 Kiribati 84 Estonia 101 Sweden 69 Marshall Islands 85 Finland 102 The Netherlands 70 Nauru 86 France 103 United Kingdom 71 Niue 87 Germany 72 Palau 88 Greece 73 Papua New 89 Hungary Guinea 90 Ireland 74 Samoa 91 Italy 75 Solomon Islands 92 Latvia 76 Tonga 93 Lithuania 77 Tuvalu 94 Luxembourg 78 Vanuatu 95 Malta CTA Products and Services
The products and services of CTA during 2005 are listed in the following tables.
Information Products and Services Department (IPSD) pages 60–66 Communication Channels and Services Department (CCSD) pages 67–75 Information and Communication Management Skills and Systems Department (ICMSSD) pages 76–84 Planning and Corporate Services (P&CS) pages 85–88 CTA Annual Report 2005
IPSD Products and Services
Information Products and Services Department (IPSD)
CTA Publications (Print and Electronic) Title Type of publication
CTA annual report 2004 / Rapport annuel CTA 2004 Report (print/PDF on CTA website/CD-ROM)
The capacity of Africa’s agricultural sector to contribute to achieving Special Paper (print/PDF on CTA website/CD-ROM) Commissioned the UN Millennium Development Goals / La capacité du secteur paper by Dr Monty Jones agricole africain à contribuer à la réalisation des Objectifs du Millénaire pour le développement fixés par les Nations unies
E-catalogue / Catalogue électronique Complete list of publications from CTA’s catalogue in a searchable online database
CTA Publications Catalogue 2005 / Catalogue des Publications 2005 Print publication
Summary: European Union-Africa Cotton Forum, Paris 5–6 July 2004 / Report (print and PDF format on CTA website) Synthèse: Forum Union européenne-Afrique sur le coton, Paris, 5–6 juillet 2004
Synthesis Report: Role of Information and Communication Tools in Print report of the proceedings of the CTA Seminar held in Food and Nutrition Security in ACP Countries Mozambique in 2004 (limited distribution)
Role of Information and Communication Tools in Food and Nutrition CD-ROM (bilingual) Security in ACP Countries / Le rôle des outils d’information et de Report of the CTA Seminar held in Mozambique in 2004 communication dans la sécurité alimentaire et nutritionnelle dans les pays ACP
Organic Agriculture in Uganda and Kenya (English only) – working Report (print and on CTA website) of a 2004 study visit document
Spore / Esporo Magazine (newsfeed/print/PDF/HTML format on CTA website) Issues 115–120 in English and French; issues 65–70 in Portuguese
Spore / Esporo E-nnouncement E-mail announcement of forthcoming Spore/Esporo issues distributed to subscribers
CTA website Electronic format Institutional information on CTA
Spore ‘n More Digital satellite broadcast of selected CTA material including Spore and Esporo
Reports of the 2003 CTA Observatory on Soil Fertility Electronic format Reports of the 2003 Observatory on CD ROM
60 CTA Annual Report 2005
IPSD Products and Services
Co-publications Title Authors Publishing partners
Series The Tropical Agriculturalist Pigs (revised edition) D.H. Holness Macmillan
Agrodok Preparação e utilização de composto M. Inckel, P. de Smet, T. Tesmette, Agromisa T. Veldkamp
Produção de alimentos de desmame em pequena escala S. van Gastel, A. van den Agromisa, Cordaid Wijngaart
Produção de sementes em pequena escala H. van den Burg Agromisa, Kerkinactie
Pesticidas: compostos, usos e perigos J. Boland, I. Koomen, J. van Lidth Agromisa de Jeude, J. Oudejans
Culturas protegidas: construção, requisitos e uso de estufas em várias E. van Heurn, K. van der Post Agromisa condições climáticas
Recolha de água e retenção da humidade do solo J. Anschütz, A. Kome, Agromisa M. Nederlof, R. de Neef, T. van de Ven
Propagação e plantio de árvores E. Verheij Agromisa
Conservação de peixe e carne B. Maas-van Berkel, B. van den Agromisa Boogaard, C. Heijnen
Small-scale mushroom cultivation P. Oei, B. van Nieuwenhuijzen Agromisa La culture des champignons à petite échelle
Beekeeping in the tropics (revised edition) L. van ’t Leven, W.J. Boot, M. Agromisa, Nectar L’apiculture dans les zones tropicales (édition révisée) Mutsaers, P. Segeren, H. Velthuis A apicultura nas regiões tropicais
Bee products: properties, processing and marketing M. Mutsaers, H. van Blitterswijk, Agromisa, Nectar Produits de l’apiculture : propriétés, transformation et L. van ’t Leven, J. Kerkvliet, commercialisation J. van de Waerdt
Tomato cultivation (revised edition) S. Naika, J. van Lidt de Jeude, Agromisa, PROTA Foundation La culture de la tomate (édition révisée) M. de Goffau, M. Hilmi, B. van Dam
Multiplier et planter des arbres (édition révisée) E. Verheij Agromisa
La conservation du poisson et de la viande (édition révisée) B. Maas-van Berkel, B. van den Agromisa Boogaard, C. Heijnen Réussir dans l’agroalimentaire Créer et gérer une petite entreprise agroalimentaire B. Axtell, P. Fellows (eds); D. Ribier Gret and C. Broutin for the French adaptation 61 CTA Annual Report 2005
IPSD Products and Services
Co-publications Title Authors Publishing partners
Plant resources of tropical Africa Dyes and tannins P.C.M. Jansen, D. Cardon (eds) Backhuys Publishers, PROTA Colorants et tanins Foundation (book with bilingual CD-ROM)
Technical publications Tropical pod-boring Lepidoptera (CD-ROM) A. Polaszek, D. Agassiz, G. Kibby Crop Production Programme – DFID, UK
Participatory livestock research: a guide C. Conroy ITDG Publishing,Livestock Production Programme – DFID, UK
Les plantes cultivées en régions tropicales d’altitude d’Afrique P. Nyabyenda Les Presses Agronomiques de Gembloux
Plant parasitic nematodes in subtropical and tropical agriculture M. Luc, R.A. Sikora, J. Bridge (eds) CABI Publishing (2nd edition)
A practical guide to bookselling O. Orimalade, B. Impey (eds) INASP Guide pratique de la librairie
The faces of energy-related poverty as seen through the eyes of F. Denton, E. Seck, M.K. Cisse, Enda Tiers Monde, SURF women and men in Senegal Y.D. Gueye Afrique de l’Ouest du PNUD Le visage de la pauvreté énergétique à travers la femme au Sénégal
Communities on the margins of development: Real life stories of F. Denton Enda Tiers Monde gender, energy and poverty Des communautés en marge du développement. Energie et pauvreté : histoires vécues de femmes et d’hommes
Interactive fisheries governance: a guide to better practice M. Bavinck, R. Chuenpagdee, MARE M. Diallo, P. van der Heijden, J. Kooiman, R. Mahon, S. Williams
Marketing of agricultural produce: helping farmers to position I. Ouédraogo, F. Ngang Fru, INADES themselves better in agricultural production and marketing M.-C. Houédanou Commercialisation des produits agricoles : aider les paysans à mieux se positionner sur les filières agricoles (Les Dossiers Développement Agripromo)
Seventy tree stories from Africa J.-Y. Clavreul Editions Ganndal
How to make and use enhanced animal manure M. Parkolwa, M. Shihemi Acacia Publishers
Vegetable production and integrated pest management – calendar 2006 H. Dobson, J. Cooper NRI Production des végétaux et la lutte intégrée contre les nuisibles – calendrier 2006
Gender and ICTs for development: a global sourcebook S. Cummings, M. Valk H. van KIT/Oxfam Dam
62 CTA Annual Report 2005
IPSD Products and Services
Co-publications Title Authors Publishing partners
Setting breeding objectives and developing seed systems with farmers A. Christinck, E. Weltzien, Margraf Publishers V. Hofmann (eds)
The coffee paradox: global markets, commodity trade and the elusive B. Daviron, S. Ponte ZED Books promise of development
Law and policy of relevance to the management of plant genetic B. Bragdon, C. Fowler, Z. França, GTZ/IFPRI/IPGRI/SGRP resources: learning module with review of regional policy instruments, E. Goldberg (eds) developments and trends (2nd edition) (CD-ROM)
Co-seminar proceedings and reports T.O. Williams, S.A. Tarawali, ILRI Sustainable crop-livestock production for improved livelihoods P. Hiernaux, S. Fernández-Rivera (published in 2004) and natural resource management in West Africa: proceedings of (eds) an international conference held at IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria, 19–22 November 2001
Video co-productions Title Description
Agriflash issues featuring: Short video programmes (3-minutes) on agriculture produced in 1. Commodities collaboration with People TV and broadcast through the magazine 2. Production Business Africa in 35 countries 3. Processing 4. Pests and diseases 5. International trade 6. Agricultural communication Partnerships, the key to improving access to agricultural information? 8-minute video report The Question and Answer Service 8-minute video report Information for regional agricultural trade 8-minute video report Agritrade: facilitating ACP agricultural trade negotiations 8-minute video report Locust invasion, Mauritania, 2004/05 52-minute video documentary (co-produced with Arté)
Subscribers to CTA’s Publications Distribution Service (PDS), 2005 Subscribers Number
New PDS subscribers 890 New Spore/Esporo subscribers 2,106 Number of CTA publications distributed (both on CTA’s initiative and in 66,480 response to orders) Number of non-CTA publications distributed 2,910 Number of publication order forms processed 14,300 Total number of PDS subscribers 34,696 (people: 21,752; organisations: 12,944) 63 CTA Annual Report 2005
IPSD Products and Services
Subscribers to CTA’s Publications Distribution Service (PDS), 2005
Distribution of PDS subscribers by region
Others (special cases, e.g. embassies): 291 (0.8%) Caribbean: 724 (2.2%) Central Africa: 4,020 (11.8%)
Eastern Africa: 9,062 (26.5%)
West Africa: Pacific: 310 (0.9%) 16,574 (48.5%) Southern Africa: 3,168 (9.3%)
Question-and-Answer Service (QAS) statistics, 2005
Table 1 Number and occupation of users at some CTA-supported QAS centres, 2005
Caribbean Central Eastern Pacific Southern User category region Africa Africa Ghana Nigeria region Africa Total Consultants 29 1 13 14 – 19 – 76 Extension agents 199 33 35 13 6 31 421 738 Farmers 108 77 80 54 5 34 777 1,135 Lecturers / teachers 72 2 47 23 108 39 235 526 Librarians / archivists 45 1 7 37 – 28 281 399 Policy-makers / planners 47 3 18 20 – 18 142 248 Researchers 342 5 417 126 152 79 123 1,244 Students 459 13 309 118 342 288 679 2,208 Others 193 149 42 5 – 14 412 815 Total 1,494 284 968 410 613 550 3,070 7,389
64 CTA Annual Report 2005
IPSD Products and Services
Question-and-Answer Service (QAS) statistics, 2005
Table 2 Purpose of information requested from some CTA-supported QAS centres, 2005
Caribbean Central Eastern Pacific Southern Information Use region Africa Africa Ghana Nigeria region Africa Total Agricultural processing 42 5 22 42 – 34 1,249 1,394 Animal production 119 81 43 44 – 43 – 330 Community education 108 – 35 19 2 39 437 640 Crop production 328 102 79 66 5 31 1,100 1,711 Lecture / Address 69 45 52 179 13 188 546 Markets and marketing 51 24 50 27 6 35 205 398 Personal use 133 – 26 47 3 48 1,023 1,280 Policy development / Planning 40 – 11 35 – 13 39 138 Research 520 5 492 216 418 41 123 1,815 Other 116 67 145 – 19 142 489 Total 1,526 284 948 548 613 316 4,506 8,741
Table 3 Gender distribution (where known) of QAS users in some CTA-supported centres, 2005
Caribbean Central Eastern Southern Gender Region Africa Africa Ghana Nigeria Africa Total Female 355 28 294 90 189 63 1,019 Male 307 256 654 320 424 2,543 4,504 Total 662 284 948 410 613 2,606 5,523
Table 4 Institutional affiliation of QAS users in some CTA-supported centres, 2005
Central Eastern Southern Institutional affiliation Caribbean Africa Africa Ghana Nigeria Africa Total Commercial companies – 7 10 10 – – 27 Farmer organisations 87 15 54 44 – – 200 Government institutions 643 2 118 47 40 112 962 Non-governmental 26 16 33 3 – 692 770 institutions Individuals 68 233 34 35 5 911 1,286 Research institutions 245 2 302 114 193 251 1,107 Universities 230 3 395 151 375 856 2,010 Others 195 6 2 – – 472 675 Total 1,494 284 948 404 613 3,294 7,037
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Bibliographic information delivered to SDI users Region Profiles References
Central Africa 189 41,394 Eastern Africa 279 65,675 Southern Africa 261 61,539 West Africa 531 132,100 Caribbean 129 39,493 Pacific 168 40,376 Total 1,557 380,577
Full text documents delivered to SDI users ACP region Articles Books
Southern Africa 74 9 Central Africa 57 3 Eastern Africa 250 6 West Africa 273 1 Caribbean 22 0 Pacific 22 19 Total 698 38
Full text documents delivered to QAS partners and other users ACP region Articles Books
Southern Africa 3 – Eastern Africa 26 – Madagascar 67 – Carribean – 2 West Africa 1 – Total 97 2
66 CTA Annual Report 2005
CCSD Products and Services
Communication Channels and Services Department (CCSD)
Project Subject Purpose
CTA regional branch offices
CTA Regional Branch Office in the Institutional To enhance CTA’s role in the Caribbean region and improve Caribbean, CARDI support information services offered by the CARDI Secretariat and member states
CTA Regional Branch Office in the Pacific, Institutional To enhance CTA’s role in the Pacific region and improve information IRETA support services offered by the IRETA Secretariat and member states
Marketing Study on Convenience Foods in Study To foster convenience food industry (pre-packaged vegetables) in the the Caribbean (with CARDI) Caribbean through improved market and decision-making related information
Regional Workshop on Food Processing and Workshop To sensitise stakeholders to appropriate technologies for food Adding Value to Pacific Produce (with IRETA) processing at both the commercial and the village level
Regional policy networking
Support to FANRPAN Networking To improve policy dialogue between Southern African regional policy stakeholders through improved access to, and exchange of, policy- related information
Support to ECAPAPA Networking To improve policy dialogue between Eastern and Central African regional policy stakeholders through improved access to, and exchange of, policy-related information
Support to CaRAPN Networking To improve policy dialogue between Caribbean regional policy stakeholders through improved access to, and exchange of, policy- related information
Building a Caribbean Monitoring and Regional To complete the development of the ‘Performance Component’ of a Evaluation Information System for the Agro information Caribbean Agricultural Policy Monitoring and Evaluation Information 2015 Plan and Jagdeo Initiative (with IICA) system System
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Project Subject Purpose
Trade information networking
CMA/CWA information system Networking To improve decision-making in West and Central African regional trade through enhanced availability of relevant information on agricultural commodity chains
Support to women’s networks
FEMNET 2004/05 - Support to the (Pan) Networking To enhance FEMNET advocacy and communications capacity to African Women’s Development and better meet the needs of its membership and other constituencies Communication Network through conducting a strategic planning process and organisational, programming and project re-structuring.
FEMNET 2005/06 - Support to the (Pan) Networking To strengthen advocacy for women’s rights in Africa, specifically but African Women’s Development and not limited to access and control over land and productive resources, Communication Network sexual and reproductive health (including HIV/AIDS)
PEG 2004/2005- Support to the Pacific Networking To increase awareness of gender issues in the energy sector in the Energy and Gender (PEG) Network Pacific
Peg 2005/06 - Support to the Pacific Energy Networking To support mainstreaming gender into national/regional energy and Gender (PEG) Network policies planning, and enhance awareness of the need to ensure equitable access to energy for rural women in Pacific Small Islands countries
CANROP 2004/2005 - Support to the Networking To increase the capability of the Caribbean Network of Rural Caribbean Network of Rural Women Women Producers (CANROP), in supporting the development and Producers strengthening of value-added industries, owned and operated by rural small-scale Caribbean women producers
Support to natural resource management
RESACIFROAT/UFROAT 2005 Networking To validate the livestock management action plan of the members of Support to the Union des Femmes Rurales UFROAT Ouest Africaines et du Tchad (UFROAT – a union of rural women in West Africa and Chad)
Provision of support to the Compas network Networking To enhance endogenous development in Africa through sharing field via the Vaal University of Technology experiences, curriculum development and scientific dialogue
Provision of support to the Compas Networking To enhance endogenous development in Africa through sharing field network via the Centre for Cosmovision and experiences, curriculum development and scientific dialogue Indigenous Knowledge (CECIK)
IRETA 2005 – Support to agroforestry Networking To increase awareness of the value and importance of traditional networking in the Pacific region mixed cropping farming systems and agroforestry in the Pacific region
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Project Subject Purpose
WWF 2004/05 – Collaborative Spatial Networking To introduce, showcase and document improved spatial information Information and Communication and communication management practices in the context of Management in the Pacific community-based spatial planning, and to improve community mapping skills among selected practitioners in the Pacific region and share lessons learned Support to horizontal networks
CariPestNet 2004/05 – Development of Networking To strengthen the CariPestNet network as an on-line provider CariPestNet e-mail based pest management for efficient and effective electronic pest identification and crop advisory services protection information services in the Caribbean
RAIN 2004/05 – the Regional Agricultural Networking To assess training needs among ICM professionals active in production Information Network and services sub-sectors (documentation centres’ staff, publication staff, computer centre and scientists) in all ASARECA countries
PROPAGE 2005 – Pricing the leaves of the Networking To establish the commercial potential of Moringa leaves as a Moringa tree commodity product for ACP countries
Fisher Folk Organisations in the Caribbean Networking To design a strategic approach to the strengthening of fisher folk organisations in the Caribbean
The development of Caribbean Farmers and Networking To develop networking and cooperation among farmers’ associations NGOs Network (CaFaNN) and NGOs; To improve the capacity of farmers’ associations’ and NGOs’ capacities to identify and prepare projects
IRETA/ALO 2004/05 – Networking activities Networking To improve communication between IRETA and member states via the among IRETA Agricultural Liaison Officers ALO Network. (ALO) in the Pacific countries Project components: (i) ALO Operations and Coordination and (ii) ALO Annual Workshop
IRETA/ALO 2005/06 – Networking activities Networking To improve communication between IRETA and member states via the among IRETA Agricultural Liaison Officers ALO Network. (ALO) in the Pacific countries Project components: (i) ALO Operations and Coordination and (ii) ALO Annual Workshop including training
Support to research networks
CORAF 2004/05 Networking To facilitate of the CORAF/WECARD e-consultation on the theme ‘CORAF network forest and agroforestry: Realities and perspectives’
CORAF 2005 – Encouraging awareness Networking To sensitise the participants to the value of tools and systems for the and development of tools for the analysis, management and distribution of agricultural information. communication and dissemination of To allow participants to acquire knowledge and experience in the use agricultural information in the member of these tools states of CORAF
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Project Subject Purpose
CORAF 2005/06 – Production of a Networking To preserve in electronic format all issues of CORAF Action (in both CD-ROM of the archive of the CORAF English and French versions) and thereby provide access to this Action newsletter information to a wider range of audiences To disseminate information produced by researchers in CORAF’s member states
CORAF 2005/06 – Pilot study on the Networking To evaluate the rate of adoption, by various users, of the technologies impact of research on natural livestock developed by research management in Central and West Africa To evaluate the impact of the use of these technologies on natural livestock management at the local level To decide on best practice taking into account the social aspects of the research
ICT-based activities
Title Subject Purpose
Resource centre: consolidation Web portal To provide a reference resource centre to CTA and its partners
Rural radio in Eastern and Southern Africa, Workshop in To sensitise decision makers and development partners of Eastern and Lilongwe 26–29 April 2005 collaboration with FAO Southern Africa on the role of rural radio in development and SADC-CCD
Partnership on rural radio with AMARC- Rural radio production To involve communities in radio production and broadcasting in 35 Africa countries in Africa
Support to market information system Web portal To develop a regional database and a GIS tool for data entry and retrieval for Western Africa Market Information system
Review of the CTA community platform Study To assess the strengths and weaknesses of the current online community platform offered by CTA to its partners
Harmonisation of methods of collect and Workshop To harmonise methods of data collection and analysis of RESIMAO analysis of MIS in West Africa, 14–18 country members taking into account the current market trend at November 2005 national, regional and international levels
Community platform for the training Cooperation with Eldis To provide an online networking area (a ‘community space’) for CTA programme training
ICT Update Web portal, printed To strengthen the formulation and implementation of ICT policies bulletin in the field of agriculture and rural development through the timely provision of information and knowledge sharing
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Title Subject Purpose
RSS feeds: identifying strategies for Workshop To improve the availability of and access to appropriate (relevant, improving information access and sharing accurate, timely and well-adapted) information for ACP agricultural for ACP partners, 16–18 February 2005 and rural development via RSS (and more generally, XML)
Strategies to strengthen agricultural Workshop To sensitise agricultural institutions on agricultural information information access, dissemination, and management and dissemination strategies using ICTs communication in Tanzania, 3–7 April 2005
Agritrade Web portal To create or heighten awareness of the critical issues and deadlines involved in agricultural negotiations and those concerning the fisheries sector
PAPGREN Web site development; To enhance the efficacy and efficiency of conservation and sustainable networking use of PGR in the Pacific through the provision of information on Pacific genebank holdings
Support for the establishment of electronic Electronic forum To enhance the efficacy and efficiency of networking and knowledge forums (d-groups) sharing
D-groups established:
• Caribbean Network of Rural Women Producers
• Follow-up of the CRNM/PMU training workshop on EPA agricultural trade negotiations for the Caribbean
• Collaborative Spatial Information Management and Communication in the Pacific
• Assessment of the agricultural information needs of ACP Caribbean States
• Follow up to the CTA workshop: RSS feeds: Identifying Strategies for Improving Information Access for ACP Partners
• Pacific Energy and Gender (PEG) Network
• Preparation of ACP countries for the agricultural negotiations at the 6th WTO Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong
• Participatory 3D Modelling (P3DM) Helpdesk
• Community Mapping Network – Eastern and Central Africa
• HIV/AIDS Mitigation in Eastern and Southern Africa
• Strengthening rural women’s networks with regard to information and communication, and combating HIV/AIDS in rural areas
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CTA Annual Seminar
Title Details* Key points
The role of information and communication CARDI, CFNI • To sensitise Caribbean policy-makers on the links between tools in implementing food and nutrition Belize City, Belize agriculture, nutrition, health and trade as it relates to the security plans in the Caribbean 14–18 March 2005 concept of food and nutrition security To review the status of implementation of food and nutrition plans as they relate to 56 Caribbean food and nutrition security • To identify priority information needs for implementing food and nutrition plans in the region • To identify priority activities to facilitate implementation of food and nutrition plans and improved food and nutrition security in the region • To identify information and communication tools to be used to facilitate the implementation of food and nutrition security plans and programmes in the Caribbean
The role of information and communication IRETA • To identify priority activities to facilitate implementation of food tools in food and nutrition security in the Apia, Samoa and nutrition programmes and improved food and nutrition Pacific region 26–30 September security in the region 2005 • To identify priority information needs for implementing food and nutrition programmes in the region 28 • To identify information and communication tools to be used to facilitate the implementation of food and nutrition security programmes in the Pacific *Partner, venue, date, number of participants
Study visits
Title Details** Key points
Community development/rural radio/eco- 5–16 September 2005 Study visit tourism in Trinidad and Tobago Toco Foundation
Livestock and horticulture in the Pacific 21–25 November Study visit 2005, Fiji, IRETA 12 participants
Co-seminars
Title Details** Key points
International symposium on the 21–27 February 2005, Co-seminar development of agro-pastoral fields in Africa Niamey, GREAD 20 participants
Participatory community mapping/PGIS 7–10 September 2005, Co-seminar Nairobi, ITC 21 participants
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Title Details** Key points
Strengthening rural women’s networks with 13–17 June 2005, Co-seminar regard to information and communication Brussels, Funding: 23 networks and 70 participants from donors agencies for the and to combat HIV/AIDS in rural areas CTA, DGCD (Belgian awareness day Cooperation for Development), FAO/ Dimitra, King Baudouin Foundation Technical collaboration with: the EC, ACP Secretariat and Group of Ambassadors, the World Bank, WHO, UNAIDS
Agro-tourism in the Caribbean 3–5 October 2005, Co-seminar St Kitts and Nevis, IICA 17 participants
Convergence of sciences 25–28 October 2005, Co-seminar Accra, WUR 16 participants
Rural development on the role of food, 14–16 November 2005, Co-seminar water and biomass: opportunities for Dakar, RIVM 11 participants development and climate
Bringing about change: participatory 21–25 November 2005, Co-seminar agricultural extension in the Pacific Tonga, SPC 16 participants
** Date, venue, partner
Seminar Support Programme (SSP) CTA sponsored Title participants Event details
Pilgrim locust conference 11 Dakar, Senegal, 11–13 January 2005, CORAF
Workshop on African water laws: 11 Gauteng, South Africa, 26–28 January 2005, NRI plural legislative frameworks for rural management in Africa
International conference on Effective land- 1 Bac-Lieu, Vietnam, 1–3 March 2005, IWMI water interface management for solving agriculture–fishery–aquaculture conflicts in coastal zones
Forum Rhônes-Alpes/Afrique 2 Lyon, France, 8–10 March 2005
Integration of PAN Germany’s online 9 Nairobi, Kenya, 21–25 March 2005, PAN Germany information service for non-chemical pest management in the tropics 73 CTA Annual Report 2005
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CTA sponsored Title participants Event details
Regional seminar on experiences of law and 17 Yaoundé, Cameroon, 30 March–1 April 2005, Association Citoyenne lobbying de Défense des Intérets Collectifs (ACDIC)
IVth International meeting of FORAGRO 5 Panama, 13–15 April 2005, IICA
IELC 2005/4th World Cowpea Congress 3 Durban, South Africa, 17–21 April 2005, University of Pretoria
Integrating small enterprises into the wider 6 Kandy, Sri Lanka, 27–30 April 2005, Sarvodaya Economic Enterprise economy Development Services (SEEDS)
5th West and Central Africa biennial regional 13 Cotonou, Benin, 2–6 May 2005, International Institute of Tropical maize workshop Agriculture (IITA)
3rd International symposium on biocontrol 1 Wuhan, China, 10–13 May 2005, Huazhong Agricultural University and biotechnology
Workshop on African medicinal plant 14 Pretoria, South Africa, 13–15 May 2005, University of Pretoria profiles
IAALD conference: Globalization of 8 Lexington, USA, 15–21 May 2005, IAALD information: agriculture at the crossroads
CAFON study visit to The Netherlands 1 The Netherlands, 29 May–7 June 2005, CAFON
Publishers against AIDS 7 Kingston, Jamaica, 30 May–3 June 2005, CAPNET
Learning alliances for scaling up innovative 6 Delft, The Netherlands, 6–10 June 2005, IRC approaches in the water and sanitation sector
6th International congress of industrial 1 Besançon, France, 7–10 June 2005, Génie Industriel engineering
2nd International symposium on sweet 4 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 14–17 June 2005, MARDI/ISHC potato and cassava (2ISSC)
Conference of CEDEAO country ministers 10 Bamako, Mali, 21–24 June 2005, CEDEAO on agricultural biotechnology
7th International conference on herbal 20 St. Lucia, 23–26 June 2005, IICA medicine in the Caribbean
International grassland congress 9 Dublin, Ireland, 26 June–1 July 2005, University College Dublin
5th International conference of animal health 8 Onderstepoort, South Africa, 28 June–7 July 2005, University of information specialists Pretoria
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CTA sponsored Title participants Event details
41st Annual meeting of the Caribbean Food 4 Guadeloupe, French West Indies, 10–16 July 2005, CFCS Crops Society
Malaysian International Cocoa Conference 3 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 17–19 July 2005, Malaysian Cocao Board
AFRIAMSLIC Conference 6 Accra, Ghana, 23–25 August 2005, IAMSLIC
International conference on science and 5 Akure, Nigeria, 14–19 August 2005, Federal University of Technology technology
Forum for the fisherfolk of West Africa 15 Dakar, Senegal, 5, 6 & 7 September 2005, ADEPA
19th Congress: Use of water and land for 2 Beijing, China, 10–18 September 2005, International Commission on food and environmental sustainability Irrigation and Drainage
Human impacts on soil security quality 1 Isfahan, Iran, 12–16 September 2005, Isfahan University attributes in arid and semi-arid regions
ITANA 2005 Congress: Improving nutrition 10 Cape Town, South Africa, 16–18 September 2005 Stellenbosch in Africa through ICT: developments and University applications
9th African Forum on Agricultural PBAs as 6 Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 19–23 September 2005, GTZ comprehensive approach to rural poverty reduction
15th IFOAM Organic World Congress 4 Adelaide, Australia, 23–25 September 2005, IFOAM
4th All Africa Conference on Animal 11 Arusha, Tanzania, 23–26 September 2005, ILRI Agriculture
Expert consultation on International 5 Rome, Italy, 19–21 October 2005, FAO information systems for agricultural science and technology – review of status and prospects
National Youth Campaigns at the parallel 9 Tunis, Tunisia, 16–18 November 2005, SchoolNetAfrica events section of WSIS
Regional workshop on Scientific research 5 Khartoum, Sudan, 22–24 November 2005, UNESCO Chair for and national research plans of action for Desertification Studies combating desertification
PRCM regional forum West Africa to discuss 8 Banjul, The Gambia, 5–7 December 2005, WWF 10th EDF
African forum on irrigation and drainage 10 Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 6–10 December 2005, ARID
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Information and Communication Management Skills and Systems Department (ICMSSD)
Information and communication training courses 2005 CTA training courses Details* Participants and beneficiary countries
Scientific Data Management Regional; UNAAB; Nigeria; Agricultural researchers, survey-officers, MIS providers (21); 7–18 March 2005 Cameroon, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone
Market Information Systems Regional; IRETA; Cook Islands; Agricultural information officers and MIS providers (14) from 25–29 April 2005 the South Pacific: Cook Islands, Kiribati, The Federated States of Micronesia, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, Marshall Islands, and Papua New Guinea
Scientific Writing Regional; IRAG; Guinea; Agricultural researchers (15) from West and Central Africa: Burkina 9–13 May 2005 Faso, Cameroon, Chad, DR Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo
Increasing the information Regional; FVI; Zambia; Partners FVI; Agricultural Communication Officers (21); Ethiopia, capacity of agricultural workers 23–25 May 2005 Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe (English-speaking countries)
Project Cycle Management and Regional; IRAD; Cameroon; Partners CTA (18); Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, logical framework (French- 23–27 May 2005 DR Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Mali and São Tome and speaking countries) Principe
Regional Train the Trainers Regional; INSTI; Ghana; Researchers and lecturers in agricultural research institutes and course on Scientific Writing 23–31 May 2005 universities (21) from West and Central Africa: Cameroon, DR Congo, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and The Gambia
Increasing the information Regional; FVI; Mali; Partners FVI; Agricultural Communication Officers (17); Benin, capacity of agricultural workers 31 May–2 June 2005 Burkina Faso, Cameroon, DR Congo, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, (French-speaking countries) Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Togo
QAS Management training Regional; NAERLS; Nigeria; QAS managers (17); Ghana and Nigeria course 27 June–2 July 2005
Advanced web page design Regional; UCAD; Senegal; Web site managers (18) from West and Central Africa: Benin, Burkina and website maintenance 4–15 July 2005 Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo
Train the Trainers course Regional; CARDI; Trinidad and Network coordinators, advisors Caribbean agricultural networks on Agricultural Networking Tobago; 6–15 July 2005 (14); Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Vincent and Management Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago
Introduction to tools and Regional; FIPA; Uganda; 1 Programme officers in charge of communications and in direct methods of communication for 2–16 September 2005 contact with farmers (17); DR Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, African farmers’ organisations Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe 76 CTA Annual Report 2005
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Information and communication training courses 2005 CTA training courses Details* Participants and beneficiary countries
Introduction to tools and Regional; FIPA; Mali; Programme officers in charge of communications and in direct methods of communication for 26–30 September 2005 contact with farmers (15); Benin, DR Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, African farmers organisations Madagascar, Mali, Rwanda, Senegal
Advanced Web Design course Regional; INSTI; Ghana; Website managers (19); Ghana and Nigeria 3–14 October 2005
QAS Management training Regional; IRETA; Samoa; QAS managers (13); Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, course for the Pacific 24 October–1 November 2005 Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
QAS Management training Regional; SAILD; Cameroon; QAS Managers (18) from Central Africa: Burundi, Cameroon, Central course 21–29 November 2005 African Republic, Chad, Congo (Brazzaville), DR Congo, Gabon and Rwanda
Follow-up and support of Online follow-up mentoring QAS Managers (16) ; Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South participants of the QAS of participants of QAS Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe Management training course Management training course conducted at Lusaka, Zambia, by Mr Bert Alkemade
Follow-up on Advanced Web Online follow-up mentoring of Documentalists, website managers and information professionals Design course participants of 2004 Advanced from NGOs and agricultural institutions (19); Ethiopia, Kenya, Web Design course conducted Malawi, Samoa, Sudan and Uganda at Nairobi by Mr John Opigo
Total number of beneficiaries of the CTA training Programme: 293
* Type, partner, venue, date
Development of training materials and methods 2005 Activity Details Participants
Learning and practicing Regional; IciLàBas; France; Journalists (12); Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal agricultural journalism April–December 2005
Evaluation of the uptake and FAO; Italy; July–December 2005 Evaluation team the use of IMARK module ‘Management of Electronic documents’
Virtual workshops: Facilitating FAO; Italy; Members of PROCICARIBE-Network in the Caribbean; and ASARECA Online Interaction September 2005–February 2006 networks
Production of a training module Digital Orange; The Netherlands; CTA partners with access to a PC and internet. on ‘Priority Information Themes’ September 2005–June 2006
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Support for non-CTA training courses 2005 Course Details* Participants and beneficiary countries
Public awareness skills Regional; IIRR; Kenya; 7–11 Communication and PR Personnel in agricultural organisations (17); development February 2005 Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Sudan, Tanzania
Scientific Writing course National; TPRI; Tanzania; 14–18 Scientists (30); Tanzania March 2005
Participatory GIS and mapping Regional; ITC; Nairobi, Kenya; 29 Personnel qualified in GIS (15) ; Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, applied to resource management August – 10 September 2005 Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Participatory GIS and mapping Regional; ITC; Nakuru, Kenya; 28 Personnel qualified in GIS (23); Kenya, South Africa, Uganda applied to resource management Nov – 6 December 2005
Participatory approaches to Regional; TSBF; Kenya; 19–30 AfNET-members (23); Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, research and scaling up September 2005 Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Madagascar, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Zambia, Uganda, Zimbabwe
Workshop on facilitating market Regional; KIT; Tanzania; 23–30 Intermediary organizations and smallholder farmers in Eastern access for smallholder farmers October 2005 Africa (28); Eastern and Southern Africa in Africa
Longitudinal and incomplete Regional; SUSAN Addis Ababa, Researchers and statisticians (25); from sub-Saharan Africa data analysis, Ethiopia 5–9 December 2005
AGORA and other new advances Regional; ITOCA; Zimbabwe; Librarians, researchers and information managers in educational and in information delivery and December 2005; February and research institutions (90); Rwanda, DR Congo, Burundi, Burkina Faso, sharing March 2006 Senegal, Mali
Strengthening creativity in the Sub-Saharan Africa, IFPRI, 5–9 Researchers and lecturers in agricultural institutions in Africa (18) workplace December 2005
Follow-up training on Scientific National; UDS; Ghana; 12–21 Research scientists and postgraduate students (21); Ghana Data Management December 2005
Gender mainstreaming in Regional; IIRR, Nairobi, Kenya Researchers and development workers in institutes and NGOs and research and development February 2006 government departments (16) projects
Total number of beneficiaries of the CTA Training Support Programme: 306
* Type, partner, venue, date
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Local and national partnerships West Africa Partner Contact
Support for information and FIARA M. Boubacar Cissé, Président, FIARA, Villa 19, Cité Darou Salam communication activities through the 6th Derké-Castors, BP 13453, Dakar, Senegal FIARA 2005 Tel: +221 864 4202 Fax: +221 824 5765 E-mail: [email protected]
Programme to enhance information and ADAF-Gallé M. Salif Diallo, Président, Badalabougou, Rue Gamal Abdel Nasser, communication for rural and agricultural Porte 2, BP 3267, Bamako, Mali development of the Mandé and Tel/Fax: +223 2 220033 Bélédougou areas E-mail: [email protected]
Project to support the development of CDEDA M. João de Carvalho, Ingénieur, Ministre de l’Agriculture et du components of the Documentation, Développement Rural, Bissau Rue Ex-QG, Bissau, Caixa Postal 71, Information and Dissemination of Guinea-Bissau Agricultural Information Services Tel: +245 221 200/+245 254 886 Fax: +245 222 483/ 221 019 E-mail: [email protected]
Improving rural farmers’ access to FENOP M. Berthe Lancinan, Président, FENOP, 09 BP 977, Ouagadougou 09, agricultural information through radio Burkina Faso broadcasts Tel.: +226 5030 1021 Fax: + 226 5036 3644 E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
Community-based natural resources GARDA Mr Kebba Bah, Executive Director, PO Box 4556 Bakau, Banjul, Information and Communication The Gambia Management project Tel: +220 4 461711 Fax: +220 465544 E-mail: [email protected]
Strengthening the use of ICTs for rural GNAFF Mr John Dziwornu, Vice Chairman development and wealth creation PO Box MB 37, Accra, Ghana Tel: +233 21 665707 / +233 20 812 7767 Fax: +233 21 665 282 / 233 21 666-476 E-mail: [email protected]
Developing environmental information and GREEN Senegal Mme Voré Gana Seck, Directeur, 19 HLM Route de Dakar, Villa N° 19, communication activities for the western- BP 219, Thiès, Senegal central region of Senegal Tel/Fax: +221 951 6830 E-mail: [email protected]
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Local and national partnerships West Africa Partner Contact
Promoting the use and application of the MOFA/DAES Dr Kwame A. Amezah, Acting Director, PO Box MB. 37, Accra, methodology for the determination of Ghana priority information themes (PIT) Tel: +233 21 665 282 Fax: +233 21 665 282 E-mail: [email protected]
Strengthening information and FENATPA M. Yaya Mallé, Président, Fédération Nationale de Transformateurs communication strategies of agri-food des Produits Agroalimentaires [National Federation of Agri-food SMEs in Mali Products Processors] (FENATPA), Rue Mohammed V, BP E 2604, Bamako, Mali Tel: +223 222 8667/673 43 78 Fax: +223 222 8667 E-mail: [email protected]
Strengthening the information and UGPM M. Falilou Diagne, Président, communication system used between Union des Groupements Paysans de Meckhe [Union of Meckhe farmers’ groups, family businesses and Farmers Organisations] (UGPM), BP 43, Meckhe, Senegal villages in the Meckhe area Tel.: +221 955 5113 Fax: +221 955 5286 E-mail: [email protected]
Central Africa Partner Contact
Programme for the enhancement of local ATOSA Mme Antoinette Mangaral Koudjal, Présidente, agri-food products in Chad ATOSA, BP 5253, Ndjaména, Chad Tel: +235 526 504/+235 523 897 Fax: +235 525119 Mobile: +235 290 949/+235 291 536 E-mail: [email protected]
Implementation of methods to determine CNAR Dr Baba El Hadj Mallah, Directeur, CNAR, B.P 1228, N’Djaména, Chad priorities Tel: +235 522 515 Fax: +235 523 214 E-mail: [email protected]
ICM capacity-building to improve the SYDIP M. Elysee Wanzirendi Kakule, Président, Chambre d’Agriculteurs structuring of the farmers’ movement in Paysans, Avenue Walikale n° 25, B.P 561, Butembo/Nord-Kivu, north-eastern DR Congo Democratic Republic of Congo Tel: +243 81 03 94 744 E-mail: [email protected]
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Local and national partnerships Central Africa Partner Contact
Capacity-building in local communities PRGIE/UNGC/Ministère Mr Talatala Blondeau, National Coordinator, BP 3410, Yaoundé, (Cobadem and Rascoba) to enable them to de l’Environnement Cameroon obtain and manage two community forests et des Forêts du Tel: +237 984 8448 in Lomié Cameroun [Ministry of Fax: +237 229 484 the Environment and E-mail: [email protected] Forests, Cameroon]
Strengthening information and CODEDEM Mme. Gertrude Marianne Adjoh, Project Leader, CODEDEM communication for rural and agricultural S/C du RNIE Cameroun, montée Maison blanche, Biyem Assi, development in four areas of the Congo BP 3410, Yaoundé, Cameroon Basin Tel: +237 753 7144 Fax: +237 231 2569 E-mail: [email protected]
East Africa Partner Contact
Think-tank on the evolution and MAIN Mr Michael Fanta Wolde, Executive Director, BP 278, Addis Ababa, performance of MFIs in Africa: prospects Ethiopia and lessons to be learnt Tel: +251 1 522 858/522 888 Fax: c/o +251 1 521034 E-mail: [email protected]
Linking smallholder farmers in Kenya to KACE Dr Adrian Mukhebi, Executive Director, Brick Court 2nd Floor, Mpaka better markets through market information Road, Westlands, PO Box 59142-00200, Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254 20 444 1829/444 1830 Fax: +254 20 4448486 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.kacekenya.com
Strengthening information and BIMTT (Bureau de M. Olivier Ravelomanantsoa, Chairman of the Board of Directors, communication strategies and tools in rural Liaison des Centres Lot A 159, Faravohitra, rue Joel Rakotomalala, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar de Formation Rurale, Madagascar Madagascar) [Rural Tel: +261 20 2260404 Training Centres’ Fax: +261 20 2241228 Liaison Office] E-mail: [email protected]
81 CTA Annual Report 2005
ICMSSD Products and Services
Local and national partnerships Southern Africa Partner Contact
Enhancing production and market SFAP Norad Mr Felix Chizhuka, Project Manager, 120 Kudu Road, Kabulonga, information in rural producer organisations PO Box 30395, Lusaka, Zambia (RPOs) Tel: + 260-1-262 936 / 260 097 77 72 20 Fax: +260 1 262 950 E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
Caribbean Partner Contact
ICM skills to enhance marketing planning ECTAD Mr Jethro Greene, Project Coordinator of ECTAD, PO Box 827, and management strategies for farmers Kingstown, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines Tel: +784 457 0404 Fax: +784 485 6488 E-mail: [email protected]
Workshops and seminars Event Details Participants
International Agricultural and Animal Dakar, Senegal, National organisations and financial bodies from six countries in West Resources Fair (Foire Internationale de 24–31 March 2005 Africa l’Agriculture et des ressources animales: FIARA)
Think-tank on the evolution and Yaoundé, Cameroon, 2–5 African and Caribbean microfinance institutions performance of MFIs in Africa: prospects May 2005 and lessons to be learnt
Follow-up workshop on the promotion Yaoundé, Cameroon Local and national partners of CTA from Eastern, West and Central of partnerships between CTA and local 19–23 September 2005 Africa and national ACP organisations in Central and West Africa
CTA regional workshop with local and Accra, Ghana Local and national partners of CTA in Southern, West and Eastern national partners in Anglophone African 17–21 October 2005 Africa countries
Workshop on the promotion of St Vincent et The Local and national partners of CTA in the Caribbean partnerships between CTA and national Grenadines, organisations in the Caribbean region 21–25 November 2005 countries
82 CTA Annual Report 2005
ICMSSD Products and Services
Science and technology (S&T) strategies 2005 Title Event details* Beneficiaries
Experts workshop on biotechnology, Wageningen, S&T experts (12); ACP countries (10) and Europe (2) biodiversity, science and governance The Netherlands, 18–22 April 2005
Regional workshop on analysing the Suva, Fiji, 4–8 July 2005; S&T experts (30); 10 Pacific countries agricultural science, technology and SPC and KIT innovation (ASTI) system in the Pacific region
Regional workshop on analysing Kingston, Jamaica, S&T experts (33); 14 Caribbean countries the agricultural science, technology 18–22 July 2005; NCST and innovation (ASTI) system in the and KIT Caribbean region
CTA–ATPS African Regional Youth Nairobi, Kenya, S&T experts/youths (73); 21 African countries Congress and Exposition on Youth 20–23 June 2005; ATPS employment and wealth creation: opportunities in agriculture, science, technology and innovation
Support for FARA’s 3rd General Entebbe, Uganda, Support for conference organisation Assembly 6–12 June 2005; NARO Uganda
Sub-regional workshop on analysing Umuahia, Nigeria, S&T experts (30); 13 West and Central African countries and the agricultural science, technology 8–12 August 2005; Abia The Netherlands (2) and innovation (ASTI) system for West State University and KIT and Central Africa
Sub-regional workshop on analysing Lilongwe, Malawi, S&T experts (29); 10 Eastern and Southern African countries the agricultural science, technology 19–23 September and innovation (ASTI) system for 2005; Bunda College of Eastern and Southern Africa Agriculture and KIT
National meetings on the draft 13 CCST member countries More than 100 S&T experts from 13 Caribbean countries Regional Science, Technology and Innovation framework document
4th Meeting of the Advisory Wageningen, S&T experts (47); ACP countries (29), Europe (18) Committee on S&T for ACP The Netherlands; agricultural and rural development 7–11 November 2005
Capacity building – national May–December 2005; IRAD 50 S&T experts from Cameroon and Kenya; two case studies workshops and case studies on Cameroon and ATPS Kenya demand-led research/bridging the in collaboration with CABI, gap in ASTI systems Kenya
83 CTA Annual Report 2005
ICMSSD Products and Services
Science and technology (S&T) strategies 2005 Title Event details* Beneficiaries
Website update January–December 2005; ACP countries and European partners Knowledge for Development KIT, Contactivity bv, ACP country specialists
ACP policy brief on biotechnology and April–November 2005 ACP regions biodiversity
Capacity building – national May–December 2005; 75 S&T experts from Jamaica, Papua New Guinea and Senegal; three workshops and case studies on NARI (Papua New Guinea), case studies farming experimentation and CARDI (Jamaica), ISRA innovation (Senegal) in collaboration with Vrije University, Amsterdam
Sub-regional case studies on ASTI December 2005–July Over 100 experts from Fiji, Malawi, Trinidad and Tobago and The systems 2006; SPC (Fiji), Bunda Gambia; four case studies College (Malawi), CARDI (Trinidad and Tobago) and NARI (The Gambia)
* Venue, date, partner
84 CTA Annual Report 2005
P&CS Products and Services
Planning and Corporate Services (PC&S)
Socio-economic analysis and awareness raising on cross-cutting issues and special development topics Activity Subject Purpose
Internal seminars • WTO and EPA agricultural trade Improve CTA staff awareness of cross-cutting issues and facilitate the negotiations and Common development of CTA strategies Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform (March) • Biodiversity, science and governance (April), in collaboration with ICMSSD • New ICT tools for effective web use (August)
Expert consultation 8th ICT Observatory on Natural Resource Improve understanding of the actual and potential use of ICT in Management natural resource management, with special attention given to four (Wageningen, 26–28 October), organised issues related to land tenure/access issues, namely: by CTA in collaboration with Alterra • ICT use in the context of customary land tenure/cadastre (WUR) and ITC development • ICT use in the context of pastoralist/rangeland issues • ICT use in the context of community-managed forest issues • Participatory GIS applications
Expert consultation Expert consultation on Market To gain a better understanding of how market information integrates Information Systems and Agricultural with other market interventions; to obtain more detailed picture Commodity Exchange: Strengthening of ongoing market information services and new opportunities in market signals and institutions marketing institutions among CTA partners; to facilitate dialogue (Amsterdam, 28–30 November) and exchange of experiences among ACP stakeholders on MIS and agricultural commodity exchanges (ACEs); to inform CTA of its future strategy on supporting market institutions to support farmers, traders and other market chain actors
Small grants fund GenARDIS: A small grants fund Support innovative activity that contributes to the understanding and for gender, agriculture and rural application of ICTs in gender, agriculture and rural development in development in the information society Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (collaborative project involving IICD, IDRC and APC stakeholders)
Study Series of briefings on Economic To provide, in a non-technical way, an introduction to and a synthesis Partnership Agreements and Agriculture, of specific issues that are addressed in the negotiation of an EPA. Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures These briefings are prospective in nature, outlining options for the and fisheries (co-funded by ECDPM) negotiations Published on Agritrade*
85 CTA Annual Report 2005
P&CS Products and Services
Socio-economic analysis and awareness raising on cross-cutting issues and special development topics Activity Subject Purpose
Discussion paper Reinforcing links between the WTO and Provide ACP countries with recommendations before the 6th WTO EPA negotiations on agriculture (co-funded Ministerial meeting in Hong Kong on linking multilateral (WTO) and by ECDPM) bilateral (EPA) agricultural trade negotiations to maximise outcomes Published on Agritrade* for ACP countries
Electronic forums Preparation of ACP countries for the To help ACP countries prepare for the debates at the forthcoming agricultural negotiations at the 6th WTO WTO ministerial meeting by stimulating dialogue and consultation Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong (in among them, on an informal basis, on the key agricultural negotiation partnership with GRET) issues Outcomes of the discussion published on Agritrade*
Study follow-up Transformation of the information gained To provide Caribbean herbal businesses and other interested agencies from the study on Caribbean herbs into a with a source of reliable information for the propagation and user-friendly handbook for industry processing of selected herbs into commercial products
Electronic forums E-consultation on key issues of ACP–EU To facilitate regional and inter-regional dialogue among fisheries experts fisheries relations in ACP countries on: (i) Illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing (IUU) Follow up to the fisheries expert meeting and its impacts for the various aspects of fisheries management and held in Brussels in December 2004. Report (ii) the improvement of (regional and international) market access for the of first part on IUU available ACP fisheries sector
E-consultation on dynamisation of rural (i) Examine ways of strengthening the capacities and sustainability of women networks and the fight against networks, to define common activities and to share experiences and HIV/AIDS in rural areas knowledge on the impact of HIV/AIDS in rural areas, particularly on Follow up to the CTA, Dimitra, FAO, DGCD women (ii) To strengthen input for the world congress of rural women meeting in June 2004 to be held in South Africa, in collaboration with the request from the organisers of the conference
*Agritrade is the CTA web portal on agricultural trade issues.
86 CTA Annual Report 2005
P&CS Products and Services
Support for CTA’s annual project cycle management Activity Subject Purpose
Study Assessment of agricultural information To recommend potential partners/beneficiaries for CTA’s activities and needs in ACP Caribbean states, Phase 2: services and to identify their needs in terms of agricultural information covering the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize and capacity building and Jamaica, (April–October)
Study Assessment of agricultural information To recommend potential partners/beneficiaries for CTA’s activities and needs in post-conflict African countries services and to identify their needs in terms of agricultural information (consultants appointed in December) and capacity building
Internal planning Series of meetings at which each To facilitate the timely preparation of the Draft Programme of meetings department presents its ideas for the Activities for the coming year and to ensure interdepartmental following year’s programme allowing time collaboration and input into the programme for other staff to give comments, provide input and present new ideas. (April)
Planning methodology Internal meetings to revisit the logical To raise awareness of CTA staff members and sensitise them to new and financial framework, project cycle management procedures and financial regulations in order to improve efficiency and management and financial administration and reporting effectiveness of projects
Management Preparation of consultation to improve To improve the efficiency and effectiveness in the operations of consultation the efficiency and effectiveness in the regional and national QAS nodes in ACP countries provision of CTA’s QAS: in collaboration with IPSD
Institutional support Continued development of CTA’s To promote transparency in the selection process of consultants database of Consultant and Service Providers to support activities within the Centre: in collaboration with ASBHRD
Performance and impact evaluation Activity Subject Purpose
Evaluation Evaluation of the implementation of CTA’s To improve the performance and impact of CTA’s programmes Strategic Plan and Framework for Action by using the findings to enhance decision-making, programme (2001–2005) implementation, organisational learning and accountability
Evaluation follow up Internal discussions of evaluation findings, To review lessons learned and develop an action plan aimed at spearheaded by P&CS and CCSD, relating improving the performance and impact of the sub-programme to the location-based seminars and study visits sub-programme
87 CTA Annual Report 2005
P&CS Products and Services
Performance and impact evaluation Activity Subject Purpose
Peer reviewing and • A meeting of the writers, reviewers To increase the capacity of project managers particularly in developing launching of the Smart and other collaborators held at CTA’s countries in order to enable them to assess the performance of Toolkit headquarters in Wageningen in agricultural information, products and services February 2005
• Launched in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on 28 November, followed by a 4-day workshop with about 40 participants. The event which was also attended by representatives of some of CTA’s partner organisations in Eastern and Southern Africa, helped to lay the foundation for promoting and monitoring the use of the Toolkit in other ACP regions
Developing internal IT systems networks Activity Subject Purpose
Strengthening of IT Phase III and IV – Project Management Strengthen project management software and provide additional systems Software Analysis and Development functionality and reporting
Internal network Strengthen the internal network Improve antivirus protection, filter spam and provide secure remote access via VPN (virtual private network)
Navision Continued development of Navision Implement an accounting system with a full project accounting accounting system module and improve the integration between the accounting and the project management systems both in terms of electronic data flow and paper flow
88 CTA Annual Report 2005
Acronyms and Abbreviations
Acronyms and abbreviations
ACDIC Association Citoyenne de Défense des Intérêts Collectifs ACNARS Australian Contribution to a National Agricultural Research System ACE Agricultural commodity exchange ACP African, Caribbean and Pacific group of states ADAF Association pour le Développement des Activités de Production et de Formation ADEPA Association Ouest Africaine pour le Développement de la Pêche Artisanale AfNet African network for Soil Biology and Fertility (TSBF) AGORA Access to Global Online Research in Agriculture ALO Agricultural Liaison Officer AMARC World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters ANOPACI Association Nationale des Organisations Professionnelles Agricoles de Côte d’Ivoire APC Association for Progressive Communications ARID Association Régionale sur le Drainage en Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre ASARECA Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa ASBHRD Administrative Services, Budget and Human Resources Department (CTA) ASTI Agricultural science, technology and innovation ATOSA Association Tchadienne des Opérateurs du Secteur Agroalimentaire ATPS African Technology Policy Studies Network AVIDEL Association Villageoise pour le Développement Local BIMTT Bureau de Liaison des Centres de Formation Rurale CABI CAB International CaFaNN Caribbean Farmers and NGOs Network CAFON Artisanal Blacksmiths Cooperation of Niger CAIS Caribbean Agricultural Information Service CANROP Caribbean Network of Rural Women Producers CAP Common Agricultural Policy CAPNET Caribbean Publishers Network CAR Central African Republic CaRAPN Caribbean Regional Agricultural Policy Network CARDI Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute CariPestNet Caribbean Pest Information Network CARNUFO Caribbean Network of National Fisherfolk Organisations CCD Centre of Communication for Development (SADC) CCSD Communication Channels and Services Department (CTA) CCST Caribbean Council for Science and Technology CDE Centre for Development of Enterprise CDEDA Centre de Documentation et de Divulgation Agricole CECIK Centre for Cosmovision and Indigenous Knowledge CEDEAO Communauté Economique des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest CFCS Caribbean Food Crops Society CFNI Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute CIERRO Centre International d’Etudes en Radios Rurales de Ouagadougou
89 CTA Annual Report 2005
Acronyms and Abbreviations
CIFOR Center for International Forestry Research CIRAD Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement CMA/CWA Conference of Ministers of Agriculture of West and Central Africa CMC Community multimedia centre CNAR Centre National d’Appui à la Recherche du Tchad CODEDEM Comité de Développement du Dja et Mpomo CORAF Conseil Ouest et Centre Africain pour la Recherche et le Développement Agricole COREPER Committee of the Permanent Representatives to the EU CRNM Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery DAES Directorate of Agricultural Extension Services (MOFA, Ghana) DFID Department for International Development (UK) DGCD Direction Générale de la Coopération au Développement DGCID Direction Générale de la Coopération Internationale et du Développement DORA Dissemination of Reference Books on Agriculture (CTA) EC European Commission ECAPAPA Eastern and Central Africa Programme for Agricultural Policy Analysis ECDPM European Centre for Development Policy Management ECTAD Eastern Caribbean Agriculture Trading and Development Company EDF European Development Fund EPA Economic Partnership Agreement EU European Union FANRPAN Food, Agricultural and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FARA Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa FEMNET African Women’s Development and Communication Network FENATPA Federation National de Transformateurs des Produits Agroalimentaires FENOP Fédération Nationale des Organisations Paysannes FFA Framework for Action FIARA Foire Internationale de l’Agriculture et des Ressources Animales FORAGRO Regional Forum on Agricultural Research and Technological Development FIPA International Federation of Agricultural Producers FNS Food and nutrition security FOODNET An agricultural market research and development network for Eastern and Central Africa FORAGRO Forum régional sur la recherche agricole et le développement technologique FVI First Voice International (formerly World Space Foundation) GARDA Gambia Rural Development Agency GDP Gross domestic product GIS Geographic information systems GNAFF Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen GREAD Groupe de Recherche, Etudes et Actions pour le Développement GREEN Environmental Research and Study Group GRET Research and Technological Exchange Group GTZ Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit HIPCs Heavily indebted poor countries HIV/AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome HTML Hypertext Markup Language IAALD International Association of Agricultural Information Specialists IAMSLIC International Association of Aquatic and Marine Science Libraries and Information Centers
90 CTA Annual Report 2005
Acronyms and Abbreviations
ICID International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage ICM Information and communication management ICMSSD Information and Communication Management Skills and Systems Department (CTA) ICT Information and communication technology IDRC International Development Research Centre IELC International Edible Legume Conference IFDC International Fertilizer Development Center IFOAM International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements IFPRI International Food Policy Research Institute IICA Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture IICD International Institute for Communication and Development IIED International Institute for Environment and Development IIRR International Institute of Rural Reconstruction IITA International Institute of Tropical Agriculture ILRI International Livestock Research Institute IMARK Information Management Resource Kit INADES Institut Africain pour le Développement Economique et Social INASP International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications INSTI Institute for Scientific and Technological Information IPGRI International Plant Genetic Resources Institute IPSD Information Products and Services Department (CTA) IRAD Institut de Recherche Agricole pour le Développement IRAG Institut de Recherche Agricole de Guinée IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre IRETA Institute for Research, Extension and Training in Agriculture ISHC International Society for Horticultural Science IT Information technology ITANA IT in the Advancement of Nutrition in Africa ITC International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation ITDG Intermediate Technology Development Group ITOCA Information Training and Outreach Centre for Africa IUU Illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing IWMI International Water Management Institute JPA Joint Parliamentary Assembly KACE Kenya Agricultural Commodity Exchange KIT Koninklijk Instituut voor de Tropen; Royal Tropical Institute LDC Least developed country LPP Livestock Production Programme (DFID) MAIN Microfinance African Institutions Network MARAPA Mar Ambiente e Pesca Artesanal MARDI Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute MARE Centre for Maritime Studies MDG Millennium Development Goal MFI Microfinance institution MIS Market/Management information system MISTOWA Market Information Systems and Trade Organisations in West Africa MOFA Ministry of Food and Agriculture (Ghana) NAERLS National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Service
91 CTA Annual Report 2005
Acronyms and Abbreviations
NAO National Authorising Officer NARI National Agricultural Research Institute NARO National Agricultural Research Organisation (Uganda) NCST National Commission on Science and Technology NGO Non-governmental organisation NIHERST National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology NITC New information and communication technologies Norad Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation NRI Natural Resources Institute NRM Natural resources management ODA Official Development Assistance OECD Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development OPM Oxford Policy Management ORO Observatoire Régional de l’Oignon ORREDE Organisation for Rural Research and Development P3DM Participatory 3D Modelling PABA Pan-African Booksellers Association PAN Germany Pestizid Aktions-Netzwerk e.V. PAPGREN Pacific Agricultural Plant Genetic Resources Network PBA Programme based approach PC Personal computer P&CS Planning and Corporate Services (CTA) PCM Project cycle management PDA Personal digital assistant PDCRE Projet de Développement des Cultures de Rente et d’Exportation PDS Publications Distribution Service (CTA) PEG Pacific Energy and Gender (Network) PGIS Participatory geographic information system PGR Plant genetic resources PIT Priority information themes PMU Programme Management Unit PNUD see UNDP PPP Purchasing power parity PRCM Programme Régional de Conservation de la Zone Côtière et Marine PRGIE Projet Régional de Gestion et d’Information Environnementale PROCICARIBE Program for Cooperation of Institutes of Agricultural Science and Technology in the Caribbean PROPAGE Association pour la Promotion et la Propagation du Patrimoine Vegetal des Régions Arides et Semi-arides PROTA Plant Resources of Tropical Africa QAS Question-and-Answer Service (CTA) RAIN Regional Agricultural Information Network (CTA) RBOC Regional Branch Office for the Caribbean (CTA) RBOP Regional Branch Office for the Pacific (CTA) RESACIFROAT Réseau d’Appui à la Citoyenneté des Femmes Rurales Ouest Africaines du Tchad RESIMAO Réseau des Systèmes d’Information sur les Marchés de l’Afrique de l’Ouest RIVM Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu RPO Rural producer organisation RSS Rich site summary/Really simple syndication RUAF International Network of Resource Centres on Urban Agriculture and Food Security
92 CTA Annual Report 2005
Acronyms and Abbreviations
RURANET/CID Rural Radio Network and Development Information Centres S&T Science and technology SADC Southern African Development Community SAILD Service d’Appui aux Initiatives Locales de Développement SDI Selective Dissemination of Information (CTA) SEEDS Sarvodaya Economic Enterprise Development Services SFAP Support to Farmer Associations Project SGRP System-wide Genetic Resources Programme Sida Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency SME Small and medium-sized enterprises SMS Short message service SOPADAS Solidarité Paysanne pour le Développement Agricole et Social SP Strategic Plan SPC Secretariat of the Pacific Community SPS Sanitary and phytosanitary ST&I Science, technology and innovation STCP Sustainable Tree Crops Program SURF Sub-regional Resource Facilities SUSAN Sub-Saharan African Network (of the International Biometric Society) SYDIP Syndicat de Défense des Intérêts Paysans TPRI Tropical Pesticides Research Institute TSBF Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility UCAD Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar UDS University of Development Studies UFROAT Union des Femmes Rurales Ouest Africaines et du Tchad UGPM Union des Groupements Paysans de Meckhe UN United Nations UNAAB University of Agriculture, Abeokula UNAIDS Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organzation UNGC Unité Nationale de Gestion et de Coordination UNRISD United Nations Research Institute for Social Development URTNA Union des Radiodiffusions et Télévisions Nationales d’Afrique USAID United States Agency for International Development VPN Virtual private network WECARD West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development WHO World Health Organization WOFAN Women Farmers Advancement Network WSIS World Summit on the Information Society WTO World Trade Organization WUR Wageningen University Research Centre WWF World Wildlife Fund XML Extensible markup language ZADI Zentralstelle für Agrardokumentation und Information (Ministry of Agriculture, Germany)
93 CTA Annual Report 2005
Index
Index
abbreviations 89–94 BIMTT 32–3 CTA ACP (African, Caribbean and biodiversity 33, 83–5 Advisory Committee 53–5 Pacific) biotechnology 33, 36, 51, 83–4 Seminar 2005 22–3, 72 ACP-EU JPA (Edinburgh) xiii blogging 5 Committee of Ambassadors xiv, bookselling 10 digital satellite broadcasting 6, 11 49, 50 Brundtland Report 26 Doha development agenda xii Council of Ministers meeting Brussels Office 46 Economic Partnership (Brussels, December 2005 ) xiii budgets Agreements (EPAs) xii, 85 events xii, xiv ASBHR 48 educational radio 14 states 57–8 policy events xiv electronic publishing 2–3, 60 ACP Region must Harness electronic forums 88 Biotechnology for a Better Future CAB International 7, 10, 62 D-Groups 71 (policy brief) 33 capacity building 17–19, 29–30, 84 Esporo (magazine) 5, 60 EU acronyms 89–94 Caribbean Agricultural Research budget (2006–2013) xv activities 1–58 and Development Institute constitution x Administrative Services, Budget (CARDI) 44–5, 67, 72, 76, 84 development policy xiv–xv and Human Resources Caribbean Council for Science policy events xiv–xv (ASBHR) 47–52 and Technology (CCST) 51 states 58 advisory committee 49, 53–5 Caribbean networks 44–5 Strategy for Africa xv European Development Fund Africa xv, 13–19, 57–8 challenges xi (EDF) xiii, 47, 50 Agricultural, Science, co-publications (IPSD) 4, 61–3 evaluation follow-up 43, 87 Technology and Innovation co-seminars (CCSD) 43, 72–3 events x–xi system (ASTI) 29–30, 33, 44, 83 Committee of Ambassadors expenditure, annual 50 Agriflash (TV programme) 3, 5, (ACP) xiv 6, 11 Communication Channels and farm radio 14 Agritrade 7, 36 Services Department (CCSD) farmers (women) 32, 68 finance annual expenditure 50 vi, 12–13, 48–9, 67–75 ASBHR 50 ANOPACI 30 communication, rural policy events xiii–xiv Arte (TV company) 11 communities 11, 18, 25–31 Finance and Development avian influenza (bird flu) x community multimedia centre Committee xiii AVIDEL 30 (CMC) 15–16 First Voice International (FVI) 5, 6, 11 community-type rural radio 14, 72 fisheries xiii, 15, 46, 71, 73, 85–6 bibliographic information (SDI Cotonou Agreement xiv Food and Agriculture users) 66 country needs assessment 37–8 Organization of the United bird flu x Nations (FAO) 17–19, 32, 70, 73, 77
94 CTA Annual Report 2005
Index
food and nutrition security information dissemination 3–8 Michel, Louis xiv (FNS) 22–3, 44–5 Information Management Millennium Development Goals FOODNET 32–3 Resource Kit (IMARK) 18, 77 (MDGs) xi–xii, xv–xvi, 27, 28 Forum of Agricultural Research Information Products and in Africa (FARA) 29 French Agriculture Research Services Department (IPSD) National Institute of Higher Centre for International vi, 2–3, 48–9, 60–6 Education, Research, Science Development (CIRAD) 10 innovation (rural communities) and Technology (NIHERST) 51 full text documents (SDI users) 66 29–30 national partnerships (ICMSSD) Institute for the Training and 79–82 G8 Summit (Gleneagles) x–xi Extension in Agriculture natural resource management global policy x–xi (IRETA) 45–6, 67, 69, 72 CCSD 68–9 groundnut harvest (Zambia) 39 institutional challenges 16–17 ICT 42 intellectual property rights (IPRs) needs assessment 36–7, 44 Harnessing Biotechnology for a 36 needs–balancing 35–41 Better Future (policy brief) 33 intermediaries (information Niger, rural radio 16 highlights 1–58 dissemination) 3–8 Nji, Ajaga 4 HIV/AIDS xv, 21, 43, 46, 68, 71 internal IT systems networks horizontal networks (CCSD) 69 (P&CS) 88 Observatoire Régional de Hurricane Katrina ix, x internet 18 l’Oignon (ORO) 21 Official Development Assistance ICT Joint Parliamentary Assembly (ODA) xi CCSD 70–2 (JPA, Bamako) xii onions (Africa) 21 FNS 22–3 Jones, Monty 29 Organisation for Economic global policy xi–xii Cooperation and Development natural resource management 42 Katrina (hurricane) ix, x (OECD) xv radio 15–16 Kenya Agricultural Commodity organisational structure 49 rural communities 28 Exchange (KACE) 32–3 Oxford Policy Management impact evaluation (P&CS) 87–8 Knowledge for Development (OPM) 35 INADES 30 (newsletter) 29 India Aloe plant 7 Papua New Guinea 39 influenza (avian) x least developed countries (LDCs) participatory geographic infomediary 3 xii information systems (PGIS) information livestock (Zambia) 38 20–1, 72, 78 consortia 39 local learning 30–1 local partnerships (ICMSSD) partnerships (information) 30 rural communities 25–31 79–82 performance (P&CS) 87–8 sharing (web-based) 20 personnel (CTA) 2005 52 sources 29 Madagascar 32 Planning and Corporate Services information and communication Malawi 17 (P&CS) 34–5, 48–9, 85–8 management (ICM) vii, ix, 24, Mambo Leisa (magazine) 6 policy xiii–xiv 30–1, 39–40, 80, 82 Mapping for Change conference policy briefs 33 Information and Communication 21 political challenges 16–17 Management Skills and Systems MARAPA 30 market information systems A Practical Guide to Bookselling Department (ICMSSD) vi, 24–5, (MIS) xiii, 32–3, 36, 70 (book) 10 48–9, 76–84 95 CTA Annual Report 2005
Index
printed publications Selective Dissemination of video co-productions (IPSD) 61–3 information dissemination 4–5 Information (SDI) lists 2005 60 IPSD 3, 6, 10 wealth creation 27 publishing 2–3 users 66 web-based information sharing products 59–88 seminar support programme 20 project cycle management (SSP) 44, 73–5 Where There is No Vet (book) 4 (P&CS) 87 seminars (ICMSSD) 82 Why Poor People Remain Poor public relations 51 services 59–88 (book) 4 Publications Distribution Service Smart Toolkit 42, 88 women farmers 32 (PDS) 3, 63–4 socio-economic analysis Women Farmers Advancement publications (IPSD) 4-5, 9, 60 awareness (P&CS) 85–6 Network (WOFAN) 30 purchasing power parity (PPP) 28 SOPADAS 10 women’s networks (CCSD) 68 Southern Africa seminars 43 workshops (ICMSSD) 82 World Association of Community Question-and-Answer Service Spore (magazine) 5, 60 Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) (QAS) 44–5 stakeholders 35–41 165 IPSD 3, 6, 7, 87 Strategic Plan (2007–2010) 43 World Bank 26, 27 rural communities 30, 44 Strategic Plan and Framework World Summit on the statistics 64–5 for Action (SP/FFA) 2001–2005 Information Society (WSIS, training 76–7 35, 40 Tunis) xi strategy–balancing 35–41 World Trade Organization radio study visits (CCSD) 72 conference (Hong Kong, clubs 14 subscribers (PDS) 63–4 December 2005) xii educational 14 supervisory structure 49 worldwide networks 7–8 farm 14 rural 13–19, 70 television (information youth policy xi–xii Regional Branch Offices 44–46 dissemination) 11 tourism CCSD 67 Zambia ecotourism 72 geographical 44–5 groundnut harvest 39 agrotourism 73 regional policy networking livestock 38 (CCSD) 67 trade 45 research networks (CCSD) 69–70 trade information networking RESIMAO 20 (CCSD) 68 Resource Centres on Urban trade negotiations xii Agriculture and Food Security training (RUAF) 21 ICM themes 30–1 rich site summaries (RSSs) 5, 21, 71 ICMSSD 76–7 rural communities 25–31 non-CTA courses 78 rural radio 13–19, 70 rural radio 17–19, 70, 72
Sachs, Jeffrey D. 27 UN summit (New York) xi science and technology strategies UNESCO 15 (ICMSSD) 83–4 UNGC 30
96
© CTA 2006 • ISBN 92 9081 3148 • Publisher: CTA, Wageningen, The Netherlands • Editing, design and production: Green Ink Publishing Services Ltd, UK, www.greenink.co.uk Cover photograph: Sven Torfinn/Panos Pictures • Photographs: Rezien Benefeldt, Godfrey Chitalu, CTA • Translation: Tradwise Plus Ltd , UK • Printer: Alden Group Ltd, UK
Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (ACP-EU) cross-cutting issuessuchasgenderandsocialcapital. work incorporatesnewdevelopmentsinmethodologiesand including thoserelevant toscienceandtechnology. CTA’s agricultural informationandtoformulateICMstrategies, ACP); anddevelopACPcapacitytogeneratemanage contacts andinformationexchange(particularlyintra- use ofappropriate communicationchannelsandintensify of relevant informationsources; promote theintegrated information products andservicesenhanceawareness CTA’s programmes are designedto:provide awiderangeof information inthisarea. countries toproduce, acquire, exchangeandutilise development, andtostrengthen thecapacityofACP improve accesstoinformation foragriculturalandrural CTA’s tasksare todevelopandprovide servicesthat Cotonou Agreement. 2000, ithasoperatedwithintheframeworkofACP-EC of statesandtheEuropean Unionmemberstates.Since between theACP(African,CaribbeanandPacific)group (CTA) wasestablishedin1983 undertheLoméConvention The Technical Centre forAgriculturalandRuralCooperation is financedbytheEU. EU (European Union), in theframeworkofCotonouAgreement. Thisproject An institutionofthe ACPGroup ofStates(Africa,Caribbean and Pacific)the