CGIAR Ministerial Roundtable
African Agricultural Research and Development: Designing the Way Forward


A highlight of AGM03 was a CGIAR Ministerial Roundtable co-hosted by H.E. Kipruto arap Kirwa, Minister of Agriculture, Kenya, and H.E. Susan Whelan, Minister for International Cooperation, Canada.

Designed as an open forum, the Ministerial Roundtable brought together public leaders and leading development practitioners to discuss how to enhance the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa.

"Kenya is delighted to host the Ministerial Roundtable," said Minister Kirwa in opening remarks. "By featuring a broad range of perspectives, the Roundtable will help us to consolidate an African vision for agricultural research and development, foster cooperation, and strengthen partnerships."

Participants at the Ministerial Roundtable: H.E. Seydou Traore, Min. of Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries, Mali; H. E. Ato Belay Ejigu, Min. of Agriculture, Ethiopia; H.E. Susan Whelan, Min. of Int'l Cooperation, Canada; H.E. Kipruto arap Kirwa, Min. of Agriculture, Kenya; H.E. Mammadou Koné, Min. of Scientific Research, Cote d’Ivoire; Ian Johnson, Chair CGIAR, and Mr. Kazuo Kodama, Deputy Director General, Economic Cooperation Bureau, Japan.

H.E. Ato Belay Ejigu, Minister of Agriculture, Ethiopia, spoke about the important role of science and technology in meeting Africa's developmental needs, noting the need to capitalize not only on conventional technologies, but also on emerging, promising ones such as biotechnology and new information and communication technologies.

In his presentation, H.E. Seydou Traore, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Mali, addressed the special challenges of arid agriculture, and lamented the declining budgets being devoted to agriculture. He noted that Mali has made significant progress in this regard, and that its agricultural budget is second to that of education.

The special challenges of fostering agricultural growth in countries recovering from conflict was of particular interest. H.E. Mammadou KonT, Minister of Scientific Research, Cote d'Ivoire, gave an extensive overview of his country's efforts in mobilizing science and technology for growth in the agricultural sector.

Mr. Kazuo Kodama, Deputy Director General, Economic Cooperation Bureau, Japan (representing H.E. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Japan) described JapanÆs efforts in fostering international research and cooperation in rice development, and the promise held out by the New Rices for Africa (NERICAs) developed by WARDA-The Africa Rice Center.

Speaking on behalf of Prof. Wiseman Nkuhlu, Chairman of the NEPAD Steering Committee, Richard Mkandawire, NEPAD Agriculture Advisor spoke about the new opportunities being offered by NEPAD, especially the decision taken by African governments at the Maputo Summit to allocate at least 10 percent of their national budgets to agriculture within the next five years. Given the political will demonstrated at the highest levels of state and government, he said NEPAD provides the much needed policy environment and strategic-oriented action approaches necessary for success.

In a special address, Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, Director, Earth Institute of Columbia University and Special Advisor to the U.N. Secretary General made a passionate plea for increasing development assistance for agriculture, health, and nutrition for achieving the Millennium Development Goals. His remarks resonated with the audience and drew repeated applause.

After questions from the floor, an animated discussion followed. Participants queried the Ministers and Prof. Sachs about the role of local knowledge, the challenge of strengthening institutions, and the special needs of urban agriculture. Ian Johnson, CGIAR Chairman, summed up the Roundtable, noting that a substantive discussion had taken place, one that was wide-ranging and with all stakeholders.