FARA - Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa - http://fara.infosysplus.org/

ABOUT FARA

 

What is FARA?

FARA is the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa, an umbrella organization bringing together and forming coalitions of major stakeholders in agricultural research and development in Africa. FARA complements the innovative activities of national, international and sub-regional research institutions to deliver more responsive and effective services to its stakeholders. It plays advocacy and coordination roles for agricultural research for development, while the national agricultural research systems (NARSs), advanced research institutions (ARIs) and international agricultural research centers (IARCs) develop improved technologies along the research-to-development continuum in their respective countries and coverage areas.

History

In 1997, the sub regional organizations (SROs) in Africa and the Special Program for Agriculture in Africa (SPAAR) decided to form FARA during the SPAAR plenary in Mali. In 1999, SPAAR started acting as FARA’s secretariat but, during the African Agricultural Research week in 2000 in Guinea, there was consensus to replace SPAAR with FARA. SPAAR therefore started the transition process in 2001 to 2002 with the help of ISNAR. By July 2002, the FARA secretariat was fully functioning and it is currently hosted by the FAO Regional Office for Africa in Accra, Ghana.

Vision

FARA’s vision is to enable Africa to achieve at least 6% annual growth in agriculture by the year 2020 through enhanced research and adding value to its products, consequently increasing food security, alleviating poverty and sustaining economic growth.

Mission

To enhance and add value to the effectiveness and efficiency of agricultural research systems in Africa that will contribute to agricultural development, economic growth and sustainable use of natural resources.

Governance

FARA’s activities are implemented by the FARA Secretariat headed by the Executive Secretary and assisted by its technical advisory staff. The FARA Secretariat is responsible to the Executive Committee, which is composed of representatives of FARA partners headed by a Chairman. The Executive Committee is responsible to the FARA General Assembly, the highest organ of FARA.

FARA´s primary functions are:

  1. Advocacy of the role of agricultural research leading to:
    1. promotion of agriculture as the engine of economic growth;
    2. campaigning for pro-active support by African governments;
    3. creation of an enabling environment for agricultural research;
    4. diversification of investment in agricultural research; and
    5. development of innovative methods of attracting funding.
  2. Promotion of functional partnerships and strategic alliances that will lead to:
    1. promotion of partnerships with major stakeholders;
    2. partnerships with IARC, ARIs, NARSs and universities;
    3. expanded partnerships with non-governmental organizations (NGOs); and
    4. expanded partnership with the private sector.
  3. Accelerating sharing and exchange of knowledge by way of:
    1. compilation and exchange of knowledge on agricultural research and production in Africa.
    2. promoting awareness of regional and global issues ; and
    3. Expanding the use of information technology in Africa.
These primary functions stimulate:
  1. the development and dissemination of new technologies and methodologies in natural resource management (NRM), genetic resource management (GRM) and biotechnology; and
  2. agricultural policy and market development.

Constitution

Click here to download our constitution.

The founding members of FARA

The founding members of FARA are the three sub-regional organizations (SROs)in Africa:
  • ASARECA - the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in East and Central Africa);
  • CORAF/WECARD - Conseil Ouest Africain Pour la Recherche et le Développement Agricole / West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development; and
  • SADC/FANR - Southern African Development Community / Food Agriculture and Natural Resource Department.
SPAAR assisted the SROs to establishing FARA but SPAAR has disbanded when FARA started functioning.