4th FARA General Assembly & African Agricultural Science Week

Date: 10-16 June 2007
Venue: Johannesburg, South Africa
Organizer: FARA, ARC-South Africa and SADC-FANR
Participants: FARA Stakeholders

African Agricultural Scientific Week:
FARA General Assembly 2005

6-12 June 2005

Theme: Innovation to transform agriculture for improved livelihoods and development in Africa

1. Improving and sustaining investment in agricultural innovation
2. Enhancing capacity for accelerated development
3. Developing and applying appropriate agricultural science and technologies for equitable wealth creation and distribution
4. Addressing policy and institutional constraints affecting agricultural development for better market access and global competitiveness
5. Encouraging investment and promoting business opportunities for the private sector in Science and Technology innovation
6. Strengthening the links between health, nutrition and food security in Africa
7. Sharing information and building critical mass through networking and partnership for increased and sustainable development.

Participant's Registration

If you are interested to join the African Agricultural Scientific Week: FARA General Assembly, please send your registration form (English / French) to mjones@fara-africa.org not later than 15 May 2005.

Tentative program

Objectives

1. The main objective is to showcase African leadership and innovations to transform agriculture and improve African livelihoods
2. To facilitate coordination of existing initiatives in Africa in the area of;
   1. Improving and sustaining investment in agricultural innovation
   2. Enhancing capacity for accelerated development
   3. Developing and applying appropriate agricultural science and technologies for equitable wealth creation and distribution
   4. Addressing policy and institutional constraints affecting agricultural development for better market access and global competitiveness
   5. Encouraging investment and promoting business opportunities for the private sector in Science and Technology innovation
   6. Strengthening the links between health, nutrition and food security in Africa
   7. Sharing information and building critical mass through networking and partnership for increased and sustainable development.
3. To discuss and endorse FARA three year rolling work program and business plan and implementation framework.

Activities
Based on the recommendations made during the 2nd FARA General Assembly, the meeting is organized into three parts, a pre-plenary meeting for each group of constituents, an African agricultural science week, including Uganda day and the plenary meeting.

1. Pre-Plenary meetings (6-7 June)

   The pre-plenary meetings are two open days allowing FARA constituents to discuss possible programs that could be linked to FARA. FARA's constituents will be grouped as either SRO s, farmer's organization, NGOs, private sector/SME, donors , ARIs, IARCs and Universities. Each of the group will have a focal point which could be the corresponding FARA ExCo member.
   To facilitate discussions, sub-themes were identified to focus on major issues linked to FARA programs as mentioned above. Participants will be free to attend any of the pre-plenary meetings that are relevant to their programs. The final recommendations of each sub-theme will be presented at the plenary for input into FARA 2006-2011 implementation framework.

2. African Agricultural Science Week (6-12 June 2005) including a Uganda day ( 8 June 2005 )

   The players or actors in agriculture such as NARS, farmers, development agencies, small enterprise, etc. from the host country and/or from the region will be invited to participate. Displays and exhibits will be made following the major theme. A day is allotted as Uganda day to view agricultural research outputs from the host country either through exhibits or field visits.

3. Plenary Meeting (9-11 June 2005)

   To consolidate all the discussions made by each group of constituents and sub-themes, a plenary meeting will be held for 3 days. Each constituent will present outcomes of their discussions to the FARA plenary for review and endorsement.
   The Plenary will also review and endorse past and future activities of FARA and elect or endorse new Executive Committee members, Chairperson and vice Chairperson.

Expected output

1. Recognize and identify ongoing international initiatives in Africa that are aligned to FARA's five programs.
2. Integrated and coordinated research agenda for Africa's agricultural research for development
3. Integrate SRO priority activities and other stakeholders into FARA's programs
4. Biennial General Assembly of FARA held
5. Endorse FARA's three year rolling work program for 2005-2007 and Implementation Framework for 2006-20011.

Exhibits/posters

We welcome any organization or institution who would like to exhibit their programs during the African agricultural scientific week. If you are interested please fill out the registration form and send to mwopereispura@fara-africa.org before 15 May 2005.