Africa-EU research collaboration on food security: a critical analysis of the scope, coordination and uptake of findings

Published in July 2015, this report  showcases the key findings from an analysis of research cooperation between Europe and sub-Saharan Africa (EU-SSA). The analysis was conducted within the framework of the CAAST-Net Plus project. It investigates two issues: first, the extent to which joint EU-SSA research cooperation supported by the EU’s Framework Programmes, bilateral programmes of the EU’s member states, and private research funds has impacted on Africa-EU joint food and nutrition security (FNS) priorities; and the extent to which research outputs have been used in policy-making, programme planning and implementation, building capacity and contributing to knowledge generation, and supporting innovation in products, processes and markets for increasing impact on FNS outcomes. While capacity has been developed and new knowledge generated, as attested by the various publications and databases, challenges exist in ensuring that all the available knowledge is used to inform policy, improve food systems and processes, expand product range, markets and trade, and support innovation for social and economic gain in both Europe and Africa. Although food stability is a priority issue, as stated in the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Framework for African Food Security (FAFS), only about 7% of the projects addressed this issue. Private sector involvement in framework projects comprised approximately 15.5% and civil society representation was approximately 1.5% of total participating organisations. A major barrier to private sector engagement was the differing motivations of business enterprises and research institutions, and the limited follow through on research outputs after projects’ end. Farmers also did not see the direct benefits of such research cooperation projects. Greater involvement of the private sector and farmers in determining joint research priorities and facilitating their participation in research programmes and projects could lead to faster and increased uptake of the outputs in the future.