Launch of DeSIRA initiative : 8th September 2020

8 September 2020. LAUNCHING OF DESIRA INITIATIVE

Development of Smart Innovation through Research in Agriculture Webinar

The objective of the virtual event was to discuss the role of agricultural research and innovation for development to address food systems transition and the contribution of the DeSIRA initiative.

Introduction:

• Carla Montesi Director for Planet and Prosperity Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development : Role of research and innovation in agriculture, importance of DeSIRA in DEVCO
• Christophe Larose - Head of Sector : Sustainable agriculture, DEVCO C1. 

Round table : 

Role of agricultural research and innovation for development to address food systems transition and the contribution of the DeSIRA initiative.

• Elizabeth Nsimadala is a young agriprenuer, the President of the Pan Africa Farmers Organization (PAFO) and the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF).
• Ravi Khetarpal is Executive Secretary of APAARI - Asia - Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions
• Carolin Callenius is Managing Director of Hohenheim research center GFE
  Carolin is Managing Director of the Hohenheim Research Center for Global Food Security and Ecosystems (GFE). The main tasks of the GFE are to promote and support collaborative research projects on global food and nutrition security within the planetary boundaries.
• Alexander Muller (Managing Director of TMC) Think Tank for Sustainability, Berlin/Germany and Study Leader of “The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity for Agriculture and Food (TEEBAgriFood)” hosted by UN Environment. He is Member of the German Council for Sustainability.

News on DeSIRA

• Christophe Larose - Next steps for DeSIRA : Desira state of play, new projects to be signed, new call, Agrinatura support, etc.
• Hanneke Lam. Director Agrinatura, The European Alliance on Agricultural knowledge for Development: Presentation  of the LIFT project to support the DeSIRA project

Closing remarks

• Dr. Leonard Mizzi. Dr. Leonard Mizzi is currently Head of Unit at the European Commission, Directorate-General (DG) for international Cooperation and Development - Rural development, food security and nutrition, since 1st of January 2017. 

Case studies (videos):

1. TAERA : Transition Agro-Ecologique par la Recherche Agricole  
2. Agroforestry Rwanda : Improving resilience of farmers’ livelihoods to climate change through innovative, research proven climate-smart agroforestry and efficient use of tree resources in the Eastern Province and peri-urban areas of Kigali city
3. CSARIDE : Climate Smart Agriculture Research and Innovation Support for Dairy Value Chains in Eritrea 
4. DARE : Developing Affordable and innovative food Resources to increasequality of nutritious foods for young children, adolescent girls, pregnant andlactating women in Ethiopia
5. AgroInnova : Sistemas Agroforestales Adaptados para el Corredor SecoCentroamericano / AgroInnova: Adapted Agroforestry Systems for the Central American Dry Corridor
6. LIDISKI : Livestock Disease Surveillance Knowledge Integration in Nigeria
7. CLIMA-LoCa : Fostering CLIMAte-relevant and LOw CAdmium innovations to enhance the resilience  and inclusiveness of the growing cocoa sectors in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru
8. BIOSTAR : Des bioénergies durables pour les petites entreprises agroalimentaires des territoires ruraux d’Afrique de l’Ouest
9. Artemia4Bangladesh: Introducing Circularity Through Climate-Smart Aquaculture in Bangladesh

A poll was organised around 4 questions:

1. In your opinion, innovation in agriculture is rather initiated by (a) the research, (b) farmers, (c) the local private sector, (d) the foreign private
2. Do you think agroecology is an important approach for your organization: (a) too important compared to other approaches (b) A little but much more should be done (c) No and it's a shame (d) No and that's normal
3. According to you, the major constraint for scaling of innovation is: (a) The lack of match between innovation and the needs of stakeholders; (b) difficult access to information regarding innovations; (c) the weak capacities of actors to innovate ; (d) the lack of adequate services to develop innovation
4. What is the best way to promote partnership in DeSIRA projects? (a) Promote the creation of multi-stakeholder innovation platforms at field level; (b) Strengthen the capacities of researchers to better conduct participatory research; (c) Define project governance mechanisms that give a real place to all actors; (d) Better define the role of research, agricultural advice, the private sector, farmers in innovation processes

Recording of the DeSIRA webinar of 8 September 2020

Round Table: Role of Agricultural Research and Innnovation for Development to address Food Systems Transition.

• Introduction by Carla Montesi, Director for Planet and Prosperity Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development: Role of research and innovation in agriculture, importance of DeSIRA in DEVCO
• Introduction by Christophe Larose - Head of Sector: Sustainable agriculture, DEVCO C1.

Role of agricultural research and innovation for development to address food systems transition and the contribution of the DeSIRA initiative.

• Elizabeth Nsimadala is a young agriprenuer, the President of the Pan Africa Farmers Organization (PAFO) and the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF).
• Ravi Khetarpal is Executive Secretary of APAARI - Asia - Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions
• Carolin Callenius, Managing Director of Hohenheim research center for Global Food Security and Ecosystems (GFE)
• Alexander Muller (Managing Director of TMC) Think Tank for Sustainability, Berlin/Germany and Study Leader of “The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity for Agriculture and Food (TEEBAgriFood)” hosted by UN Environment. He is Member of the German Council for Sustainability.

Next steps for DeSIRA:

• Christophe Larose - Desira state of play, new projects to be signed, new call, Agrinatura support, etc.

Closing remarks

• Dr. Leonard Mizzi, Head Unit on Rural development, food security and nutrition