Opaluwah, A.

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Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT)Commercialising Africa’s Agricultural Research Products: Perspectives from TAAT ByAtayi OPALUWAH,Communication Specialist,TAAT ClearinghouseAugust 2020delivered at a FARA-organised webinar on Technology Adoption towards enhancing commercialisation of Africa’s Agricultural Research Products on the 16th of September 2020Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT)TAAT is a flagship programmewithin the AfDB's Feed AfricaStrategy aimed at doubling theproductivity of Africanagriculture through theadvancement of agriculturaltechnology in a way thatimproves the competitivenessof agriculture to increasefarmers’ incomes, eliminatehunger, improve nutrition andmake Africa a net food exporter.TAAT At A GlanceTechnologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT)TAAT achieves its goal by delivering regionalpublic goods for rapidly scaling agriculturaltechnologies across similar agroecological zones,using three principal mechanisms:1) creating : an enabling environment fortechnology deployment and adoption;2) establishing an effective technology deliveryinfrastructure; and3) raising agricultural production andproductivity through strategic interventions thatinclude improved crop varieties and animalbreeds, accompanying good managementpractices and vigorous farmer outreachcampaigns at the AfDB's Regional MemberCountry (RMC) level.TAAT StructureTechnologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT)TAAT CH is responsible forAssessing and validating technologies  to be deployed & appropriate mechanisms to use in reaching millions of farmersGuiding scaling up activities​Reviewing work plans according to a set of agreed criteriaProviding oversight for implementation​Monitoring and evaluating impact at scaleTAAT’s Regional Technology Delivery InfrastructureCommodity Technology Delivery Compactsled by knowledge-based institutions (CGIARcentres & Advanced Technical Institutions)​Ecosystem of actors needed to delivertechnology, know-how, and resources tofarmers and other stakeholders inagricultural productivity​Programme Management Unit (PMU)​Clearinghouse (CH)​Programme Steering Committee (PSC)Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT)Expected Outcomes of TAAT•.Raise productivity & increasefood production over the next 8-10 years.Add an estimated 120 million MT of food toAfrica’s food production valued at US$ 1.5 toUS$ 2.8 billion.Benefit an estimated 11.7 million householdsover 10 years through improved food security& increased income.Contribute to lifting about 40 million peopleout of poverty.Add more than three million direct farmjobs over eight yearsTechnologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT)TAAT CH’s Approach to Scaling UpTechnologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT)Reviews of the performance of loan-funded agricultural developmentprojects have revealed weaknessesleading to non-attainment of project’sobjectives. These include: Inadequatedesign of projects, Delays in projectstart-up; Incomplete implementation;Lack of access to appropriatetechnologies; and Lack ofimplementation capacityThe CH as a key innovation in theTAAT programme is filling these gapsby aligning TAAT Compacts’ activitiesto Country Strategic GoalsLinking to Country ProgrammesTechnologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT)Linking to Private Sector to enhance CommercialisationSuccessful cases of agric transformation are business-led,with commercialisation of technologies and liberalisation ofinput markets.Three conditions are key:A large-scale dissemination of productivity-increasingtechnology and inputs, plus input intensity and capitalintensityThe development of input and output markets structuresand incentives that allow the full realisation of the valueof increased production;A well-functioning and vibrant private sector that canmanage and allocate skill and capital to scale emergentsuccesses and drive long-term sustainable agribusinessgrowthTechnologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT)Commercialising Africa’s Agric Research Products:Key TakeawaysCommercial markets are inherently volatile ANDPROFIT-DRIVEN. In seekingCOMMERCIALISATION, donors and governmentsshould be sensitive to the risks faced by thosewho live on the margin, and seek measures tooffset some of that risk without creating moralhazard.Engaging with markets is critical FOR CREATINGPOPULATION-LEVEL IMPACT, but mostsmallholders have limited access to reliable inputor commodity markets. Resources and patienceare required to launch or strengthen local entitiesthat can provide, and sustain, services tounderserved rural areasTechnologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT)Successful commercialisation requiresforming partnerships that go well beyond thetraditional concept of “implementingpartners” to include key value chain actorssuch as equipment leasing, input provisionand product aggregation enterprises.The most vexing bottlenecks for scaling ofinnovations are usually non-technological innature (e.g., access to market, enablingpolicies, seed systems, access to finance).Government and/or donor action is oftenrequired to promote inclusive marketdevelopment when the private sector isunwilling or unable to absorb the costs ofreaching remote and dispersed smallholders.Commercialising Africa’s Agric Research Products:Key Takeaways (2)Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT)Transforming African Agriculture is both A Moral Imperative and Socio-economic Promise for our GenerationTAAT is the key to unlocking Africa's potential!Thank you for your support

Commercialising Africa's Agricultural Research Products: perspectives from TAAT

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Commercialising Africa's Agricultural Research Products: perspectives from TAAT

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