Ms. Julie Collins: Overview of the 2023 Annual Trends and Outlook Report

African Food Systems Transformation and the Post-Malabo Agenda

Transcript

1. Senior Associate Scientist, AKADEMIYA2063 2023 ATOR Overview Julie Collins
2. #2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR From Maputo to Malabo to today • Africa has made tremendous progress on multiple fronts since 2003 • But progress slowed in the mid-2010s, and recent shocks further exacerbated challenges • Nearly all African countries are engaging with the Biennial Review, but Africa is off- track to achieve the Biennial Review commitments • The post-Malabo agenda must help Africa get back on track, resume rapid progress, and respond to new and remaining challenges
3. #2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR The importance of food systems transformation • Food systems challenges cannot be addressed in isolation, but require coordinated actions to remove constraints on multiple fronts • Africa engaged enthusiastically in the 2021 United Nations Food Systems Summit • Africa Common Position on Food Systems; national food systems transformation pathways • The Malabo Declaration already envisioned a food systems approach • The post-Malabo agenda needs to deepen this approach and build on achievements while addressing current challenges
4. #2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR Objective of the ATOR • The development and implementation of CAADP and the Malabo Declaration have been guided by knowledge and evidence • The 2023 ATOR aims to begin this process for the post-Malabo agenda • The report strives to assemble relevant, high-quality evidence and analysis to contribute to the design of the post-Malabo agenda
5. #2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR Looking back on CAADP implementation; defining methodologies and tools
6. #2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR Understanding the Malabo theory of change and progress in CAADP implementation • Empirical assessment of relationships between Biennial Review thematic areas, performance categories and indicators • Review of status and progress on CAADP Results Framework indicators and implementation processes Growth in agriculture value added, 2003–2022
7. #2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR Methodologies and tools for food systems assessment • Food systems diagnostics • Comprehensive assessment of food systems status, drivers, strengths and challenges • Qualitative insights from stakeholders; quantitative assessments of food systems indicators; analysis of policy gaps • Iterative process involving extensive stakeholder engagement • Forensic framework for resilience and sustainability • Forward-looking tool to visualize the predicted future evolution of food systems indicators • Decision makers select indicators, examine impacts on outcomes of interest through scenario analysis • Identifies expected impacts and tradeoffs
8. #2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR Strategic issues in food systems transformation
9. #2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR Nutrition • Need for nutrition-smart food systems capable of delivering healthy diets to all • Alignment of Africa’s UNFSS food system transformation commitments with the WHO food systems priority policy actions • High burden of micronutrient deficiencies in Africa; need to assess micronutrient adequacy at different food system components
10. #2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR Food Safety • Africa has a disproportionately high burden of food-borne diseases • A number of continental policy tools and initiatives are helping to focus efforts • AU SPS Policy Framework, Food Safety Strategy for Africa, among others • Key constraints: • Generation of evidence for risk assessment, implementation capacity • A paradigm shift in food safety management is required, encompassing governance, data, capacities, funding, and focus
11. #2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR Climate change adaptation • Substantial negative impacts expected, in agriculture and economywide • Climate-smart agriculture practices can counteract, but needs large scale adoption à substantial investments • Need to increase adaptive capacity – increase human capital, build asset base • Adaptation actions and investments should be informed by detailed understanding of needs • Needs for adaptation capacity differ depending on current food security and exposure and vulnerability to climate change.
12. #2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR Bioeconomy • The bioeconomy approach applies science, technology, and innovation for sustainable production and value addition based on biological resources • Bioeconomy actions and innovations are already taking place throughout Africa; bioeconomy plans are in place or under development in several countries and regions • Gaps: underinvestment in R&D; lack of education and training to build human capacity • Need for continent-wide bioeconomy strategy
13. #2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR Gender equality and women’s empowerment • Aside from their intrinsic value, increasing gender equality and women’s empowerment can contribute to positive food systems transformation outcomes • But some aspects of food systems transformation may not contribute to equality and women’s empowerment • Need for better understanding of linkages between food systems transformation, equality and empowerment • Gender-transformative programs should consider women’s workload; involve men and women in shifting gender norms • Need for gender-related data
14. #2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR Data • Data to inform the development, implementation and monitoring of policies and actions is essential • Several initiatives are working to improve the availability of food systems transformation data in Africa, but important gaps remain • Data quality and timeliness; gender and sex disaggregated data; data maintenance and dissemination; coverage of key food systems components • Efforts are required to increase investments in data capacities, improve coordination between data generators and users, allocate sufficient funds to data collection, define food systems indicators
15. #2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR Science, technology and innovation • Sustainable output growth requires productivity increases, fueled by technological advances • For some food systems components, technological advances require public investments in national R&D systems • For others, technologies may be transferrable from abroad à need to promote foreign direct investment • Policies should encourage private sector R&D and build adaptation capacity of farmers and other food systems actors
16. #2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR Key takeaways
17. #2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR Major themes of the 2023 ATOR • Importance of innovation, R&D • Need for cooperation and collaboration among food systems actors • Need for strengthened capacities: implementation capacity, adoption capacity • Evidence-based planning is key—and requires continuing efforts • Increase data availability, coverage, quality • Analytical tools and methodologies are needed to translate data into evidence • Bringing knowledge and evidence to bear in the design of the post-Malabo agenda is a long-term project; the ATOR is an initial step
18. THANK YOU