AGRA

Q: What is AGRA's approach to strengthening State Capability and Capacity

a) Institutional Reform and Policy Alignment: AGRA partners with governments to streamline institutional arrangements, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, and ensure the alignment of agricultural policies with national development goals. A key component of this work is the establishment of strong inter-ministerial coordination mechanisms to enhance coherence and efficiency of implementation.

b) Investing in Human Capital Development: To enhance technical capacity, AGRA works with governments to prioritize the recruitment, training, and retention of skilled agricultural professionals. Partnerships in this area includes building capacity that expands digital and technology-driven extension services to improve farmer outreach and knowledge transfer.

c) Enhancing Policy Stability and Evidence-Based Decision Making: We work with African governments to adopt long-term agricultural policy frameworks that are insulated from political cycles. One of focus areas is to establishment of independent policy advisory bodies and strengthen the role of research institutions that can promote evidence-based policymaking.

d) Strengthening Public Financial Management and Accountability: Our partnership with governments aims to improve transparency in budget allocation and public expenditure management in agriculture. This is to ensure that resources reach intended beneficiaries in the value chain. Ultimately, the aim is to facilitate the formulation of policies that create enabling environments for the public and private sectors to coexist and collaborate in investment-friendly environments.

e) Leveraging Digital Agriculture and Data Systems: AGRA is working with governments to adopt digital solutions for data collection, monitoring, and farmer support services to improve state capability. This includes public investment in national agricultural data hubs to enhance decision-making and program targeting.

Q: What is the significance and relevance of State Capability and Capacity in Agricultural Policy and Implementation

Agriculture remains the backbone of most African economies, providing livelihoods for most of the population and serving as a key driver of economic growth and food security. However, despite various policy interventions and investments, the sector continues to face systemic challenges, including low productivity, limited access to inputs and markets, and vulnerability to climate change. A critical factor underlying these challenges is the varying degree of state capability and capacity in agricultural governance.

Q: Does AGRA support policies that undermine Farmer-Managed Seed Systems (FMSS)

AGRA is committed to a pluralistic seed system approach that includes Farmer-Managed Seed Systems (FMSS) alongside seeds of improved varieties to enhance productivity, nutrition, and climate resilience. Our programs support farmer-led innovation and recognize the importance of biodiversity and choice.

Q: Does AGRA have a Memorandum of Understanding with the AfCFTA Secretariat that entrenches corporate control over agriculture.

We have a loose working relationship based on shared values and objectives, which, among others, is to open agri-food and services market opportunities for as many African farmers and businesses as possible. AGRA's partnership with the AfCFTA is designed to facilitate agricultural trade, enhance market access for smallholder farmers, and support sustainable food systems.

Q. Does AGRA promote an industrial agriculture model that sidelines smallholder farmers?

AGRA's core mission is to empower smallholder farmers by providing access to improved technologies, training, and markets. Our advocacy efforts focus on ensuring farmers have a voice in policy processes and benefit from inclusive agricultural transformation.

Q. Does AGRA's relationship with large corporate input suppliers undermine its commitment to the interests of small-holder farmers?

The corporate sector encompasses large input suppliers, off-takers, and processors. Private investment, and innovation, coupled with the companies' influence on policy through their operations and value chains make this sector a lynchpin. Companies work directly with millions of smallholder farmers, invest in R&D and marketing, and have strong brand power, consumer reach, and stakeholder engagement capacity.

AGRA focuses on the key drivers of agriculture and food systems transformation, which include technology (irrigation – drip, centre pivots – solar power systems underutilized, surface etc., mechanization, GIS and remote sensing, digital platforms, satellites, e-commerce, regulatory and policy interventions, extension support, climate-smart agriculture – conservation agriculture, agroforestry, integrated pest management, protection of indigenous species, access to finance, transgenic technology – cotton, maize, subsidy programs.

Q. Does AGRA use Western donor money to impose imperialistic policies on African farmers and governments?

No, this is a mischaracterization. AGRA supports African governments to address sector challenges and opportunities to build a robust agricultural sector that supports food security, economic growth, and rural livelihoods. AGRA remains committed to partnering with governments to strengthen state capability and capacity for sustainable agricultural transformation.

Q. What is AGRA's position on Agroecology

Our focus is on improving smallholder farmers' productivity. This happens through the adoption of precision agriculture– GIS, remote sensing, increasing uptake of Artificial Intelligence, and Investment in irrigation development and management. Investment in capacity building initiatives – training centers, farmer field schools, demo plots, reducing farmer-to-extension worker ratio, dissemination of information – media (mobile technology) Soil fertility analysis and management – Good Agricultural Practices – soil testing, fertilizer usage, crop rotation, contours. Investment in research and development i.e. efficient fertilizers manufacturing of equipment, high yielding resistant varieties. Investment in seed systems – establishment of gene banks, development of high-yielding seed varieties (climate change, pests, and diseases). Enhancing access to Inputs (finance [small scale vs large scale], infrastructure-irrigation, mechanization, roads, knowledge – etc.

Q. How does AGRA's Business Practices address the impact of climate change, rapid biodiversity loss, environmental degradation and soil health?

AGRA's business practices aim to address climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, and soil health by promoting climate-resilient farming systems and sustainable agricultural innovations. We support smallholder farmers with improved seeds, integrated soil fertility management, and post-harvest technologies that enhance resilience and productivity while reducing environmental harm. AGRA takes a localised approach to its work, innovating with farmers for practical solutions that are unique to their locality rather than a one-size-fits-all.

Q. Does AGRA work with civil society organizations and farmer associations, if so, which ones?

Yes, AGRA collaborates with civil society organizations and farmer associations, among them:
• Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) a regional network across East, Central, and Southern Africa, working with AGRA on sustainable agriculture initiatives.
• Mangalali Farmers Association (Tanzania)—supported by AGRA for maize sorting and market access improvements.
• Mukothima Grain Aggregation Centre (Kenya)—A farmer cooperative aided by AGRA to enhance collective selling and pricing for smallholders.
• Kenya Food Rights Alliance - Collaborates with AGRA on food security and farmer training, though it also critiques industrial agriculture models.
• National Farmers' Cooperatives - AGRA works with various country-specific cooperatives (e.g., in Ghana, Nigeria, and Uganda) to distribute seeds and fertilizers, though exact names vary by region

Q. What is AGRA's role in the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP)?

The Kampala Declaration Strategy and Action Plan calls for coordinated efforts, increased investments, and the adoption of innovative practices to achieve sustainable, resilient, and inclusive agri-food systems transformation. It seeks to diversify economies, create millions of local jobs, improve access to healthy diets, raise incomes, build social cohesion, and improve socio-economic stability. We support the African Union with awareness campaigns and advocacy for adoption, domestication and implementation of CAADP goals.

Q: What is state capability in the context of agricultural development?

State capability refers to a government's ability to design, implement, and enforce agricultural policies effectively to achieve food security, economic growth, and rural development.

Q: How is state capacity different from state capability?

State capacity refers to the resources - human, financial, institutional, and technical - that a government has at its disposal to implement agricultural policies and programs successfully. State capability is about how well these resources are utilized.

Q: Why is state capability important for agricultural development?

State capability ensures that agricultural policies translate into real improvements in productivity, market access, and farmer livelihoods. Without strong state capability, even well-designed policies can fail in execution.

Q: How does weak state capacity affect food security?

Weak state capacity can lead to poor policy implementation, misallocation of resources, and ineffective extension services, all of which can contribute to low agricultural productivity and food insecurity.

Q: What are the key institutional challenges affecting agricultural governance in Africa?

Fragmented and overlapping mandates among ministries and agencies
• Weak coordination between government bodies and private sector actors
• Bureaucratic inefficiencies that delay policy implementation, plus inconsistent or politically influenced policies

Q: How can governments improve institutional coordination in agriculture?

By establishing strong inter-ministerial coordination mechanisms, streamlining agricultural agencies, and ensuring alignment between national policies and regional frameworks.

Q: What roles do independent advisory bodies play in agricultural policy?

Independent policy advisory bodies provide evidence-based recommendations, help insulate agricultural policies from political interference and promote consistency in policy direction.

Q: How does human resource capacity affect agricultural policy implementation?

A lack of skilled personnel in government agricultural departments and extension services leads to poor policy execution, inadequate farmer support, and inefficiencies in resource management.

Q: What can be done to strengthen human capacity in agricultural governance?

Governments should invest in agricultural education, train extension officers, and leverage digital platforms to enhance farmer outreach and knowledge transfer.

Q: Why are agricultural extension services critical for state capability?

A: Extension services bridge the gap between research institutions and farmers, providing knowledge on best practices, climate adaptation strategies, and market access.

Q: How can technology improve agricultural extension services?

By using digital tools such as mobile apps, SMS platforms, and AI-driven advisory services, governments can expand the reach and efficiency of agricultural extension programs.

Q: How does political instability affect agricultural policy?

Frequent policy changes due to political transitions disrupt long-term planning, discourage investment, and create uncertainty for farmers and agribusinesses.

Q: What strategies can governments use to insulate agricultural policy from political interference?

• Establishing long-term national agricultural strategies
• Strengthening the role of independent research institutions
• Enhancing transparency in policy formulation

Q: How does policy inconsistency affect private-sector investment in agriculture?

Investors require policy predictability. Sudden changes in regulations, taxes, or subsidies can deter private-sector participation and slow agricultural growth.

Q: What are the common challenges in agricultural public financial management?

• Budgetary leakages and inefficiencies in fund utilization
• Insufficient government investment in agricultural research and extension services
• Lack of transparency in subsidy programs

Q: How can governments improve resource allocation in agriculture?

Governments should adopt results-based budgeting, enhance transparency in agricultural funding, and ensure that public funds reach intended beneficiaries, such as small-scale farmers.

Q: What role does the private sector play in agricultural financing?

The private sector provides investment in agribusiness, input supply chains, and technological innovations that complement government efforts in agricultural development.

Q: Why is data-driven decision-making crucial for agricultural policy?

Accurate and up-to-date data allows policymakers to monitor progress, identify challenges, and design targeted interventions that address specific agricultural needs.

Q: What are the main data challenges faced by African governments in agriculture?

• Lack of reliable and real-time agricultural statistics
• Inadequate data collection and analysis capacity
• Poor integration of digital tools in government decision-making

Q: How can governments improve agricultural data management?

Governments should invest in national agricultural data hubs, adopt digital monitoring tools, and collaborate with private-sector actors and research institutions to enhance data collection and analysis.

Q: How can digital innovation strengthen state capability in agriculture?

Digital platforms can improve access to market information, weather forecasts, input supply chains, and financial services for farmers, while also enabling real-time policy monitoring.

Q: What roles do national agricultural data hubs play?

Agricultural data hubs centralize and analyse key sectoral information, helping governments track policy outcomes and make timely interventions.

Q: How can governments encourage the adoption of digital agriculture?

• Providing incentives for agritech startups
• Investing in rural broadband and connectivity
• Partnering with private-sector technology firms

Q: Why are public-private partnerships (PPPs) important in agricultural development?

PPPs help leverage private-sector expertise, funding, and innovation to complement government efforts in areas like input distribution, market linkages, and mechanization.

Q: How can governments create an enabling environment for private-sector investment?

• Establishing clear and consistent regulatory frameworks
• Reducing bureaucratic barriers to investment
• Providing incentives such as tax breaks for agribusiness investments

Q: What roles do farmer organizations and cooperatives play in enhancing state capability?

Farmer organizations and cooperatives help aggregate smallholder interests, improve bargaining power, and facilitate the implementation of government programs at the grassroots level.

Q: How does state capability affect climate resilience in agriculture?

Governments with strong state capability can design and implement policies that promote climate-smart agriculture, ensuring that farmers have access to sustainable practices, drought-resistant seeds, and climate adaptation strategies.

Q: What policies can governments implement to enhance climate resilience?

• Promoting conservation agriculture and soil health programs
• Expanding research on drought-resistant crop varieties
• Strengthening early warning systems for climate-related risks

Q: How can governments integrate climate considerations into agricultural planning?

By mainstreaming climate adaptation strategies into national agricultural policies, governments can ensure long-term sustainability and reduce vulnerability to climate shocks.

Q: What are the key takeaways on state capability and capacity in agriculture?

• Strong state capability ensures that policies translate into real agricultural development outcomes.
• Effective coordination, skilled personnel, and stable policies are crucial for policy success.
• Leveraging data, digital technology, and PPPs can enhance implementation efficiency.
• Sustainable agriculture requires integrating climate resilience into policy frameworks.

Q: How has thinking on food systems, environmental sustainability and agroecology helped AGRA to evolve its support to African farmers?

AGRA is a technical, knowledge-based organization that stays abreast of advances in scientific thinking and practice and applies an adaptive and context-specific approach to its strategy. We consider our role as an African-owned and managed institution to be critical to taking the best global practices and applying them to individual country contexts This allows us to help countries avoid past development mistakes, and develop and roll out uniquely African solutions to African problems.

AGRA's experiences from the field shows that farmers' livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa can be transformed through employing four intertwined systemic investments namely: (i) optimized use and management of resources through agroecological principles; (ii) transformation from subsistence to profitable farming through improved market linkages and agroecology-friendly incentive mechanisms; (iii) improved last mile delivery using context-specific agroecological innovations; and (iv) promoting policies and regulatory mechanisms in favour of smallholder farmers and their service providers.

We use context-specific entry points to facilitate science-based system change, informed by emerging thinking on agroecology and resilient food systems. Our entry points, seeds, organic and inorganic fertilizers, help farmers to access drought resistant and nutrient dense varieties along with improved soil health practices that promote nutrient use efficiency, soil carbon build-up and sustainable farming, while addressing food security and income. This has resulted in about 2.27 million smallholder farmers adopting improved soil health practices on 1.8 million hectares of land. Farmers who used integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) technologies reported cereal yields of about 61% above those of farmers who did not use the technologies. Boosting fertilizer use in Africa by 20% is predicted to raise yields of rice by 5.1%, wheat by 11%, and maize by 9.9%. This would permit 2 million hectares of currently cultivated land to be set aside for reforestation, thus sequestering carbon (Vlek et al. 2017).

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Q: What is AGRA’s call-to-action if Africa is to realize its targets for the agriculture sector?

Building state capability and capacity in agriculture is fundamental to achieving food security, improving rural livelihoods, and fostering economic transformation in Africa. AGRA urges African governments to undertake bold reforms in institutional governance, human capital development, and policy implementation to maximize the sector’s potential. Through strategic partnerships, AGRA remains committed to supporting governments in strengthening state capacity for sustainable agricultural development. A well-functioning state apparatus, equipped with the right policies, resources, and implementation mechanisms, is indispensable in driving the continent’s agricultural renaissance.