1. Stakeholders and Food Security: Managing Interfaces José Filipe Fonseca FANRPAN Policy Dialogue on Regional Strategies for Addressing the Global Food Crisis Lilongwe, 2 – 5 September 2008

2. Outline Context Complexity, dynamics and diversity in agricultural development Stakeholders in regional food security policies Developing and managing interfaces: the role of policy networks Sharing experiences

3. Context Current food crisis: a symptom Undervalued perception of agriculture Limited understanding of the true role of agriculture in economic development

4. Context (Cont’d) Low level of public investments in food production Low level of private investments as a result of inadequate:  Public investments  Policy instruments

5. Context (Cont’d) Problem is: Not demand, but supply Not high food prices, but low productivity Not the urban bias, but the lack of a national bias re food security

6. Context (Cont’d) Problem is: Not the global food market, but ineffective and inefficient regional trade The “Dutch disease” and its variations

7. Complexity, dynamics and diversity Complexity: multiple purposes of agricultural development (economic, socio-cultural, environmental) Dynamics: rapidly changing environment, needs, priorities, etc. Diversity: multiple actors and stakeholders

8. Stakeholders in food policies “ All affected and interested parties” ‘Traditional’ stakeholders: Policy- makers, experts, farmers, advocacy groups New/emerging stakeholders: Parliamentarians, media professionals, consumer groups, CSO and from other sectors

9. Stakeholders (Cont’d) The general public Groups with a grudge

10. The general public People who have expressed no explicit interest in agriculture, but Are affected by food security policies Are a potential source of information and expertise Can “affect upstream choice of policies and downstream delivery”

11. Media professionals Are full-fledged stakeholders in food security policies Can contribute to: Attract and maximize the much needed public attention and support Create a national and regional consensus on food security

12. Media professionals (Cont’d) Reach politicians Hold decision-makers and other stakeholders to account Stimulate the emergence of new stakeholder groups from the general public Facilitate communication between the ordinary citizen and policy people

13. Managing interfaces No single actor (the State, the Market, the Academia or the Civil Society) can cater for the complexity, dynamics and diversity of contemporary agricultural development.

14. Interfaces (Cont’d) Role of agricultural policy networks Identify and mobilize stakeholders (old, new and emerging) Create platforms between internal and external stakeholders Facilitate the engagement of stakeholders

15. Interfaces (Cont’d) Facilitate the creation of a policy community to:  Generate a true, “deep seated desire” for national and regional food security  Reduce political and institutional stress  Ensure the development and stability of informed food policies

16. Interfaces… (Cont’d) Communication among all stakeholders, inclusive decision-makers Translation of messages to ensure “full comprehension by and benefit to all relevant stakeholders” Mediation between stakeholders with regard to the credibility and relevance of information

17. Sharing experiences 1: Involving media people through: Better understanding of journalists’ interests, constraints and needs Training on demand on: Critical agricultural policy issues The use of ICTs for timely and cost- effective access to information Networking

18. Experiences (Cont’d) Support to the establishment and development of a “Network of West African Agricultural Journalists” Preparation of a “Manual for the West African Agricultural Journalist”

19. Experiences… (Cont’d) Exposure through: Participation in policy dialogues and other events Study tour on specific themes Provision of appropriate materials (content, language, style and length) Access to reliable sources of information, including personal contacts

20. Experiences… (Cont’d) 2. Improving efficiency of regional trade in cattle by Reducing the amount and complexity of administrative procedure Minimizing harassment (and accompanying bribery) by Police and Customs during transport Reducing transport time and transaction costs

21. Experiences… (Cont’d) Actions undertaken: Proper documentation of the harassments and their impact Direct contact with Police and Customs at their highest level:  Political supervisory authorities Institutional hierarchy

22. Thank you!

23. Experiences (Cont’d) Meetings attended by all interested parties (Ministers, producers, traders, transporters, insurance companies, Police and Customs Regular participation of representatives of Police and Customs at policy dialogues Intensive media coverage (radio, TV and press)