1. Presentation by Samir Habbab Tracking Investments in Agricultural Research for Development- The WANA Region

2. Characteristics of Agriculture Research 4 Development in WANA Region The WANA region covers 24 countriesThe WANA region covers 24 countries The WANA region is characterized by an arid and semi arid environment.The WANA region is characterized by an arid and semi arid environment.

3. Most countries of the Region have invested heavily in irrigation over the past half century.Most countries of the Region have invested heavily in irrigation over the past half century. The stakeholders in agricultural research and development in the WANA region, suffer a lot in accessing and exchanging relevant agricultural information and knowledge in a timely mannerThe stakeholders in agricultural research and development in the WANA region, suffer a lot in accessing and exchanging relevant agricultural information and knowledge in a timely manner Characteristics of Agriculture Research and Development in WANA Region

4.  Agricultural research in the WANA region is limited by: lack of investment,lack of investment, insufficient monitoring and impact assessment,insufficient monitoring and impact assessment, limited coverage of unfavorable agro ecologies,limited coverage of unfavorable agro ecologies, poor incentives for research staff in some countries, andpoor incentives for research staff in some countries, and limited regional and international cooperation.limited regional and international cooperation. A little support from the industry is available for research and development activities.A little support from the industry is available for research and development activities.  National research expenditures are below 2% of the agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Characteristics of Agriculture Research and Development in WANA Region

5. In the fields of Technology, information, knowledge and innovations in NENA region, there is a need to: Enhance the monitoring and evaluation system and developing their researches.Enhance the monitoring and evaluation system and developing their researches. Identify policies and improve decision makers and politician awareness on the importance and role of agricultural research and innovation.Identify policies and improve decision makers and politician awareness on the importance and role of agricultural research and innovation. Characteristics of Agriculture Research and Development in WANA Region

6. Search for a mechanism and activate it to link all the centers in the region with a viable communication network for mutual coordination, and to benefit from the expertise of each other collaboration.Search for a mechanism and activate it to link all the centers in the region with a viable communication network for mutual coordination, and to benefit from the expertise of each other collaboration. Creating an effective extension system for the country to create linkages with farmers, researchers and civil society organizations, and to facilitate technology transferCreating an effective extension system for the country to create linkages with farmers, researchers and civil society organizations, and to facilitate technology transfer Characteristics of Agriculture Research and Development in WANA Region

7. the AARINENA established a Regional Agricultural Information System (RAIS), host the AARINENA-RAIS Secretariat. The RAIS serves as an information repository and exchange mechanism at the regional level.the AARINENA established a Regional Agricultural Information System (RAIS), host the AARINENA-RAIS Secretariat. The RAIS serves as an information repository and exchange mechanism at the regional level. The RAIS stakeholders included National Agriculture Research Systems (NARSs), Advanced Research Institutions (ARIs), Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs), International Agriculture Research Centers (IARCs), the private sector, farmers' organizations, and development assistance agencies.The RAIS stakeholders included National Agriculture Research Systems (NARSs), Advanced Research Institutions (ARIs), Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs), International Agriculture Research Centers (IARCs), the private sector, farmers' organizations, and development assistance agencies. The Role of AARINENA in Providing Information on AR4D

8. AARINENA retreat in November (2011), recommended the essential collective action at national level by all stakeholders to:AARINENA retreat in November (2011), recommended the essential collective action at national level by all stakeholders to: 1-monitor the implementation the post- GCARD1 actions for reporting at 2012,1-monitor the implementation the post- GCARD1 actions for reporting at 2012, 2- develop a baseline and M&E system for tracking progress on the Status of AR4D in the NENA region,2- develop a baseline and M&E system for tracking progress on the Status of AR4D in the NENA region, 3- Strengthening AARINENA’s role and capabilities to initiate and support regional collaboration.3- Strengthening AARINENA’s role and capabilities to initiate and support regional collaboration. The Role of AARINENA in Providing Information on AR4D

9. Redesign financial flow mechanisms including competitive grants criteria such as potential development impact, alignment with policy objectives, inclusiveness (policy makers, farmers, private sector), participation and transparencyRedesign financial flow mechanisms including competitive grants criteria such as potential development impact, alignment with policy objectives, inclusiveness (policy makers, farmers, private sector), participation and transparency Expand regional networks to not only include researchers but also farmer organizations and extension agenciesExpand regional networks to not only include researchers but also farmer organizations and extension agencies The Role of AARINENA in Providing Information on AR4D

10. Public investments in agricultural knowledge systems is requested to promote interactive knowledge networks;Public investments in agricultural knowledge systems is requested to promote interactive knowledge networks; Investment is in researches related to an innovation, information, knowledge, and education coalition.Investment is in researches related to an innovation, information, knowledge, and education coalition. Invest on data collection, compilation, analysis and dissemination related to AR4D activities in the Region.Invest on data collection, compilation, analysis and dissemination related to AR4D activities in the Region. Recommendations

11. Recommendations AARINENA in collaboration with the NARS and international partners would develop a M&E system for tracking progress on the status of AR4D in the NENA region, including the establishment of a baseline.AARINENA in collaboration with the NARS and international partners would develop a M&E system for tracking progress on the status of AR4D in the NENA region, including the establishment of a baseline. Strengthen AARINENA’s role and capabilities to initiate and support regional coordination, collaboration, “matching” capabilities of different NARS and forming a bridge between NARS and international agencies, whenever appropriate.Strengthen AARINENA’s role and capabilities to initiate and support regional coordination, collaboration, “matching” capabilities of different NARS and forming a bridge between NARS and international agencies, whenever appropriate.

12. THANK YOU For Your Attention For Your Attention