Research and Innovation: Catalysts for Agricultural Transformation under under CAADP

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As stakeholders gathered in Harare to commemorate two decades of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme(CAADP), it emerged that there is a need to reflect on the vital role that research plays in this transformative journey.

In a speech on his behalf during a side event at the 20th CAADP Partnership Platform titled “Research and Innovation: Catalysts for Agricultural Transformation under Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), Dr. Patson Chikudza, the Executive Director of the Research Council of Zimbabwe said scientific research and technological innovation have proven to be essential drivers of the CAADP progress.

He said research provides the knowledge foundation needed to tackle the complex challenges facing agriculture, from climate change to food security, while innovation translates that knowledge into practical solutions.

“As we confront pressing issues such as population growth and economic disparities, the demand for evidence-based policies becomes ever more urgent. Research equips us with critical insights that inform effective decision-making, enabling us to design interventions that are not only impactful but also sustainable. It helps in the understanding of local agricultural systems, identifying best practices, and leveraging technological advancements that can significantly enhance productivity and resilience.

“Today, the RCZ is honoured to host a diverse group of experts from research institutions, government bodies, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. The collective experiences and insights are invaluable as we engage in discussions about successful case studies, share best practices, and explore strategies that further emphasize the importance of research and innovation in advancing CAADP’s objectives,” Dr. Chikudza said.

In his address during the side event, Dr. Cosmos Magorokosho, the Chief Executive Officer of the Agriculture Research Council (ARC) said research and innovation are important for addressing future problems.

“The world is changing. Technology is changing very, very fast. How can we catch up to bring those innovations from outside or even our homegrown innovations to light so that we can address our food security issues, our nutritional issues, and many other issues that we have? Research is also there to upscale and out-scale the good things that are there. Okay? Upscale, bringing them to light.

“So that’s another purpose of research. We are also there to stimulate the thinking of new ideas. What can we do? We need to break the cycle of experimentation just for the sake of experimentation. What new ideas can we bring about? We all know about the speed of artificial intelligence happening in the computer world. Can we not have that kind of speed in terms of agricultural research? What can we do to make sure that we have that speed of change? The same thing that is happening in artificial intelligence can be done in the agriculture sector,”

The ARC defines a research agenda for agriculture. It has thematic areas like climate change, agroecology, co-production, and productivity. The major problems it faces revolve around funding, coordination, information dissemination, commercial mindset, and vision.

The side event brought together experts from research institutions, universities, government bodies, NGOs, and the private sector who shared insights, case studies, and strategies that highlight the importance of evidence-based policies and innovative practices in driving CAADP’s objectives.