History of the East Africa Root Crops Research Network

Background information

Strengthening root crops research in sub-Saharan Africa commenced in the late 1970s through the collaborative efforts of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS). National root crops improvement programs were established to develop and transfer improved production technologies. Training significantly increased the capacities of these programs to undertake root crops research and development activities. Triennial regional workshops were initiated on rotational basis among the West, Central, East and Southern African countries. These workshops brought together researchers in a region to discuss issues of importance to the development of root and tuber crops and plan strategies to improve national programs. Recognizing the growing importance of root crops research in sub-Saharan Africa, annual meetings of research collaborators were convened to review and discuss work plans from 1987. With the establishment of the East and Southern Africa Root Crops Research network (ESARRN), these annual meetings were limited to West and Central Africa.

ESARRN started informally in 1984 when 15 countries in the region unanimously agreed that their common problems with cassava and sweet potato warranted a regional approach to supplement their national program efforts. In 1985, the heads of root crops programs in the region established priorities and agreed on the operational procedures of ESARRN. The network's mission was to strengthen collaboration between and among NARS and IITA, facilitate transfer and exchange of technologies on improved varieties, agronomic practices, post harvest and other root crops related technologies. It supported staff development through training. The commissioning of the collaborative study of cassava in Africa (COSCA) studies improved the benchmark database for cassava. IITA in collaboration with International Institute of Biological Control successfully implemented the control of the cassava mealybug in the region. Through other collaborative research and training, ESARRN assisted NARS in strengthening their research capacities on root crops and their efforts to address specific problems that improve production, farmers income and contribute to food self sufficiency.

Between 1986 and 1993, ESARRN promoted an inter-country working partnership for exploiting the limited resources and scientific expertise in fulfilling the goals of eleven national root crop programs within the region. Financial support was provided by International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) while IITA assured the technical backstopping and coordination. During its end of project evaluation in January 1992, the evaluation team considered how ESARRN could better serve the increasing demand of NARS. Based on cost effectiveness, coverage of member countries and ability to facilitate collaboration, ESARRN evolved into two regional networks; East Africa Root Crops Research Network (EARRNET) and Southern Africa Root Crops Research Network (SARRNET)

EARRNET's Research Directors Committee and IITA submitted and obtained a two-year project funding from USAID to enable the network consolidate its accomplishments in East and Central Africa sub-region from October 1, 1993. IDRC continued funding the network through a no-cost extension support to participating NARS.

Activities of EARRNET phase I started with a Steering Committee (SC) meeting in February 1994. The meeting heard and discussed country reports and made plans to implement the first year's activities. One major weakness identified on the SC was the disciplinary imbalance among its members. Essential disciplines such as socio-economics and post harvest were not represented. A bye-law was adopted to enable the Coordinator co-opt scientists/experts in deficient areas to attend subsequent meetings. An immediate follow on meeting was organized by IITA to inaugurate its Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Centre (ESARC) for the improvement of banana and cassava. To avoid conflict of interests, participants assigned research and development tasks based on comparative advantages of the NARS, networks and ESARC. Since 1995 up to date, USAID/REDSO has continued to provide financial support to the network to consolidate its achievements.

The effectiveness of any network depends on the ability of collaborating programs to contribute to and benefit from information and technologies developed. At the onset of EARRNET, the root crop programs in member countries were at different stages of development, varied in structure, manpower strength, research infrastructure and capacity to develop linkages with technology transfer agencies. Recognising the effects that the heterogeneity would have on the levels and quality of contribution, strategies were developed to enhance effectiveness by emphasising training and collaboration with other research and development institutions and personnel and linking them to major client groups. By tapping on the comparative advantages of these institutions, the network attracted other interesting parties to strengthen and enhance NARS ability to respond to the growing concerns for increased use of cassava for food security, poverty alleviation and socio-economic growth and development. The adoption of the 1994 bye-law has enabled a broader participation of theme leaders, policy makers, extension personnel, industrialists and NGO representatives at SC meetings.

Post harvest utilisation and commercialisation were recognised as the driving force for improved production. At their second meeting, SC members adapted the network's goal to emphasize market oriented research and development. Constraints were re-assessed in light of the new goal to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in implementing network activities. Member countries focussed on most important constraints and apportioned responsibilities in an effort to change the stigma on cassava as a "poor mans" food into a commercial crop by promoting the commercial value of cassava as food, livestock feed and industrial raw material.

Two consecutive fives years phases USAID funded ended in 2003. Another 3 year phase was granted which was supposed to close by September 2006 but because all funds were not liquidated another year of no-cost extension was added. During this phase EARRNET has focused on the promotion of already existing developed technologies under pilot’s sites trying to initiate up scaling and out scaling upstream. Projects activities being undertaken are addressing regional problems. Lessons learned are being compiled to be shared by all the region.

Membership and Governance

Collaborating countries

The success of EARRNET depends on how its research and development outputs respond to stakeholders interests and needs within the cassava sub-sector. Identification and involvement of clients in exploiting a given market opportunity will greatly facilitate technology development and transfer. EARRNET therefore collaborates with individuals and institutions that contribute to strengthen regional capacities to address research and development issues of the cassava sub-sector. It is an amalgamation of all entities conducting research in member countries and their linkages to major sub-sector client groups. Its effectiveness depends on the ability to contribute to and benefit from information and technologies generated.

EARRNET worked initially with the national root crops improvement programs in Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda and Uganda, where cassava is of great importance as a staple food crop with high potential for feed and industrial application. Presently Ethiopia, Sudan and Tanzania are actively involved the network activities. Constraints to production, utilisation and marketing are common. Research infrastructure is adequate and personnel are engaged in the improvement of the crop. Participation in EARRNET activities is however open to all members of the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in East and Central Africa (ASARECA).

Structure and management

In recognition of the lead role NARS must play in the functioning of the network, with backstopping support by IITA, management of EARRNET is by ASARECA 's CD and the SC. The CD establishes general policies and priorities of cassava research and approves annual work plans and budgets submitted by the SC. The SC is made of heads of national cassava programs, the coordinator and regional scientist. The terms of reference of the management bodies are approved by the CD members.