The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA)
in collaboration with
The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)
The Regional Universities Forum for CapacityBuilding in Agriculture(RUFORUM)
DRAFT PROGRAMME
Africa Regional Congress
Women in Science for Food and Nutrition Security in Africa
July 03 - 07, 2006
Entebbe, Uganda
Background:
Agricultural producers in Africa are mainly women and the future trend is towards increased representation of women in all aspects of the agri-food production to consumption chain. Yet, in every aspect of agriculture, food and nutrition from policy making to the pursuit of science and technology related disciplines and provision of services, women are under represented. Debates have been ongoing for the past two decades or more, on the reasons for this. Yet there has been little progress in improving the participation of women in the S&T policymaking processes and ensuring that the science responds to their needs. The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) agreed to convene this Africa Regional Congress to provide a forum for shared learning and consensus building on the issues affecting women in agriculture and science in Africa by putting women at the forefront. This is a novel approach as past forums have sought to ensure representation from both genders.
The mission of CTA which is based in The Netherlands is to strengthen information and communication management capacities of agricultural and rural development organizations in the 79 member countries that make up the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States. It is also charged with policy and institutional capacity development. In 2003, CTA launchedits Science and Technology Programme which aims to support the ACP region in their efforts to use science, technology and innovation for socio-economic development with emphasis on the agricultural and rural sectors. Consequently, the Centre is pleased to collaborate with FARA andRUFORUM in convening this Conference on “Women in Science for Food and Nutrition Security in Africa”for Africanwomen scientists and other female stakeholders to reflect on and discuss Science Technology and Innovation (ST&I) issues for improving the food and nutrition situation in Africa with women in mind.
The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) is the apex organization for African agricultural research and is a coalition of all stakeholders involved in African agricultural research and development. FARA plays a key role in complementing the activities of the sub-regional organizations in supporting national agricultural research systems, which include universities and regional and international organizations working in the countries to deliver more responsive and effective services to their stakeholders. FARA’s primary roles are to advocate for investment in agricultural research for Africa’s development, to promote value adding partnerships, and to enhance the exchange of agricultural information and learning.
RUFORUM is an umbrella organization of twelve (12) universities in East and Southern Africa. The current member universities of RUFORUM include (Kenya- Egerton University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, KenyattaUniversity, MoiUniversity and University of Nairobi; Malawi- University of Malawi; Mozambique-EduardoMondlaneUniversity;Tanzania- Sokoine University of Agriculture; Uganda-MakerereUniversity; Zambia- University of Zambia;and Zimbabwe-AfricaUniversity and the University of Zimbabwe. It serves to promote integration of university research, training and outreach into national and regional research for development. This task is addressed not only through better trained graduates entering the rural development workforce, but also by conducting more relevant and development-oriented research that is directly linked to participatory outreach programmes.
Congress Objectives:
The overall objective is to contribute to improvements in Agriculture and Food and Nutrition security in Africa.
The specific objectives are:
- To provide a forum for shared learning and consensus building among women stakeholders on the constraints and opportunities for women in science and technology, agriculture and food and nutrition.
- To develop strategies and plans to improve the involvement of women in the science, technology and innovation (ST&I) policy processes and science and industry, at national and regional levels to enhance their contribution to improving agricultural performance, the food and nutrition situation and incomes and livelihoods in Africa.
Expected Outputs:
- Partnerships forged between women in science and civil society for demystifying science and bridging the gender and knowledge divide for improved earnings and health and well being of women and their families.
- Options evaluated and strategies identified for:
Empowering and engaging more women in ST&I policy processes and enhancing their participation in science, industry and services for improved incomes, livelihoods, health and well being and;
Expanding opportunities for women to access information, training and finance to enhance their capacity to innovate and progress in science, agriculture, industry and related services.
- Workshop communiqué, report and proceedings disseminated in print throughout Africa and internationally and in electronic format on CTA, FARA and RUFORUM websites.
The Congress will include technical plenary sessions, working group sessions, a poster display and exhibition and a field trip. Several key questions will be addressed during the working group sessions. These include:
Can science and technology meet the needs of African women in their quest to feed and nourish their families and enhance their contribution to socio-economic advancement? If yes, how? If no, why?
Is the right research and development being done or is there need for more focused ST&I policies, programmes and projects which specifically address the needs of women in agriculture and related industries in Africa? What more needs to be done?
Are available technologies suited to the context of women across the agricultural production – consumption chain? Are they reaching the rural women? How can women be engaged in technology development, evaluation and dissemination to advance understanding and improve knowledge and best practices from the farm to the plate?
Are there enough women in science and technology development? Are they engaged in setting the science and agricultural research and development agenda? Are they responsive to the needs of rural women in Africa?
Are enough women pursuing science? Are there bottlenecks or challenges that must be addressed in making those involved in science and technology policy formulation and implementation more responsive to the needs of women in science and agricultural related activities in Africa? How can women become more effectively engaged?
Can information and communication technologies make a difference for women in agriculture and science in Africa? How best can this be achieved? Are there platforms for sharing information and knowledge between women scientists and their counterparts? If yes, are the communication channels appropriate? If not, how can they be developed / or improved?
July 02
16:00 – 21:00Pre Congress Registration – Kyoga Hall
July 03, 2006
8:00 – 8:30Registration
8:30 – 10:30Opening Ceremony
Chairperson – Dr. Lillian Ekirikubinza, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Makerere University, Uganda
8:30 – 8:40Welcome Remarks – Mrs Patricia Masanganise, Programme Associate, RegionalUniversities FORUM for CapacityBuilding in Agriculture (RUFORUM), Uganda
8:40 – 8:50Remarks–Mrs. Oumy Ndiaye,Head, Communication Channel and Services Department, Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU (CTA), The Netherlands
8:50 – 9:00Remarks–Ms Ramata Molo Thioune, Programme Officer Acacia, Women Rights and Citizenship, International Development Research Council (IDRC) – Central & West Africa Office, Senegal
9:00 – 9:10Greetings – Dr. Brave Ndisale, Head of Rural Economy Division of the Commission of the African Union, Ethiopia
9:10 – 9:30Special Address & Official Launch - Honourable Janat Mukwaya, Minister of Tourism, Trade and Industry. Uganda
9.30 – 10:10Welcome Performance by KitantePrimary School
10:10 – 10:15Vote of Thanks – Dr. Fina Opio. Director, Namulonge Agricultural and Animal Production Research Institute, Uganda
10:15 – 11:00Group Photo and Health Break
11:00 – 12:30Focus – Enhancing the Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Dialogue
Chairperson – Ms. Njabulo Nduli, Chair, Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), South Africa
11:00 – 11:20Science, Technology & Innovation: Relevance for Development – Judith Ann Francis, Senior Programme Coordinator, Science & Technology Strategies, Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), The Netherlands
11:20 – 11:30Discussion
11:30 – 11:45Diagnostic Study of the Key Policy Questions Underlying the Food Crisis in Niger - Dr. Yayé Aissetou Dramé, University of Abdou Moumouni, Niger Republic
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11:45 – 12:00Land Reforms to Strengthen Women’s Role in Food and Nutrition Security in Africa – Dr. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, Executive Director, Women Aid Collective (WACOL), Nigeria
11:45 – 12:15ICTs Transforming the Lives of Rural Women: Implications for Policy - Dr. Dorothy Okello, WOUGNET, Uganda & Jennifer Radloff, Coordinator, Association for Progressive Communication (APC-Africa –Women), South Africa
12:15 – 12:30Discussion
12:30 – 14:00Lunch
14:00 – 17:30Focus – Women and Science Education: Safeguarding the Future
Chairperson – Dr. Mary Shawa, Principal Secretary, Office of the President and Cabinet, Malawi
14:00 – 14:15African Women Scientists: Their Expected Contribution to Food & Family Nutrition – Professor Felixtina Jonsyn-Ellis, University of the Gambia, The Gambia
14:15 – 14:30The Need for Change in Universities and their Role in Promoting Women in Agriculture – Professor Kay Muir Lereshche, South Africa
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4:30 – 14:45Mainstreaming Gender and Promoting Women Education in an AfricanUniversity: Policy Implications, Dr. Lilian Ekirikubinza, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Makerere University, Uganda
14:45 – 15:00Discussion
15:00 – 15:15Do Opportunities Exist for Women in Science to Respond to the Needs of Rural Women? Dr. Tomedi Eyango Minette, University of Dschang, Cameroon
15:15– 15:30Status of Enrolment of Women in Science and Agriculture in University of Bobo Dioulasso – Dr. Chnatal Zoungrana, Director, Institute of Rural Development, University of Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
15:30 – 15:40Discussion
15:40 – 16:00Health Break
16:00 – 17:30Working Group Session 1 – Increasing the Involvement of Women in Science in Africa for Sustainable Impact
19:00 – 21:00Cocktail Reception / Welcome Dinner
July 04, 2006
8:30 – 11:00Focus – Women in Science: Is the Right Research Being Done?
Chairperson – Dr. Chantal Zoungrana, Director, Institute of Rural Development, University of Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
8: 30 – 9:15Working Group Reports
9:15 – 9:30Discussion
9:30 – 10:10Panel Discussion – Is the Right Research being Done?
Panelists
Ms Ebukalin Norah, Farmer, Uganda: Is the Research Being Done Meeting
the Needs of the Farmers?
Dr. Nakinyike Musisi, Makerere Institute of Social Sciences, Ugnada: Relevance of Research by Higher Institutions of Education - Does it link to Decentralization Programmes?
Dr. Ruvimbo Mabeza-Chimedza, Consultant, Zimbabwe: Are Women Adequately Engaged as Scientists?
Chief Ya Alimany S. Turay, Director, Cole Town Women’s Farmers Cooperative: Empowering Women involved in Postwar Conflict in Sierra Leone
10:10 – 10:30Discussion
10:30 – 11:00Coffee Break
11:00 – 13:00Focus – Women, Science and Food and Nutrition Insecurity
Chairman –Prof. Marie Claire Yandju Dembo, University of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
11:00 – 11:15Africa Biofortified Sorghum – Dr. Florence Wambugu, Chief Executive Officer, Africa Harvest, Kenya
11:15 – 11:30Sustainable Cultivation for Increased Productivity of Indigenous Food Crops and Alleviation of Food Insecurity in East Africa – Dr. Valerie Adema Palapala, Western University College of Science and Technology (WUST), Kenya
11:30 – 11:45Combating Vitamin A Deficiency in the Resource Poor Communities of sub-Saharan Africa with Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato – Dr. Regina Kapinga, International Potato Centre, Uganda
11:45 – 12:00Biotechnology: Meeting the Needs of Ugandan - Dr. Fina Opio, NARO, Uganda
12:00 – 12:15Discussion
12:15 – 12: 30 Management of Children with Malnutrition at Mwanamugimu Nutrition Unit – Dr. Elizabeth Kiboneka, MulagoHospital, KampalaUganda
12:30 – 12:45The Relationship between Nutritional Knowledge and Practices of Women of Child-bearing-age living with HIV/AIDS - Dr. Hanifa Namusoke, Mildmay Centre, Uganda
12:45 – 13:00Discussion
13:00 – 14:00Lunch
14:00 – 17:30Focus – Empowering Women Farmers through Science, Technology & Innovation
Chairman – Dr. Eunice Foster, Ministry of Agriculture, The Gambia
14:00 – 14:15Empowering Women through On-Farm Research: The Case of ISFM Women Farmers in the Maritime Region of Togo – Ketline Adodo, Coordiantor, Information Communication Unit, IFDC, Togo
14:15 – 14:30Empowering Women with Goat Breeding – Dr. Judith Lungu, Dean, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zambia
14:30 -14:40Discussion
14:40 – 14:55Enhancing Farmers’ Skills for Improved Food and Nutrition Security / Lessons from Rwanda and Kenya – Dr. Rose Njeru, Institute of Food science, Rwanda
14:55 – 15:10The Importance of Technology Dissemination to Fight Hunger: The Case of Yellow Sweet Potato in Mozambique – Dr. Paula Laforte Pimentel, Animal Production Unit, Mozambique
15:10 – 15:30Discussion
15:30 – 16:00Coffee Break
16:00 – 17:30Working Group Session 2 – Better Science for Improved Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Livelihoods – How can it be done?
July 05, 2006
8:30 – 17:30Field Trip to St. Jude’s Integrated Agri-businessEnterprise,Masaka District in Western Uganda. This is locatedabout 140 kilometres from Kampala and the organization’s activities are being managed by women. The activities promote integrated organic farming in the community, with an objective of poverty eradication, food and nutrition security and sustainable livelihoods.
Day 4 – July 06, 2006
8:30 – 11:00Focus – Experiential Learning in Science, Technology and Innovation – Lessons from the Field
Chairperson – Dr. Khararunga Banda, Executive Director Novafrica, South Africa
8: 30 – 9:15Working Group Reports Day 2 & Day 3 (Field Trip)
9:15 – 9:30Discussion
9:30 – 10:10Panel Discussion – Women’s Experiences on Enhancing Food and Nutrition Security: Challenges and Opportunities
Ms. Joweria Namubiru (Farmer): Case of the Yellow Fleshed Sweet Potatoes.
Ms. Grace Bakaira (Farmer):
Ms. Florence Kayaayo (Farmer):
Ms. Juliet Musoke or Mrs Catherine K. Tiniwensi, Women Entrepreneurship Association, Uganda: Lessons from Women Entrepreneurs
10:15 – 10:30Discussion
10:30 – 11:00Health Break
11:00 – 12:30Focus – Advancing Scientific and Indigenous Knowledge
Chairperson – Dr. Millie Abaru, ICRAF, Kenya
11:00 – 11:15Use of New Scientific Knowledge in Attaining Food Security – Dr. Rudo Sanyanga, Research Manager, Institute of Water and Sanitation, Zimbabwe
11:15 – 11:30Gender Dynamics and Food Security: A Case for Integrated Agriculture and Aquaculture Farming in Iganga District, Dr. Consolata Kabonesa, Uganda
11:30 – 11:40Discussion
11:40 – 11:55The Need for Genetic Diversity in Meeting the Needs of Rural Women in Agriculture – Elizabeth Kizito, Uganda
11:55 – 12:10Indigenous Knowledge and Morphological Characterization the Traditional Vegetable Mustard Rape (Brassica juncea) Landraces – Dr. R.M. Madakadze et al, University of Zululand, South Africa
12:10 – 12:20Discussion
12:20 – 12:35Sweet Potato Consumption and its Determinants for Ensuring Food Security among Households in Oyo State, Nigeria – Dr. Pipy Fawole, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
12:35 – 12:50Fighting Malnutrition through Grain Amaranth – Ms. Margaret Tagwira, Africa University, Zimbabwe
12:50 – 13:00Discussion
13:00 – 14:30Lunch
14:30 – 17:30Focus – Communication,Entrepreneurship & Innovation for Enhanced Income Generation and Food and Nutrition Security
Chairperson – Dr. Viviam Oduro, Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute, Ghana
14:30 – 14:45Sowing Seeds for Development with Appropriate and Superior Varieties - Josephine Okot, Managing Director, Victoria Seeds Company
14:45 -15:30Using Participatory Communication for Transferring Agricultural Technologies: Experience of Farmer Groups in a Pigeonpea (Cajanas cajan) Project – Harriet Muyinza, Kawanda Agricultural Research Institute, Uganda
15:30 -15:40Discussion
15:40 – 15:55The Case of Uganda’s Women’s Peanut Butter Project - Julian Nyachwo, Technology Transfer Officer, AT- Uganda
15: 30 – 15.45Food Security and Climate Change: A Role for Women in Science and Agriculture – Dr. Monica Idinoba, TroFCCA Project Scientist, Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Burkina Faso
15:45 – 16.00Emerging Issues in S&T For Food Security and Sustainable Development – Perspectives from the African Youth – Lydia Olaka et al, African Youth Forum on Science and Technology, Kenya
16:00 – 16:10Discussion
16:10 – 17:30Health Break & Working Group Session 4: Strengthening the Science, Technology and Innovation System for Women in Africa
18.30 – 22.00 Cultural Evening
Day 5 – July 07, 2006
8:30 – 11:00Focus – The Way Forward: Empowering Women for Enhanced Income and Food and Nutritional Security in Africa
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