Nairobi:African countries have been encouraged to improve their agricultural data systems to effectively implement and measure progress under the new Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) agenda.
According to Kenya News Agency, experts at a regional capacity gap assessment workshop in Nairobi emphasized the importance of reliable and comparable data on agricultural research, investment, infrastructure, and human resources. This data is vital for identifying gaps, directing resources, and tracking progress under the Kampala CAADP Declaration and Strategy and Action Plan 2026-2035.
The new framework represents a shift from focusing solely on increasing agricultural production and productivity to a broader agenda of agri-food systems transformation. This transformation involves agriculture, trade, finance, water, youth, gender, and other sectors.
Sylvester Baguma, Executive Director of the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), highlighted the need to examine agricultural science and technology indicators and data gaps in the 15 ASARECA member countries. He noted that the Kampala CAADP results framework contains 22 targets and indicators, requiring reliable data collection to demonstrate progress.
The workshop, convened by ASARECA, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CGIAR, and AU-SAFGRAD, also assesses capacity gaps at individual, institutional, and systemic levels to help countries meet the demands of the new agenda. Gert-Jan Stads of CGIAR remarked on the necessity of good data for identifying capacity and providing support.
Hernan Muñoz of FAO added that training national experts to collect agricultural science and technology indicators will enable countries to compare their performance and track progress over time. He stressed that reliable data could bolster advocacy for greater investment in national agricultural research systems.
The workshop aims to help countries identify existing capacities, map gaps, and establish mechanisms for sharing expertise and resources. It intends to strengthen the evidence base for future CAADP reviews, ensuring measurable progress under the new strategy using consistent national data.
