Day Two – Friday, November 9
Session 6: The state as a provider
In this session, we focused on two roles for the state to play for agricultural innovation. First, the critical public good which the state should be involved in is the management and performance of the agricultural research system. Second, the government of Ghana has taken on a role of price stabilization, especially for maize prices, with the aim of securing farmer’s income, thereby promoting investment in innovative technologies. Full Summary
Chair: Emmanuel Owusu-Bennoah
Panel: Catherine Ragasa, Walter Alhassan, Hon. Ahmed Yakubu Alhassan, Matthew Armah
Discussion Notes and Papers
- New Directions for Revitalizing the National Agricultural Research System in the Context of Growing Private Sector R&D by Catherine Ragasa and Derek Byerlee
Discussion Note - Evaluation of Four Special Initiatives of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture by Samuel Benin, Michael Johnson, Kipo Jimah, Joe Taabazuing, Albert Tenga, Emmanuel Abokyi, Gamel Nasser, Gerald Ahorbo, and Victor Owusu
Discussion Note | Full Paper - Ghana’s Research System by Teunis van Rheenen, Nelson Obirih-Opareh, Geroge Essegbey, Shashidhara
Kolavalli, Jenna Ferguson, Paul Boadu, Masahudu Fuseini, and Catherine Chiang
Discussion Note
Session 7: Role of agro-processing in industrialization: What are the binding constraints?
In this session we discussed the need to expand the market for agricultural output beyond consumption, and identified agro-processing as a promising means to increase demand for agricultural commodities. Drawing on case studies of value chains for tomatoes, fresh-cut fruit, and cocoa, we identified current constraints to the growth of these industries and ways in which some companies have successfully overcome them. Full Summary
Chair: Fenton Sands
Panel: Shashi Kolavalli, Margaret McMillan, Francis Mulangu, Fritz Gockel
Discussion Notes and Papers
- Food Processing and Agricultural Productivity Challenges: the Case of Tomatoes in Ghana by Elizabeth Robinson, Shashidhara Kolavalli, and Xinshen Diao
Discussion Note
Full papers:
Productivity | Marketing | Processing | Institutional Support | Summary of Stakeholder Dialogue - Blue Skies: How One Firm Overcame “Binding” Constraints by Margaret McMillan
Discussion Note - The Role of Foreign Investment in Ethiopia’s Leather Value Chain: Lessons for Ghana by Margaret McMillan and Deborah Brautigam
Discussion Note
Session 8: Bringing evidence to policymaking
In this session we discussed obstacles facing evidence-based policymaking, which spanned from improving relationships with country governments, collecting better data, and creating a monitoring and evaluation system. Our discussion stressed the need to create strong and transparent linkages between politicians and researchers. Full Summary
Chair: Felix Asante
Panel: Shashi Kolavalli, Sam Benin, Hon. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Lena Otoo, Philip Abayore
Discussion Notes and Papers
- Reflections on Influencing Country Policies and Strategies: The Toy Story by Shashi Kolavalli, Meagan Keefe and Regina Birner
Discussion NoteDiscussion Note
Session 9: Strengthening organizational capacity for development
This session focused on the need for organizational and institutional capacities to be better understood as well as how to make effective use of human capacity. To bring specificity to our discussion, a recent self-evaluation of Policy Planning Monitoring and Evaluation Department (PPMED) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture was presented. Full Summary
Chair: Samuel Adams
Panel: Shashi Kolavalli, Suresh Babu, Hon. Owusu Afriyie Akoto
Discussion Notes and Papers
- Methods of Capacity Needs Assessment—a Discussion Note by Suresh C. Babu and Shashidhara Kolavalli
Discussion Note
Session 10: Commercializing agriculture
In the last session three farmers shared their stories on how they operate their businesses. Their stories highlighted that what distinguishes successful farmers tends to be self-motivation and hard-work. Full Summary
Chair: Antony Chapoto
Panel: Sonia Slavinski, Samford Mahamadu, Kofi Anku
Discussion Notes and Papers
- The Traits of Ghanaian Commercial Farmers by Anthony Chapoto and Adwinmea Bonsu
Discussion Note
Closing session
Chair: Derek Byerlee
- Synthesis/key issues emerging
David Atwood - Policy implications
Atta Agyepong - Research issues
Lambert Abusah