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For those who have long pondered the thorny issue of sustainable funding for agricultural research and development (R&D) in Africa and collaboration between all the players in the system, a recent development in Benin may offer another possible way forward.

A presidential decree signed by the President of Benin, Patrice Talon, and dated March 18, 2020, establishes the National Agricultural Research System (NARS). Benin's NARS is now made up of public, private and endogenous innovators active in Benin's agricultural research community.

Several studies have highlighted the inadequacy of funding for agricultural research and development, despite the fact that innovations are recognized as an important catalyst for the agricultural industry in West Africa.

Apart from Côte d'Ivoire, where agricultural R&D is funded on the basis of an innovative fiscal arrangement through the Fonds Interprofessionnel pour la Recherche et le Conseil Agricoles (FIRCA), most NARS systems rely on public funds for their operations.

What are the implications?

Many observers and experts believe that this is the right step towards sustainable funding for NARS activities, since its budget will also be allocated by the National Assembly during the annual budgeting process.

"The advantage is that the government is now the guarantor of the NARS-Benin. This should reassure technical and financial partners about the provision of financial and technical resources," declared Dr Adolphe Adjanohoun, Director General of the Institut National des Recherches Agricoles du Bénin (INRAB).

Some experts have pointed out that, while this is a crucial step, much remains to be done to ensure that the NARS obtains the level of funding required to function optimally.

The NARS system is often made up of many actors working sometimes with limited coordination and understanding of what the other might be doing. The creation of the NARS system in Benin enables them to pool resources and, consequently, have a greater impact on their results.

What does the presidential decree contain?

According to the presidential decree, Benin's NARS will be an inter-institutional mechanism for consulting and pooling resources in the field of agricultural research.

Benin's National Agricultural Research System comprises :

• agricultural research institutes and structures or other institutions with activities related to agricultural research;
• university faculties and vocational schools with an agricultural vocation;
• non-governmental organizations and consultancies involved in agricultural research;
• associations of independent researchers and endogenous innovators.

What is its main mission?

The main mission of the NARS in Benin will be to promote the development of the agricultural sector. The NARS will be responsible for :

• Promote federative research projects and programs;
• Ensure that the principle of subsidiarity is taken into account in their implementation;
• Ensure the smooth running of the agricultural research management cycle;
• Promote dialogue and exchanges between the various components of Benin's National Agricultural Research System;
• To provide institutional support to its members in order to strengthen their capacities;
• Capitalize on scientific knowledge and agricultural research achievements;
• Organize scientific events on agricultural research and the valorization of research products;
• Ensure the mobilization and optimal use of human, financial and material resources;
• Provide political decision-makers with tools and information to guide national agricultural policy decisions;
• Providing users with information and technologies for agricultural development and scientific progress.

The National Agricultural Research System is overseen by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.

To view the full presidential decree, click here.

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