MINUTES. National Workshop for Node Revitalization 24 August 2007, Maharaja Restaurant and Conference Centre, Gaborone, Botswana;

Transcription

1 National Workshop for Node Revitalization 24 August 2007, Maharaja Restaurant and Conference Centre, Gaborone, Botswana; THE NEED FOR NETWORKING AT NATIONAL LEVEL MINUTES DATE: 24 August 2007 TIME: 08:00 12:30 SECRETARY: Brian Muyambiri ( VICMAT Consultants) CHAIRMAN: Boweditswe Masilo (Ministry of Agriculture(MOA)) 1

2 Acronyms BAU Botswana Agricultural Union BCA Botswana College of Agriculture MoA Ministry of Agriculture BIDPA Botswana Institute of DAR Department of Agricultural research DEA Department of Environmental Affairs UB University of Botswana ORD Office of Research and Development I. CALL TO ORDER AND INTRODUCTIONS. The FANRPAN meeting was called to order by the Chairman Boweditswe Masilo of the Ministry of Agriculture at 8:50am after registration. The chairman welcomed those present and also gave a brief introduction of the organization to all present. Masilo reminded all the stakeholders of the need of the workshop and the expected outcomes of the meeting. These outcomes were on, but not only limited to: Review of the stakeholder list Coming up with a new steering committee To decide on the hosting institution for FANRPAN II. REPORTS 1. Address by Ms. Lalestang Ms Laletsang declared the meeting open after giving a more detailed presentation on the organization (FANRPAN). Of note were the following: FANRPAN s failure in establishing itself locally (in Botswana). 2

3 The registration questionnaire was sent to potential stakeholders but the response was not satisfactory A word of thanks to all the stakeholders present and the official opening of the workshop at 0904hrs She also gave the purpose of the workshop - Present an overview of FANRPAN, Present SADC FANRPAN Stakeholder directory Botswana node, Choose a node (institution), Appoint the node steering committee 2. Presentation by Dr.Sibanda, 9:05am It focused on presenting the history and current status of FANRPAN; it was divided under the following headings; FANRPAN Mandate-Constitution Challenges Facing Southern Africa The Need for Networks - Stakeholders defined they are those who must be satisfied with the policies or those who gain or lose something from a given policy. Noted stakeholders include policy makers, legal professionals and politicians, farmer organizations, researchers, technicians, policy analysts and media, professionals, agri-business, activist groups, ordinary citizens and experienced, influential and expertise-endowed individuals. FANRPAN FANRPAN The FANRPAN Node Acknowledgements A number of challenges were identified for the Southern African region, these included The existence of a dual agricultural economy that is mainly, smallholder and large scale farmers A weak private sector mainly farmers and agribusiness Suspicion and antagonism between the state and non state actors Disparity in economic status between countries 3

4 Trade liberalization and social protection Unsustainable use and inequitable access to natural resources The presentation was overall informative on the organizational related issues and the stride to be taken by the Botswana node. 3. Report on Institutional and Human Resources Directory Presentation by Dr. Rejoice Tsheko Dr. Tsheko was tasked with the Preparation of Institutional and Human Resources Directory for Botswana. Since FANRPAN will be launching its new strategy and business plan in September 2007, there was need to determine the existing capacity of the nodes and progress made in strengthening the regional secretariat. The said strategy includes strengthening of regional secretariat and country nodes. Mention of FANRPAN having short-term support from DFID and FARA to strengthen the nodes in the 12 countries of SADC was also made. The main activities of the task were concerned with the preparation of the directory of organizations and professionals with strong involvement and capacities in FANR policy research, analysis advice and dialogue. A number of methodologies were employed, a summary of them being: Desk review Print media advertisement interviews Face-to-face interviews Two questionnaires one for organizations and one for individuals requiring the following details - organizations Contact details Organization s profile Professional details Research areas Capacity development strengths 4

5 Advocacy and voice Potential stakeholder images of FANRPAN Individuals Contact details Professional details Research areas Capacity development strengths Advocacy and voice Potential stakeholder images of FANRPAN The results of the study brought out the following organizations under the noted organizational groups 1. Donors 2. SADC national focal points (SADC Trade Hub) 3. Multilateral Agencies (FAO, UNDP) 4. International NGOs 5. National NGOs (BOCONGO, BOCOBONET) 6. Faith Based Organizations 7. Private Corporations (BVI,BMC,BAMB,SeedCo,Bolux,NAFRC,RIPCO,AGRICHEM) 8. Private Consultants (VICMAT, Vet & Agric. Services, veldproducts) 9. Media (farmers magazines) 10. Government (MoA, DMS, DEA) 11. Farmer Organizations (BAU, horticulture, pig, cattle, poultry, grain, dairy, wildlife, ostrich) 12. Universities Colleges and tertiary training institutions (UB, BCA, BOCODOL) 13. Research institutions (BIDPA, DAR, and BNPC) Dr Tsheko concluded by noting that the response was low (especially on individuals), just over 12 organizations registered and about 30 individuals registered. However, he also mentioned 5

6 that the registration is an ongoing process which the new node should continue to build up. He used the workshop as a platform to encourage all present organizations to urge their staff to respond. After wards, the chairman opened the plenary for discussions on the output of Dr. Tsheko s task. Concerns raised included The criteria used to get institutions to fill in the questionnaire. Stakeholders were querying the non-inclusion of an introduction of FANRPAN. Is FANRPAN in a position to work with the private sector? Especially in Botswana? Why was the contribution of the private sector weak? There must be alternative sources of a database of organizations working in the same field with FANRPAN, What were the efforts put in to get hold of such a database? These questions were appropriately addressed by both Dr Tsheko and Dr Sibanda. An explanation of how the national node of FANRPAN will be working with both the regional office and the government was also given by Dr. Sibanda. It was agreed that the questionnaire was full supported by an advertorial that had the sole option of educating the recipient on FANRPAN. However, some of the problems concerning the database were noted as not being associated with Botswana alone but by other Southern African countries. Delegates proceeded to go for tea at 10:10am and where back in the workshop at 10: Presentation on criteria and recommendations for a node hosting institution Dr. Rejoice Tsheko The criteria of evaluating a hosting institution was given as encompassing the following attributes, an institution which :- Could engage with a wide range of stakeholders Has good relations with government but does not fall directly under government control in order to avoid a situation where the government is seen to be overly dominant in the policy-making process. 6

7 Has ability to convene high level policy engagements (in order to build on existing synergies and make use of existing structures i.e. institutions already involved in policy analysis and research work) Has staff and facilities to maintain good communications with stakeholders and the rest of the FANRPAN network. Capacity to secure and effectively manage grants and contracts Out of the above BIDPA scored a 100% score followed by the Ministry of Agriculture and the University of Botswana. Dr Tsheko went on to give a presentation on the node assessment procedure - Partner Institution Viability Assessment (PIVA) PIVA is a management tool, which has a numerical scale and matrix-method design. It is used to identify changes and progress in organizational development capacity of partner organizations. The chair opened the plenary for the discussions leading to the appointment of a hosting institution and coming up with a new steering committee. Steering Committee After some discussions the following committee was chosen by all the participating stakeholders New structure 24th August 2007 PS MoA chair BIDPA Secretary BAU member (BOCCIM) UB member (ORD) BCA member BOCONGO (to select appropriate NGO)- member BEMA (Botswana Exporters and Manufactures Association) Department of Consumers Affairs MEWT (DEA) It was also agreed that letters of introduction will be send to the appropriate individuals in the committee member organizations. The appropriate protocol is to be followed in the dissemination of these letters. 7

8 The Node Hosting Institution The stakeholders headed Dr. Tsheko s recommendation of BIDPA as the hosting institution of the Botswana node of FANRPAN. It was unanimously agreed by the delegates that BIDPA host the Node. Zambia Meeting Reps from Botswana (4 7 September) The following representatives (noted in conjunction with their affiliate organizations) were chosen to go to the meeting, PS MoA chair [Mrs. K. Laletsang ] BIDPA Secretary [Dr T.B. Seleka] BAU member (BOCCIM) [Mr. Solomon ] UB member (ORD) [Prof. Mazonde ] Honorable De Graaf Seed [Dr. Steven Chite] The meeting is to focus on but will not be limited to The signing of the new constitution of FANRPAN Programme overviews and plans of action Programs are mainly on HIV-AIDS, Biosafety etc Dr. Tsheko was given the responsibility to provide letters to the organizations were the Botswana representatives for the Zambia meeting are coming from. It should be noted that the regional office(represented by Dr.Sibanda) wanted at least representatives of the following sectors Farmers Private Sector Researcher Government The financing of nodes was touched on briefly. Given the incentives and the underlying need for greater food security in the region, we hope the organization will be better noticed and will prove instrumental in achieving Southern Africa s food security and policy needs. Professor Mazonde gave a vote of thanks to all the participants and concluded by saying, although the old order is out, the interest remains more strengthened 8

9 12:50pm Chairman closed the meeting and lunch was served ATTENDANTS: Individual Organization 1.G.P.Nthoiwa BCA 2.Kebabope Laletsang MOA 3.Boweditswe Masilo MOA 4.N.H.Fidzani BIDPA 5.Lindiwe Majele Sibanda FANRPAN Regional Office 6.P.O.P Mosupi DAR Agricultural Research 7.F.B.Seleka BIDPA 8.O.Roy DAR Agricultural Research 9.Julia Dithlong Dept. of Environmental Affairs 10.Olefile Ramarya Seedco 11. Isaack Mazonde UB/ORD 12.Mompati Solomon BAU 13.Kwenantle Gaseitswe Farmers Magazine Botswana 14. Brian Muyambiri Vicmat Consultants 15. Opha Pauline Dube UB/Environmental Science 16. Ngaira Angwenye Vicmat Consultants 17. Rejoice Tsheko Directory coordinator - Botswana 9