Implementing partners

University of Ghana

Academic partner

Based in Accra, Ghana, the University of Ghana provides and promotes university education, learning, and research. Its vision is to become a world-class research-intensive institution over the next decade. To reach this vision, the University has identified four priority research focus areas, namely:

• Malaria Research
• Transdisciplinary Research into Climate Change Adaptation
• Enhancing Food Production and Processing
• Development Policy and Poverty Monitoring and Evaluation

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Academic partner

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is a world-class academic centre of excellence based in Kumasi, Ghana. The University’s vision is to further build on its leadership as the premier science and technology university in Ghana and be amongst the top ten universities in Africa. KNUST has a wide-ranging research focus, spanning across health, agriculture, engineering, physical sciences, humanities, and business. 

University of Nairobi

Academic partner

The University of Nairobi (UoN) is situated in Nairobi, Kenya, and is a pioneering tertiary education institution in Kenya and the region. Its vision is to be a world-class university committed to scholarly excellence. 

The UoN is a research-intensive university with a reputation for excellence and a vibrant research culture. Its research work is recognised for its impact and relevance to the region. The University is dedicated to creating and strengthening partnerships with industry and other significant institutions and organisations to maximise research outcomes.

Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis

FANRPAN node

The Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) is a public institution established in May 1997 through a Legal Notice and commenced operations in June 1999. The KIPPRA Act No. 15 of 2006 came into effect on 1st February 2007. The Institute is thus a state corporation established by an act of parliament with a primary mandate of providing quality policy advice to the Government of Kenya and other key stakeholders by conducting policy research and analysis and through capacity building in order to contribute to the achievement of national long term development objectives. The Institute has its headquarters in Nairobi.

Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Academic partner

Situated outside Lilongwe in Malawi, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) was the third public University to be established in Malawi. LUANAR’s vision is to be a world-class university. 

As its name suggests, the University’s research focuses on agriculture and natural sciences, with PhDs offered in agricultural and resource economics, agriculture and applied economics, animal science, aquaculture and fisheries science, biotechnology, and rural development.

Malawi University of Science and Technology

Academic partner

The Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) is situated in Thyolo in southern Malawi and was established in 2012 to promote the development, adaptation, transfer, and application of science, technology, and innovation. Its vision is to become a world-class centre of science and technology education, research, and entrepreneurship. 

MUST has a special focus on industrial research, hosting the Must Institute of Industrial Research and Innovation (MIIRI). MIIRI champions transformative agro-industrial research, business, and skills development in food and nutrition engineering. The Institute is driving a partnership model to advance innovation challenges in the agriculture sector for agricultural productivity and commercialisation.

Civil Society Agriculture Network

FANRPAN node

The Civil Society Agriculture Network (CISANET) is a grouping of civil society organisations located in Lilongwe, Malawi. CISANET was established in 2001 to facilitate the engagement of the civil society organisations working in the agriculture sector with the Malawian government over policy issues affecting the sector.

CISANET’s membership comprises local and international NGOs, farmer organisations, and interested individuals. CISANET operates at the national and local levels and contributes to regional policy advocacy as the Malawi node host for FANRPAN and the CAADP Non-State Actors Coalition.

University of York

Academic partner

The University of York is a collegiate research university, located in the city of York, England. The university was established in 1963, and has expanded to more than thirty departments and centres, covering a wide range of subjects.

It is one of the world’s premier institutions for inspiration and life-changing research, and attracts renowned academics, whose research brings vibrancy and cutting-edge ideas to their lectures. The university is a member of prestigious Russels Group of 24 leading UK universities and is committed to bringing the best research and teaching standards.

The FSNet-Africa project is hosted within the York Environmental Sustainability Institute.

Sokoine University of Agriculture

Academic partner

Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) is a public university located on the slopes of the Uluguru Mountains in Morogoro, Tanzania. SUA was established in 1984 with a special focus on the agricultural sciences, as portrayed in its vision statement: “To be a leading University in the provision of quality knowledge and skills in agriculture and allied sciences.” 

SUA prioritises research that responds to the contemporary and emerging needs of agriculture, natural resources, and allied sectors. Through its research, the University aims to find sustainable solutions to problems related to food security and agriculture, forestry, natural resource management, animal and public health, agribusiness, market and entrepreneurship, and education and information technology.

University of Dar es Salaam

Academic partner

Situated in the city of Dar es Salaam, the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) is the oldest and biggest public university in Tanzania. The University’s vision is to become a leading centre of intellectual wealth, spearheading the quest for sustainable and inclusive development. 

UDSM has a wide-ranging research focus, with research centres for climate change, entrepreneurship, technology development, gender, computing, law, population studies, communication, and education.

Economic and Social Research Foundation

FANRPAN node

Tanzania’s Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF) is situated in Dar es Salaam and was established as an independent, not-for-profit institution for research and policy analysis. 

The ESRF’s primary objectives are to strengthen policy analysis and development management capabilities and to enhance the understanding of policy options in the government, public sector, civil society, donor community, and the growing private sector in Tanzania.

University of the Western Cape

Academic partner

Located in Cape Town, South Africa, the University of the Western Cape (UWC) was founded in 1960 and occupies a unique space in the South African higher education landscape with a legacy of social justice, community engagement, and graduate employability. Its vision is to be widely recognised as a vibrant intellectual space where people engage with matters of real significance at the highest competence levels. 

UWC supports interdisciplinary research with critical mass focus areas linked to global citizenship, including data-intensive research, early childhood development, diversity in psychological practice, neuroscience, migration and mobility, leadership and governance, and social development and innovation.

National Agricultural Marketing Council

FANRPAN node

The National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) is a statutory body (established in terms of the Marketing of Agricultural Products No. 47 of 1996 as amended) reporting to the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development located in Pretoria, South Africa. With its vision to strategically position agriculture in a dynamic global market, the work of the NAMC is aligned to four strategic objectives of the Act, namely:

• to increase market access for all market participants;
• to promote the efficiency of the marketing of agricultural products;
• to optimise export earnings from agricultural products; and
• to enhance the viability of the agricultural sector.

The NAMC is an advisory body of the Minister and all Directly Affected Groups on issues of marketing agricultural products. NAMC also plays an active role in the regulatory functions in respect of statutory measures and agricultural industry trusts.

University of Zambia

Academic partner

The University of Zambia (UNZA) is situated in Lusaka, Zambia. UNZA was established in 1965, and its motto of service and excellence has guided its development ever since. UNZA’s vision is to become an eminent university driven by the pursuit of knowledge, innovation, and social responsiveness. 

UNZA has one research institute, the Institute of Economic and Social Research, that focuses on six thematic areas, namely:

• Agriculture and rural development
• Economics and business
• Governance
• Health promotions
• Socio-cultural 
• Urban research programmes.

Agricultural Consultative Forum

FANRPAN node

The Agricultural Consultative Forum (ACF) is a Zambian NGO located in Lusaka, Zambia. The ACF comprises agricultural stakeholders from five categories: the public sector, the private sector, research institutions, cooperating partners, and NGOs. 

The need by agricultural stakeholders for a voice in the policy-making processes during Zambia’s transition from a controlled and state-run economy to a decentralized and private-led economy necessitated the creation of ACF, originally established in 1998 as an Agricultural Sector Investment Programme (ASIP) Consultative Forum Project.

ACF is driven by the non-negotiable need for all stakeholders to be involved in all stages of the agriculture programme cycle in order to enhance ownership of demand-driven and sustainable development processes. ACF’s emphasis is that development is not only brought about by the government but also needs the active participation of all key stakeholders.

The ACF, therefore, provides a stakeholder platform fostering agricultural policy dialogue and public-private partnerships in Zambia’s agricultural sector.