Stakeholders and Food Security: Managing

Interfaces

José Filipe FonsecaFANRPAN Policy Dialogue on Regional Strategies for

Addressing the Global Food Crisis

Lilongwe, 2 – 5 September 2008

Outline

Context Complexity, dynamics and diversity in

agricultural development Stakeholders in regional food security

policies Developing and managing interfaces:

the role of policy networks Sharing experiences

Context

Current food crisis: a symptom

Undervalued perception of agriculture

Limited understanding of the true role of agriculture in economic development

Context (Cont’d)

Low level of public investments in food production

Low level of private investments as a result of inadequate:

Public investmentsPolicy instruments

Context (Cont’d)

Problem is:Not demand, but supplyNot high food prices, but low

productivityNot the urban bias, but the lack of a

national bias re food security

Context (Cont’d)

Problem is:Not the global food market, but

ineffective and inefficient regional trade

The “Dutch disease” and its variations

Complexity, dynamics and diversity Complexity: multiple purposes of

agricultural development (economic, socio-cultural, environmental)

Dynamics: rapidly changing

environment, needs, priorities, etc.

Diversity: multiple actors and stakeholders

Stakeholders in food policies

“All affected and interested parties” ‘Traditional’ stakeholders: Policy-

makers, experts, farmers, advocacy groups

New/emerging stakeholders: Parliamentarians, media professionals, consumer groups, CSO and from other sectors

Stakeholders (Cont’d)

The general public Groups with a grudge

The general public

People who have expressed no explicit interest in agriculture, but

Are affected by food security policies Are a potential source of information

and expertise Can “affect upstream choice of policies

and downstream delivery”

Media professionals

Are full-fledged stakeholders in food security policies

Can contribute to:Attract and maximize the much

needed public attention and support Create a national and regional

consensus on food security

Media professionals (Cont’d)

Reach politiciansHold decision-makers and other

stakeholders to accountStimulate the emergence of new

stakeholder groups from the general public

Facilitate communication between the ordinary citizen and policy people

Managing interfaces

No single actor (the State, the Market, the Academia or the Civil Society) can cater for the complexity, dynamics and diversity of contemporary agricultural development.

Interfaces (Cont’d)

Role of agricultural policy networks Identify and mobilize stakeholders (old,

new and emerging) Create platforms between internal and

external stakeholders Facilitate the engagement of

stakeholders

Interfaces (Cont’d)

Facilitate the creation of a policy community to:

Generate a true, “deep seated desire” for national and regional food security

Reduce political and institutional stress

Ensure the development and stability of informed food policies

Interfaces… (Cont’d)

Communication among all stakeholders, inclusive decision-makers

Translation of messages to ensure “full

comprehension by and benefit to all relevant stakeholders”

Mediation between stakeholders with regard to the credibility and relevance of information

Sharing experiences

1: Involving media people through:

Better understanding of journalists’ interests, constraints and needs

Training on demand on:Critical agricultural policy issuesThe use of ICTs for timely and cost-

effective access to informationNetworking

Experiences (Cont’d)

Support to the establishment and development of a “Network of West African Agricultural Journalists”

Preparation of a “Manual for the West African Agricultural Journalist”

Experiences… (Cont’d)

Exposure through:Participation in policy dialogues and

other eventsStudy tour on specific themesProvision of appropriate materials

(content, language, style and length)Access to reliable sources of

information, including personal contacts

Experiences… (Cont’d)

2. Improving efficiency of regional trade in cattle by Reducing the amount and complexity

of administrative procedureMinimizing harassment (and

accompanying bribery) by Police and Customs during transport

Reducing transport time and transaction costs

Experiences… (Cont’d)

Actions undertaken:Proper documentation of the

harassments and their impact Direct contact with Police and

Customs at their highest level: Political supervisory authorities

Institutional hierarchy

Thank you!

Experiences (Cont’d)

Meetings attended by all interested parties (Ministers, producers, traders, transporters, insurance companies, Police and Customs

Regular participation of representatives of Police and Customs at policy dialogues

Intensive media coverage (radio, TV and press)