Background

The Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) is an all-inclusive multi-stakeholder pan-African network that provides independent evidence to inform and influence policy processes at national and regional levels. FANRPAN is a multi-tiered network consisting of a regional secretariat and established national nodes, currently present in 18 African countries , and growing. FANRPAN has nodes in all Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) member states. The network’s membership includes food, agriculture and natural resources (FANR) related government departments, parliamentarians, research and farmer organizations, private sector, civil society organizations and the media.

Origins and Legitimacy

  • April 1994: Declaration 10.3 on Regional Cooperation: The Ministers of Agriculture for Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) met in Harare, Zimbabwe, 14-15 April 1994, to develop a strategy and plan of action for promoting agriculture in the region. They declared “that a Regional Agricultural Policy Analysis and Research Network be created in order to reduce dependence on foreign experts as ESA countries develop comprehensive agricultural polices and food security strategies. The network will also, in collaboration with regional universities, be responsible for research and analysis leading to the coordination of agricultural polices and strategies in ESA”.
  • December 1994: The then Secretary-General of COMESA, Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika, released a declaration in the Official COMESA Gazette (Volume 1, Number 1, clause 23) published by the order of the COMESA Council
  • 1997: Inaugural stakeholders meeting in Harare attended by the deans of Agriculture from Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
  • Registered on 18th March 2003 in Zimbabwe
  • FANRPAN Regional Secretariat accredited with diplomatic status by the Government of the Republic of South Africa in March 2006
  • FANRPAN mandate expanded to cover the whole of Africa at the 2010 Annual General Meeting in Namibia

FANRPAN was established to coordinate policy research and dialogue and recommend strategies for promoting food, agriculture and natural resources sectors in Africa by:

  1. Carrying out mutually agreed-upon collaborative research and institutional development activities;
  2. Publishing and disseminating research results;
  3. Providing technical support to national and regional programs;
  4. Providing opportunities for training and professional development;
  5. Organizing workshops, scientific conferences, and seminars;
  6. Providing access by the Government to databases of information on policy making, advocacy and dialogue; and
  7. Facilitating linkages of co-operating institutions with related activities carried out by other participants in FANRPAN’s policy research and professional development programmes.

Objectives 

  • Carrying out mutually agreed collaborative research activities.
  • Publishing and disseminating research results.
  • Providing technical support to national and regional programs.
  • Providing opportunities for training and professional development.
  • Organizing workshops, scientific conferences and seminars.
  • Providing access by the Government to database of information on policy making, advocacy and dialogue.
  • Facilitating linkages and partnerships amongst institutions with related policy research and professional development activities.

In response, FANRPAN was established in 1997, with an initial focus on the southern and eastern regions of Africa. In 2010, after an expression of interest from countries outside the southern and eastern African region, the network’s mandate was expanded to cover the continent.