We have combed through the document and would like to make the following edits.
*Comment 1*
*Kindly see input below on the section about FANRPAN on page 28. *
The Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Analysis Network (FANRPAN), is an MSP that was borne out of the need for independent comprehensive policies and strategies required to resuscitate agriculture. FANRPAN, currently operating in 17 countries of sub-Saharan Africa, was initiated in
1994 by the governments (Ministries of Agriculture) of eight countries in Southern and Eastern Africa, and then formally established in 1997. FANRPAN is a network of governments, research universities and National Agricultural Research System (NARS), as well as civil society organisations (and a few private sector ones). Donor organisations and private foundations are also part of the network. FANRPAN is both a knowledge partnership and an advocacy partnership, with the secretariat based in South Africa since 2005.
While the main partners are the governments and policy research institutions, the board of governors also has representatives of farmer organizations, the private sector, regional donors, etc. Interestingly, most projects are supported by donor governments (IDRC or USAID) and private funds including the Gates Foundation, Master Card Foundation, etc.
The main success of FANRPAN is its convening power, that is, able to bring non-state actors to the same table as governments to discuss policy issues, see Box 3.
*Comment 2: see correction in bold font below*
*Box 3: The Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Analysis Network
(FANRPAN)*
FANRPAN is an autonomous, non-profit, Pan-African policy research and advocacy organization with a mandate to coordinate policy research and policy dialogue and recommend strategies for promoting food and nutrition security.
The FANRPAN constitution was finalized in 2001, and the regional network was formally registered in 2003 as a non-profit making Private Voluntary Organisation in Zimbabwe. The operation of the network is being led by the FANRPAN secretariat which based in South Africa since 2005.
FANRPAN is regulated by its Constitution. Members of the Network (Country Nodes), in an Annual General Meeting (AGM), are the supreme decision-making body of the Network. Each Country Node, as a member of the Network, is represented at each the annual general meeting by one person, with voting rights. Each Country Node carries one vote. The Country Nodes elect the Board Members. The Board of Governors is the highest governing body of FANRPAN and is responsible for providing strategic direction, fiduciary and policy oversight for the organization.
The Board of Governors consists of two Regional Economic Communities seats (COMESA and SADC); two Government Ministries responsible for Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR) seats (Member State hosting the Network and Member State in which FANRPAN is registered); Farmer Organization; Policy Research Institution; Private Sector; Youth; Women and regional Donor.
FANRPAN presents a platform for the articulation of stakeholder priorities and negotiation of disparate positions in a non-formal, non-threatening environment. Emerging positions are informed by research and a shared understanding among stakeholders, form the basis for policy advocacy at national and regional levels.
The FANRPAN Annual High Level Regional Food and Nutrition Security Policy Dialogues are hosted on a rotational basis amongst the FANRPAN member countries. The policy dialogues, with an estimated attendance of over 200 participants in recent years, provide an opportunity for all stakeholders, including governments, policy research institutions, universities, farmer organizations, private sector, media and civil society to share best practices, lessons and experiences on a particular theme and come up with tangible resolutions. The policy dialogues also showcase best practices from Africa and beyond, in line with FANRPAN’s two thematic thrusts of (1) Climate Smart Agriculture and (2) Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture.
Strategically, FANRPAN builds capacity of: (i) policy makers on appraising research evidence for decision making and action plans; (ii) researchers on better ways to communicate science and engagement of communities to set research agenda; (iii) media on writing compelling stories relating to FANR; (iv) young researchers in trying to build a pipeline of new cadre or generation of researchers; and (v) women on using Theatre for Policy Advocacy (TPA) as a safe communicating tool.
FANRPAN’s work is mostly supported by bilateral and multi-lateral public as well as private funding agencies. The bulk of the funding tends to be project-based, with limited core funding.
*Comment 3: see correction in bold font below*
*Box 4:* should read The Southern Africa Food Lab (SAFL) and not The Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Analysis Network (FANRPAN)
Once again, thank you for this opportunity and please do not hesitate to contact us for further details. I also attached for your information a brief document about FANRPAN.
Best regards, Lufingo
Lufingo Witson Mwamakamba
Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN)
Lufingo Witson Mwamakamba