Virtual Roundtable Series
Kenya: Transforming agricultural research funding towards sustainability
The issue
Agricultural research has a major role to play to develop sustainable agricultural practices and policies toward achieving greater sustainability, equity, and resilience. The importance of agricultural research has been emphasized in Kenya’s 10-year Agricultural Sector Growth and Transformation Strategy (ASTGS) as one of the core flagships for the sector. However, agricultural research still suffers from underinvestment.
Additionally, agricultural research in sub-Saharan Africa is currently dominated by highly specialized research, which produces isolated solutions. Inversely, holistic and transdisciplinary approaches that systematically approach multiples challenges of today’s food systems – such as climate change, rural poverty, demographic pressure or natural resource degradation – are not receiving a commensurate share of research funding. In order to contribute to Kenya’s Vision 2030 and realize progress towards the Agenda 2030 on Sustainable Development, more integrated research approaches are needed. For instance, agroecological approaches are now gaining momentum and support by an increasingly wide range of experts within the scientific community, international organizations and governments as a means to reach the SDGs.
Objective of the virtual roundtable series
The virtual roundtable series aims to provide a platform to discuss pathways for transforming agricultural research funding towards more sustainability, in line with agroecological principles.
Specific objectives:
– Present the findings of a special report on funding flows to agricultural research in sub-Saharan Africa
– Develop action plans for Kenya and the region to strengthen integrated agricultural research for development.

Approach
The virtual roundtable is organized as a series of interactive sessions, and aims to provide substantial inputs on the status of funding flows to agricultural research in sub-Saharan Africa and how they shape food and farming pathways. The factors driving research agenda setting and funding allocation will also be discussed. It will be based on the main findings of a recent study (Money Flows report), which builds on a set of case studies analyzing the funding flows of major institutions. The study analyzes investments into agriculture research in quantitative terms, and also sheds light on the political economy behind these investments in order to identify openings – or opportunity for change – for the emergence of new agendas in line with the SDGs. Participants will be able to further contribute their own experience and perspectives. Interactive discussions between participants will focus on the steps to follow to overcome the current deadlocks that prevent the transformation of food systems to sustainability and to promote greater investments in research on agroecological and similar sustainable practices.
Roundtable structure
The virtual roundtables will take place virtually in a series of three short (2 hour) sessions, which take place between April 2021 and June 2021.
Session 1: Definition: Discussing the status of funding flows to agricultural research in sub-Saharan Africa and factors driving research agenda setting and funding allocation (Output: Summary of deadlocks/windows of opportunity)
Session 2: Ideation: Developing ideas to overcome the current deadlocks and to use windows of opportunity for greater investments in research on agroecological and similar sustainable practices (Output: Draft recommendations specific for East Africa)
Session 3: Recommendation: Discussing draft recommendations and identifying concrete actions to further their application in policy and practice (Output: Final recommendations and action plan specific for East Africa)
Date and time:
- Opening Session: 14th April 2021 (14.00-16.00 EAT)
- 2nd session:
23rd June 2021 (14.00-16.00 EAT) - 3rd session: 6th October 2021 (14.00-16.00 EAT)
Platform:
Facilitated Zoom meeting
Participants:
up to 50 participants from Kenya and East African region
- official authorities
- agricultural research for development community: leaders of research institutions, civil society organizations
- public and private donor community
CALL TO ACTION
TRANSFORMING AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SYSTEMS RESEARCH FUNDING TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY
Participants to the roundtable series developped 6 key recommandations, urging for transformational change in agriculture and food systems research and research funding. The call to action outlines a number of priority actions for government, donors, research and education institution in Kenya and beyond to spur change.
Definition: Discussing the status of funding flows to agricultural research in sub-Saharan Africa and factors driving research agenda setting and funding allocation
Output: Summary of deadlocks/windows of opportunity
Program
Time (min) | Speaker | Topic | Format |
---|---|---|---|
Welcome and Introduction | Panel presentations | ||
5′ | Prof. David Mburu, Dean of Faculty of Agriculture, JKUAT | Welcome remarks | |
5′ | Dr. Frank Eyhorn, CEO Biovision Foundation | Welcome on behalf of biovisioni Foundation and introdution to the topic | |
5′ | Prof. Daniel Sila, JKUAT | Introduction of Panelist | |
Setting the scene – Status and role of agricultural research funding | |||
10′ | Ms. Jane Wambugu, Deputy Director Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture | Priority areas for funding in Agricultural Research in Kenya | |
10′ | Prof. David Mburu, Dean of Faculty of Agriculture, JKUAT | The role and relevance of agricultural research funding in universities | |
10′ | Prof. Walter Oyawa, Director NACOSTI | Role of National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) in research for development | |
10′ | Dr. Jemimah Onsare, CEO National Research Fund | Funding of research and innovations in Kenya: challenges and opportunities | |
10′ | Dr. Felister Makini, Deputy Director General Crops; Dr. Lusike Wasilwa, Director of Crop Systems, KALRO | Opportunities and challenges in accessing agricultural research funding to National Agricultural Research System | |
10′ | Dr. Charlotte Pavageau, Biovision Foundation | Status of funding flows to agricultural research in sub-Saharan Africa (“Money Flows” report) | |
Challenges and opportunities – what needs to change in agricultural research funding to enhance sustainability? | Plenary discussion | ||
40′ | Q/A Panel Discussion | – What factors in current research funding inhibit sustainable and integrated agricultural research? (deadlocks) – What opportunities exist to transform agricultural research funding towards sustainability? (windows of opportunity) | |
10′ | Key messages from Panelists | Parting shot from each Panelist | |
Summary and way forward | Chief Rapporteur | ||
10′ | Summary of discussions and way forward | Reporting of main deadlocks/windows of opportunity identified in the discussions | |
5′ | Vote of thanks | Closing remarks |
Speakers

Dr. Frank Eyhorn – CEO, Biovision Foundation



Prof. Walter Oyawa – Director, NACOSTI

Dr. Jemimah Onsare – CEO, National Research Fund

Dr. Felister Makini – Deputy Director General Crops, KALRO

Dr. Lusike Wasilwa – Director of Crop Systems, KALRO

Dr. Charlotte Pavageau – Program manager, Biovision Foundation
Video Recording
Resources
Ideation: Developing ideas to overcome the current deadlocks and to use windows of opportunity for greater investments in research on agroecological and similar sustainable practices
Output: Draft recommendations specific for Kenya
Program
Time (min) | Speaker | Topic | Format |
---|---|---|---|
Welcome and Introduction | Plenary | ||
5′ | Prof. Mary Abukutsa, DVC JKUAT | Welcome remarks | |
5′ | Dr. Hans R. Herren, President, Biovision Foundation | Welcome on behalf of Biovision Foundation and introdution | |
10′ | Dr. Robert Mbeche, JKUAT | Presentation of main results from the 1st Session | |
Setting the scene – opportunities to further greater investment in agricultural research and sustainable/agroecological practices | |||
10′ | Dr. Magenya, Director, Research MOALFI | Public funding sources – challenges, priorities and future prospects for national-level agricultural research funding and related national policies | |
10′ | Dr. Margaret Muchui, Centre Director KALRO | Enabling innovations from agricultural research and development | |
10′ | Prof Mary Abukutsa-Onyango DVC, Research Production and Extension, JKUAT | Overcoming the current deadlocks and barriers in agricultural research funding | |
10′ | Moderator/All | Q&A | |
10′ | Break | ||
Ideation – overcoming current deadlocks and leveraging windows of opportunities | Break-out group session | ||
10′ | Moderator | Introduction of break-out group exercise | |
20′ | Break-out group moderators and participants | – What kind of changes are needed in the way agricultural research funding is currently provided? – What are the main recommendations to public and private funders of agricultural research? | |
5′ | Break | ||
Summary and wrap-up | Plenary | ||
20′ | Break-out session rapporteurs | Reporting of main recommendations identified in break-out group session | |
10′ | Moderator and Hosts | Way forward and next session |
Speakers

Prof. Mary Abukutsa – DVC, RPE JKUAT

Dr. Hans R. Herren – President, Biovision Foundation


Dr. Oscar Magenya – Director Research, MOALFC

Video Recording
Resources
Recommendation: Discussing draft recommendations and identifying concrete actions to further their application in policy and practice
Output: Final recommendations and action plan specific for East Africa
Program
The event is moderated by Prof. Sila (JKUAT).
Time (min) | Speaker | Topic | Format |
---|---|---|---|
Welcome and Introduction | Plenary | ||
10′ | Prof. Mary Abukutsa, DVC JKUAT | Welcome on behalf of JKUAT and introduction of the session | |
10′ | Dr. Hans Herren, President Biovision | Welcome on behalf of Biovision and introdution of the session | |
10′ | Mr. Gabriel Litunya, Farm Ventures | Opportunities for involving youth in agricultural research and development | |
Recommendations on agricultural research and sustainable/agroecological practices | |||
10′ | Dr. Robert Mbeche (JKUAT) | Presentation of draft recommendation, based on 1st and 2nd session | |
20′ | Moderator /all | Reflections from participants – discussion of draft recommendations | |
Action – translating recommendations to practice and policy | Break-out group session | ||
5′ | Moderator | Introduction of break-out group sessions | |
30′ | Moderator/ All participants | -How can the recommendations be put in practice? – What kind of institutional and/or policy change is needed? | |
Summary and wrap-up | Plenary | ||
20′ | Summary of actions from rapporteurs | Reporting of main action points identified in plenary discussions | |
10′ | Moderator and Hosts | Way forward |
Video Recording
Resources
Resource corner
- Kenya case study: What are the trends in Kenyan Agricultural Research? By Biovision and IPES-Food.
- Agricultural Research in Africa: Investing in Future Harvests.
- Transformative Partnership Platform (TPP)
- Money Flows: What is holding back investment in agroecological research for Africa? By Biovision and IPES-Food.
- Call to Action – Transforming agricultural and food systems research funding towards sustainability.
Contact
Biovision
JKUAT
Prof. Daniel Sila
dsila@jkuat.ac.ke
Dr. Robert Mbeche
rmbeche@jkuat.ac.ke
Biovision
Dr. Michael Brander
m.brander@biovision.ch