Tropical Agriculture Association Points
for the discussion at the DFID Seminar. (March 2nd, Linnean
Society) |
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1. TAA welcomes the publication by DFID of its
Agriculture paper, and recognises that DFID is now giving much higher
priority to agriculture than it has done in recent years. The recognition by DFID that agriculture
is indeed important in attaining the Millennium Development Goals is welcome. 2. I would
like to take this opportunity to discuss the ways in which the TAA might work
closer with DFID. TAA was pleased to have been able to respond to the DFID
consultation paper on Agriculture and Poverty, and to have been helpful in
convening (together with the Institute of Civil Engineers) the Chatham
meeting which identified priority areas for Research. I would like to think that these
interventions have in some way contributed to the renewed interest in
agriculture by DFID. 3. TAA would
like to hear DFID’s views on the value of these interventions, and the extent
to which ( if at all) the interactions have indeed had an impact on thinking.
4. However,
the TAA has more to offer, and can become a force in the further evolution of
policies and their implementation. I will attempt to analyse the present situation by a
quick SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses,
Opportunities and Threats) analysis of the TAA. Strengths a) TAA has a
strong membership, in the region of 1,000, which represents a wealth of
experience and talent, and encompasses many varied and diverse views on
topics ranging from policy issues to technical ones. b) TAA has an organisational structure which can
draw upon and marshal this talent. We
can bring together the right sort of expertise to address any tropical
agricultural or development issue.. c) TAA consists of members drawn from a wide range
of civil society - representing all the stakeholder groups deemed to be
important by GFAR. This includes farmers, scientists, sociologists,
economists, geographers, environmentalists - and those experienced in
research, development, policy making and project initiation, management,
monitoring and evaluation. They come
from the public and private sectors, and have experience of governments, of NGOs and businesses. d) TAA has a directory of those of our members
available for consultancy work. e) TAA is embarked upon its 2010 revitalisation
programme, and has now established some specialist interest groups ( e.g.
Land husbandry and Agri-business).
TAA also has strong regional branches in the UK, each of which
organises its own programme of seminars, visits and meetings, addressing subjects of interest and
concern. TAA is also establishing overseas branches, which enable the views
and ideas of people at the sharp end to be aired. f) TAA has
an established mechanism for the dissemination of information, through its
quarterly newsletter and its regularly updated web site. The web site has
links to many other organisation, and, in particular it gives access to the
CABI database- a valuable service to our younger members. TAA is a major forum for discussions on
tropical agriculture. Our
collaboration with VSO is a means of helping the NGO sector. g) TAA has an award fund, helping young British
graduates gain experience in agricultural development. The TAA essay
competition and grants from the Gatsby Foundation and Syngenta encourage
younger people in the field to share their experiences. h) TAA is a registered charity (No 800663) Weaknesses a) TAA continues to have the reputation of
being an “old boys’ club” of retired geriatrics - out of touch with current
thinking, and trying to recapture the “good old days”. b) As a
membership association, the TAA does not have large financial resources, its
income being derived almost entirely from subscriptions. c) TAA does not have a physical office, nor any
employees. We operate from a virtual office with volunteer officers. However,
this present method of working is considered by many members as being
satisfactory and cost effective. Opportunities a) TAA’s
revitalisation (2010) programme provides the opportunity of overcoming the
weaknesses and capitalising on its strengths. b) Current
thinking in DFID and elsewhere gives recognition to the role of civil society
in consultation processes. TAA is a civil society organisation. c) The development of more specialist groups,
regional branches and overseas groups should encourage increased membership,
specifically from those still working, and those of a younger age - as the
groups can develop activities which will be beneficial to ( and indeed
essential for) their work. d) Expansion and possible changes to the Award Fund
- increasing the diminishing numbers of qualified and experienced workers
available to DFID and other potential employers. e) TAA has two courses on its website. One of these
will be used by the Commonwealth Forestry Association. There is an
opportunity for TAA to put more courses on the site, and thus provide
opportunities for developing countries to use them. Threats a) TAA’s
future is threatened by its reducing membership ( though TAA 2010 has halted
this trend and could well reverse it). b) The
future of TAA is in jeopardy unless more, active, younger members can be
recruited (again, TAA 2010 is proving
to be helpful in this regard). c) New
blood, from within the membership, is needed to replace some of the officers
and committee who are beginning to reach their “sell by date” However we now have a new president, and 4
new committee members nominated by him at the last AGM, which has broadened
the experience and adjusted the age range of the committee. 5. Closing
Message I would
like to close by saying that TAA hopes that its relationship with DFID can
expand and be improved. There are
several areas which could be explored. .
These include: a)
TAA would like to explore with DFID how it could provide a forum for
consultation on agricultural issues with civil society in both the UK and
through its members overseas. The forthcoming conference on agri-business is
one opportunity which could forge
closer links with DFID. b)
With the closure of the DFID's APOS scheme, opportunities for graduates to
embark on a career in overseas development are more restricted than ever. The
TAA Award Fund is one means for aspiring agriculturalists to obtain overseas
experience. DFID in the past provided an annual grant to support the scheme.
Perhaps there are opportunities to see whether DFID might want to provide
future support or explore ways of enhancing the scheme not only for UK
students but also for overseas students through our overseas branches. c)
In the past over many years, the Executive Committee meetings were held in
DFID, with video conferencing facilities with our
colleagues in Scotland, courtesy of Senior Management. With changes in DFID staff and the reorganization of its Policy
Division, this has ceased and TAA would like to explore with DFID whether
this facility could be provided again in the future. d) DFID staff members have served and still
serve (in smaller numbers) the TAA Executive Committee. It would be good to
explore how we can attract more DFID staff on the Committee or as active
members. Are there ways TAA can provide opportunities for DFID staff to take
part in seminars and other TAA activities.which enhance debate and
professional development ? e)
Each year, TAA hosts a stand at the Royal Agricultural Show. (In 2004 we will
have two stands, an additional one for our agri-business group) DFID used to have a stand but no longer does. Are there
opportunities for TAA to promote more aspects of tropical agriculture at this
venue and help promote some of the DFID work in this area? Any suggestions on
how this might be approached would be most welcome and we look forward to
continuing and developing our relationship with DFID in the future. Roger Smith ( Chairman, TAA) . |