Country Factsheet

In terms of agricultural research investment and capacity levels, as of 2014 South Africa ranked second from a regional perspective, after Nigeria. Investment in agricultural research rebounded between 2008 and 2013 in inflation adjusted terms, after a period of decline. In 2014, South Africa’s agricultural research spending as a share of AgGDP was unusually high by African standards (2.78 percent), but levels appear to have contracted since then.

Strong investment growth

Agricultural research spending grew by 70 percent during 2011–2014, sharply contrasting the modest growth during 2008–2011. This shift almost entirely resulted from a substantial increase in the number of researchers employed at SLARI, the country’s main agricultural research agency. Despite this overall upward trend, however, the country still invests a very low share of its AgGDP in agricultural research—0.24 percent in 2014, which is well below the recommended 1 percent target set by the African Union and the United Nations.

Lack of funding diversity

WAAPP drives spending growth

Donor-led investment growth

Despite decreasing government funding, agricultural research spending in Zambia grew by 70 percent during 2008–2014 as a result of a large influx of funding through a World Bank loan, associated with APPSA, and additional donor contributions. Despite this strong growth, as of 2014 Zambia only invested 0.51 percent of its AgGDP in agricultural research, half the 1 percent minimum recommended by the African Union and the United Nations.

Donor dependency at ZARI

Declining government support

Volatile spending growth

Namibia’s agricultural research spending was volatile during 2001–2014, mostly due to fluctuations in the government’s contributions to DARD, the country’s main agricultural research agency. In 2014, Namibia invested about 3 percent of its AgGDP in agricultural research, which is not uncommon for arid countries with small populations. After a short period of decline in the early 2000s, the country’s total number of agricultural researchers rose steadily, mostly in response to growth at the Fisheries Department and at UNAM-FANR.

Constant spending levels

Agricultural research in Mauritius is mostly funded by the government, supplemented by limited donor and specific project funding, and revenues from the sale of goods and services. Government funding primarily covers salaries and day-to-day operations. Total agricultural research spending (adjusted for inflation) has fluctuated somewhat over time but remained fairly stagnant during 2000–2014. The country’s intensity ratio is high, reflecting the dominance of sugar research.

Capacity concerns