APAARI–IFPRI Partnership

In 2017, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) entered into a strategic partnership with the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) to conduct data collection, analysis and dissemination of Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators (ASTI) in the Indo-Pacific region.

ASTI Indo-Pacific works with national and regional partners to conduct institutional survey rounds that collect data on the funding, human resource capacity, and outputs of agricultural research in the region.

Data collection is ongoing in ten countries– Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam–with results expected between Q3 of 2018 and Q1 of 2019.

In addition to data collection, ASTI Indo-Pacific aims to build capacity within national agricultural research institutes for policy-relevant analysis of agricultural research systems, as well as dissemination and advocacy activities to ensure uptake of key messages at national and regional levels. An analytical research agenda is currently under development, in collaboration with experts from Indonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam.

The project builds on similar work over the past years in Africa, Latin America, and Asia collecting and sharing quantitative information that is fundamental to understanding the contribution of agricultural science and technology to agricultural growth, poverty reduction, and food security.

ASTI Indo-Pacific, supported by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, empowers partners in the region to collect time series data on the funding, human resource capacity, and outputs of agricultural research in countries in the region. This information provides agricultural research stakeholders in the region with the tools to analyze investment and capacity trends, identify key gaps, set future investment priorities, and ensure effective coordination and coherence of agricultural research initiatives.

ASTI Indo-Pacific also aims to build capacity at the country level for analysis, dissemination, and advocacy that informs and encourages effective and efficient agricultural research.

APAARI serves as an ideal partner with IFPRI to manage day-to-day operations in the region. APAARI’s physical presence in Bangkok allows it to be responsive to local needs and facilitates interactions between country focal points and national and regional stakeholders. In addition, the joint management of two organizations–each with its own network–encourages linkages with donors and regional stakeholders and opens doors for research collaboration and support.

Please see the APAARI, IFPRI, and ASTI websites for more information.