Food system transformations will require a new approach towards innovation to be able to deliver ... more Food system transformations will require a new approach towards innovation to be able to deliver impacts at scale. Innovations need to be context-specific and respond to myriads of different famers’ needs. Modular design is a ‘new’ way to design, bundle and scale innovations. This Info Note outlines the main principles and phases of modular design, with the example of Climate Information Services (CIS). Special attention would need to be given to aspects of inclusion, data ownership and a potential misuse of the approach to scale unsustainable practices
This food systems (FS) profile aims to provide a snapshot of the food system transformation along... more This food systems (FS) profile aims to provide a snapshot of the food system transformation along a rural-urban transect in North Vietnam, stretching from urban and peri-urban Hanoi all the way to Moc Chau. It does so through a set of metrics that provide an overview of the food system constituent elements, drivers and outcomes, while highlighting key challenges. It offers a baseline for measuring and monitoring future changes. Ultimately, the profile seeks to help policy makers understand the existing challenges among the elements of the food systems
This Food Systems (FS) profile aims to provide a synopsis of the food system of the Cau Giay dist... more This Food Systems (FS) profile aims to provide a synopsis of the food system of the Cau Giay district in Hanoi, an urban area in north Vietnam. This profile gives an overview of the main food system outcomes, constituent elements and drivers. It does so through a set of metrics that highlight key challenges and offer a baseline for the measurement and monitoring of future changes. It builds from the outcomes concerning residents’ diets, nutrition and health, socio-economic, and environment. It then traces back to the food supply chains, the food environment, consumer behavior and finally the underlying drivers. Ultimate, the profile’s goal is to help researchers and policy makers understand the existing challenges among the elements of the food system help develop actionable policy recommendations for local socio-economic development planning
A produção e comercialização caprina constituem importantes opções de sobrevivência para as comun... more A produção e comercialização caprina constituem importantes opções de sobrevivência para as comunidades rurais nas regiões áridas da Índia e de Moçambique. Contudo, estas actividades são muitas vezes realizadas de forma ad hoc, arriscada e informal, com poucos benefícios para as comunidades.
Nothing in this licence impairs or restricts the author's moral rights. Fair dealing and other ri... more Nothing in this licence impairs or restricts the author's moral rights. Fair dealing and other rights are in no way affected by the above. The parts used must not misrepresent the meaning of the publication. ILRI would appreciate being sent a copy of any materials in which text, photos etc. have been used. Editing, design and layout
To enhance integrated rainwater management in crop-livestock systems in the Volta basin of Burkin... more To enhance integrated rainwater management in crop-livestock systems in the Volta basin of Burkina Faso, innovation platforms (IP) comprising of multiple stakeholders were established in the districts of Koubri and Ouahigouya. Quarterly IP meetings were organized to collectively identify and prioritize constraints and opportunities, and to design and implement strategies to address them. IP represents an example of putting the agricultural innovations systems’ perspective into practice. Several studies have evaluated the performance of IPs, but these are often based on external (mainly qualitative) assessments during mid-term and/or end evaluation. In this study we are interested in how key processes develop over time and how this is perceived by participants themselves, since this determines the participation and commitment of stakeholders and hence the success of the IP. To ensure adequate documentation of IP processes and activities, several monitoring and evaluation tools were d...
Results of this research suggest that vast quantities of water are lost through evaporation and e... more Results of this research suggest that vast quantities of water are lost through evaporation and excessive run-off in degraded rainfed agricultural areas of the Nile Basin. This depleted water does not pass through natural vegetation or food and feed crops. Consequently, livelihoods, agricultural production and environmental health suffer. Land and water management practices that capture this otherwise depleted water and channel it through useful vegetation while crops hold great promise to enhance food production and rehabilitate natural ecosystems. Region-specific approaches are needed.
Goat production and marketing are important livelihood options for rural communities in the dryla... more Goat production and marketing are important livelihood options for rural communities in the dryland regions of India and Mozambique. However, these activities are often carried out on an ad hoc, risky and informal basis with little benefit to the communities. The project, Small ruminant value chains as platforms for reducing poverty and increasing food security in dryland areas of India and Mozambique (imGoats), was designed with the overall goal of increasing incomes and food security in a sustainable manner by enhancing pro-poor small ruminant value chains in the two countries. The aim of the two-year project (2011-12) is to transform goat production and marketing to a sound and profitable enterprise and model that taps into a growing market, largely controlled by and benefiting women and other disadvantaged and vulnerable groups while preserving the natural resource base.
Innovation platforms are increasingly used by research and development initiatives to actively en... more Innovation platforms are increasingly used by research and development initiatives to actively engage the poor in agricultural innovation processes. These platforms are forums for action and learning, where different types of actors come together to address issues of mutual concern. However, the dynamic nature of the innovation process, and the differences in interest, capacity and power among the actors involved, pose a challenge in the facilitation of these platforms. We believe that the key to success is very much linked to the attitude, skills and capacities of the innovation broker. This paper highlights seven key issues which in our view are critical to effective platform facilitation and have not received the attention they deserve: the dynamic and evolving nature of platforms; power dynamics; gender equity; external versus internal facilitation; sustainability of the process; issues of scale; and monitoring and evaluation. These issues and implications for facilitation of in...
Nothing in this licence impairs or restricts the author's moral rights. Fair dealing and other ri... more Nothing in this licence impairs or restricts the author's moral rights. Fair dealing and other rights are in no way affected by the above. The parts used must not misrepresent the meaning of the publication. ILRI would appreciate being sent a copy of any materials in which text, photos etc. have been used.
Termites are a major pest in the semi-arid and sub-humid tropics. They pose a serious threat to a... more Termites are a major pest in the semi-arid and sub-humid tropics. They pose a serious threat to agricultural crops, forestry seedlings, rangelands and wooden structures. In Ethiopia the problem is particularly serious in the western part of the country, specifically in Wollega Zones of Oromia Region. In the past, several attempts were made to reduce damage caused by termites, including extensive termite mound poisoning campaigns. These interventions not only had a negative effect on the environment, but were also largely ineffective. Based on previous work in Uganda showing that adding organic matter to the soil diverts termites from the plant and functions as alternative feed source, a project was commenced by the Challenge Program for Water and Food (CPWF). In partnership with IWMI and Makerere University, ILRI and Wollega University took the lead in working with local stakeholders to identify sustainable solutions to address the termite problem in Diga, Ethiopia. The research con...
The imGoats project (‘small ruminant value chains to increase income and food security in India a... more The imGoats project (‘small ruminant value chains to increase income and food security in India and Mozambique’) was designed to increase incomes and food security in a sustainable manner by enhancing pro-poor small ruminant value chains in the two countries. This brief shares experiences of the project in using innovation platforms (IPs) to stimulate innovation and stakeholder interaction in goat value chains in the two countries.
The CPWF R4D (Research for Development) Series is one of the main publication channels of the pro... more The CPWF R4D (Research for Development) Series is one of the main publication channels of the program. Papers within the series present new thinking, ideas and perspectives from CPWF research with a focus on the implications for development and research into use. Papers are based on finalized research or emerging research results. In both instances, papers are peer reviewed and findings are based on sound scientific evidence and data though these may be incomplete at the time of publication. The series brings together multidisciplinary research, global syntheses and findings that have implications for development practitioners at various levels.
Food system transformations will require a new approach towards innovation to be able to deliver ... more Food system transformations will require a new approach towards innovation to be able to deliver impacts at scale. Innovations need to be context-specific and respond to myriads of different famers’ needs. Modular design is a ‘new’ way to design, bundle and scale innovations. This Info Note outlines the main principles and phases of modular design, with the example of Climate Information Services (CIS). Special attention would need to be given to aspects of inclusion, data ownership and a potential misuse of the approach to scale unsustainable practices
This food systems (FS) profile aims to provide a snapshot of the food system transformation along... more This food systems (FS) profile aims to provide a snapshot of the food system transformation along a rural-urban transect in North Vietnam, stretching from urban and peri-urban Hanoi all the way to Moc Chau. It does so through a set of metrics that provide an overview of the food system constituent elements, drivers and outcomes, while highlighting key challenges. It offers a baseline for measuring and monitoring future changes. Ultimately, the profile seeks to help policy makers understand the existing challenges among the elements of the food systems
This Food Systems (FS) profile aims to provide a synopsis of the food system of the Cau Giay dist... more This Food Systems (FS) profile aims to provide a synopsis of the food system of the Cau Giay district in Hanoi, an urban area in north Vietnam. This profile gives an overview of the main food system outcomes, constituent elements and drivers. It does so through a set of metrics that highlight key challenges and offer a baseline for the measurement and monitoring of future changes. It builds from the outcomes concerning residents’ diets, nutrition and health, socio-economic, and environment. It then traces back to the food supply chains, the food environment, consumer behavior and finally the underlying drivers. Ultimate, the profile’s goal is to help researchers and policy makers understand the existing challenges among the elements of the food system help develop actionable policy recommendations for local socio-economic development planning
A produção e comercialização caprina constituem importantes opções de sobrevivência para as comun... more A produção e comercialização caprina constituem importantes opções de sobrevivência para as comunidades rurais nas regiões áridas da Índia e de Moçambique. Contudo, estas actividades são muitas vezes realizadas de forma ad hoc, arriscada e informal, com poucos benefícios para as comunidades.
Nothing in this licence impairs or restricts the author's moral rights. Fair dealing and other ri... more Nothing in this licence impairs or restricts the author's moral rights. Fair dealing and other rights are in no way affected by the above. The parts used must not misrepresent the meaning of the publication. ILRI would appreciate being sent a copy of any materials in which text, photos etc. have been used. Editing, design and layout
To enhance integrated rainwater management in crop-livestock systems in the Volta basin of Burkin... more To enhance integrated rainwater management in crop-livestock systems in the Volta basin of Burkina Faso, innovation platforms (IP) comprising of multiple stakeholders were established in the districts of Koubri and Ouahigouya. Quarterly IP meetings were organized to collectively identify and prioritize constraints and opportunities, and to design and implement strategies to address them. IP represents an example of putting the agricultural innovations systems’ perspective into practice. Several studies have evaluated the performance of IPs, but these are often based on external (mainly qualitative) assessments during mid-term and/or end evaluation. In this study we are interested in how key processes develop over time and how this is perceived by participants themselves, since this determines the participation and commitment of stakeholders and hence the success of the IP. To ensure adequate documentation of IP processes and activities, several monitoring and evaluation tools were d...
Results of this research suggest that vast quantities of water are lost through evaporation and e... more Results of this research suggest that vast quantities of water are lost through evaporation and excessive run-off in degraded rainfed agricultural areas of the Nile Basin. This depleted water does not pass through natural vegetation or food and feed crops. Consequently, livelihoods, agricultural production and environmental health suffer. Land and water management practices that capture this otherwise depleted water and channel it through useful vegetation while crops hold great promise to enhance food production and rehabilitate natural ecosystems. Region-specific approaches are needed.
Goat production and marketing are important livelihood options for rural communities in the dryla... more Goat production and marketing are important livelihood options for rural communities in the dryland regions of India and Mozambique. However, these activities are often carried out on an ad hoc, risky and informal basis with little benefit to the communities. The project, Small ruminant value chains as platforms for reducing poverty and increasing food security in dryland areas of India and Mozambique (imGoats), was designed with the overall goal of increasing incomes and food security in a sustainable manner by enhancing pro-poor small ruminant value chains in the two countries. The aim of the two-year project (2011-12) is to transform goat production and marketing to a sound and profitable enterprise and model that taps into a growing market, largely controlled by and benefiting women and other disadvantaged and vulnerable groups while preserving the natural resource base.
Innovation platforms are increasingly used by research and development initiatives to actively en... more Innovation platforms are increasingly used by research and development initiatives to actively engage the poor in agricultural innovation processes. These platforms are forums for action and learning, where different types of actors come together to address issues of mutual concern. However, the dynamic nature of the innovation process, and the differences in interest, capacity and power among the actors involved, pose a challenge in the facilitation of these platforms. We believe that the key to success is very much linked to the attitude, skills and capacities of the innovation broker. This paper highlights seven key issues which in our view are critical to effective platform facilitation and have not received the attention they deserve: the dynamic and evolving nature of platforms; power dynamics; gender equity; external versus internal facilitation; sustainability of the process; issues of scale; and monitoring and evaluation. These issues and implications for facilitation of in...
Nothing in this licence impairs or restricts the author's moral rights. Fair dealing and other ri... more Nothing in this licence impairs or restricts the author's moral rights. Fair dealing and other rights are in no way affected by the above. The parts used must not misrepresent the meaning of the publication. ILRI would appreciate being sent a copy of any materials in which text, photos etc. have been used.
Termites are a major pest in the semi-arid and sub-humid tropics. They pose a serious threat to a... more Termites are a major pest in the semi-arid and sub-humid tropics. They pose a serious threat to agricultural crops, forestry seedlings, rangelands and wooden structures. In Ethiopia the problem is particularly serious in the western part of the country, specifically in Wollega Zones of Oromia Region. In the past, several attempts were made to reduce damage caused by termites, including extensive termite mound poisoning campaigns. These interventions not only had a negative effect on the environment, but were also largely ineffective. Based on previous work in Uganda showing that adding organic matter to the soil diverts termites from the plant and functions as alternative feed source, a project was commenced by the Challenge Program for Water and Food (CPWF). In partnership with IWMI and Makerere University, ILRI and Wollega University took the lead in working with local stakeholders to identify sustainable solutions to address the termite problem in Diga, Ethiopia. The research con...
The imGoats project (‘small ruminant value chains to increase income and food security in India a... more The imGoats project (‘small ruminant value chains to increase income and food security in India and Mozambique’) was designed to increase incomes and food security in a sustainable manner by enhancing pro-poor small ruminant value chains in the two countries. This brief shares experiences of the project in using innovation platforms (IPs) to stimulate innovation and stakeholder interaction in goat value chains in the two countries.
The CPWF R4D (Research for Development) Series is one of the main publication channels of the pro... more The CPWF R4D (Research for Development) Series is one of the main publication channels of the program. Papers within the series present new thinking, ideas and perspectives from CPWF research with a focus on the implications for development and research into use. Papers are based on finalized research or emerging research results. In both instances, papers are peer reviewed and findings are based on sound scientific evidence and data though these may be incomplete at the time of publication. The series brings together multidisciplinary research, global syntheses and findings that have implications for development practitioners at various levels.
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