Developing capacity for change to enhance the potential of investments

into agricultural innovation

Karin Nichterlein FAO Research & Extension Unit

Tropical Agriculture Platform (TAP) Secretariat

Investments into agricultural innovation

Some background information

Need to increase investments for agricultural innovation

One of the key messages of the SOFA 2014 report:

Public investment in agricultural R&D and extension and advisory services should be increased and refocused to emphasize sustainable intensification and closing yield and labour productivity gaps.

Investments in agricultural research and development are consistently low and are concentrated in high-income as well as in a few large middle-income countries.

National R&D spending

Research intensity ratio in developing countries stagnating

Source: ASTI Database on R&D spending

National R&D spending

Research intensity ratio in Asian countries varies considerably, in Cambodia, Vietnam, Nepal and Bangladesh below the median ratio of the ASTI database.

Source: ASTI Database on R&D spending

Recently, the share of Official Development Assistance allocated to research and extension decreased or remained steady rather than increased.Aid flows volatile, causing challenges for planning and implementation.

Source: Study by FAO on 2002 to 2012 OECD data on foreign assistance to research and extension in agriculture, forestry and fishing.

Foreign assistance to research and extension in agriculture, forestry and fishing.

Percentage (%) of total ODA commitments to research by region, average values 2002-2012.

Source: Study by FAO on 2002 to 2012 OECD data on foreign assistance to research and extension in agriculture, forestry and fishing.

Foreign assistance to research and extension in agriculture, forestry and fishing.

Capacity development (CD) for agricultural

innovation systems (AIS)

The Tropical Agriculture Platform (TAP)

Capacity needs in the Tropics: the G20 establishes TAP

Low and lower-middle income countries, which are mainly located in the tropics, often lack capacities in support of agricultural innovation;

To address this gap, the G20 launched the Tropical Agriculture Platform; With more than 40 partners, TAP is a multilateral facilitation mechanism

to promote greater coherence and impact of CD for AIS; Based on regional needs assessments (CIAT, FARA, SEARCA), the

TAP Action Plan was developed; The TAP Action Plan is supported by the EU-funded Capacity

Development for Agricultural Innovation Systems (CDAIS) project;

A key element of the TAP Action Plan is the development of

►THE COMMON FRAMEWORK ON CD FOR AIS:

The Problems at stake Capacity needs assessments carried out in 2013 under TAP

(in Asia by SEARCA) confirmed that interventions that aim to fill gaps in capacity in agricultural innovation in tropical areas are confronted with a broad set of problems:

Situation Major constraints Resulting problems

Planning phase Lack of planning tools / strategies & little involvement of stakeholders

Inadequate analysis of needs of and demand by farmers, markets, organizations & government

Current initiatives do not match the capacity development needs

Implementation High number of donor-led initiatives

Small scale interventions with narrow scope and mostly focus on individual training

Current initiatives have little impact on AIS capacities, but high transaction costs

Governance Lack of coordination mechanism at national / international level

Weak governance of external interventions, insufficient alignment with other interventions & national / international policies

Current initiatives are poorly coordinated

The TAP Framework

Basic concepts

Agricultural Innovation

“Agricultural innovation is the process whereby individuals or organizations bring existing or new products, processes and forms of organization into social and economic use to increase effectiveness, competitiveness, resilience to shocks or environmental sustainability, thereby contributing to food and nutritional security, economic development and sustainable natural resource management.”

Agricultural Innovation System (AIS)

As agriculture increasingly involves complex interactions among stakeholders at multiple levels, agricultural innovation needs a system perspective.

Partnership and Network Building Reflection and Joint Learning Co-Creation of Knowledge Facilitation/Brokerage Facilitative Leadership Documentation of Change Process

14

Key elements of AIS

Capacity and Capacity Development

“Capacity is the ability of individuals, organisations or society as a whole to set and implement development objectives as well as to identify and meet development challenges in a sustainable manner.”

“Capacity development is the process whereby individuals, organisations and society as a whole unleash, strengthen, create, adapt and maintain that capacity over time.”

OECD/GAT, 2006

Dimensions of capacity developmentThe Framework recognizes 3 CD DIMENSIONS (individuals, organizations, enabling environment)

The CD dimensions are interdependent and must be addressed together. The Framework pays special attention to the enabling environment.

Functional capacitiesThe Common Framework identifies 4 + 1 capacities for AIS to perform effectively. These apply to all three dimensions of CD..

The first 4 capacities are the core of an overarching capacity to adapt and respond in order to realize the potential of

innovation.

The TAP Framework

Operationalization

Dual pathwayThe Common Framework proposes a dual pathway approach to CD for AIS. This conceptual approach includes two aggregated

processes: at system level and at innovation niche level.

System level: the focus is on the functionalities and performance of the system as a whole.

Innovation niche level: CD takes place around specific innovation agendas, in which actors of all types allocate time and resources to achieve change.

Capacity Development Cycle

The CD cycle stimulates learning and interactions between the 3 CD dimensions.

The Framework proposes a CD CYCLE in 5 STAGES for the operationalization of CD interventions in AIS.

The 5 Stages in Detail

Galvanizing Commitment

Sensitize key actors to promote agricultural innovation through participation, reflection and joint learning;

Perform a scoping study; Ensure common

understanding; Create ownership by

stakeholders; Secure high-level

support.

Stakeholders in Bangladesh discussing CD for AIS 6/7 December 2015

Visioning

Further develop common understanding

Discuss coordinated approach;

Identify innovation niches / candidate niches;

Inform learning and adaptation in the system.

Capacity Needs Assessment

Determine levels of functional and technical capacities;

Focus on key organizations at systems level and on innovation niches;

Use as a baseline for M&E;

Can be based on interviews, literature reviews, surveys, …

Capacity Development Strategy

Decide on goals, objectives, priorities;

Consider implementation options, e.g. training of trainers, policy dialogue, incentive mechanisms;

Take account of existing initiatives, commitment of actors, availability of funds;

Formulate Action Plan to outline roles of different actors;

Implementation

Provide for reflection and learning within organizations, within niches and across sectors;

Strengthen the 4 + 1 capacities at systems and at niche level.

The 5 Stages in Detail

Facilitation Leadership Reflection Learning Documentation Monitoring and

Evaluation

Monitoring & evaluating performance

The Common Framework sets out an integrated M&E architecture consisting of two elements that are interconnected through learning cycles.

Programme-Wide evaluates the success of the Common Framework approach in its entirety (its overall performance as a new approach to CD for AIS).

Country-Wide refers to M&E of progress and results at each of the five CD stages laid out within the Common Framework.

Conclusions

Consensus within the international community that agricultural innovation is critically required for increasing agricultural productivity and reducing environmental pressures from agriculture;

Support for agricultural innovation in least developed countries often insufficient and lacking in quality.

TAP, a major international undertaking, to provide coherence and coordination to current and future capacity development projects.

Capacity for change needs to be strengthened and simultaneously investments into agricultural innovation, both at national and international level, need to be increased, while volatility is reduced.

Thank you!