Highlights from the 2014 Africa RISING Program-wide Learning Event

Jonathan Odhong, IITA

Africa RISING West Africa Project Annual Review and Planning Meeting, Accra, Ghana, 24-25 March 2015

Participants at the Annual Africa RISING Program Learning Event, Arusha – 11 November, 2014

LEARNING EVENT OBJECTIVES 2014

1. Review and discuss how to update the program framework in the light of recent experiences

2. Focus on how Africa RISING teams have been elaborating their typologies and dealing with diversity so far, to draw lessons across the program

3. Discuss and clarify innovation systems theory and practice across Africa RISING projects (with emphasis on innovation & R4D platforms)

4. (light) Plan program-level events and discuss how we can improve (social) learning across Africa RISING

KEY RESOLUTIONS

On program framework…Need to revise the program framework document (esp. the hypotheses based on the experience gained over the past 3 years, this decision to be further discussed at the PCT)

KEY RESOLUTIONS

On typologies…1. Functional issues like the farmers

aspirations were neglected when coming up with the typologies

2. There were 3 typologies presented….world bank, Wageningen and IFPRI. A team (Peter Thorne, Jens, Per, Jeroen, Carlo, Katrien) was suggested to review and agree on the most appropriate typologies for the Africa RISING context

KEY RESOLUTIONS

On Innovation/R4D Platforms….1. A common framework needed across the sites for setting up the platforms2. The process of the innovations platforms need to be documented

better…especially for West Africa3. Innovation Platforms have to mobilize their resources4. Share the experiences in setting up and maintaining platforms across the

regions through different program events (learning event, exchange visits etc.) 5. Clarify the role of IS/IPs in Africa RISING and link with existing systems...6. Make use of existing structures e.g. Government and existing structures (think

of an exit strategy). 7. Be aware of the fact that the role of the platforms is likely to change overtime8. Need to test effectiveness and efficiency of IPs as out-scaling and technology

adoption mechanisms (need to develop M&E tools for this). Develop a sustainability plan for this

KEY RESOLUTIONS

on program-level events and learning across Africa RISING…1. In future the learning event should be complemented by a field visit2. A scientific symposium to be held sometime later in the year (sometime

around October/Nov)

“Africa Research in Sustainable Intensification for Next Generation”.

www.africa-rising.net