PCT7

Program coordination team meeting #7 Date : 16 April Venue: online Time: 1500-1630 (East Africa time)

PCT page

---

Participants

Bernard Boni Jerry Irmgard Peter T Carlo Peter B

Agenda

• Overall action points
• USAID Update
• Africa RISING Project updates

Eastern and southern Africa and West Africa * Research update * Staff update * Work plans and priorities The Ethiopian highlands * Research update * Staff update * Work plans and priorities

• M & E updates
• Communication updates
• Next PCT meeting - afternoon of 5 June
• AOB: Collaboration with Livestock Innovation Lab. Point from Irmgard. If indeed ILRI and AR are involved in this - then ILRI please to make sure that the livestock agenda is in all the regions (not just ET). Boni to remind the ILRI focal points in any such conversations.

Overall action points

	Action	Status	Notes and Actions update
1	Finalise the regional logframes	? We agreed that each project would have an overall logframe ESA - done IHZ: FURTHER REVISION SUGGESTED BY EXTERNAL REVIEWERS WA - in progress (target: end Dec) IHZ: NOT DONE ET - in progress (target: end Dec PT: better a ToC than a logframe Need the same across all 3 projects IHZ: ToC good (maybe has gaps) at program level; but LF better at project level. BVL: Overall ToC at program level maybe too vague?	? action/discussion points In June retreat: work on program ToC and reconsider need for logframes .
2	Update online events lists	See events list. Send updates to Simret Program retreat and next phase planning (Jun) ESA review and planning (Jul) ? do we need something program wide around ways we engage farmers? Include in program framework revision	? action/discussion points Discuss October symposium planning at June retreat
3	Science Advisory Group	? Third meeting: dates, location. PT to contact chair. Honoraria and stipends proposals accepted; PT to follow up wth SAG chair HERE	? action/discussion points Peter T to follow up with SAG
4	Gender strategy	implementation plan] WA and ESA going to have a person (march 2015) ... then a plan; maybe desirable to share approach and learning IHZ: GENDER EXPERT JOINED ON 1 MARCH	? action/discussion points facilitate the linkages and implementation plans (and indicators) across the sites and and with HT
5	SI framework and indicators	? We need few specific indicators for research project, indicators that we could measure in the short project time. Before the USAID-commissioned external review ? San Jose session and working group the main vehicle to take this agenda forward - leading to a draft framework in March/April 2015 ... ESA and WA came up with suggestions for sustainability indicators to kick off discussion of appropriateness, measurability, etc. Discussion included MSU, USAID, and WU but did not yield agreement. Powerpoint summary available for further discussion File:Sustainability Indicators - SAG 14-07-17.pptx Vara from SI innovation lab putting together a small committee to move this quickly forward. This becomes a wider implementable framework beyond AR (that works at the least for AR and SI lab). San Jose report coming soon - Jerry to circulate This subject has a session in june retreat; need to have some prep activities.	? action/discussion points Carlo, IHZ and PT to continue active involvement in the small follow-up committee.
6	Project and program reviews	It was suggested to have internally-commissioned project evaluations Before the USAID-commissioned external program evaluation (planned June 2015) WA project evaluation took place September to October 2014. IHZ: COMPLETED ESA project evaluation took place February-March 2015. IHZ: COMPLETED, REPORT UNDER PREP Ethiopia project evaluation: March-April 2015. PT: REPORT WRITING ESA review briefing note File:AR_ESA_review_note_Mar2015.docx ESA review team PPT ET review team PPT After the project reviews are done, we would organize an internal stocktake/prep phase across the program - part of the planned retreat in June.	For USAID external evaluation, October 2015 review teams launched (at the science symposium october), then to Ethiopia, then ESA (march 2016) Send names of possible reviewers to JG asap. Discuss results of external reviews at June retreat
7	External reviews - Issues arising	Any issues from the WA / ESA / Ethiopia reviews relevant for the PCT Better discuss in Washington	Follow up at June retreat
8	Learning and M&E events	Farm Typologies CA - wants to hold a meeting to take this forward (in europe) with WUR. Carlo to lead the typologies followup. Need to link with HT discussions, embed into experimentation, engaging with farmers. BvL keen to join.	? action/discussion points Work on Farm typologies - Carlo to lead follow up
9	Africa RISING science symposium	Agreed after the meeting: 6-8 October in Mali AR 'scientific symposium' program event (not the regular review and planning) - link to preparing next phase. co-locate with learning/M&E events appoint organizing team (icrisat as local organizer); plus science organizing team - kindu, asamoah, mateete, peter, irmgard, sag member (PT to followup)	? action/discussion points Circulate dates to scientists Form organizing team at June retreat
10	June 2015 retreat	We need to review the plans and agenda for the June program retreat: http://africa-rising.wikispaces.com/pct8 - agenda - preparations - logistics	PB and Jerry to follow up retreat day at usaid PB to advise on inputs needed
11	Data management and sharing	We decided to use the ILRI CKAN platform. Data sharing policy was approved during the Arusha meeting (lNovember 2014). Policy is already binding for researchers on the ground; also for partners. Are partners mandated to share? Need to solve the problem of efficient workflow IFPRI-ILRI-outside world through the access and sharing permissions. Action: review final policy? It is accessible on the wiki: http://africarising.wikispaces.com/program_moneval Action: Each center to investigate their project contracts and policies for compliance with OA requirements of CGIAR and USAID ... Action: have each center's legal office check our AR draft guidelines IHZ: DONE BY IITA-PAO	? action/discussion points Need to ensure that country data are contributed How do we get all the data submitted Next ESA review and planning meeting Follow up in washington - make space for this

USAID Update

Enter MAJOR ongoing/planned and completed tasks

Task	Status	Notes for PCT review
Links with BMGF and other funders	Jerry in contact with various Gates staff to explore potential activities. SI program identified as high priority for joint activities Discussing links with CRP HT/DFID Ground up may be more feasible than top down
Funding for scaling up	Various opportunities via USAID missions that we are exploring on a continuing basis. TZ project a great example / need to work more on other countries, eg Ghana (need to work with IFDC maybe) Need to find ways to frame and present specific deliverables ... May be potential with the Australians ... simlesa/simleza ... All the involved country usaid missions, except maybe ghana, good contacts Innovation platforms important with local partners
SI Innovation Laboratory	KSU selected - Vara Prasad (vara@ksu.edu)
	Main points (already covered above): External review process SI indicator process

ESA Update

Enter MAJOR ongoing/planned and completed tasks

Task	Status	Notes for PCT review
2014-2016 workplans and budget	Workplans and budget are with Steering Committee for approval IHZ: WORKPLANS ARE IMPLEMENTED
Technical report to USAID	NEXT REPORT (OCTOBER 14 TO MARCH 15) UNDER PREPARATION
Project document	Will be prepared before review in February (IHZ) IHZ: DONE
IP establishment	R4D platforms in several locations IHZ: 2 IN TANZANIA AND 2 IN MALAWI AT DISTRICT LEVEL OPERATIONAL
New partnerships	USAID Africa Bureau has provided US$ 350k to IITA for contracting MSU to carry out a desk study with Zambian national partners to provide the scientific evidence base for the links between field and farm level SI interventions and climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation. Project is implemented, inception workshops held. System Dynamics Model developed and introduced to partners during a workshop for feedback. Currently revised. IHZ: PROJECT RECEIVED NO COST EXTENSION UNTIL END OF AUGUST 15. Concept note to the USAID mission in Tanzania is under preparation for scaling technologies for rice, maize, beans, vegetables, soil fertility (fertilizer), strengthening seed systems, post harvest handling (4.5-5m for 3 years). Project approved ($2,000,000 for year 1). Workplans currently finalized IHZ: SCALING EXPERT EMPLOYED IN FEBRUARY; GIS POSITION RE-ADVERTISED, INTERVIEWS ON 22 APRIL	? action/discussion points Will this project continue beyond August 2015?
External Review	IHZ: COMPLETED IN MARCH, REPORT YET TO BE RECEIVED, BRIEFING NOTES AVAILABLE	? action/discussion points [[1]]

WA Update

Enter MAJOR ongoing/planned and completed tasks

Task	Status	Notes for PCT review
Scientist visits to other countries	IHZ: IN APRIL SCIENTIST FROM WA AND ESA WILL VISIT LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES IN ET
Project document	under preparation, will be ready for the project evaluation Prepared but needs revision - end of December 2014 IHZ: NOT DONE
2014/15 Workplan implementation	PLANNING OF FIELD ACTIVITIES TO BE CONCLUDED SOON
Technical report to USAID	REPORT FOR PERIOD OCTOBER 14 TO MARCH 15 UNDER PREPARATION
IP establishment	6 DISTRICT LEVEL PLATFORMS IN PLACE IN GHANA AND 2 IN MALI
External review	FINAL REPORT RECEIVED, UPLOADED AND DISSEMINATED, RECOMMENDATIONS UNDER IMPLEMENTATION

Ethiopia Update

Enter MAJOR ongoing/planned and completed tasks

ask	< Status	Notes for PCT review
Meher season action research	< c. 30 research protocols implemented across all sites after participant selection meetings.
New partnerhships	Fertilizer project initial concept note approved, finalising proposal with mission (Ethiopia mission, led by ILRI) Follow up with BMGF? Good initial meetings with GAIN around nutrition (dairy and household nutrition; biofortification)	? action/discussion points Fertilizer proposal did not come to fruition. Interesting indications of ground up adoption for scaling of AR initiatives (e.g. S. Tigray Zone / AGP inputs). Facilitated by IPs.
2014-2015 workplan implementation		? action/discussion points Follow up and new protocols currently being submitted for implementation June 2015. Shift away from survey / diagnostics to on-farm action and scaling.
Technical reports to USAID	October 2014 - March 2015 report in preparation
IP establishment	Training of local facilitators in IP maintenance and comms tools; IPs established at different levels IPs as potential locus for 'research on scaling'? Several documents and guidelines produced	? action/discussion points
External review	Took place March/April 2015; report in preparation	? action/discussion points
Planning meeting	Took place early December 2014; Reviewed protocols; focus on scaling and led to draft scaling plan
Monthly CGIAR meetings	Well attended with regular info sharing and reportng
Scaling	Draft scaling plan produced Initial conversations with local comms partners (video/radio) to explore scaling support	? action/discussion points Evidence already crystallising of "spontaneous" scaling. Two specific research protocols in preparation: 1. Mapping the diffusion of Africa RISING innovations via spontaneous scaling activities. 2. A comparison of campaign based approaches to promote the scaling of AR innovations.

M&E Update

Enter MAJOR ongoing/planned and completed tasks

Task	Status	Notes for PCT review
AR data management protocol Finalize data management plan by November (for PCT meeting) Actions: PMMT training in all countries/sites PMMT 2.0 and associated FTF indicators' aggregation (deadline met: October 31) PMMT update	Done, discussed and approved Done Completed Ongoing Under discussion	Main point is the data sharing and management - ensure (meta)data is shared BVL: whose job is it to analyze the data? - the projects all together. Up to each project to do own analysis. IFPRI needs to alert project scientists that the baseline data is available. send a reminder. Another main point the evolving IFPRI scope of work in AR
AR baseline surveys (Implementation) Data sharing Malawi ARBES published on IFPRI internal platform (Dataverse): Tanzania next Data cleaning and documentation for Malawi, Tanzania, Mali, Ghana, and Ethiopia Reports under preparation: -Ghana and Mali reports to be shared with field research teams by 4/30 -Tanzania under revision -Malawi and Ethiopia next in the agenda Actions: Follow up with Zambia and Wageningen team (for SIMLEZA data access); with Thom Jayne (MSU) (for RALS data access)	Completed Ongoing Completed Data cleaning done for MWI, TZA. Data already shared with many AR researchers Ongoing Not yet pursued
Collaborations: Wageningen team FAO: Memorandum of Understanding signed Vital Signs VS shared documentation on indicators, data use policy, shapefiles for TZ and Ghana * Chief scientist to review VS agricultural intensification thread and select key indicators * IFPRI aligned AR control sites with Vital Signs sites in northern Ghana * But access to VS's household-level data can become a problem Biosight/IAMM (water, land, ecosystem integration)	Ongoing Done, Ongoing Done Done, data collection on 278 plots completed, analysis ongoing Ongoing collaboration
Update Talks b/n IFPRI Finance and IITA/IWMI for WA and ESA M&E coordinators (positions) SRA/Data Manager position filled	ESA position filled in January 2015 WA canceled for lack of funds Completed, SRA onboard
Annual M&E meeting preparation and organization in Arusha	Completed
Paper on targeting and expected impact in Malawi submitted to ICAE and CSAE; poster presented at Humidtropics conference	Done, presented at several conferences
First draft of IFPRI Scope of Work circulated: comments received and second draft in preparation	Ongoing
AR-CKAN: 36 metadata received. Links sent to researchers to upload the data	Ongoing
IFPRI-IITA collaboration on research output for Ghana (and possibly Mali)	Ongoing

Comms Update

Enter MAJOR ongoing/planned and completed tasks

Task	Status	Notes for PCT review
Publicity materials	WA poster under preparation IHZ: DONE Ethiopia site brochures: DONE
Briefs	cgspace.cgiar.org/handle/10568/27623]	Now 18 completed (all ethiopia); converting another 10 or so from other regions with same template
Virtual comms team catchups	Irregular
Half-yearly comms metrics/stats		http://africa-rising.wikispaces.com/webstats
Web site updates	Updated several pages after learning event All key documents linked from web site 32 updates and posts this year (from all regions) Extra attention to products presented at HT/Systems conference in March 12000 views this year (9000 same period last year)	Need to go thru and update descriptive info on ESA and WE
Wiki gardening/management	Major work done last year Increasing use of the wiki 25000 views from 9000 visitors
Documents to CGSPACE	regularly updated 288 documents/products online 19 in 2015 77 in 2014 IITA discussing to join cgspace as its own repository
Use of yammer for internal updating	We are seeing regular posting and reactions	Do we need more systematic/regular internal updates from coordinators?
Photo sharing on flickr	regularly updated
Presentations shared on slideshare	regularly updated
ARISING calendar updating	regularly updated
Photojournalist 2014 Ethiopia	completed- pictures shared on flickr, blogs and photofilm are being edited
Photojournalist 2015 ESA	planning started	Location, dates, ? PB to follow up urgently
Learning Event 2015		location? dates, link to M&E and to 'science' meeting?