ILRIComms: Imported from Wikispaces

2012-02-15T07:39:50Z

Imported from Wikispaces

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=Sustainable intensification of cereal-based farming systems in Eastern and Southern Africa=
=Project Inception Workshop=
=6-9 February 2012, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania=

=PROJECT DESIGN WORLD CAFE=

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Questioning, validating, enriching key design elements of the project. Building on some of the ideas presented by Gerry earlier. [[:File:dar_projectdesign_glover.ppt]]

'''a) How do we best implement a systems perspective/approach?'''

- much diversity and perception on what a systems approach is
- need for detailed and high quality data, to define a system [quantitative and qualitative]; farmer behavior data, component data and integration
- Uses of data: to help generate farm typologies; for baselines; process of systems evolution (monitoring systems); to inform visioning = where do we want to go?
* A systems approach is necessary to
''' Better understand context and better adopt component
''' Capitalize on synergies of integration (1+1=3; 2+2=10)
* What needs to be defined to implement effectively? 
''' Potential for/nature of integration
''' Scales: spatial and temporal scales, disciplines in teams and leaders; boundaries of the systems (not static, not homogeneous); 
''' Drivers: demand, multiple constraints and interactions (wider contexts), importance of value chains as drivers of real decision making (not just a paradigm)
* Broaden scope for candidate selection - tap into indigenous knowledge and practices and combine with tech inputs
* Are we studying them, or improving them? 
* Current concept note is strong on multiple component activities but less on integrated / systems approach.

'''b) Where should this project be best positioned on a research-development continuum? '''

- What is the nature of the research that will be done?
- Not about developing new technologies but about looking at combinations of technologies and how they find their way into smallholder practice-
- Will need to be demand rather than supply driven

- Need to leverage large development projects to achieve impact at scale
- Need to co-locate research activities with development projects
- Need to connect more effectively with development projects to make sure research responds to development needs
- More connections with private sector needed
- Research will be embedded among smallholder farmers but lessons will be useful for development actors
- Need to think carefully about impact pathway to achieve high level indicators.

'''c) What are the most appropriate scales for this project to focus its research?'''
- av farm holding is 2ha or less
- small holder 'farms'
- technologies are not 'scale neutral' (and e.g. adoption of a technology at landscape level affects neighbours)
- we need a variety of scales; heterogeneity --> determines fit for yield + sustainability technology
- fit of technologies according to scale is important
- need future orientation .. what does it look like, in relation to scale (and towards larger scales)
- where does decision making occur? among farmers, classes of farmers; farmers as co-learners
- change occurs most effectively at community level: access to input/output market, extensions
- systems suggest scales: we need farm, community and landscape levels
- need to focus on community, as they are more stable, over time
- need to focus at household level, around how decisions are made by households
- landscape scale, esp in relation to sustainable and efficient management of natural resources by smallholder farmers
- livestock forces us to think, probably, larger scale (lang reg., pasture, collective management of livestock)...
- importance of gender in decision-making
- as one moves away from input+output markets, sustainable strategies include larger farm scale or organisation of farmers
- hypothesis: farm size heterogeneity may be beneficial (synergies) - access input suppliers and access to output markets

'''d) what criteria should we use to select sites?'''
- biophysical info (elevation, rainfall [i.e. humidity], soil type)
- access to markets / access by research -> research costs and efficiency
- climate change and yield resilience
- farm size (role of farming in livelihoods?)
- nutrition problems/prevalence and consumption preferences
- land tenure and access 
- access to land and water resources
- gender roles and specific outcomes /system components (large/small animals and commercialisation, differences between men and women)
- national priorities
- storing and processing infrastructure
- mechanization potential
- strength of farming organizations
- private sector engagement
- strength of farming organizations
- link to existing/other projects/opportunities
- oxenisation
- location of research stations
'''Early win sites:'''
Tanzania:
- Morogoro/Arusha (3 sites with ???. horticulture and seed systems)
- Dodoma (-> Manyara) Kongwa / Kibaigwa market
- Southern Highlands (SAGCOT): Djombe (dairy, school fielding, oxenisation)
The SIMLESA sites (maize, beans, pigeon pea, sorghum) / livestock with high feed needs and water harvesting opportunities / maize beans in Vyole station.
Malawi: Northern + Central (high hunger zones, strong uptake)
Zambia: Eastern Zambia (Zimlesa) / Chipata.

'''f) What does it mean to integrate research components?'''

- many component examples
- combining components to address particular goal in a systems perspective
- finding synergies and complementarities / tradeoffs
- horizontal or vertical ...
- inter-dependence
- space or time integration
- need to understand the complexities

Dar boundaries - Revision history

ILRIComms: Imported from Wikispaces