ESA review meeting - Revision history

PopoolaSamuel001: /* Day 2 */

2018-12-04T09:51:05Z

‎Day 2

Show changes

PopoolaSamuel001: /* Summary by the external observers */

2018-12-04T09:42:18Z

‎Summary by the external observers

PopoolaSamuel001: /* Malawi group */

2018-12-04T09:40:59Z

‎Malawi group

PopoolaSamuel001: /* Commissioned research presentations */

2018-12-04T09:38:35Z

‎Commissioned research presentations

PopoolaSamuel001: /* Commissioned research presentations */

2018-12-04T09:37:34Z

‎Commissioned research presentations

PopoolaSamuel001: /* Malawi districts: Dedze and Ntcheu (R. Chikowo) */

2018-12-04T09:36:32Z

‎Malawi districts: Dedze and Ntcheu (R. Chikowo)

PopoolaSamuel001: /* Kongwa Kiteto (P. Okori) */

2018-12-04T09:33:50Z

‎Kongwa Kiteto (P. Okori)

PopoolaSamuel001: /* Baseline surveys (IFPRI) */

2018-12-04T09:32:16Z

‎Baseline surveys (IFPRI)

PopoolaSamuel001: /* Presentations about research output 1 (situation analysis) */

2018-12-04T09:31:51Z

‎Presentations about research output 1 (situation analysis)

PopoolaSamuel001: /* Overall progress presentation */

2018-12-04T09:27:10Z

‎Overall progress presentation

@@ Line 481: / Line 481: @@
 ===Summary by the external observers===
-'''Observations''':
+'''Observations''':<br/>
 * The partnership is very strong, the program is ambitious, wide-ranging and connecting good objective data on spatial and temporal references etc.
 * The combination of technical and natural fixes is recognized which is good?
 * Some items which are not so strong eg. gender will be coming back later.
 * It is still relatively early in the programme to see all elements being fully developed
 '''Recommendations''':
 * Dominant focus on constraints and problems rather than solutions and opportunities
@@ Line 495: / Line 497: @@
 * What about ag water management, supplemental irrigation (where is that an opportunity?)
 * Innovation is still in a box. How to unlock the brain power?
 '''Needs''':
 * Where and how is the prioritization process? We can't do this all - we need to priorize to bring about change;
 * Greater technical-social-economic integration to work on, from the current technical bias.
-'''Final words by Mateete''':
+'''Final words by Mateete''':<br/>
-Good progress. The program has a hypothesis of step-wise approach. We can't do everything at once. We want you to also represent Africa RISING outside. We want partnerships with scientists and development workers.
+Good progress. The program has a hypothesis of step-wise approach. We can't do everything at once. We want you to also represent Africa RISING outside. We want partnerships with scientists and development workers.<br/>
 Thank you very much for coming.
 We should prepare a log frame to show the stakeholders where we're supposed to be and where we'll be with our stakeholders.
 Register on our website - there's a lot of information there about West Africa. You can give comments on it.
-Safe journey tomorrow.
+Safe journey tomorrow.<br/>
 Tomorrow 8.15 research teams start together. We have seen what we need to do. We have to begin together in plenary and then we break into the different research teams. The steering committee meeting starts at 9.00.

@@ Line 455: / Line 455: @@
 ===Malawi group===
 See [[:File:ESA_RP_2013_MalawiTeam_Day1.ppt| presentation group work]] (day 1). see
 * How are we using GIS for M&E etc.
-''' All our work with farmers has been geo-referenced which can be used and we've used GIS to map soils and do the analysis of carbon as indicators of sustainability.
+:- All our work with farmers has been geo-referenced which can be used and we've used GIS to map soils and do the analysis of carbon as indicators of sustainability.
-''' We discussed GIS for remote sensing.
+:- We discussed GIS for remote sensing.
-''' We suspect that the project sites have no room for expansion of arable land.
+:- We suspect that the project sites have no room for expansion of arable land.
 * Doubled-up legume technology confirmed but how to synergise with previous research?
-''' As AR we are not inventing new tech but are using tech that has proved to work;
+:- As AR we are not inventing new tech but are using tech that has proved to work;
 * Integration - what is meant? We didn't discuss this because it was not clear.
 * What to include under crop-livestock integration and what are the outcomes?
-''' On the crop-livestock integration, we said we'd prioritise livestock this year rather than just fodder tree, eg looking at forage sources that can be used for livestock, e.g. leguminous species in the fodder bank + by products in (soya bean) processing as feeds for livestock
+<br/>
-''' Another suggestion: rather than just dairy production, we need to include mono-gastrics for smallholder farmers. e.g. local breeds of chicken.
+:- On the crop-livestock integration, we said we'd prioritise livestock this year rather than just fodder tree, eg looking at forage sources that can be used for livestock, e.g. leguminous species in the fodder bank + by products in (soya bean) processing as feeds for livestock<br/>
 * What changes do you want to see at the end of the program?
-''' We are hoping that at the end one of the major outcomes will be increase production to improve food security at hh level + nutritional aspects (improve diets thanks to inclusion of proteins)
+:- We are hoping that at the end one of the major outcomes will be increase production to improve food security at hh level + nutritional aspects (improve diets thanks to inclusion of proteins)<br/>
-''' Looking at proteins etc. we need to look at proteins from legumes, not just cereals;
-''' Improving market participation etc. in the various sites.
+<br/>
-''' Other than that, we had a question/comment: potential for mechanised farming? Smallholder farmers have small portions of land so they may have difficulties to mechanise.
+* Looking at proteins etc. we need to look at proteins from legumes, not just cereals;
-''' We need to include all players in R4D platforms so that when working with farmers we don't confuse them with different messages
+* Improving market participation etc. in the various sites.
 ===Summary by the external observers===

@@ Line 403: / Line 403: @@
 ===Commissioned research presentations===
 ====Opportunities for adoption and institutional innovation====
-'''Per Hilbur (IITA)'''
+Per Hilbur (IITA)<br/>
 See [http://www.slideshare.net/africa-rising/esa-rp2013-adoption| this presentation]
 =====Plant disease and pest monitoring surveys=====
 '''Lava Kumar (IITA)'''

@@ Line 402: / Line 402: @@
 * How is GIS/GPS being used for M&E in Africa RISING?
-==Commissioned research presentations==
+===Commissioned research presentations===
-===Opportunities for adoption and institutional innovation===
+====Opportunities for adoption and institutional innovation====
 '''Per Hilbur (IITA)'''
 See [http://www.slideshare.net/africa-rising/esa-rp2013-adoption| this presentation]
-===Plant disease and pest monitoring surveys===
+=====Plant disease and pest monitoring surveys=====
 '''Lava Kumar (IITA)'''
 See [http://www.slideshare.net/africa-rising/esa-rp2013-plandiseases-26136870| this presentation]

@@ Line 352: / Line 352: @@
 If gender was identified as a priority in the theory of change, what are implications for <u>women</u> farmers?
-===Malawi districts: Dedze and Ntcheu (R. Chikowo)===
+====Malawi districts: Dedze and Ntcheu (R. Chikowo)====
 [http://www.slideshare.net/africa-rising/esa-rp2013-aim-26132813| See this presentation].
-Africa RISING nutrition open days organized last week.
+Africa RISING nutrition open days organized last week.<br/>
-Lessons learnt: appropriate selection of pigeon pea varieties is essential for success in mixed crop-livestock systems (long duration varieties likely to be damaged by goats in July/Aug); many farmers can't separate R4D activities and development programs.
+<br/>
 What worked: farmers' ownership over the project; farmer experimentation and innovation;
-What didn't work (work in progress): intensive soil surveys but soil analysis lagging behind. Livestock component not prioritized in year 1. We have added relevant skills for this. Opportunities.
+What didn't work (work in progress): intensive soil surveys but soil analysis lagging behind. Livestock component not prioritized in year 1. We have added relevant skills for this. Opportunities.<br/>
 Q: Baby/mother trials...
-A: In our team we work with grad students from MSU and Luana. They've completed 2-3 months of intensive research with lots of data. Most of this was presented recently. We are getting feedback from farmers and it's embedded in new plans.
+<br/>
-Q: Crop-livestock integration and pastures?
+Q: Baby/mother trials...<br/>
-A: So far not much emphasis but with animal science dept of Luana Uni +Dr. Nyoka will help us working on this. Land for free grazing is a rare commodity so it's a real challenge. Biggest contrast with Tanzania. In the past season we have not been emphasising this but in the planning we will work on smallholder dairy in Malawi and draw experiences from ICRAF in Zimbabwe and East African dairy experiences. We also want to hook onto gov't policy of 'one cow one family' - this should give us more ownership over livestock. We don't want to focus on all animals. Not all farmers will work on this.
+* A: In our team we work with grad students from MSU and Luana. They've completed 2-3 months of intensive research with lots of data. Most of this was presented recently. We are getting feedback from farmers and it's embedded in new plans.<br/>
 Q: Soils
-A: This is outside the AFSYS project that CIAT is working on. They did a lot of work on specific areas for action sites. They did intensive soil sampling and sent them to ICRAF labs for analysis. We want to use this data for the next phase. We'll have results in end of September. We'll have information at landscape scale.
+<br/>
-Q: Aflatoxin problem
+Q: Crop-livestock integration and pastures?<br/>
-A; Especially for groundnuts it's a well established issue with clear research questions etc. I also backstop on nutrition and how to reduce aflatoxin contamination in groundnuts and other products by reducing moisture.
+* A: So far not much emphasis but with animal science dept of Luana Uni +Dr. Nyoka will help us working on this. Land for free grazing is a rare commodity so it's a real challenge. Biggest contrast with Tanzania. In the past season we have not been emphasising this but in the planning we will work on smallholder dairy in Malawi and draw experiences from ICRAF in Zimbabwe and East African dairy experiences. We also want to hook onto gov't policy of 'one cow one family' - this should give us more ownership over livestock. We don't want to focus on all animals. Not all farmers will work on this.<br/>
 Q: Access to market is essential for sustainable intensification
-A: This is not an issue only in Malawi but across the regions. We were working with Ministry to organise farmer associations/cooperatives and in the areas where we're implementing these associations already exist. One unique contribution is that one of our students did a qualitative survey and over 50% interviewees were women farmers.
+* A: This is not an issue only in Malawi but across the regions. We were working with Ministry to organise farmer associations/cooperatives and in the areas where we're implementing these associations already exist. One unique contribution is that one of our students did a qualitative survey and over 50% interviewees were women farmers.
-Q: How to learn from other countries?
+<br/>
 A: This type of meeting is a learning event with scientists from both countries + research leaders from Mali and Ghana. We have another learning event at program level and we also have exchange visits of researchers and farmers. Not happened yet but will happen next year.
 Q: Other mycotoxins e.g. in Maize?
-A: In Tanzania we are not looking only at aflatoxin but also at other mycotoxins.
+* A: In Tanzania we are not looking only at aflatoxin but also at other mycotoxins.
-<u>Feedback on cards (Malawi)</u>:
+<br/>
 "Double legumes" technology has already been confirmed in Malawi - how are you synergising with previous efforts and not repeating?

@@ Line 331: / Line 331: @@
 See [http://www.slideshare.net/africa-rising/esa-rp2013-maizelegumes-26129030| this presentation]
 <span style="line-height: 1.5;">Lessons, projections and challenges: Partnership convergence and complementarity; benchmarks are critical; champions for change (difficult with only 9% farmers in farmer organisations)...</span>
 <span style="line-height: 1.5;">We want to focus on the future, not on problems of the past.</span>
 <span style="line-height: 1.5;">In 2013-2014, we want to focus on high yielding and nutrient rich crops, ISFM land and water management and improved crop management. </span>
 Scale issues (e.g. increase seed success), integrate livestock/poultry systems, capacity strengthening
-Q&A:
+<br/>
 Q: Aflatoxins are common. Can you give us a range of acceptable labels about which proportion of the samples were above this.
-A: More than 60% of groundnuts are beyond American standards. Almost all groundnuts are above 4 pppp. More than 10% of bambara nuts are beyond 10 pppp.
+* A: More than 60% of groundnuts are beyond American standards. Almost all groundnuts are above 4 pppp. More than 10% of bambara nuts are beyond 10 pppp.
 Q: Fertilizer use:
-A: We presented key questions about how much fertilizers farmers should use. There was no standard in use in the regions, it was based on blanket approaches. How much should we advocate certain standards to farmers? We look at integration of fertilizers and rainwater harvesting and will look at results in the next phase so we'll have some aspects of that. About integration we have an experiment looking at spatial arrangements between maize and pigeon peas.
+* A: We presented key questions about how much fertilizers farmers should use. There was no standard in use in the regions, it was based on blanket approaches. How much should we advocate certain standards to farmers? We look at integration of fertilizers and rainwater harvesting and will look at results in the next phase so we'll have some aspects of that. About integration we have an experiment looking at spatial arrangements between maize and pigeon peas.
 Q: Why are you testing these innovations in semi-dry areas?
-A: Our innovations are relevant for certain agro-ecological zones. In this project we try to integrate rainwater harvesting to complement soil stress. The amount of maize in Tanzania is located in semi-arid areas and high yield is achieved there. These technologies are relevant and will be complemented with rainwater harvesting.
+* A: Our innovations are relevant for certain agro-ecological zones. In this project we try to integrate rainwater harvesting to complement soil stress. The amount of maize in Tanzania is located in semi-arid areas and high yield is achieved there. These technologies are relevant and will be complemented with rainwater harvesting.
 Q: Can farmers identify aflatoxins for farmers?
-A: Aflatoxin has been ??? Farmers know symptoms. When we went for the survey in Kongwa Kiteto, we found out farmers didn't know about aflatoxins but knew the symptoms of it. Based on the colour of the disease they assess whether it's a poison or not. If mould etc. they don't want to shell it but store it.
+* A: Aflatoxin has been ??? Farmers know symptoms. When we went for the survey in Kongwa Kiteto, we found out farmers didn't know about aflatoxins but knew the symptoms of it. Based on the colour of the disease they assess whether it's a poison or not. If mould etc. they don't want to shell it but store it.
 <u>Feedback on cards</u>:

@@ Line 265: / Line 265: @@
 * How do you motivate households in 'control villages' to participate?
-====Farming systems (WUR)==== <br/>
+====Farming systems (WUR)====
 '''J. Groot'''<br/>

@@ Line 234: / Line 234: @@
 * This program has to realise that natural resource management (soil and water) does not respond well to household scales. It's about the landscape and that needs to be addressed by the team.
-==Presentations about research output 1 (situation analysis)==
+===Presentations about research output 1 (situation analysis)===
-===Baseline surveys (IFPRI)===
+====Baseline surveys (IFPRI)====
-'''B. Haile & A. Charles'''
+'''B. Haile & A. Charles'''<br/>
-See [http://www.slideshare.net/africa-rising/esa-rp2013-ifpri| this presentation].
+See [http://www.slideshare.net/africa-rising/esa-rp2013-ifpri| this presentation].<br/>
-Interim progress reports done in Tanzania. Farmer field days in Babati district, 100+ focus group discussions. Project mapping tool (to be presented), baseline socioeconomic surveys (ongoing), workshop on impact evaluation to rigorously evaluate project elements, for Babati there's a prospective impact evaluation design. Household and individual level outcomes.
+Interim progress reports done in Tanzania. Farmer field days in Babati district, 100+ focus group discussions. Project mapping tool (to be presented), baseline socioeconomic surveys (ongoing), workshop on impact evaluation to rigorously evaluate project elements, for Babati there's a prospective impact evaluation design. Household and individual level outcomes.<br/>
 Lessons from Babati focus group discussions.
 Malawi ARBES (tool). The survey was very long and detailed (45 pages) but it was great to get additional feedback from various people (M/ Bekunda, EPIC team at FAO, Vital Signs, MSU). Collecting crop level data.
 Trained 28 researchers and worked with 'Invest in Knowledge Initiative' (IKI). 24 teams started field work on Aug. 16. 30% completed as of Sept. 2, 2013.
 Survey with 1200 households.
-<span style="tab-stops: 139.5pt;">Collecting site data from Dedza and Ntechu – 25 beneficiary villages and 28 control villages within the intervention areas to see if there is any diffusion of technologies.</span>
+<span style="tab-stops: 139.5pt;">Collecting site data from Dedza and Ntechu – 25 beneficiary villages and 28 control villages within the intervention areas to see if there is any diffusion of technologies.</span><br/>
-Hoping to finish this work in Sept. 2013 and draft report expected in Nov/Dec. 2013.
+<br/>
-Tanzania ARBES: lagging behind.
+Tanzania ARBES: lagging behind.<br/>
 M&E is a shared responsibility.
 <u>Feedback on cards (IFPRI)</u>:
 * <span style="line-height: 1.5;">Focus group results tend to be too general for both M&E and guiding participatory research. How to get more detailed information to work on critical issues/entry points?</span>
 * Characterization in Zambia? Only socio-economic related or other processes also?
 * How do you motivate households in 'control villages' to participate?
-===Farming systems (WUR)===
+====Farming systems (WUR)==== <br/>
-'''J. Groot'''
+'''J. Groot'''<br/>
-'''Discussion:''' large diversity of farm sizes and endowment.
+<br/>
 Some issues to explore further: the role of functional and human/social farm characteristics in grouping and targeting, cross-country comparison of farming systems, constraints and possible entry points.
 Progress made: rapid characterization completed in ESA and ongoing in West Africa. Secondary data (crops, animals etc.) collected. Data inserted info farm design tool in ESA and data overviews made.
 Next steps: detailed data collection (Sept. 2013), Data analysis and explorations (Oct-Nov. 2013), Suggestions for entry points available (Dec. 2013).
 <u>Feedback on cards (WUR)</u>:
 Labour availability (per ha) appears very high. What do people do with left overtime and/or are you sure about estimates?
 '''Q&A about RO1 presentations:'''
 Q: Complementarity and integration between M&E and farming systems?
-A: We are working on this.
+* A: We are working on this.
 Q: What are you doing about developing Feed the Future (FtF) indicators at country level?
-A: (Comment Jerry Glover: ESA is one of 3 regions and we are seeking consistency across the program
+* A: (Comment Jerry Glover: ESA is one of 3 regions and we are seeking consistency across the program
 Q: What are you doing to address l<span style="line-height: 1.5;">andscape level issues? </span>
 <span style="line-height: 1.5;">A: We looked at how to relate farming systems to landscapes - many farming systems depend on other external factors such as social relations. we are not addressing this. but we welcome suggestions on how to address this in the second phase. </span>
@@ Line 284: / Line 304: @@
 <span style="line-height: 1.5;">A:yes. we looked at issues on produce and input prices. </span>
 Next step in farming systems analysis will be about collecting e.g. product prices, labour etc.
-<u>Feedback on cards (IFPRI/WUR)</u>:
+<br/>
 How to integrate the landscape scale (e.g. soil) into the M&E and farming system analysis?

@@ Line 168: / Line 168: @@
 * We also now have MoUs with USAID country offices which are funding FtF projects. If the research outputs from Africa RISING can contribute to US mission funded projects that will be a big success.
-==Overall progress presentation==
+===Overall progress presentation===
-'''General review and update (Irmgard Hoeschle-Zeledon)'''
+'''General review and update (Irmgard Hoeschle-Zeledon)'''<br/>
-'''Progress since last evaluation meeting, October 2012 in Arusha.'''
+'''Progress since last evaluation meeting, October 2012 in Arusha.'''<br/>
-See [http://www.slideshare.net/africa-rising/esa-rp2013-overviewyear2-26134169| this presentation].
+See [http://www.slideshare.net/africa-rising/esa-rp2013-overviewyear2-26134169| this presentation].<br/>
 At the meeting, teams evaluated year-one’s quick wins projects and developed plans for year two - prioritized major research outputs, identified agronomic challenges for small-holder farmers, established the boundaries to operate within and the guiding principles for the project and identified development partners to work with.
 Priorities:Seed availability, soil fertility, weed management, agronomic practices, planning time, spacing, Soil and water conservation, issues around post value handling, value addition and utilization.
@@ Line 178: / Line 179: @@
 * Livestock: husbandry, new breeds, pasture, livestock heath and processing of animal based products.
 * Other challenges,
-<span style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">o Information and communication issues – within and with the outside world. </span>
+* Information and communication issues – within and with the outside world.
-<span style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">o Capacity building for implementing partner institutions</span>
+* Capacity building for implementing partner institutions
 Situational analysis –this was not addressed under research output 1. However, it was carried out in parallel research activities.
 Boundaries: Partners to work together in the selected sites to achieve greater synergies and asses the interactions between the research interventions
-Agreed on concept of sustainable intensification - As we look at how to produce more from the same area of land by reducing negative impact and contributing to natural capital and environmental services
+Agreed on concept of sustainable intensification - As we look at how to produce more from the same area of land by reducing negative impact and contributing to natural capital and environmental services<br/>
 '''Approach'''
 * While our main domain is the farm household level but we have to keep the landscape in mind.
@@ Line 190: / Line 194: @@
 * We use R4D platforms for innovation learning and cooperation.
-'''Post Arusha activities:'''
+<br/>
 Research teams were formed for each site. Proposals were developed and contracts signed with lead institutions, funds disbursed and field activities started.
-A workshop on survey instruction for baseline was held and one on research designs.
+A workshop on survey instruction for baseline was held and one on research designs.<br/>
-'''Project sites:'''
+'''Project sites:'''<br/>
-'''Tanzania'''
+'''Tanzania'''<br/>
-Semi-arid area: Kongwa (Nojro village) & Kiteo (Chitengo, Moletei, & Mlala villages) -led by ICRISAT
+Semi-arid area: Kongwa (Nojro village) & Kiteo (Chitengo, Moletei, & Mlala villages) -led by ICRISAT<br/>
-Sub-humid sites: Babati (Sabilo, Longand & Seloto villages) - led by IITA
+Sub-humid sites: Babati (Sabilo, Longand & Seloto villages) - led by IITA<br/>
-Kilombero for rice – not in the project anymore with Africa Rice pulling out.
+Kilombero for rice – not in the project anymore with Africa Rice pulling out.<br/>
-'''Malawi''' – led by Michigan States Univeristy
+'''Malawi''' – led by Michigan States Univeristy<br/>
-<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">- Dedza and Ntcheu districts</span>
+Dedza and Ntcheu districts<br/>
-'''Collaboration:''' with other development partners to help project achieve its development outcomes
+'''Collaboration:'''<br/> with other development partners to help project achieve its development outcomes
 * Tanzania - Seeking synergies with other USAID funded projects. project has signed MoU with NAFAKA and coordinated its project sites with those of NAFAKA
 * Malawi - MoU signed with INVC (Integrated Nutrition with Value Chains)
 * Zambia – Africa RISING is expanding into Zambia through SIMLESA. Both projects have similar objectives and work in the same system. Visit was made to SIMLESA sites in March and a follow up meeting held in May to identify areas of collaboration. Research proposal from SIMLESA received and will be discussed later in the week.
-'''Staff updates:'''
+<br/>
-<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">- Ainsley Charles, regional M&E specialist in Arusha is on board.</span>
+'''Steering committee:'''<br/>
-<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">- Festus Ngulu employed as a consultant in Arusha</span>
+Met in October last year. Some agreements included to change name from coordinating to steering committee, have a program advisory committee as a standing body and to add a representative from Malawi in year 3. Program advisory committee not in place yet.<br/>
-<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">- Support from IITA Admin tam in Dar es Salaam and Lilongwe</span>
-<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">- Catherine Njuguna and Jeffrey Oliver supporting project with part time communications. However, project is also currently recruiting a research communication specialist in West Africa to be based in Ibadan. </span>
+<br/>
-<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">- Recruitment of an agricultural economist for ESA and WA also planned. </span>
-'''Q&A:'''
+<br/>
 * What happened to the rice sites, why did AfricaRice stop, while this staple crop is really important for (the Government of) Tanzania? --> The M&E system was very different from what AfricaRice are used to and they did not want to adapt their approach to this.
 * This program has to realise that natural resource management (soil and water) does not respond well to household scales. It's about the landscape and that needs to be addressed by the team.