Learning event 2019 - Revision history

J Odhong at 14:19, 27 March 2019

2019-03-27T14:19:48Z

J Odhong: /* Common understanding of terminologies across Africa RISING – Haroon Sseguya */

2019-02-25T11:46:28Z

‎Common understanding of terminologies across Africa RISING – Haroon Sseguya

J Odhong: /* Experiences with implementation of the Sustainable Intensification Assessment Framework [SIAF] */

2019-02-18T18:05:34Z

‎Experiences with implementation of the Sustainable Intensification Assessment Framework [SIAF]

J Odhong: /* Reflections on the field trips */

2019-02-18T17:52:28Z

‎Reflections on the field trips

J Odhong: /* Experiences with implementation of the Sustainable Intensification Assessment Framework [SIAF] - a celebrity interview with SIIL Director - Vara Prasad */

2019-02-18T17:50:00Z

‎Experiences with implementation of the Sustainable Intensification Assessment Framework [SIAF] - a celebrity interview with SIIL Director - Vara Prasad

J Odhong: /* How can research partner with development partners better? Insights from Africa RISING - Micter Chaola,CRS-Malawi; Likawent Yehyis,ARARI-Ethiopia */

2019-02-18T17:48:37Z

‎How can research partner with development partners better? Insights from Africa RISING - Micter Chaola,CRS-Malawi; Likawent Yehyis,ARARI-Ethiopia

J Odhong at 17:41, 18 February 2019

2019-02-18T17:41:25Z

J Odhong: /* Communication session */

2019-02-18T17:36:41Z

‎Communication session

J Odhong: /* Communication session */

2019-02-18T17:36:03Z

‎Communication session

J Odhong: /* Experiences with implementation of the Sustainable Intensification Assessment Framework [SIAF] */

2019-02-18T17:32:47Z

‎Experiences with implementation of the Sustainable Intensification Assessment Framework [SIAF]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 __NOTOC__
-=='''Africa Program Learning Event <br /> 05 - 08 February 2019 <br />Malawi'''==
+=='''Africa RISING Program Learning Event <br /> 05 - 08 February 2019 <br />Malawi'''==
 '''Themes'''

@@ Line 415: / Line 415: @@
 ==Common understanding of terminologies across Africa RISING – Haroon Sseguya==
-<br/>
+'''Group 1'''
-<br/>
+*A technology can be something like PICS bags.
-<br/>
+*An innovation is when we take that technology and then put it in different contexts and derive the benefits of fitting a technology into the different settings.
-<br/>
+*Spill over reflects the power of a technology; the developer is doing very little to market it, so it mostly depends on the interaction between an outsider (not involved in a project) and the technology (if it is attractive enough) for the person to have confidence to apply it. Then that is a spill over. The chances of sustained the adoption is very high because it is self-driven.
-<br/>
 ==Monitoring and Evaluation session==
 <br/>

@@ Line 226: / Line 226: @@
 :::'''Question 8:'''For AR, it will be better to pilot the SIAF on few areas and see how results differ. It can be possible to choose few contrasting sites and implement.
 ::::''Answer:''We plan to do this for selected sites. We may consider AEZs etc. and consider budget availability.
 ==Experiences with implementation of the Sustainable Intensification Assessment Framework [SIAF] - a celebrity interview with SIIL Director - Vara Prasad==

@@ Line 365: / Line 365: @@
 ==Reflections on the field trips==
-'''Ethiopia Highlands Project'''
+'''Reflections by the Ethiopia Highlands Project team'''
 *'''Strengths:''' (a) Good maize-legume system (b) Clean and well - designed experimental plots
 *'''Weaknesses:''' (a) Lack of clear components connectivity to define system, (b) Limited technology options, (c) Weak livestock component, (d) Less use of irrigation potential, (e) Lack of utilization of traditional practices (ridge making)
 *'''Lessons:''' (a) Vibrant women participation in farm activities, (b) Farmers’ tied ridge making practice to arrest soil erosion is something extraordinary
 ==Cross-learning and harmonization in Africa RISING - Irmgard Hoeschle-Zeledon==

@@ Line 230: / Line 230: @@
 '''Opening submission by Vara'''<br/>
 *SIIL is one of the 24 innovation labs inaugurated by Feed the Future.Majority of the innovation labs are commodity based.
+<br/>
-::
+<br/>
 <br/>
+<br/>
+<br/>
+<br/>
-::''Q1. Why it is important to come together and to use the SI?''
+<br/>
-:::Response - He said all the innovation labs focus on a single SI. The innovation that has to be adopted should be good for the household. It is not a new concept, but it broadens the system.
+<br/>
 ==Lessons from the SIAF Workshop 29 Oct – 02 November 2018 in Accra, Ghana==

@@ Line 433: / Line 433: @@
 ==How can research partner with development partners better? Insights from Africa RISING - Micter Chaola,CRS-Malawi; Likawent Yehyis,ARARI-Ethiopia==
-:::Simret: Apart from the challenge you mentioned Mikta, that of funding, What other challenges do you see working with Africa RISING?
+::'''Question:''' Apart from the challenge of funding, What other challenges have you faced when trying to develop a research- development partnership?
-::Mikta: The first challenge is funding. When we are working with our projects, during planning, we did not factor in Africa RISING. Now taking Africa RISING in is a challenge.
+:::Micter:
-:::What I have noticed also is that, when we are working as partners, we work through the government system. In terms of monitoring, with our partners, sometimes NGos and researchers may have their own priorities. Having a common plan is essential.
+:::Likawent:
-:::Simret: What did you look for  when you were deciding to work with Africa RISING.
+::'''Question:''' What did you look for  when you were deciding to work with Africa RISING.
-::Likawint: The highland area in Ethiopia is a challenging area for agricultural development. The fact that Africa RISING was coming to work in the Ethiopian highlands, I was happy to partner.
+:::Likawent: The highland area in Ethiopia is a challenging area for agricultural development. The fact that Africa RISING was coming to work in the Ethiopian highlands, I was happy to partner.
-:::Simret: Mikta, what was the unique feature of AR that attracted you to you to work with the team?
+::'''Question:''' Micter, what was the unique feature of AR that attracted you to you to work with the team?
-::Mikta: The focus on climate smart agriculture by AR attracted us. The double up legume, the intercropping of maize with legumes, the conversation agriculture, integration of livestock-crop integration, these were areas that we are also interested in. That was why we volunteered to join hands with the researchers.
+:::Micter: The focus on climate smart agriculture by AR attracted us. The double up legume, the intercropping of maize with legumes, the conversation agriculture, integration of livestock-crop integration, these were areas that we are also interested in. That was why we volunteered to join hands with the researchers.
-:::Simret: What else should researchers do to better in partnership?
+::'''Question:''' What else should researchers do to better to ensure that we have more research - development partnerships?
-::Likawint: Researchers need to  focus on priority issues in their intervention areas. They also have to engage local partners starting from the planning up to exiting strategy.
+:::Likawent: Researchers need to  focus on priority issues in their intervention areas. They also have to engage local partners starting from the planning up to exiting strategy.
-:::Mikta: I have three points. First, on proposal development. I understand that researchers have their own proposals for funding. NGOs also have their own funding. Both institutions need to factor in partnership costs in their proposal. Second, sharing information. Researchers need to share information on their products for their partners. NGOs may not have the capacity to do scientific impact assessment, we can do that together.
+:::Micter: I have two points. First, on proposal development. I understand that researchers have their own proposals for funding. NGOs also have their own funding. Both institutions need to factor in partnership costs in their proposal. Second, sharing information. Researchers need to share information on their products for their partners. NGOs may not have the capacity to do scientific impact assessment, we can do that together.
 ==Closing remarks – Siboniso Moyo==

@@ Line 423: / Line 423: @@
 '''Feedback from project-centric discussions about communication needs in 2019'''<br/>
-'''The Ethiopian Group Meeting'''
-*Kindu: For the web page, we were shouting for many years. It was difficult for users to access publications and reports. It is a good move and I am happy.
+*We're happy to hear that the website is being revamped.We have been requesting for this for many years. It was difficult for users to access publications and reports. It is a good move and I am happy.
 *When you go to the field, we write small reports. But usually we do not capture this either in a wiki or other formats. How can we capture them for the future?
-*We also take various photos. We need to put it online as fast as we took them.
+*We also take various photos. We need to put it online as soon as they are taken.Sometimes when we have products, we submit for online publication. However, this often take long time to appear online. We need to improve this.
-Sometimes when we have products, we submit for online publication. However, this often take long time to appear online. We need to improve this.
+*We have ongoing challenge of important messages back to the field. We also need to facilitate our site coordinators and researchers to provide our partners updates and progresses. We can also use feedbacks from these to feed into the program/project report.
-*Peter: We have ongoing challenge of important messages back to the field. We also need to facilitate our site coordinators and researchers to provide our partners updates and progresses. We can also use feedbacks from these to feed into the program/project report.
+* We also struggle to publish blog posts. Probably you should consider doing a training on writing blogs?
-*Abera: I also struggle to publish blog posts. We need to do more to document our field activities.
+*We missed opportunities of capturing our work with video. We can focus on few technologies and capture some videos.
-*Saide: We missed opportunities of capturing our work with video. Last year we missed the opportunity of getting our nice wheat work to be captured with video. We can focus on few technologies and capture some videos.
+*We need to make sure that we write quick reports for the wiki about every meeting we organize and participate in. For example, a summary of the international learning event could be communicated to our partners.
 ==How can research partner with development partners better? Insights from Africa RISING - Micter Chaola,CRS-Malawi; Likawent Yehyis,ARARI-Ethiopia==

@@ Line 419: / Line 419: @@
 ==Communication session==
 '''Plenary feedback'''
-:::'''Question 8:'''On the reports and briefs I wonder to what extent you support in terms of putting the labels, typesetting and making them ready for publication. What sort or magnitude of support can we expect? It is also not clear the process of accessing those services as my chief scientist says I cannot reach you out before his approval?
+:::'''Question:'''On the reports and briefs I wonder to what extent you support in terms of putting the labels, typesetting and making them ready for publication. What sort or magnitude of support can we expect? It is also not clear the process of accessing those services as my chief scientist says I cannot reach you out before his approval?
 ::::''Answer:''The chief scientists is responsible in making sure the quality of the science aspect of your work. Hence, he is in the right position to give you an approval. However, once every technical aspect is done, you can forward us and we give it the necessary formatting and we put it online.
-'''Feedback from project-centric discussions about communication needs in 2019'''
+'''Feedback from project-centric discussions about communication needs in 2019'''<br/>
 '''The Ethiopian Group Meeting'''
 *Kindu: For the web page, we were shouting for many years. It was difficult for users to access publications and reports. It is a good move and I am happy.

@@ Line 204: / Line 204: @@
 '''Questions and clarifications'''<br />
 (a) ''For the Ethiopian Highlands Poster''
-:::''Question 1:'' The impact of bunds + biological options in increasing yield and SOC seems too much. Is that a reality? We need to check and/or validate.
+:::'''Question 1:''' The impact of bunds + biological options in increasing yield and SOC seems too much. Is that a reality? We need to check and/or validate.
 ::::''Answer:'' Our results are based on meta-analysis of published work. So, we expect that the results are accurate. However we will re-check our analysis to make sure that everything is right.
-:::''Question 2:'' It will be interesting to assess what technology works where better and under what combination as well as circumstances. Good to identify options for targeting based on the meta-analysis results?
+:::'''Question 2:'''It will be interesting to assess what technology works where better and under what combination as well as circumstances. Good to identify options for targeting based on the meta-analysis results?
 ::::''Answer:'' Yes, we plan to do this for our selected AR sites. We already implement options but we need to analyze impacts on a systematic manner.
-:::''Question 3:''As the length of time the intervention has been on the ground matters on some effects, it will be good to disaggregate the result by year (those <8 years and those > 8 yrs) and re-analyze to see if there are changes. The majority of land management options bring visible impacts after 8 years? ::::''Answer:'' This is interesting comment and we will do that. We didn’t think about this and is nice suggestion.
+:::'''Question 3:'''As the length of time the intervention has been on the ground matters on some effects, it will be good to disaggregate the result by year (those <8 years and those > 8 yrs) and re-analyze to see if there are changes. The majority of land management options bring visible impacts after 8 years? ::::''Answer:'' This is interesting comment and we will do that. We didn’t think about this and is nice suggestion.
-:::''Question 4:''The tradeoff graph (Figure 3) is interesting. But most of the plots are theoretical and will be interesting to review literature and define an acceptable and proper frontier. Where can we move an option to optimize benefits of  respective products.
+:::'''Question 4:'''The tradeoff graph (Figure 3) is interesting. But most of the plots are theoretical and will be interesting to review literature and define an acceptable and proper frontier. Where can we move an option to optimize benefits of  respective products.
 ::::''Answer:''Yes did this graph (Figure 3) as demonstration and we will do proper analysis using our own data supported by literature results.
-:::''Question 5:''It will be good idea to visit very positive and very negative sites (observations) in the field and evaluate the drivers (associated reasons). This can also help understand the causes for some of the results.
+:::'''Question 5:'''It will be good idea to visit very positive and very negative sites (observations) in the field and evaluate the drivers (associated reasons). This can also help understand the causes for some of the results.
 ::::''Answer:''Yes, we planned to do this.
-:::''Question 6:''There is a need to carefully analyze and interpret results. Example why erosion always/mostly negative while bunds/biological are done to reduce that? If policy makers see the result (especially with (treated) and without (control) radar chart, Fig 1a), they will not make investment on restoration. So maybe don’t show that radar chart?
+:::'''Question 6:'''There is a need to carefully analyze and interpret results. Example why erosion always/mostly negative while bunds/biological are done to reduce that? If policy makers see the result (especially with (treated) and without (control) radar chart, Fig 1a), they will not make investment on restoration. So maybe don’t show that radar chart?
 ::::''Answer:''We are also not sure why we have such results. But for now we are presenting based on what others have said. We will re-check the analysis results and also compare with our data.
-:::''Question 7:''The analysis shows only two domains of SIAF. But there are some dataset on income and cost which can be included. It is possible to have three domains without spending too much time. We can use literature data.
+:::'''Question 7:'''The analysis shows only two domains of SIAF. But there are some dataset on income and cost which can be included. It is possible to have three domains without spending too much time. We can use literature data.
 ::::''Answer:''We will do this if we have adequate data from the review results. What we had was for few sites but we can still test.
-:::''Question 8:''For AR, it will be better to pilot the SIAF on few areas and see how results differ. It can be possible to choose few contrasting sites and implement.
+:::'''Question 8:'''For AR, it will be better to pilot the SIAF on few areas and see how results differ. It can be possible to choose few contrasting sites and implement.
 ::::''Answer:''We plan to do this for selected sites. We may consider AEZs etc. and consider budget availability.