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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - InnovAfrica (Innovations in Technology, Institutional and Extension Approaches towards Sustainable Agriculture and enhanced Food and Nutritional Security in Africa)

Teaser

Summary

Agricultural development in Africa has remained slow, scattered and technologies developed are not readily accessible. African smallholder farm yields are amongst the lowest in the world, due to serious constraints that include i) Environmental challenges like climate change; and ii) Socio-economic and policy constraints. Smallholders have limited access to inputs such as quality seeds, fertilizers, water, information and market linkages. This restricts them to take advantage of the numerous value addition opportunities, resulting in low productivity and profitability.
InnovAfrica main objective is to improve food and nutrition security (FNS) by integrating climate smart sustainable agriculture intensification (SAI) systems, innovative institutional approaches (IIAs) with novel extension and advisory services (EASs) that contribute to enhancing smallholder adaptive capacity in the six case countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania and South Africa). Specific objectives are:
Map, identify gaps, and characterize i) most innovative SAI systems, ii) IIAs, and iii) EAS approaches;
Establish MAPs in all six case countries. Actively engage them at all stages for dissemination of results and strengthening EU-Africa Research and Innovation Partnership;
Validate selected innovative SAI, IIAs, and three selected innovative EASs through farmer-led on farm implementation supported by MAPs;
Enhance coordination of the relevant local and regional agri-food value chains (e.g. for maize, sorghum/millets, legumes, Brachiaria forage grass);
Assess qualitatively and quantitatively how efficiency and effectiveness of the selected VCs affect indicators of FNS;
Identify adoption determinants of SAI systems and barriers at smallholdersâ€™ level, including economic opportunities and constraints;
Develop integrated frameworks (technological, institutions and policy) for wider implementation of innovative SAI, IIAs, and EASs;
Facilitate wider dissemination of project results through innovative EASs and knowledge exchange mechanisms (smart phone technology, social media).

Work performed

1. A comprehensive interdisciplinary literature review was conducted that provided a better understanding on the state of agriculture and food security in the six case countries. A range of SAIs, IIAs, and EASs currently promoted and implemented by the governments and private sector were mapped. The review shows that agriculture research should be demand driven, consider needs of farmers and other VC actors. It should contribute to capacity building and integrate nutrition and gender as a cross cutting issue. Possible measures were suggested that can improve the effectiveness of SAIs, EASs and IIAs. Relevant biophysiocal and socioeconomic indicators were developed for impact assessment.
2. MAPs were established in each case country, and their mode of engagement in the project was defined. Active engagement of MAPs started early in the project. MAP workshops and field visits were conducted on a regular basis where the members were exposed to project activities. Their involvement and feedback is proving to be useful and already helping to improve the quality of results and wider dissemination.
3. Farmer led field demonstration of 3 selected innovative SAIs i.e. maize-legume, millets-legume cropping system, Brachiaria forage systems were initiated suitable to different agro-ecological zones. In addition, an IIA (seed delivery system), and three selected innovative EASs (VKCs, PIP, F2F) were introduced. Methodologies for implementation and monitoring were established taking into consideration the smallholder capabilities. Analysis of results in 12 project sites so far are promising both in terms of productivity and income of smallholders. Comparison of results across the project sites will enable to assess the impact of interventions and develop scaling up frameworks.
4. A comprehensive review of relevant literature related VC mapping methods and analytical options was performed. Focus group discussions and interviews of key VC actors, stakeholders and policy makers were conducted. The VC maps for 3 agri-food value chains: maize- legume, sorghum/millets-legumes, and Brachiaria forage grass were developed including relevant actors, enabling environment (infrastructure, policies, institutions and marketing mechanisms) and service providers (business and extension services). The main strengths, weaknesses, constraints and opportunities for improvement of the three VC were identified together with MAPs to increase new market opportunities for smallholders.
5. Policy analysis was done to identify adoption barriers and opportunities for upscaling SAI systems at smallholdersâ€™ level. There are significant variations among case countries regarding policy and institutional barriers for smallholder adoption of innovations. Engaging MAPs will enable to convey the results to policy level and contribute to remove the barriers for adoption. Further analysis will look at specific policy and institutional guidelines to support scaling up of the innovations and improving smallholder economic opportunities.
6. Work has started on the development of integrated scaling up frameworks (technological, and institutions and policy) for wider implementation of innovative SAI, IIAs, and EASs.
7. The InnovAfrica KIPUS on line knowledge system and project website has been developed and operating. Dissemination and Communication strategy initially developed is being followed. A series of newsletters, technical and policy briefs were prepared, and social media (twitter and Facebook) accounts setup. Several training workshops were conducted.

Final results

InnovAfrica will derive new insights to enhance the adoption of SAIs, IIAs and EASs, by active engagement of MAPs that is unique for the project sites. The methodologies and results from the farm and project site scale will be used to develop upscaling frameworks for wider implementation at the country level. The main ecological, FNS, and socioeconomic impacts of InnovAfrica will be derived from the scientifically proven SAIs, IIAs and EASs that are in the process of validation and/testing across the different agro-ecological zones. Adoption of SAIs will improve productivity and reduced impact on soil and environment, while at the same time improving smallholder profitability. The project results from 12 study sites across 6 case countries over 4 years will provide a large data set and experience that will contribute not only to science and policy but also improvement in FNS in sub-Saharan Africa.
Specific innovations in the project include: diversified SAI cropping systems such as maize-legumes, millet-legumes and Brachiaria forage-livestock systems that increase production, improve human nutrition through diet diversification (proteins and vitamin A), increases soil fertility, market value and farm income while reducing greenhouse gases. The 3 EASs approaches i.e. the PIP, VKCs and F2F exchange tested are participatory, decentralized and community inclusive when compared to the conventional extension approach. These innovative EASs are improving linkages between VC actors in the project sites. The Knowledge Platform (http://kp-innovafrica.africabiosciences.org/) provides applied knowledge to extensions services and farmers. Enabling policy environment and appropriate incentives will help to address VC constraints.