Final evaluation of "Enhancing Agriculture Production through Irrigation System Improvement and Strengthening Institutional Capacity"

Final evaluation of
Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
Total Pages: 46
Release: 2020-02-07
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9251321558

Rice and potatoes are Afghanistan’s two most staple crops after wheat. Rice production is dependent on water from irrigation canals, with most of Afghanistan’s irrigation infrastructure in disrepair, farmers are vulnerable. Between 2016 and 2018, FAO in Afghanistan (FAOAF) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) rehabilitated irrigation infrastructure and laid the foundations of a virus-free potato seed industry in three provinces (Kunduz, Baghlan and Takhar). The project enhanced food production and contributed to the Government’s agricultural development and food security objectives. The evaluation recommends that future irrigation rehabilitation includes training to demonstrate improved cropping practices to help farmers build their resilience to external shocks. Training of potato farmers and enterprises involved in the industry will help determine the sustainability of the industry beyond the end of the project.

National agricultural innovation system assessment in Pakistan

National agricultural innovation system assessment in Pakistan
Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org. [Author] [Author]
Total Pages: 71
Release: 2024-05-10
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 9251385955

An assessment of seven innovation case studies in Pakistan in 2022 found that agriculture innovation systems show limited collaboration and networking, and a supply-driven rather than market driven approach to innovation. [Author] This limits the potential for scaling innovations such as the ‘Super Seeder’, a machine that sows wheat directly in the rice stubble, replacing the common practice of burning it. [Author] The study was conducted in September and October 2022 as part of the global TAP-AIS project coordinated by FAO’s Office of Innovation and funded by the European Union’s DeSIRA initiative. [Author] The seven innovation case studies were nominated by key organizations under three thematic area: digital transformation, product innovation and service innovation. [Author] A desk review, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and a self-assessment questionnaire was used to collect data. [Author] Major gaps identified included, among others: i) Innovation actors have limited organizational support and ability to initiate collaboration and engage in networking with other actors for the purposes of market formation and scaling innovation; ii) Collaboration was not pursued for all stages of innovation, that is, from innovation development to innovation scaling; and iii) A supply-driven approach tends to be used for innovation development and scaling, rather than a market-driven approach. [Author] The results of the assessment informed the next phase of the TAP-AIS project in Pakistan in 2023–2024, which includes organizational capacity development and a policy dialogue process to strengthen innovation systems for low-cost agricultural machinery for smallholders. [Author] The work contributes to the TAP-AIS project’s main objective to strengthen capacities to innovate in national agriculture innovation systems (AIS) in the context of climate-relevant, productive, and sustainable transformation of agriculture and food systems. [Author]

Transforming agriculture in Africa’s Small Island Developing States: Lessons learnt and options for climate-smart agriculture investments in Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau and Seychelles

Transforming agriculture in Africa’s Small Island Developing States: Lessons learnt and options for climate-smart agriculture investments in Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau and Seychelles
Author: Ahmed, F., Houessenou, P., Nikiema A., Zougmore, R.
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
Total Pages: 46
Release: 2021-12-01
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9251352984

There are 52 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the world. These boast of rich biodiversity landscapes, including a large variety of endemic species and indigenous knowledge that can make them the repository of our planetary ecosystem (UNEP, 2014). Nevertheless, the SIDS are identified as being one of the negatively impacted areas of climate change in the world, with huge implications for biodiversity loss and survival. There is a general consensus that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from small islands are negligible in comparison to global emissions, but the effects of climate change are devastating as a consequence of the sea level rise associated with global warming (Nurse et al., 2014). Long-term risks projected for small islands include increase in coastal flooding, freshwater stress and risks across marine ecosystems. Other threats to the SIDS include more frequent strong winds and cyclones, sea water intrusion into aquifers, and freshwater scarcity (Kelman and West, 2009). The apparent inability of these countries to adequately and effectively adapt to these impacts is the result of a combination of factors, including their exposure, sensitivity and vulnerability to shocks, and the costly nature of adaptation measures (Robinson, 2019). The report includes an introductory chapter, and climate change and the importance of the AFOLU sectors in the second and third chapters, respectively. The fourth and fifth chapters discuss the challenges in agriculture and the needs and priorities for climate change adaptation and mitigation. The adoption of CSA for integrated climate action as well as barriers to adopting promising CSA technologies/practices are discussed in Chapter 6. Furthermore, the capacity development needs required to address barriers to adoption of CSA opportunities and drive sustainable and tranformational results at scale are discussed. Lastly, the forward-looking chapter discusses knowledge gaps, such as the insufficient capture of the fishery subsector in the country CSA profiles, given its contribution to food security and the countries’ economy, and recommends priority areas to serve as entry points for CSA investments.

Institutional mapping of adaptation options in Malwathu Oya, Yan Oya and Mi Oya river basins in Sri Lanka

Institutional mapping of adaptation options in Malwathu Oya, Yan Oya and Mi Oya river basins in Sri Lanka
Author: Imbulana, Upali
Publisher: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on Climate Resilience
Total Pages: 46
Release: 2023-12-07
Genre: Science
ISBN:

This report examines the nature of polycentric governance and transformative characteristics adaptation options in Sri Lanka. The report focuses on four major climate adaptation projects implemented in recent years, namely Climate Resilient Integrated Water Management Project (CRIWMP), Climate Resilience Improvement Project (CRIP), Climate Smart Irrigation Agriculture Project (CSIAP), and the Northwestern Province Canal Project (NWPCP). The analysis includes institutional mapping of the four projects and an assessment of the extent of polycentric governance and transformational characteristics of three specific transformational adaptation options, namely 1). Forming Cascade management committees and strengthening farmer organizations, 2). Diversification of high-value crops, climate-smart water management, and agricultural practices, and 3). Basin investment planning accounting climate change risks. The analysis found that the national-level ministries and departments dominate the planning and implementation of interventions. The methods and the extent of inputs from local and community-level institutions and farmers can be substantially improved in the planning and implementing adaptation projects. Although the adaptation interventions within the three projects have some transformational characteristics, they can be enhanced with other transformational characteristics and polycentric governance to ensure systemic changes in the socio-ecological system to address the increasing challenges of climate change.

OECD Rural Studies Rural Policy Review of Colombia 2022

OECD Rural Studies Rural Policy Review of Colombia 2022
Author: OECD
Publisher: OECD Publishing
Total Pages: 277
Release: 2022-11-25
Genre:
ISBN: 9264828494

Rural regions in Colombia have untapped potential to boost wealth and well-being in the country. Despite remarkable economic growth over the last two decades, Colombia’s development policy needs to increase its focus on rurality, as regional inequalities remain high by OECD standards and structural challenges still prevent greater development in rural places.

Terminal evaluation of the project “Strengthening capacities of agricultural producers to cope with climate change for increased food security through the Farmer Field School approach in Mozambique”

Terminal evaluation of the project “Strengthening capacities of agricultural producers to cope with climate change for increased food security through the Farmer Field School approach in Mozambique”
Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
Total Pages: 104
Release: 2023-09-12
Genre: Social Science
ISBN:

Mozambique is a low income country, with almost 70 percent of the population living in rural areas. Farmers suffer from lack of access to technology and qualified technical services. The country is also extremely vulnerable to increasingly prevalent natural phenomena, such as cyclones Dineo, Idai and Kenneth, which destroyed crops and agricultural infrastructure between 2017 and 2019. The country faces challenges in implementing regulatory instruments for the integration of practices climate change adaptation (CCA) in the agricultural sector. The Government of Mozambique, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) have joined efforts to increase the capacity of Mozambique's agricultural and pastoral sectors to deal with climate change.The project generated relevant results, including the incorporation of specific actions for CCA in strategic plans at ministerial level and in Economic and Social Plans and District Budgets (PESOD); the preparation of Mozambique's nationally determined contribution (NDC); the creation of local and community plans to adapt to climate change; the installation of 11 agrometeorological stations and greater financial autonomy for beneficiary women.The evaluation recommended that FAO support the government to ensure the integration of CCA into key policy documents and the integration of the Farmer Field Schools (FFS) into future rural development programmes, including the new Sustenta Programme, and that, in future programmes, FAO will focus on developing value chains and promoting farmers' access to markets.

Nutrition sensitive food systems in conflict affected regions: A case study of Afghanistan

Nutrition sensitive food systems in conflict affected regions: A case study of Afghanistan
Author: Babu, Suresh Chandra
Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst
Total Pages: 43
Release:
Genre: Political Science
ISBN:

The food systems approach can contribute to food security and reduced malnutrition levels by identifying key investments and policies throughout the food system, including production, processing, marketing, and consumption of food. However, in countries facing fragility and conflict, it has proven difficult to implement such an approach and achieve the desired results. This has been the case in Afghanistan, where high levels of malnutrition stem in part from an undersupply of nutritious food. Multi-sectoral approaches to promote nutrition sensitivity and achieve diet-based solutions have also had only limited impact. This paper reports on an analysis of the nutrition sensitivity of food systems in Afghanistan using multi-sector consultations and gap analyses to examine two key food and nutrition policies, the National Comprehensive Agriculture Development Priority Program and the Afghanistan Food Security and Nutrition Agenda. It highlights gaps in the policies and identifies investment priorities to make food systems more nutrition sensitive. The results show that instilling nutrition sensitivity into the operation of Afghanistan’s food systems can only be accomplished if certain key measures are incorporated into the food system. These include addressing the absence of knowledge in the population regarding healthy diets, the lack of sufficient food for vulnerable populations, weak irrigation systems, capacity constraints at individual and institutional levels, data challenges, and weak natural resource management. In addition, the above weaknesses are compounded by the continued violence and conflict-induced insecurity, weak government, and inadequate investments. Given the role of different sectors in contributing to improved nutrition, appropriate and effective multi-stakeholder coordination and collaboration is paramount to such efforts.