and Action!: Impact Innovation

Tackling Innovation in Climate Change Research

Patti Kristjanson + Christine JostScience Domain 6 + CCAFS

20 May 2014ICRAF Research Seminar Nairobi

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Climate Change A Wicked ProblemWicked problems complex, uncertain, ever-evolving, multiplicity of stakeholders and perspectivesNeed to move beyond expert approach evaluation and adviceTo consultative processes collective understanding and response

CCAFS. 2013. Unlocking the potential of social learning for climate change and food security: Wicked problems and non-traditional solutions. http://hdl.handle.net/10568/27781

CC has been described as a wicked problem because its really complex.This complexity can be described in multiple ways: big number of stakeholders, multiplicity of views, difficult to describe, challenge to research, uncertainties, urgencyThe point is, this kind of problem needs a different research approach if we have any hope of solving it.In terms of CC, ag. and food security, science can no longer be linear with experts providing stakeholders with information and solutions.Science must work from a collective platform for learning and adapting to a wicked problem.2

Innovation"An innovation is something original, new, and important in whatever field that breaks in to a market or society. (Wikepedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Innovation#cite_ref-1, accessed 20 May 2014)[An innovation systems] framework embeds technological change within a larger, more complex system of interactions among diverse actors, organizational cultures and practices, learning behaviors and cycles, and rules and norms. (Spielman et al. Technology in Society, 2009. doi:10.1016/j.techsoc.2009.10.004) A process

If youre not living on the edge, youre taking up too much space.

We knew wed be asked for a definition of innovation, and yes we consulted our good friend Wikipedia!In a research context, Spielman et al. provides a systems framework where innovation is embeddedThe point is that innovation is more than creating something new or improving something.It is a change in institutions that allows for a process leading to changes in behavior that supports wide-spread long-term impact.With institution defined as.3

Researching Innovation in the Context of Climate ChangeMain Question: How do we achieve large-scale smallholder agricultural development in the urgent context of climate change?

Knowledge to action approachesResearch into use the loading dock (Cash et al. Science, Technology & Human Values, 2006, 31(4), doi: 10.1177/0162243906287547)Research in development research done in development contexts with development partners

The various CCAFS themes are looking at questions such as the urgency of CC in agriculture., CSA technologies and practices, farmer-led mitigation, and addressing current risks.In the K2A research theme, our main research question is: How do we achieve large-scale smallholder agricultural development in the urgent context of climate change?A classic approach in tackling this K2A mandate in the CGIAR would be research into use, in which experts create research outputs, and the K2A team would bridge the gap between output and the large world of beneficiaries. Cash (2006) called this the loading dock approach to disseminating research outputs put the output on the loading doc and the plethera of beneficiaries would back up their trucks, load up and take it away to use it.Instead, the K2A theme is taking a research in development approach, where development impacts serve as the measure of success or failure, and research is done development partners supported by the research partner. Note the clear difference between research in development, and research for development, where there is a conceptual linear differentiation between the research and next-user communities in which the researchers are seen as developing solutions to problems and the partners are expected to take these outputs and disseminate them.4

Focus on Partners Research prioritization, design, implementation and evaluation with and by partners Problem focusedFlexibleConsultativeTimely discoveryEstablished scaling mechanismsOwnershipOur Research: Policy, communication, capacity, gender and social differentiation

The research in development places priority on identifying high potential partners with innovative ideas to address development priorities, and supporting them in the design, implementation and evaluation of research on their innovations. This gives us the flexibility to consult with partners and do research on problems that our partners and the communities they work with have identified as being the highest priority for climate change, agriculture and food security.The research takes place in development contexts, allowing for the documentation of findings in real time.And because our partners own the research process, the mechanisms are already in place to scale-up successes the loading doc has been eliminated.Our partners are doing research in 4 key areas: policy, communication and extension, gender and social differentiation, and research design5

Evidence-based and forward-looking climate and agriculture strategies and policiesStrategy: Work with experts (Oxford University) in the field to develop a CCAFS Scenarios Program Supports national and regional climate change strategies and policies using mixed qualitative/quantitative socio-economic scenarios in 5 CCAFS regions (LA, WA, EA, SA, SEA)

Jumpstarts stakeholders when processes arent available for agriculture and food security planning in a changing climate Encourages champions to use scenarios in promoting planning for climate changeEngages new partners in policy processes Chaudhury, M., J. Vervoort, P. Kristjanson, P. Ericksen, and A. Ainslie. 2012. Reg. Env. Change, DOI 10.1007/s10113-012-0350-1

The CCAFS Scenarios ProgramResearch Question: Can a participatory approach be used to develop regional socio-economic scenarios for use in climate change and agriculture planning, and will stakeholders use them? Approach: Participatory qualitative scenarios quantified with IMPACT and Globiom (partial equilibrium market models), then backcastingKey Findings:Focus on regional stakeholders and priority setting processes has ensured suitability of scenarios in specific regional contexts24 initiatives taken forward by participants Champions:ECOWAS/CCAFS West AfricaKARI East AfricaLEAD PakistanASEANPrivate sector and media in Southeast Asia

Vervoot et al. Global Environ. Change (2014), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2014.03.001 Carey C. 2014. The CCAFS Regional Scenarios Programme: External Evaluation Report on Progress Towards Programme Outcomes. Copenhagen, Denmark. http://hdl.handle.net/10568/34994

The CCAFS Scenarios ProgramLessons Learned: Explorative scenarios and normative back-casting methods have a steep learning curve, requiring facilitation and capacity building over the longer-termNew question: How can multi-stakeholder-generated, qualitative/quantitative scenarios be used to improve decision-making for better food security, rural livelihoods and environments under conditions of climatic and socio-economic change? Bounded, partner-led regional case studies in 5 regions 2014-2015Pre-defined policy objectiveConsensus indicatorsChallengesPolicy strategy and planning is a dynamic process with too many variables for controlled researchDocumenting how a case was implemented is as important as evaluating indicators of success

Innovative CommunicationStrategy: Work with an established private sector ICT company that reaches millions of farmers (Mediae) to disseminate CSA information.Research Question: At what scale can agriculture research and development stakeholders reach smallholder farmers with CSA technologies and practices using ICT-based platforms, and what is the impact in terms of adoption and adaptation?Approach: 2 new methods to disseminating informationTelevision to reach farmers with CSA informationMultiple platforms for K2A dissemination

Shamba Shape-upKey Findings:>3 million weekly viewers8 CG CC technologies highlighted in season 4Proportion viewers learning something new 89%Proportion changing >1 farming practice 46%

Median net soil fertility benefit for Kenya: 13,746,233 US D Makeover style TV show in EA (Swahili + English)The Mediae Company SSU series 2+3 KAPs Report. Dec 2013ACAR SSU Series 1 Development Benefit and Systematic Impact Report. Sep 2013

Shamba Shape-upLessons: When presented in a creative format, dissemination of CSA information via television can reach a wide audience. New questions:What is the impact in terms of adoption and adaptation?Is a video-based product restricted to television, or can its use be by other partners using different platforms?What would be the reach and impact in other regions with other ICT-based platforms?2015 objectives:Expand the reach of CSA content from the widely successful television program Shamba Shape-up into other extension platforms in EA. Identify ICT-based dissemination and extension opportunities in other CCAFS regions that have the potential to bring CSA information to millions of smallholder farmers per region.Develop a robust M+E system to measure the impact of ICT-based mass dissemination of CSA technologies and practices on adoption and adaptation.

Research CommunicationStrategy: Use ICT to bring people together to interact with, use and improve K2A findings5 videos in 20131 white board teaching tool18 bogs (4,541 UPV) in 2013 K2A Website (5,729 UPV in 2013)5 learning notes3 policy briefsPresentationsWorkshopsStoryfy2011-2013 Research Publications 12 journal/book articles, 8 working papers

Online CommunitiesClimate change social learning and communication: http://ccsl.wikispaces.com/Sandbox CCAFS Impact Pathways and Theory of Change Resource Site: http://ccafs-ip-toc-cd.wikispaces.com/CCAFS working Group on impact pathways and M&E for results-based management GoogleGroupGender, Agriculture and Climate Change Research Network: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostRecent=&trk=&gid=6657402CGIAR Gender and Agricultural Research Network CCAFS page: https://sites.google.com/a/cgxchange.org/gender-ag-research-network/ccafs-gender-and-climate-changeCCAFS Gender Researchers Google Group

Lessons Learnt: We are reaching people, but we dont have indicators of outcomesResearch Question: Are we enabling outcomes with our various communication platforms?

Farmer-led InnovationStrategy: Embedding research in development processes and strengthening capacities to innovate and adapte.g. CG partnership with PROLINNOVA an NGO-led international network that promotes local innovation processesResearch question: have farmer-led processes of research and innovation in agriculture and NRM led to improvements in rural livelihoods?

Photo: IFPRI

Case Study Approach: 100 case studies of farmer-led innovation supported by CSOs were identified by issuing a general call (crowdsourcing), doing a Web search on selected keywords, and a scan of selected literature and direct contact with individuals who could provide relevant information; 11 studied in depthCase studies: most involved techniques related to land improvement, soil and water conservation, crop production, and crop and animal protection. Few examples of techniques for storing and processing produce and for livestock husbandry, or innovations related to social, institutional and organisational aspects

Criteria to choose case studies:Research process is/was participatory by design and co-managed by smallholdersCase not likely to be picked up in a review of cases in mainstream (formal) research Could include intervention of bilateral project implemented with local and/or international NGOs Interventions by CSOs, including both NGOs and farmer organisations, or organisations with a mixture of CSO programmes and advisory/consultancy work (e.g. ITDG/Practical Action)Involving not just a single farmers own experimentation but some kind of structured interaction with others in (action) research, including community-based groupsAvailability of some documented evidence of impact Intervention happened several years ago or has been going on for at least a couple of years so that some impacts might be visible.

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Key findings re: Farmer-led innovationGreater food and nutrition security - through higher yields, better storage and increased crop diversityIn most cases, farmers accumulating savings and investing in assets Higher agrobiodiversity and a reduction in use of chemical inputs in many casesBut,Community-level impacts were rarely mentioned Experimentation, especially with introduced technologies, tended to bring more benefits to medium and better-off farmers than to poorer households, especially women-headed ones Institutionalizing the approach (e.g. in extension) remains a big challengeWettasinha et al. 2014, PROLINNOVA with AAS and CCAFS

Evidence of greater food and nutrition security through higher yields, better storage and increased crop diversityIn most cases, the farmer-led innovations allowed farmers to accumulate savings and to invest in assets Most of the interventions involved reduced use of chemical inputs Community-level impacts were rarely mentioned Experimentation, especially with introduced technologies, tended to bring more benefits to medium and better-off farmers than to poorer households, especially women-headed ones.

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Key Lesson re: Farmer-led innovationSo we have some evidence that farmer-led processes of research and innovation in agriculture and NRM led to improvements in rural livelihoods.

But the key lesson is that:Innovations are often location-specific and cannot be scaled up easily; its the approach of farmer-led experimentation that can be scaled out.

So, our new research question becomes: How do we make this work at scale?And, we can only explore this with partners like PROLINNOVA, local governments or NGOs that are supporting this approach on the ground with communities! Photo: V.Atakos

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Climate Change and Social LearningIf research is genuinely to result in beneficial changes in behaviour, policies and institutions, research outputs need to be much better informed by and engaged with the processes through which individuals, communities and societies learn and adapt their behaviour in the face of change Research question: Under what conditions are social learning approaches effective, replicable and/or scalable, and sustainable?Approach: crowdsourcing a large number of case studies that use the same conceptual framework

Kristjanson et al. Nature Climate Change 4, 57 (2014) doi:10.1038/nclimate2080http://ccsl.wikispaces.com/

Photo: Cgiarclimate

It turns out that a social learning approach (working with a large group with the same goal) may bet the best way to address this tough question.16

Participatory Action Research (PAR)PAR in agriculture is a methodology that embraces iterative cycles of co-inquiry by communities and experts to test potential solutions to problems in realistic local settings

While there has been lots of participatory research going on, its been largely diagnostic in nature; whats new and needed is a longitudinal approach analyzing the adoption of continually improving solutions to a communitys most pressing agricultural problems.

Jost, C. 2014. Socially Inclusive Research and Development for Climate Change and Food Security: A practitioners guide, forthcoming, CCAFS.

Photo: Cgiarclimate

It is difficult in research to conceptualize longitudinal studies that capture iterative cycles of co-learning and refinement, and to publish results from citizen scientists; this is what we need to be doing in our research sites, like FTAs learning landscapes

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Socially Inclusive Research and Development for Climate Change and Food SecurityInitial Strategy: Work with FAO, experienced in using participatory approaches for understanding issues of gender, climate change, ag and food security, to refine/target these tools to address CCAFS initial priority gender research questions, concerning: Male and female awareness and adoption of CSA practices Women and men sharing adaptation strategies in climate analogue villages Male and female access and use of climate informationTraining guide, available in 3 languages, has been downloaded over 10,000 timeshttp://hdl.handle.net/10568/21790

Photo: WORLD BANK

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Key findings in implementing these new gender-CC tools in 3 countries/regions Women are constrained in adopting climate-smart ag practices (lack of cash, assets, access to information, cultural norms, labour issues, low literacy, etc.)CSA research needs to focus on modification of technologies and practices to overcome constraints, and catalyze gender-targeted institutional changeParticipatory approaches are a powerful tool for understanding institutional aspects governing control over, access to, and use of resources & changes over time Descriptive/diagnostic research alone is not sufficient for catalyzing gender transformationThrough development partnerships, we can begin to shift our focus to PAR-based exploration of adaptation options

Chaudhury et al, CCAFS WP19 http://ccafs.cgiar.org/publications/

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Socially Inclusive Research and Development for Climate Change and Food SecurityNew Research Question: Can the capacity of stakeholders to implement gender-responsive and socially-sensitive climate change, agriculture and food security programs be increased by using participatory action research?Our Approach: Help stakeholders use participatory approaches to gather information to design socially inclusive programs on CC, ag and food securityCo-develop, taking a social learning approach, a tool that allows a user to select tools appropriate to their needs in the areas of: Co-production of Knowledge, Climate Resilient Agriculture, Climate Information Systems, Mitigation, and Knowledge Synthesis Partnerships (CARE, WeEffect) to field test guide Partner-led training programs based on individual needsCompanion Manuals in development:Gender and climate change PARGender and climate change project development and M+E

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Gender and Social DifferentiationOur theory of change: We will have more of an impact if we target and successfully reach women IFPRI-ILRI-ICRAF-CIAT intra-hh gender CC study in 4 countriesKey finding: Women are much less likely to be aware of climate smart agricultural practices, but when they are aware, they are just as likely to adopt themNew research question: how best do we target climate smart practices and knowledge to women? Large N survey?

Photo: World Development Movement.

We need to carefully define such research. The big data survey is an important friend of the research community, as it allows us to control for bias and confounders, and identify large-scale trends.But in researching innovation, we often need to start by testing a small idea and then challenging successful pilots at a large scale using combined methods that provide an evaluation of impact as well as descriptive information about how and why that impact happened.

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Surveys: How do we understand CC in dynamic systems?Perceptions Driving Changes in Smallholder Agriculture in Africa and Asia*Key Findings:Markets most important driver of changes to ag. practices, followed by climateMarkets most important livestock practices change, then diseases then climateMain response to market drivers: crop management changesMain response to climate drivers: land management changesEA farmers: Most adaptive, focusing on productivity, most responsive to climate drivers Machakos most adaptive siteBorana least adaptive siteSA farmers: Less adaptive, focusing on intensification, almost non-responsive to climate driversBagerhat least adaptive site, only site where climate drives change rather than marketsWA farmers: Least adaptive, focusing on land management, low responsiveness to climate driversLawra-Jirpa most adaptive siteSegou least adaptive site*Analysis of CCAFS HH baseline, Jost et al. in process

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Grappling with food security

Dependent variable: # of food deficit monthsVariables: Credit, cash source, education, HHSIZE, HHnonworkers, information, land, production, ProdDiversity, site, transport, innovativeness, soil, waterThese variables explained 40% of variationGraphic from: Kristjanson et al., 2012 Food Sec. (2012) 4:381397 DOI 10.1007/s12571-012-0194-zUsing the CCAFS Baseline Survey

Predictive models of land and soil health were developed by the ICRAF GeoScience Lab (landscapesportal.org), based on global LDSF datasets.Extracting SOC and erosion values from MODIS imagery using HH coordinates.Strong relationship between SOC and erosion.

Source: Winowiecki, Vgen et al, in process Soil and land health

Larger size bubble indicatesmore diverse land management

Biophysical constraints often limit management options; bringing together the socioeconomic data and LDSF information will help us better understand behavioural changeLand Health and Diversity of Farmer Management PracticesSource: Winowiecki, Vgen et al, in process

Big ChallengesResearching innovation is a new science; we are still learning how and why to do this research

Where and when are large N studies called for; building on existing K critical to make sure we are asking the right questionsAre we asking the right questions? The question must drive the research approach(es)Outcomes are place specific our research/sentinel sites are keyKeeping a focus on enabling action

Researching innovation is a new scienceWe are still learning how and why to do this research

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