LIVES+research+planning+workshop

=LIVES research planning workshop=
 * 26-28 March 2013**
 * ILRI Ethiopia, Large Auditorium**

**Objectives**

 * 1) Develop an overall research framework for LIVES
 * 2) Determine priority multi-locational research topics in support of the proposed interventions in LIVES and aligned with regional, national, CRPs and other ILRI research activities
 * 3) Identify potential research partners to lead/synthesize multi locational research and partners to implement such research in zones/regions

**Agenda**
See the.

See || Working groups:
 * Tuesday 26 March **
 * **Timing** || **Session** ||
 * 08.30 || Registration ||
 * 09.00 || Introduction:
 * Welcome by Iain Wright
 * Welcome by D/DG EIAR
 * Introduction of the workshop objectives, agenda and participants ||
 * 10.00 || Introduction of the LIVES project - [[file:201303_RPW_Intro-LIVES.pptx|Presentation]] ||
 * 10.30 || //Break// ||
 * 11.00 || The research framework: diagnostic, action and impact - [[file:201303_RPW_Research-framework.pptx|Presentation]] ||
 * 11.30 || Introduction of the possible LIVES interventions and research areas for **livestock**
 * [[file:201303_RPW_Livestock-interventions.pptx|Presentation]] about livestock interventions
 * [[file:201303_RPW_Livestock-areas.pptx|Presentation]] about livestock research areas ||
 * 12.50 || //Lunch break// ||
 * 13.45 || Introduction of the possible LIVES interventions and research areas for **irrigation**
 * [[file:201303_RPW_Irrigated-interventions.pptx|Presentation]] about irrigation interventions
 * [[file:201303_RPW_Irrigated-areas.pptx|Presentation]] about irrigation research areas ||
 * 15.05 || Expectations from related programs:
 * [[file:7. CRP3.7_Addis meeting LIVES_2013.pptx|Presentation]] Livestock and Fish CGIAR research program
 * [[file:8. LIVES presentation on Goat and Chicken.ppt|Presentation]] Animal Science for Sustainable Productivity (ASSP) ||
 * 15.35 || //Break// ||
 * 16.05 || Mainstreaming gender in irrigated and livestock value chain development
 * 16.30 || I ntroducing group work and starting work in six different working groups:
 * [[file:Group work guidelines.pptx|Group work guidelines]]
 * [[file:Group Work Guidelines 2.docx|Group work template]]
 * 1) Beef (Small and large ruminants) - Results
 * 2) Dairy - Results and presentation
 * 3) Poultry - [[file:Poultry Group Work.docx|Results ]]and [[file:Poultry Group.pptx|presentation]]
 * 4) Apiculture - [[file:Group work apiculture.pptx|Results]]
 * 5) Irrigated vegetables, fruits and fodder - Results
 * 6) Extension / capacity development and Knowledge management - [[file:Group Work Guidelines - extension  2.docx|Results]] ||
 * 17.30 || //Close// ||


 * Wednesday 27 March **


 * **Timing** || **Session** ||
 * 09.00 || Group work (continued) ||
 * 10.30 || //Break// ||
 * 11.00 || Group work (continued) ||
 * 12.30 || //Lunch break// ||
 * 13.30 || Group work (continued) ||
 * 15.00 || Livestock Live Talk Seminar: ** Agricultural Research for Crop and Livestock Value Chain Development: The ‘IPMS’ Experience ** ||
 * 16.00 || Reality check: How is the work coming along and adressing: gender, environment, food safety, crop-livestock, integration with other working groups, remaining key questions... ||
 * 17.00 || Brief plenary sharing ||
 * 17.30 || Close ||


 * Thursday 28 March **
 * **Timing** || **Session** ||
 * 09.00 || Group work (continued) ||
 * 10.00 || Group presentation ||
 * 10.30 || //Break// ||
 * 11.00 || Group presentation (continued) ||
 * 12.30 || //Lunch break// ||
 * 13.30 || Aligning with other programs (CRPs, BeCA, IWMI's priority programs, other development programs) ||
 * 14.00 || Working on cross-cutting issues (environment, gender etc.) in an integrated manner across crop & livestock ||
 * 15.00 || //Break// ||
 * 15.30 || Management of research governance, next steps and closing ||
 * 17.00 || Close ||

=Notes of the meeting=

__**Tuesday 26 March**__

Introductions
Agriculture is critical to Ethiopia, not only for food security but also for economic growth, as it accounts for 45% of the country's GDP, and 90% of its exports. Agriculture is an engine. That potential can only be realized through increasing production and productivity and adding value along the value chain. The LIVES project focuses on high value agricultural products (livestock and irrigated crops). This project could improve the livelihood and welfare of all actors along the value chain. LIVES is a good example of a project where the CGIAR centres come together to work with various partners to improve the livelihoods of smallholders. It will provide lessons for Ethiopia and beyond and also for implementing research for development. ILRI and IWMI are well placed to reach other parts of the globe. LIVES has various components: action research, capacity development, knowledge management etc. This workshop is about the research components: What are potential interventions and technologies that can be tested and could be appropriate. What are opportunities for collaboration with other programs? There will be knowledge gaps that cannot be filled by LIVES alone but could generate new spin-off projects. It can also create a platform for other projects to benefit around new approaches, technologies etc.
 * Introduction by Iain Wright, ILRI **

We are looking at upscaling technologies. We are in the middle of the Agricultural Transformation Program. We are very happy to facilitate and to be partners of this project. Livestock, irrigation, crop etc. are areas where we can achieve meaningful impact. We are happy to work with you to shape the objectives of this workshop, to develop and agree on the research framework and areas, to determine research priorities and to identify the focal persons in the four regions where the project will be implemented (Amhara, Oromia, SNNPR, Tigray). By working together among international and national partners we can make meaningful contributions to increase productivity and improve smallholder farmers' incomes. There is huge potential if you give farmers new tools, technologies and knowledge. Education and technology, science etc. are important tools that transform agriculture and society, as has been the case in Asia. These countries have invested in human resources. We believe through this project we will achieve much change. This project focuses on 30 districts, 10 zones and 4 regions. We thank you all for your support to transform Ethiopian agriculture.
 * Introduction by Dr. Adugna, EIAR**


 * Introduction of the LIVES project by Dr. Azage Tegegne, ILRI**


 * Introduction of the LIVES research framework by Dr. Berhanu Gebremedhin, ILRI**


 * Q&A session**:

Livestock interventions and research areas

 * Presentation on livestock interventions
 * Presentation on livestock research areas
 * Q&A session ** :

Irrigated interventions and research areas

 * Presentation on irrigated interventions
 * Presentation on irrigated research areas
 * Q&A session ** :

Fishbowl discussion on gender and integration with other programs

 * Q: The gender issue is entirely missed from the presentation made on irrigated agriculture. We have to see where males and females play their roles in WUAs, in policies etc., consider how women end up in leadership positions...
 * A: There will be special presentation on Gender. We do integrate gender in IWMI the same way as we do in environment. Eg. We want to promote women responsibilities on WUA, we have to do some sensitization. But we have to remember that the association leader are elected and we can’t do anything on that
 * WUA will be looked at in terms of policy and functionality – there are traditional WUA that are very effective. We could learn from


 * Q: What was the basis for selecting the vegetable types for each zone?
 * Q: Existing irrigation works, under construction by gov/ farmer planned. Where do we focus?
 * A: We plan to select the irrigation type according to the existing irrigation schemes in the country. No plan to construct. So our plan is to work on existing schemes. Modern, small scale, koga, communal irrigation schemes; cluster of individual irrigated farms. Eg. Ziway, fogera area. Selection of crops- it’s based on the baseline data. For each zone I assess the importance of fruit and vegetable and identify the major ones based on the figures on the baseline


 * Q: Why only fruits and vegetables. How about other cash crops eg. Khat in Sidama. If we are working why not consider those commodities that use water for cash crops?
 * A: I don’t know if CIDA will agree to promote khat in Ethiopia. This is a bit political issue I can’t decide on this. We have to align with the government agenda


 * Comment: Integration of irrigation and livestock. Only fodder is mentioned, there are more issues to consider eg. Manure, compost…


 * Comment: There are irrigated vegetables in Sidama zone that is not mentioned


 * Q: The link between intervention and the research did not come out clearly
 * A: maybe we can improve our approach of presentation, but they are very well linked


 * Q: The production input. Which direction are we giving emphasis: organic/ inorganic pesticides?
 * A: We’ll use IPM and make better use of agro-chemicals


 * Q: In terms of market, are we looking at local or export markets?
 * A: we will work for domestic market (95%) there is more market because of urbanization. We will not completely abandon export market. Eg Banana production in Arba minch. But the bulk of our activities will deal with domestic market


 * Comment: : Storage and handling- what methods to use are not very clear...


 * Comment: Type of irrigation system- we use different ones based on agro ecology and soil status. How its done needs to be clarified


 * Comment: This sub sector is in line with the country’s development agenda. This is a good opportunity.


 * Q: There will be repetition of efforts especially on diagnostic value chain research . there have been research by the national research and consultants.
 * A: Diagnosis- yes, there was a lot done before. What we mean by diagnosis is equal to rapid assessment to help us to start with our activities, how we are going to do it, with whom to work….which will be immediately coupled with intervention. It won’t be just diagnostic, diagnostic. There is a procedure to do activities; how to, we do rapid assessment.


 * Comment: Institutional arrangement is not very clear. We need to share responsibilities very clearly. We all need to know what to do


 * Q: This ppt is different from the livestock one. Why is it not aligned? The two programs (irrigation and livestock) don’t seem related. We can’t see the link. Why do you put them together and say LIVES?
 * A: We prepared the presentations as a team. We tried to use the same heading/styles


 * Comment: The use of trap crops on irrigated land could be a suggestion to use which could be used for fodder
 * A: Agree, it's good to integrate this issue too.


 * Q: Is there any policy to support for water user associations to manage?
 * A: There is no WUA policy but there is a draft proclamation that we could use to institutionalize. This will be covered under institutions and governance


 * Q: Water is free resource for the farmers. Pricing water for users is necessary in irrigation, how to manage this issue- is it possible to start in this project?
 * A: Water pricing/cost/ water use efficiency. We have to look in to the capacity to pay. Going with free water is less efficient.


 * Comment: If you are putting pricing for water there are poor farmers, and that might affect them. And awareness creation and demand is required. TO do this the government policy and guideline is necessary


 * Q: In Oromia we have integrated poultry, vegetable irrigation and fishery into a system- in Adami tulu. Can we introduce this issue?
 * A: A lot of irrigation systems in Ethiopia is traditional. Fish does not survive in those areas. If we work on it will support livelihood but not improve livelihood
 * Extending poultry, irrigation agriculture and fish could be an ideal topic for Msc research


 * Q: To what extent is a copping mechanism for drought? Is it a copping mechanism for climate change? Why is irrigation prioritized in this project? For climate change or just to increase production

Meat & ruminant groups
(Okeyo, Aynalem, Abule, Jane, Solomon, Zeleke, Yasneshet, Girma)
 * Research framework**:
 * Appropriate balance between controlled and uncontrolled, based on identified needs
 * comprehensive review and synthesis of past experiences to identify gaps
 * Early scoping and alignment of partners to ensure success
 * Where there is no research organisation involved, universities should be involved

Diagnostic research (mainly year 1) Action research (year 1-->8)
 * Research topics to prioritize**:
 * Rapid assessments (gaps in skills, knowledge and capacities of actors/institutions)
 * Include assessments of feed resources with respect to the desired scale
 * Market / input services and the related actors/ roles
 * Understand the production/husbandry practices to identify opportunities for improvement (breeding)
 * Assess gender roles and constraints
 * Synthesize history of the VC development
 * Based on available info, initiate intervention
 * Year 1: evaluate existing fattening options (tech, eco, sustainability, gender) + Design action research based on 1
 * Year 2:
 * Continue above,
 * Evaluate alternative fattening
 * Role of public/private actors in seed multiplication
 * Assessment of alternative beef improvement
 * Test delivery of PPR


 * Institutional roles and responsibilities**:
 * How about development partners? They ought to be included
 * National coordination (EIAR, MoA, ILRI, ICARDA, National/comm. (ToR) institutions and private sector)
 * Role: Overall planning/direction
 * Zonal/district: RRC (TARI, ARARI, ORARI, SARI etc.) and universities, livestock agencies, farmer associations, women affairs, OA (Office of Ag)
 * Role: implementation i.e.
 * Identify constraints and opportunities
 * Design and test interventions
 * Capacity development and tech processing
 * Reporting of research results
 * M&E (indicator definition)
 * Student selection and supervision

Questions and answers

 * Q: Scope to get involved in post slaughter issue – meat quality in the VC?
 * A: Yes we talked about private sector, processors etc.
 * Q: Quite impressive – if you look at issue of meat, we deal with local and export market - did you differentiate between the 2?
 * A: This will be teased out of the analysis
 * Q: You talked about growth – did you address fertility, young mortality and growth?
 * A: We looked at specific objectives and developing objectives we need to address. We looked at these issues. If we can address those it would be fine.
 * Q: Balance between control and not. This needs to be done with other projects that will take care of this.
 * A: Yes, scoping between partners is important to see who is going to work with us the new kid on the block.
 * Q: Scheduling?
 * A: Yes, we need logical sequencing about activities. Some activities in year 1 will continue in year 2 etc.
 * Comment: On PPR, it will take some time to be commercially available.
 * Q: Possible to test it in research sites?
 * A: In CRP 3.7 it’s also looked into and FAO will fund some of this work.

Irrigation group

 * Research framework**:
 * Policies, gender, environment:
 * Infrastructures
 * Crop systems
 * Institutions
 * Value Chains
 * Linkages between irrigation and livestock
 * Impacts of L+I on NRM
 * All zones: irrigation

Diagnostic research: Year 1 Action research: Year 2+
 * Research topic priorities**:
 * PRDA
 * Water production and use efficiency
 * Irrigation services
 * Participatory P. Tech
 * Inputs supply
 * Post harvest and markets
 * Institutional roles and responsibilities**:
 * National level:
 * Coordination and facilitation
 * Networking
 * Capacity development
 * Synthesis
 * Monitoring and evaluation
 * Zonal level:
 * Coordinating actors
 * Implementation
 * M&E
 * Reporting

Questions and answers
(From program management)
 * Q: How will you address gender?
 * A: We are including this from PRDA – gender disaggregated assessment based on existing irrigation schemes. It’s also in the A/R and in impact research.
 * We work on various levels, first is household level. Do they have access to inputs, markets etc. Then at WUE level (water/land rights for women and men, participation to decision making process and women in leadership in WUE).
 * Q: Integration of crop and livestock – when thinking of water, fish is important too – how do you think about this?
 * A: See point above
 * Q: ??
 * A: Fish: we could have included it but then could we also link up with existing programs who are working on this in synergy?
 * Comment: What is Action-research – this was difficult for people to understand: we have to be clear about what we mean with A/R.
 * Comment: There is consensus now about the concept.
 * Q: From my observations of group discussions, we have to be careful in irrigated crops about irrigation engineering and irrigated agronomy. This project will be judged on productivity of irrigated crops. We have to be careful as to how we …?
 * A: Yes we are focusing on productivity but we want to adopt a systemic approach on how to improve productivity income from irrigation farmers. Infrastructures matter too.
 * Q: Missing: lots of waste from irrigated crops – any strategy to look at waste management?
 * A: This is missing indeed.
 * Q: Food safety: what about it?
 * A: We have included it in the list of components.

Questions and answers
(From program management)
 * Q: Beekeeping is a major area of work in Ethiopia but now due to new tech it’s at the backyard – it may be easier for women to participate in this but the problem is: we have to do a good gender analysis for this new introduction. What are you doing about this?
 * A: Yes, apiculture is gender-sensitive and friendly. In backyard beekeeping, women are active in monitoring colonies and controlling swarms. They are actively involved.
 * Q: Better productivity through link with agroforestry and homestead …?
 * A: This is most important and it should be focused in environmental issues here. We have to use bees for biodiversity of (agro)forestry etc.
 * ICIPE is certainly an important partner;
 * Determining quality is crucial. With markets, considering quality is about a) international standards and b) traditional beekeeping – we have to show it’s the same level of quality.
 * Q: The smaller the animal, the more practical the solution. Have you considered local/export markets? Honey exports are one important issue.
 * A: We have honey and beeswax quality standards established 10 years ago.
 * Q: Do you consider other products of apiculture?
 * A: We have to do more research on honey types etc.
 * Q: Are you interested in quality of research or replacing regulatory body?
 * A: ?

Questions and answers
(From program management)
 * AGP is good to mention here – it should also be an important synergy actor for irrigation
 * Q: Utilisation of outputs of research components etc. Outputs have a purpose in refining achievements. At the same time, the outputs, diagnostics etc. should be linked with action-research
 * A: We tried to align the two
 * Q: In terms of facilitation, insurance, finance etc.?
 * A: We’ve put it in our proposal. Insurance and finance will have to be considered as facilitation.
 * Q: Improving quality etc. How to implement quality-based payment? It can stimulate production etc. but ??
 * A: On promotional issues we can use World Milk Day and World School Milk Day…

Questions and answers
(From program management)
 * Providing short feedback loops to farmers would be great. On the comms strategy, it should be linked to the data collection – rather than try to graft comms on top of research.
 * Q: Aligning with ATA/Gov’t, it’s not only about aligning but also about influencing. In the ATA strategy workshop, they are struggling with practical ways of introducing market-oriented extension services.
 * A: We align with the ATA strategy (the latter is not yet approved).
 * Q: Training: instead of training, think about CD and capacity needs assessment. Trianing may not be the only solution.
 * A: All students were expected to provide feedback on their work + graduate forum. IPMS students are also considered. Coaching is also very useful
 * Emphasis is on extension system and how it operates.
 * We don’t want to do CD for the sake of it but we need to look at broader assessment.
 * We will incorporate all lessons from IPMS
 * On seminars etc. the Cap-Dev unit of ILRI is revamping that process and we’ll integrate this CD program with LIVES.

Agenda for organizers