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Systems Research Marketplace Event

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Marketplace Event
Location:              Conference Centre, IITA, Ibadan
Dates:                   15, 16 and 17 November 2016
Participation:       Invitation only PLEASE NOTE REGISTRATION CLOSED
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PLEASE NOTE REGISTRATION CLOSED

Humidtropics and FARA are happy to announce the Marketplace Event entitled Systems Research in the Context of Agri-Food Systems (AFS). It will consist of research ‘sellers’ and ‘buyers’ in inter-changing roles, and with lots of opportunities for ‘negotiation’ using innovative workshop formats.

Sharing and Learning

Given the major transition taking place with regard to the 2nd cycle CGIAR Research Programs (CRPs), particularly the shift from commodity focus with standalone systems programs to agri-food systems (AFS), it is important to have an opportunity for sharing and learning in relation to systems integration. It is also important to demonstrate products from systems research that could be used in further research within AFS. The main goal of the workshop is to strengthen understanding of systems research as part of AR4D (Agricultural Research for Development) with emphasis on strengthening systems research within the 2nd cycle CRP portfolio.

Goal

To strengthen systems research as part of AR4D (Agricultural Research for Development) within the 2nd cycle CGIAR Research Programs (CRPs) portfolio.

Objectives

  • To learn and share ideas among CRPs on how systems perspectives and approaches
    have been built into the 2nd cycle proposals, and how they will be implemented.
  • To share key experiences and R4D (legacy) products arising from the research of
    Humidtropics, and other systems CRPs (Drylands and Aquatic Agricultural Systems).
  • To learn the perspectives on integrated systems research from donors, investors, ISPC (Independent Science and Partnership Council), and other organizations.

Outputs

The key outputs expected from the Marketplace Event:

  1. A synthesis on systems research approaches and strategies for the CGIAR research in 2nd cycle CRP phase.
  2. A compendium of products – tools, methods, frameworks for systems research, developed from first cycle CRPs and available for use within 2nd cycle.
  3. Agreed mechanisms for strengthening inter-CRP collaboration in relation to systems research in the second phase.
  4. Agreement on the role of site integration as instrument for strengthening collaboration and country level integration and impacts.

Tentative structural frame and program outline

The workshop will begin with an Opening Session, to be followed by 6 technical sessions, as outlined below:

Session 1: Opening Session

  • Opening / Welcome address  – IITA Director General
  • Opening Remarks – FARA Executive Director
  • Marketplace purpose, objectives and expected outcomes  – Humidtropics Director
  • Invited Keynote  “Systems Research for Livelihoods”  – TBC
  • ISPC – General Perspectives and Reflections towards 2nd cycle  – ISPC Chair and Systems Specialis (TBC)

Session 2:  Broad Perspectives and Experiences in Systems Research Programs

In this session, there will be sharing of experiences and perspectives in relation to integrated systems research, including from phase 1 CRP systems CRPs: Presentations in this session will look at the broader perspectives and address issues in relation to the implementation of the Theory of Change – What did the program set out to do? What did it manage to do?  What major challenges were encountered? What broader lessons moving forward into 2nd phase CRPs? The purpose of the session is to bring out key lessons that could guide research functioning into the future for 2nd cycle CRPs. Presentations will be invited from:

  • Humidtropics
  • Drylands
  • Aquatic Agricultural Systems
  • Africa RISING: Perspectives on systems research
  • Perspectives and Lessons from Wageningen
  • Perspectives and Lessons from Cirad

Session 3a:  Systems transitioning into 2nd Cycle AFS CRPs

The 2nd phase requires a transitioning from commodity focus of the phase 1 CRP cycle, to a systems-based operation. In this respect “commodity CRPs” will metamorphose into “Agri Food Systems CRPs” (AFS). This session will explore the different systems research perspectives, strategies and approaches built into the 2nd phase CRP proposals, for achieving the transitioning into Agri-Food Systems,. Essentially the session will aim at unraveling the ‘S’ in ‘AFS’, and giving visibility to the systems dimensions in 2nd cycle operation. There will be presentations and follow on discussions from the AFS CRPs:

Keynote Presentation:  An analysis systems integration across Agri-food Systems CRPs. This is needed as baseline to identify concrete aspects to improve, change or grow.  Specific presentations from the various AFS CRPs will then follow:

  • MAIZE / WHEAT
  • RICE
  • RTB
  • GLDC
  • LIVESTOCK
  • FISH
  • FTA

Session 3b:  Systems transitioning – Global Integrative Program (GIP) CRPs

Systems approaches and thinking are also strong elements in the Global Integrative Program CRPs. It is expected that this will be strengthened in the 2nd cycle program. This session will receive presentations on the strategies and approaches built into the GIP CRPs for systems approaches into 2nd cycle.

  • A4NH
  • CCAFS
  • PIM
  • WLE

Session 4: Main Marketplace Segment: Systems Research Products from 1st Cycle CRP Operation

This will focus mainly on systems CRP outputs in methods, tools, approaches, partnership frameworks, research results, etc.,. It will include “legacy products” from Humidtropics, as well as key products and outputs from other systems initiatives.  The session will be organized in a World Café format under sub-theme groupings, each preceded by brief introductory presentations. There will be products in the following sub-themes:

Sub-Theme 1: Tools and approaches in systems analysis: Including

  • situation analysis, suitability analysis, and mapping, etc.
  • Rapid appraisal methods and tools.

Sub-Theme 2: Integrated systems improvement: Including

  • Livelihoods assessment methods, tools, and data.
  • Total farm/factor productivity assessment.
  • Trade-offs analysis and synergy development.
  • Nutrition and diversity assessment.

Sub-Theme 3: Economic, market linkages and policy: Including

  • Analysis of income trends through systems research.
  • Value chain analysis and gains.
  • Policy and institutional linkage and dynamics.

Session 5: Crosscutting and Multi-Stakeholder Processes: Including

This session will also focus on key products and lessons coming out of the first phase CRP operation in relation to the crosscutting and enabler components of systems research. These will include presentations in:

  • Gender in systems research
  • Addressing Capacity Development in systems research
  • R4D and Innovation Platforms as key instruments in systems research
  • Systems research links with major R4D and development initiatives.
    • Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT): Analysing opportunities for supporting and strengthening systems research.
    • AfDB/FARA R&D Proposal: Synergies and opportunities for integrated systems research

Session 6: Cross CRP collaboration and Site Integration into the future

This session will address the issue of integration among and across CRPs functioning within particular countries and/or sites. As different CRPs operate systems-based strategies, it is important to reflect on how this will play out in the context of particular countries. The opportunities for collaboration and integration in systems research could be explored in relation to ‘site integration’ concept introduced by the CGIAR. This will address explore “integration” at levels of Coordination, Co-location, and Collaboration.  The marketplace will explore this subject through interactive channels addressing:

  • Site Integration and Country Strategies: State of concept.
  • Using systems research platforms as basis for site integration.
  • Integration of systems research across CRPs through site integration.

Conclusion

The concluding session will be structured according to the 4 expected outputs. It will pull together the main conclusions and lessons that describe the place of systems research within the 2nd cycle CRP portfolio. It will also show an aggregation of products from 1st cycle CRPs that could be linked to CRP functioning for 2nd cycle, and indicate major lessons and actions for strengthening inter-CRP collaboration and the potential of Site Integration in that respect.

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