Selecting sites to prove the concept of IAR4D in the Lake Kivu Pilot Learning Site

Farrow, A and Opondo, C and Rao, K P C and Tenywa, M and Njeru, R and Kashaija, I and Kamugisha, R and Ramazani, M and Nkonya, E and Kayiranga, D and Lubanga, L and Nabahungu, L and Kamale, K and Mugabo, J and Mutabazi, S (2013) Selecting sites to prove the concept of IAR4D in the Lake Kivu Pilot Learning Site. African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 8 (3). pp. 101-119.

[img]
Preview
PDF (Open access journal article) - Published Version
Download (731kB) | Preview

Abstract

Selecting sites is an essential step in enabling the assessment of the impact of Integrated Agricultural Research for Development (IAR4D) in the Lake Kivu Pilot Learning Site. This paper reports on the process of identifying distinct administrative territories (sites) in which to establish innovation platforms and to monitor similar communities that are experiencing alternative agricultural research for development interventions. We show how the research design for the Sub- Saharan Africa Challenge Programme (SSACP) has been modified to take into account the key conditioning factors of the LKPLS without relinquishing robustness. A key change is the explicit incorporation of accessibility to multiple markets. Candidate sites were stratified according to the national political context, followed by good and poor accessibility to markets and finally according to security considerations and agro-ecology. Randomisation was carried out at all levels, although the need for paired counterfactual sites required the diagnosis of conditioning factors at the site level. Potential sites were characterised in terms of existing or recent agricultural research initiatives, as well as local factors that would have a direct effect on the success of interventions seeking to improve productivity, ameliorate the degradation of natural resources and enhance incomes through better links to markets. Fourteen sites were selected during the initial phase, and a further ten sites were added one year afterwards due to the need for more innovation platforms to test IAR4D. The site selection was successful in pairing action and counterfactual sites in terms of the baseline socioeconomic conditions of farming households. The unavoidable proximity of action and counterfactual sites, however, allows the possibility of spill-over effects and could reduce the measurable impact of IAR4D.

Item Type: Article
Divisions: UNSPECIFIED
CRP: UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords: accessibility; spatial sampling; targeting; spill-over; conditioning factors
Subjects: Others > Agriculture-Farming, Production, Technology, Economics
Depositing User: Mr Sanat Kumar Behera
Date Deposited: 29 Oct 2013 04:58
Last Modified: 29 Oct 2013 04:58
URI: http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/7217
Official URL:
Projects: UNSPECIFIED
Funders: UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement: UNSPECIFIED
Links:
View Statistics

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item