2023 Initiative key results at a glance

In 2023, the Initiative is reporting 233 results, 16 innovation developments, 5 innovation uses, 3 policy changes, and 105 knowledge products (CGIAR dashboard, 3/6/2024). In 72 capacity-sharing activities, 766 participants– the majority women (462) — mostly focused on agroecology practices selected by ALL members.   These results align with the CGIAR Results Framework and the Initiative’s theory of change. Further information on these results is available through the CGIAR Results Dashboard.

Types and number of results

Number and percentage of results with impact areas tags

Reported innovations

Reported innovations in 2023 include the development of conceptual frameworks (stakeholder engagement, agroecological assessments, value chain linkages with business opportunities, behavior change), and technical innovations (feed pellet production, biological treatments to improve yields or tackle for pests and diseases).  A series of innovations have been co-produced in linkages with other initiatives (Low-Emission Food Systems, Livestock and Climate, Nature-Positive Solutions). The five reported innovations uses include Tunisia on livestock feed production and feed chains, as well as Kenya where stakeholders of partner organization CSHEP (Community Sustainable Agriculture and Healthy Environmental Program) have incorporated agroecological co-design into their capacity-sharing activities.

Number of FSAs engaged in the co-creation of agroecological innovations
FSAs are engaged when they have been involved with the initiative, participating in the vision-to-action process, and the co-design or testing of technological or institutional innovations that they consider relevant to their particular social, economic, and political contexts. The table shows the food system actors engaged by gender, type of actor, and country. The data in the table comes from a tool developed by the initiative to monitor direct engagement of FSAs in different stages of the process of co-creating innovations. The Initiative has engaged with approximately 6,200 individuals by the end of 2023.

Number of results by partner type

Initiative results in 2023

Transdisciplinary co-creation of innovations in agroecological living landscapes (ALLs)

• Agroecological living landscapes (ALLs) were established in eight countries, involving 6,159 individuals to date, 48% female and 52% male.
• Almost all targets were surpassed, with 363 researchers (164 from NARs) collaborating with 3,460 farmers, 87 policymakers, and 165 private-sector companies.
• Comparative studies of the ALLs’ vision-to-action process and subsequent co-design and testing of innovations are informing conversations in the ALLs network on how best to advance agroecology transitions. The network organized an exchange visit in India with partners from eight countries.

Evidence-based agroecology assessments

• Food system actors (FSA) have participated in agroecology assessments across all countries, including farmers, extensionists, NGOs, researchers, policymakers, and the private sector.
• Final context-assessment documents have been published for all countries, and the Holistic Localized Performance Assessment (HOLPA) framework has been developed.
• Data collection via HOLPA continues across ALLs, with more than 800 households surveyed by end of 2023. Results will be incorporated into a knowledge base and discussed globally with stakeholders to foster evidence-based, context-specific decision-making.

Inclusive business models and financing strategies

• Three partnerships to co-develop agroecological business models have been forged.
  In Peru, the NGO Terra Nuova is raising awareness of Amazonian products, strengthening farmer organizations, and helping local businesses adopt agroecology principles.
• In Tunisia, the private seed society COTUGRAIN and National Agricultural Research Institute of Tunisia (INRAT) are increasing the supply of forage mixtures for small ruminants.
• In Zimbabwe, business models focus on sorghum contract farming and brooding SASSO chickens.

Strengthening the policy and institutional enabling environment

Opportunities were identified to strengthen policies and institutions.

• In Kenya, the Initiative is helping formulate policy recommendations for agroecology transitions at the regional level and helping draft a national agroecology strategy.
• In Tunisia, it participated in policy dialogues around an enhanced feed and forages strategy.
• In Burkina Faso, participatory stakeholder mapping prompted inclusion of more organizations in the dairy innovation platform.
• In Peru, collaboration with regional government and local partners supported a
  Strategic Plan for the Promotion of Biotrade.

Understanding and influencing agency and behavior change

• The Initiative significantly improved the knowledge base on behavior change.
• Five countries (Burkina Faso, Peru, Kenya, Tunisia, and Zimbabwe) have undertaken substantial research to identify actor-specific changes as well as their enablers and barriers, leading to the establishment of trials for the development of strategies and action plans that can foster behavior change, using the co-designed ACT framework.
• Research and support on gender, youth, and social inclusion (GEYSI) were strengthened.