Aligning with national needs and strengthening partnerships: Insights from Listening Sessions in South Asia

Listening Sessions with authorities from Policy & Programs, Kathmandu, Nepal

Nepal’s commitment to agricultural advancement

In the heart of South Asia, nestled between towering Himalayan peaks and lush valleys, lies Nepal – a country with a rich agricultural heritage and an enduring partnership with CGIAR. While India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka were the primary focus for CGIAR’s Listening Sessions, Nepal emerged as an optional yet pivotal participant, driven by the passion and dedication of its country convenor, Manohara Khadka.

For over four decades, CGIAR has collaborated closely with the Government of Nepal and other stakeholders including research institutes, civil society and private sector fostering innovation and capacity development in agriculture. This long-standing relationship laid the groundwork for Manohara’s decision to include Nepal in the Listening Sessions. “Nepal has always been a significant partner for CGIAR,” she said. “Our government’s acknowledgment of CGIAR’s contributions to science and innovation made it clear that we needed to seize this opportunity to adopt a consultative and inclusive approach.”

A vision for inclusive dialogue

Manohara’s vision for the Listening Sessions was clear: to move from a top-down approach to one that truly listened to and integrated feedback from stakeholders into CGIAR’s portfolio. “We wanted to ensure our partners and critical stakeholders felt heard and that their feedback was integrated into the design process of the Mega Programs for CGIAR’s next research cycle,” she explained. “Being a Nepali citizen and a CGIAR staff member, I felt a strong accountability to push for this.”

The Nepal Listening Sessions were remarkable because of the diversity of participants, including those unfamiliar with CGIAR. “We invited stakeholders from various sectors, including private sector representatives, policymakers, researchers, and academicians, to the sector-specific session, ensuring 40% representation from women in all our sessions.” Manohara shared. She anticipated that stakeholders might focus solely on their specific areas but was fascinated to see a collective understanding of the critical themes. Stakeholders also realized the importance of inclusivity in science, spanning social, biophysical, and natural sciences. They recognized the interrelated roles of government, public, private sectors, and communities in research processes. “We need to work in an integrated manner with big programming,” said Manohara, emphasizing the stakeholders’ suggestion for CGIAR to establish processes where all centers collaborate to support Nepal’s government priorities.

Key insights from Nepal

The sessions brought forth critical discussions on sustainable water management and the need for a nexus approach in addressing food security. “The role of water in agriculture and the need for a nexus approach was a recurring theme,” Manohara noted. “This collective approach should be a focus in our new portfolio design process.”

Stakeholders appreciated the informal roundtable discussions, which fostered a sense of connection and mutual learning. “We never had meetings together with the water sector before,” remarked one agriculture researcher, highlighting the novelty and importance of these integrated conversations.

From Nepal to South Asia: collective insights and emerging themes

As the Listening Sessions unfolded across South Asia, each country added its unique perspectives and experiences, weaving a richer tapestry of shared knowledge and goals. The region piloted and expanded range of stakeholders, ensuring that an even more comprehensive array of perspectives was considered.

Listening Sessions in Dhaka, Bangladesh

A special focus was given to inclusivity in Bangladesh, with a “women-only’ sessions that brought to light the unique challenges and opportunities faced by women in agriculture, scientific research and leadership. This session, in particular, was crucial in bringing forward perspectives that are often underrepresented. “We need these types of spaces to support each other in our research journeys,” said one participant.

In Bangladesh Listening Sessions, stakeholders expressed a desire for ongoing dialogue, recognizing that sustainable agricultural development requires continuous engagement and adaptation. Tim Krupnik, the Country Convenor for Bangladesh, shared, “The Listening Sessions in Bangladesh were an important first step towards more regular and structured engagement with partners to inform research agendas. They were appreciated widely by stakeholders involved, and we anticipate being able to regularize them in the future and also do more large-scale representative assessments of stakeholders’ demands at the national level to inform CGIAR’s adaptive management of research agendas, performance, and priorities under the future Mega Programs.”

Sessions with Development Partners, Colombo, Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, direct interactions with farmers provided invaluable insights into the on-ground realities and needs. Lal Mutuwatte, the Country Convenor for Sri Lanka, emphasized the role of collaboration and knowledge sharing “Effective collaboration and knowledge sharing are essential for overcoming fragmented approaches in development interventions. CGIAR’s role as a neutral knowledge provider can bridge the gap between government, private sectors, and local stakeholders, facilitating coordinated efforts, advocating for evidence-based policies, and enhancing capacity across sectors. By establishing common platforms and fostering public-private linkages, CGIAR can maximize impact and ensure better utilization of resources for sustainable development.”

Listening Sessions with civil society, Bhubaneswar, India

Sreenath Dixit, the Country Convenor for India, emphasized the scale and significance of the initiative:

“For the first time, CGIAR undertook a large-scale initiative to collect feedback from stakeholders through structured and candid conversations. This methodical approach provided valuable insights into several positive aspects recognized by stakeholders, who highly appreciated the effort and acknowledged CGIAR as a global player capable of addressing critical issues in agri-food systems in India, particularly in the context of climate change. This initiative not only highlighted what is working well but also provided a comprehensive perspective on areas needing improvement, thereby guiding our strategic direction with clarity and focus.”

The Listening Sessions across South Asia painted a vivid picture of the region’s agricultural landscape. Each country, while unique in context, contributed to the common narrative of collaboration and impact. The discussions highlighted collective challenges and the transformative potential of strategic partnerships, emphasizing the importance of integrated efforts across the region.

Temina Lalani-Shariff, Regional Director of South Asia, highlighted the profound impact of the sessions: “Each session revealed unique insights that significantly enriched our strategic outlook. Surprisingly, from such diverse contexts in each country, we saw really coherent messages emerge, helping us identify common themes across South Asia. This detailed feedback is not just shaping a more inclusive and effective research agenda; it is laying the foundation for transformative partnerships that will drive agricultural innovation and sustainability across the region. The engagement, passion, and commitment demonstrated by all stakeholders during these sessions have been truly inspiring, and they underscore the importance of a collaborative approach to address the pressing challenges of our time.”

Emerging Themes from South Asia Listening Sessions

Strategic Partnerships and Integrated Efforts: Highlighting the importance of multi-faceted collaborations among diverse stakeholders to enhance agricultural outcomes.

Empowerment through Education and Technology: Focusing on building local capacities and spreading knowledge to harness the full potential of communities and technologies in agriculture.

Research Innovation and Technology Deployment: Emphasizing the critical role of targeted research and the adoption of new technologies to drive agricultural innovation and productivity.

Future directions and continued engagement

The success of Listening Sessions in South Asia underscores the power of listening, collaboration, and shared vision in driving demand responsive agricultural development. As we move forward, the insights from these sessions are playing a crucial role in shaping our next research portfolio to ensure that it is not only scientifically robust but also culturally and contextually relevant.