Why the influence of agricultural policy research is probably greater than we think

It is commonly understood that agricultural and food security policy research can influence policy only through direct engagement with policy makers. Another common view is that good policy analysis must be “demand driven” and follow these measurable steps:

1. engage with policy makers to learn what their priority policy challenges are;
2. researchers respond to policy makers’ priority issues and undertake “demand led” analysis to address them;
3. research findings feed into policy engagement activities, providing new information that policy makers would consider, discuss with other policy analysts and stakeholders, which eventually leads to…..
4. policy impact!

Some demand-led research has indeed generated policy impact in this way – and it serves an important purpose.

But arguably, agricultural and food security policy research that has had the greatest influence on policies did not follow this linear approach at all… READ MORE>>