CSVs….Purpose, focus, scale, and more….

Julian Gonsalves

FP 1.3 partner (IIRR ,ICRAF)

Why CCAFS? Why CSVs? Why Scientists and local Communities are pivotal in the CSV campaign of CCAFS ? CSVs generate practical adaptation options to improve food security , nutrition and resilience

• CSVs are primarily focal points for LOCATION specific research

• CVS focus on climate change hotspots • Multiple CSV sites representing different agro

ecologies, different climate risks etc(diversity is useful for comparison, extrapolation, climate analogue )

• CSV provides a platform for deriving technological, social , institutional and policy innovations ..characterized by the focus on gender and participatory research

• CSV help develop solutions in anticipation of climate change impacts ( no regrets)

CSVs within small landscapes ? ? Climate ,Environment , Ecosytem elements interact with farms and local communities ( a small landscape or micro water shed orientation) Natural resource boundries are important due to ecosystem influences on climate, adaptation ,resilience building objectives Sometimes collective action on wider scale is implied in successful adaptation( eg no burning of rice straw)

CSVs are “lighthouses” to show where communities test and develop and adopt on a scale that matters ( otherwise we are back to doing on-farm research) CSV provide platforms for multi stakeholder participation-integrating mechanisms, collaborative work in targeted , delineated geographic –agro ecological areas-( “territories ” or “small landscapes”

CSVs provide a platform for researchers, farmers and local stakeholders to engage in participatory research (community based) CSVs promote local adaptation and builds local adaptation capacities ( this sets CSVs apart from conventional on farm trials CSVs are also about generating R and D methodological innovations

CSVs are unique in that they provide space for the testing of shortlisted options ( derived from on station-research, local indigenous technical knowledge etc) eventually leading to prioritization of the best options for particular geographic areas

The integrity of the CSV as a research unit , as an action research site should not be compromised …otherwise its emphasis on generating local evidence is lost

• Scalable ideas (outputs) • Evidence generated in a real-life setting • Solutions are unique to representative

areas • Have demonstrated potential to address

climate risks

The reality : CSVs are also being used as conduits for scaling out CSA (even without a research agenda) Expansion is inevitable (Haryana govt from 28 to 500 CSV scenario) ..So view CSVs ) as scaling out modalities as well… Delivering outcomes on scale BUT Important that CSV proponent clarify the role and purpose of doing CSVs and their scope

Scaling up of CSA are directed towards landscapes., sub national units CCAFs S E Asia approach of 10 km by 10 km grid allows for a focus on CSV(s) and its associated landscapes/ecosystems This can cover both natural resource and administrative boundries that govt targets its resources too

The question of scale must be understood in the context of what is driving the need for CSV

REMINDER 1 Adaptation research characterized by CSVs helps build and nuture local capacities at different levels, to continue to innovate, experiment, and adapt…often incremental adaptation is implied Communities which have had successful community level adaptation management experience are likely to adapt better to future change

REMINDER 2 In a CSV, ultimately we need to ask ourselves whose needs are being addressed? Reduced poverty, improved livelihoods, better nutrition (and more research papers as side benefit)