Research for Development ImpactLessons, Tools, and Successes

Alain Vidal, former CPWF DirectorCGIAR Consortium

IFAD’s grant to CPWFKey achievements

Introductions first: a democratic warm-up…A short history of CPWFGrant achievements Demonstrated pro-poor impact Linking research and development

Lessons learnt

Warm-up debating points…Improved agricultural water productivity will necessarily yield enhanced food securityWhen dealing with agricultural water, the main development issues are still more technical than institutionalDevelopmental impact is more easily achieved through uptake from well-trained research beneficiaries than by long-term engagement with a broad range of partners

Niger

Water, food and poverty analyzed in 10 basins

1.5 billion people50% of the poorest < 1€/j

CPWF in Phase 2 (2009-14)

CPWF – an experiment to test new R4D approaches on water and food

Food security now central to global debates - ahead of natural resourcesand sometimes ahead of poverty) Food security to a large extent misinterpreted and causes for food insecurity misunderstood Food security about equitable access and distribution

more than about income (Amartya Sen) plus provision of ecosystem services

Agricultural productivity does not always ensure food security

Source: World Bank, FAO

Why a challenge program ?

CPWF challenged the accepted discourse on water’s role in

development the way research addresses water issues

CPWF explored Successful technical and institutional innovations (outcomes)

resulting into increases in household income and food security for the poor (impact)

How policy dialogues (engagement) help generate outcomes from research and eventually impact for the poor

Are you still with us ?

Key achievementsDemonstrated pro-poor impact

CPWF has shown how improved water access and management improve people’s wealth - food, income and much moreBut only through enhanced capacity and empowerment Key to help people achieve

food security

Local innovation and economic growth in Vietnam

Diversification supporting economic growth

12

Before After

Growth rate of Bac Lieu province (2004 – 2006) 15.7%/yearIncome of rice-shrimp system: ca. US$ 2,150/ha/year

Impact on farmers’ income

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

96 98 00 01 02 03 060

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

96 98 00 01 02 03 06

Average Poor

Ninh Thanh Loi Ninh Hoa

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

96 98 00 01 02 03 06

Average

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

96 98 00 01 02 03 06

Very poor

Minh Dieu

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

96 98 00 01 02 03 06

Average

0

50

100

150

200

96 98 00 01 02 03 06

Poor

Triggers for change

14

S

S

Social conflicts between brackish (shrimp) and freshwater (rice) environments

Higher incomeUS$2,150 /ha8700 farmers adopted innovation

Reduced pollution

Low income< US$ 1,500/haPolluted aquatic

environment

Improved locally-responsive zoning together with sluice gate management

Demonstrated pro-poor impactWhat is on the menu this week ?

CPWF Research-into-Use projects: Community-Based Fish Culture in

Bangladesh Companion Modeling in Laos Integrated termite management in Uganda Shallow ground water irrigation in the Volta

IFAD-funded innovation fund projects Study tour between Cambodia and Laos Participatory video in the Nile

Key achievementsLinking research and development

CPWF developed a series of tools and approaches that have potential to facilitate positive development impacts (More on repackaging in next session)CPWF tried, tested, and proved better ways for linking research to development (relatively short and cheap) 65% of survey respondents considered

CPWF events and materials to be overall more accessible, applicable, relevant and timely than other research

Lessons learnt for CPWF and IFAD

Institutional learningsLinking R to D requires strong institutional set-up, strong personal relationships, building on existing networks and dynamics, and incentive Connecting research to a specific audience requires tailoring and repackaging, in an iterative process and several times, maintaining networks and close relationships Both are time intense, require context knowledge and diplomatic skills

How can IFAD benefit ?Huge potential from better understanding of and engagement with CGIAR R4D Shared values and objectives IFAD’s broad set of in-house technical skills

Mechanism to bring in CGIAR expertise more systematically, especially in countries where both institutions are focusing their efforts

Future investments should…Build upon and support working « baskets of smart moves »Focus on institutional capacity to address poverty and food security, even where water is perceived as the main constraint or driver