Supporting development processes through livestock innovation systems research

Ann Waters-Bayer (ETC Foundation) and Wolfgang Bayer (Agrecol Association)

Tropentag 2014: Bridging the gap between increasing knowledge and decreasing resources, Prague, 17−19 September

2014

ILCA started with livestock systems research (LSR)

1972 Tribe report: role of new research centre ILCA

• Integrate sociological, economic & biological research & development related to livestock in Africa

• Study existing livestock systems to understand why people do what they do

• Examine responses of traditional systems to development interventions

• Test potential improvements to see what worked and how livestock-keepers adapted the ideas

• Research in smallholders’ reality

LSR: an approach that needed to mature

At that time:

• More multi- than inter-disciplinary

• Focus on production (less on processing and marketing)

• Focus on biological and technical aspects (less on sociopolitical and institutional)

ILCA results relevant for development

• Explanation of rationale behind existing practices helped to re-orient development

• Research methodology for understanding and improving existing livestock systems

• Key contextual information on livestock systems in different ecological zones in Africa

• Overviews of specific aspects of livestock systems central not to Western science but to African farmers, e.g. browse

• Increased capability of researchers to think in systems terms & to see what type of research is relevant for development

Battling a paradigm of linearity, simplification & disciplinarity

Mid-80s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) advice: • Do component research on animal health, nutrition & genetics• Technical opportunities in drylands “too little to warrant a major

research effort” • Focus remaining systems research on mixed crop-livestock farming

Pressure from conventional Science did not allow innovative, complex and challenging LSR to mature

Social scientists – except economists – dropped

Merger ILCA + ILRAD = ILRI: clashing of cultures (upstream vs field-based) meant setback for systems-oriented research

But still some outcomes relevant for livestock systems development

For example:

• Characterisation of indigenous livestock breeds confirmed their value in prevailing systems

• Networks on livestock policy, forage, small ruminants etc helped inform scientists and development practitioners worldwide

Renewed attention to development impact in livestock innovation systems

2002: New era with new Director General• Strong senior management support for work with development

partners with more explicit focus on poverty reduction

• Work in drylands recommenced

• A few more social scientists

• New theme: Enabling Innovation – enhancing adaptive capacity “on the move”

• 2007: Innovation Works Unit set up multi-stakeholder co-learning platforms

Some roles of ILRI in innovation systems research through transdisciplinary partnerships in CRPs

• Developing & testing mechanisms to enhance joint learning & action in livestock-related innovation

• Contributing relevant scientific findings to IPs

• Engaging in place-based participatory research to enhance innovation capacities

• Synthesising lessons for policymakers andengaging in policy dialogue

• Generating information & learning to empower women in livestock innovation

Highlight on …

Policy• Early recognition that

livestock policy important: Policy Unit since 1982

• Influenced policy towards pro-poor development

• Example: Kenyamilk-marketingpolicy to supportinformal sector

Gender• Early recognition of women’s

key roles: most resource-poor livestock-keepers are women

• Ongoing campaign to keep gender issues at forefront of livestock research & development

Some results of ILRI’s innovation systems research

• Improved communication & collaboration leading to better access of smallholders to input & output markets (value chain IPs)

• Enhanced capacity to innovate in forage husbandry in different ecological & institutional settings

• Policy influence related to food safety in milk & meat markets

• Much greater awareness of gender issues and of impact of technologies & policies on women

Conclusions and outlook

ILRI can contribute hugely to improving the livelihoods of poor people by scaling up transdisciplinary research in the midst of development action