Sustainability Indicators for AR

BeginnersPeter ThorneInternational Livestock Research Institute

Science Advisory Group – London 17 July, 2014

What do we need from our indicators?

• SMART = Specific, Measureable, Accurate, Reliable, Time-bound.• But they have to practicable in the context of the Africa RISING

projects.• Reliable means indicators that generate robust evidence that changes

advocated are sustainability neutral / positive.• Time-bound is not just a word. To be practicable, our indicators must

all be measureable over three years.• Probably OK for economic sustainability but robust evidence for

environmental sustainability over three years?• Modeling sustainability?

What dimensions of sustainability should our indicators address (PT)?• Soil OM% (Soil scientists say no as difficult to measure to timescale

but total and active by POXC?).• Major soil nutrients (N, P and K%? Nutrient balances more

measureable).• Soil water holding capacity (linked to Soil C and erosion).• Run off (potential?) / erosion losses (based on proxy indicators?).• Ground water recharge potential (irrigated systems).• Pressure on feed resources (livestock density as a proxy for this and

environmental load? Is it comparable across systems?).• Livestock disease incidence.• Market potential / value.• Proportion of population exiting agriculture / outmigration (good or

bad depends on context).

Some further suggestions (IITA team + S. Snapp) …

• Crop and/or livestock product yield gap reduction and yield per season (measurable over three years?).

• Crop and / or livestock product harvested per year.• Key cycles (nutrients including carbon, erosion and water).• Below and above ground biodiversity (measureable over three

years?).• Changes in organic and mineral fertilizer use.• Dietary diversity.• Stability of crop yields (temporal and spatial).• Adoption.• Soil texture -> Soil moisture holding capacity

What next?

• Do the indicators we are talking about fit the bill?• Have we missed any major areas (looks a bit light on social aspects to

me)?• Agree the list of indicators that we will actually measure at our

intervention sites.• Make sure that we have teams in place with the capacity to

implement the measurements.• Agree responsibility for the collection, collation and analysis of

indicator data.

Africa Research in Sustainable Intensification for the Next Generation

africa-rising.net

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