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Objectives:

Review current, and identify alternative strategies for scaling up pro-poor research in HSPS, in order to accelerate and increase positive affects at farm and landscape levels, and to speed up the learning process among different stakeholders, from past and present experiences in scaling up.

Background:

A key criticism, from a livelihoods perspective, of the conventional approach to technology dissemination (transfer-of-technology) is its failure to reach the poor. Success has often been restricted to Green Revolution technologies that best fit the needs of better-off and resource-privileged farmers. Technologies have also often failed to address gender-specific needs, usually ignoring the involvement of women. Where interventions have been successful and sustainable, poverty alleviation has generally been restricted to relatively small numbers of farmers. This project will identify successful strategies for up-scaling technology, with an emphasis on methods that work for the poor. Natural Resources Systems Programme (NRSP) has largely contributed in the past to the development of technological innovations, focussing on soil and water conservation measures in Hillsides Production Systems (HSPS). There has been particular emphasis on resource poor farmers in fragile environments (eg: Bolivia (R6621, R6382, R6638, R6447), Nepal (R6757, R6447), Uganda (R6447), Honduras (R5681) and Sri Lanka (R6525) has focussed on soil conservation, productivity and cover crops). In order to make a significant contribution to poverty reduction and the improvement of livelihoods, the use of these technologies by target farmers has to be accelerated and scaled-up, an aspect that has conventionally been treated in isolation from the research process itself. This review will involve systematisation and analysis of existing scaling-up research strategies, drawing on the experiences of practitioners and the literature, and will facilitate identification of improved scaling-up strategies for natural resource management. Adoption of improved scaling-up strategies will reduce the time lag between technology generation and its uptake in natural resource management, will increase the availability of technology options and lead to more efficient use of existing natural resources to the benefit of the poor.

Intended Outputs:

Assessment and synthesis of strategies for scaling-up field level pilot research.

Identification of successful pro-poor scaling-up strategies in different environments.

Analysis and documentation of lessons learned from existing pro-poor scaling-up strategies.

Alternative scaling-up strategies for different social and physical environments shared and discussed with relevant stakeholders (research and extension institutions, NGO).

Dissemination of final review document and recommendations to wider audience.

Progress and Impact:

The main output is the review document entitled ,Scaling-up strategies for research in natural resource management research,. It contains an analysis of case studies and on-going initiatives related to scaling-up. Based on existing information, it proposes a strategic framework for scaling-up and draws conclusions for researchers and research programme managers.

The literature review showed that there was no logical way of prioritising strategies, given the context specific nature of successful scaling-up. For this reason, a weighted index system for identification of appropriate scaling-up strategies as originally planned was inappropriate.

At a mid-term workshop with various stakeholders (researchers, NGOs) from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe, case studies underwent intial analysis. Some from Bolivia, Uganda and Nepal were then looked at in more detail. The workshop presented an excellent opportunity for information exchange and for ,scaling-up, the findings from the review.

Project Conclusions:

The identification of key strategic elements and the development of a strategic review framework will assist researchers and programme managers in the task of designing and implementing effective scaling-up strategies, aimed at improving the livelihoods of the poor. The 38 participants in the electronic platform and mid-term workshop made a significant contribution to the dissemination of project findings. Key stakeholders from NGO, CGIAR and NARS institutions are now aware of the project activities and many have contributed. The finalised review document and framework were circulated to NRSP hillsides project leaders and a wider peer review process was implemented. Following this, key elements of the review and framework were synthesised and re-packaged in a practical form to all stakeholders.

Associated References:

R7313