ABACO : targeting innovations to combat soil degradation and food insecurity in semi-arid Africa

Objectives

Multi-actor innovation platforms can be defined as networks intended to strengthen interactions between actors in order to facilitate change that enables innovation.

In this project, the platforms act at local level and involve farmers, NGOs, representatives of local institutions, and researchers, in all the steps of a participatory research process. The platforms are expected to foster (1) awareness about climate change impact on farm production (2) co-design of CSA options adapted to local needs and diversity of farming systems and (3) institutional and organizational changes by facilitating linkages among stakeholders who were not previously well connected in order to support a process of adoption of the designed CSA options.

Three main research questions are explored:

• To identify the most efficient, effective, and equitable structure for innovation platforms dedicated to mainstreaming climate smart agriculture in Honduras and Colombia.
• To strengthen or initiate a process of adoption of CSA options at the local level through a participatory process that includes collectively designing innovative practices taking into account local practices and knowledge
• Conduct ex-ante and ex-post assessments of CSA options, and identify changes needed to local institutions to support adoption.