PR | IFPRI3; CRP2; Capacity Strengthening; F Strengthening institutions and governance | DSGD; DGO; PIM | CGIAR Research Program on Policies, Institutions, and Markets (PIM)

Evidence-based policy-making has become a critical aspect of development strategy in developing countries. Yet the assumption that policymakers will automatically use available evidence may not be valid in all contexts. To influence positive policy change requires an understanding of the unique policy process and drivers of policy change in the context of a particular country and sector. Strengthening the capacity of key agricultural policy stakeholders can facilitate evidence-informed policy-making. This article documents an approach to strengthening the capacity of parliamentarians in Ghana. It attempts to measure to what extent such investments could lead to informed policy-making to promote poverty reduction. Lessons are drawn from a group of Ghanaian parliamentarians following an exposure and learning visit to India.

This article puts forward a method for the analysis of constraints faced by developing countries’ smallholder producers. It is consistent with theories of constraints, efficient in terms of cost and researchers’ time, and accessible to a non-technical audience. A hybrid of workshop discussion and individual data collection, it also draws on data and analyses available in most developing countries. The article presents an application to smallholder livestock systems in Tanzania and Uganda, reporting results and analysis relating constraints to households’ characteristics and conditions, and their stated goals. While limitations are identified, it is proposed for application in other development fields.

This article puts forward a method for the analysis of constraints faced by developing countries’ smallholder producers. It is consistent with theories of constraints, efficient in terms of cost and researchers’ time, and accessible to a non-technical audience. A hybrid of workshop discussion and individual data collection, it also draws on data and analyses available in most developing countries. The article presents an application to smallholder livestock systems in Tanzania and Uganda, reporting results and analysis relating constraints to households’ characteristics and conditions, and their stated goals. While limitations are identified, it is proposed for application in other development fields.

Studies show that women are more likely to own small, rather than, large livestock. This study sought to establish gendered preference for different livestock species while focusing on the gendered differences in ownership, management, and marketing of goats in Meru, Kenya. Men demonstrated a higher preference for cattle than women, who had a higher preference for poultry than men. Men and women preferred goats equally, but women derived and managed more income from goats than men. Development projects should apply a gender lens before introducing different livestock species as gender differences exist in the preference and the management of different livestock.

Studies show that women are more likely to own small, rather than, large livestock. This study sought to establish gendered preference for different livestock species while focusing on the gendered differences in ownership, management, and marketing of goats in Meru, Kenya. Men demonstrated a higher preference for cattle than women, who had a higher preference for poultry than men. Men and women preferred goats equally, but women derived and managed more income from goats than men. Development projects should apply a gender lens before introducing different livestock species as gender differences exist in the preference and the management of different livestock.

Farmer-to-farmer extension (FFE) is playing a complementary role to formal extension services in facilitating the spread of agricultural technologies and improving farmers’ capacities. The effectiveness and sustainability of such programmes depend on volunteer farmer trainers (VFTs) having technical skills and overcoming process-related challenges that hinder them from achieving the desired outcomes. This article uses quantitative and qualitative data collected from seven sites to explore the challenges experienced by VFTs as they share their knowledge on livestock feed innovations in a dairy development project in Kenya. Sustainable opportunities for enhancing VFTs’ performance are discussed.

The article presents the commercial behaviour and its determinants of smallholder farmers in wheat seed use, and its implication for seed demand assessment, based on primary data from 524 wheat farmers in the major wheat growing areas covering 22 woredas in 11 zones in the Amhara, Oromiya, SNNP, and Tigray regions of Ethiopia. Although 69% of farmers use improved varieties, the overwhelming majority use seed from informal sources: own saved seed (52%) or purchased seed from local sources (32%). The article documents the distribution of wheat growers into different wheat seed market positions (autarkic, buying, or selling), and identifies the key determinants of these market behaviours. The results can serve as a guide in assessing the wheat seed demand from the formal sector at a national level. Cet article présente le comportement commercial des petits exploitants agricoles, et ses déterminants, dans l'utilisation des semences de blé, ainsi que ses implications pour l'évaluation de la demande de semences, sur la base de données primaires provenant de 524 cultivateurs de blé situés dans les principales zones de culture du blé, couvrant 22 woredas (districts) dans 11 zones des régions éthiopiennes suivantes : Amhara, Oromiya, SNNP et Tigray. Bien que 69% des agriculteurs utilisent des variétés améliorées, la très grande majorité utilise des semences provenant de sources informelles : leurs propres semences mises de côté (52%) ou semences achetées à des sources locales (32%). Cet article documente la distribution des cultivateurs du blé parmi différentes positions sur le marché des semences de blé (autarciques, acheteurs, vendeurs) et identifie les déterminants clés de ces comportements relatifs au marché. Les résultats peuvent servir de guide au moment d'évaluer la demande de semences de blé auprès du secteur formel au niveau national. El presente artículo examina el comportamiento comercial y los determinantes del uso de semilla de trigo entre los pequeños productores, así como sus consecuencias en términos de la valoración de la demanda de semilla. Partiendo de estos objetivos, este estudio se apoyó en datos primarios proporcionados por 524 productores de trigo, ubicados en las mayores áreas de producción del mismo, las cuales abarcan 22 woredas (distritos) en 11 zonas de las regiones de Amhara, Oromiya, snnp y Tigray en Etiopía. Si bien el 69% de los productores utiliza variedades mejoradas, la abrumadora mayoría emplea semillas procedentes de fuentes informales, a saber: sus propias semillas guardadas (52%), o semillas compradas a fuentes locales (32%). El artículo documenta la distribución de dichos productores según su relación con el mercado de semillas de trigo (autárquico, comprador, vendedor), identificando los principales determinantes de tales comportamientos comerciales. Los resultados podrán utilizarse como guía para evaluar la demanda de semilla de trigo en el sector formal a nivel nacional.

The article presents the commercial behaviour and its determinants of smallholder farmers in wheat seed use, and its implication for seed demand assessment, based on primary data from 524 wheat farmers in the major wheat growing areas covering 22 woredas in 11 zones in the Amhara, Oromiya, SNNP, and Tigray regions of Ethiopia. Although 69% of farmers use improved varieties, the overwhelming majority use seed from informal sources: own saved seed (52%) or purchased seed from local sources (32%). The article documents the distribution of wheat growers into different wheat seed market positions (autarkic, buying, or selling), and identifies the key determinants of these market behaviours. The results can serve as a guide in assessing the wheat seed demand from the formal sector at a national level.