CIAT Policy Brief Series
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/35707
Browse
Recent Submissions
Item Reducing climate-induced heat stress in pigs in Uganda: Policy actions(Brief, 2020-09) Mutua, John Y.; Zaake, Paul; Notenbaert, An Maria Omer; Paul, Birthe K.Pig farming is important for income generation and nutrition for a large population in Uganda, with 4.2 million pigs being kept in 2017. However, future projections indicate that domestic pork production will not be sufficient to meet the increasing demand. This situation is likely to be aggravated by climate-induced heat stress. Analysis of mhistorical climate data and simulation of future periods predicts a gradual shift towards more severe heat stress conditions experienced in most parts of the country. Animals experience heat stress when subjected to a series of conditions where the animal’s body is overheating. Pigs are more vulnerable to heat stress because they do not have functioning sweat glands. Heat stress distorts the pigs’ feed intake, growth and reproduction and makes pigs vulnerable to diseases. This, in turn, brings economic losses. In Uganda, smallholder pig production systems -which are the majority- are transitioning towards market-oriented models. However, to remain sustainable, adaptation of these systems to heat stress should be a priority. This policy brief synthesizes research findings on heat stress in pigs in Uganda, reviews proven interventions elsewhere, and concludes with evidence-based policy recommendations. Recommended policy options include prioritization of coordinated national & local level policy making and implementation, promoting heat stress coping and adaptation measures at farm level, action plans at various value chain stages, close research-policy cooperation and information sharing, and action and investment by donors and development organizations. If agricultural extension, policymakers and planners, and development donors and organizations leverage these options, pig farmers will be able to cope, adapt and mitigate heat stress in pigs and the pig production sector in Uganda will become more resilient.Item Indicators for gender equality and the empowerment of women: from concept to practice(Brief, 2020-11) Chavarro, Mónica Juliana; Moreno, Manuel; Muriel, Juliana; Twyman, JenniferNowadays, there is a great interest in incorporating gender into agricultural development projects. However, its incorporation does not ensure the reduction of inequalities, because the theoretical concepts of gender, empowerment, and equality are not always defined or articulated with their implementation in practice. The lack of articulation between the concept of gender and its application in different projects results in a formulation and implementation that are weak in terms of operationalization, making it difficult to: capture the full range of dimensions considered by empowerment and gender equality; design and implement actions in favor of women; reduce the inequalities between men and women; and contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal number 5 “Gender Equality”. The lack of guidelines on how to connect the concepts of gender equality and/or women’s empowerment with practice unveils the need to know what indicators to use or adapt (and how to adapt them) to measure the concepts related to gender. This is why, through a systematic review of literature, in this study, we seek to show evidence of the ways in which the concepts of gender have been operationalized by agricultural development projects in Latin America, with the purpose of approaching the discussion on the need of methodological guidelines to apply gender analysis.Item Indicadores de género y empoderamiento de la mujer en la agricultura: del concepto a la práctica(Brief, 2020-11) Chavarro, Mónica Juliana; Moreno, Manuel; Muriel, Juliana; Twyman, JenniferHoy en día, hay un gran interés por la incorporación de género en los proyectos de desarrollo en agricultura. Sin embargo, su incorporación no asegura la reducción de las desigualdades, puesto que las concepciones teóricas de género, empoderamiento e igualdad no siempre están definidas o articuladas con sus implementaciones en la práctica. Esta desarticulación entre la conceptualización de género y su aplicación en los diferentes proyectos, resulta en una formulación y ejecución de proyectos que es débil en su forma de operativizar y que, por lo tanto, tiene dificultades para: captar la totalidad de las dimensiones contempladas por el empoderamiento y la igualdad de género; diseñar e implementar acciones en pro de las mujeres; reducir desigualdades entre hombres y mujeres; y contribuir al logro del Objetivo de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) número 5 “Igualdad de Género”. La carencia de pautas sobre cómo conectar los conceptos de igualdad de género y/o empoderamiento de las mujeres con la práctica, revela una necesidad de saber qué indicadores usar o adaptar (y cómo adaptarlos) para medir los conceptos relacionados a género. Es por esto que, a través de una revisión sistemática de literatura, en este estudio, buscamos presentar evidencia de las formas de operativizar los conceptos de género que han sido usadas en proyectos de desarrollo en agricultura en América Latina, con el fin de acercarnos a la discusión sobre la necesidad de lineamientos metodológicos para aplicar el análisis de género.Item Crop and soil organic matter simulation models – A brief review of their basic features and application in sub-Saharan Africa(Brief, 2019) Nyawira, Sylvia SarahOver the past decades, numerous crop-soil models have been developed to represent dynamic processes in cropland systems, including soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics (Campbell and Paustian, 2015). These models use mathematical equations that determine carbon allocation in the vegetation and biomass and soils to represent biogeochemical processes, such as photosynthesis, respiration and decomposition. Furthermore, a range of crop management practices are represented in most of the models, enabling an assessment of their impacts on SOC in agricultural systems. Although models were initially developed for research purposes, they are increasingly becoming important in many aspects of environmental policies (Manlay et al., 2007). Extensively tested models provide effective tools that can be used in identifying sustainable land management practices across different agroecological conditions. Compared to field experiments, which are time and resource consuming, models are more effective for making predictions and understanding crop and SOC dynamics on large scales and different time scales. However, the choice of the model depends on the ability of the model to simulate key processes in the region of interest. We conducted a survey to identify the features of the commonly used crop-soil models in order to inform the choices for application in sub-Saharan Africa. The survey was administered online to the model developers. In addition, we also conducted a literature search to assess the usage of the different models in different parts of sub-Saharan. In this brief, we provide a basic summary of the information from the survey and literature review.Item Carbon footprint and climate risk of most consumed food products in Cali, Colombia Methodological development of a decision support tool(Brief, 2019) Gerbal, LisaCali, home to nearly 2 million of inhabitants, is growing, and with it the impacts of its urban population on the environment through the high demand and use of food , water, and energy. Changing climate is also threatening the provision of food and the food systems in general. In this context, CIAT’s Sustainable Food Systems (SFS) research program aims to develop tools and methods to better analyze the interactions between food systems, human health and ecological systems. This study aimed at developing a methodological approach to better assess, understand, and use information on environmental sustainability and resilience of highly consumed products in a city. A combined methodology was used to simultaneously assess the impacts of food on the environment (Carbon footprint ) and the impacts of projected changes i n climate patterns on the suitability for food crops production, for the top five food products consumed in Cali , department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia.Item The CDR Nexus: Convergence of Climate Change Adaptation, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Land Restoration in Kajiado, Kitui, and Makueni Counties, Kenya(Brief, 2019) Nijbroek, Ravic; Smucker, Thomas; Oulu, MartinExperts have been calling for the integration of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction into local administrative units for decades. With the emergence of an international land restoration agenda, a growing interest exists to understand how landscape restoration can increase local resilience while catalyzing the integration of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. This project explores the interconnections and potential for achieving greater synergies among these three agendas, which we refer to as the CDR nexus. Kenya has committed to restore 5.1 million hectares of land under the AFR100 initiative (see box on page 2). One challenge for achieving this is that the country has a devolved system of government in which many CDR functions are implemented by 47 different subnational county administrations. Although general agreement exists that actions to achieve the goals of these policy areas should converge, some institutional barriers need to be overcome. For example, climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and land restoration initiatives are often situated in different ministries and departments. In addition, county administrative borders do not follow landscape or hydrologic boundaries that are ideal for land restoration planning. Sustainable financing is another concern. Although there is a growing call to “unlock” private investments for land restoration, merging a profit orientation with the social nature of development is not always easy. Therefore, developing institutional frameworks to guide these new activities toward county land restoration objectives is critical.Item Perceptions on climate change in Colombia: Evidence from higher education students(Brief, 2019) Díaz, Manuel F.; Sellitti, Stefania; Ruzzante, Matteo; Charry, Andrés; Enciso, Karen; Burkart, StefanItem Percepciones sobre el cambio climático en Colombia: Evidencia en los estudiantes de educación superior(Brief, 2019) Díaz, Manuel F.; Sellitti, Stefania; Ruzzante, Matteo; Charry, Andrés; Enciso, Karen; Burkart, StefanItem Perceptions on climate change in Nicaragua: Evidence from higher education students(Brief, 2019) Díaz, Manuel F.; Sellitti, Stefania; Ruzzante, Matteo; Charry, Andrés; Enciso, Karen; Burkart, StefanItem Percepciones sobre el cambio climático en Nicaragua: Evidencia en los estudiantes de educación superior(Brief, 2019) Díaz, Manuel F.; Sellitti, Stefania; Ruzzante, Matteo; Charry, Andrés; Enciso, Karen; Burkart, StefanItem Evolution of Public Policies Related to the Cattle and Dairy Sector in Colombia: Tension between tradition and modernity(Brief, 2019) Díaz, Manuel Francisco; Burkart, StefanItem Evolución de las políticas públicas para la ganadería bovina en Colombia: Tensión entre tradición y modernidad(Brief, 2019) Díaz, Manuel Francisco; Burkart, StefanItem Understanding intra-household decision-making processes for agri-cultural development projects(Brief, 2018-12) Twyman, Jennifer; Arora, Diksha; Muriel, Juliana; Acosta, MariolaItem Kenya: Siaya county policy brief on land degradation(Brief, 2018) Kizito, Fred; Tamene, Lulseged D.; Koech, Nicholas; Pondi, Brian; Ng'ang'a, KennedyThis policy brief aims to give an overview of land degradation hotspots in Siaya County and the policy options for land restoration. In this assessment, land degradation is referred to as the persistent loss of ecosystem function and productivity caused by disturbances from which the land cannot recover without human intervention (unaided). Hotspots are defined as places that experience high land degradation and if left unattended, will negatively affect both human wellbeing and the environment. The spatial location of hotspots was identified through a methodology combining modeling, participatory stakeholder consultations and field validation. Understanding the spatial locations helps identify hotspot areas and target them as priority intervention sites with relevant management options. This county policy brief is complemented by detailed National comprehensive assessment report which can be accessed at this link https://cgspace.cgiar.org/handle/10568/97165Item Burkina Faso: Tuy department policy brief on land degradation(Brief, 2018) Kizito, Fred; Tamene, Lulseged D.; Koech, Nicholas; Pondi, Brian; Ng'ang'a, KennedyThis policy brief aims to give an overview of land degradation hotspots in Tuy Department and the policy options for land restoration. In this assessment, land degradation is referred to as the persistent loss of ecosystem function and productivity caused by disturbances from which the land cannot recover without human intervention (unaided). Hotspots are defined as places that experience high land degradation and if left unattended, will negatively affect both human wellbeing and the environment. The spatial location of hotspots was identified through a methodology combining modeling, participatory stakeholder consultations and field validation. Understanding the spatial locations helps identify hotspot areas and target them as priority intervention sites with relevant management options. This county policy brief is complemented by detailed National comprehensive assessment report which can be accessed at this link: https://cgspace.cgiar.org/handle/10568/97165Item Policy brief: Land degradation in Kenya(Brief, 2018) Kizito, Fred; Tamene, Lulseged D.; Koech, Nicholas; Pondi, Brian; Ng'ang'a, KennedyThis policy brief aims to give an overview of land degradation hotspots in Kenya and the policy options for land restoration. In this assessment, land degradation is referred to as the persistent loss of ecosystem function and productivity caused by disturbances from which the land cannot recover without human intervention (unaided). Hotspots are defined as places that experience high land degradation and if left unattended, will negatively affect both human wellbeing and the environment. The spatial location of hotspots was identified through a methodology combining modelling and field validation. Understanding the spatial locations helps identify hotspot areas and target them as priority intervention sites for restoration with relevant management options. This national level policy brief is complemented by three other detailed policy briefs focusing on the counties of Bungoma, Siaya, and Kakamega. In addition, this policy brief is supported by a detailed comprehensive assessment report which can be accessed at this link: https://cgspace.cgiar.org/handle/10568/97165Item Kenya: Kakamega county policy brief on land degradation(Brief, 2018) Kizito, Fred; Tamene, Lulseged D.; Koech, Nicholas; Pondi, Brian; Ng'ang'a, KennedyThis policy brief aims to give an overview of land degradation hotspots in Kakamega County and the policy options for land restoration. In this assessment, land degradation is referred to as the persistent loss of ecosystem function and productivity caused by disturbances from which the land cannot recover without human intervention (unaided). Hotspots are defined as places that experience high land degradation and if left unattended, will negatively affect both human wellbeing and the environment. The spatial location of hotspots was identified through a methodology combining modeling, participatory stakeholder consultations and field validation. Understanding the spatial locations helps identify hotspot areas and target them as priority intervention sites with relevant management options. This county policy brief is complemented by detailed National comprehensive assessment report which can be accessed at this link: https://cgspace.cgiar.org/handle/10568/97165Item Burkina Faso: Houet department policy brief on land degradation(Brief, 2018) Kizito, Fred; Tamene, Lulseged D.; Koech, Nicholas; Pondi, Brian; Ng'ang'a, KennedyThis policy brief aims to give an overview of land degradation hotspots in Houet Department and the policy options for land restoration. In this assessment, land degradation is referred to as the persistent loss of ecosystem function and productivity caused by disturbances from which the land cannot recover without human intervention (unaided). Hotspots are defined as places that experience high land degradation and if left unattended, will negatively affect both human wellbeing and the environment. The spatial location of hotspots was identified through a methodology combining modeling, participatory stakeholder consultations and field validation. Understanding the spatial locations helps identify hotspot areas and target them as priority intervention sites with relevant management options. This county policy brief is complemented by detailed National comprehensive assessment report which can be accessed at this link https://cgspace.cgiar.org/handle/10568/97165Item Policy brief: Land degradation In Burkina Faso(Brief, 2018) Kizito, Fred; Tamene, Lulseged D.; Koech, Nicholas; Pondi, Brian; Ng'ang'a, KennedyThis policy brief aims to give an overview of land degradation hotspots in Burkina Faso and the policy options for land restoration. In this assessment, land degradation is referred to as the persistent loss of ecosystem function and productivity caused by disturbances from which the land cannot recover without human intervention (unaided). Hotspots are defined as places that experience high land degradation and if left unattended, will negatively affect both human wellbeing and the environment. The spatial location of hotspots was identified through a methodology combining modelling and field validation. Understanding the spatial locations helps identify hotspot areas and target them as priority intervention sites with relevant management options. This national level policy brief is complemented by two other detailed policy briefs focusing on the departments of Houet and Tuy. In addition, this policy brief is supported by a detailed comprehensive assessment report which can be accessed at this link https://cgspace.cgiar.org/handle/10568/97165Item Kenya: Bungoma country policy brief on land degradation(Brief, 2018) Kizito, Fred; Tamene, Lulseged D.; Koech, Nicholas; Pondi, Brian; Ng'ang'a, KennedyThis policy brief aims to give an overview of land degradation hotspots in Bungoma County and the policy options for land restoration. In this assessment, land degradation is referred to as the persistent loss of ecosystem function and productivity caused by disturbances from which the land cannot recover without human intervention (unaided). Hotspots are defined as places that experience high land degradation and if left unattended, will negatively affect both human wellbeing and the environment. The spatial location of hotspots was identified through a methodology combining modeling, participatory stakeholder consultations and field validation. Understanding the spatial locations helps identify hotspot areas and target them as priority intervention sites with relevant management options. This county policy brief is complemented by detailed National comprehensive assessment report which can be accessed at this link: https://cgspace.cgiar.org/handle/10568/97165