Living Lab for Low Emission Food System Transformation in Nandi County

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/175153

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Living Lab for People in Nandi County for Low-emission Food Systems
(Brochure, 2024-12-20) Kibet, Walter; Habermann, Birgit; Kachilei, Levy
We define a Living Lab for People (LL4P) as a space for citizens to co-design, test, demonstrate, and advance socio-technical innovations and associated modes of governance. It is an inclusive platform for citizens, government, civil society, companies, research organizations, to facilitate co-creation, rapid prototyping, or validation. One desirable feature is that the LL4P is physically embedded in an existing organizational structure with an interest in adopting the LL4P as their own in-house innovation cluster or ‘participatory incubator’. In Nandi County, the Kaimosi Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) has been selected as host for the LL4P
The Pathway towards a Living lab for the people (LL4P) in Nandi county Kenya
(Poster, 2024-12-22) Habermann, Birgit; Kibet, Walter; Kachilei, Levy; Mwambi, Diana
Living labs for people in Kenya: Outcomes of participatory action research in Nandi County
(Report, 2024-12) Reyes, Byron; Camilo, Karen
The Low Emission Food Systems Initiative (also known as Mitigate+) focused on three main aspects: reducing food systems (FS) emissions and the predicted consequences of climate change on future generations, sustainable development, and social equity. Through its work, the initiative ensured that civil society, multilateral, government, academic, and private sector actors in its four targeted countries (Colombia, Kenya, China, Viet-Nam) have the knowledge, information, and tools necessary to make robust evidence-based decisions as they confront challenges in FS discourse, policy development, and implementation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) contributions. The initiative aimed to promote inclusive approaches for low-emission FS transformation using a framework denominated Living Labs for People (LL4P). This report focuses on the results of a process evaluation conducted on the LL4P approach, in Kenya. For this, key informants data and secondary data were used. The evaluation allowed us to identify the outcomes that have been achieved as a result of the Initiative, and highlighted that these align perfectly with the conceptualization of a LL4P, as one of the main outcomes was the establishment of the LL4P as a framework that is inclusive, appropriated (co-owned) by stakeholders, and autonomous. Further, the LL4P is fully operational in an autonomous way; it has a board that is inclusive towards gender and youth, and representative of the diverse set of stakeholders in the county; and in 2024, it was able to launch a call for innovations and identify six innovations to receive funding for scaling. The Initiative has contributed by facilitating a space for stakeholders to identify and scale new innovations, using funding that is managed by the LL4P.
Living Labs for People (LL4P): A transdisciplinary approach to facilitating innovation processes from the ground
(Presentation, 2024-12-21) Habermann, Birgit
CGIAR Research Initiative on “Low-emission Food Systems (Mitigate+)” WP3 on Living Labs for People 8 AM –9:30 AM EST, December 9, 2024. Zoom meeting
Results on stakeholder involvement in planning a LL4P in Kenya using net-mapping and Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCM)
(Presentation, 2024-12-09) Kibet, Walter; Habermann, Birgit; Ewell, Hanna; Nehring, Ryan; Kumar, Praveen; Mwambi, Diana; Ngeno, Vincent; Kachilei, Levy
CGIAR Research Initiative on “Low-emission Food Systems (Mitigate+)” WP3 on Living Labs for People 8 AM –9:30 AM EST, December 9, 2024. Zoom meeting
Transformation from the ground: Adaptation pioneers as agents of change through climate-resilient agriculture
(Manual, 2024-12-18) Habermann, Birgit; Gichuki, Leah; Worku, Tigist; Kiptoo, Emmaculate; Crane, Todd A.; DuttaGupta, Tanaya
Adaptation to climate change is neither optional nor hypothetical. It is no longer something that we plan for in the future. The time is here and now. Smallholder farmers and herders the world over know this through their own lived experiences. Acknowledging this fact through transdisciplinary collaboration with a focus on farmer-led innovation (F-LI) for adaptation is a rising priority in the domain of climate change adaptation. However, it is often unclear how exactly to implement this in practice. While much adaptation work starts with analyzing problems and building out from that anchor, there is much to be gained in starting with climate solutions that are already effectively embedded within livelihoods and communities. Adaptation for climate-resilient agriculture needs an approach that builds on and engages with people’s agency in both generating and scaling their own climate change adaptation solutions. This approach must be built into a robust, coherent, and consistent framework that speaks to the needs of farmers – and lets farmers speak for themselves. It engages farmers and herders in a way that acknowledges their practical knowledge to be of equal value with other, more institutionalized, forms of knowledge such as science.
Strengthening women's empowerment and inclusion in the Living Lab for People (LL4P) in Kenya and Colombia
(Presentation, 2024-11-19) Ewell, Hanna; Vanegas, Martha; Mwambi, Diana; Omondi, David; Rietveld, Anne
The team examined the intersections of women’s empowerment, climate resilience, and agricultural innovation in the context of a Living Lab for People (LL4P) approach in Kenya and Colombia. Utilizing the project-level Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (pro-WEAI) survey in Kenya and qualitative methods in both countries, this research highlights the critical role of gender-responsive strategies in fostering climate resilience within rural communities. The study’s findings emphasize that women often lack decision-making power and access to resources in agricultural production, with men typically controlling production-related decisions. Despite these constraints, women are actively involved in areas like poultry management and informal dairy marketing. Limited financial resources, market access, and climate information present significant barriers to women’s ability to implement transformative agricultural practices. However, collective initiatives and locally adapted practices indicate growing community resilience. The LL4P model is promising for integrating women’s perspectives and creating pathways for gender equality within low-emission, climate-resilient food systems. The report concludes that expanding support for training, resources, and gender-equitable decision-making structures will be essential for sustainable agricultural development. These insights aim to inform future LL4P initiatives, contributing to the broader agenda on gender-responsive climate-smart agriculture.
If you look for local innovations, you will find them: Exciting next steps for the Living Lab for People in Nandi County
(Blog Post, 2024-12-10) Habermann, Birgit; Kibet, Walter
The Living Lab for People has taken significant strides towards becoming a hub for locally led adaptation innovations in Nandi County as the Nandi County government and Kaimosi Agricultural Training Centre hosted the first International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) pilot. Living Lab for People is defined as a space for citizens to co-design innovations in real-world settings. In 2024, the Living Lab for People board issued the first call for innovation cases through social media and the extension system. The idea was to capture a broad range of ideas and then screen for the most innovative ones aligned with the aim of low emission food system development.
Stakeholder mapping for low-emission food system transformation within a ‘living lab for people’ approach in Nandi county, Kenya
(Presentation, 2024-12-03) Kibet, Walter; Habermann, Birgit; Ewell, Hanna; Nehring, Ryan; Kumar, Praveen; Kachilei, Levy
Establishment of living lab for a low-emission food system in Nandi County. The journey begins!
(Blog Post, 2023-10-12) Kibet, Walter; Kachilei, Levy; Mosbei, Thomas; Habermann, Birgit
In a world facing pressing challenges related to the food system, the need for innovative food system transformation solutions is more critical than ever. The establishment of a Living Lab for People (LL4P) for Low-Emission Food System Development offers Nandi County the opportunity to explore options for locally led innovations for a sustainable and low-emission food system transformation. The CGIAR Research Initiative on Low-Emission Food Systems (Mitigate+) has recently introduced this concept to stakeholders in Nandi County in collaboration with the Kaimosi Agricultural Training Centre (ATC).
The future we want: Participatory workshops in Kenya's Nandi County
(Blog Post, 2023-12-29) Habermann, Birgit; Kumar, Praveen; Kibet, Walter; Mwambi, Diana
On November 14 and November 23, 2023, the Living Lab for People (LL4P) at Kaimosi Agricultural Training Centre (KATC) organized two workshops with different stakeholders to develop a vision for a Sustainable and Low-Emission Food System for Nandi County. The aim of the workshops was twofold: 1) To understand both the present image and the future vision of the Nandi County Food System citizens of different stakeholder groups and in relation to lowering emissions in the food system, and 2) To understand the meaning of low-emission food systems for the stakeholders, and factors impacting low-emission food systems in the Nandi County. The first week, it was government, NGO and private sector stakeholders, the second week farmers, farmer groups and cooperatives, representing also women and youth in agriculture. The participants were purposively selected based on a desk review to uncover key stakeholders, who are instrumental in the food system of Nandi County. These organizations and individuals were invited to participate because of their role in the food system of Nandi County.
Report of the Mitigate+ Scoring Workshop to evaluate the scalability of innovations for reducing food system GHG emission while achieving SDG co-benefits in Kenya
(Report, 2023-12) Amahnui, George Amenchwi; Vanegas, Martha; Sylvester, Janelle
The food systems are not only central to our daily lives but also act as a major driver of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; it generates more than a third of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. As the world aims to achieve the goal of holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels, there is a need to identify, prioritize and scale innovations that can contribute to food systems transformation and generate SDG co-benefits. Acknowledging this need, the scoring meeting that took place in Nairobi on December 8, 2022, and February 20, 2023, was aimed at assessing the potential of some selected technologies/innovations to scale in Nandi, Kenya. The technologies/innovations evaluated during the workshops were Improved Livestock Breeds and Feeds (ILBF), Integrated Aquaculture Practices (IAP), Biogas Technology (BT) and Alternative Wetting and Drying for rice (AWD). These technologies were selected for scoring based on their alignment with Kenya’s national and local development plans and priorities, their GHG mitigation opportunity in the context and their potential to deliver SDG co-benefits. A framework was developed with multicriteria for evaluating the scalability of the technologies/innovations. Thereafter, a scoring system was developed to evaluate the extent to which the criteria in the framework were fulfilled for scaling. Two workshops were organized with representatives of member organizations of the multi-stakeholder platform of climate smart agriculture in Kenya. During the workshops, group discussions were organized to obtain the score for each criterion as well as provide reasons for their scores. Our findings showed ILPF obtained a total score of 24.83 (75.35%) out of 33 points meanwhile IAP obtained 27 points out of 33 (81.3%), BT 25.67 out of 33 (75.67%) and AWD obtained 26 out of 33 points (77.6%). This suggests that there is high potential for achieving positive benefits if these technologies/innovations are scaled in Nandi County. However, it is important to note that the successful scaling of these technologies/innovations will depend on several other factors such as scaling strategy, involvement of diverse actors in the scaling process and resources invested, among others.
In Kenya’s Nandi county, stakeholders jointly reflect on a theory of change for low-emission food systems transformation
(Blog Post, 2023-09-29) Falk, Thomas; Walter, Kibet; Habermann, Birgit
Food system transformation requires efforts from diverse stakeholders. It involves clarifying roles and relationships, as well as mobilizing and connecting them. On 20 February 2023, farmers, community leaders and representatives from the government, civil society and the private sector met in Kapsabet, a town in Nandi county, Kenya, to jointly develop a vision for the county’s food systems and share perspectives on entry points for initiating system change.
How to find meaning: A journey toward a Living Lab for People
(Blog Post, 2023-05-05) Habermann, Birgit; Valencia Leñero, Eva Maria; Nehring, Ryan
Sometimes projects introduce a new concept that has, at the outset, little meaning other than a word. And then through engagement of different scientists, stakeholders and partners working together, this word acquires real meaning and starts becoming an actionable concept. This process is not always smooth and requires a lot of patience, confidence and respect for each other’s different opinions, interests, schools of thoughts and positionalities – and if operating on a global level, also for different cultures.
Toward sustainable land use planning: Land use mapping for Nandi County, Kenya
(Blog Post, 2023) Hettiarachchi, Upeksha; Zhang, Wei; Zhe, Guo; Kibet, Walter
As part of the Living Labs for People (LL4P) work in Nandi County, Kenya, under the CGIAR Research Initiative on “Low-Emission Food Systems,” researchers from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) mapped major land use types in Nandi County using remote sensing and machine learning.
A conceptual framework of living labs for people for sustainable food systems
(Working Paper, 2023-12-31) Habermann, Birgit; Nehring, Ryan; Zhang, Wei; Hettiarachchi, Upeksha; Leñero, Eva Marina-Valencia; Falk, Thomas; Rietveld, Anne M.; Woltering, Lennart; Kumar, Praveen; Wang, Xinxin; Zhou, Yunyi; Chen, Kevin Z.; Pham, Thuy Thu; Rodríguez, Luz Ángela; Venegas, Martha
Innovation spaces are often dominated by linear, top-down approaches, with the transfer of technology being seen as the solution to many problems rather than trying to understand which innovation processes people are engaging with themselves. In other words, barriers to progress are typically viewed as issues of technology adoption, not as part of the innovation process itself. This study contributes to changing the paradigm by proposing a living lab approach, which considers innovation as an adaptive process where stakeholders co-produce knowledge and collaborate based on inclusivity and empowerment. Our specific concept for this approach is called a Living Lab for People (LL4P). This conceptual paper outlines a framework to guide the development of a LL4P that remains flexible to be adapted for specific sites. While we seek to identify common denominators, we recognize the necessity for such a framework to remain open enough to be adaptable for varied contexts. Consequently, the framework draws on the living lab literature but tailors existing approaches for sustainable food system transformation and puts people (men, women, and marginalized groups among key food system actors) at the center of innovation processes with a clear intention to address power and social inequity. We draw on specific cases in China, Colombia, Kenya and Vietnam as learning grounds for formulating LL4Ps through locally led innovation processes. Based on our learnings and consultations, we define a LL4P as an inclusive and diverse space for people to advance their socio-technical innovation processes and associated modes of governance within a facilitated organizational structure. The principles of LL4Ps include co-production, gender equality and social inclusion, governance and institutional sustainability to advance existing and novel innovation processes. The practical experiences from applying this framework in the four case studies indicate alternative pathways for transforming the food system toward a sustainable and socially equitable trajectory through the establishment of a LL4P.
A conceptual framework of living labs for people: Fostering innovations for low emissions food systems and social equity
(Presentation, 2023-10-11) Rietveld, Anne M.; Haberman, Birgit; Nehring, Ryan; Zhang, Wei; Falk, Thomas; Kibet, Walter
This paper provides the conceptual basis for what we call Living Labs for People (LL4P). We define LL4P as an inclusive and diverse space for people to design, test, demonstrate and advance their socio-technical innovations and associated modes of governance within a facilitated organizational structure. Our specific aim with LL4P is to facilitate locally developed innovations for low-emission food systems that address social equity in four target countries: China, Colombia, Kenya and Vietnam. This conceptual paper outlines a framework to guide activities in each of those four countries. The LL4P draws on the living lab literature but tailors existing approaches for food systems in developing countries. Four country teams, made up of CGIAR researchers and national partners, adapt LL4P to the specific socio-ecological and cultural context and in line with each country’s mitigation policy such as the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). Therefore, while this conceptual paper provides a rationale, framework and a set of guidelines, it will also incorporate distinct approaches from each of the four target countries in line the following principles: 1) gender and social inclusion; 2) the co-production of knowledge; 3) territorial governance and; 4) co-benefits contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals. The practical experience from applying this framework in the four case studies will generate learnings about alternative pathways for other Living Labs focused on low-emission food system development and social equity.
A Conceptual framework of living labs for people: Fostering innovations for low-emissions food systems and social equity
(Presentation, 2023-09-22) Nehring, Ryan
Presentations prepared by Ryan Nehring (IFPRI) for: - The Tropentag Conference in Berlin, Germany (Sept. 20-22) - The Adaptation Futures Side Event: International Forum on Agroecosystem Living Labs in Montreal, Canada (Oct. 3-6) - The Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics (Oct. 17) The full team consists of Wei Zhang (IFPRI), Birgit Habermann (ILRI), Anne Rietveld (The Alliance-CIAT), Lennart Woltering (CIMMYT), Upeksha Hettiarachchi (IFPRI), Eva Valencia (CIMMYT), Thomas Falk (IFPRI), and Ryan Nehring (IFPRI).
Results report on a stakeholder workshop reflecting on a theory of change for low-emission food system transformation in Nandi county, Kenya: A contribution to the establishment of A Living Lab 4 People on Food System Innovations for Climate Change Mitigation under the CGIAR Research Initiative on Low-Emission Food Systems (MITIGATE+)
(Report, 2023-02-20) Falk, Thomas; Kibet, Walter
The workshop was organized by the CGIAR Research Initiative on Low-Emission Food Systems (MITIGATE+), which is implemented by a large consortium of partners. The Initiative aims to reduce annual global food systems emissions by working closely with key actors in target countries to co-create knowledge that enables them to make evidence-based decisions and address challenges in food systems discourse, policy development, and implementation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Initiative’s partners support the establishment of a multistakeholder platform and a “living lab for people” (LL4P) that will support bottom-up innovation cases to help transform food systems in Nandi county, Kenya, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The workshop was part of a series of stakeholder workshops that aims to help clarify development opportunities, the role of different actors in Nandi county, and their interests. The intention was to bring actors together, invite them to think about a joint vision for food systems in the county, and share perspectives on entry points for initiating system change.
Net-mapping for low-emission food system development: Workshop on stakeholder mapping in Kapsabet, Kenya
(Report, 2023-03-15) Kibet, Walter; Habermann, Birgit
The CGIAR Initiative on Low-Emission Food Systems focuses on reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while transforming food systems. It intends to work closely with key actors in the target countries, supporting them with new knowledge, information and tools to make robust evidence-based decisions as they confront challenges in food system transformation discourses, policy development and the reduction of GHG emissions. In Kenya, Nandi County has been selected as a site for a Living Lab for People (LL4P) on low-emission food system development.

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