Fragility, Conflict, Livelihoods and Water (FLOW)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/174407

Browse

Recent Submissions

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Irrigated vegetable production interventions in humanitarian emergencies: Mali country deep dive
    (Report, 2024-12-30) Singh, Radhika; Minh, Thai Thi; Schmitter, Petra
    In the context of Mali, a Sahelian country facing challenges of insecurity, political instability, and climate change, irrigated vegetable production (IVP) interventions have the potential to enhance resilience outcomes and reduce the vulnerabilities of households and communities by increasing incomes and improving nutritional outcomes. The recommendations for IVP interventions presented in this document are informed by an understanding of the complex sociopolitical landscape of Mali and address both challenges and opportunities. For this study, a comprehensive research process was undertaken involving 19 key informant interviews with humanitarian organizations working in the country. These interviews were supplemented with insights from a wide range of secondary sources including journal articles and project reports. A rigorous approach was adopted to ensure the validity and reliability of the findings and recommendations. The key recommendations presented here have been carefully crafted to improve the design and implementation of IVP interventions undertaken by humanitarian organizations in emergency contexts in Mali. These recommendations align with the SEADS (Standards for Supporting Crop-related Livelihoods in Emergencies) minimum standards and are intended to complement the SEADS guidance on tools, equipment, and other non-seed inputs as well as impact monitoring and evaluation, thus providing an assurance of quality and relevance. First, it is important to ensure that the design, planning, and implementation of IVP interventions are contextually relevant while being focused on the unique needs of vulnerable communities. Interventions should be designed to address land access issues, especially for women and internally displaced persons. Security levels (safety risks, political instability, and conflict) should be considered when choosing water-lifting technologies, and interventions must be informed by a gender-sensitive approach. Second, mobilizing resources and investments is crucial to complement funding shortages for IVP interventions. This can involve measures like promoting space-efficient vertical gardening, supporting domestic vegetable production to procure less expensive and more suitable seeds for local conditions, and strengthening IVP value chains by linking farmers with local seed suppliers. Third, strengthening organizational capacity for resilience and long-term learning is recommended to enhance the delivery of impactful emergency assistance. This includes adopting a systems approach that considers the socioeconomic and environmental context of the intended intervention and sharing findings among humanitarian actors to foster a learning culture. Finally, improving data and knowledge management is advised for impactful IVP interventions. This could involve housing all groundwater data within an NGO, promoting the ongoing mapping of suitable irrigation technologies, and ensuring that data is freely accessible to all organizations involved in agricultural interventions. These recommendations offer a roadmap for humanitarian organizations, donors, and policymakers who aim to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of IVP interventions in emergency contexts within Mali. They provide a framework for engaging with existing policies and governance structures and contribute to creating an enabling environment for effective interventions.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Irrigated vegetable production interventions in humanitarian emergencies: Ethiopia country deep dive
    (Report, 2024-12-30) Singh, Radhika; Minh, Thai Thi; Schmitter, Petra
    Ethiopia is grappling with escalating humanitarian crises, including conflict-induced displacement and climate-related emergencies, and therefore mounting humanitarian needs. However, amidst these challenges, there is hope in the form of irrigated vegetable production (IVP) interventions, which have the potential to significantly decrease household vulnerability and build resilience to future shocks and stresses. Most importantly, these interventions aim to empower households by helping them generate additional income and improve their nutrition. For this study, 20 key informant interviews were conducted with humanitarian organizations in Ethiopia to understand how they design and implement IVP interventions during emergencies. Data from these interviews were combined with insights from secondary sources, including journal articles and project reports, to identify critical challenges and opportunities for IVP in Ethiopia. Key recommendations from this study include improving design and implementation of IVP interventions by humanitarian organizations. The recommendations are aligned with the Standards for Establishing Seed Systems in Disaster Settings (SEADS) minimum standards and complement SEADS guidance on tools, equipment, and other non-seed inputs and advice on impact monitoring and evaluation. First, it is necessary that IVP design, planning, and implementation are contextually relevant. This involves aligning interventions with the preferences and needs of beneficiaries by conducting comprehensive assessments of their vulnerabilities and tailoring interventions to the dynamics of the food, land, and water systems affected by emergencies. Gender inclusion is also highlighted in the recommendations, with a focus on understanding the household- and community-level gender dynamics that play a role in selection of crops and technologies. Second, mobilization of resources and investments to address funding shortages is important. This entails leveraging existing market structures, partnering with private sector entities, and collaborating with research institutions and government agencies. Inclusive financial mechanisms are recommended to support the more vulnerable households. Third, it is imperative to strengthen organizational capacity for resilience and long-term learning. This includes building comprehensive needs analysis capacity, implementing holistic IVP interventions, and influencing the enabling environment. Developing intra-organizational learning and strong monitoring and evaluation systems is also suggested. Lastly, organizational learning should be improved through data and knowledge management. This involves integrating data from multiple sources into a single platform, ensuring quick and easy access to it, and establishing robust reporting systems. The formation of a community of practice (CoP) focused on IVP in Ethiopia is proposed as a mechanism for knowledge sharing, capacity building, research collaboration, and policy alignment. These recommendations offer a roadmap for humanitarian organizations, donors, and policymakers aiming to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of IVP interventions in emergency contexts within Ethiopia. They also provide a framework for engaging with existing policies and governance structures and creating an enabling environment for effective intervention.