ILRI impact studies
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/10572
Browse
Recent Submissions
Item Impact evaluation of the Smallholder Dairy Commercialization Programme in Kenya(Report, 2018-06) Bonilla, Juan; McCarthy, Nancy; Mugatha, Simon M.; Rai, Nisha; Coombes, Andrea; Brubaker, JoshuaItem Improving food safety and quality in traditional dairy value chain in Assam: An assessment of economic impact(Presentation, 2014-02) Lapar, Ma. Lucila; Deka, Ram Pratim; Lindahl, Johanna F.; Grace, DeliaItem Global impact of ILRI’s epidemiology expertise: An impact narrative(Brief, 2014-11-05) International Livestock Research InstituteItem Changing dairy marketing policy in Kenya: The impact of the Smallholder Dairy Project(Brief, 2008-11) Kaitibie, S.; Omore, Amos O.; Rich, Karl M.; Kristjanson, Patricia M.Building on an earlier exploratory study, in 2007–2008 the CGIAR's Standing Panel on Impact Assessment (SPIA) undertook an initiative in collaboration with seven CGIAR centers to augment the evidence of policy-oriented research (POR) impacts within the CGIAR system and to further the development of methodologies in this challenging area of impact assessment. Seven case studies were commissioned. This impact brief describes the major results that emerged from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). The summary version of the full case study report can be found in: Kaitibie, S., Omore, A., Rich, K., Salasya, B., Hooten, N., Mwero, D., and Kristjanson, P. 2008. Policy change in dairy marketing in Kenya: economic impact and pathways to influence from research. In: CGIAR Science Council. 2008. Impact Assessment of Policy-Oriented Research in the CGIAR: Evidence and Insights from Case Studies. A study commissioned by the Science Council Standing Panel on Impact Assessment. CGIAR Science Council Secretariat: Rome, Italy. (Available at http://impact.cgiar.org/)Item Getting superior Napier grass to dairy farmers in East Africa(Case Study, 2013-02-28) WRENmediaNapier grass has become the most important fodder crop in Kenya, but 20 years ago head smut disease began to have a devastating impact, turning valuable fodder into thin, shrivelled stems. With the cost of disease control using systemic fungicide beyond the means of most smallholder dairy farmers, KARI began work to select smut-resistant varieties. With access to Napier grass germplasm from ILRI’s genebank, KARI developed two resistant varieties - Kakamega I and Kakamega II. Favourable laboratory results were confirmed in farmer’s fields and work began to multiply planting material. Within a year, cuttings were distributed to over 10,000 smallholder farmers. The new varieties are not quite as productive as the best of Kenya’s local Napier grass varieties, but have still proven popular in smut-affected areas. By 2007, 13 per cent of farmers were using Kakamega I for zero grazing systems in smut prone areas. The chance of head smut resistance breaking down in the new varieties is high, so KARI is screening more materials from ILRI, which is continuing to build its Napier grass collection to have germplasm available to screen for new resistant varieties. In 2012, ILRI provided the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Embrapa, with Kakamega I and II to enable researchers to use them to develop higher yielding and more nutritious resistant varieties.Item Assessing the impact of better control of livestock diseases in Africa(Newsletter, 1990-01-15) International Laboratory for Research on Animal DiseasesItem Assessing the impact of feed technology adoption by smallholders in sweet potato-pig systems in Sichuan, China(Conference Paper, 2011-10-14) Lapar, Ma. Lucila; Nguyen Ngoc Toan; Chengyi Zou; Jinyuan Liu; Xianglin Li; Randolph, Thomas F.Item The adoption and impact of an improved drought-tolerant, dual-purpose groundnut variety in Southern India(Conference Paper, 2011-10-14) Teufel, Nils; Johnson, Nancy L.; Singh, D.This paper looks at the adoption and impact of an improved groundnut cultivar in Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Despite positive results in farmer-participatory varietal selection, adoption was extremely low despite promotional efforts of a local NGO. The few farmers who adopted the variety generated significant benefits. They earned higher profits per hectare and their agricultural asset portfolios (a measure of wealth) increased significantly more than those of non-adopters. This raises the question of why, if the variety is beneficial, adoption is so low. Some possible explanations and their implications for future varietal development and dissemination are discussed.Item The impact of livestock research for development(Presentation, 2011-10-14) Johnson, Nancy L.Item Impact assessment of agricultural research in West Africa: An application of the propensity score matching methodology(Conference Paper, 2009-08-16) Liebenehm, S.; Affognon, Hippolyte D.; Waibel, H.Ex-post evaluation of agricultural research is aimed to empirically provide evidence of past investments’ effectiveness. This paper is intended to measure the immediate impact of livestock research activities on cattle farmers’ knowledge about trypanosomosis and its curative and preventive control strategies. According to the quasi-experimental design of the intervention, it is shown that its impact will be adequately estimated by propensity score matching (PSM). Based on data collected according to a knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) questionnaire in the region of Kénédougou that is common to Mali and Burkina Faso, results indicate a significant gain in farmers’ know-how due to participation in livestock research activities.Item An impact evaluation of technology adoption by smallholders in Sichuan, China: The case of sweet potato-pig systems(Presentation, 2011-10-14) Lapar, Ma. Lucila; Toan, N.N.; Zou, C.; Liu, J.; Li, X.; Randolph, Thomas F.Item Assessing the impact of the SASA/CASREN technology interventions in the sweet potato-pig production systems in Zitong County (Sichuan, China)(Report, 2004-07-15) Pezo, Danilo A.The present paper describes the processes applied by the Sichuan Animal Science Academy (SASA)/CASREN Team in Zitong County in order to improve the sweet potato-based pig production systems that are predominantly present in that area, which is representative of the rainfed uplands of Sichuan Province (China). The methodology applied by the CASREN project to scale up promising technology interventions in croplivestock systems is described. Some of the differences between the work in the benchmark site in Sichuan Province and other CASREN sites is also briefly described. The last part of the report contains a detailed description of the basket of technology op tions proposed by the SASA/CASREN Team, as well as some of the findings in the preliminary assessment of their impact. The technologies included in the basket of options are: improved sweet potato varieties (high yielding, starch-rich); conservation of sweet potato roots and vines as silages as a means to increase the efficiency of utilisation of sweet potatoes as animal feed; use of a premix or a protein-rich concentrate to supplement sweet potato-based diets; upgrading the local pig genotypes using improved breeds; implementation of a simple preventive disease control program; and improved housing. The report contains some of the preliminary results obtained applying a set of criteria for assessing the impacts at the plot and household level, after applying the technology interventions as proposed by the SASA/CASREN Team. Among those criteria are: increased sweet potato yield; larger area planted to the improved varieties; reduction of losses due spoilage when sweet potato roots and vines are ensiled; savings in fuel when silages are prepared instead of offering fresh roots; shorten the growing/fattening period; increased numbers of pigs marketed; increased income from pig; reduced costs of feeding; faster capital turnover in the pig enterprise; and final ly improved livelihood for household members. At the end of the report there is a brief section on institutional impacts.Item Informal traders lock horns with the formal milk industry: the role of research in pro-poor dairy policy shift in Kenya(Working Paper, 2006-05) Leksmono, C.; Young, J.; Hooton, N.; Muriuki, H.; Romney, Dannie L.Item Kenyan dairy policy change: influence pathways and economic impacts(Journal Article, 2010-10) Kaitibie, S.; Omore, Amos O.; Rich, R.; Kristjanson, Patricia M.Item Management of internal parasites in goats in the Philippines(Book, 2008) Montes, N.D.; Zapata, N.R.; Alo, A.M.P.; Mullen, J.D.Goats are an important source of income for smallholders in the Philippines and were shown to be sustaining significant losses from internal parasites. In collaboration with Philippine and international organisations, ACIAR funded a program which developed a management package which effectively controlled internal parasites and enhanced goat productivity. The study found, via an extensive survey of farmers and local extension groups, that there has been substantial adoption in the target regions. This is continuing to expand due to a strong commitment of further resources from local extension groups. The outcome has been significant impact with the estimated net present value of welfare gains of $66 million, a benefit to cost ratio of 10:1 and an internal rate of return of 25 per cent. At this stage there has not been transfer of the outcomes to other regions in the Philippines but given the success in the two regions of focused this is likely. If this happens the returns will be much higher. This IAS only looked at the Philippine component of a larger effort. The full project covered several countries in Southeast Asia, it is expected that similar results will be found in all countries.Item Smallholder dairy technology in coastal Kenya. An adoption and impact study(Report, 1999) Nicholson, C.; Thornton, Philip K.; Mohammed, L.; Muinga, R.W.; Mwamachi, D.M.; Elabasha, E.H.; Staal, Steven J.; Thorpe, W.R.This study examines the factors influencing adoption of three related dairy technologies in coastal Kenya, and assesse the impacts of dairy adoption on household income, employment generation and nutritional status of pre-school children. The technologies studied were adoption of grade and crossbred dairy animals, planting of the fodder Napier grass and use of the infection and treatment method of immunisation against East Coast fever. A series of household surveys was conducted from mid 1997 to mid 1998. The descriptive results from surveys of 202 households in Coast Province indicate that adoption of a grade or crossbred dairy animal may result in substantial increases in household income, can generate paid (secondary) employment, and may improve the nutritional status of pre-school-age children in the household. Econometric analyses, which controlled for numerous confounding factors, provided less consistent support for the impact of adoption on household income and paid employment. It appears that neither the adoption nor productivity of dairying are constrained by poor availability of technology options. For dairy development activities on the coast, two areas merit attention: mechanisms for easing access to grade and crossbred dairy cattle, either through credit schemes or through self-help smallholder co-operatives, and reducing the disease risks associated with grade and crossbred dairy animals.Item Genetically improved dual-purpose cowpea. Assessment of adoption and impact in the dry savannah of West Africa(Report, 2002) Kristjanson, Patricia M.; Tarawali, Shirley A.; Okike, Iheanacho; Singh, B.B.; Thornton, Philip K.; Manyong, Victor M.; Kruska, Russell L.; Hoogenboom, GerritThe research reported here has the potential for contributing to a real improvement in the livelihoods of mixed crop-livestock farming households in the dry savannah zone of West Africa through widespread uptake of improved dual-purpose cowpea (IDPC). This technology offers opportunities for the production of more, higher-quality food for poor people and fodder for animals, along with soil-fertility improvement and other social benefits. The study examines issues surrounding the adoption and impact of the new varieties and associated management strategies. A novel approach was taken, combining GIS, a crop model, and household, community and participatory research approaches in northern Nigeria in order to address the following questions: `What types of impact are expected and their magnitude, where is the impact most likely to be felt, and by whom?'. The results suggest that the research investment has been beneficial, and the expected returns are high. Furthermore, the steps taken in order to quantify the benefits versus the costs of this research have identified for researchers, policy makers and development practitioners important considerations and possibilities for speeding up and widening the impact of this technology. First, it is a flexible technology that is appreciated by, and will have the greatest impact on, farming households that are usually poor and living in remoter areas where improved crop and livestock production are especially critical to livelihood strategies. Although the wealthiest households are more likely to be adopters, poorer households have also taken up IDPC. As it is the poorer households that cultivate 75% of the arable land, the potential impact of extending the technology to these more rural, less market-oriented households is huge. Uptake to date has been more likely to occur near wholesale markets in the most densely populated areas. Thus, finding innovative ways to increase access to markets and provide improved seeds and information for farmers in low-population density areas may have potentially large payoffs. The benefit from investment in rural market infrastructure and roads will be reflected in increased uptake of natural-resource-enhancing technologies such as IDPC. Farmer-impact workshops were held and the results pointed towards environmental- and poverty-impact indicators that can be monitored as people experiment with, and adapt, the new varieties and associated management techniques. The study has highlighted opportunities relating to the identification of the benefits of IDPC for livestock which are likely to emerge when data from several years of ongoing integrated crop-livestock trials become available. Given the population, climatic and land-use changes that are likely to occur in West Africa in the coming decades, there is an onus on researchers to streamline the effectiveness of R&D activities so that they benefit the rapidly increasing numbers of poor people in the region. The lessons learnt from the impact assessment study reported here will have much broader applicability in the future than to cowpea research alone. It is hoped that this analysis provides a research and impact-assessment strategy that will be useful for other crops and technologies, and in particular that it provides guidelines for assessments of more integrated natural resource management strategies (including livestock) and technologies. Most importantly, the novel multidisciplinary, multicentre and participatory approaches taken by the cowpea research team are helping to close the researcher-farmer feedback loop. Ultimately this is what will lead to faster and more widespread adoption and impact of new technologies.Item Evaluating the impact of the graduate fellowship programme of the International Livestock Research Institute. A tools and process report(Report, 2002) Eley, R.; Ibrahim, H.; Hambly Odame, Helen; Demeke, M.; Smalley, M.E.Post graduate research projects are an effective method for building new research capacity in sub-Saharan Africa. The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) offers a graduate fellowship programme for scientists from developing and developed countries. This is done in partnership with universities in African and Asian countries, Europe, Australia and North America. To date such programmes have not been adequately assessed to find the impact on national research capacity, the graduate fellows and the partner institutions. To assess the value of this training, ILRI conducted an impact study of its graduate fellows in Kenya and Ethiopia between 1978 and 1997. This report presents the tools and methods used in this study. Others may use these freely, but appropriate acknowledgement of the source will be appreciated. Future users may modify these instruments for their own impact studies; and indeed are encouraged to do so. We recognise that many improvements could be made and request feedback from others on how they have accomplished this. This report also presents part of the results to enable those interested in future impact studies in Ethiopia or Kenya to use the data as a benchmark.Item Valuing alternative land-use options in the Kitengela wildlife dispersal area of Kenya. A joint International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and African Conservation Centre (ACC) report undertaken for the Kitengela community(Report, 2002) Kristjanson, Patricia M.; Radeny, Maren A.O.; Nkedianye, D.; Kruska, Russell L.; Reid, Robin S.; Gichohi, H.; Atieno, F.; Sanford, R.Item Maize as food, feed and fertiliser in intensifying crop-livestock systems in East and Southern Africa: an ex ante impact assessment of technology interventions to improve smallholder welfare(Report, 2003) Thorne, Peter J.; Thornton, Philip K.; Kruska, Russell L.; Reynolds, L.; Waddington, S.R.