Contextual relevance and implementation in Jordan

1. A framework for Innovation Platforms in CRP-DS:
contextual relevance and implementation in Jordan
NCARE: A. Bawalize, Y. Shahkatreh, M. El Hiary, H. Tarawneh
ICARDA: S. Kassam, ICARDA colleagues
ICARDA-NCARE technical meeting
September 21 – 22, 2014
Ayass Hotel, Amman
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2. CRP driven:
Develop, implement and evaluate a process for multi-stakeholder
dialogue and participatory engagement, which effectively links
agricultural research with area based development, and leads to
enhanced rural livelihoods and quality of life
Development driven:
Uncover opportunities for relieving constraints and challenges to
livelihoods and quality of life through participatory diagnosis of needs
and options for action (self-help or externally directed)…interests and
incentives differ among actors, suggesting a need for negotiation and
compromise
Science supports innovation but is not the only driver
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Conductive-PURPOSE
Line activities
across countries & sites

3. • Common understanding of purpose and agreement
• Entry point is defined by community needs
• Initial activities build momentum and trust
• Aspires to achieve BOTH research and development outcomes
• Approach as opposed to a model or blueprint
• Resources to support BOTH research and development activities
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Conductive-Line activities
across countries & sites
CORE ELEMENTS OF A R4D INNOVATION PLATFORM

4. Conductive-ENTRY POINT
Line activities
across countries & sites
 Needs to be built upon priorities and needs of communities
(Learning Alliances as one avenue for identifying needs);
 Relevant to a large number of stakeholders, all of whom are
beneficiaries of the innovation platform (Inclusiveness);
 Defined as a problem rather than the opportunity;
 Different from the modalities of action;
KARAK:
Entry point: Lack of effective access to farm advisory services in
improving farm productivity and in the acquisition of knowledge for
diversifying incomes
Modality: More effective social and economic organization and
fostering of linkages with private and public stakeholders 4

5. Conductive-Line activities
across countries & sites
INITIAL ACTIVITIES
 Need for building trust and initiating momentum
 Complexity can be added in once initial fears are dispelled and an
environment of trust and reciprocity is built (social capital)
 Immediate and tangible benefits to all (public good)
 Integrating activities and projects (take advantage of “destruction”)
KARAK:
- Training on improved production practices for olives and disease
management (links to the farmers association and Mutah Univ.)
- Linking community based welfare societies with private NGO’s
- Diversifying processed product ranges and product quality through
technical training and support 5

6.  Research on the effectiveness of the process;
 Research on issues that arise in-process;
 Theory of change implies a willingness to change (how to measure?);
 Capacity to innovate?;
 Evaluation of development outcomes anticipated and related to:
 Economic empowerment (gendered lens)
 Social and cultural norms
 Policy influence
 Institutional structures and processes
 Quality of life
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Conductive-Line activities
across countries & sites
RESEARCH FOR/AND DEVELOPMENT AGENDA

7.  Context matters, and particularly so since 2011;
 Local priorities differ, as do the capacities for embracing innovation;
 The choice of actors within the innovation platform may not always
be free of bias;
 Institutional partners have their own mandates, pressures and
partnership agreements (question of fit);
 Complexities shift priorities and alliances;
 About better articulating the comparative advantage and role of
research in the process of area based development (greater than
simply related to embodied development of technology)
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Conductive-Line activities
across countries & sites
APPROACH AS OPPOSED TO A BLUEPRINT

8.  IFAD/ARPMII project in Karak
 Local welfare societies and agricultural cooperatives
 Private NGO’s within the governorate (eg. Branches of Mercy)
 International (development) organizations active in Jordan
 Mutah University
 Regulatory agencies and local governments
Need to identify resources to support “development” in a “research-for-
development” initiative in order to mitigate community based
fears and frustration
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Conductive-Line activities
across countries & sites
BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS IN JORDAN