WAS&DS Group work on integrating the learning into regional flagships

1. DS science implementationmeeting –WAS&DS
Group workon integratingthe learningintoregionalflagships
BLENDED issuesand actions and critical gaps
a) Implementingthe systemsapproach
 Includingthe range of variationwithinactionsitesviamultiple interventionssites
 The way WAS&DSwork presentedshouldbe changedtoreportperactivityorper IDO
 The KKM andWBS sitesare a verymature samplingstrategy
 Requestfromcentresthatwe needmore leadership
 Expandthe range of partnersto improve capacitybuildingandimplementation
 Needtoimprove mode of presentationandhow thoughtsare organized
 Needtocreate science thataddressessocial needs
 Criticallyexamine howourmindsare trainedtocriticallyexamine –learntostandin
each others’shoes andthinkina ‘new’systemsway
b) Science andnewscience
 Systemsscience (inourcontext) isanew science andthatis whywe are strugglingwith
it - stop expectingourselvestoautomaticallyadapt
 Recognize the emotional,social,cultural andintellectual journeys –individuallyand
collectively
 Quantitative andqualitativedesignsandtradeoffs
 Includingmore variablesbutina smart way
 Notjust aboutraisingproductivitybyelevatingfrompoverty(broadersystem) –i.e.
fromagricultural systemtolivelihoodsystem
 Riskvs productivity –e.g.the same resource (e.g.quantityof water) hasa different
value inthe twosituations
 Paymentforecosystemservices
 Newscience toconfrontthe “tragedyof the commons”
 Reassesssatelliteandothersitesforrepresentativeissues –e.g.watermanagement
options
 Train people
c) Synthesisresearch
 Define “synthesis”
 Synthesisexistingknowledge toaddressthe systemsissues
 What productshouldthisbe at the programlevel –e.g.
i. synthesisof extension
ii. agricultural contentmanagement
iii. by technology –e.g.poultry,small scale irrigation
iv. synthesisof institutional approach
v. synthesisof systemsapproach
vi. historical contexts

2. d) Knowledgemanagement
 E.g. promotingfarmers’understandingof managingindigenousspecies
 Data management
 …
e) Communication/visibility
 What we want to researchandwhy
i. Drylands
ii. Systems
iii. What/whyisit different
iv. Standup and say “itis a new science”(recall 4stagesof acceptance of a new
idea)
 What are the consequencesof excludingDrylandsfromaresearchagenda?
 Demonstrate thatitis new
 Showwe are “cuttingedge”andwe are movingtowardsa goal
 Impression fromoutsidethatcentresdonotmentionthe program – onlywhatisdone
percentre
 Put DS onbusinesscards
 Aggressive approachtomarketingDS
 Elevatormessage
 TV,brochures,flyers (billboards?)
f) Partnershipforimpact
 Capitalize onthe strongculture of NGOsin WestAfrica
 Involve NGOsatthe beginningof projects
 Work throughCORAFon selectedprojects/overviewsetc. – opportunitytofollow-up
withinternationaldoors –linkwithall DS to buildsynergies
g) Scalingup/out
 It iscomplicated
 Centresshouldnotcommittothis(ithas beena 40-year discussion
 Needtopresentall availableinformationandinterpretationsandincreasevisibilityfor
developmentinstitutionstotake on
 Ensure there are for a for these
 Focuson youthprojects
h) Incentives
 Scientistswanttopublish –encourage publishinginmulti-disciplinaryjournals
 Elevate the statusof successstories – rewardsforthese???
 Developincentivesforotherpartnersandactors