Research Areas
Climate Change, Policy & Institutions, Seed Systems, Water ManagementCountries
IndiaTimeline
Start Date: 1 December 2012 | End Date: 28 February 2013Overview
The overall purpose of this initiative is to initiate a process of mainstreaming and scaling up of appropriate high potential pro-poor agricultural “technologies” (technology models, packages, practices /concepts / processes, etc.) by the state governments and other stakeholders. The initiative will specifically create an awareness and provide information about new (not substituting the existing ones with analogues) and proven high potential agricultural technologies , and provide a platform for cross fertilization of knowledge and ideas among experts / research organizations, financial institutions, state and central government departments, civic societies and service and input providers. Such technologies are particularly relevant for the rain-fed areas in the eastern parts and the Indo-Gangetic plains of the country, particularly in the context of climate change. With a large population density and being prone to both floods and droughts, the eastern India region struggles to sustain production and productivity of major cereals, pulses and oilseeds and ensure the food security.
These new technologies are expected not only to maintain, but enhance productivity and the production levels. The scaling –up of high potential agricultural technologies would increase productivity of crops and livestock to meet the growing demand for food and improving food and nutrition security of the poor and vulnerable residing in the remote rural areas of the country. Additionally, it is envisaged that the transfer of high potential technologies would also make agriculture attractive to rural youth and create more livelihood opportunities resulting in less distress migration.
Goal:
The selection of appropriate ready to scale innovative and high potential technologies is the most vital aspect of this event.
ICRAF tasks
1) Developing an analytical framework and a set of technical, economic and social filters for identifying the best practices and prioritizing their cultural acceptability, familiarity, effectiveness, “sustainability” and scalability,
2) Using the framework, review the technologies under key themes (areas), such as the resource management, climate change resilient (smart) practices, knowledge management based applications and market linkage in relation to productivity gains and economies of scale,
3) Develop a scaling up process and implementation road map by involving various stakeholders, and
4) Package the scaling up of flagship technologies / practices in ecologically well characterized “technology fit matched – delineated” areas at scales, especially in external development portfolio supported states
Deliverables
1. Identification of 4-6 best “technologies” (technology models, packages, practices /concepts / processes) from a basket comprising different commodities, systems, methods & processes, etc. and screening them through various biophysical, socio-economic and cultural diversity filters via a task force composed of specialists in these disciplines,
2. Presenting the selected scalable “technologies” in a “Share Fair Workshop” having about 50-60 participants for critiquing and buy in in them and for supporting the scaling up efforts. This group will comprise of the representatives from the Department of Agriculture as well as relevant research institutions, State Governments and line departments, Financial Institutions, Knowledge Commission, CGIAR centers, UN nod other selected international organizations. Officials from other relevant ministries and the Planning Commission will also be invited.
The 2 day “Share Fair Workshop” will set a template for at least an annual workshop to be held each year to take stock and promote the potential technologies, particularly those that have been generated through the support of financial institutions, so that they can be built in the development portfolios of such institutions and provide benefits to a larger pool of clientele,
3. Determine the application domains of the “flagship technologies” by matching the profile of the technologies (technology utilization requirements) with the potential target area qualities and the utilizers (farmers in case of agri. technologies) resource base,
4. Package the scalable (smart agricultural) technologies and prepare a template for their scaling up and provide it to various stakeholders for wider clientele use.
