GOPA Worldwide Consultants’ Post

Excited to share our article that examines the Stepwise climate-smart agriculture training approach in four sequential steps, using a uniquely developed adoption intensity index. When Robusta and Arabica coffee farmers ☕️🌱 in Uganda adopted more than half the practices, they achieved higher yields and more revenue! This has important implications for going beyond blanket training and allowing for context-specific approaches that link training to producer organizations to allow for fair pricing mechanisms and improved access to inputs 👩🏽🤝👨🏾💥

📢 We have a new Publication in the International Journal of Agriculture Sustainability ☕🌍 Coffee farmers face mounting climate risks, which threaten both yields and livelihoods. Despite many training programmes promoting climate-smart practices, adoption often remains low. 📑 Conventional training delivers a full package of practices all at once, which farmers may find difficult to take up. We evaluated the *Stepwise approach*, a new model that introduces climate-smart and good agriculture practices in four sequenced steps — starting with basic measures and progressing toward more resource-intensive ones. 📈 🔍 What’s distinctive about our study ✔We compare treated, spillover, and comparison farmers in Uganda, where both Robusta and Arabica coffee are grown, capturing direct and indirect effects. ✔ We use a new adoption-intensity index, going beyond binary measures of adoption. ✔ We link adoption intensity (not just training participation) to yields and revenues using robust impact methods. 📊 Findings (three years after training) ➖ Sequenced training did not shift behaviour in the longer run; Adoption was similar across treated, spillover, and comparison farmers (~46%), and overall adoption dropped in higher, more resource- and labour-intensive steps ➕ Yet, farmers adopting more than half of the recommended practices achieved ~23% higher yields and ~32% higher coffee revenue. 💡 Takeaway Sequencing training may reduce adoption barriers compared with one-off bundles, but structural constraints still limit uptake beyond basic sustainability practices, calling for stronger producer organisations, targeted training, and innovative solutions for access to inputs and fair pricing — particularly for resource-constrained farmers. 📖 Read the open-access article here: https://lnkd.in/e6EW2Piv We thank Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH GOPA Worldwide Consultants ImpactLoop LTD @Hatchhile Consult Ltd International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), especially Manuela Kristin Günther Christine Bosch Hanna Ewell Raphael Nawrotzki @Edward Kato Thomas Miethbauer Tobias Schmolke Julia Prenzel Bartholomeow Ayinbila Aobe Blaga Zlateva Francis Mutonyi CPA david mukasa Sarah Margiotta, and everyone else who gave their time to make this study possible. #Quasi-experimental study #Agriculture #Coffee #Uganda #ClimateChangeAdapatation

What is innovation in farming and how can what we call "pro-innovative" behaviour be encouraged? We explored some of these issues (with Sofia Karampela and Alex Koutsouris) in a study in Samos, where EOSS (United Winemaking Agricultural Cooperative of Samos) -the biggest cooperative on the island with more than 1500 smallholder members) where we explored the complex interplay between innovation, pro-innovative behaviour, social capital, and farm viability. We employed a mixed method approach, with quantitative measurements in a Likert scale of indicators that are supposed to mirror these concepts and complex indexes. We combined this with in-depth interviews with farmers and other actors. The findings revealed low scored overall and a complex (no surprise there....) relationship among these factors which quantitative analysis alone could not fully capture. The quantitative analysis showed that gender was important in pro-innovative attitudes (female respondents scored higher in all composite indexes), education level was also important (more educated farmers scored higher), but also age, as farmers over 60 scored higher in all composite indexes. But, the qualitative data highlighted a mechanism of “institutionalization of cooperative members” as a significant mediating factor, explaining the overall weak innovation and low social trust observed. This is in our opinions the key to understand the results: members feel that they are parts of an Institution and therefore should follow its norms, but this Institution is not flexible enough to be able to change the practices and attitudes of its members to practice and adopt innovation. The few ones that do, are collectively discouraged. Apart from the need to more flexibly adapt the structures and advice practices of EOSS, the study is another example (as if it was needed...) that marks the need to adopt mixed and in depth approaches in rural society and farmers research. Better agricultural and policy policy depends on this... https://lnkd.in/dG_4XVpM

For Immediate Release: Announcing the First Sri Lankan-Chinese Hi-tech Agricultural Exchange Initiative  🖥️🚜🚁🌱 We are proud to announce a landmark collaboration between the Industrial Services Bureau of Sri Lanka and Yangling Modern Agriculture International Cooperation Co., Ltd. This pioneering initiative is designed to transform Sri Lankan agriculture into a high-tech, digital powerhouse, addressing pressing economic and climate challenges. This exchange will create a vital cross-border platform connecting Sri Lankan agricultural businesses, policymakers, and professionals with China's leading experts and innovators. The event will be held at the prestigious Yangling Hi-tech Agriculture Industrial Demonstration Zone in the Yangling district of Shaanxi Province, a dedicated hub established by the Chinese Government for the national and cross-border dissemination of hi-tech agriculture. Key Objectives: 🖥️Explore Cutting-Edge Solutions: A full-day immersion at the renowned Yangling Hi-tech Agriculture Fair. 🌱Forge Strategic Connections: In-depth meetings with leading universities, research institutions, and hi-tech agricultural companies in China. 🚜Drive Collaboration: Facilitate B2B meetings and dialogues to identify opportunities for investment, technology transfer, and joint ventures. 🚁Focus Areas: Advanced farming technology, sustainable food systems, and renewable energy in agriculture. This initiative marks a pivotal step in modernizing our agricultural sector, fostering innovation, and building a resilient future for Sri Lanka.

Strengthening NZ’s Ag & Hort Innovation – Why PGG Wrightson’s New Research Station Matters. PGG Wrightson Ltd’s investment in a new R&D site in Hastings is an important signal for New Zealand’s food and fibre sector. From our perspective working across the life sciences, the significance lies in three areas: ● Locally relevant research: Trials and demonstrations designed for New Zealand’s unique growing conditions and challenges. ● A platform for collaboration: A hub where industry partners, researchers, and growers can work together to trial, validate, and showcase solutions. ● Confidence in the sector’s future: An investment that helps safeguard regional competitiveness and adaptability in the face of climate, biosecurity, and market pressures. Innovation in agriculture and horticulture cannot rely solely on offshore agendas. This move highlights the value of research that is globally informed but locally grounded. For New Zealand’s ag and hort audiences, it’s a timely reminder that maintaining a strong science and technology base here is critical to delivering the productivity, sustainability, and market outcomes the sector needs. https://lnkd.in/g3Vkxig8

Insights from Kenya's Premier Agri-Business Exhibition. I had the privilege of attending the recent Sokoni Agribusiness exhibition, Kenya's largest showcase of natural, healthy, and value-added agricultural products. The event's panel discussions with key industry stakeholders provided some critical insights into the future of Kenya's agricultural sector. A few key takeaways stood out: 1) Export vs. Local Consumption: A striking statistic was highlighted—only 5% of Kenya's total agricultural output is exported, a small fraction that undergoes rigorous quality verification to meet international standards. This raises a crucial question: What about the remaining 95% consumed locally? Ensuring the same level of quality control and safety for our domestic market is an essential next step for the industry. 2) Beyond Production: The discussions underscored the urgent need for capacity building among Kenyan farmers. The focus must shift from simply producing crops to incorporating value-addition processes. This strategic change can significantly boost farmer income and create a more resilient and profitable agricultural sector. 3) Empowering the Consumer: A major missing piece in the value chain is consumer awareness. It's not enough to just talk about the nutritional value of food. We must empower consumers to demand higher quality and to be able to trace the origin of the produce they buy. This will create a powerful feedback loop that incentivizes better practices from farm to table. The path forward for Kenyan agriculture is clear: we need to invest in quality standards across all markets, empower farmers to innovate, and educate consumers to drive demand for safe, high-quality products. It's an exciting time to be part of this sector, and I look forward to seeing how these insights are put into action.

Building Capacity for small scale farmers can help them access benefits from e.g. Climate Finance and draw some revenue from, either, Carbon Credits or resource mobilization and funding for agroecology through PPP & other financing mechanisms such as PES (Payment for Ecosystem Services). This will motivate even the community members, not only farmers on issues relevant in Agriculture and Food Systems.

While agritech innovations are on the rise, adoption on the ground faces systemic challenges. The question is not just whether these solutions exist, but whether farmers are in a position to adopt them. We recently wrote an article for The Hindu Business Line that reflects on this gap: why adoption is not just about awareness or access, but about whether the right system is in place to act on it. Based on Villgro’s field insights, the article explores how the presence of organised players like Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) enable adoption by aggregating demand, ensuring timely access to inputs, coordinating labour, and connecting farmers to markets. They provide the supporting environment needed for innovations to take root on the ground.

🎉 Another chapter of my PhD has been published in Outlook on Agriculture. ❓How sustainable is the cultivation of protein-rich crops in Europe?   This study is the first to simultaneously evaluate the environmental and economic sustainability of cultivating faba beans, chickpeas, lentils and quinoa across different European countries. In addition, we compared organic and conventional production systems for these crops. The findings highlight the instability of yields in certain crops and regions, indicating a need for more suitable varieties. At the same time, expanding local production of protein-rich crops could play an important role in reducing Europe’s heavy reliance on imported soy. 📢Want to know more? You can find the article here: https://lnkd.in/e4AUEFUz   I would like to thank all co-authors Shashank Goyal,  Prof. Hans De Steur, Dr. Denise Ott, Prof. Xavier Gellynck, Harm Brinks, Lucía Sánchez García, Leonardo Tobia and the Smart Protein Project.

The 8th International Farming System Design Conference is a blast! Held on the splendid campus of the University of Paris-Saclay, the conference explores the theme: “Farming Systems Design for Sustainable Agri-Food Systems: Theories and Practices.” Yesterday, Prof. Rachel Bezner Kerr from Cornell University delivered a powerful opening keynote on Agroecological Food System Design Across Global North and South Contexts. My key takeaway: the social and political dimensions of agroecology are what truly distinguish it from related concepts like conservation agriculture. These aspects are not just complementary—they are defining. This was followed by a provocative keynote by Prof. Philippe Baret from UC Louvain on Accelerating the Transition: A Multi-Scale Approach. Two insights stood out for me: Barriers to sustainable transitions are often structural (macro-level), while most adoption studies focus on the farm level (micro-level). Binary thinking—such as agroecological vs. conventional agriculture—is unhelpful. It oversimplifies reality and hinders cross-learning. Instead, we should focus on scaling good practices that support sustainable transitions and enhance ambition within conventional systems. Today, Prof. Katrien Descheemaeker from Wageningen University gave an excellent keynote on Transitioning to Sustainable Agri-Food Systems: Going Beyond the Systemic Rhetoric. Her talk highlighted the issue of “system washing”—the frequent use of the term “systems research” without clear definitions or methodological grounding. She offered a framework to help researchers organize their thinking and practice both methodologically and in terms of outcomes. In the second keynote, Chloe Lecomte (CIRAD) and Elsa Berthet (INRAE France) spoke on Agriculture by Design: How to Address Agricultural Challenges Differently. I appreciated how they linked design thinking with systems thinking, offering insights into what it means to design discrete products versus designing systemic change. The latter, as expected, is complex and requires empowering actors for self-organization and learning. The parallel sessions were equally fascinating, with rich discussions on systems analysis, design/redesign, system change, and transformation. Overall, I find the entire experience intellectually enriching and deeply engaging. Anthony Whitbread Kindu MekonnenHaimanot SeifuIddo Dror CGIAR Sustainable Farming CGIAR Scaling for Impact Marc Schut Esther Kihoro PhD