DFID support to the CABI Partnership Facility. An evaluation of development impact, 2002 to 2007.

From:
Department for International Development
Published
1 January 2007
Document Type:
Evaluation Report
Theme:
Research Communication and Uptake
Authors:
Holderness, M.

Abstract

This review of activities funded through the CABI Partnership Facility presents the impact on international development at different scales, from global policy through to the poorest farmers. The evaluation examined all projects supported through the Facility over the last five years. It combined thorough self-evaluation (to a standard method) by those directly involved in these projects, with feedback received and requested from partners and external evaluation of individual programmes or of the wider rural development programmes they have generated.

Key impacts of PF funding within each of the CABI themes include:

Knowledge for Development:
(50% of PF funding)

  •  Development of consortia, including developing country institutions, to leverage funding for development and dissemination of encyclopaedic compendia.
  •  Making CABI’s information available to developing countries through involvement in pre-funded networks
  •  Participation in the shaping of global agricultural research policy, linking science and society.
  •  Development of novel farmer-centred approaches to sustainable seed systems.

Invasive Species:
(25% of PF funding)

  •  Input to the Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP), supporting the implementation of CBD commitments on invasives.
  •  Through GISP, development of new regional strategies and policies on invasive species.
  •  Improving sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) skills in Africa and Southeast Asia, helping countries to overcome trade barriers and access lucrative export markets.
  •  Enabling rapid response to specific pest outbreaks around the world.

Commodities:
(25% of PF funding)

  •  Input to the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative of the major international food companies, and production of the global reference work Cocoa Futures, directly influencing global commodity policies.
  •  Facilitating a regional coffee research network in Africa (CORNET) under ASARECA
  •  Initiating a major regional initiative to control coffee wilt disease, following an initial PF-funded survey in Uganda.
  •  Addressing the future sustainability of perennial crop systems

In financial terms, a total external investment via the Facility of £2.9 million over the 5 years of the study (£3.9 million since 1997) has directly catalysed rural development and agricultural research programmes to a value of at least £17.6 million. The evaluation has also highlighted issues that CABI needs to address to further improve development impacts from these programmes, which are discussed throughout the report.

Citation

Holderness, M. DFID support to the CABI Partnership Facility. An evaluation of development impact, 2002 to 2007. (2007) 54 pp.

DFID support to the CABI Partnership Facility. An evaluation of development impact, 2002 to 2007.

Published 1 January 2007
Contents