networking and institutional change when generating evidence on climate smart
technologies and practices. We conclude with insights on how the theory of change
process in CGIAR can be used to achieve impacts that balance the drive to generate
new knowledge in agricultural research with the priorities and urgency of the users
and beneficiaries of these research results.
Evaluating the contribution of agricultural research to development has always
been a challenge. Research alone does not lead to impact, but research does generate
knowledge which actors, including development partners, can put into use to generate
development outcomes. In CCAFS we are finding that a theory of change approach to
research program design, implementation and evaluation is helping us bridge the gap
between knowledge generation and development outcomes.
Keywords Results-based management • Impact pathway • Monitoring • Learning
and evaluation • Theory of change
4.1 Introduction
Global poverty has been reduced over the past 25 years. The developing regions
overall saw a 42 % reduction in the prevalence of undernourished people between
1990–1992 and 2012–2014 (FAO 2015). Despite major investments of the international community in reducing poverty and food insecurity, an estimated 805 million
people were chronically undernourished in 2012–2014 (FAO 2015), almost all of
whom live in developing countries. There are large regional differences in terms of
the progress that has been made against poverty and hunger: in South Asia it has
been limited, and in sub-Saharan Africa it has actually gone backwards since
1990–1992 (FAO 2015). There is much to be done to reach the targets for 2030
as articulated in the Sustainable Development Goals (UN 2015a). Research for
development (R4D) has played a significant role in reducing food insecurity over
the last decades and will continue to play a critical role moving forward.
R4D is a set of applied research approaches that aim to directly contribute
towards achieving international development targets through innovation. In this,
there is a wide range of understanding of the concept. In this chapter we focus on
agricultural research for development as operationalized by CGIAR. The underlying assumption is that research within R4D is done with broader development
outcomes in mind, e.g. demand-led prioritization of research, participatory and
action research and stakeholder involvement (Harrington and Fisher 2014).
Agricultural R4D has a long history. CGIAR was founded in 1971 as a response
to address global hunger in India, Pakistan and other South Asian countries. The
adoption of improved agricultural practices and technologies developed by CGIAR,
54
T. Schuetz et al.
technologies and practices. We conclude with insights on how the theory of change
process in CGIAR can be used to achieve impacts that balance the drive to generate
new knowledge in agricultural research with the priorities and urgency of the users
and beneficiaries of these research results.
Evaluating the contribution of agricultural research to development has always
been a challenge. Research alone does not lead to impact, but research does generate
knowledge which actors, including development partners, can put into use to generate
development outcomes. In CCAFS we are finding that a theory of change approach to
research program design, implementation and evaluation is helping us bridge the gap
between knowledge generation and development outcomes.
Keywords Results-based management • Impact pathway • Monitoring • Learning
and evaluation • Theory of change
4.1 Introduction
Global poverty has been reduced over the past 25 years. The developing regions
overall saw a 42 % reduction in the prevalence of undernourished people between
1990–1992 and 2012–2014 (FAO 2015). Despite major investments of the international community in reducing poverty and food insecurity, an estimated 805 million
people were chronically undernourished in 2012–2014 (FAO 2015), almost all of
whom live in developing countries. There are large regional differences in terms of
the progress that has been made against poverty and hunger: in South Asia it has
been limited, and in sub-Saharan Africa it has actually gone backwards since
1990–1992 (FAO 2015). There is much to be done to reach the targets for 2030
as articulated in the Sustainable Development Goals (UN 2015a). Research for
development (R4D) has played a significant role in reducing food insecurity over
the last decades and will continue to play a critical role moving forward.
R4D is a set of applied research approaches that aim to directly contribute
towards achieving international development targets through innovation. In this,
there is a wide range of understanding of the concept. In this chapter we focus on
agricultural research for development as operationalized by CGIAR. The underlying assumption is that research within R4D is done with broader development
outcomes in mind, e.g. demand-led prioritization of research, participatory and
action research and stakeholder involvement (Harrington and Fisher 2014).
Agricultural R4D has a long history. CGIAR was founded in 1971 as a response
to address global hunger in India, Pakistan and other South Asian countries. The
adoption of improved agricultural practices and technologies developed by CGIAR,
54
T. Schuetz et al.