Actionable learning from a review of DeSIRA projects’ contributions to agroecology transitions

This learning brief presents the findings from a review of 14 DeSIRA research and innovation (R&I) projects that have made significant contributions to agroecological transitions (AET). The projects were selected iteratively from the pool of the 70 EU-funded DeSIRA Pillar 1 projects. The review focuses on those with the explicit aim of fostering AET and those who volunteered for being included in the review. They cover the four DeSIRA target regions of West and Central Africa (WCA), East and Southern Africa (ESA), Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) and Asia-Pacific (AP). 

The analysis was based on an analytical framework derived from the 13 agroecology (AE) principles defined by the High Level Panel of Experts on World Food Security. The main review questions were: (1) To what extent and how did DeSIRA AE projects explicitly address AE and AET, or specific dimensions thereof? (2) What multistakeholder arrangements did projects devise, and to what extent were they specific to addressing AET? (3) How successful have the projects been in contributing to AET ? (4) Which enabling factors and barriers to AET were encountered?

While not all four review questions could be answered in depth, the review found that contributions to AET emerge from using comprehensive approaches addressing multiple dimensions - from farm-level practices to enabling policy environments. Furthermore, we identified seven strategic components commonly used to foster AET, adapting each of them to their respective contexts: 1. Deploying participatory innovation and co-design approaches. 2. Establishing/strengthening farmers’ organisations, multi-stakeholder platforms, and networks. 3. Building capacities and developing knowledge products. 4. Developing agroecological technical innovations at farm level. 5. Implementing ecosystem and landscape approaches. 6. Developing markets, value chains, and labels for agroecological products. 7. Engaging in evidence-based policy processes to create enabling environments.

By implementing these components, DeSIRA projects were able to contribute to several key AET dimensions, even though most of the associated outcomes remain emergent: a. development and adaptation of agroecological practices at field and farm level, including external input reduction and use of bio-inputs, biodiversity and soil health conservation, and no-till cultivation, b. eco-system management, including climate adaptation, c. market-based development, including organisation of ecological fairs, AE product labelling, and farmers’ inclusion in an array of existing or novel value chains, d. strengthening (local) institutions. including creation and strengthening of farmer organisations, support to extension, and curriculum development, e. creation of multi-stakeholder platforms, networks and other forms of stakeholder coordination, and f. contribution to the creation of more enabling environments through policy influencing. Many projects were able to build on existing initiatives and networks which often turned out to be conducive factors to substantive transition outcomes. 

Based on these findings, we propose a generic Agroecological Transition Theory of Change (AEToC) to guide R&I projects seeking to foster AET. The AEToC can contribute to guide the design of approaches and actions for project stakeholders and donors to enhance approaches to support AET processes. For project staff, it highlights the importance of informed initiative design through stakeholder mapping and context analysis, the need for monitoring with specific indicators and for supporting capacity building, and proper documentation. For donors, the AEToC provides criteria for proposal evaluation, suggestions for flexible funding mechanisms, and the need for longer timeframes to achieve meaningful transitions.