Lessons and recommendations from the DeSIRA Initiative

The DeSIRA Initiative (Development Smart Innovation through Research in Agriculture; https://europa.eu/capacity4dev/desira) supported research and innovation (R&I) for the sustainable transformation of agriculture and food systems in low and middle-income countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Through the DeSIRA Initiative, 82 projects were implemented, and several strategic African and global initiatives were supported. With a funding base of €340 million invested by the European Commission and €60 million by European Union (EU) member states, DeSIRA strengthened R&I capacities, fostered co-innovation and promoted policy dialogue to enhance agricultural innovation systems (AIS). The DeSIRA Initiative focused on using participatory action research, along with local knowledge, to contribute to more productive, climate-resilient and inclusive food systems. It also aimed to generate evidence to improve future interventions and policy making. DeSIRA emphasised co-designing and disseminating climate-smart and agroecological solutions. Capacity strengthening was central, aiming to invest in technical, managerial and functional capacities at individual and organisational levels. DeSIRA supported innovation through multistakeholder approaches involving communities, farmer organisations, nongovernmental organisations, private-sector actors, research institutions and development bodies.

These multistakeholder R&I partnerships codesigned innovations, paved the way for scaling, contributed to stronger innovation capacities and national AIS, supported improved natural resource management, facilitated market access through stronger value chains and fostered a more enabling policy environment (see 2024 DeSIRA Annual Global Report for more results). DeSIRA’s experience highlights the importance of local collaboration and institutional partnerships for responsible innovation in agriculture and food systems. By strengthening partnerships, improving project design and fostering an enabling policy environment, the Initiative demonstrated how strategic planning – supported by explicit scaling strategies, organisational learning and targeted capacity development – can signifi cantly enhance impact and sustainability. This note presents the main lessons and recommendations from the DeSIRA Initiative, derived from DeSIRA-LIFT activities and publications in support of the DeSIRA Initiative over the period 2021-2025.