Agriculture and Food Security Knowledge Network

SDC is generally dealing with complex multi-disciplinary development issues that need solid content as well as context knowledge. Such knowledge can best be generated and shared with a global network approach benefitting from experience of SDC staff as well as professionals from the civil society, the scientific community and the private sector. With this proposal the network will further consolidate its position in content quality assurance of SDC interventions

SDC financed development interventions in Agriculture and Food Security (A&FS) aiming at improving economic, social and ecological benefits.

Primary Target groups are people who deal with Agriculture and Food Security topics: SDC staff at the head office in Switzerland and abroad, SDC field offices, NGOs and in the future possibly also Project managers implementing SDC’s and other related projects.
Secondary Target groups include people from related networks such as: Climate Change and Environment (CC&E), RésEAU, employment and income (e+i), DDR, Gender, Decentralization and Local Governance (DDLGN).

Outcome 1: Network members (f/m) apply expertise in their work environment;

Outcome 2: The thematic profile of A&FS network is sharpened;

Outcome 3: Network members (f/m) are connected.

Risultati principali attesi:  

• One extensive learning journey per year on a key topic, joint with related network members;
  
• Four joint newsletters every year for A&FS and employment and income (e+i) topics, reaching 800 people;
  
• Promotion of the network for consultations of policy questions;
  
• Promotion of the network for questions arising from project cycle management issues;
  
• Promotion of small closed sub-groups dealing with a specific challenge, e.g. MSD, rural advisory services, land tenure issues, post-harvest management, pastoralism, seed systems, value chains, etc.
  
• Focus on four to five relevant topics and methods: post-harvest management, rural advisory services, land governance, nutrition, result measurement;
  
• Enhance knowledge among members in methods, approaches, concepts, relevant practice and theory of A&FS.
  

Risultati fasi precedenti:  

The network A&FS is established and increasingly known with around 400 members. Extended institutional learning in a number of topics such as family farming, rural advisory services, land governance and rural development have been organised. A newsletter is issued four times a year and e-based communication methods such as blogs and e-discussions are carried out. Key insights are: firstly, bringing people together for face to face works, even if motivating network members to be active on e-based communication platforms remains a challenge. Secondly, to tangibly add value to the SDC interventions, networks need to be active in key processes like country strategies, entry proposals, strategic reviews and provide specific knowledge for new staff and/or staff on rotation.

Close cooperation with SDC sister networks: Climate Change and Environment (CC&E), RésEAU, employment and income (e+i), DDR, Gender, Decentralization and Local Governance (DDLGN) as well as networks of Swiss NGOs such as Helvetas. Furthermore, with scientific institutions (IDS, ODI), multilateral organisations such as Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other SDC partners such as the Global Forum on Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS) and the Contribution to Global Donor Platform for Rural Development (GDPRD).

Fase 1 01.04.2016 - 31.12.2020   (Completed)