Projects
Transforming and adapting policy analysis in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the context of European Union accession
The project aims at sharing comprehensive analytical knowledge to evaluate the effects of the different policy measures on the agricultural sector development in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The project started in August 2018 and is due to end in August 2019.
Project focus
- Strengthening capacity of government officials to conduct sound policy analysis based on quality data and using internationally recognised analytical tools
- Strengthening capacity of government officials to lead and coordinate donor activities
- Promoting agriculture and rural sector policies in alignment with European Union’s standards
Overview
Starting from a comprehensive review of existing policy analysis tools in the country, the project will evaluate the needs for improvement and propose appropriate alternatives from a wide range of internationally recognised analytical tools. The project will focus on those tools that are the most relevant in analysing policy instruments applied in the European countries. It will ensure that the selected tools are the most adequate for monitoring and evaluation of alignment of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s policy instruments to the European Union’s standards. The project will also provide capacity building to the government officials to ensure the highest quality policy analysis based on sound evidence.
Building the basis for implementing the Save and Grow approach
Regional strategies on sustainable and climate-resilient intensification of cropping systems
The scope of this project is to integrate CSA and ‘Save and Grow’ practices into the productive management of maize-based systems in Southern Africa and rice-based cropping systems in South Asia. The focal countries are Zambia and Sri Lanka. The project runs from February 2016 to January 2019.
Project focus
- Strengthen national capacities and extension providers on improved crop management and plant protection techniques through operational/organizational/informational capacity development.
- Increase human resource capacity in research and development institutions, improve and adapt equipment, technology and diversified cropping systems to changing climatic scenarios.
- Enhance the linkage with the research-industry.
- Based on the above, improve farmers’ capacity and access to quality agricultural inputs (equipment, seed) and services.
Overview
Under this project, EPIC is utilizing household survey data to classify farmers into distinct farm system categories and to identify “business models” to enhance the economic, environmental, and social outcomes of these farm system categories. The project's resource partner is the Government of Germany.
Strengthening integrated adaptation planning and implementation in Southern Africa smallholder agricultural systems to support food security
This project runs from May 2016-December 2019. It aims to strengthen institutional and technical capacity in Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique and to build resilience in agricultural systems.
Project focus
- Strengthen technical capacity to synthesize, analyze and transfer climate and bio-physical data and information for the assessment of vulnerabilities and risks.
- Promote climate information services.
- Enhance countries’ capacities to develop policies and financing for climate-smart agriculture.
- Facilitate up-scaling and implementation of climate change adaptation practices in agriculture and fisheries to enhance resilience to climate change.
Overview
In all three countries, EPIC is using household survey data to analyse the range of factors that influence small-scale farmers to adopt particular farming systems (mono-cropped systems vs different crop combinations), and the impact of different farm systems on household welfare and food security outcomes. This analysis helps policy makers to identify particular policy interventions for promoting more diverse and sustainable crop systems.
In addition, EPIC is developing a microsimulation model parametrized for each country. The model will allow policy makers to assess the implications of predicted future climate change on welfare outcomes, as well as to examine how different policy options will influence these outcomes.
The project's resource partner is the Flanders Cooperation.