Working paper

This working paper provides examples of ‘systems analysis’; describing the context, what was done, and how the outcomes informed broader research and development activities. Agricultural innovation systems (AIS) are complex, multi-layered, and can be difficult to define and analyse. »

This synthesis report compares regional and national seed laws in Africa, and analyzes the extent to which they support (or undermine) farmers’ participation in seed systems. The paper pays particular attention to how or whether these laws recognize farmers as conservers and breeders of crop varieties, and as potential multipliers and providers of seed. »

This working paper investigates how a decrease in the share of land held by an agribusiness in a village affects smallholder plot-level tenure security and investments in rural Tanzanian villages. A large number of agribusinesses that acquired agricultural land in many sub-Saharan African countries have reduced or ceased their operations in recent years. »

This working paper elaborates on the importance and challenges regarding governance for water-energy-food nexus approaches. The concept of the water–energy–food nexus has become widely used to help understand interdependencies among the three systems. However, governance in the WEF nexus has not received much attention in the literature. »

This working paper aims to to stimulate debate on how to improve positive impacts from investments on smallholder livelihoods and to move from ‘do no harm’ risk mitigation approach towards a ‘do good’ impact approach. Aimed primarily at investors, in just 15 pages it highlights how to work profitably and equitably with smallholders, and how to promote better land governance and livelihoods. »

This working paper presents a tool, designed to help any interested person to understand root, tuber and banana (RTB) seed systems or for use during planning, monitoring, and implementation of interventions in them. RTB crops are important for food security and commerce, especially in the tropics. »