S04-1-MSU

S04.1–MSU, Impact Assessment of Dry Grain Pulses CRSP Investments in Research, Institutional Capacity Building and Technology Dissemination for Improved Program Efforts

Michigan State University as Lead University

U.S. PIs and Institutions and Collaborating Host Countries

Lead U.S. PI

  • Mywish Maredia, Michigan State University, USA

Collaborating Host Country and U.S. PIs and Institutions:

  • Eric Crawford (Co-PI), Michigan State University (MSU)
  • Robert Shupp, MSU
  • David Ortega, MSU
  • Nicole Mason, MSU
  • Nathalie MeNsope, MSU
  • David DeYoung, MSU
  • Byron Reyes, Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
  • Fulgence Mishili and Paul Kusolwa, Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Tanzania
  • Francis Kusi, Savannah Agriculture Research Institute (SARI), Ghana
  • Dieudonne Ilboudo, Institut de l’Environnement et des Recherches Agricoles (INERA), Burkina Faso 
  • James Beaver, University of Puerto Rico (UPR)
  • Timothy Porch, United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS)
  • Emmanuel Prophete, National Seed Service (NSS), Haiti
  • Barry Pittendrigh, MSU

 


Project Problem Statement and Justification (Brief)

Impact assessment is essential for evaluating publicly-funded research programs and planning future research. Organizations that implement these programs should be accountable for showing results, demonstrating impacts, and assessing the cost-effectiveness of their implementation strategies. It is therefore essential to document outputs, outcomes and impacts of public investments in research for development (R4D) activities. Anecdotal data and qualitative information are important in communicating impact to policymakers and the public but must be augmented with empirical data and sound and rigorous analysis. Project Workplan, 2013-2017

Building on the momentum and experience gained over the last three years, the proposed research will contribute towards evidence-based rigorous ex ante and ex post assessments of outputs, outcomes and impacts, with the goal of assisting the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Legume Systems Research program and its Management Office achieve two important goals—accountability and learning. Greater accountability (and strategic validation) is a prerequisite for continued financial support from USAID and better learning is crucial for improving the effectiveness of development projects and ensuring that the lessons from experience—both positive and negative—are heeded. Integrating this culture of impact assessment in publicly funded programs such as the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Legume Systems Research will ultimately help increase the overall impact of such investments.

Objectives:

  1. Provide technical leadership in the design, collection and analysis of data for strategic input and impact evaluation
  2. Conduct ex ante and ex post impact assessments
  3. Build institutional capacity and develop human resources in the area of impact assessment research

Target Outputs:

  1. Completion of one thesis papers on the economics and sustainability of bean seed systems in Central America.
  2. Completion of two Impact Briefs
  3. Completion of 2 manuscripts for publication in academic journals and/or presentations at professional meetings.