Selective Learning: China, the CGIAR, and Global Agricultural Science in Flux

This article analyses the interaction between China and the CGIAR (formerly the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research) since the 1970s, exploring the formation of China’s modern agricultural science capability and its approach towards learning. While China was previously regarded and treated as a recipient of international scientific expertise, it is now a more equal partner and contributor, with capacity to provide funds, support exchange programmes for scientists, and collaborate in building laboratories and joint research programmes. Some of these now extend beyond the CGIAR system and are creating new platforms for scientific collaboration and knowledge production in the South. By offering an illustration of China’s ‘selective learning’ approach, emphasising self-reliance and pragmatism in its engagement with the CGIAR, this article feeds into broader debates on how China contributes to global development knowledge and learning.

ANALISIS PROCESS TERHADAP STRATEGI GRADUASI KELUARGA PENERIMA MANFAAT PROGRAM KELUARGA HARAPAN DI KABUPATEN CIANJUR DALAM KERANGKA RESULT-BASED MANAGEMENT

Abstrack. Some studies explained that the Program Keluarga Harapan (PKH) gave a positive contribution for improving the health, nutritional status and education level of Beneficiary Families (Keluarga Penerima Manfaat). However, this program still had limitation for family-economical improvement, which is shown as graduated KPM for 2019 were only 12% of graduated KPM on 2017 and 2018. Therefore, targeting of graduated-capable KPM became PKH policy objective, not only just ensuring the sosial assistence was on target, but also ensuring poverty alleviation by creating socially and economically independent KPM. To achieve this target, the Ministry of Social Affairs developed a accelerated-graduation strategy by adopting The Consultative Group to Assist the Poor/CGAP model. This research tried to analyze the process of the KPM PKH graduation strategy within the Results-Based Management (RBM) framework in Cianjur. RBM as approach of result-based strategic planning, focused on analyzing assumptions and risk to achieve each result at the output, outcome and impact level (UNDP, 2009). The main data collection used in-dept interviews with 21 informants that represented as the Central Government, Local Government, PKH Human Resources and KPM PKH in Cianjur. From this research resulted 5 (five) processes in the strategy used in Cianjur. There were first, accelerating changes in the mindset and behavior of KPM through Family Development Session; second, ensuring program complementarity for KPM; third, monitoring the socio-economic development of KPM and mapping of KPM's potential graduation; fourth, KPM entrepreneurship assistance; and the fifth meeting of potential KPM (Rembug KPM). Abstrak. Berbagai penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Program Keluarga Harapan (PKH) memberikan kontribusi positif terhadap peningkatan kondisi kesehatan, status gizi dan tingkat pendidikan Keluarga Penerima Manfaat (KPM). Namun demikian, kemampuan program dalam meningkatkan perekonomian keluarga masih sangat terbatas, yang tercermin dari rendahnya proporsi KPM yang lulus (graduasi) hingga 2019 hanya sekitar 12 persen dari KPM tahun 2017 dan 2018 yang graduasi. Oleh karenanya, targeting graduasi KPM berdaya menjadi arah kebijakan PKH saat ini, bukan lagi tentang sekedar memastikan bantuan tepat sasaran, namun utamanya bagaimana mengentaskan kemiskinan dengan menghasilkan KPM mandiri secara sosial dan ekonomi. Untuk mencapai target tersebut maka Kementerian Sosial mengembangkan strategi percepatan graduasi yang mengadopsi model graduasi The Consultative Group to Assist the Poor/CGAP. Penelitian ini mencoba menganalisis process terhadap strategi graduasi KPM PKH dalam kerangka Result Based Management (RBM) di Kabupaten Cianjur. RBM sebagai pendekatan perencanaan strategis berbasis hasil (result), berfokus pada analisis asumsi (assumption) dan risiko (risk) untuk mencapai masing-masing result pada level outputs, outcomes dan impact (UNDP, 2009). Pengumpulan data utama menggunakan in-dept interview pada 21 informan yang merupakan representasi Pemerintah Pusat, Pemerintah Daerah, Sumber Daya Manusia PKH dan KPM PKH di Kabupaten Cianjur. Hasil riset menunjukkan bahwa terdapat 5 (lima) proses dalam strategi graduasi yang digunakan di Kabupaten Cianjur. Diantaranya pertama, percepatan perubahan pola pikir dan perilaku KPM melalui Pertemuan Peningkatan Kemampuan Keluarga; kedua, memastikan komplementaritas program bagi KPM; ketiga, monitoring perkembangan sosial ekonomi KPM dan pemetaan KPM potensial graduasi; keempat, pendampingan kewirausahaan KPM; dan kelima pertemuan KPM potensial (Rembug KPM).

Revisiting the measurement of financial inclusion of rural smallholder farmers in Nigeria

PurposeThis study aims to develop and apply a multidimensional measure of financial inclusion (FI) to address measurement issues and determine the level of FI of rural smallholder farmers and the contribution of domain indicators to the level of FI in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe paper adapts the Alkire–Foster method to develop a multidimensional FI index (MFII). A stratified two-stage sampling procedure is used to select 2,300 rural respondents from the 2016 Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP) Smallholder Household Survey.FindingsResults indicate that 78% of rural smallholder farmers in Nigeria are financially excluded. In addition, owning a formal account is significantly different (p < 0.00) from being financially adequate. The financial capability domain contributes the least (29.66%) to the multidimensional FI (MFI) of rural smallholder farmers relative to financial participation and financial well-being. Financial literacy, consumer protection, overcoming barriers such as high transaction costs and financial planning indicators contribute the least to FI relative to formal access.Practical implicationsResults of the study lead to policy recommendations for increasing the FI of rural smallholder farmers in Nigeria, which may be applicable to other countries.Social implicationsAchieving sustainable FI requires that interventions increase the FI of rural smallholder farmers by strengthening financial capability, participation and well-being and not only focus on formal account owners.Originality/valueThe study provides a new methodological and empirical contribution to the FI literature on rural smallholder farmers.

ISLAMIC MICROFINANCE FOR FARMERS IN PAKISTAN: A CASE STUDY OF THE INNOVATIVE SALAM FORMULA FOR THE WASEL FOUNDATION

This research paper aimed to show the effective contribution of Islamic microfinance in supporting small farmers in Punjab, Pakistan, using the innovative “salam” formula, which provided by Wasel Foundation. To achieve this goal, the descriptive approach wasfollowed, based on data and statistics provided by the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor “CGAP”. The most important results were: the financing in “salam” granted a greater role to farmers in Punjab in the decision-making process, because it was well prepared to suit the farmers’ needs and it was innovative in multiple ways, which led to an increase in their yields by 15% to 30% at least, and achieving acceptable profit for the Islamic Microfinance Corporation Wasel.

PRESENT STATUS OF GRAIN LEGUMES PRODUCTION IN NEPAL

This review paper is prepared to know the information about the present scenario of grain legumes in Nepal. Grain legumes are important crops for improving soil condition and dietary status of human. The area, production and productivity of grain legumes are collected from the data which is published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD). During the fiscal year 2019/20, Grain legumes are grown in 333,740 ha with the production and productivity of 381,987 Mt and 1,151 kg/ha respectively. Among pulses, the winter crop lentil dominates in production (65.76%) as well as in area coverage (62.93%). Grain Legumes Research Program (GLRP) of Nepal in collaboration with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGAIR) centres works for genetic improvement of lentil, chickpea, pigeon pea, soybean, black gram, fababean and cowpea.

End User Involvement on Performance of Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research Institutes in Kenya

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess the influence of end user involvement on performance of consultative group on international agricultural research institutes in Kenya.Methodology: This research study adopted a descriptive research design approach. The researcher prefers this method because it allows an in-depth study of the subject. The target population were procurement 152 officers in the consultative group on international agricultural research institutes in Kenya. This study used census as a rule of thumb since the population of procurement officers in consultative group on international agricultural research institutes is less than 200. The study combined two methods in its data collection that is, questionnaires and key informant interviews. After data collection, quantitative data was coded using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20. Data was analyzed through descriptive statistical methods such as means, standard deviation, frequencies and percentage. Inferential analyses were used in relation to correlation analysis and regression analysis to test the relationship between the four explanatory variables and the explained variableResults and conclusion: The findings of the study indicated that need identification phase, design phase, implementation phase and maintenance phase have a positive relationship with performance of consultative group on international agricultural research institutes in Kenya.Unique contribution to theory, policy and practice: The study recommended that institutions should embrace need identification phase, design phase, implementation phase and maintenance phase so as to improve performance of consultative group on international agricultural research institutes and further researches should to be carried out in other institutions to find out if the same results can be obtained.

Assessing the Economic Consequences of Disarmament

This article looks at how a group of diverse economic experts tackled a major macroeconomic question and managed to reach a consensus conclusion. This was despite being confronted with limited data, embryonic general-equilibrium methodologies, and limited computing power. The realization, in the early 1960s, that the procession of nuclear weapons would shortly extend beyond the USA, Britain, France, and Russia led to increased fears of catastrophic global warfare. The economic concern with disarmament was along Keynesian lines, namely that reduced public expenditure on defense (“conversion”) could lead to a serious economic depression. The focus here is on a United Nations Consultative Group which had the remit of estimating the economic and social consequences of global disarmament. Using information from documents of the time, substantially supplemented with personal commentaries of committee members, both published and from archives, the paper examines how the committee managed to reconcile very divergent economic views to produce a unanimous report. These basic matters of political economy are as germane today as they were nearly sixty years ago. Indeed, probably more so with the challenges of sustainable development being added to those of global peace.

Trends in the national food supply of absorbable zinc in Ethiopia: 1990–2017

Objective: This study analysed trends (1990–2017) in the availability of absorbable Zn in the national food supply of Ethiopia. Design: The supply statistics of ninety-five food groups were obtained from the Ethiopian Food Balance Sheets compiled by FAO. Zn and phytate contents were determined using multiple composition databases and absorbable Zn estimated via the ‘Miller’ equation. Estimated average requirement cut-point method was performed to estimate proportions at risk of inadequate intake. Physiological Zn requirements set by Institute of Medicine (IOM) and International Zinc Nutrition Consultative Group (IZiNCG) were applied. Time trend was tested using Mann–Kendall statistics and Z-score and P-values are provided. Setting: Ethiopia. Participants: NA. Results: Between 1990 and 2017, the supply of total dietary Zn was increased by 33 % from 9·8 to 13·0 mg/person/d (Z = 6·46, P < 0·001). However, that of absorbable Zn remained constant around 2·7 mg/person/d (Z = 1·87, P > 0·05). Over the period, the phytate supply was increased by 48 % from 1415 to 2095 mg/person/d (Z = 6·50, P < 0·001) and fractional Zn absorption declined from 27·0 to 20·9 % (Z = –6·62, P < 0·001). The contribution of animal source foods for bioavailable Zn was reduced by 45 % and the share of cereals raised by 11·3 %. Over the period, prevalence of inadequate Zn intake estimated using IZiNCG and IOM requirements remained constant around 10 and 50 %, respectively. Conclusion: Between 1990 and 2017, Ethiopia considerably increased the total supply of Zn; however, meaningful changes in bioavailable Zn and prevalence of deficiency were not observed due to proportional rise in phytate and concomitant decline in Zn absorption.