CGIAR Research Program on Dryland Systems Capacity Development Strategy and Action Plan 2015 - 2016

Abstract

Capacity Development (CD) is one of the key pathways that drive impact for the CGIAR Research Program (CRP) on Dryland Systems (hereinafter referred to as Dryland Systems), if well executed, and one of the key performance indicators for the program’s success. The international trend in agricultural research and innovation fora is to strengthen the focus on CD as necessary for realizing impact on the ground. The development of the strategy took into consideration multiple elements including: analysis of the status quo and of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of current CD interventions in Dryland Systems Centers and sites, existing CD partnership initiatives as well as potential ones, analysis of CD needs and expectations of the local stakeholders and of Dryland Systems teams, a review of innovative practices and examples from agricultural and nonagricultural sectors especially universities and international CD institutions, the aspirations of Dryland Systems management, the advice of the expert consultant and the pathways and expected outcomes of Dryland Systems. These elements informed the development of what can be described as cutting-edge strategy for the Program.