Thank you for raising this important topic and calling for a further discussion in this forum. To facilitate this discussion, I would like to share some reflections on the two questions that you have posted.
Question 1. What challenges are encountered in evaluating policies and regulations, such as regulatory frameworks like the EUDR, particularly in the context of cocoa and other food products under these new regulations?
Evaluating policies and regulations, such as the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), presents several challenges, particularly in the context of cocoa and other food products.
The complexity of supply chains and their globalized nature makes it difficult to trace the origins of products and determine compliance with regulations. This complexity complicates evaluation analysis, particularly for products like cocoa that may be sourced from multiple regions with varying levels of compliance with regulations and governance arrangements.
Another complexity relates to the engagement of a very diverse groups of stakeholders, (such as smallholder farmers, businesses, consumers, etc.) who have varying interests and capabilities. Engaging all relevant parties effectively in the evaluation process can be challenging and may affect the quality of data collected and the applicability of findings.
Lack of comprehensive and accessible data can also hinder effective evaluation of policies, as reliable data may not be uniformly available across regions or sectors. Establishing clear, measurable indicators that appropriately capture both the direct and indirect impacts of regulations is challenging. To measure such impact, evaluation should rely on the long-term data to assess the sustainability and effectiveness of regulatory frameworks, yet such data is often not available.
Question 2. What indicators and methodologies can effectively capture both short-term results and long-term impacts?
To effectively capture both short-term results and long-term impacts in policy evaluation, a combination of diverse indicators and methodologies is essential. Mixed-methods approaches, combining quantitative data analysis with qualitative assessments can facilitate review of policy impacts. Quantitative indicators could be obtained through national datasets, focusing on deforestation rates, carbon emissions, agricultural productivity, and economic metrics (e.g., income changes among smallholder farmers). These should be verified and complemented by qualitative methods, including surveys and interviews with relevant stakeholders and data providers. Analyzing specific instances of policy implementation can facilitate a deeper understanding of context, challenges, and successes that inform broader evaluations.
RE: Evaluating Agri-Food Systems Transformation Policies and Regulations
Italy
Serdar Bayryyev
Senior Evaluation Officer
FAO
Posted on 05/02/2025
Dear Mireille,
Thank you for raising this important topic and calling for a further discussion in this forum. To facilitate this discussion, I would like to share some reflections on the two questions that you have posted.
Question 1. What challenges are encountered in evaluating policies and regulations, such as regulatory frameworks like the EUDR, particularly in the context of cocoa and other food products under these new regulations?
Evaluating policies and regulations, such as the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), presents several challenges, particularly in the context of cocoa and other food products.
The complexity of supply chains and their globalized nature makes it difficult to trace the origins of products and determine compliance with regulations. This complexity complicates evaluation analysis, particularly for products like cocoa that may be sourced from multiple regions with varying levels of compliance with regulations and governance arrangements.
Another complexity relates to the engagement of a very diverse groups of stakeholders, (such as smallholder farmers, businesses, consumers, etc.) who have varying interests and capabilities. Engaging all relevant parties effectively in the evaluation process can be challenging and may affect the quality of data collected and the applicability of findings.
Lack of comprehensive and accessible data can also hinder effective evaluation of policies, as reliable data may not be uniformly available across regions or sectors. Establishing clear, measurable indicators that appropriately capture both the direct and indirect impacts of regulations is challenging. To measure such impact, evaluation should rely on the long-term data to assess the sustainability and effectiveness of regulatory frameworks, yet such data is often not available.
Question 2. What indicators and methodologies can effectively capture both short-term results and long-term impacts?
To effectively capture both short-term results and long-term impacts in policy evaluation, a combination of diverse indicators and methodologies is essential. Mixed-methods approaches, combining quantitative data analysis with qualitative assessments can facilitate review of policy impacts. Quantitative indicators could be obtained through national datasets, focusing on deforestation rates, carbon emissions, agricultural productivity, and economic metrics (e.g., income changes among smallholder farmers). These should be verified and complemented by qualitative methods, including surveys and interviews with relevant stakeholders and data providers. Analyzing specific instances of policy implementation can facilitate a deeper understanding of context, challenges, and successes that inform broader evaluations.
Looking forward to further ideas and reflections.
Best regards,
Serdar Bayryyev
Senior Evaluation Officer, FAO