Mireille TOTOBESOLA Member since 21/11/2024

My contributions

• Discussion

  Evaluating Agri-Food Systems Transformation Policies and Regulations

  31 Jan 2025
  • 

    France

    Mireille TOTOBESOLA

    Expert in Sustainable Agri-food Systems and value chains and Climate Smart Agriculture

    Posted on 19/02/2025

    Dear Lal and EvalForward members,

    Dear Lal and EvalForward members,

    Many thanks to Lal for your comprehensive analysis and for shedding light on the essential prerequisites that policymakers and professionals need to consider when transforming the agri-food sector. I appreciate the clarity with which you emphasized that agricultural and food policies should be developed with the end users in mind—namely, the consumers—and that the focus should go beyond just economic outcomes to consider social and environmental perspectives as well.

    As an expert in sustainable agricultural food systems and policy and strategy formulation, I would add that your observations are indeed valid, particularly regarding the challenges policymakers often face when dealing with existing systems that rely heavily on cash crops and unsustainable practices. Such systems often fall short when addressing food security, which involves access to nutritious food for all at all times. This must include not only economic factors but also environmental sustainability and social equity.  

    Various effective systems approaches and tools have been developed, which can be adapted to specific contexts and transformative goals. These approaches, grounded in comprehensive analysis, support the formulation of efficient policy and regulatory frameworks, as well as the design of evaluation and implementation strategies. Relevant resources include :

    -            International Food Policy Research Institute. 2021. 2021 Global Food Policy Report: Transforming Food Systems after COVID-19. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. https://doi.org/10.2499/9780896293991

    -            van Berkum, S., Dengerink, J., and Ruben, R. (2018). The Food Systems Approach: Sustainable Solutions for a Sufficient Supply of Healthy Food Sufficient Supply of Healthy Food. No. 2018–084. Economic Research Memorandum. The Hague: Wageningen Economic Research. doi:10.18174/451505    

    This report can be downloaded for free at https://doi.org/10.18174/451505  or at www.wur.eu/economic-research  (under Wageningen Economic Research publications).

    -            The attached presentation that I have developed with the FAO Gender team on ‘Advancing gender equality and empowerment of women in food systems’ presented at the Cultivating Gender Equality Conference12-15 October 2021 (Cultivating Equality: Advancing Gender Research in Agriculture and Food Systems - CGIAR) CGIAR GENDER Platform. 2021. Cultivating Equality: Advancing Gender Research in Agriculture and Food Systems−Daily Update, Friday, 15 October 2021. Nairobi, Kenya: CGIAR GENDER Platform. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/116960

    I also wanted to highlight the importance of a common understanding of key leverage points in food systems transformation. To make meaningful progress, we must be able to act on these leverage points and measure the impact of our policies through agreed-upon indicators. This is crucial at both regional and global levels, where the complexity of the interlinked systems, such as trade, infrastructure, energy, and governance, must be considered.

    On your point on food losses, the distinction between "food losses" and "food waste," as defined by the FAO under SDG 12.3, is another vital aspect. Food losses and food waste are driven by a wide range of causes that can vary from one region or country to another, depending on factors like the structure of food value chains and access to finance, infrastructure, and technology. These factors must be considered, especially as they relate to cross-cutting issues such as gender inequalities, education, climate change, and good governance, which all influence the efficiency and sustainability of food systems.

    Moreover, policies and regulatory frameworks must address these interlinkages and trade-offs to ensure that they are efficient, transformative, and context specific. Effective monitoring and evaluation frameworks must be developed to track progress in each country, accounting for the unique regional and global factors that impact food system transformation.

    Thank you once again for sharing your valuable insights. They will no doubt contribute to furthering the dialogue and shaping more informed, integrated strategies in our shared pursuit of sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems.

    Best regards,
    Mireille Totobesola

    Additional useful resources:

    ·       Resources on systems approaches and tools for identifying the root causes of inefficiencies and sustainability challenges in agricultural and food systems—considering trade-offs and interconnections with sectors such as trade, finance (particularly rural and microfinance), infrastructure, energy, governance, peace, justice, gender equality, inclusion, nutrition, education, and health. These resources aid in developing effective policies, strategies, and interventions for transforming agricultural and food systems:

    CFS, 2021. Voluntary guidelines on food systems and nutrition. FAO. Rome. CFS_VGs_Food_Systems_and_Nutrition_Strategy_EN.pdf (fao.org)

    Cruz Zuniga, M., Lynn, M.L., Kaganzi Mwesigwa, E., Norell, D., Sriram, V., Tumusiime, E., 2019. Better together: improving food security and nutrition by linking market and food system. Research article: Food security through market and food systems. September 2019. Enterprise Development and Microfinance, 30:3, 189–205. http://dx.doi.org/10.3362/1755-1986.19-00008

    De Brauw, A., M. van den Berg, I. Brouwer, H. Snoek, R. Vignola, M. Melesse, G. Lochetti, C. van Wagenberg, M. Lundy, E. d’Hotel, and R. Ruben. 2019. “Food System Innovations for Healthier Diets in Low and Middle-Income Countries.” IFPRI Discussion Paper 01816, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC.

    Dekeyser, K., Rampa, F., D’Alessandro, C., & Bizzotto Molina, P. (2020). The food systems approach in practice: Our guide for sustainable transformation. Maastricht: European Centre for Development Policy Management. The food systems approach in practice: Our guide for sustainable transformation - ECDPM Discussion Paper 278

    FAO. 2019. The State of Food and Agriculture 2019. Moving forward on food loss and waste reduction. Rome. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. The State of Food and Agriculture 2019 (fao.org)

    FAO, EC, CIRAD. 2020. A methodological framework for the rapid assessment of national and sub-national food systems in low income and lower medium income countries

    FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO. 2020. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2020. Transforming food systems for affordable healthy diets. Rome, FAO. https://doi.org/10.4060/ca9692en

    HLPE. 2019. Agroecological and other innovative approaches for sustainable agriculture and food systems that enhance food security and nutrition. A report by the High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition of the Committee on World Food Security, Rome HLPE Report #14 - Agroecological and other innovative approaches for sustainable agriculture and food systems that enhance food security and nutrition (fao.org)

    International Food Policy Research Institute. 2021. Food System Innovations and Digital Technologies to Foster Productivity Growth and Rural Transformation. Food Systems Summit Brief Prepared by Research Partners of the Scientific Group for the Food Systems Summit, May 2021.

    International Food Policy Research Institute. 2021. 2021 Global Food Policy Report: Transforming Food Systems after COVID-19. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. https://doi.org/10.2499/9780896293991

    Njuki, Jemimah; Eissler, Sarah; Malapit, Hazel J.; Meinzen-Dick, Ruth Suseela; Bryan, Elizabeth; and Quisumbing, Agnes R. 2021. A review of evidence on gender equality, women’s empowerment, and food systems. IFPRI Discussion Paper 2034. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://doi.org/10.2499/p15738coll2.134469

    van Berkum, S., Dengerink, J., and Ruben, R. (2018). The Food Systems Approach: Sustainable Solutions for a Sufficient Supply of Healthy Food. No. 2018–084. Economic Research Memorandum. The Hague: Wageningen Economic Research. doi:10.18174/451505  

    ·       FAO, 2020. SDG 12.3.1.a Food Loss Index - Guiding questions on the steps of

    the data collection strategy https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/a9799ec1-22b5-4942-80b3-a3f5626cce26/content

    ·       Agenda 2030 and FAO methodology for SDG indicator 12.3.1a Food Loss Index

    Food loss measurement | Technical Platform on the Measurement and Reduction of Food Loss and Waste | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

    Read on a separate page
  • 

    France

    Mireille TOTOBESOLA

    Expert in Sustainable Agri-food Systems and value chains and Climate Smart Agriculture

    Posted on 17/02/2025

    Dear EvalForward members,

    As we approach the final week of our online discussion on the evaluation of policies targeting agri-food systems transformation, we want to remind you that your valuable insights are essential for shaping the recommendations. To make the most of this opportunity, we invite you to contribute to the following key areas before the discussion closes (please do provide the files and the links to the resources that you would like share if available ):

    • Evaluation experiences and challenges: Have you encountered specific challenges when evaluating policies and regulations focused on agri-food systems transformation? We encourage you to share your experiences and the lessons you’ve learned.
    • Best practices and methodologies: What best practices or methodologies have you found most effective for evaluating complex, cross-sectoral policies in the context of agri-food systems? Your expertise will help refine impactful approaches.
    • Case studies from diverse contexts: Whether from rural or urban settings, or developed or developing countries, your case studies will offer valuable perspectives and enrich the discussion as we aim to build a more comprehensive understanding of different approaches.

    This is the last week to contribute, and we want to ensure that all your thoughts are captured before the discussion closes. Your input is key to enhancing the recommendations that will guide future policy evaluation in this crucial field.

    We look forward to hearing from you and greatly appreciate your continued engagement!

    Best regards,

    Mireille Totobesola 

    
     

    Read on a separate page
  • 

    France

    Mireille TOTOBESOLA

    Expert in Sustainable Agri-food Systems and value chains and Climate Smart Agriculture

    Posted on 17/02/2025

    Dear Mike,

    I wanted to take a moment to express my appreciation for your insightful contribution to the ongoing discussion on agri-food systems transformation policies. Your emphasis on evaluating sustainability, resilience, and equity within these systems is crucial and aligns well with the broader goals of fostering long-term improvements in agriculture.

    Your point about the social and economic welfare of farmers, particularly smallholders, resonates deeply. You’ve rightly highlighted that while frameworks like the EUDR and Ethiopia’s food systems transformation policies aim to promote sustainability, they must also explicitly address the livelihoods, income stability, and market access of small-scale farmers. This nuanced consideration is essential to avoid unintended consequences that may further marginalize these communities.

    Could you provide concrete examples of case studies and methodologies that have successfully illustrated the impact of such policies on farmers’ livelihoods, particularly smallholders? It would be interesting to learn more about other existing frameworks that have effectively measured and integrated these social, economic and environmental aspects into policy assessments.

    
     Additionally, how can methodologies like participatory evaluations or farmer-centric metrics be better leveraged to ensure that smallholders are not excluded from such policies?

    Your expertise in this area is invaluable, and I look forward to furthering the conversation with these additional insights.

    Best regards,

    Mireille Totobesola

     

    
     

    Read on a separate page
  • 

    France

    Mireille TOTOBESOLA

    Expert in Sustainable Agri-food Systems and value chains and Climate Smart Agriculture

    Posted on 10/02/2025

    Dear all,
    
    Many thanks again to Serdar for his thoughts provoking and insightful contribution  last week. 
    
    This week, let us focus on the second point on the Effectiveness of Regulatory Frameworks, particularly by responding to the following guiding questions :

    • What factors contribute to the success or failure of regulatory frameworks like the EUDR?

    • How can evaluation ensure that these frameworks are adaptable, inclusive, and equitable?

    
    We look forward to your insights and contributions, and any useful resources illustrating your thoughts,  including on approaches that can be used as a reference or for adoption, or adaptation as may be needed. 
    
    Best regards,

    Mireille Totobesola 

    Read on a separate page
  • 

    France

    Mireille TOTOBESOLA

    Expert in Sustainable Agri-food Systems and value chains and Climate Smart Agriculture

    Posted on 05/02/2025

    Dear Serdar, 

    Thank you for your valuable insights. I agree that assessing policy effectiveness requires a comprehensive view - evaluating economic impacts (which drive incentives, especially for smallholder producers and their organizations), social impacts (which are essential for long-term success), and ultimately, environmental impacts.

    I would like to invite further contributions from participants, especially those directly involved in implementing and evaluating the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), such as representatives from the World Cocoa Foundation. Please share the approaches you are using, the indicators you consider (and the rationale behind them), the challenges you face, and how you plan to address these issues with stakeholders across the commodity value chains and systems.

    For those needing additional background, I recommend reviewing the IMPACT ASSESSMENT in the Commission Staff Working Document available in our resource list. This document explains efforts to minimize deforestation and forest degradation risks associated with products on the EU market. It accompanies the proposal for a Regulation on making certain deforestation-linked commodities available on the EU market (and for export), and for repealing Regulation (EU) No 995/2010. You can access it here:

    https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52021SC0326&qid=1727163336725

    The document outlines several policy options. The section 6 develops on  the impacts of the relevant for Policy Options: the environmental, the economic, and the social impacts. 

    I look forward to further contributions that will help us develop effective, feasible, and efficient frameworks for policy and regulatory evaluation.

    Best regards,

    Mireille Totobesola
    Sustainable Agricultural and Food Systems Expert 

    Read on a separate page
  • 

    France

    Mireille TOTOBESOLA

    Expert in Sustainable Agri-food Systems and value chains and Climate Smart Agriculture

    Posted on 03/02/2025

    Hello EvalForward Community!

    Welcome to this exciting discussion on evaluating agri-food systems transformation policies and regulations! We’re thrilled to have you join us.

    During this first week, we invite you to contribute your insights and resources on the following topics:

    • 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?
    • What indicators and methodologies can effectively capture both short-term results and long-term impacts?

    Please feel free to share your thoughts, experiences, or any useful resources that can deepen the conversation.

    Looking forward to your contributions!

    Best regards,

    Mireille Totobesola

    Read on a separate page
  • 

    France

    Mireille TOTOBESOLA

    Expert in Sustainable Agri-food Systems and value chains and Climate Smart Agriculture

    Posted on 27/03/2025

    I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all participants, experts, and the coordinator and members of EvalForward, now EvalforEarth, who contributed to the insightful online discussion on Evaluating Agri-Food Systems Transformation Policies and Regulations.

    Your input has been invaluable in exploring the evaluation of policies and regulations that drive sustainable and equitable agri-food systems transformations.

     

    We are excited to announce that a comprehensive synthesis of all contributions, along with references shared, will be made available soon. This will serve as a crucial resource for informing and guiding future evaluations of the impacts of agricultural policies and regulations. Your continued engagement will help ensure that evaluation frameworks evolve to meet the complex challenges of agricultural policy.

     

    Mireille Totobesola.

     

    Read on a separate page
• Discussion

  Evaluating Scaling Efforts: Measuring What Matters

  04 Dec 2024
  • 

    France

    Mireille TOTOBESOLA

    Expert in Sustainable Agri-food Systems and value chains and Climate Smart Agriculture

    Posted on 14/01/2025

    Dear colleagues,

    I am excited to join the EvalForward community to share my experience and lessons learned in sustainable agri-food systems and value chain development. My approach emphasizes participatory design and implementation, engaging smallholders and local communities throughout the project cycle, including evaluation and learning phases, to create inclusive, efficient, sustainable, and scalable interventions.

    I prepared and led IFAD team for the development of the following publications that are meant to be used widely to share experiences and lessons:

    • The consolidated final technical report of the IFAD-EU co-funded programme ‘Putting Research into Use for Nutrition, Sustainable Agriculture and Resilience’ (PRUNSAR), implemented from 2015 to 2023 by 13 projects led by eight CGIAR centers and the International Bamboo and Rattan organization (INBAR);
    • The Catalogue of Innovations and the Knowledge Directory (PRUNSAR Knowledge Directory: Putting research into use for nutrition, sustainability, and resilience | Knowledge for policy (europa.eu) with Agrinatura, based on the achievements and recommendations from PRUNSAR 
    • The final data on aggregated indicator values upload in the EU Online Operational System (OPSYS) (Achievements / target indicators of PRUNSAR)

    The EU-IFAD funded PRUNSAR program, comprising 13 CGIAR-led projects, has produced valuable resources in 2023 and 2024 that highlight lessons, challenges, and recommendations for scaling and evaluating agricultural innovations.

    PRUNSAR, a €39 million program running from 2015 to 2023, supported innovations that enhanced livelihoods, nutrition, and resilience for smallholder farmers across South-East Asia, Africa, and Latin America.The PRUNSAR publications and knowledge products are accessible on IFAD and the EU websites. They provide useful insights, including evaluation approaches, cross-cutting indicators for tracking and aggregating results, and project-specific metrics.  They reflect collaborative efforts involving CGIAR, IFAD, national partners, and beneficiaries throughout the project cycle, ensuring robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning to inform future, impactful interventions.

    By what criteria should efforts to scale impact be judged successful? Unsuccessful?

    •  Various criteria can be considered, including adoption rates, which depend on numerous factors across different contexts and the type of innovation, as well as sustainability and scalability. Examples of these criteria are available in the previously mentioned PRUNSAR Knowledge Directory.

    Are current monitoring and evaluation methods sufficient to judge the success of scaling efforts? Do we need new methods to meet this new evaluation challenge?

    • Once again, there is no one-size-fits-all set of methods or criteria. The appropriate methods should align with the objectives of both the evaluation and the scaling efforts (whether a program, project, or initiative) while considering their specific context. A SWOT analysis of existing methodologies that may be applicable should be conducted beforehand, and any necessary adjustments should be made to ensure they meet the intended purpos

    How should we evaluate scaling when it starts or continues after a funded project?

    • For a newly funded or ongoing project, the development of a scalability or scaling evaluation methodology/framework—complete with indicators and targets—must take into account constraints such as budget limitations, availability of skilled human resources, and the project’s implementation timeframe.If necessary, these aspects can be negotiated with existing or potential financial and technical/implementation partners.Another approach to address such constraints and enhance efficiency is to adopt an integrated approach. This could involve embedding the scaling evaluation of the project within the evaluation frameworks of larger, umbrella projects or programs that cover the same target geographic areas, populations, and key actors. Such integration would also allow for the aggregation of relevant evaluation data and information. 
    • However, such umbrella approaches may have limitations in terms of the granularity required to inform specific scaling policies. For example, detailed data collection may be needed to address issues related to gender, inclusion of minorities, and populations with varying levels of poverty, literacy, knowledge, technical assistance, access to agricultural extension services, innovation, finance, ICT, AI, and other prerequisites for scaling

    How do we consider the complexity of scaling in systems with multiple collaborators across diverse contexts?

    • A systemic approach is essential, along with a careful prioritization of the evaluation methodology—whether quantitative, qualitative, or a combination of both—and the selection of indicators that are most relevant and effective. This should align with the holistic approach required to address complexity and interlinkages, while ensuring the delivery of actionable recommendations on how best to navigate these challenges

    How do we ensure that the people affected lead the effort to scale impact?

    • The previously mentioned PRUNSAR Knowledge Directory highlights various successful approaches and case studies of projects that ensured the people affected at different levels played a leading role in scaling impact. It also details the challenges they faced, how they managed them, and the trade-offs encountered in certain contexts.

    References:

    • Totobesola, M., Delve, R., Nkundimana, J.d. et al. A holistic approach to food loss reduction in Africa: food loss analysis, integrated capacity development and policy implications. Food Sec.14, 1401–1415 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-021-01243-y
    • https://www.researchgate.net/publication/361117270_A_holistic_approach_to_food_loss_reduction_in_Africa_food_loss_analysis_integrated_capacity_development_and_policy_implications/fulltext/6363a9d5431b1f5300688db5/A-holistic-approach-to-food-loss-reduction-in-Africa-food-loss-analysis-integrated-capacity-development-and-policy-implications.pdf
    • https://www.fao.org/policy-support/tools-and-publications/resources-details/fr/c/1236154/
    • https://elearning.fao.org/pluginfile.php/583006/block_mtmultimediadownload/content/PowerPoint%20Presentation%20-%20Carola%20Fabi%20-%20Webinar%2025.03.2020.pdf
    • https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/food-loss-reduction/SDG12.3_Workshop_Agenda.pdf
    • https://food.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2023-05/fw_eu-platform_20230511_sub-flwm_pres09.pdf
    • https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342960965_Capitalisation_of_Experience_CAPEX_on_the_Swiss_Agency_for_Development_and_Cooperation_Africa_Post-harvest_Management_Portfolio
    • https://ioe.ifad.org/documents/d/new-ifad.org/prunsar-knowledge-directory.

     

    Best regards,

    Mireille Totobesola
    LinkedIn Profile: Mireille Totobesola, PhD

    Read on a separate page