Climate change

adaptation and mitigation

Linking farmers to markets

Ecosystem services

Mission

To facilitate and improve decision making in the private

and public sectors (i.e. agricultural and environmental

sectors) by providing decision makers with science-based

information and easy-to-use analytical tools to assess the

likely outcomes of policy, research, development and

management options.

Vision

Decision and policy makers in the

public and private sectors related to

agriculture (at multiple scales) have

the information they need to make

decisions that will reduce hunger and

poverty in the tropics.

Support to other CIAT Research Areas

Commitment to outcomes

Disciplinary excellence

Streamlined contribution to CRPs

A leadership team

This structure enables the following Strategic components

Data DAPA maintains the collected data and information in mega databases on a series of themes that have

been selected as critical to decision making in agriculture and others.

Research and Analysis The information is analyzed, managed and presented in such a manner that it can be readily interpreted

and understood by our users.

Engaging the end-users We favor participatory, interactive systems or methodologies. Understanding and learning how impact

occurs is crucial here.

“A core value of DAPA is its ability to

explore new opportunities and be ahead

of the curve, identifying emerging issues

and developing research capacity”

Outputs, outcomes and their

Monitoring + Evaluation

A great deal of the analysis, which is the essence of

DAPA, is precisely to answer the question “what if” ex

ante so that decision makers can predict with

reasonable certainty the consequences of their

decisions.

Policy Analysis The Policy Group initiates and manages the

necessary linkages and alliances between science

and policy- and decision making in the private and

public sectors with the aim to maximize the

development outcome of the scientific research

within DAPA.

Gender Analysis To promote gender equity and equality,

facilitate inclusion of socially and politically

disadvantaged groups and increase women’s

empowerment and agricultural resilience, which

are also essential for achieving the overall

CGIAR development outcomes.

Big DATA DAPA subscribes to the view of data-driven

decision making, hence it is crucial to maintain a

lead role in data development and analysis. The

goal is to develop data products that generate

new insights and knowledge, and enhance the

opportunity space for DAPA research themes,

CIAT and CRPs to meet their goals.

Spatial and agricultural modeling The goal of the Modeling group is to ensure that DAPA is at

the forefront in terms of modeling approaches, being a

science leader in our priority areas, and supporting

research themes that help deliver on target outputs and

contribute to enhanced outcomes. Impact & Strategic Studies

To maximize the impact and returns on investment of agricultural

research and development by generating appropriate data sets and

analyses for improved informed decision making, both internally and

externally.

Regional Priorities Improving Communications Critical needs for success

In this essential comparism of our investigation, concerning the three main topics,

Climate Change, Ecosystem Services and Linking farmers to markets

Latin America and the Caribbean Rural development and/or climate change-related policy in LAC, making sure that improved decision-making reaches smallholders.

Africa Research on climate change, linking farmers to markets, and

ecosystem services streamlined with CIAT's Soil Research Area.

Asia Priority research areas: agrobiodiversity, forages, linking farmers to

markets, climate change, and ecosystem services.

Internal External Renewed and enhanced

identification of key decision

and policy makers.

Systematic / consistent

exchanges to identify research

demands and potential users for

DAPA research outputs.

Regular management team meetings for

coordination and management

Internal knowledge sharing through the blog and

emails

Seminars for CIAT and DAPA specific audiences

Workshops by DAPA’s expert groups

The DAPA group also requires strong

support in terms of computing

infrastructure to continue to manage and

generate data products, and stronger

collaboration with Communications and

Knowledge Management to ensure that

policy products are disseminated

appropriately.

Towards a Global DAPA

DAPA’s priorities for expanding in the regions are (in order of priority):

Launch of 'Linking farmers to markets' research theme in Asia and Africa

Strengthening climate change research in Africa

Establishing a climate change team in support of the Asia region

Integration of DAPA’s ecosystems services work in LAC with that of soils in Africa

In addition, DAPA aims to widen its reach globally and strengthen its cross-cutting research

themes, particularly impact assessment and gender analysis, which already operate at a

global scale.

DAPA provides information, knowledge and

analytical tools to influence decision making

Themes and

structure

Capacity Strengthening and

Knowledge Management To contribute to a more effective adoption of research

outcomes through knowledge and capacity

strengthening. We help create a shared context among

stakeholders of research for development initiatives.