Natural Resources Management Research Impacts : Evidence from the CGIAR

This document presents the results of SPIA’s initiative to assess the impacts of past investments in NRMR in the CG system. NRMR encompasses research on land, water and biodiversity resources management. It focuses on generating knowledge that results in technology options and how to sustainably enhance the productivity and stability of ecosystem resources. The initiative was a response to concerns on the dearth of documented credible evidence that NRMR substantially contributes to realizing the CGIAR mission on poverty, food security and the environment. SPIA commissioned five impact assessment case studies associated with the research of five CG centers. Two more centers volunteered case studies for inclusion in the overall exercise, on the understanding that their case studies would undergo the same rigorous peer review as the original five. The seven case studies are the main focus of the SPIA NRMR impact assessment initiative. This report also carries results from the Alternatives to Slash-and-Burn Programme (ASB). However, the report only provides summaries of, and commentary on, the case studies. The complete case studies will appear in a forthcoming book to be published by CABI. The seven impact assessments included case studies from CIAT, CIFOR, CIMMYT, ICARDA, ICRAF, IWMI and WorldFish Center.