Agronomy Solution Profile for CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative Management Portal Executive Summary The CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative Management Portal serves as a central online platform designed for organizations and their staff involved in managing agronomy innovations. It provides a structured environment for managing agricultural innovation portfolios, ensuring effective resource allocation and close progress monitoring. The portal facilitates the curation and organization of diverse datasets and tools related to agronomic practices, adhering to open and FAIR data principles. It integrates various data sets, including climate-smart, inclusivity, and sustainability dimensions, and incorporates analytics and turnkey solutions for location- specific responses. It supports the co-creation of locally relevant agronomic solutions, facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing, enabling progress tracking, impact assessment, and enhanced precision in research and development initiatives. A key function is its focus on agile agronomy at scale through advanced analytics, standardization of data and processes, monitoring and evaluation features, and capacity building for National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS). The portal has facilitated access to agronomy education and resources for organizations managing agronomy innovations and their staff through multiple courses and resources. It has enabled access to resources and information related to the initiative’s activities and findings through reports, publications, and datasets. The portal provides a platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders through dedicated spaces and has streamlined access to CGIAR breeding support services through online forms and tracking mechanisms. It has also increased awareness of the initiative’s endeavors through dissemination of findings and stakeholder engagement. The "TRANSFORM" activity has enabled access to tools for data analysis and management through specific tools and solutions. A central “management portal” does not seem to exist as a unified platform, but rather as a collection of resources, tools, and activities supporting management. The initiative has received funding from various sources to support its activities and continues to receive funding. It continues to collaborate with key researchers and experts in agronomy. The initiative aims to build on existing agronomic solutions and knowledge, promote collaboration, and promote sustainable intensification. It aligns with the needs of agronomy organizations, offering resources like the Open Learning Portal, the Comprehensive Agronomy Solutions Hub (CASH), and the Global Agronomy Village for learning and collaboration. The initiative also emphasizes open data to support co-creation of solutions. Direct comparisons against specific alternative programs are not detailed regarding performance. The initiative promotes long-term sustainability and cost-effectiveness interventions, but specific cost-effectiveness data are not provided. The initiative continues to create user-friendly tools and resources such as the open learning platform, but comparative ease-of-use metrics are unavailable. The initiative aims to reach millions of smallholder farmers and includes a focus on women and youth, estimated to reach 22.2 million women and 10.5 million youth via their families, with 75% of partners sharing data. The initiative engages with smallholder farmers, researchers, and partners from various institutions. The extent of user unreliance metrics are not detailed, but the initiative promotes open and FAIR data practices to make data and tools available and focuses on creating locally relevant agronomic solutions. Several aspects of the CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative remain unspecified in the documentation. These include specific dates for certain developments, financial amounts related to funding and investment, detailed reach metrics of individual influencers engaged with the initiative, specific comparison data against alternative programs for cost-effectiveness and ease of use, and specific user metrics related to unreliance on the initiative's resources. This information can be gathered through further research, directly contacting the CGIAR initiative, or examining publicly available reports and evaluations. @2024-2025 International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) This research was conducted as part of the CGIAR Initiative in Excellence in Agronomy and supported by contributors to the CGIAR Trust Fund and special investments of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. CGIAR is a global research partnership for a food-secure future. Its science is carried out by 15 Research Centers in close collaboration with hundreds of global partners. www.cgiar.org This publication is copyrighted by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture. It is licensed for use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence. To view this licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0. Unless otherwise noted, you are free to share (copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format), adapt (remix, transform, and build upon the material) for any purpose, even commercially, under the following conditions: ATTRIBUTION. The work must be attributed, but not in any way that suggests endorsement by IITA or the author(s). NOTICE: For any reuse or distribution, the licence terms of this work must be made clear to others. Any of the above conditions can be waived if permission is obtained from the copyright holder. Nothing in this licence impairs or restricts the author’s moral rights. Fair dealing and other rights are in no way affected by the above. The parts used must not misrepresent the meaning of the publication. IITA would appreciate being sent a copy of any materials in which text, photos etc. have been used. AUTHORSHIP: This Agronomy Solution Profile was prepared by the CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative Deliver Work Package Teams with lead facilitation of Dr. Murat Sartas. It was produced in December 2024 and Finalized in January 2025. Solution Description The CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative Management Portal is designed as a central online platform specifically for organizations managing agronomy innovations and their staff. It provides a structured environment for managing agricultural innovation portfolios, ensuring resources are effectively allocated and progress is closely monitored. The portal facilitates the curation and organization of diverse datasets and tools relating to agronomic practices, adhering to open and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data principles. This ensures that all information is easily accessible and contributes to the overall objective of creating learning on agronomy, while adhering to standard protocols and assessment frameworks. The portal's superior characteristics lie in its capacity to integrate various data sets, including climate-smart, inclusivity, and sustainability dimensions, which are key to the initiative's goals. It integrates analytics and turn-key solutions to enable a rapid and location specific response. The system supports the co-creation of locally relevant agronomic solutions by facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing. This allows organizations and staff to better track project progress, assess medium to long-term impacts, and enhance the precision of research and development initiatives. A unique and critical function of this portal is its focus on agile agronomy at scale by deploying advanced analytics towards rapid and location-specific agronomic management options. It allows for the standardization of data and processes, which is crucial for generating comparable results across different regions and projects. The portal includes features for monitoring and evaluation, allowing for the tracking of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and outcomes, ensuring that the initiative remains aligned with its objectives. It also acts as a hub for capacity building by providing access to resources and materials that can strengthen the capabilities of National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS). Value Statement The CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative Management Portal provides unparalleled value by centralizing and streamlining the management of agronomy innovation portfolios. It is the central hub for all necessary data and resources, allowing organizations and their staff to optimize their operations, enhance collaboration, and accelerate the development and deployment of effective agronomic solutions. This platform ensures that the global agronomy efforts are data-driven, transparent, and are producing measurable gains, especially in productivity, sustainability, and climate resilience. Pitch The CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative Management Portal represents a transformative approach to managing agricultural innovations, offering unprecedented efficiency and impact in a sector crucial for global sustainability and food security. We are inviting you to invest in this powerful tool that is designed to centralize data, facilitate collaboration, and drive evidence based agronomic solutions. This is an opportunity to be at the forefront of data-driven agricultural development. Invest today to support the transformation of global agronomy. Join us in shaping a more sustainable and resilient future. Component Analysis Table 1. Components of the EiA Management Portal Component Name Description Component Type Open Learning Portal This portal offers agronomy- focused courses and resources to empower learners and drive agricultural transformation, providing free and open access to everyone. It supports learning on various agronomy topics like soil health management, climate-smart agriculture, and precision farming techniques. Learning Platform Comprehensive Agronomy Solutions Hub (CASH) This hub provides access to resources and information related to the initiative's activities and findings, including reports, publications, and data sets for organizations managing agronomy innovations. Information Repository Global Agronomy Village This platform is a space for collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders involved in agronomy, allowing researchers, farmers, and policymakers to connect and exchange ideas. It facilitates networking among staff of organizations managing agronomy innovations. Collaboration Platform Breeding Resources Service Request Portal This portal is used to request and track a large range of CGIAR breeding support services. It provides online submission forms, automates the production of time- consuming submissions and records key metrics. Service Request Portal Alternative Solutions Table 2. Alternative Solutions to CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative Management Portal Alternative solution name URL of website providing information Type of the solution Geographie s it is available Key features of the solution Advantages of the alternative compared to CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative Managemen t Portal Disadvantag es of the alternative compared to CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative Managemen t Portal CGIAR Open Learning Portal https://openl earning.cgiar .org/ Online Education Platform Global Provides free, open- access courses on various agronomy topics, including soil health, climate- smart agriculture, and precision farming techniques. Direct access to online courses, structured learning paths, and a focus on agronomy- specific education. May not have all the functionalitie s of a full- fledged management portal, such as specific project management tools or detailed resource tracking. Primarily focused on education rather than management . Breeding Resources Service Request Portal https://excell enceinbreedi ng.org/news/i ntroducing- cgiar- breeding- resources- service- request- portal- streamlined- services Service Request Portal Global Allows users to request and track a range of CGIAR breeding support services, including online submission forms and automation of plate map production. Provides an efficient way to request and track breeding support services, and allows automation of repetitive tasks. Primarily focused on breeding support services, it doesn't cover the broader management aspects of the entire CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative. IRRI Education Online Courses Insufficient evidence Online Education Platform Insufficient evidence Offers specific courses on agricultural Provides practical knowledge and skills for Focused on specific educational topics and do https://openlearning.cgiar.org/ https://openlearning.cgiar.org/ https://openlearning.cgiar.org/ https://excellenceinbreeding.org/news/introducing-cgiar-breeding-resources-service-request-portal-streamlined-services https://excellenceinbreeding.org/news/introducing-cgiar-breeding-resources-service-request-portal-streamlined-services https://excellenceinbreeding.org/news/introducing-cgiar-breeding-resources-service-request-portal-streamlined-services https://excellenceinbreeding.org/news/introducing-cgiar-breeding-resources-service-request-portal-streamlined-services https://excellenceinbreeding.org/news/introducing-cgiar-breeding-resources-service-request-portal-streamlined-services https://excellenceinbreeding.org/news/introducing-cgiar-breeding-resources-service-request-portal-streamlined-services https://excellenceinbreeding.org/news/introducing-cgiar-breeding-resources-service-request-portal-streamlined-services https://excellenceinbreeding.org/news/introducing-cgiar-breeding-resources-service-request-portal-streamlined-services https://excellenceinbreeding.org/news/introducing-cgiar-breeding-resources-service-request-portal-streamlined-services https://excellenceinbreeding.org/news/introducing-cgiar-breeding-resources-service-request-portal-streamlined-services https://excellenceinbreeding.org/news/introducing-cgiar-breeding-resources-service-request-portal-streamlined-services https://excellenceinbreeding.org/news/introducing-cgiar-breeding-resources-service-request-portal-streamlined-services Alternative solution name URL of website providing information Type of the solution Geographie s it is available Key features of the solution Advantages of the alternative compared to CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative Managemen t Portal Disadvantag es of the alternative compared to CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative Managemen t Portal topics, including research methodologi es, climate change resilience, sustainable agriculture and social equity participants to improve agricultural practices, structured learning content. not offer tools for project management . The courses are also based on a recent needs assessment. They may be focused on a region or a group. User Profile Co-developers The co-developers of the CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative include: ● Ten CGIAR centers, indicating a collaborative effort among various research institutions. ● The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) which has a crucial role focusing on research topics such as climate change, gender analysis, livelihoods, food security, and socioeconomic study of poverty. ● The Big Data Platform, which contributes by combining big data analytics, new sensing technologies, geospatial decision tools, and farming systems research. ● Various CGIAR units, as indicated by the 11 initial responses to the course development needs assessment. Users The users of the CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative resources and tools include: ● Researchers and scientists from CGIAR centers and other institutions who use the initiative's data, tools, and analytics for research and innovation. ● Agronomists, including those from CGIAR, NARS (National Agricultural Research Systems), and other partner organizations, as users of specific courses like "Agronomy- at-scale approaches for Rice Production". ● Extension agents who could benefit from courses like "Promoting the Adoption of Conservation Agriculture" and "Cassava Agronomy". ● Participants in online courses, including social scientists, agronomists, breeders, and post-harvest scientists (based on Course 1 target audience), and those with an interest in cassava agronomy (Course 7). ● Field personnel from organizations like the Rainforest Alliance who can use the "Climate Adaptation Strategies for Cocoa Farmers" platform and the related course content. ● Implementers and partners in digital agriculture for the "Human-Centered Design for Digital Agriculture Solutions" course. ● Enumerators and scientists of EiA Use Cases who will be using training manuals and webinars related to add-on surveys. ● Use Case team members and partners for "Gender and youth-responsive agronomy and gender transformative approaches" course. ● Use case teams with experience in field data collection for "Data Collection Tools, Data Quality Control, and Methods and Tools for Decomposition of Yield Gaps" course. Beneficiaries The primary beneficiaries of the CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative are: ● Smallholder farming households, especially women and young farmers, aiming to improve their livelihoods through increased productivity and sustainable practices. ● An estimated 22.2 million women and 10.5 million youth reached via their families, benefiting from gender and youth-responsive agronomic solutions. ● The wider agricultural community benefiting from open and FAIR data and the scaling of agronomic solutions. ● Cocoa farmers, benefiting from climate adaptation strategies (as per the "Climate Adaptation Strategies for Cocoa Farmers" course). ● Farmers and other stakeholders who can correctly interpret climate data through targeted courses. Sponsors The sponsors of the CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative include: ● Various funding sources, as stated in the provided text, which are not specified by name but indicate diverse financial backing for the initiative. Table 3. User Facts on CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative Management Portal User Category Quantitative Facts (Aggregated) Co-developers 10 CGIAR centers, IWMI, Big Data Platform, various CGIAR units and other unspecified organizations. Users Researchers, Agronomists, Extension agents, Social Scientists, Breeders, post-harvest scientists, Field personnel, Digital Agriculture implementers and partners, Enumerators, Scientists, Use Case Team Members, Agronomists and data scientists. Course sizes vary: Course 1(min 15), Course 2 (max 20), Course 4 (over 100), Course 8 (min 10 max 12), Course 9 (target 60), Course 10 (around 30), Course 11 (20). User Category Quantitative Facts (Aggregated) Beneficiaries Millions of smallholder farming households, 22.2 million women and 10.5 million youth (via their families), Cocoa farmers, Farmers interpreting climate data correctly, other unspecified members of agricultural community. Sponsors Multiple unspecified funding sources. Timeline Based on the provided documents, here's a summary of the evolution of the CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative and related information, focusing on aspects relevant to the development of the management portal and associated learning resources for organizations managing agronomy innovations and their staff. Note that while a central "management portal" in the traditional sense does not seem to exist, the timeline below focuses on key events and developments contributing to the initiative's goal of managing agricultural innovation portfolios and creating agronomy learning resources for partners. Table 3. Evolution timeline of CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative Management Portal Date The milestone and brief explanation September 2020 CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative launched: The initiative was officially launched at the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF). This marks the beginning of the collaborative effort to deliver agronomic gains for smallholder farmers. Unspecified Development of the Comprehensive Agronomy Solutions Hub (CASH) and Global Agronomy Village: These platforms were created to serve as resources and collaboration spaces for stakeholders involved in the initiative. They provide access to materials, datasets, and opportunities for knowledge sharing and networking. Unspecified Focus on Open and FAIR Data Principles: The initiative committed to ensuring that at least 75% of research and scaling partners use and share data following FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable). This demonstrates a key element to promote collaboration and innovation. Unspecified "TRANSFORM" activity launched: This activity is aimed at creating value from big data and advanced analytics, including the assembly of data and tools, ensuring governance follows open and FAIR principles and developing and applying analytical tools. This underlines the importance of data driven solutions. Date The milestone and brief explanation Unspecified Development of tools for Monitoring and Evaluation: The initiative has developed key performance indicators to evaluate the agronomic gain and monitor the impact and outcomes of interventions on soil health. Unspecified Emphasis on Communication and Outreach: The initiative aimed to establish a strategic communication framework to ensure a broader audience was aware of its findings and progress. Unspecified Development of Agile Agronomy at Scale Solutions: The initiative started focusing on developing and scaling agronomic solutions for implementation in various contexts. Unspecified Partnership with International Water Management Institute (IWMI): IWMI has contributed significant research in several areas of importance, including climate change, gender analysis, livelihoods, food security, and socioeconomic studies of poverty. Unspecified Focus on Gender and Youth Responsive Agronomic Solutions: The initiative committed to developing agronomic solutions that specifically address the needs of women and young farmers. Unspecified Development of tools for Precision in R&D Targeting Tools were developed to enhance the precision of R&D and also to access agronomic gain using Key performance indicators Unspecified Emphasis on standardizing the assembly of data and tools Tools and governance strategies are established to ensure the creation of standardized data sets to apply analytics. Unspecified Capacity strengthening of National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) : The initiative worked on establishing collaborations with NARS to build the capacities for them to apply solutions to their areas. Unspecified Creation of the Open Learning Portal: The CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative launched an online platform to provide free courses and resources on various agronomy topics, with the stated goal of empowering learners and driving agricultural transformation. Unspecified Breeding Resources Service Request Portal A portal for the request of CGIAR breeding Date The milestone and brief explanation support services was established. May 22-26, 2023 Data Collection Training Course One of the online training courses on data collection, data quality and methods for yield gap decomposition is scheduled for these dates. This represents a tangible activity for capacity building in agronomy research methodologies. September 2023 Introduction to Randomized Control Trial (RCT) Training Course: Scheduled for September 2023, a one-week training course focused on introducing RCT methodology for impact assessment was scheduled to take place. This is another capacity-building effort related to the initiative’s goals. Contributed Results Table 4. Results Achieved By CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative Management Portal Impact Scope of Impact Quantity Evidence Supporting the Impact Facilitated access to agronomy education and resources Organizations managing agronomy innovations and their staff Multiple courses and resources available The Open Learning Portal provides free agronomy-focused courses and resources. https://openlearning.cgi ar.org/ Enabled access to resources and information related to the initiative's activities and findings Organizations managing agronomy innovations and their staff Resources, reports, publications, and data sets available The Comprehensive Agronomy Solutions Hub (CASH) provides access to these resources. https://eia.cgiar.org/ Provided a platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing Organizations managing agronomy innovations and their staff Space for collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders The Global Agronomy Village facilitates collaboration and knowledge sharing.https://eia.cgiar .org/ Streamlined access to CGIAR breeding support services Organizations managing agronomy innovations and their staff Online submission forms and tracking of service requests The Breeding Resources Service Request Portal simplifies the process of requesting and tracking breeding support services.https://excelle https://openlearning.cgiar.org/ https://openlearning.cgiar.org/ https://eia.cgiar.org/ https://eia.cgiar.org/ https://eia.cgiar.org/ https://excellenceinbreeding.org/news/introducing-cgiar-breeding-resources-service-request-portal-streamlined-services nceinbreeding.org/new s/introducing-cgiar- breeding-resources- service-request-portal- streamlined-services Increased awareness of the initiative's endeavors Organizations managing agronomy innovations and their staff Dissemination of findings, promotion of work and stakeholder engagement The initiative has a strategic communication framework to increase awareness through various channels. https://eia.cgiar.org/ Enabled access to tools for data analysis and management Organizations managing agronomy innovations and their staff Tools for data assembly, governance, analytics, and application of turn-key solutions The initiative's "TRANSFORM" activity enables the creation of value from big data and advanced analytics. https://eia.cgiar.org/ Annex 1. IRRI Education Online Agriculture Courses Analysis Overview This document outlines a plan for developing online agriculture courses based on a needs assessment conducted by IRRI Education. Eleven courses are proposed to address gaps in agricultural practices, including research methodologies, mechanization, climate change resilience, sustainable agriculture, and social equity. The courses are designed for practical application and will be delivered online. https://excellenceinbreeding.org/news/introducing-cgiar-breeding-resources-service-request-portal-streamlined-services https://excellenceinbreeding.org/news/introducing-cgiar-breeding-resources-service-request-portal-streamlined-services https://excellenceinbreeding.org/news/introducing-cgiar-breeding-resources-service-request-portal-streamlined-services https://excellenceinbreeding.org/news/introducing-cgiar-breeding-resources-service-request-portal-streamlined-services https://excellenceinbreeding.org/news/introducing-cgiar-breeding-resources-service-request-portal-streamlined-services https://eia.cgiar.org/ https://eia.cgiar.org/ Needs Assessment ● Stakeholder Input: 11 initial responses were received from key stakeholders in agriculture. ● Form Sections: The needs assessment form covered five sections, including the intended audience, specific issues, and overall goals. ● Identified Themes: Common themes included research development, mechanization, climate change resilience, sustainable agriculture, and social equity. ● Specific Needs: Courses on rice production and cassava agronomy were also identified. Key Issues and Learning Gaps ● Experimental Methods: Need for understanding randomized control trials in social science. ● Information and Solutions: Lack of updated information and scale-appropriate innovations/solutions. ● Sampling: Difficulties in identifying representative sampling frames (bio-physical and socioeconomic). ● Agronomy-at-Scale: Need for courses on large-scale agronomy approaches. ● Climate Data Interpretation: Issues with interpreting climate data correctly. ● Conservation Agriculture: Need for promoting the adoption of conservation agriculture in cereal systems. ● Cassava Production: Need to address productivity challenges in cassava production. ● Digital Tool Adoption: Low adoption rates of digital tools, especially by marginalized groups. Proposed Courses ● Course 1: Basic Principles and Methods of Experimental Research. Minimum of 15 participants. ● Course 2: Updated Information and Appropriate Innovations/Solutions. Maximum of 20 participants. ● Course 3: Identification of Representative Sampling Frames. ● Course 4: Agronomy-at-Scale Approaches. Expected to have over 100 participants. ● Course 5: Interpretation of Climate Data. ● Course 6: Promoting Conservation Agriculture in Cereal Systems. ● Course 7: Addressing Productivity Challenges in Cassava Production. ● Course 8: Human-Centered Design for Digital Agriculture Solutions. Minimum 10, maximum 12 participants. ● Course 9: Mechanization and Innovations in Agriculture. Target of 60 participants. ● Course 10: Leadership in Agriculture. Target of around 30 participants. ● Course 11: Sustainable Agriculture Practices. Course size of 20 participants, scheduled for 5 days, May 22-26, 2023. Course Details Each course includes its objectives, target audience, content, delivery methods, and evaluation plans, focusing on online learning and practical application. Goal The initiative aims to enhance agricultural research, development, and the adoption of sustainable practices through capacity building.