(2022-2024) supported by William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
The Partnership for Economic Policy’s experts supported a two-phase program in African countries to build capacity in and eventually encourage the autonomous uptake of impact evaluation by local researchers and government representatives to inform policy solutions effectively. Across different projects, including improving maize productivity and soil health in Malawi; increasing vaccine uptake in Tanzania; improving the income of cashew producers in Guinea-Bissau; and enabling small farmers to adapt to climate change in Benin, PEP mentors enabled country-level researchers and government officers to provide the most effective policy solution through training them in rigorous impact evaluation methods. The national policy conferences (NPCs) organized in each country after the project was completed, which convened researchers, government representatives, NGOs and other relevant stakeholders found uptake by government stakeholders in Benin, and garnered media attention in Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau. This is because the policy solutions were backed by rigorous evidence, and in the words of the researchers’ trained, the program not only helped them in expanding their research skills but also enabled them to engage with policy stakeholders meaningfully.
Find out more in this LinkedIn Newsletter – Building in-country capacity in rigorous impact evaluation is imperative to informing policy, news stories on the National Policy Conference (NPC) in Malawi, NPC in Tanzania, NPC in Benin and NPC in Guinea Bissau, along with a video summarizing the key findings.
Find out more about findings from each country below.
Despite years of input subsidies, Malawi’s maize productivity remains low due to poor soil health. Local PEP researchers found that integrating soil fertility management interventions (SFMIs), like organic fertilizers and lime, into Malawi’s Affordable Inputs Program (AIP) can improve soil quality and crop yields.
Key Policy Recommendations:
Supporting soil health strategies will empower farmers, improve food security, and ensure the long-term success of Malawi’s agricultural subsidies.
Tanzania: No findings
Farmers in Benin face significant challenges adapting to climate variability, which impacts agricultural productivity. Despite advances in forecasting technology, farmers often lack localized and actionable weather information. Local researchers demonstrated that integrating ICT-enabled climate services with targeted farmer support can significantly improve resilience.
The study evaluated three policy options: maintaining the status quo, providing personalized support through periodic farm visits, or offering ICT-based services via a call center. Results showed ICT-based services (Option 2) had the greatest impact, improving farmers’ access to weather forecasts, productivity, and profits.
To ensure widespread benefits, policymakers should:
These solutions underscore the potential of climate services to enhance resilience and productivity for farmers in Benin while addressing climate change impacts.
Guinea-Bissau’s cashew farmers face market transparency issues, limiting their earnings. Local PEP researchers found that integrating a helpline into the N’kalo Market Information Service and establishing cooperatives can improve income.
Key Findings:
Policy Recommendations:
These interventions would empower cashew producers and boost Guinea-Bissau’s agricultural economy.
