Pathway development through Roadmaps: A collaborative approach for sustainable livelihood diversification in South Asia
In the face of evolving global challenges, development programs increasingly recognize the importance of multi-sectoral and multi-scale interventions to address complex issues such as agricultural sustainability and livelihood diversification. However, a gap remains between localized initiatives and national/international research and development efforts, particularly when navigating the "middle ground"—the sub-national level where transformative changes must be intricately planned and executed. Woodruff and Stults (2016)[1] highlights the challenge of translating research into practice that leads to sustained impact. Despite sustained efforts to support agricultural change in the Eastern Gangetic Plains (EGP), most efforts are limited to wider impact due to a diversity of production systems, markets and social dynamics in the region. This discussion highlights the roadmap process as a strategic tool. It empowers local stakeholders, fosters collaboration, and promotes sustainable livelihoods in the EGP, laying the foundation for the Rupantar project's transformation.
Project implementers must prioritize understanding the requirements of farmers and local stakeholders and consider any gaps in the suitability of interventions and farmers' knowledge[2]. The roadmap process promotes a participatory approach to project planning and implementation, in stark contrast to the conventional top-down approach often seen in development research projects. The roadmap process values grassroots knowledge, experiences, and networks. It engages local communities, understands their contexts, and involves them in decision-making.
The roadmap process was first tested in a previously ACIAR funded-CIMMYT led Roadmaps project in Koshi Province and Madhesh Pradesh of Nepal, which had a primary focus on building capacities of the Nepal Government to plan for sustainable mechanisation. The approach employed in the roadmaps approach is not quantitative in nature; instead, it employs a structured action research methodology that mostly relies on qualitative research tools. This methodology is rooted in the concept of road mapping, a flexible planning technique aimed at supporting strategic planning and programming. Thus, a roadmap is more than a planning tool as it serves as a dynamic process that guides stakeholders and partners towards a common goal. They provide a visual summary of a strategic work plan, allowing for coordinated efforts and increased collective impact. This participatory approach not only empowers local stakeholders but also ensures ownership, and projects customized to local needs, challenges, and opportunities.
Moreover, the roadmap process exemplifies that a meaningful change is most effective when it emerges from collaboration and dialogue among all stakeholders, creating a more inclusive and equitable path towards achieving shared goals. It's a testament to the power of community-driven development and the potential for positive impact.
The Rupantar journey
The experience of the Roadmaps project led by CIMMYT which resulted in enhanced sustainable agricultural mechanization in Nepal showed that strategic planning and collaboration can create an enabling environment for the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. This innovative approach sparked inspiration for the Rupantar[3] project, and the Rupantar team has taken an active role in implementing and adapting the Roadmaps approach widely. The project team has conducted an extensive baseline survey, engaged in fruitful discussions with smallholder farmers through focus group discussions (FGDs) and interviews, and gathered valuable insights from local partners, village visits and village mapping exercises to build a strong evidence base.
From the start, the Rupantar team organized a series of roadmaps workshops in each project location (Cooch Behar, India; Koshi Province, Nepal; and Rangpur, Bangladesh). These workshops brought together stakeholders and partners in the region to collaboratively plan roadmaps for each location, ensuring that the pathways towards sustainable food systems and livelihood diversifications are well-defined, adaptable, and geared towards achieving impactful locally prioritised outcomes.
Further integration and adaptation of the Roadmaps approach entails ongoing efforts to identify relevant stakeholders, identify risks, prioritise research, formulate scaling strategies and plan implementation pathways. This capitalises on the flexibility of the Roadmap process, allowing it to evolve and adapt as it progresses towards a shared vision.
As we move forward, the critical focus remains on addressing the unique challenges and opportunities in each location within the project. We engage regularly in dialogue with our partners, stakeholders, and communities to refine our strategies and ensure that our efforts are impactful and sustainable. From September to October 2024, stakeholders in all three countries convened in their respective regions to review the progress of the selected pathways and the Roadmap process. These review meetings were not limited to the initial stakeholders of the Rupantar project; they also attracted a broader range of participants, including individuals and organizations outside of the original scope of the project.
This expanded collaboration generated a renewed collective commitment among stakeholders to pursue the shared goal of building sustainable food systems and promoting diversified livelihoods. By harnessing the power of collaboration, strategic planning, and the Roadmaps approach, we aspire to create a lasting and positive impact on food systems and livelihood diversification in the EGP.
[1] Woodruff S. C., Stults M. 2016. “Numerous Strategies but Limited Implementation Guidance in US Local Adaptation Plans.” Nature Climate Change 6 (8): 796–802. https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate3012.
[2] Eastwood, C., Ayre, M., Nettle, R., & Dela Rue, B. (2019, December 1). Making sense in the cloud: Farm advisory services in a smart farming future. NJAS: Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences, 90–91(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.njas.2019.04.004
[3] https://www.aciar.gov.au/project/wac-2020-148