A team of researchers from the Environment for Development (EfD) Global Hub, EfD Nigeria, and international EfD collaborators has been awarded USD 1.9 million to conduct a comprehensive impact evaluation of agricultural innovations in Nigeria.
The three-year project, with the possibility of an extension, will be led by Yonas Alem, Director of Academic Programs at EfD and Associate Professor of Economics. It aims to assess the adoption and impact of CGIAR*-led innovations, particularly those developed by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). Since its establishment in 1967, IITA has contributed significantly to Nigeria's agricultural sector, introducing innovations such as vitamin A-biofortified cassava and drought-tolerant maize, improving food security and smallholder farmers' resilience.
"Understanding the impact and cost-effectiveness of these innovations is critical," says Yonas Alem.
Challenges remain despite progress
Despite these advancements, challenges remain, including inadequate infrastructure, post-harvest losses, and climate change-related risks. Government initiatives like the Anchor Borrowers' Program (ABP) have supported smallholder farmers, yet further investment is needed to enhance rural infrastructure and market access.
EfD researchers aim to better understand these innovations' impact by stocktaking CGIAR-related advancements, collecting nationally representative household data, and employing rigorous impact evaluation methods, including randomized controlled trials.
Provides policy insights
This initiative is expected to offer valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and development organizations, ultimately fostering sustainable growth in Nigeria's agricultural sector. It will also open new and large impact evaluation opportunities for the EfD network.
The project is funded by The Special Panel for Impact Assessment (SPIA).
