Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Livestock Systems

Agency for International Development's (USAID) agricultural research and capacity building activities under Feed the Future, the U.S. Government's global hunger and food security initiative. The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) partners with the University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) in implementing the Livestock Systems Innovation Lab. Initial meetings were held in 2016 with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), Ministry of Animal and Fish Resources (MAFR), and various research and agricultural education and training (AET) institutions supporting the livestock sector in Burkina Faso. This led to joint prioritization of research for their development needs, issuing of a Request for Grant Applications by the Livestock Systems Innovation Lab, and subsequent subawarding and subrecipience of livestock research projects in Burkina Faso. The report provides an overview of the Livestock Systems Innovation Lab's capacity development approach, findings from assessments and literature, suggested areas of intervention, and recommendations for next steps. The Livestock Systems Innovation Lab has been renewed for a second phase (October 2020 to September 2025). At the onset of this second phase, the findings from this report will be reviewed in coordination with the listed partners and other stakeholders to develop an intervention plan that will strengthen Burkina Faso's livestock research, extension, education, and related workforce development. The USAID and other frameworks for Human and Institutional Capacity Development (HICD) emphasize the connection between building the capacity of the individual and organization, and systemic change at the institutional and enabling environment levels. Human capacity development can only function for the growth of the individual, organization, and institution when newly acquired skills are supported by adequate infrastructure, resources, policies, and the capacity to change and adapt. For the purposes of this project, the Livestock Systems Innovation Lab's HICD objectives and activities in terms of capacity development are clarified by the following definitions. The individual level refers to the knowledge, experiences, and skills that enable an individual to perform. Access to resources and experiences that develop individual capacity are shaped by the organizational and environmental factors in which the individual operates, which in turn are influenced by the degree of capacity and agency of the individual. The organizational level refers to the internal structure, policies, and procedures that determine an organization's effectiveness. This includes support systems (fiscal, human resource, technical), incentive systems, and a culture that promotes learning and innovation. The enabling environment level refers to the broader context in which organizations operate, including policies, laws, and regulations that affect their ability to function effectively. The Livestock Systems Innovation Lab's capacity development approach emphasizes the importance of in-depth analyses of human and organizational capacity, institutional gap assessments, and collaboration with key stakeholders. These efforts must align with organizational needs and abilities and use an iterative and collaborative process. The report highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to HICD that addresses the individual, organizational, and enabling environment levels. The report identifies several challenges unique to institutions in Burkina Faso, including limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of capacity to change and adapt. The report also highlights the importance of human capacity development, organizational development, and enabling environment in addressing these challenges. The Livestock Systems Innovation Lab's recommendations for next steps include developing an intervention plan that will strengthen Burkina Faso's livestock research, extension, education, and related workforce development.