Final performance evaluation of the Feed the Future innovation lab for small scale irrigation

ILSSI aims to contribute to Feed the Future’s overarching goal of sustainably reducing global poverty and hunger through transforming key production systems and enhancing nutrition and food security through small scale irrigation (SSI). This external performance evaluation assessed ILSSI’s achievements and provides empirical evidence supporting learning and improvement for BFS’ Feed the Future work. The evaluation team (ET) used mixed-methods and multiple sources of evidence, including document review, observations, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and field visits to Ethiopia and Ghana. The ET found that ILSSI is well managed, despite being a complex project with activities across three countries. The project provided capacity building on high-demand Integrated Decision Support System and associated models to universities, research institutes, and government entities. Farmers indicated that the new technologies and practices ILSSI introduced have potential to increase yields, incomes, and living standards. The research is high quality but several economic and social-behavioral issues, including access to equipment and supply chains, unwillingness to pay for equipment, and sparse ground support, constrain scaling up. Partners recognize these issues but note the importance of understanding and addressing them before scaling up SSI. To facilitate scaling-up, the evaluation recommends a second ILSSI phase that incorporates entrepreneurial and practical solutions for research, covers environmental and economic conditions, and focuses on market solutions and scaling innovations, while continuing to generate knowledge.