In this section you can find the main resources developed by the Tropical Agriculture Platform (TAP)
Common Framework Volumes
The Common Framework developed by TAP proposes a practical approach to development of capacities for agricultural innovation.
The Framework is composed of three volumes and provides concepts, principles, methodologies and tools to better understand the architecture of Agricultural Innovation Systems and to plan, implement, monitor, evaluate and bring coherence to the Capacity Development interventions.
Capacity Development Manuals
This trainers’ manual collection was produced as part the Capacity Development for Agricultural Innovation Systems (CDAIS) project. The project was implemented by Agrinatura and FAO in partnerhsip with national partners from eight pilot countries) focusing on strengthen the capacity of countries and key stakeholders to innovate in complex agricultural systems, thereby achieving improved rural livelihoods.
TAP Tools
FAO in collaboration with Agrinatura has produced a series of factsheets outlining tools and approaches to promote capacity development projects for agricultural innovation systems (AIS). The tools are designed with a view to the practical implementation of the principles of the Common Framework of the Tropical Agriculture Platform (TAP). They have been applied in the CDAIS project.
Other TAP resources
This section contains other resources developed by the Tropical Agriculture Platform, such as practical implementation tools and factsheets for Capacity Development, Success stories from implemented projects, TAP Charter, TAP annual reports, and many more.');
Multi-stakeholders partnership assessment
The multi-stakeholders Assessment Form is a tool to enable the different actors creating a partnership to ask systematic questions to a potential partner to ensure a good fit with the goal, vision and needs of the partnership. This tool can be used at the development/ starting point phase of the partnership to explore a potential relationship. It can also be used later on, after the assessment of capacity gaps is done, to assess how new organizations or institutions can be integrated into the innovation partnership and provide innovation support services which are relevant to the needs o...2018
Bangladesh: A story of change on mango production. “We must work together to increase mango production”
“We realized that we need to work together, and are now seeing changes happen” said Omar Ali, President of the newly formed Shibganj Mango Association. Farmers and orchard owners saw the need to change when interest in mango production grew after exports to the EU started in 2015. With technical assistance from several initiatives, the first 12 registered farmers began to follow ‘good agricultural practices’. They formed an association now with more than 50 members, and CDAIS is supporting them to strengthen their organization and to achieve their goals by building functional capacities.” T...2018
Rwanda: Stories of change. Challenges in the milk chain
In November 2016, a CDAIS capacity needs assessment of a community milk processing centre started a process that has seen clear changes in less than a year. The Burera dairy was selected as one of the country’s ‘innovation niche partnerships’, and the assessment, workshop and associated training allowed participants to better understand the value chain, the issues, problems, and possible solutions. Now, Burera dairy is moving forward, and quickly…. But much of the thanks are due to CDAIS training at different levels, and the role played by the national innovation facilitators has played an imp...2018
Bangladesh: A story of change. From green to silver: diversifying and intensifying production from rice to fish farming
Today, entering Trishal, Mymensingh on the road from Dhaka, one sees rows of fish ponds. One after the other, they show a massive diversification from rice to fish cultivation in recent years, and an intensification of production. The tradeoffs between green crops and silver fish appear to be clear, as ever more farmers see the benefits in terms of profits and returns, and make the move into fish farming. “I was impressed with the innovative approach of CDAIS in bringing together fish farmers and organizations that support us, to find ways to overcome challenges we face in producing quality...2018
Laos: A story of change on rice production. Diversifying rice production with frogs, fish and more
“I have seen my income grow since I started farming frogs and fish” says Bounlium Planethavong, “but other farmers need support to adopt the techniques I use.” The CDAIS project identified this innovation that increases and diversifies household income and nutrition by promoting the production of aquatic protein sources. This system is also more agroecologically balanced, re-introducing animals and insects that older farmers remember being once-plentiful in rice paddies… But now, farmers are sharing experiences, making valuable links to service and credit providers, and the first successes are...2018
Rwanda: A story of change on dairy. Meaningful meetings mean more milk
“Burera dairy opened in September 2015 but immediately had problems in sourcing milk as there was no organized supply chain” explains Managing Director Emmanuel Mahoro. “But things improved when everyone involved began to meet.” Beginning in November 2016 with a capacity needs assessment workshop, CDAIS has helped to bring different actors and interests together, followed by more meetings and coaching sessions. And in September 2018, a first reflection meeting assessed the achievements and remaining challenges, but also identified that benefits went far beyond just the dairy… This story of...2018
Rwanda: Stories of change. Resolving conflicts in water use
Centred on a reservoir and irrigation scheme for livestock keepers and crop producers, the core objective of CDAIS Rwangingo catchment was to promote fair, effective and efficient use of water, as well asconflict management through collaboration among users. It stimulated a partnership framework among water users, service providers (including extensionists, input suppliers and water users organisations ) and supporters (Agri projects, enablers). In less than two years, the multi-stakeholder partnership is gradually implementing effective resource management, eradicating conflicts and improving...2018
Bangladesh: A story of change on pineapple. Building a public–private pineapple partnership in the Chittagong Hill Tracts
Individual farmers often receive low prices for their harvest, and pineapple producers in Bangladesh are no exception. To help them, CDAIS facilitated a series of meetings and coaching. Starting with a capacity needs assessment workshop in April 2017, a coaching plan was developed to meet capacity gaps identified by the partnership of pineapple producers, complete with an action plan. The partnership also participated in a ‘marketplace’ event in Dhaka, a regional policy dialogue and two phases of capacity-building training. The result? An effective new pineapple growers association with compet...2018
Rwanda: Stories of change. Cooperation in the cassava production
Cassava is an important crop especially in the south of Rwanda. A processing factory was constructed, but it was unable to source enough roots to make it profitable. Since CDAIS became involved, however, actors got together, saw the problems and agreed ways forward. Now a few years later business is booming for all involved, from farmers with a secure market, producers of improved planting material, and the factory itself that produces much more cassava flour and now employs 230 people. This story of change from Rwanda is part of a series of stories occurred under the EU-funded CDAIS projec...2018
TAP Newsletter - Issue No. 02/2018 (period: June 2018 - October 2018)
The Newsletter of the Tropical Agriculture Platform (TAP) provides regular updates on global activities by TAP and its partners, on the EU funded CDAIS project (jointly implemented by FAO and Agrinatura) and on upcoming related events. This issue specifically refers to the period from June to October 2018.2018
