What are the best practices for evaluating the impact of agribusiness R&D on crop and livestock productivity?

2 Identify the causal pathways and assumptions

The next step is to identify the causal pathways and assumptions that link the agribusiness R&D activities to the expected outcomes and impacts on crop and livestock productivity. This can be done by developing a logic model or a theory of change that describes how the R&D inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impacts are related, and what assumptions and external factors may influence them. This will help you to clarify the logic and rationale of the R&D intervention, as well as to identify the potential sources of bias and confounding.

3 Select the methods and data sources

The third step is to select the methods and data sources that are suitable for the evaluation objectives and scope, and that can capture the causal pathways and assumptions. There are various methods and data sources that can be used for evaluating the impact of agribusiness R&D, such as experimental designs, quasi-experimental designs, counterfactual analysis, econometric models, surveys, interviews, focus groups, case studies, secondary data, and administrative data. The choice of methods and data sources depends on the availability, quality, reliability, and validity of the data, as well as the feasibility, cost, and ethical considerations of the evaluation.

4 Analyze the data and estimate the impact

The fourth step is to analyze the data and estimate the impact of agribusiness R&D on crop and livestock productivity. This involves applying the selected methods and data sources to test the hypotheses and assumptions, and to measure the changes in productivity that can be attributed to the R&D intervention. The analysis should also account for the potential sources of bias and confounding, such as selection bias, spillover effects, attribution problems, and external shocks. The impact estimation should also provide estimates of uncertainty, such as confidence intervals, sensitivity analysis, and error margins.

5 Interpret and communicate the results

The final step is to interpret and communicate the results of the evaluation to the relevant stakeholders and audiences. This involves explaining the findings and implications of the impact assessment, as well as the limitations and caveats of the methods and data. The communication should also highlight the key lessons learned and recommendations for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of agribusiness R&D. The communication should also use appropriate formats and channels, such as reports, presentations, infographics, podcasts, webinars, and social media, to reach and engage the target audiences.