A presentation by the team of PIM researchers from the International Potato Center (CIP) presenting the idea of regional R&D value chain hubs aimed at facilitating connections between research, development, evidence, and policy formulation.

1. Regional R4D Value Chain
Hub (LAC)
Approach and functions of
the Andean Hub
December 2015
A. DEVAUX, M. ORDINOLA, AND C. VELASCO
CIP

2. Purpose
The regional Hub builds on previous Value Chain
work conducted by individual CGIAR centers and
seeks to add value to these activities by linking
existing communities of practice and facilitating
on-going connections between research,
development, evidence and policy formulation.

3. Knowledge
creation
Knowledge
use
Evidence
Policy makers
Governmental bodies
NGO´s
Research organizations
Academy
Practitioners
Market agents
Farmers
International cooperation
agencies
Make the innovation
process more efficient
with multiple stakeholders
and at multiple levels
HUB
R4D platforms
The HUB: bridging the gap between knowledge
creation and use
Alianza de
Aprendizaje Perú
Alianza de
Aprendizaje
Centro América
Dialogo Rural
Ecuador

4. Make the innovation process more efficient with multiple
stakeholders and at multiple levels
To bring partners together, provide information, and organize space for
interaction to overcome knowledge gaps in relation to innovation processes for
value chain development and other related topics
Demand articulation
Multiple needs and demands for
innovation:
• Methodologies and approaches,
• Policies
• Funding
Network formation
Linkages between relevant actors:
• Identification of partners and
knowledges sources
• Engagement of partners around
concrete needs for innovation
Innovation process management:
• Implementation of potential
research plans
• Support to the KM process
• Influence policies
• M&E

5. Structure and governance of the hub
National level
• Working with the national Hub, in the case of Peru, the Learning Alliance Peru (LAP) ,which
has a national coordinator and has the support of a technical secretariat that is
coordinating the activities of different working groups dealing with research, development
and policy issues of the Agriculture sector development including value chains.
• The national hub is promoting knowledge exchange and in some cases support specific
studies
Regional level
• Regional Hub as an R4D platforms with a coordinator part-time assumed by CIP
to:
• Coordinate the implementation of the Hub in the Andes, the interaction with the
Learning Alliance Peru (LAP), other national platforms and CGIAR centers members of
PIM. And Support horizontal exchange with Hubs in central America and Africa
• Support the implementation of research projects and specific studies,
• Develop the KM process, link to PIM tools4valuechains.org website, publications,…
• Implement an M&E process
• Open Hub to new partners including other CRPs and links with other countries in the
region

6. Hub value proposition to partners
• Develop demand-driven provision of high quality methods, tools and
approaches to add value and improve the effectiveness of PIM and CGIAR
interventions
– The Value Chain approaches are one entry point to develop the interaction with
partners and address broader topics such as innovation and advocacy.
• The evidence generated through the hub based on the interaction with
partners will feed into processes of policy dialog at the national level to
improve decisions by key actors.
• The hub will build the capacity of development actors for better design
and implement their programs;
• The hub will provide evidence for scaling effective interventions taking
advantage of the policy dialogue and promoting knowledge exchange.
• Trough the Hub, implement M&E tools to monitor and assess the Hub
contribution to achieve impact in a more efficient way.

7. Steps for
implementation
of the Hub in the
Andes
1. Identification of potential key partners in Peru to assess their level of interest in the
Hub approach, take advantage of the Learning Alliance in Peru (LAP) as a pilot CoP.
2. Convene meetings with LAP partners to facilitate a dialogue around
the concept of the hub and to structure a collaboration approach.
3. Discussion and analysis of existing LAP partners’ work to
identify key knowledge and capacity development needs
4. Support the systematization of the LAP to identify
gaps and prioritize topics for implementing one or
more research actions and learning cycles.
5. Develop the Hub M&E process, to assess the effects along the
innovation chain in line with the PIM/VC IDOs
7. Report results from the hub implementation and the joint actions in Peru to make
adjustments to the concept, to improve the process and open it to new partners
including other CRPs, other countries and regions
6. Exchange of experiences with the Hub in Central America.

8. The Learning Alliance in Peru (LAP)
• LAP was created by CIAT and has been active
for more then 10 years:
– promoting knowledge sharing among partners
– Influence on the design and adjustment of national
policies (farmers’ associativity mechanisms included
as a national strategy, contributions to a value chain
Regulation for "Law to Strengthen Supply Chain” by
the Ministry of Agriculture)
– LAP Recognition in other countries of LAC
(Nicaragua)
• LAP has been interacting directly with CIAT
and has been collaborating with CIP in
different projects.
• LAP is interested to join the PIM/VC R4D
platforms
• Support from PIM/VC in Systematization
study of LAP 10 years of experience
Some key facts:
• LAP 16 active member
institutions, public and private
R&D partners who gathered
initially to address VC
development:
– IICA, CIP, HELVETAS INTERCOOPERATION,
LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF, DIGNA-
MINAGRI, PRISMA, ProAmbiente-GIZ, SNV,
SIERRA EXPORTADORA, SOLUCIONES
PRACTICAS, SWISSCONTACT, PRODUCE,
VECO ANDINO, CARE, CTB, AGRORURAL
• Technical coordination funded
by members to ensure operation
continuity and sustainability pf
the LAP.

9. 1. Support the systematization of LAP to date (September-
November 2015)
2. Prioritize topics with LAP partners for implementing research
actions and learning cycles on specific themes (eg. post harvest
losses analysis, impact assessment, others). Workshop with PIM
members Planned for December 4 2015
3. Knowledge Management: Links with PIM Value Chains
Clearinghouse Platform.
4. Develop the Hub M&E process in line with the PIM/VC IDOs.
Establish impact pathways (2016 Q1)
Hub next steps (1)

10. 4. Exchange of experiences with the Hub in Central America using
the Horizontal Evaluation methodology that combines self-
assessment and external review by peers. (2016 Q1)
6. Implementation of research activities and learning cycles on
specific topics identified with LAP members (2016 Q1 to Q4)
7. Monitoring (1) Hub implementation process and (2) the learning
cycle progress (2016 Q1 to Q4)
8. Reporting results (2016 Q4)
9. Develop future plans and opening to new partners including other
CRPs, other countries and regions (2016 Q3 to Q4)
Hub next steps (2)