Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Engagement platforms can be useful vehicles to explore strategies to boost
productivity, improve natural resources management, strengthen value chains
and adapt to climate change
Engagement platforms can address a single issue or complex problems involv-
ing a wide range of people within farming communities. Individual stake-
holders need the right reasons and incentives to make a platform work. Often
this involves market incentives and removing barriers to benefits, which may
directly challenge the status quo. Excellent facilitation is needed to turn
engagement platforms into win-win endeavors, including acknowledging
short- versus long-term engagement and outcomes.
Well-facilitated engagement platforms link different sectors and levels, which
stimulates horizontal and vertical coordination for greater impact
Horizontal links refer to collaboration between platforms at the same
institutional level to strengthen their bargaining position or for learning.
Collaboration does not necessarily mean establishing multiple platforms.
Usually it is better to link a single engagement platform to other organizations,
networks or individuals. Engagement platforms may allow participants some
freedom to explore issues that are high risk or controversial at a national level.
In diagnosing issues and designing and implementing solutions, engagement
platforms often evolve toward vertical integration.
Platforms can empower local actors to hold authority to account
Giving stakeholders a voice is one of the prime functions of an engagement
platform. Local platforms connect local actors with actors who perform other
functions. Research findings and solutions at those local levels may influence
the role of actors performing at higher levels and may help source evidence
that points to responsibilities of these higher-level actors.
Markets provide clear incentives for investments in production
Engagement platforms may help reduce the cost of searching for and reaching
markets. They also allow people who understand the challenges and oppor-
tunities in the local system to devise and test solutions. Engagement platforms
are tools for pooling knowledge across the agricultural business, education,
research and extension systems. They generate, disseminate and use engage-
ment to reduce transaction costs. Engagement platforms can target markets in,
for example, school feeding programs, military institutions, hospitals, super-
markets, processors and commodity exchanges.
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