Abt Associates Expands Work Evaluating New Agricultural Development Model

BETHESDA, Md., May 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Abt Associates has won its second evaluation contract from the UK Department of International Development to assess the effectiveness of pilot projects testing the use of "pull mechanisms" to incentivize private sector involvement in markets, and address market failures impeding the development of markets to serve smallholder farmers. The nine-year, $5.5 million evaluation contract is part of the $118 million AgResults initiative funded by Australia, Canada, the UK, the US, and the Gates Foundation. The contract will continue and expand work begun under an initial contract won in 2013.  

The multi-donor AgResults initiative was set up to test a new model for involving the private sector in bringing new technologies to smallholder farmers around the world. The model uses results-based economic incentives, known as pull-mechanisms, to encourage private companies to develop and disseminate innovations that promote food security and benefit smallholder farmers. Under this contract, Abt will evaluate the effectiveness of AgResults pilot projects designed to:

• Increase the production and sale of improved legume seeds in Uganda;
• Decrease greenhouse gas emissions from rice production in Vietnam;
• Increase vaccination against Newcastle disease in backyard poultry in India; and
• Develop a better vaccine to reduce brucellosis in small ruminants.

To provide high quality evidence about various aspects of the pilots over time and synthesize evidence on the efficacy of pull-mechanisms, Abt will use a mix of US and international experts skilled in qualitative and quantitative methods. The team will develop pilot-specific evaluation designs within a common theoretical framework, conduct data collection and analysis, synthesize findings, and draw lessons learned.

"Abt Associates will draw on its global experience providing rigorous, high-quality analysis of evidence to provide actionable insights that can improve food security for people around the world," said Stephen Pelliccia, Division Vice President for International Economic Growth.

Dr. Tulika Narayan will serve as research director; Dr. Stephen Bell is quality assurance officer.

About Abt Associates
Abt Associates is a mission-driven, global leader in research, evaluation and program implementation in the fields of health, social and environmental policy, and international development. Known for its rigorous approach to solving complex challenges, Abt Associates is regularly ranked as one of the top 20 global research firms and one of the top 40 international development innovators. The company has multiple offices in the U.S. and program offices in more than 40 countries. www.abtassociates.com

SOURCE Abt Associates

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