1. O1 group work report Tahirou, Sibiry, Gatien, Joseph, Naomie, Jerome, Annie

2. 1.1 Construction of development domains within and across the project mega-sites  The development domains developed so far by IFPRI require more granular data to become relevant within the GS megasite, including: ethnic/linguistic layers, livestock density, LGP, landscape physiography / elevation  Procedure already applied for Ghana can be replicated in Mali and improved with feedback to Ghana  IFPRI (Chris) will continue to lead that activity until complete, including field visits to be organized in conjunction with activity 1.2  ICRISAT (Sibiry) will provide supplementary granular data to IFPRI (Chris) for stratification and domain delineation within the GS megasite  ICRISAT (Eva) will help organize Mali field visits by IFPRI (Chris) before end of December

3. 1.2 Identification of action research sites within the development domains of each mega-site  Add statement in project document on consultation with local partners  Need to identify Mali units of analysis similar to Ghana districts (cercle vs. arrondissement vs. secteur vs. commune)  Activity can be executed concurrently with 1.1 (development domains)  Key participants should include: Carlo, Chris, Sibiry, Larbi, Tahirou  Bridging the scale gap in site selection should not only be through partners / expert opinion but also informed by more granular GIS data (cf. 1.1 above)  Group felt that there is flexibility still possible in action and/or control sites finalization in UER and NR

4. 1.3 Establishment of R4D platforms  Similar to Tanzania, Malawi and Ghana, need to review and inventory current FtF investments in Mali – where are they made, who was contracted for platform establishment etc.  Opportunity to expand existing innovations platforms into R4D platforms (more dynamic, proactive)  No treatment site where there is no R4D platform (control sites will be selected outside the intervention domain of R4D platforms)  In Mali, potential scale mismatch between administrative divisions and critical mass of villages for R4D platforms

5. 1.4 Collect baseline information  What HH survey instrument for the BL? What level of customization for AR objectives / approaches?  Issue of subcontracting for BL survey administration: IPA or likes? Level of subcontracting? Training only?  BL data will not be used to revise action / control site selection  BL data may be used to guide deployment of technology-based interventions (agronomy/farm-level) but likely not process-based interventions (community/landscape-level)

6. 1.5 Construction of farm household typologies  IFPRI (Naomie) will lead with IITA (Bernard) inputs for CRP1.2 areas and ICRISAT (Gatien) inputs for CRP1.1 areas

7. 1.6 Inventorize innovations

8. 1.7 Identification and prioritization of innovations addressing major constraints  Participatory modeling?? -> participatory scenario analysis (to avoid over-commitment)

9. Sequencing, responsibility, funding of O1 activities NOVDECJANFEBMARAPR$ 1.1 Domains: IFPRI-Chris (L), ICRISAT- Sibiry xIFPRI 100% 1.2 Sites: IFPRI-Carlo (L), IFPRI-Chris, IITA-Larbi, ICRISAT-Sibiry xIFPRI 50%, IITA/ICRISA T 50% 1.3 Platforms: IITA-Larbi (L), ICRISAT- Eva (co-L), ICRAF-Joachim xIITA/ICRISA T 100% 1.4 Baselines: IFPRI-Carlo (L), IFPRI- M&E officer, IITA-Tahirou, ICRAF- Joachim, ICRISAT-Manda xxIFPRI 100% 1.5 Typologies: IFPRI-Naomie (L), IITA- Bernard, ICRISAT-Gatien xxIFPRI 50%, CRP1.1/1.2 50% 1.6 Innovations: IITA-Larbi (L), ICRISAT-Eva (co-L), M&E officer xxxIFPRI 50%, IITA/ICRISA T 50% 1.7 Prioritizations: IITA-Larbi (L), ICRISAT-Eva (co-L) xxxIITA/ICRISA T 100% 1.8 Synthesis…IFPRI 100%

10. Africa Research in Sustainable Intensification for the Next Generation africa-rising.net