Guide to monitoring, evaluation and learning toolkits for grassroots agricultural extension and advisory service systems
The monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) system is critical to strengthen field-level agricultural extension and advisory services (EAS) systems and thereby support smallholder farmers’ access to agricultural innovations. However, most national EAS systems often lack efficient MEL tools and capacities to plan and conduct systemic MEL. This constrains smallholder farmers from accessing and uptaking agricultural innovation, technology and services. This knowledge product aims to provide a holistic self-MEL approach to strengthening the agricultural EAS system’s role in supporting the agricultural innovation system at the grassroots level. Therefore, it provides MEL indicator frameworks, tools for data collection and analyses, and guidelines on using the self-MEL toolkits for field-level EAS managers and agents. This guide will improve smallholder farmers’ access and uptake of EAS and contribute to the upscaling of EAS, thereby promoting inclusive innovation-driven agricultural development. Its effective application will strengthen science- and evidence-based decision-making through a systemic MEL of the field-level EAS system.
- Published in MONITORING & EVALUATION, NEW PUBLICATIONS
Guide for the evaluation of agroecology
The “Guide for the Evaluation of Agroecology” published in 2025 is a comprehensive manual that provides a standardized methodology to assess the real-world agro-environmental and socio-economic impacts of agroecological practices. It offers practical tools to help farmers, practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to generate reliable data on critical aspects. This invaluable resource is designed to build a robust evidence base, supporting the effective design and scaling of sustainable agricultural systems.
- Published in AGROECOLOGY, MONITORING & EVALUATION
Manual on Good Practices in Extension Research & Evaluation
This document on Good Practices in Extension Research and Evaluation is developed as a hands on reference manual to help young researchers, research students, and field extension functionaries in choosing the right research methods for conducting quality research and evaluation in extension.
- Published in GUIDE/TOOLS/MANUALS, MONITORING & EVALUATION
Developing Capacity for Evaluation of Rural Extension and Advisory Services
In this NELK module you will first learn about rural advisory services (RAS) in agricultural innovation systems (AIS) and the basics of monitoring and evaluating RAS in order to understand the role of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in RAS and its basic principles and uses. You will also learn how M&E can be used to improve the policies and practices of RAS, what the current main global challenges are, and finally what this means for the M&E of RAS interventions such as reform processes, developing RAS organisations, or delivering a particular RAS service
- Published in GUIDE/TOOLS/MANUALS, MONITORING & EVALUATION
Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation: Process of Development and Guidelines for Application
This document provides guidance on how to assess agroecology by carrying out a diagnostic of production systems with regard to various dimensions (environmental, social, economic) and in a variety of contexts (production systems, communities, territories, agro-ecological zones, etc.).
- Published in GUIDE/TOOLS/MANUALS, MONITORING & EVALUATION
A Framework for Analyzing Pluralistic Agricultural Advisory Services Worldwide
The analytical framework developed in the paper “disentangles” the major characteristics of agricultural advisory services on which policy decisions have to be made: (1) governance structures, (2) capacity, management and organization, and (3) advisory methods. The framework identifies four sets of frame conditions that need to be considered when deciding on these characteristics: the policy environment, the capacity of potential service providers, the type of farming systems and the market access of farm households; and the nature of the local communities, including their ability to cooperate. The framework suggests an impact chain approach to analyze the performance and the impact of agricultural advisory services
- Published in MONITORING & EVALUATION
A Scoring Tool to Generate Evidence on Performance and Outcomes-FAO 2022
To enable evidence based and informed policy and investment decision for extension and advisory systems, the EAS-Yardstick (EAS-Y) has been developed through a consultative expert process. It constitutes a holistic scoring tool based on a comprehensive set of metrics that can capture all the nuances of the pluralistic EAS. Metrics are organized into two modules, related to EAS performance and to EAS outcomes, each subdivided into key EAS topics. These cover elements of the EAS enabling environment, scope and provision of services, and coordination, collaboration and learning in the system. At the outcome level, topics include the acquisition of skills, changes in behaviours and livelihood transformations. All metrics are operationalized through a scoring mechanism. EAS-Y is digitally enabled through the Kobo toolbox and is used for participatory assessments in various contexts. Assessments can support a systematic cross country analysis, complementing findings from more specific impact evaluations of EAS interventions or in-depth process evaluations. As such, it contributes to substantially enhance EAS system performance and outcomes by guiding investment and policy decisions.
- Published in CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT, MONITORING & EVALUATION
Comprehensive Assessment of National Extension and Advisory Service Systems- An operational guide FAO (2022)
Extension and advisory services (EAS) play a key role in facilitating innovation processes, empowering marginalized groups through capacity development, and linking farmers with markets. EAS are increasingly provided by a range of actors and funded from diverse sources. With the broadened scope of EAS and the growing complexity of the system, the quantitative performance indicators used in the past (for example related to investment, staffing or productivity) are no longer adequate to assess the performance of EAS systems. This operational guide meets the longstanding demand for guidance on undertaking such a comprehensive assessment of national EAS systems. It provides detailed directions on how to organize the entire process, from preparation to implementation and consolidation. Its use will help identify gaps and entry points for targeting investments and realigning policies for transforming EAS.
- Published in CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT, MONITORING & EVALUATION
Food Systems Profile – Nepal
This document, entitled Profile of Food Systems, presents in ten pages a summary of the main problems of Nepal’s food systems, and possible solutions to make them more sustainable and inclusive. The result of a systemic analysis and consultation of all stakeholders in the systems, it is part of an evaluation supported by the European Union, FAO and CIRAD in 50 countries.
- Published in MONITORING & EVALUATION, NEPAL, NUTRITION
Mapping Rural Development: How to use GIS to monitor and evaluate projects
If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then a map must surely be worth far more. Especially if it is a map enriched with data – one that shows what and where activities are planned, are happening, and have been achieved.
This practical manual provides guidance on how to use geographic information systems (GIS) in the monitoring and evaluation of rural development projects. With over 20 maps showing IFAD-funded projects, it describes how to map a project’s activities and how to use the data the map shows. It provides sample geospatial data standards and quality checklists for project designers and managers.
- Published in MONITORING & EVALUATION