Abstract
Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Adapting Livestock Systems to Climate Change focuses on the following goals: (1) improving the health and productivity of livestock of the rural poor, working with small-scale farmers to support their efforts to nourish their families and increase village resiliency; (2) supporting research that is informed by the local realities of small-scale farmers, with an interest in evidence-based solutions that are relevant and affordable; (3) increasing productivity that enhances animal, human, and environmental health, with a focus on innovative approaches that increase productivity, enhance health, and conserve resources; and (4) funding research where women play a central role, recognizing that women are fundamental to the success of farm-based initiatives and expecting research solutions to address gender gaps and address inequalities. A summary of this evaluation concludes that accomplishments in launching a set of research projects and capacity development initiatives made important progress toward program goals. Individual long-term research projects offer a range of approaches, however, the range of projects is broad, resulting in an overall research portfolio that is not sharply focused or coordinated. Cross-cutting themes of gender, nutrition and climate change were not sufficiently integrated. (Excerpt, modified)