IFAD’s PARM evaluation charts path for agricultural risk management in Africa
Hosted by IFAD under the Sustainable Production, Markets, and Institutions Division (PMI) within the Office of Technical Delivery, the Platform for Agricultural Risk Management (PARM) is a partnership between development partners and developing countries, integrating agricultural risk management (ARM) into policy planning and implementation.
PARM is a multi-donor initiative that strengthens ARM in developing countries through a holistic, demand-driven approach, embedding risk management into agricultural policies and investment programs. PARM leverages expertise from its donors to develop risk analysis methodologies and promote the adoption of risk management strategies in public policies, private sector practices, and investment programmes.
Genesis Analytics was contracted to undertake a final independent evaluation of PARM H2. The purpose of the evaluation was to provide an external assessment of PARM’s overall process based on the preceding five years. The evaluation analysed PARM’s performance at global, regional, and country levels, including coordination mechanisms and synergies with the INSURED facility and the FARM-D CoP. The lessons learned will inform improvements for PARM Horizon 3 (2025-2030).
The evaluation integrated coordination and country-level assessments into a single consolidated report. The consultancy evaluated both dimensions through:
An analysis of PARM’s strategic and planning documents (e.g., risk assessment studies, capacity development strategies, gender and social inclusion integration, log frame and M&E reports, project design reports, annual reports).
Effectiveness and efficiency assessments of PARM’s coordination, knowledge management, country processes, capacity development, gender and social inclusion, and partnerships.
Stakeholder consultations, including meetings with the PARM Secretariat, country liaison officers, consultants, service providers, and PARM’s advisory and steering committees.
Case study evaluations of PARM’s activities in eight selected countries: Burkina Faso, Niger, Senegal, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Burundi, Tunisia, and Ghana.
Country-level process analysis, focusing on implementation phases (PARM set up and risk assessments, tools assessment, resource mobilization, government support, and follow-up).
An agricultural risk management landscape assessment to infer strategic recommendations to position PARM for Horizon 3.