GAFOLUP Helpdesk No helpdesk is active. The helpdesk is active in 5 regions. The helpdesk is globally active, with more countries and sub-regions involved.Objective B3 - GAFOLUP Helpdesk
Label Title Description Develop and implement a decentralized helpdesk providing advice for the successful adoption of Good Agricultural, Forestry, and Other Land Use Practices (GAFOLUP) Science-based regional helpdesks for (a) planning local Good Agricultural, Forestry, and Other Land Use Practices (GAFOLUP) policies, (b) establishing and applying carbon sequestration compensation schemes, and (c) promotion of actions at appropriate levels following the principle of subsidiarity and fostering ecosystem services are developed and implemented. Targets B3 - GAFOLUP Helpdesk
Baseline 2020 Target 2030 Target 2050
Context B3 - GAFOLUP Helpdesk
Problem B3 - GAFOLUP Helpdesk
| Problem Statement | Description | Consequences |
|---|---|---|
There is no reliable and impartial intermediary to help producers find appropriate technologies, expertise, and advice to participate in carbon markets, take advantage of support programs, or become providers of other ecosystem services. There is a lack of assistance to help producers transition to agroecological practices. | There is a lack of reliable information, regional and local guidelines, and technical backup advice on good AFOLU practices that can create positive impacts. Furthermore, access to information on appropriate sustainable technologies and procedures for the given situation is limited, and there is no comprehensive database of experts/institutions, and practitioners. Additionally, investors and practitioners lack interaction for carbon sequestration, ecosystem services, and ecological restoration/ conservation. Additionally, there is a deficiency of common platforms, events, coordination among stakeholders, and publicity. | There is no interface for collaboration between scientists, experts, and practitioners. Access to and disseminating knowledge and technologies in sustainable land management, ecosystem services, and carbon sequestration is low. The efforts on these issues will remain scattered, and no opportunity to build upon the past experiences and lessons learned will emerge. There is little adoption of sustainable practices in land management, ecosystem services, and carbon sequestration. All the above will result in further aggravation of the problem of soil fertility depletion, low crop yields, and deteriorating ecosystems. |
Causes B3 - GAFOLUP Helpdesk
| N° | Cause | Description - explanation |
|---|---|---|
1 | Farmers are not aware | Farmers often are not aware of the positive effects of good AFOLU practices on soil ecosystem services. |
2 | Information is scattered | Information on sustainable agriculture, forestry land management practices, and crops suitable for various land and soil parameters is scattered and incomplete. This creates a bottleneck for interested institutes and individuals to access and adopt appropriate information. |
3 | Expertise is difficult to find | Nobody knows who can help! So, they do not start. |
4 | Available techniques are not communicated | Scientists and Public authorities struggle to communicate the availability of innovative techniques and related benefits to farmers and producers. |
5 | Extension ignores agroecology | The conventional institutes and extension efforts have a lower focus on sustainable practices that can improve carbon sequestration and ecosystem services as it is not mandatory. |
6 | Platforms for exchange between practitioners are scarce. | Lack of a common platform for interactions between experts, practitioners, and investors. The lack of a platform further restricts access to information and knowledge regarding land use pattern, sustainable technologies, and practices. |
7 | Seed money is lacking | Funding is crucial to implementation and up-scaling. |
8 | Information on the effect on SH and SOC is not available. | There is no single source of information on the suitability of crops against soil and land parameters, sustainable practices for carbon sequestration, estimation of carbon, carbon stock management, and ecosystem services for a particular region. |
9 | Practitioners are not organized | Awareness among the practitioners, coordination among the stakeholders, and publicity are lacking. |
Implementation strategy B3 - GAFOLUP Helpdesk
Activities B3 - GAFOLUP Helpdesk
| N° | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
1 | Ensure the selection of competent experts and staff | Select skilled and experienced experts, as well as qualified office staff. Ensure that professionals for communication and networking among the various stakeholders and experts who can play a crucial role in implementing guidelines and certifications are part of the team. |
2 | Facilitate the networking of experts | Build the work of the helpdesk upon a comprehensive database of scientists, practitioners, and other experts (individuals and institutions), as this network will be instrumental in addressing the functions of the helpdesk. |
3 | Facilitate access to relevant information | Ensure access to comprehensive information on sustainable land-use practices and technologies compiled under various other objectives of the "4 per 1000" Initiative and provide market intelligence. |
4 | Mobilize resources in each region | Support fundraising in each region or establish a global collective grant. |
5 | Develop regional helpdesks | Develop regional helpdesks and ensure the involvement of as many countries as possible to promote trust among the users. |
6 | Provide a user-friendly and engaging system | Provide regional platforms and use social media for regular interactions and knowledge sharing among stakeholders, using straightforward language for farmers to understand. |
7 | Provide helpdesk guidelines | Provide comprehensive technical guidelines to ensure the functionality of the regional helpdesks. |
8 | Facilitate private sector participation | Ensure participation of the private sector will play a crucial role in the compensation market. |
Critical Success Factors (CSFs) B3 - GAFOLUP Helpdesk
| N° | Critical Success Factor | Description |
|---|---|---|
1 | Competent staff | Only a competent helpdesk is a good helpdesk. Experts and staff must be selected with great attention. |
2 | Network of specialists | It will be essential to have a complete database consisting of contacts of scientists, practitioners, and experts (individuals and institutions). This network will be instrumental in addressing the functions of the helpdesk. |
3 | Access to technology information | The helpdesk needs access to information on sustainable land use technologies and practices to be effective. These may also have been compiled in the context of other "4 per 1000" objectives. |
4 | Good market intelligence | Easy access to markets and better information about prices are crucial. |
5 | Ability to attract funds | The helpdesk must have the capacity to raise funds in each region or collectively at the global level. |
6 | Proximity to users | The establishment of regional helpdesks is essential, the closer the helpdesk, the greater the users' trust. Many countries must be represented. |
7 | Experienced staff | The helpdesk will have to depute a team of domain experts and office staff for communication and networking between various stakeholders. The team should also comprise experts who can play a key role in implementing guidelines and certifications. |
8 | User-friendly communication systems | Platforms include social media for regular interactions and knowledge sharing between stakeholders. It will be essential to have a complete database consisting of contacts of scientists, practitioners, and experts (individuals and institutions). This network will be instrumental in addressing the functions of the helpdesk. |
9 | Availability of guidelines | Comprehensive technical guidelines for regional application will be required for the functioning of the helpdesk. Guidelines can be developed under other "4 per 1000" objectives and made available to the help desk. |
10 | Private sectors involvement | The private sector would play a crucial role in the compensation market. |
Barriers B3 - GAFOLUP Helpdesk
| N° | Barrier | Description |
|---|---|---|
1 | Lack of awareness of the helpdesk | The helpdesks must be recognized and promoted by public authorities and farmers' and producers' associations to be influential. Without their endorsement, it is difficult to collect many users. |
2 | Absence of an expert database | The absence of a comprehensive database of scientists, experts, practitioners, and investors is a barrier that will have to be overcome for the functioning of the helpdesk. |
3 | Poor organization of farmers | Traditional structures and farmers' organizations lack the will to adapt to new challenges. |
4 | Farmers do not have time | Farmers do not have time to contact people and get informed. We must contact and go to farmers to inform them. |
| 5 | Poor connectivity | Low or poor access to the latest communication networks (e.g., Internet) in remote areas. Farmers do not have the means to contact people. |
6 | Costs | The establishment and smooth functioning of the helpdesk will require adequate financial resources. |
