The ASTI Network

Decisionmakers depend on policy-relevant data and analyses to make well-informed investment decisions and to formulate high-impact policies that support the attainment of agricultural, economic, welfare, and sustainability goals. ASTI plays a critical role in this regard, and has evolved over time to focus not only on collecting, processing, and disseminating data, but also on facilitating the provision of demand-driven analytics and context-specific outreach.

In efforts to secure it long-term sustainability and relevance, ASTI is embarking on a new network model to increase national and regional ownership and use of its data, to ensure the provision of policy-relevant analyses that respond to stakeholders’ needs, to provide effective outreach and uptake of ASTI’s resources, and to strengthen national and regional capacity in the areas of data collection, analysis, and outreach.

The ASTI Network will comprise the following:

• Regional networks of in-country partners that are responsible for the data collection, analyses, and outreach in their regions
• Technical and policy partners that facilitate the integration of ASTI’s outputs in relevant policy and decisionmaking forums
• An ASTI Secretariat that provides technical assistance and quality assurance, coordinates the global research agenda, and strengthens national and regional capacity in close collaboration with network partners

The transition to the new operating model will occur incrementally over time based on unfolding global, regional, and national contexts; the commitment of new and existing network partners; and the availability of necessary financial resources.

In tandem with the transition, it will be imperative that ASTI’s core legacy as the trusted repository of internationally comparable, long-term agricultural R&D data be preserved.