Virtual Living Income Spring 2021 Workshop

Session 2. Practical insights for choosing the most effective approach to measuring income 

First we had a plenary session with experts from Olam, Rainforest Alliance, Heifer, Heartwood LLC and Agrilogic where we discussed how to choose a measurement approach, take into account practical considerations and to share stories from practice.

​How measurement approaches can provide feedback to farmers and add value for farmers and communities?  How might this consideration affect the choice of measurement approach? How important is it to build on and align with others in designing your measurement system?  What do you gain?  Are there any tradeoffs? 

Moderated by Kristin Komives (ISEAL)

​Speakers in plenary Yves Pascal (Olam), Henk Gilhuis (Rainforest Alliance), Matthew Bare (Rainforest Alliance), Kirby Richardson (Heifer International), Michiel Kuit (Agrilogic) and Jessi Grillo (Heartwood LLC)

The session also included breakout groups to have deeper discussions on your ​own journey or challenge. Each expert facilitated a session: 

​​1. Use case: Understanding where you stand - The baseline survey or assessment

Discussants: Kirby Richardson (Heifer International) and Jessi Grillo (Heartwood LLC)

Moderated by Sheila Senathirajah (ISEAL)

​2. Use case: Monitoring and modeling changes over time - Combining data sources, adding modelling to inform strategy

Discussants: Yves Pascal (Olam) and Michiel Kuit (Agrilogic)

Moderated by Adam Romo (ISEAL)

​3. Use case: Monitoring and modeling changes over time - Combining data sources, using existing data to model and track income change

Discussants: Matthew Bare (Rainforest Alliance)

Moderated by Tim Loos (GIZ)

​4. Use case:  Understanding what interventions are working - Evaluating what has worked, comparing effectiveness, value, and impact)

Discussants: Henk Gilhuis (Rainforest Alliance)

Moderated by Kristin Komives (ISEAL) and Kealy Sloan (SFL)

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Part 2:  Closing the Income Gap-Sector advancements, Role of different actors and Challenges faced 

​In this session, participants could hear the progress from different sectors, followed by a discussion about the different roles of actors and the various interventions to closing the income gaps. 

​​Session 3. Living income & Livelihoods 

​We had an interactive session to understand what is happening at the sector level and welcomed your participation in this exercise. We provided an overview of the LI state of play in a number of key sectors. This session offered the opportunity to introduce yourself and to share your work in small groups. We also heard an update on what we know so far about living income efforts on cocoa, coffee and vanilla. Finally, Anu Huhtisaari from Ethical Tea Partnership gave an update on living income and living wage work in the tea sector.

Moderated by Stephanie Daniels (SFL)

​Speaker in plenary Anu Huhtisaari (Ethical Tea Partnership)

Breakout groups included key emerging topics with experts on the topic: 
1. Gender Empowerment and Living income 

Discussants: Anna Laven (Independent researcher and advisor), Inge Jacobs (Mars),  Blanca Castro (IWCA)

Moderated by Friederike Martin (GIZ)

​2. Savings and financial capital for improved and diversified income

Discussants: Abdulahi Aliyu (Rikolto) and Gael Lescornec (IDH)

Moderated by Stephanie Daniels (SFL)

3. Farm Services to improve productivity 

Discussants: Ashlee Tuttleman (IDH) and Paul Stewart (Technoserve)

Moderated by Don Seville (SFL)

4. Youth and inspiring the next generation of farmers 

Discussants: Gerardo Patacconi (ICO) and Jenny Hanbert (Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung)

Moderated by Christina Archer (SFL)

 

Session 4. Developing a Systems Approach to Living income: What does a LI approach mean for different people in the food and ag system?

To have the ‘system’ in the room, we need different and varied voices and to be able to consider the topic of poverty and prosperity from different viewpoints, particularly those most affected by poverty and the high risk of agriculture. The living income concept intends to lift all farmers to at least a decent standard of living, but given that poverty is increasingly seen as a material risk for companies, how can we take a living income approach without excluding the most vulnerable and poorest farmers in the food system? What are key principles for standards, NGOs, financial actors and companies to follow to build both inclusive and fair value chains for living income?

 

Moderated by Carla Veldhuyzen (Fairtrade International)

We heard from leaders of small farmer organizations and how they are working with their members to create pathways to living income. 

​Deborah Osei-Mensah, Asunafo North Cooperative Cocoa Farmers And Marketing Union Ltd, Ghana

Camilo Enciso Suarez, ASOPEP, Colombia

This session included breakout groups to discuss with lead experts on the topic about we can take a living income approach without excluding the most vulnerable farmers in the food system. Each group explored a different point of view: 

1. Financial Services viewpoint: what do you see as the role of financial services in creating an inclusive system, which allows farmers to advance towards living income?

Discussants: Sophie Falsini (CGAP)

Moderated by Sheila Senathirajah (ISEAL)

​2. Civil Society viewpoint: what do you see as the role of civil society in creating an inclusive system, which allows farmers to advance towards living income? What are your recommendations to policy makers?

Discussants: Sandra Sarwah (SEND) and Friedel Huetz Adams (Suedwind)

Moderated by Christinna Archer (SFL)

​3. Retailer viewpoint: what do you see as critical for retailers to be able to support inclusive supply chains, which allow farmers to advance towards living income? What do retailers need – from their suppliers, from consumers, from experts – to be able to do this?

Discussants: Laura Kent (Tesco) and Nina Kuppetz (GIZ - German  Retailer group on Living income and Living wage)

Moderated by Nina Kuppetz (GIZ)

​Plenary: Role of Farmer Organisations - Open Q&A

Moderated by Carla Veldhuyzen (Fairtrade International)