Agro Value Chain Development
Building efficient, inclusive farm-to-market systems.
ExploreMonitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning (MERL)
Evidence that shows what is working, and why.
Service 12
Evidence-based decisions across agricultural programmes
Agricultural projects and programmes are judged on their results, and results have to be measured before they can be managed. Our MERL work brings together field monitoring, data collection, performance assessment, research, documentation and learning, so that decisions rest on evidence rather than assumption.
We build MERL into a project from the start — tracking implementation, measuring outcomes and turning field data into practical insight. Problems surface early, and the intervention keeps improving over its life.
What’s included
Scope of the engagement
- Baseline assessments and performance indicators
- Field data collection, crop and farm monitoring
- Trials and performance assessment
- Impact assessment and outcome measurement
- Reporting, documentation and knowledge management
Who it’s for
This service suits
- Development programmes and donor-funded agricultural projects
- Agribusinesses running farmer or out-grower programmes
- Implementing partners that need reliable field data and reporting
- Commercial farms tracking the effect of new practices or inputs
How it runs
From first visit to measurable result
Farm visit
We visit the operation, gather the records and samples the assessment requires, and confirm the objective.
Assessment
Findings are analysed against the relevant standard, the enterprise requirement and the market being served.
Costed plan
You receive a written plan with responsibilities, timing, cost and the result each action should deliver.
Implementation
Our consultant stays with the work, training your team and adjusting as conditions change.
Questions
About this service
When should MERL start?
At design, ideally. Indicators and a baseline agreed before work begins are what make later results measurable.
Who collects the data?
Our field team, as part of the engagement, using tools agreed with you so the data is consistent from one round to the next.
What do we receive?
Reports against the agreed indicators, the data behind them, and the lessons your team can act on in the next phase.
Speak to our advisory team
Ready to strengthen your operation?
Tell us what you produce and where you operate. We will arrange a farm visit, review your production and records, and return a costed plan you can act on.