Scaling

Achieving sustainable development requires large-scale system transformation. Innovation is at the heart of this transformation, and in many cases, suitable innovations already exist. What is often missing is the enabling environment to move innovations beyond pilot programs and take them to scale. Innovation scaling is a deliberate and planned effort to enable the use of innovations to have positive impact for many people across broad geographies. Innovation scaling is critical in agriculture and food systems to increase food, nutrition and water security, alleviate poverty and help small farmers adapt to climate change. Despite this potential, many scaling ecosystems are ineffective, and innovation uptake remains limited.

IWMI’s action research on innovation scaling for system transformation focuses on seven areas. These aim not just to identify and introduce new practices or technologies but also to consider ‘softer elements’ such as people, supply chains, markets, policies and power relations that constrain innovation adoption and system transformation. IWMI integrates all the elements to co-develop adaptive, inclusive, affordable and scalable innovation bundles for farmers and other value chain actors. All the focus areas contribute to the broader ambitions of a unified CGIAR to deliver transformational research centered on food, land and water systems in a climate crisis.

Contacts

Petra Schmitter

Petra Schmitter

Research Group Leader – Climate Mitigation & Adaptation Pathways
Thai Thi Minh

Thai Thi Minh

Principal Researcher

Projects

Latest news

Publications

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Scaling Agtech Innovation Bundles Across African Markets

International Water Management Institute | April 29th, 2026
Omondi, Joshua; TK, Christi; Nkosi, Mahlatse; Kamanda, Josey
Open Access
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Assessing the Use and Impact of GenderUp: Lessons for Gender-Responsive Innovation Design and Scaling

International Water Management Institute | April 21st, 2026
Yami, Mastewal; McGuire, Erin; Enokenwa Baa, Ojongetakah; Nortje, Karen
Open Access
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GESI-Responsive Scaling Framework: Pathways, Partnerships, and Operational Guide for Innovation Uptake

International Water Management Institute | April 16th, 2026
McGuire, E.; Mutiso, A.; Enokenwa Baa, Ojongetakah; Nortje, Karen
Open Access
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Stakeholder Profiling and Innovation Scaling Demand Signaling in Nigeria

International Water Management Institute | April 2nd, 2026
Osei-Amponsah, Charity; Minh, Thai Thi; Atampugre, Gerald; Oke, Adebayo; Cofie, Olufunke O.
Open Access
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Investment Plan for Solar-Based Irrigation Systems in Nigeria

International Water Management Institute | March 30th, 2026
Ojeleye, O. A.; Owolabi, M. A.; Agyekumhene, Christopher; Oke, Adebayo; Tilahun, Seifu A.; Minh, Thai Thi
Open Access
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Solar Energy for Agricultural Resilience (SoLAR) Phase II Inception Workshop in Kenya

International Water Management Institute | March 18th, 2026
Kamanda, Josey
Open Access