TAPE Technical Training: Highlights from the Agri-PDB Platform Session

On 16 & 23 June 2025, the Agri-PDB Platform hosted a dedicated technical training session on the TAPE (Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation) methodology a powerful framework designed to measure the agroecological performance of agricultural projects and portfolios.

This session brought together voices from across the Agri-PDB network held in English and French to ensure inclusion with participation from various regions such as FINAGRO, LNDC Lesotho, CDCB Benin, LBA Senegal, and CAM Maroc sharing on-the-ground experience and practical steps for adapting TAPE to public development banks’ (PDBs) operations.

Moving Beyond One-Shot Surveys
Remi Cluset (NSPD-FAO) emphasized the importance of conducting both baseline and endline surveys not just one-time snapshots. Many projects, he explained, lacked the budget or foresight to include follow-up evaluations, but this is now shifting. “New projects are now embedding budget lines for full evaluation cycles,” he said, “which is essential to measure change over time.”

🎯 Precision in Data Collection
Remi also shared lessons on improving survey design: “We’re moving toward more precise questions adding dropdowns, clarifying practices, and customizing tools to each project’s goals.” He emphasized that while 90% of the questions remain consistent across projects, tailoring is key to capturing meaningful data.

Key Insights and Reflections

Aligning Evaluation with Agroecological Goals
Juan Pablo Espinosa (FINAGRO) highlighted the need to integrate agroecological dimensions into project monitoring and evaluation frameworks. “We’re not only interested in financial returns,” he noted, “but also in sustainability outcomes — biodiversity, soil health, and ecological transitions must be tracked alongside economic indicators.”

🧪 Deeper Insights from the French Session

In the French-language session, (CDCB Benin) raised practical concerns around how to measure:

• The impact of agroecology on soil degradation
• Perceived income gains
• Food security
• Biodiversity
• And particularly, the carbon footprint at farm level without using expensive tools.

In response, Rémi Cluset shared that FAO is actively working on integrating carbon footprint estimation using tools like EX-ACT and NEXT. While detailed precision may require specialized tools, approximations are possible, and user-friendly methodologies are being developed in collaboration with FAO experts.

Cluset also elaborated on new biodiversity indicators under development and reiterated that food security is already captured through the FAO’s Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) an internationally validated 8-question tool.

“Our goal is to ensure that the results from TAPE are not only useful for internal learning but also credible enough to support access to green finance.”

He noted that the European Commission now encourages the use of TAPE in its funded agroecology projects a strong endorsement of its relevance and credibility.

 Challenges in Adapting the Tool

🧠 Complexity Meets Reality
Olivier Pierard (Agri-PDB platform) acknowledged the difficulty in adapting a technical tool like TAPE to the real-world business models of agricultural banks. “That’s the challenge,” he said, “how to align a global evaluation framework with the diverse operational structures of PDBs.” Nonetheless, he expressed optimism and a willingness to support banks through this adaptation process.

🤝 Collaboration and Next Steps

The training session concluded with a strong call for continued peer exchange. Thierry Latreille (IFAD) encouraged participants to gather any remaining questions and proposed follow-up meetings to deepen collaboration.

To support application in the field, case studies from Benin were shared, including a summary note and a full FAO report detailing the methodology, indicators, and lessons learned from several surveys conducted there.

Final Takeaway

The TAPE tool is more than a diagnostic instrument it is a shared foundation for advancing agroecological transition. Through peer learning, practical adaptation, and international credibility, the Agri-PDB network is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable, inclusive rural finance.

As banks continue integrating agroecology into their portfolios, tools like TAPE will become essential for measuring what matters rom farm-level resilience to biodiversity, equity, and environmental performance.

Agri-PDBs are not only strengthening their own capacities they are shaping a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future for rural finance.