International Agricultural Research Research Articles

Descriptors for Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) Kehlenbeck K.S. Padulosi, A. Alercia Bioversity International, World Agroforestry Centre Italy, Kenya, 2015

Bioversity International belongs to the so-called CG centre group. The latter, in full the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (though no longer known under their full name), consists of some fteen research centres that are members of the CGIAR Consortium. Each centre has a global mandate to study, improve and promote (sub)tropical crops and animal production. Research is carried out in close collaboration with hundreds of partners, including national and regional research institutes, civil soci- ety organizations, academia, development organizations and the private sector.

Descriptors for Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) Kehlenbeck K.S. Padulosi, A. Alercia Bioversity International, World Agroforestry Centre Italy, Kenya, 2015


 
 
 Bioversity International belongs to the so-called CG centre group. The latter, in full the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (though no longer known under their full name), consists of some fteen research centres that are members of the CGIAR Consortium. Each centre has a global mandate to study, improve and promote (sub)tropical crops and animal production. Research is carried out in close collaboration with hundreds of partners, including national and regional research institutes, civil soci- ety organizations, academia, development organizations and the private sector. 
 
 

PYRETHRUM RESEARCH IN THE HIGH ALTITUDE HIGHLANDS OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Pyrethrum was introduced into the highlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG) and was an attractive cash crop that sustained the livelihood of some 65-85,000 people. Unfortunately, the pyrethrum extraction factory closed during 1995 and growers lost interest in this crop. In 2003, the Enga Provincial Government invested funds to modernise the pyrethrum extraction factory and seek international support to assist the local industry. In 2007, a broadly based team consisting of the Enga Provincial Government, PNG National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), Botanical Resources Australia Pty Ltd (BRA) and the Tasmania Institute of Agricultural Research (TIAR) was successful in obtaining a major funding grant from The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) to recommercialise the pyrethrum industry in PNG. This project supported R&D trials to improve the local plant material, improved growing and harvesting practices that was appropriate for the local growers and assisted in the refurbishment of the pyrethrum extraction factory. This project was very successful and the pyrethrum industry appears to have a sustainable future, but would very much benefit from ongoing support by NARI and the Enga Provincial Government.

Farmerss Rights and the Intellectual Property Dynamic in Agriculture

This chapter focuses on the evolution of IP in the agriculture sector as part of IP-related issue linkage. It examines the tensions arising from the use of IP to advance a private and formal scientific approach to agricultural innovation, in contrast to using alternative frameworks of agricultural innovation. Such frameworks, which tend to be more open and communal, are usually associated with the practices of farmers in indigenous and local communities (ILCs) across the globe. The chapter surveys the historical context of farmers’ rights and their raison d’etre, as well as the skepticism that has trailed the concept in the discussion of IP in agriculture. By exploring the ongoing implementation of the 2001 International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (the Treaty) and recent developments in related regimes, the chapter argues that even though these initiatives are still at a nascent stage, they represent a mood change, as manifested in the emergence of a concept of ‘farmers’ rights’. The Treaty and cognate regimes, especially the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research Consortium (CGIAR Consortium) are important new sites for future negotiations of the IP and farmers’ rights interface in agriculture. The feasibility or futility of farmer-centered agriculture in the twenty-first century and the role of IP in that regard is of interest to this chapter.

African edible insects for food and feed: inventory, diversity, commonalities and contribution to food security

This paper reviews entomophagy as practised in Africa within the context of food and nutritional security by providing an inventory of the various species of insects that are consumed on the continent and suggests a research for development (R4D) agenda for sustainable utilisation of insects for food and feed. Our survey showed that over 470 species of insects are eaten in Africa. The Central African region remains the most important hotspot of having a culture of entomophagy. The insects mostly eaten in the continent are dominated by the orders Lepidoptera, Orthoptera and Coleoptera. Commonalities were observed across the majority of the insects consumed across Africa, providing opportunities for related R4D activities. An R4D agenda and pathways for using edible insects suggest that socio-economics and marketing studies should address issues of communities’ perceptions, based on their cultural background, income and beliefs. Cost-effective rearing, harvesting and processing technologies are required to prevent depletion and ecological perturbations while ensuring continuous availability of insect-based products. Indigenous reports assert that some edible insects harbour medicinal properties; thus, the need to undertake nutritional and bioactive chemical characterisation of main edible insects along the value chain and to investigate food safety issues such as diseases, allergies, and toxicological and chemical hazards. The use of insects for waste conversion into animal feed and fertiliser requires judicious choice of substrate in view of concerns regarding contaminant loads and pathogens occurrence. Responding to these research needs and opportunities, icipe has recently established an Insects for Food, Feed and Other Uses Programme with well-defined work packages oriented towards attainment of its Vision and Strategy 2013-2020 document, with a strong orientation towards R4D and a focus on activities that lead to adoption and impact on end users, through broad based complementary linkages and partnerships with agriculture and livestock extension services, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research and advanced research institutes, non-governmental organisations and the private sector.

Birth and weaning weights of Awassi lambs raised in the GAP International Agricultural Research and Training Center

Bu calismada, Diyarbakir GAP Uluslararasi Arastirma ve Egitim Merkezi’nde yetistirilen 1271 bas Ivesi kuzularindan elde edilen veriler kullanilmistir. Calismada, kuzularin dogum ve sutten kesim agirligi (90-gun) olculmus ve dogumdan sutten kesim agirligina kadar gunluk canli agirlik artisi hesaplanmistir. Kuzularin dogumdan sutten kesime kadar olan ortalama gunluk canli agirlik artisi (ADWG), dogum agirligi (BWT) ve sutten kesim agirligi (WWT) uzerine kuzulama mevsimi, yil, ana yasi, cinsiyet ve dogum tipi etkileri arastirilmistir. BWT, WWT ve ADWG ozelliklerine ait genel ortalamalar sirasiyla, 4.81±0.022 kg, 22.99±0.196 kg ve 201.67±1.173 g olarak hesaplanmistir. Analizdeki butun ozellikler, modelde dikkate alinan butun faktorler tarafindan onemli derecede etkilenmistir (P<0.05). Bunlara ek olarak, daha agir dogan kuzularin daha hizli agirlik kazandiklari ve sutten kesimde daha agir olduklari gozlenmistir (p<0.01). Tekli ve coklu ozellik analizleri temelinde, kalitim derecesi kestirimleri BWT icin 0.21 - 0.25, WWT icin 0.13 - 0.17 ve ADWG icin 0.13 - 0.17 araliginda bulunmustur. BWT ile WWT ve ADWG arasindaki genetik korelasyonlar sirasiyla 0.61 ve 0.61 olarak tahmin edilmistir

The value of enhancing nutrient bioavailability of lentils: The Sri Lankan scenario

Lentil ( Lens culinaris Medic.) is a pulse crop that belongs to the family Leguminosae . Lentils are rich in proteins, have 18 of the 20 amino acids including all 8 essential amino acids and provide a number of essential minerals and vitamins. Thus, lentils occupy an important place in the human diet, especially in developing countries, as a rich source of protein, vitamins and minerals. Although in many developing countries in Asia rice contributes significantly to human daily energy and nutritional requirements, its amino acid profile shows that rice lacks some essential amino acids. Therefore, given their rich composition of amino acids, lentils could act as an ideal supplement for rice-based diets. Although all red lentils are imported, they are the most widely consumed pulse among Sri Lankans. Red lentil consumption levels are significantly greater in the estate sector where the prevalence of under nutrition is high. Thus, t his review was undertaken to understand the potential role of lentils in the Sri Lankan diet and how lentils can potentially be utilized to meet the nutritional needs of Sri Lankans. The study was based on an extensive literature review and information obtained thro ugh personal interviews with key participants in the red lentil industry of Sri Lanka. It was evident that red lentils are a rich source of nutrients, especially micro-nutrients, but their bioavailability is poor due to the presence of multiple anti-nutritive factors such as protease inhibitors, phenolic compounds and phytates. Although bioavailability of nutrients can be enhanced by changing food processing techniques, fortification and bio-fortification, lentil cooking patterns in Sri Lanka pose difficulties in adopting changed food processing techniques and fortification. Thus, bio-fortification would be the most viable option for enhancing nutrient availability in lentils. Since Sri Lanka does not produce lentils, such initiatives may have to be undertaken in exportin g countries or in collaboration with international agricultural research centres. Any strategic investments in breeding new lentil varieties with high bioavailability would provide exporting countries a unique competitive edge in export markets. Such improvements would meet the nutritional needs, not only of Sri Lankans, but also of mil lions other Asian consumers who face similar nutritional challenges.

Potatoes for Sustainable Global Food Security

Potato is the third most important food crop in terms of global consumption, and it has been highly recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations as a food security crop as the world faces a growing population and related problems with food supply. This paper presents data on global potato production, consumption, malnutrition, and hunger; information which helps pinpoint where the resource-poor and hungry live and how the potato and international agricultural research could help improve food security and livelihoods in developing countries. The International Potato Center has used such a targeting exercise to focus its research for development and develop its new strategic plan, in which five out of the six objectives are related to potato.

Who Talks to Whom in Malawi's Agricultural Research Information Network?

Purpose: The sector-wide approach currently dominates as the strategy for developing the agricultural sector of many African countries. Although recognised that collaborative agricultural research is vital in ensuring success of sector-wide agricultural development strategies; there have been few efforts to understand the dynamics of national agricultural research/development networks in Africa. This study fills this gap by analysing the dynamics of networking and interactions between institutions in the National Agricultural Research System in Malawi. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study sampled actors in the National Agricultural Research System in Malawi, which included the main public agricultural research department, academic institutions, semi-autonomous research institutions, private companies and international agricultural research institutions. Data was analysed using Social Network Analysis. Findings: Results demonstrate that public agricultural research departments play a central coordinating role in facilitating information sharing; with other actors remaining on the periphery. However, it also shows the important role other actors play to relay information to a wider network of stakeholders. These secondary information pathways can play a very crucial role in ensuring successful implementation of the national agricultural research agenda. Practical implication: Policy-makers are called upon to integrate other research actors into the mainstream national agricultural research information network. This is vital as other research actors are, at the global level, increasingly taking up a greater role in financing and disseminating research and research results. Originality/Value: The study contributes greatly towards knowledge needed for continuing the transformation of African agricultural research; and aligning the African agricultural research vision and practice with the emerging global agricultural research paradigm.

Identifying management strategies to improve sustainability and household income for herders on the desert steppe in Inner Mongolia, China

Grasslands play important roles on all continents in ecosystem service and livestock production systems. With increasing human and livestock population, significant challenges are faced in providing safe and high quality animal and herbage products from grasslands in China. The family ranch is the basic management unit and production system in Inner Mongolia, north China. Animal populations are increasing, but the income of herders and grassland condition are not improving. There is a need for new management strategies to guide the future development of animal husbandry. Based on the results of demonstration experiments and surveys in Siziwang Banner, the StageONE Model developed for Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) project “Sustainable Livestock Grazing Systems on Chinese Temperate Grasslands” was used to simulate changes in management strategies in a typical whole farm system, in order to identify feasible, sustainable and profitable farm management strategies. A new management strategy, including lower stocking rates and increased use of feed supplement in winter and spring, was adopted in a small number of farms and compared with the typical farm using the StageONE model. The results show that the total actual energy intake of sheep in the new strategy is higher than under traditional management, and the net energy surplus is –0.36 MJ/sheep unit/d, which is lower than under traditional management. The new strategy, in which stocking rates are reduced by 14.1%, also reduced methane emissions by 34.14% and increased net income by 15.85%. The simulation results suggest new ways for herders, companies and government to improve grassland management while increasing herders' net incomes.

Diyarbakır Ekolojik Koşullarında Bazı Yaygın Fiğ (Viciasativa L.) Genotiplerinin Verim ve Verim Unsurlarının Belirlenmesi

The research was conducted to determine yield and yield components of some common vetch genotypes in order to examine some of the traits, during 2011-2013 seasons in GAP International Agricultural Research and Training Center was carried out on the experimental field. In the study, a total of 20 different genotypes were used common vetch, field trials randomized block design with 3 replications was established. In the study, herbage yield, hay yield and seed yield in addition to days to %50 flowering duration, plant height, main stem length, main stem number, pod number per plant, grain number per pod as affecting yield some properties were also investigated. In both years of the study, days to %50 flowering duration and grain number per pod characteristics examined, except among genotypes for all other parameters are determined significant differences in statistical terms. According to the average of two years result; days to %50 flowering duration, plant height, main stem length, main stem number, pod number per plant, grain number per pod, herbage yield, hay yield, seed yield, 1000 seed weight were changed between 157.8-174.0 days, 33.9-62.6 cm, 52.0-83.3 cm, 1.6-2.6 number, 13.5-21.2 number, 4.7-5.6 number, 1522.0-3232.3 kg da-1, 308.0-919.5 kg da-1, 92.2-293.7 kg da-1, 46.5-84.5 g, respectively. According to these results, under the climate and soil conditions of Diyarbakir; for the grass production common vetch genotypes D-135 was suggested and for the seed production common vetch genotypes IFVS-715 and GAP-59998 were suggested

Social capital and investment in agriculture: three networks converge with implications for Australia’s rural research system

This paper considers how the social proximity of research and finance systems has changed since the industrial revolution. It describes social capital accumulation around agriculture in global networks focused on trade, aid and the environment before assessing how the trajectories of these networks are likely to impact Australia's rural research system. Better alignment of existing repositories of social capital will be required if Australia is to retain a leading position in international agricultural research.

Genetic loci associated with high grain zinc concentration and pleiotropic effect on kernel weight in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Zinc deficiency in humans is recognized as a widespread public health problem worldwide, but can be combated via genetic biofortification through breeding high zinc containing wheat varieties. CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, Int.) is engaged in enhancing, among others, the grain zinc concentration (GZnC) of high-yielding wheat germplasm under the HarvestPlus initiative of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research consortium. In the present study, we determined GZnC in a recombinant inbred line population from the cross between PBW343 and Kenya Swara in replicated trials grown in Zn-enriched field. An integrated genetic map with 1,133 loci (diversity arrays technology and simple sequence repeats markers) covering all 21 wheat chromosomes was constructed and used for quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis. Two novel QTL of large effect were stably detected for increasing GZnC on chromosomes 2Bc (centromeric region) and 3AL (long arm). The two QTL individually explained about 10–15 % of the total phenotypic variation. The 2Bc QTL from PBW343 have pleiotropic effect and can increase thousand-kernel weight at significant level. The QTL and the closely linked markers identified will make selection for this difficult trait feasible in breeding program.

Same Disease—different research strategies: Bananas and Black Sigatoka in Brazil and Colombia

Fungal disease epidemics have the potential to bring about drastic innovations. However, in the case of the Black Sigatoka (Mycosphaerella fijiensis) fungus in bananas, producers and international traders are still awaiting a breakthrough in crop protection research. Using the cases of Brazil and Colombia, this paper examines different agricultural research responses to the disease. Brazil opted to replace susceptible varieties with resistant ones, whereas in Colombia chemical control by private actors dominated. We argue that these different responses result from at least three interrelated factors. First, producer type—smallholder farmers or larger export‐oriented plantations—influences the setting of crop protection research priorities. Second, a central, state‐led role versus a private sector response influences the size and time perspective of research activities. Third, domestic markets with multiple crop varieties versus Cavendish‐only export markets leads to differences in control practices and research responses. From this case study, we argue that the currently proposed innovation systems approaches in international agricultural research should adopt a broader perspective that assesses how research is interwoven with agrarian dynamics, commodity chains and particular state roles to elucidate how state–producer–researcher networks perform disease control and where and how to find new solutions.

CGIAR Reform - Why so Difficult?

This paper reviews 40 years of tortured history of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research’s (CGIAR) attempts at structural reform. Yet the basic structure of independent centers created in the 1960’ and 70’s remains in place despite repeated attempts to restructure the basic building blocks of the system. Instead successive layers of super structure: eco-regional programs; Challenge programs; CGIAR Research Programs (CRP’s); and finally a Consortium with another Board and CEO have been added to foster inter-center and interdisciplinary research. The failure of reforms is attributed to the unwillingness of donors, and the World Bank leadership of the CGIAR, to take on entrenched center interests. Some success in modest reform has occurred at the sub-system/center level but only with much difficulty. The paper concludes with some suggestions as to how reform might be fostered.

A Catalyst toward Sustainability? Exploring Social Learning and Social Differentiation Approaches with the Agricultural Poor

Emerging sustainability challenges, such as food security, livelihood development and climate change, require innovative and experimental ways of linking science, policy and practice at all scales. This requires the development of processes that integrate diverse knowledge to generate adaptive development strategies into the future. Social learning is emerging as a promising way to make these linkages. If and how social learning approaches are being applied in practice among smallholder farming families—the bulk of the world’s food producers, requires specific attention. In this paper we use a case study approach to explore social learning among the agricultural poor. Five key evaluative factors: context assessment, inclusive design and management, facilitating learning, mobilizing knowledge and assessing outcomes, are used to analyze nine projects and programs in (or affiliated with) the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). We explore three main questions: (1) in what contexts and in what ways are socially differentiated and marginalized groups enrolled in the learning process? (2) what, if any, are the additional benefits to social learning when explicitly using strategies to include socially differentiated groups? and (3) what are the benefits and trade-offs of applying these approaches for development outcomes? The findings suggest that, in the agricultural development context, social learning projects that include socially differentiated groups and create conditions for substantive two-way learning enhance the relevance and legitimacy of knowledge and governance outcomes, increasing the potential for accelerating sustainable development outcomes.

Bioavailability of iron, zinc, and provitamin A carotenoids in biofortified staple crops

International research efforts, including those funded by HarvestPlus, a Challenge Program of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), are focusing on conventional plant breeding to biofortify staple crops such as maize, rice, cassava, beans, wheat, sweet potatoes, and pearl millet to increase the concentrations of micronutrients that are commonly deficient in specific population groups of developing countries. The bioavailability of micronutrients in unfortified staple crops in developing regions is typically low, which raises questions about the efficacy of these crops to improve population micronutrient status. This review of recent studies of biofortified crops aims to assess the micronutrient bioavailability of biofortified staple crops in order to derive lessons that may help direct plant breeding and to infer the potential efficacy of food-based nutrition interventions. Although reducing the amounts of antinutrients and the conduction of food processing generally increases the bioavailability of micronutrients, antinutrients still possess important benefits, and food processing results in micronutrient loss. In general, biofortified foods with relatively higher micronutrient density have higher total absorption rates than nonbiofortified varieties. Thus, evidence supports the focus on efforts to breed plants with increased micronutrient concentrations in order to decrease the influence of inhibitors and to offset losses from processing.

Agricultural Productivity and Child Mortality: The Impact of the Green Revolution

“This paper is dedicated to the memory of Robert E. Evenson. Bob was a great teacher and advisor to hundreds of students at Yale and in the Philippines, many of whom have gone on to highly successful careers. Bob was a leading scholar in research related to agri—cultural research, economic development, and education.”Many papers have examined the impact of the Green Revolution and the international agricultural research centers on agricultural productivity and the rates of return to agricultural research investment. Here we extend this analysis to look at the impact on food security and human welfare as measured by child mortality. In this paper, we conduct two counterfactual simulations for the 30‐year period 1970–2000—the first holding 1970 crop genetic improvements constant and the second presuming the International Agricultural Research Center (IARC) system had not been built. Our results show that Green Revolution technologies and the IARC system significantly reduced child mortality. The counterfactual analysis demonstrates the importance of the Green Revolution in generating not only sustained improvements in crop productivity growth through the 1970s and 1980s, but also the powerful indirect effects on human welfare as measured by child mortality.

Assessing rice and wheat germplasm collections using similarity groups

Central crop databases or registries are important tools to enhance the use and conservation of plant genetic resources. In 2008–2009 a group of Centers from the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research worked together on the development of central crop registries for eight different crops. The International Rice Research Institute and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center led the development of the crop registries for rice and wheat, respectively. The registries were to compile data across collections and add value to these datasets by assessing the similarity of the accessions from those collections. We describe in detail the methodology developed for the rice and wheat registries. This methodology mainly followed an algorithmic approach to assess the correspondence between pairs of accessions. Accessions which shared a common origin were placed together in similarity groups. Using these groups the similarity of accessions in and among collections was further analysed.

Book Reviews: Climate Change and Agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa

Both books are available as free downloads from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) website at: http://www.ifpri.org/publication/west-africanagriculture-and-climate-change. These volumes are primarily concerned with the potential impact of climate change on agriculture in West and Southern Africa, respectively, and how this may be minimized through careful planning based on accurate foresight analysis. A third volume, dealing with East Africa, is due to be published on 3rd December 2013 (also available from the IFPRI website [see above]; ISBN 978-0-89629-205-5). Climate change, it may be argued, is the most significant threat to agriculture and, therefore, food security, worldwide. Drought, one of the most important consequences of climate change, already places severe constraints on agricultural productivity throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and in some countries of the region the effects have already reached crisis point, notably in the Horn of Africa, to be dealt with in the third volume. The greenhouse effect, it is predicted, will raise temperatures yet further and this, together with other factors, will lead to longer and even more severe periods of drought, imposing ever-increasing pressures on the already scarce supplies of that most precious of all commodities in the region, fresh water (see Grayson, 2013 for an excellent recent analysis of the global situation). Sub-Saharan Africa as a whole is climatologically extremely diverse, however, and although drought is the most significant issue for many of its constituent nations, other predicted consequences of climate change are likely to be of overwhelming importance to the agricultural productivity of others, especially the likelihood of more extreme weather events in general, higher temperatures and increased variation in precipitation patterns in both wet and dry areas. All these, like drought, impact most severely on the poorest members of any society; in other words, those least able and least well equipped to adapt to them rapidly and effectively. The two books reviewed here, together with the as yet unpublished third volume, must therefore be seen as being of the very greatest relevance to all concerned with both food security and the alleviation of poverty south of the Sahara. Given the current debates surrounding climate change issues, it is important to establish first the credentials of The International Food Policy Research, Institute (IFPRI), the organization responsible for the volumes. The institute is a member of the CGIAR (formerly Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research) Consortium. It was established in 1975 to ‘identify and analyze alternative national and international 1 Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo. 2 Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. 3 Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, Sudan (analyses of the data were completed before South Sudan separated from Sudan), Tanzania and Uganda.