Response to the Science Council
Commentary on ICARDA's MTP 2005-2007
ICARDA sees the SC commentary on its revised-format MTP 2005-2007 as positive overall. However the SC has made several queries and asked for some clarifications, which are covered in the response below, following the layout of the SC commentary: (a) Introduction (b) Project Portfolio (c) Logframe Analysis and (d) System-wide Linkages.
(a) Introduction
The key driver for evolution in the Center's research agenda is our focus on poverty alleviation in the dry areas eco-region. The six new megaprojects (MPs) have been formulated keeping this focus in view incorporating elements of the research already being covered under the earlier 19 MTP projects. Given the size limitation of the MTP summary it was not possible to clearly indicate what activities have been deferred, transferred or finalised as a result of the focus from the former 19 projects to 6 MPs. However as appropriately identified by the SC in the Logframe section of their commentary, 'The MP output indicators have been revised, but the activities under the six MPs include the intermediary targets (project milestones) of the former 19 MTP projects.' For example research on germplasm improvement has become more focused on enhancing water-use efficiency and adaptation to increasing aridity, as well as improved nutritional quality and functional traits for added value. As we complete the strategic planning the focus would become sharper in our future submissions.
The SC comments that while the presented MPs contribute to CGIAR goals the international public goods (IPG) nature of some of the research in Projects MP 4 (Diversification and Rural livelihoods) and MP 5 is not clear. Given the need for brevity and exactness in project milestones it may sometimes be unclear how a milestone is an IPG. However the research is planned with IPG in focus but in a pilot study format, which will then be the basis for scaling up and out as part of the integrated natural resource management (INRM) approach.
The SC suggested that it might be opportune for ICARDA to commission an external review on its current programmatic direction, as an input into the next EPMR tentatively scheduled for 2006. In fact the ICARDA Board of Trustees being conscious of this need has already commissioned a series of CCER reviews to encompass ICARDA's research: A CCER on 'Outreach' was completed in 2003, as mentioned in the MTP 2005-2007 summary; a CCER on Integrated Gene Management was undertaken in June 2004; and a CCER on Natural Resource Management and Social Science research is planned for early 2005. These reviews would thus provide input for our strategic planning and the next EPMR.
The SC has commented on changes in the financial plan between the actual values for 2003 and the proposal for 2005 and has asked for the reasons behind such changes. 'Germplasm Collection' and 'Enhancing NARS' are projected to go down by about 6 % points and 9 % points respectively by 2005. The reduction in allocation to 'Germplasm Collection' is partly because the grant to upgrade the ICARDA gene bank, as part of the CG-wide Global Public Goods Initiative, started in 2003 but winds down by 2005. Additionally, the major GEF-funded project on 'Conservation and Sustainable Use of Dryland Agrobiodiversity with the NARS of Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the Palestinian Authority' will end in 2005. The reduction in allocation to 'Enhancing NARS' is because during 2002/3, under the Future Harvest Consortium to Rebuild Agriculture in Afghanistan, ICARDA received funding from USAID to support emergency quality seed activities, and needs assessments of various agricultural research and development sectors in Afghanistan. The bulk of these funds were attributed on Strengthening National Seed Systems. During 2004 the proportion of funding allocated to seeds systems declined overall in Afghanistan with a corresponding 'bounce-back' effect of the proportional allocation to other CGIAR outputs. This reduction in seed system activities in Afghanistan will continue in 2005.
(b) Project Portfolio
The SC commented that MP2 on Integrated Gene Management and MP4 on Diversification need more focus on activities that will produce regional/international public goods. Space did not allow us to explain that activities in MP2 on Integrated Gene Management are producing for Dry Areas participatory methodologies and approaches for national programs; and a wide range of improved germplasm based on wide crosses with land races and wild relatives adapted to specific niches within the dry ecoregion all of which are IPG. In MP4 on Diversification, as mentioned earlier, space did not allow it to be explained that the research is planned in a pilot study format which will then be the basis for scaling up and out.
(c) Logframe analysis
The SC noted that there were far too many milestones for each output / project for sensible monitoring, suggesting a need for more focus (as was recommended in the EPMR). While there is a need for focus, the MTP is not only written for monitoring purposes, which requires a few large aggregate milestones but also for internal use where the preference is for dis-aggregated milestones. A balanced approach will be used in the future.
(d) System-wide linkages
Regarding ICARDA research within the Challenge Programs, the SC indicated that it is not clear if these are entirely new activities and how the interaction through the CP increases outcomes. The activities in the CPs are new to ICARDA but build on existing activities and expertise. We will wait to see how the interaction through the CP increases outcomes.
The SC noted that at the time of the last EPMR, ICARDA was the convening Centre for a system wide programme for "On-farm Water Husbandry in WANA", but this initiative is not reported as such in this MTP. This eco-regional program ran from 1997-2001. Learning lessons from this program, we continue activities within MP1 on this important theme with non-Center partners - beyond the Systemwide umbrella.
The SC recognized scope for the sharing between ICARDA and ICRISAT of methods and tools for research on natural resources management in dry areas and its impacts as well as the development of best bet, pro-poor options (e.g. MP 5) and for the dissemination of this information (MP 6). We concur and for this reason ICARDA with ICRISAT developed a Challenge Program pre-proposal on 'Agriculture to Combat Desertification and Poverty (DDPA),' which is evolving into a Consortium. Through this vehicle, we aim to capture the synergies of ICARDA in non-tropical dry areas and ICRISAT in the semi-arid tropics.
ICARDA leads the Future Harvest Consortium for the Rehabilitation of Agriculture in Afghanistan (FHCRAA) comprising IARCs, ARIs, NGOs and national partners. The SC indicated that the role and time frame for engagement of ICARDA is not clearly defined, and asked if this development activity were a one off short-term engagement and how it has affected the main programme of ICARDA. As Afghanistan lies within ICARDA's ecoregional mandate (CWANA) and is one of the poorest countries in the world, our involvement there will inevitably be long-term. However our role there has evolved from the initial necessity of rehabilitation into one of research for development with strong links to development partners. The FHCRAA Consortium provides a platform for both research and development members. To illustrate this changing role, in the first 18 months (2001/2) ICARDA focused on Needs Assessments and Quality Seed to kick-start the seed system. We look for International Public Goods in these rehabilitation activities and for example plan with FAO to publish 'Lessons from Seed Systems Rehabilitation in Afghanistan'. Now, however, our focus has shifted to research for development (rather than development per se). The decrease in proportional allocation of resources to 'Enhancing NARS (Seed Systems)' from 2003 to 2005 was perceptively noted by the SC.
ICARDA's current portfolio of projects in Afghanistan includes: (a) adaptive testing of improved germplasm funded by OPEC Fund; (b) rainfed seed system study and germplasm diversity investigations funded by IDRC; (c) testing of feed and dairy options funded by RALF-DFID; (d) human resource development funded by JICA; (e) field crop demonstrations funded by USAID; (f) adaptive research on protected agriculture (low-cost plastic houses) funded by USAID; and (g) action research on village-based seed systems funded by USAID.
We are also managing the Research for Alternative (for opium cultivation) Livelihoods Fund (RALF) of DFID, the results of which are international public goods. This mission in Afghanistan has strengthened the other research at ICARDA by testing technologies previously identified in other countries with similar ecologies, and, because of the close feedback link with development partners, provided an avenue for innovations from adaptive research to flow into development and into 'needy hands' of the poorest in the region.
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ICARDA sees the SC commentary on its revised-format MTP 2005-2007 as positive overall. However the SC has made several queries and asked for some clarifications, which are covered in the response below, following the layout of the SC commentary: (a) Introduction (b) Project Portfolio (c) Logframe Analysis and (d) System-wide Linkages.
(a) Introduction
The key driver for evolution in the Center's research agenda is our focus on poverty alleviation in the dry areas eco-region. The six new megaprojects (MPs) have been formulated keeping this focus in view incorporating elements of the research already being covered under the earlier 19 MTP projects. Given the size limitation of the MTP summary it was not possible to clearly indicate what activities have been deferred, transferred or finalised as a result of the focus from the former 19 projects to 6 MPs. However as appropriately identified by the SC in the Logframe section of their commentary, 'The MP output indicators have been revised, but the activities under the six MPs include the intermediary targets (project milestones) of the former 19 MTP projects.' For example research on germplasm improvement has become more focused on enhancing water-use efficiency and adaptation to increasing aridity, as well as improved nutritional quality and functional traits for added value. As we complete the strategic planning the focus would become sharper in our future submissions.
The SC comments that while the presented MPs contribute to CGIAR goals the international public goods (IPG) nature of some of the research in Projects MP 4 (Diversification and Rural livelihoods) and MP 5 is not clear. Given the need for brevity and exactness in project milestones it may sometimes be unclear how a milestone is an IPG. However the research is planned with IPG in focus but in a pilot study format, which will then be the basis for scaling up and out as part of the integrated natural resource management (INRM) approach.
The SC suggested that it might be opportune for ICARDA to commission an external review on its current programmatic direction, as an input into the next EPMR tentatively scheduled for 2006. In fact the ICARDA Board of Trustees being conscious of this need has already commissioned a series of CCER reviews to encompass ICARDA's research: A CCER on 'Outreach' was completed in 2003, as mentioned in the MTP 2005-2007 summary; a CCER on Integrated Gene Management was undertaken in June 2004; and a CCER on Natural Resource Management and Social Science research is planned for early 2005. These reviews would thus provide input for our strategic planning and the next EPMR.
The SC has commented on changes in the financial plan between the actual values for 2003 and the proposal for 2005 and has asked for the reasons behind such changes. 'Germplasm Collection' and 'Enhancing NARS' are projected to go down by about 6 % points and 9 % points respectively by 2005. The reduction in allocation to 'Germplasm Collection' is partly because the grant to upgrade the ICARDA gene bank, as part of the CG-wide Global Public Goods Initiative, started in 2003 but winds down by 2005. Additionally, the major GEF-funded project on 'Conservation and Sustainable Use of Dryland Agrobiodiversity with the NARS of Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the Palestinian Authority' will end in 2005. The reduction in allocation to 'Enhancing NARS' is because during 2002/3, under the Future Harvest Consortium to Rebuild Agriculture in Afghanistan, ICARDA received funding from USAID to support emergency quality seed activities, and needs assessments of various agricultural research and development sectors in Afghanistan. The bulk of these funds were attributed on Strengthening National Seed Systems. During 2004 the proportion of funding allocated to seeds systems declined overall in Afghanistan with a corresponding 'bounce-back' effect of the proportional allocation to other CGIAR outputs. This reduction in seed system activities in Afghanistan will continue in 2005.
(b) Project Portfolio
The SC commented that MP2 on Integrated Gene Management and MP4 on Diversification need more focus on activities that will produce regional/international public goods. Space did not allow us to explain that activities in MP2 on Integrated Gene Management are producing for Dry Areas participatory methodologies and approaches for national programs; and a wide range of improved germplasm based on wide crosses with land races and wild relatives adapted to specific niches within the dry ecoregion all of which are IPG. In MP4 on Diversification, as mentioned earlier, space did not allow it to be explained that the research is planned in a pilot study format which will then be the basis for scaling up and out.
(c) Logframe analysis
The SC noted that there were far too many milestones for each output / project for sensible monitoring, suggesting a need for more focus (as was recommended in the EPMR). While there is a need for focus, the MTP is not only written for monitoring purposes, which requires a few large aggregate milestones but also for internal use where the preference is for dis-aggregated milestones. A balanced approach will be used in the future.
(d) System-wide linkages
Regarding ICARDA research within the Challenge Programs, the SC indicated that it is not clear if these are entirely new activities and how the interaction through the CP increases outcomes. The activities in the CPs are new to ICARDA but build on existing activities and expertise. We will wait to see how the interaction through the CP increases outcomes.
The SC noted that at the time of the last EPMR, ICARDA was the convening Centre for a system wide programme for "On-farm Water Husbandry in WANA", but this initiative is not reported as such in this MTP. This eco-regional program ran from 1997-2001. Learning lessons from this program, we continue activities within MP1 on this important theme with non-Center partners - beyond the Systemwide umbrella.
The SC recognized scope for the sharing between ICARDA and ICRISAT of methods and tools for research on natural resources management in dry areas and its impacts as well as the development of best bet, pro-poor options (e.g. MP 5) and for the dissemination of this information (MP 6). We concur and for this reason ICARDA with ICRISAT developed a Challenge Program pre-proposal on 'Agriculture to Combat Desertification and Poverty (DDPA),' which is evolving into a Consortium. Through this vehicle, we aim to capture the synergies of ICARDA in non-tropical dry areas and ICRISAT in the semi-arid tropics.
ICARDA leads the Future Harvest Consortium for the Rehabilitation of Agriculture in Afghanistan (FHCRAA) comprising IARCs, ARIs, NGOs and national partners. The SC indicated that the role and time frame for engagement of ICARDA is not clearly defined, and asked if this development activity were a one off short-term engagement and how it has affected the main programme of ICARDA. As Afghanistan lies within ICARDA's ecoregional mandate (CWANA) and is one of the poorest countries in the world, our involvement there will inevitably be long-term. However our role there has evolved from the initial necessity of rehabilitation into one of research for development with strong links to development partners. The FHCRAA Consortium provides a platform for both research and development members. To illustrate this changing role, in the first 18 months (2001/2) ICARDA focused on Needs Assessments and Quality Seed to kick-start the seed system. We look for International Public Goods in these rehabilitation activities and for example plan with FAO to publish 'Lessons from Seed Systems Rehabilitation in Afghanistan'. Now, however, our focus has shifted to research for development (rather than development per se). The decrease in proportional allocation of resources to 'Enhancing NARS (Seed Systems)' from 2003 to 2005 was perceptively noted by the SC.
ICARDA's current portfolio of projects in Afghanistan includes: (a) adaptive testing of improved germplasm funded by OPEC Fund; (b) rainfed seed system study and germplasm diversity investigations funded by IDRC; (c) testing of feed and dairy options funded by RALF-DFID; (d) human resource development funded by JICA; (e) field crop demonstrations funded by USAID; (f) adaptive research on protected agriculture (low-cost plastic houses) funded by USAID; and (g) action research on village-based seed systems funded by USAID.
We are also managing the Research for Alternative (for opium cultivation) Livelihoods Fund (RALF) of DFID, the results of which are international public goods. This mission in Afghanistan has strengthened the other research at ICARDA by testing technologies previously identified in other countries with similar ecologies, and, because of the close feedback link with development partners, provided an avenue for innovations from adaptive research to flow into development and into 'needy hands' of the poorest in the region.
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