ICRAF: THE WAY AHEAD Strategic Plan

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April 1992

ICRAF: THE WAY AHEAD Strategic Plan

April 1992

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© International Centre for Research in Agroforestry 1992

Comments on thls final draft should be sent to',

DiIector-Genera.1 International Centre for Research in Agroforestry, United Nations Avenue, p.o, Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya. Telephone: (254-2) 521450 Telefax: (254-2) 521001 Telex: 22048 EMail: CGNET CGI236

... the way ahead

Preface

The purpose of this strategic plan is to outline the way in which the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) intends to

develop its role as a CGrAR centre with a global responsibility for agro­forestry.

Many people have contributed to this plan, far m ore than we could ever list, or thank individually. The concepts and issues have been extensively discussed by 1OV\F staff, ICRAF's Board of Trustees, Donors, the Technical Advisory Committee of the CGIAR, and scores of ICRAF s research and development partners.

The plan builds upon an earlier document, 'ICRAF: Strategy to the Year 2000', which was published in 1~1 That earlier strategy formed the basis of a first draft which was presented to TAC in June, 1991. After incorpor­ating TAC's comments, an amended draft was presented to International Centres Week in October, 1991. More amendments followed, and during the early part of 1992, a third draft was presented at three consultative meetings held in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. At the same time, copies were distributed widely to those Donors and IotAF partners who were unable to attend any of the three meetings.

After this intensive review, a fourth draft was prepared and presented to ICRAF's Board of Trustees at its M arch Annual Board and Donor Meeting. At this meeting, with some amendments, the Board approved the plan for wider distribution. We have called this fifth versiof\ the Final Draft, to aJlow fOT further amendments before we publish the document in August, 1992.

In brief, the approach p resented describes ICRAF s development into a strategic research centn~ in the CGIA.R TeRAF's roles and responsibilities are wider than before and include: a rapidly expanding research and dissemi.nation role in Africa, Latin America, and Asia, a more explicit strategic reSearch agenda, and an active interface and collaboration with the proposed Centre for International Forestry Research (ClF'OR), and ot:her international, regional, and national research institutions.

ICRAF's Board and Management are keen to retain the innovative and integrated approach to research and institution-strengthening, which has charactelized ICRAF in the last ten years. It is ICRAF's conviction that this approach will be a major contribution to the CGlAR

Dr George Holmes Ol.ainnan. Board of'i.'lUstees

April. 1992

Dr Pedro Sanchez Director-General

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Contents SUlvfiv1.ARY ..................................................................................................................... 5

EXTERNAL WVIRONlvffiNT .................................................................................... 7

Rural Poverty ..................................................................................................... 7 Tropical Deforestation ..................................................... .. ............................... 7 Land Depletion .................................................................................................. 8 Resource Conservation & Sustainable Development as a Continuum .... 8

Agroforestry Today ........................................................................................... 9 ICRAF Today ................... ... ... ..... ...... ............... ... .......... .. .............. .... ...... .. ........ 10

PHILOSOPHY ................................................................................................. 11 Mission Statement ........................................................................................... 11 Agroforestry Defined ... ...... ............................ .. .... ...... ... ... ...................... .. .. ..... 11 Goal ............................................... .. ... ................................................................ 11

Implementing Guidelines .... .. ... ........ .. ... .... ..... .. .......... ............ ................ .. ..... 11 Strategic Objectives ......................................................................................... 12 Setting Priorit..ies .......... .. ... .. .... ... ... ........ ..... .. .... .. ... .. ...... .... .... .. .. .. .... .. ... ............ 12

RESEARCH PRcx::;~ ......................................... .. .... .. ... .... ... ...... .. ..... 14 Environmental Characterization and Analysis .......................................... 15 lvQYf Improvement and Management ........................... .. .............. ... .. .. .. ..... 15

Component Interactions ................................................................................. 16 Systems Improvement ....................................... .. ............................. .. .... ... ..... 17

Policy, Adoption and Impact Analysis ........................................................ 18

DISSEMINATION PROGRA.M:ME.S ...... .... ... ...... .. .... .. ...... ............. .............. 20

Training ................................................................................ .. .. .. .. .. ................... 20 Education .......................................................................................................... 21 Wormation and OOCUIDentation ....... ... ... .. .. .... .. ............. ... .............. ... .......... 21 Communications ............................................................................................. 22

Th-1PLElvrENTATION and IMPACT .............................................................. 23 Programme Structure ................................... .. .... .. ...... .. ..... .. ... .. ...... .... ............ 23 Modes of Operation ......................... .. ................ .... ......................................... 23 Institutional Collaboration ......................................................... .................... 25

Relationship with CIFOR ............................................................................... 26

Capital Development ...................................................................................... 26

Resource Deployment and Needs ............................................. .. ................. 27

Monitoring and Evaluating Impact ............ .. ..... .... ............ .. ......................... 32

LIST OF ACRONY1v1S ....... .. ... .. .... ... .. ...... .. ......... .... ..... .. ............... .................. 34

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ICRAFwill concentrate its activities on three critical agro-ec%gica/ zones in the tropics: humid, sub-humid, and semi-arid.

.. .the way ahead

Sununary

This document outlines the way in which ICRAF intends to develop its new role as a CGIAR centre with global responsibilities in agrofore­

stry, over the next decade. The approach stems from ICRAF's distinguished history as a catalyst for agroforestry research and its natural evolution from a Council to a Research Centre.

ICRAF's definition of agroforestry and its mission statement are as rele­vant today as when they were developed. Although agroforestry can be practised. in any climatic regime by farmers of diverse socio-€Conomic levels, IeRAF will concentrate its activities on three critical agro-ecological zones in the tropics: the humid, sub-humid and semi-arid. These are the areas where essential increases in food and fibre production must be obtained in ways that miti gate the major ecological threats of defores tation and massive land depletion

Agroforestry technologies have the potential to provide sustainable alternatives to the practice of shifting cultivation, and to ameliorate the secondary forest fallows and grasslands that follow in its wake. In sub­humid sava.nn.as and woodlands, and in the semi-arid tropics, they can also playa decisive role in increasing the agricultural productivity and sustainability of small-scale farming systems. In these agro-ecological zones, agroforestry technologies can prevent soil erosion, bring a halt to deteriorating soil fertility, and provide food, fuelwood, building material, fodder, and numerous other valuable products that have the potential for generating additional income.

ICRAF's philosophy of work embraces several concepts and approaches. It is oriented to systems and problems; it draws on the expertise and knowledge of many disciplines; it is driven by beneficiaries and is respons­ive to users. Its mode of operation is collaborative in action and, in scope, focuses on agro-ecological zones. Very close collaboration is envisioned with the following institutions and topics: the proposed Centre for Inter­national Forestry Research (CIFOR) on tropical forestry, CGlAR centres in specific agro-ecological zones, the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRl) on germplasm, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the International Service for National Agricultural Research (ISNAR) on policy and institutional issues, and with commodity based CGIAR centres. Close collaboration is also envisioned with other international organizations such as the Food and Agricultural Organiza­tion of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), the Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Programme (fSBF), the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program (IGBP), the Centro Ag­ronomico Tropical de Investigaci6n y Ensenanza (CATIE), with national institutions in developing countries, existing agroforestIy research net­works, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and with advanced in­stitutions. ICRAF will selVe as a focal point for agroforestry world-wide, and will build on existing capacities and strengths.

In the past decade, through collaboration with national scientists, far­mers and pastoralists, much has learned much about traditional agrofore-

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say practices and their potential for improvement, particularly in margi­nal ecoregions. ICRAF s overall strategy is aimed at building on this knowl­edge through five research and four dissemination programmes.

The five research programmes are: Environmental characterization and analysis - matching land-reseurce constraints to improved agrofore­stry systems and analyzing their affect on human equity and the environ ­ment; Multipurpose tree improvement and management - including a germ plasm cen tre for multipurpose trees, fast growing species, and under­exploited fnilt trees; Component interaction research - addressing is­sues of competition for light, water and nutrients between trees, crops and/ or livestock; Systems Improvement - focusing on the amelioration of degraded and depleted lands and alternatives to shifting cultivation; and Policy, Adoption and Impact Analysis - focusing on the implica­tions of p olicy development, constraints to technology adoption. assessing the impact of improved technology and providing feedback to improve technology design.

The four dissemination programmes are: Training - focusing on strengthening the capacity of national institutions; Education - helping tertiary institutions strengthen their capacity to teach agroforestry; Infor­mation and documentation; and Communications - both programmes aimed at enhancing agroforestry knowledge world-wide.

ICRAF s administrative services will be structured in four areas: Budget, Finance, Personnel, and Operations.

Research and dissemination activities will be implemented in a m atrix structure with the nine research and dissemination programmes on one axis and geographical locations on the other. Programmes will be im­plemented through collaborative networks. The Agroforestry Research Networks for Africa (AFRENAs) will be consolidated. In Latin America and Asia, ICRAF will link into existing institutional structures dealing with agroforestry and w ill focus, at least initially, on the humid tropics (four countries in Latin America and three or four countries in Asia).

Within the CGlAR system, ICRAF will also seNe as the m echanism for implementing two ecoregional networks: the Highlands of Eastern and Central Africa, and the Southern African PlatealL Appropriate laboratory, greenhouse, shadehouse, and field research facilities will be established at I~ s Headquarters. These will include a Germplasm Resource Centre and a Training Centre to enable ICRAF to fulfil its global responsibilities for strategic research and dissemination.

ICRAF fully supports the concept of an integrated approach to land-use research within the CGIAR system and intends to work closely with CIFOR and other International Research Centres to attain this goal. inter­locking board memberships of ICRAF and CIFOR is one proposed mech­anism. ICRAF proposes to post sdentists at CIFOR for operations in Asia and invites CIFOR to post its scientists at ICRAF for CIFOR activities in Africa

In 1992, ICRAP will have 47 senior staff stationed at Headquarters and at AFRENAs in 12 African countries, while three senior scientists are envi­sioned for Latin America and Asi~ in order to fulfil the immediate im­plementation of ICRAF 8 global responsibilities. Major emphasis will be given to increasing the number of junior scientists and trainees from National Research Centres. With expansion into other geographical re­gions, ICRAF envisages a core of 89 senior staff by 1995.

Agroforestry- a tool for dealing with three of the world's major concerns.

... the way ahead

External envirorunent

I CRAF's strategy has been developed within the context of emergb g development trend s and the factors that influence the strategic research

agenda for agriculture, forestry and the management of natural resources. T AC has defined the major driving factors as p opulation growth, income growth and rates of urbanization. and has identified a set of priorities by activity and agro-ecological zone. ICR.AFs programmes and p riorities fit well within those ofTAC, and d early define how agroforestry can contrib­ute to these equity and envir onmental issues.

The deliberate use of wood y perennials with crops and/ or livestock -agroforestry - is one of the most widespread land-use systems in the tropics. Although it can be practised in virtually all clim atic zones by farmers of all socio-economic levels, agrofo restry is a p articularly useful tool for dealing with three of the world's major concerns: rural pover ty, natural resource conservation, and sustainable devel opment

Rural Poverty

Population growth in the Third World continues at rates that have to be constantly revised. The capacity of existing land-use systems to sustain rural populations at present per-<:apita levels of food production is r apidly being outstripped by population increases, particularly in Africa. This results in migration of rural poor to urban centres, increased cultivation on marginal lands, migration to forested regions, and depletion of the land-resource base of smallholders. The prospects for people involved in these changes are bleak. Most newcomers to cities fail to find gainful employment; migrants to the humid tropics end up practising shifting cultivation in an alien environment; and fanners that remain where they are face increasing soil erosion and losses of soil fertility, coupled with declining crop yields and decreasin.g supplies of fuelwood, building ma­terial, and livestock fodder. In real terms, poverty increases. In addition to these social costs, deforestation and soil erosion exacerbate environmental pollution.

These human equity and environmental issues can be tackled by im­proved agroforestry systems as a foundation for improving economic growth and environmental protection. Agroforestry systems have the potential to increase the production of food, fuelwood, building material, and fodder while arresting soil erosion and fertili ty decline. Importantly, they also offer significant opportunities for creating additional income for rural households - providing cash in hand to help people break free of the poverty cycle.

Tropical Deforestation

Tropical deforestation continues at the rate of 14 million hectares per year. It devastates the world' 8 largest reseIVoir of plant and animal genetic diversity, contributes to a Significant proportion of global w arming (pres­ent estimate is 18%) and threatens the integrity of many watersheds. The

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principal proximate cause of deforestation is slash-and-bwn agriculture - either spontaneous or following selective logging - carned out by thousands of landless fcumers, many of whom are recent migrants to the humid tropics and who are unfamiliar with the sophisticated practices of indigenous cultures who make shifting cultivation a sustainable system. In addition to structural changes that would provide tenure for the land­less, there is a need to create viable land-use alternatives that w ould provide the incentive to halt further deforestation. Preliminary research ind icates that for every hectare put into promising alteInatives, five to ten hectares of tropical rainforest can be spared from the shifting cultivator's axe, each year. Agroforestry technologies are among the most attractive sustainable alternatives to shifting cultivation and are also appropriate to reclaim the secondary forest fallows and derived grasslands that often fo llow in its wake.

Land Depletion

In the sub-humid and semi-arid savannas of the tropics, high population densities and low woody biomass preclude shifting cultivation. But many practices carried. out by resource-poor farmers and pastoralists, especially overgrazing and continuous cropping associated with lack of inputs such as fertilizer, are causing massive soil fertility depletion. This depletion is leading to serious erosion and exacerbated p overty, and is particularly acute in Ahica. Agroforestry technologies have the potential to reverse this process and to provide to land users in these regions a sustainable supply of food, fodde~ building material, fuelwood, and additional sources of income.

Although other major regions of the world face similar problems it is in these three major agro-ecological zones, the humid, sub-humid and semi­arid tropics, where agroforestry has the greatest comparative advantage to simultaneously address equity and environmental concerns. Other important agro-ecological zones - for example, the Mediterranean and the Andean regions - may be included later, as complementary pro­grammes.

Resource Conservation and Sustainable Development as a Continuum

'"Throughout the world, a consensus is emerging that conservation and development should no longer be considered in ompatible. It is now recognised that human poverty makes physical environments poorer, just as poor physical environments make for greater human poverty. The debate, started by the Brundtland report "Our Common Future" is now irreversible. 'The twin goals of economic growth and environmental pro­tection can be pursued simultaneously if an integrated, balanced approach is taken. Agroforestry is likely to playa significant role in achieving this balance, particularly in the agro-ecological zones referred to earlier.

The CGIAR system is addressing the issues of sustainability and re­source cOnseIVation. Many National Research Systems are also actively concerned with optimising conservation and development, and several are looking at agroforestry technologies as tools which can be used to enhance the well-being of rural dwellers whilst containing deforestation and land depletion. In brief: resource-poor rural households benefit from improved soil fertility coming from the introduction of nitrogen-fixing trees in enriched fallows or through interplanting; they gain additional

Major questions still need to be answered.

... the way ahead

income through sale of tree products such as fruit or timber; and gain improved food security associated with the way the perennial component of agroforestry systems extends the season when green fodder and food supplies are available. lbe latter benefit has significant implications for the nutritional vulnerability of the poorest groups, especially w omen and children. At the same time, the quality of the environment is maintained through the maintenance of biological diversity, preservation of w ater catchments and soil quality, and a halt to the net loss of forested land.

Agroforestry Today

In the 14 years since ICRAF first helped put agroforestry on the scientific map, much has been learned about the advantages and limitations of agroforestry, particularly in marginal ecoregions. During this time, it has become clear from collaborative work with rural land users that the perennial component of agroforestry systems - the trees and shrubs -can be combined with other components to form a variety of technologies. Some of these are improved fallow, hedgerow intercropping, multi-store­yed tree gardens, boundary plantings, live fences, fodder banks, and trees on l'angelands or pastures.

It is also clear that the process of adoption and consequent impact of agroforestry technologies are influenced by many factors . ICRAF and its collaborating partners acknowledge that unless these factors are under­stood and the incentives and constraints identified, well designed and targeted technologies will not provide the benefits desired. In this context, one key issue is the need to recognise that, in many parts of the world, women playa major role in growing food and, compared with men, tend to use more tree products (for example, f uelwood, fodder, and raw materi­als for crafts and medicines). Because it is common for men and women to have differential access to household resources, women need to be directly involved in the design and testing of technologies so that they and their households can benefit equitably from them.

Several CGIAR centres already have an agroforestry agenda, and many national research institutions such as the Brazilian AgricultuIal Research Enterprise (EMBRAPA) , the Indian Council of AgricultuIal Research (lCAR), and the Ministry of Agriculture in Malawi, have also moved towards establishing agroforestry research centres. Many bilateral donor programmes and environmentally oriented NGOs are active in agrofore­stry development. Linkages between this diverse constituency and ICRAF must be maintained and enhanced.

In spite of such activities there is still much to learn about agroforestry technologies. Major questions need to be answered, for example: how can competition between woody species and crops for water, light and nu­trients be managed for the farmer's benefit? Can silvopastoral systems remain sustainable? What is the best way to recycle nutrients in nutrient­poor environments? Are improved agroforestry systems more economi­cally beneficial than traditional practices? These and many other strategic questions must be resolved. It makes sense for one institution to serve as a catalyst. ICRAF is committed to fulfilling this role in a collaborative mode with sister CGIAR centres, National Research Systems, NGOs, and re­search institutions in those countries where agroforestry has a major role to play in sustainable development.

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ICRAF Today ICRAF is an autonomous, non-profit international organization with a global responsibility to conduct and support agroforesny research. ICRAF was established in 1978, with Headquarters in N airobi, Kenya

When ICRAF w as founded, agroforestry was a new field still lacking the theoretical basis and accumulated data of traditional areas such as fores try and agriculture. Therefore, early work concentrated on developing the conceptual and methodological basis for agroforestry research, collating relevant information from disparate sources so that it would be available to a wider audience, and applying resources to training and education w ith a view to developing greater national capacity in agroforestry research and develop ment. Building on this foundation, ICRAF ini tiated a collaborative research programme in 1985. The goal is to strengthen national research capacity and ultimately to generate agroforestry technologies suitable for farmers.

At present, w ork concentrates in four ecoregions of Africa: the h umid lowlands and the semi-arid lowlands of West Africa, the highlands of East and Central Africa, and the plateau lands of Southern Africa Research in these regions is conducted through the Agroforestry Research Networks for Africa (AFRENAS). ICRAF also participates in collaborative research activ ities in India and Bangladesh,. and has initiated activities in the humid tropics of Latin America and Asia.

Following rapid growth dwing the 19805, ICRAF now has more than 250 staff members, including about SO senior scientists involved in field r~ search in 12 African countries. Financial support is provided by 22 donor organizations, while collaborating governments provide staff, facilities and land for field trials. ICRAF's core budget in 1992 is US$15.1 million. In 1991 ICRAF became a member of the CGIAR and changed its name from Council to Centre while maintaining the same acronym.

· .. the way ahead

Philosophy

I CRAF's philosophy should be seen in the con text of the emergence of agroforestry and the Tole that ICRAF has played in nurturing this new

field . It builds upon the strengths of the past while actively p ursuing new opportunities and challenges for the future as a member of the CGIAR. ICRAF s ultimate purpose is to:

"Work towards mitigating tropical deforestation, land depletion and rural poverty through improved agroforestry systems".

Key elements to achieve this are the mission, the goal, the gujding principles, and the strategic objectives of the institution.

Mission Statement

ICRAF's mission, as derived from its charter, remains as relevant today as when it was originally written:

"To increase the social, economic and n utritional w ell-being of p eo­ples of developing counbies through the use of research and related activities to integrate woody perennials in farming and related land­use systems in erder to increase productivity, profitabili ty, sus taina­bility. diversity of output and the conservation of natural resoW'Ces"

Agroforestry Defined

To place agroforeslJy in context with other land-use practices, ICRAP uses the following definition:

• Agroforestry is a collective name for land-use systems and practices where woody perennials are deliberately integrated with crops and/ or animals on the same land management unit. The integration can be either in spatial mixture or in temporal sequence. There are normally both ecological and economic interactions between. the woody and non-woody components in agroforestry".

Goal

In order to fulfil its mission. ICFM s goal is: "To initiate and assist in the generation and dissemination of appro­priate agroforestry technologies for resource-poor farmers and other land users".

Implementing guidelines

To achieve this goal, ICRAF's approach to research and dissemination is guided by the following:

• A systematic analysis of the needs of resource-poor land users and the relevance of agroforestry t o address those needs to determine priorities

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Priorities are continually reassessed within the cycle of technology development.

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• A determination to use appropriate indigenous know ledge to develop improved technologies

• A concern to ensure that agroforestry technologies simultaneously address the welfare of rural households and the conservation of natural resources for sustainable production

• An approach that is oriented to systems and problems, one that draws on the expertise and knowledge of many disciplines, is driven by beneficiaries, and is responsive to users

• A desire that results should promote equity among various users.

Strategic objectives

rCRAF's mission, goal and implementing guidelines have provided the framework for identifying the following overall objectives:

Conduct collaborative research aimed at improving the socio­economic welfare. of resource-poor farmers and other land users, whilst enhancing agricultural sustainability and the conservation of natural resoW'Ces in areas of ecoregional and global significance

• Undertake and foster research leading to an understanding of processes and to the development of appropriate agroforestry technolOgies

• Strengthen national capacities to conduct agroforestry research by fostering collaboration between institutes and promoting the dis­semination of information through training, education, documen­tation and conununication.

Setting priorities

ICRAF w ill continue to set its priorities in close consultation with its major partners. Guiding factors are ICRAF' 5 mission and goal, the potential contribution that agroforestry technologies can make to specific ecore­gions and to priority land-use systems, the constraints facing rural house­holds, the interest demonstrated by national institutions, and the comparative advantage of ICRAF to W'\dertake specific research and dis­semination activities.

The dynamic and transparent mechanisms used in setting priorities include among others, macro and mic:ro diagnosis-and-design exercises that put ICRAF staff into direct con tact with farmers and other land users, regional research planning workshops in the AFRENAs, regional and inter­national conferences, and annual planning meetings at ICRAF.

In exp ding its geographical scope and its strategic research and dissemination programmes, ICRAF will build closer collaborative pro­grammes with national research systems, international agricultural re­search centres, specialized institutions, universities, non-governmental organizations, and private voluntary organizations.

Geographical Balance

ICRAF will focus on three major agro-ecological zones: • hUll'Ud tropics

• sub-h umid tropics

• semi-arid tropics

... the way ahead

These have been defined on the basis of the potential of agroforesny to contribute to productivity and sustainability of farming systems and to address world-wide ecological concerns. The agro-ecological zones fall within three geographical regions: Africa, Latin America and Asia In the medium term, only in Africa will work take place in all three agro-ecologi­cal zones. In Latin America and Asia., work will be focused, at least initially, in the humid zone.

Research

Research priorities are established within the framework of agro-ecologi­cal zones, the ecoregions and land-use systems within them, and the needs and priorities of farmers and other land users. These priorities are contin­ually adjusted as results coming from multiple locations are synthesized, analyzed and compared. Strategic research will focus on global issues and those of key agro-ecological zones, whereas applied resea:cch will address the human, edaphic, and environmental problems of priority ecoregions and land-use systems. Approaches used to establish research priorities will be driven by:

• Identifying human needs, priorities and constraints

• Understanding land-use systems, their problems and oppor­tunities

• Conducting research on key components of the systems and their interaction, and research on performance of agroforestry techno­logies, both on-station and with farmers on their land

• Improving systems and providing solutions in terms of products and services

• Understanding the social and economic factors and the policy environment influencing the adoption and impact of these techno­logies.

Dissemination

Dissemination activities are closely tied to ICRAF's research agenda and to the needs of ICRAF's national resean:h partners. However, information dissemination will also play a broader role in synthesizing and guiding the work of the global agroforestry community.

Approaches used to establish priorities will be driven by the need to: • establish a lasting capacity for agroforestry research and develop­

ment in developing countries through short and medium term training, for both men and women

.• assist the incorporation of agroforestry into CWTicula in national universities and professional schools

• identify and process information related to agroforestry and help national institutions gain access to this information

• ensure that the resea:cch results of ICRAP and others reach the global community of scientists and specialists concerned with agrofore­stry research and development.

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This research will be implemented jointly with nstional institutions through the networks associated with the major ecoregions.

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Research progranunes

The goals and research content of the programmes not only reflect a comprehensive global agenda for both strategic and applied research,

but also follow the natural iterative flow of a systems-oriented research approach. Together, the programmes aim at understanding and explain­ing basic processes in addition to determining and predicting the poten­tials of agroforestry. The cycle of technology development shown below provides a framew ork within which priorities can be continually reas­sessed. Solid boxes indicate ICRAF programmes while dotted boxes indi­cate major areas of input from research partners .

... , ................................ , ..... ~ · .

r : Exfernallnformation ~ · . · . · . I ............... , ....................... , ••

Environmental Characterization

& Analysis

MPT Improvement & Management

~. ........ ... • ...... ......... 0

Crop & Livestock

Germplasm

& Management

14_--"'4j.J: (from other sources) ... ............ 11 ••••• , ••• , .......... .

Policy, Adoption & Impact Analysis

ICRAF s proposed agroforesny research activities are organized into five research programmes:

1. Environmental Charaderization and Analysis - matching land-resource constraints to improved agroforestry systems and analyzing their affect on human equity and the environment;

2. Multipurpose Tree Improvement & Management - including a germpla.sm centre for multipurpose t rees, under-utilized fruit trees, and fast growing species;

Selected germplasm is the key to successful agroforestry systems.

.. .the way ahead

3. Component Interactions - addressing issues of competition for light, nutrients, and w ater between trees, crops, and/ or livestock;

4. Systems Improvement - focusing on the amelioration of degraded and depleted lands and alternatives to slash-and-burn agriculture;

5. Policy, Adoption and Impact Analysis - examining the implications of policy development, the constraints to technology adoption, the impact of improved technologies, and providing feedback to improve technology design..

Environmental Characterization and Analysis

The adoption and performance of new or improved agroforestry systems, and their beneficial environmental and socio-economic impact are in­fluenced by a wide spectrum of biophysical and socio-economic factors . The development, adaption and use of techniques which characterize, analyze and map environmental variables that impact on specific techno­logies are essential for three reasons. Firstly, they provide a logical frame­work for ex Ilnte impact analysis of the environmental benefits associated with mitigating deforestation and land depletion - particularly in terms of carbon fluxes to the atmosphere and the preservation of biological diversity. Secondly, they provide a framework for ex an te adoption analysis that will allow ICRAP to predict improvements to system productivity and their impact on the amelioration of rural poverty. Lastly, through the delineation and mapping of homogeneous response and recommendation domains, they assist in improving the targeting of research at ICRAF and its collaborating institutions. In addition, outputs provide essential infor­mation to decision-makers and land -use planners. As experience is gained, the research programme will be implemented at district, national, ecore­gional, and global levels.

Goal

To prOvide, through th characterization and mapping of environmental and soci~onomic variables, a framework for the ex ante analysis of environmental and socio-economic impact of agroforestry, and for im­proving the targeting of research.

Major thrusts

• Evaluating land resources, with a focus on defining response domains

• Socio-economic, ex ante evaluation of agroforestry systems

• Environmental consequences, with emphasis on carbon fluxes and conservation of biological diversi ty.

Multipurpose Tree Improvement and Management

The basis of most systems that use low levels of p urchased inputs is the plant's adaptation to the biophysical constraints of marginal land-use sys tems. nus is as true in agroforestry woody germplasm as it is in annual crop, pasture or livestock germplasm. Woody germplasm will be selected according to its tolerance to constraints such as soil acidity, drought, low nutrient availability, salinity, and major pests and diseases. Selected germ­plasm that combines tolerance to such constraints with a capaci ty t.) produce sustainable yields of food, fruit, fodder, fuel wood, building ma-

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terials, medicines, or mulch is the key to a successful agroforestry system . There is also a major need to identify species suitab le for economically improved fallows as an alternative to shifting cultivation, or as a source of m ulch or ground cover to p rotect steep slopes from erosion.

To encompass the m ultiple products and selVices that trees can provide, breedlng programmes aimed at improving trees for agroforestry need radically different objectives, criteria, and methods from the traditional breeding programmes of plantation forestry.

Goal Through selection, conservation, evaluation and m anagement, identify and improve multipurpose tree species and provenances that have the proven p otential to enhance the p roductivity, p rofitabili ty, diversity and sustainability of small-scale farms in priority land-use systems.

Major thrusts Selection:

• Collection of seed and associated root symbionts, subject to strict adherence to quarantine regulations

• Conservation of germplasm - long-term storage capacity

• An accompanying rhizobium bank for legume species.

• Seed and vegetative propagation studies, including tissue culture

• Maintenance of a database holding details of valuable species.

Evaluation: • Determination of selection objectives (deep rooting, aluminium

tolerance, canopy structure, etc.)

• Eval uation of promising species and p rovenances for specific agro­ecological zones

• Breeding for desired traits in a few priority species for specific agro-ecological zones.

Management: • Tree phenology

• Spacing patterns and biomass p roduction

• Coppicing and responses to pruning.

In collaboration with other institu tions currently involved in agrofore­stry germ plasm collections, ICRAF will develop and maintain an :MPT Germplasm Centre at its Headquarters. The Centre w ill serve the role that similar tmits play for crop or pasture species at other interna tional centres.

Component Interactions Agroforestry is one of the most complicated scientific challenges in the CGLAR system today. Central to this challenge is the need to learn how to grow annual crops with trees in a way that minimizes the inevitable competition for light, w ater and nutrients so as to sustain food prod uction without degrading the environment.

There is limited fundamental understanding about how such inter­actions occur at the process level, and how best to manipulate them using adapted germplasm and agronomic or silvicultural management tech-

A key question ... how to minimize competition while sustaining food production without degrading the environment.

... the way ahead

niques. Furthermore, agroforestry systems need time to get established and to exercise cardinal functions such as nutrient cycling and soil conser­vation. This programme, working at key locations in humid, sub-humid and semi-arid agro-ecological zones will develop a predictive under­standing of the major interactive processes between trees and crops and / or animals that is necessary for the extrapolation of agroforestry technologies within and between ecoregions.

Goal

To contribute to sustainable increases in the output of agroforestry systems by understanding and enhancing the biophysical interactions between system components, hence increasing the viability and predictabili ty of management options available to resource-poor farmers.

Major thrusts

• Above- and below-ground competition for light, water and nu­trients

• Nutrient cycling and soil fertility enhancement

• Management of organic and inorganic inputs

• Control of soil erosion on sloping lands

• Integrated pest management

• Uvestoc.k feeding systems using fodder trees and forages

• Analysis of mulch and fodder quality

• Modelling component interactions.

Systems Improvement

Research within this programme is long term and will be conducted by multidisciplinary teams of scientists in many countries, a range of loca­tions, and across the three principal agro-ecological zones to which ICRAF gives priority. They will monitor soil and vegetation dynamics, economic production, emission of greenhouse gases, biomass and nutrient balance, and socio-economic implications. Much of this work will take place within the framework of lCRAP's collaborative research networks and therefore, with strong participation from farmers.

The priorities and research agenda of this work are determined through careful analysis of the problems and opportunities that farmers experience in priority land-use systems in major ecoregions. They draw upon the output of specific germplasm improvement and component interaction research. The work centres around the improvement of existing agrofore­shy technologies (or the development of new ones) and is linked to the study of a range of tree, crop, and animal management strategies. The systems currently investigated address the major alternatives to slash-and­btnn agriculture, the reclamation of abandoned lands in the humid tropics, and land depletion in the savanna, woodland and agro-silvopastoral systems of the sub-humid and semi-arid tropics.

Goal

To monitor and evaluate the long term biophysical, ecological, and socio~ economic dynamics of alternative management strategies using both tradi-

17

ICRAF. ..

18

tional and new agroforestry technologies that have the p otential to increase benefits to resotll"Ce-poor fanners and to alleviate their poverty whilst arresting the global till'eats of deforestation and land depletion.

Major thrusts

Agmforesrry alternatives to slash-and-burn in the humid tropics · Production systems that combine crops grow n using low levels of

purchased inpu ts w ith under-utilized frui t trees and o ther MPTs.

• Mul ti-strata systems and home gar dens

Economically managed fallows

Silvopastoral systems (where grazing is important)

• Live fences (in all systems)

· Weed suppression.

Reclamation of abandoned lands tluough agroforestry • Alang-alang areas in Southeast Asia and Madagascar

· 0 graded pastures in the Amazon

· .Weed sup pression.

Overcoming land d epletion in sub-humid savannas and w oodlands Improved fallows

Fodder hedges

· Hedgerow intl'rcropping

Upper-storey trees on banana systems

· Trees on boundaries

Indigenous fruit production systems.

O vercoming land depletion in the semi-arid tropics · Management and improvement of I parklands,

• Live fencing for p rotecting crops from livestock

• Soil and water conservation through windbreaks and contour planting

Improved nutrition of livestock with the aid of fodder banks.

Policy, Adoption and Impact Analysis

The p rocess of adoption and conseq uent impact of agroforestry is in­fluenced by a hierarchy of factors including government policies, institu­tional support and services, organization al and information linkages among researchers, extensionists, and farmers, biophysical and socio­economic potentials and constraints faced by fanners, and n ot least, the appropriateness and performance of technologies when lu.sed by fanners. Unless these factors are understood and the incen tives and constraints identified, well designed and targeted agroforestry technologies will n ot achieve their desired goal of socio-economic and environmental impact.

The research agenda in this programme is teclmology dtiven The choice of technology and research problem is based upon criteria such as house­hold priorities (including women's), the state of scientific and practical knowledge, the potential for successful adoption and impact on a larger

Can low - resource households adopt? Why? Why not?

.. . the way ahead

scale, and complementarity with work on experimental stations. Although lacation-specific factors are cenb'al to this research, comparative analysis and synthesis have a strong influence on the design of the research projects and their outputs.

The results of this programme will benefi t: rural households (through improved nutrition,. cash income, provision of subsistence materials, capi­tal formation, and well-being); researchers (through im proved research priorities, allocation of resources, m nitoring and evaluation of research results); extensionists and trainers (tlu'ough improved choice of techno­logies, recommendation domains, training of technology users, moni tor­ing and evaluation of adoption); and policy makers and donors (through enacting more relevant policies, market incentives, institutional reforms and coordination, and R&D support.)

Goal

To enhance the adoption and beneficial impact of agroforestry systems through an understanding of household, community and govenunent decision-making, technology adaptation and adoption dynamics, incen­tives and consb'aints, dissemination of information, formation of more efficient research and development infrastructures, and the formulation of more effective support policies.

lhis research will be implemented jointly with national institutions through the programmes associated with the major ecoregions.

Major thrusts

Policy Issues: • Land and tree tenUJ'e

• Infrastructure and services (e.g. processing and marketing)

• Economic and trade policies

• Environmental policies

• Institu Lionalization of agrolorestry research & development

• Export of high value/low volume products.

Adoption and Impact Issues: • Adoption dynamics and constraints

· Socio-economic impacts: nutrition, income, value-added activities

• Impact of gender issues and its implications

• Impact on food & fibre production

• Impact on land resource depletion

· Impact on deforestation

Impact on biological diversity and climate change.

ICRAF's policy research w ill be carried out in collaboration with national institutes proVided they h ave requested help with identifying policy re­quirements and constraints to successful agroforestry systems.

19

ICRAF ...

Dissentination progranunes

Because agroforestry ;s a new field, the shortage of trained personnel is more acute than in established disciplines.

20

A s an international institution. ICRAF plays a significant role in the collection, analysis, processing and dissemination of information on

research results and methods. Four major programmes are devoted to dissemination: Training, Education,. Information and Documentation. and Communications. Experience has shown that one of the more severe limitations to the establishment of agroforestry research and development programmes in developing cOWltries is a dearth of personnel with the knowledge and skills to integrate the various disciplines required in planning, researching and managing agroforestry developments. Because agroforestry is a new field, the shortage of trained personnel is more acute than in established disciplines such as agriculture and forestry. Thus, all four programmes reflect ICRAF's commitment to strengthen the capacity of national research systems to deal with agroforestry as a multidiscipli­nary systems approach to land use. In addition, collaboration with inter­national agricultural and forestry research centres, regional and national educational institutions, and national research systems will be em.phas­ized.

Training

Az. ICRAF's agroforestry research programmes continue to generate new results that contribute to the global pool of agrofol'estry knowledge. ICRAP's training programme contributes to the world-wide dissemination of information generated by ICRAF and others.

The specific needB for agroforestry training remain apparent at all levels within national agricultural and forestry research and development sys­tems. As an international research centre, the main audience for ICRAF

training programmes are scientists and development specialists. However, training programmes tailored to different audiences, e.g. field technicians, extension agents, and male and female farmers, are organised as needs arise in collaborative programmes.

Goal

To enhance the skills and knowledge of agroforestry scientists and others so that they can cliagnose land-use problems and constraints and design and implement agroforestry resean:h projects leading to the development of systems and technologies that are suited to local conditions and are adoptable by farmers.

Major thrusts

• Training courses on Agroforestry Research for Development for researchers and development planners

• Specialized courses and workshops for scientists and field techni­cians

.. . the way ahead

• Individual training (for example, postgraduate student research)

• Teaching materials.

Education

The development and clissemination of agroforestry technologies as p ro­ductive and sustainable alternative land-use systems are constrained by the lack of people w ith the skills and knowledge needed to carry out research in agroforesrry and to promote it. Global surveys and worksh ops cond ucted in Africa have revealed that, although agroforestry is gradually being incorporated into the curricula of universities and technical colleges, there is a need to: clarify concepts and approaches; look at institutional structures which do not easily accommodate m ultidisciplinary pro­grammes; update the skills of academic and research staff, (particularly in the fields of research methods and their ability to access relevant informa­tion); and develop teaching and resource materials to support teaching and research programmes.

Goal

To strengthen the capacity of universities and technical colleges to teach agroforestry at the postgraduate, undergraduate, diploma and certificate levels.

Major thrusts

• Development and testing of m odel curricula for agroforesrry courses at technical, undergraduate and postgraduate levels

· Coordination of exchange of information, and academic staff be­tween colleges and universi ties in Africa through the African Network for Agroforestry Education (ANAFE) - to be extended to other continents in the future

• Inventory of existing teaching materials and support to the devel­opment and production of teaching aids by national educational ins ti tutions

• Establishing links between educational institutions and the APR£­

NA research projects

• Organizing refresher courses for teachers who are teaching agro­forestry.

Information and Documentation

Relevant and timely information is a vital p rerequisite for planning and implemen t ing effective agroforestry research and development pro­grammes. Much of this information is not readily available and the audi­ences for it are highly diverse. For these reasons, ICRAF has developed a system to identify, collect, process and disseminate information relevant to agroforestry on a global basis. ICRAF also has a special role in assisting national institutions improve theiI agroforestry infonnation handling ca­pabilities. Because of its global mission and strong linkages with major international providers of agricultural information such as CAB Interna­tional, AGRIS and AGRICOLA, lCRAF has a comparative advantage to serve as a clearing-house for agroforestry information. Emphasis will be

21

ICRAF. ..

ICRAFhasa comparative advantage to serve as a clearing­house for agroforestry information.

22

given to increasing the information base written in Spanish, Portuguese and FIalch.

Goal

To contribute to global agroforestry research and development through the identification, acquisition, analysis and dissemination of relevant in­formation.

Major thrusts

• Develop and maintain databases of agrofol'estry information. both bibliographic and factual from literature sources, external data­bases and other sources.

• Selective dissemination of information based on individual profiles, literature searches, production of specialized bibliog­raphies and reviews, and bi-monthly accession lists.

• Strengthen the capacities of national institutions to access and disseminate agroforestry information through the provision of training and advice.

• Co-publication of Agroforestry Abstracts with CAB International and distribution to researchers and libraries throughout the de­veloping world .

· Co-publication of Agroforestry Systems with Kluwer Academic Publishers and sponsorship of free subscriptions to agroforestry institutions in developing countries.

• Provision of document delivery services.

Communications

The Communications Programme helps ensure that the results of agrofore­stry research and development work. along with general information about ICRAF, reach appropriate target audiences. In addition to a broad global audience, specific audiences for ICRAF's Communications Pro­gramme include researchers, development specialists and policy makers, trainers, educators and extensionists. ICRAF publishes material for these audiences independently, co-publishes material with other organizations, and prepares material for publication by others.

Goal

To contribute to ~groforestry research and development through the pub­lication and dissemination of relevant information.

Major thrusts

• Production and distribution of ICRAF's primary publications such as Agroforestty Today; the Annual Report; monographs, anno­tated bibliographies and conference proceedings; training materi­als; working papers and AFRENA reports; promotional material; news releases and audiovisuals

• During the 1990s, there will be an effort to co-publish titles in Spanish and to increase the number appearing in French.

... the way ahead

hnpletnentation and irrtpact

Programme Structure

IeMF's programmes will be s tructured in a matrix format with glob al activities and those within respedive agro-ecological zones and ecoregions on the horizontal axis and the programme thrusts (Research and Dissemi­nation) on the vertical axis. Networks (as described below) can be on ei ther axis (on the basis of an agro-ecological zone or ecoregion, or on a pro­gramme thrust cutting across them).

AGRO-ECOLOGICAL HUMID TROPICS SUB-HUMID SEMI-ARID GLOBAL

~ TROPICS TROPICS

Eastern/ PROGRAMMES West Latin Asia Southern Central West Head-

Africa Amenc. Africa Africa Africa quarters

RESEARCH 1. Environmental characterization

and Analysis

2. MPT Improvement & Management

3. Component Interaction

4. Systems Evaluation

5. Policy Adoption and Impact

DlSSEMINA TlON 6. Training

7. Education

8. Information/Documentation

g, Communication

Modes of Operation

ICRAF will u se three main operational modalities to implement its pro­grammes: activities at Headquarters, networks (thematic and agro-eco­logical), and ecoregional mechanisms.

Activities at Headquarters

ICRAF Headquarters will 8eIVe as a focal point for ICRAF's activities in research and dissemination that have a global focus. These will include such things as the synthesis of p rocess-oriented research carried out at multiple locations; the development of standardized research methodo-

23

ICRAF ...

24

logies; the maintenance of the central library and information databases; and the development of an MPT germ plasm centre.

Networks

Research and dissemination networks will continue to be an important mechanism for conducting ICRAFs work on priority issues within and

. across agro-ecological zones. . The focus of thematic networks will generally reflect programme thrusts

across ecoregions (continental regions delineated by one ecosystem) and agro-ecological zones. They will tie togetherwork being undertaken on a common theme such as the development of alteznatives to slash-and-bum agriculture; the screening of specific tv1PTs; and the development of edu­cational networks like ANAFE (the African Network for Agroforestry Education).

The focus of agro-ecological research networks will be on generating appropriate technologies for priority ecoregional and land-use systems, and strengthening the capacity of national institutions to plan and imple­ment agroforestry research. Four such networks - the Agroforestry Re­search Networks for NOca (AFRENAs) - have been established in sub-saharan Africa.:

• Southern Africa - The sub-humid unimodal rainfall plateau of southern Africa, including Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zim­babwe.

• Eastern and Central Africa - The sub-humid bimodal highlands of East and Central Africa, in Burundi, Ethiopia. Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.

• SALWA - Th.esemi-arid lowlands of West Africain Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Senegal.

• HULWA - The humid lowlands of West Africa in Cameroon and Ghana

Similar networks will develop in Latin America and Asia. and will omplement existing agroforestry efforts. ICRAF will promote exchange of

germplasm, technologies, and ideas through workshops and other dis­semination techniques from one region to the other.

In Latin America, ICRAF will focus, initially, on the humid zone of the Amazon basin in Brazil and Peru, and in south-east Mexico where the remaining tropical forest is threatened with imminent extinction In colla­boration with CATIE, ICRAF plans to develop a special support programme that focuses on germplasm, component interaction, and training and information

In Asia.ICRAFwilllimit its activities, at least initially, to the humid zone, again with a focus on two major areas: the equatorial rainforest in Indone­sia, and the hillsides of Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia, developing alteznatives to slash-and-burn agriculture which has been a major factor in the progressive destruction of these resources.

Ecoregional Mechanism

Because ICRAP has the global responsibility for agroforestry research and disse.m.ination within the CGIAR system, it will serve as the institution that provides the essential ovetview and reference point for all international agroforestry activities. Howeve~ different institutions will become the focal point for specific ecoregions. For the area that embraces the sub­humid ecoregion of the highlands of Eastern and Central Africa it is logical

ICRAFfully supports an integrated approach to land-use research within the CGIAR system.

... the way ahead

that ICRAF, in addition to its global role, will serve as an ecoregional mechanism.

The Eastern and Central African Highlands is a high potential zone. However, it is clear that with dramatically increasing demographic press­ure, the need to develop sustainable land-use practices is paramount. ICRAF has its headquarters in the zone and has established a major agro­forestry network there. ICRAF plans to establish a s trategic research pro­gramme for the zone and will develop its role in the existing AFRENA Network into a mechanism centred on it.

The overall goal of the ecoregional mechanism will be to contribute to the generation of appropriate technologies for improved management, productivity and sustainability of land-use systems. It is envisaged that the role and responsibility of ICRAF would be to work in partnership with national and international institutions working in the region, in order to:

• undertake strategic research on the sustainable use and manage­ment of natural resources of the highlands of Eastern and Central Africa

• plan and implement relevant research programmes whose focus is the generation of agroforestry technologies

• strengthen national programmes by acting as a catalyst of research, training and information activities.

By sharing resources between international centres, and in partnership with national programmes, a more coherent and consistent approach to the generation of crop, livestock,. and agroforestry technologies suitable for the ecoregion can be developed . Expansion of this approach into Southern Africa (with a focus on the Southern African plateau) is envi­sioned for the future.

Institutional Collaboration

One of ICRAF' 8 operating principles is to undertake research and dissemi­nation activities in a collaborative mode. ICRAF s main institutional part­ners can be cla.ssified as follows:

• National research systems (which encompass national agriculture and forestry research institutions), universities, development or­ganizations, extension agencies, and NGOs.

• Regional agricultural and forestry research organizations, which in some cases may be responsible for implementing regional re­search programmes and in other cases coordinating and facilitat­ing regional research programmes. Examples include CATIE, CILSS/INSAH, nCA, IRAZ, and SACCAR

• Other advanced research institutions in both developed and de­veloping countries where ICRAF collaborates or contracts the ex­pertise of the institute on a task oriented basis. Examples of these institutions with whom ICRAF is cwrently collaborating are: the Land TenW"e Centre of the University of Wisconsin (land and tree tenure), Reading University (soil fertility and agroforestry sys­tems), the International Fertilizer Development Center (plant nu­trition), Tropical Soils Biology and Fertility Programme (nutrient cycling in agroforestry), the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology (root symbionts of 'MPTs), CAB! and ICIPE (insect pests of MPTs), Oregon State University (germplasm improvement in the humid lowlands of Africa), the Semi-Arid Food Grain Research and De-

25

ICRAF ...

26

velopment network (networking), North Carolina State University (tropical soils research), Oxford Forestry Institute, CTFf in France, DANIDA Tree Seed Centre, and CSIRO (germplasm), NIFT AL (legume rhizobia), and CABI, cr A (information).

o International Centres of the CGlAR Examples of ongoing collabor­ation include joint programmes with OAT, CIP, CIMMYT, ICRI­SAT, IFPRI, lIT A, IPGRI, ISNAR, and ILCA.

Relationship with CIFOR Collaboration with OFOR is mentioned throughout this document, but

it seems appropriate to provide a summary at this point. ICRAF fully supports the concept of an integrated approach to land-use research. including forestry and agroforestry within fue CGIAR system. ICRAP's Board is on record as supporting ICRAF' 5 world-wide role in agroforestry and CIFOR's in forestry.

The main operational distinction is that ICRAF will work with trees in relation to crops and/ or livestock while OFOR will work on natural forest management, reforestation and the improvement of timber species for smallholders and public sector forestry. There will, of course, still be areas of common interest - in some tree species as well as in policy issues. ICRAF considers these areas as opportunities for joint work

The Otairman of ICRAF's Board of Trustees will seIVe on the CIFOR Board, while the Chairman of OFOR will seIVe on ICRAF's Board. lbis interlocking Board membership will facilitate fue operational integration of forestry and agroforestry in the CGlAR system.

ICRAP's Coordinator for Asia will have the responsibility to develop ICRA.F' s agroforestry research programme in that region's humid zone by complementing, whenever possible, ongoing initiatives at ClFOR To facili­tate this process, ICRAF would like to base the Coordinator at CIFOR. Similarly, IrnAF invites CIFOR to base its scientists who will be working in Africa at ICRAF and/ or relevant AFRFNA sjtes.

Capital Development In order to implement its strategic research mandate, ICRAF will develop the necessary facilities to supplement fue existing building at Gigiri, Nairobi. After considering a series of options the most promising is to build additional facilities on the same site which will be expanded with addi­tionalland to be obtained from the Government of Kenya. 1bree major kinds of facilities are envisioned:

o A labon.tory complex, composed of routine soil and plant analysis laboratories, and laboratories for research on soil physics, soil fertility, microbiology, plant physjology, pathology, entomology, forage quality and wood quality; facilities for geographic informa­tion systems; offices for senior and junior scientists; and teaching lalx>ratories and conference rooms.

o A germplasm cenire, to store, multiply and distribute seed, rhizo­bia or vegetative material of improved multipurpose agroforestry species and accessions to collaborators world-wide. This facility will include shadehouses, seed handling and quarantine areas, tissue culture and wood quality laboratories, database manage-

Increases are needed to implement ICRAF's global responsibility and to strengthen research capacity in key programmes.

... the way ahead

ment facilities, training rooms, offices for senior and junior staff, and a conference rooD\.

• A training cen tre, w ith lecture rooms; facilities fo r graphics, audio­visual and desktop p ublishing; offices, cafeteria, board room and a dormitOIY for 50 trainees.

Coupled with the necessary maintenance and infrastructure faci li ties and landscaping, the building programme will total approximately 6000 sq. m of finished space at an estimated cost in the order of US$5L{i million. A prop osal for a separate capital development programme has been developed.

Resource Deployment and Needs

The h uman and operational resources needed to implement ICRAF's strate­gy are described in terms of internationally recruited core senior staff positions for the period 1992-2000 with 1992 as the base year. These are graphically depicted in Figures 1 to 6. (Staffing levels beyond 1997 should be considered as speculative). In addition, the ICRAF staff complement will include visiting scientists, post doctoral fellows, seconded scientists, na­tional professionals and support staff.

1. HUMAN RESOURCES BY DI VISIONS

SENIOR STAFF POSITIONS 90 ~---------=~~~rnrn~~rnrn~~~~~======~

80

70

60

50 11 'III '

II I "II

40 ,III "II I

30 III

20

10

o tt·· ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~=

1992 1993 199 4 19 96 1996 YEAR

1997 1998 1999 2000

Total requirements (Figure 1) indicate an overall increase from 50 posi­tions in 1992 to 89 positions in 1995. The bulk of these increases is planned to take place in 1993 and 1994. Therefore, 1995 can be considered as the point of full implementation. The requirements are analyzed from several perspectives.

Research Programmes

Most of the staff increases are in the Research Division, which increases from 33 senior scientists in 1992 to 61 in 1995. Part of these increases are due to implementing ICRAF s global responsibility in Asia and Latin

27

ICRAF ...

28

America (13 positions) and 11 positions to strengthen strategic research at Headquarters.

The breakdown of positions by research programmes is shown in Figure 2, below. The restructured Programme 1 - Environmental Charac­terization and Analysis - will grow to a maximum size of three positions, all at Headquarters (agro-ecologist, land resource specialist and econo­mist). The MPT GeID\plasm Programme - Programme 2 - will grow from the current seven positions in 1991 to U in 1995. At Headquarters, the positions are coordinator, plant explorer, germ plasm centre manager, data base specialist and biotec.hnologists. Seven silviculturalist positions are outposted.

Programme 3 - Component Interactions - will increase from a 1992 total of seven scientists to 17 in 1994. Eight positions are at Headquarters: coordinator, soil fertility, soil conservation, plant physiologist, ecologist, integrated pest management, soil microbiologist and animal scientist. Nine additional positions, involved primarily in nutrient cycling, are outposted.

The new Programme 4 - Systems Improvement - brings together the results of Programmes 1 through 3, at the systems level. The programme w ill increase from seven people in 1992 to 12 in 1995. Only the coordinator will be at Headquarters. This person will have a long-term experience in practical agroforestry systems, plus a strong modelling background. An agroforestry specialist will be outposted in areas tackling the issues of land depletion a.T\d deforestation.

Programme 5 - Policy, Adoption and Impact Analysis - will double its size from five scientists to ten.in 1995. Four will be at Headquarters, including the coordinator, an economist, a policy scientist and an anthro­pologist. Outposted scientists will be stationed in six other countries.

Research support includes the Division Director and two biometrkians at Headquarters and the outposted coordinators of the Southern Africa. Eastern Africa, HULWA and SALWAAFRENAs, plus one for Latin America and one for Asia.

2. RESEARCH PROGRAMMES

SENIOR STAFF POSITIONS 7 0 ,----------------------------------------------------,

60

50

40

30

20

10

o 1992 1993 199. 1996 1996

YEAR 1997 1998 1999 2000

.. .the way ahead

Dissemination Programmes

'The Training and Information Division will double its size from seven senior staff positions in 1992 to 17 in 1996 (Figure 3, below). The increases are partially due to developing a Spanish capability in the Training, Information and Documentation, and CommWlications Programmes (three positions); in absorbing education positions presently under com­plementary funding (two); for strengthening editorial capacity; and to provide two liaison scientists, one for Latin America based at CATIE and one for Asia at CIFOR.

3. DISSEMINATION PROGRAMMES

SENIOR STAFF POSITIONS 20 ,---------------------------------------- ----------,

15

10

5

o t.:,:. ~....:.:.:.:._.L __ ____""'_=

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 YEAR

1997

Administration and Senior Management

1998 1999 2000

Growth in the Finance and Administration Division is restricted to a capital assets manager to oversee the maintenance of the physical plant. Signifi­cant gro~ however, will take place at the nationally recruited staff level to provide appropriate administrative support to an expanded centre. Growth in the Director Generals' office is limited to an internal auditor.

Balance The balance of senior staff allocated between divisions is shown below in percentage terms:

1992 1995 2000

Research 66% 69% 66%

Training Infonnation 14 17 20

Finance and Administration 12 8 8

Management QX;'s Office) 8 6 6

TIle balance in the deployment of senior staff is relatively constant with some decreases in administrative support. Such decreases, however, do not reflect projected increases in nationally recruited staff for the Finance

29

ICRAF ...

30

and Administration Division. Staff involved in the overall management of ICRAF is approximately 20% of the total. This figure includes the staff of Finance and Administration, senior management, plus the Directors of Research and Dissemination Divisions.

Geographical Distribution

ICRAF will continue its policy of being a substantially decentralized oper­ation. In 1992, 40 % of its senior staff will be outposted. This will increase to 43 % in 1995. This ratio inel udes senior administrative staff at H eadquar­ters. In absolute terms total outposted staff will double from 20 in 1992 to 39 in 1995. The trend is shown in Figure 4.

4. HEADQUARTERS AND OUTPOSTED

SENIOR STAFF POSITIONS 90

80

70

6 0

50

40

3 0

20 HEADQUARTERS '

10

o ~· --·--~~~=-~~=-~~~~--~~~~~~~~~--~~

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 YEAR

1998 1999 2000

Total outposted staff will peak in 1995, with 22 in Africa, nine in Latin America and eight in Asia (Figure 5). The 22 scientists in Africa are split into the four AFRENAs as follows: Southern Africa - nine, Eastern Africa - five, Semi-arid Lowlands of West Africa (SALWA) - five, and Humid Lowlands of West Africa (HULWA) - three. Scientists in the two oldest AFRENAs, (Southern and Eastern Africa) will be redeployed into one com­mon site in order to create a critical mass and to focus on strategic research. The same is plarmed for HULWA, where all its scientists will be stationed in Cameroon . It is envisioned that redeployment will also occur in SALWA after is has been operating for five years.

A similar strategy for Latin America and Asia is contemplated, wi th a total of thee scientists in the Amazon of Brazil and two in the Amazon of Peru. A short-term position is envisioned for Southern Mexico and liaison positions at CATIE. In Asia, four positions will be in Indonesia and three in Thailand, Indonesia and The Philippines.

The overall strategy to overcome land depletion will focus on the Southern Africa, East Africa and SALWA AFRENAS, with a total of 19 outposted senior staff in 1995 (Figure 6). The overall deforestation reduc­tion strategy will focus on HULWA, Latin America and Asia with 20 senior staff by 1995. 'This latter programme will be closely related to the global "Alternatives to Slash-and-Bum" project which ICRAF is developing

· .. the way ahead

together with other international and national institutions. Therefore, a balance exists between the two major thrusts of ICRAF's main pwpose, to mitigate tropical deforestation,. land depletion and rural poverty through improved agroforestry systems.

5. BY CONTINENT

SENIOR STAFF POSITIONS 40~-----------------------------------------------,

3 0

20

10

1993 1994 1996 1996 YEAR

1997 1998

6. BY ECOLOGICAL REGION

SENIOR STAFF POSITIONS

1999 2000

40 ~-----------------------------------------------,

30

20

10

0 ~l±2L£522ill2Z2±k23BiliililliZ±

1992 1993 1994 1996 1996 1997 YEAR

1998 1999 2000

31

ICRAF. ..

In the long-term, the real measure of ICRAF's impact is its contribution to mitigating tropical deforestation, land depletion, and rural poverty.

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Monitoring and Evaluating Impact ICRAF has internal monitoring and review mechanisms that ensure con­tinuous improvements are made to the Centre' s operational strategy, and to the integrated management and performance of its research and dis­semination programmes. These mechanisms consist of ecoregional plan­ning meetings, annual programme reviews, mid-term and final reviews of donor-funded projects, and quinquennial programme and management reviews. (Regular, independent peer review of components of the Centre's work is central to these mechanisms).

In addition, ICRAF is developing monitoring and evaluation procedures that will enable the Centre to quantify the impact of its work.

Medium Term

In the medium term, the impact of ICRAF's research and dissemination programmes, albeit not independent of the efforts of other institutions, could be evaluated in terms of two major complementary criteria using appropriate indicators such as:

1. Producing valuable research results which enhance the science and the practice of agroforestry, through:

• Demonstration of the development of agroforestry technologies which improve productivity, sustainability and equity in tradi­tional farming systems, on sites involving ICRAF scientists

• Formulation of extension messages using ICRAF results

• Number and type of and user demand for ICRAF's peer-reviewed publications produced.

2. Strengthening national scientific capacity to coordinate, plan. implement and evaluate agroforestry research for development as assessed by:

• The presence of national agroforestry strategy and coordinating mechanisms

• Budget allocations for agroforestry from national and external sources

• Number and type of institutions and projects involved in agrofore­stry research, extension and education

• Number and level of professionals trained and working on agro­forestry

• Publications

Long Term In the long term, ICRAF's success or failure will hinge on whether it has

achieved its goal - the generation and dissemination of technologies for resource-poor farmers and other land users. But the implicit axiom of this goal is that ICRAF's most important partners - rural households - will use these technologies. Therefore, understanding the key factors, causes or constraints explaining the degree of successful adoption must also be an integral aspect of ICRAF's impact analysis.

As a corollary to this process, ICRAF anticipates that when its research is transformed into adoptable technologies, there will be significant oppor­tunities for numerous groups such as development agencies, invesbnent

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banks, and individuals in the private sector. This external investment will be needed to facilitate technology adoption.

For ultimately, the real indicators of ICRAF's impact will be the level or adoption of agroforestry technologies and their concomitant positive con­tributions to the global environment and to hwnan welfare. At the macro level, agroforestry technologies must have contributed to the mitigation of tropical deforestation and land depletion At the level of poor rural households, ICRAF's impact should be judged not just on its contribution to improved food security, equity, and incremental imp rovements to household income, but on whether, as a result of agro fo res try technologies, the rural poor face major changes to their prospects for the future and the future of their children. There should be clear signs that these technologies have helped them break free of the poverty cycle.

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ICRAF ....

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List of acronyms AGRICOLA

AGRlS

AFRENA

ANAFE

CABI CATIE

CGlAR

OAT

CIFOR

CIl.SS

OMMYT OP

CillO

CTA

CfFf DANIDA EMBRAPA FAO

HULWA

lCAR lOPE

ICRISAT

IFDC IFPRI JGBP

ITCA IlTA ILCA INIBAP

INSAH IPGRI

Database of th~ National Agricultural Library (Beltsville, Maryland, USA)' . .

Intematioria1 Information System for the Agricultural Sciences and Technology (Rome, Italy) Agroforestry Research Networks for Africa (coordinated by JCRAF) African Network for Agroforestry Education (coordinated by ICRAF)

CAB-Intemational (Wallingford, U.K.) Centro Agron6mico Tropical de Investigaci6n y Ensefianza (Tropical Agricultural Research and Training Centre, Costa Rica) Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (Washington, DC, USA) Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (International Centre for Tropical Agriculture, Cali, Columbia) Centre for International Forest Research (proposed name of new centre) Comite permanent inter-Etats de lutte contre 1a secheresse dans Ie Sahel (Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso) Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Ma1z y Trigo (Mexico) Centro Intemacional de 1a Papa (International Potato Institute, Lima, Peru) Commonwealth Scientifica and Industrial Research Organisation (Canberra, Australia) Technical Centre (or Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (Brussels, Belgium)

Centre technique forestier tropical (Nogent-sur-Marne, France) Danish International Development Agency Empressa Brasileira de Persquisa Agropecuaria (Brazil) Food and Agricultural Organi2ation of the United Nations, (Rome, Italy) Humid Lowlands of West Africa (one of ICRAFs AFRENA

networks) Indian Council of Agricultural Research (New Delhi, India) International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, (Nairobi, Kenya) International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (Andhra Pradesh, India) International Fertilizer Development Center (Alabama, U.S.A) International Food Policy Research Institute (Washington, U.s.A.) International Geosphere-Biosphere Program (Secretariat in Stockholm, Sweden) Programa Nac.ional de lrrigacao (Brazil) International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (Ibadan, Nigeria) International Livestock Center for Africa (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain (Montpellier, France) Institut du Sahel (Bamako, Mali) International Plant Genetic Resources Institute

IRAZ

ISNAR

NGO NIFTAL SACCAR

SALWA

SAFGRAD

TAC 1SBF

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Institut de recherche agronomique et zootechnique (Citega, Burundi) International Service for National Agricultural Research (The Hague, The Netherlands) Non-governmental organization Nitrogen Fixation by Tropical Legumes (U.S.A) Southern African Centre for Coopera tion in Agricultural Research (Gaborone, Botswana) Semi-arid Lowlands of West Africa (one of ICRAF s A FRENA

networks) Semi-arid Food Grain Research and Development (Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso) Technical Advisory Committee, CGrAR (Rome, Italy) Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility programme (Nairobi, Kenya)

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