Cover slide Thank you Madam Chair. It is a pleasure to be a part of - PDF document

Cover slide Thank you Madam Chair. It is a pleasure to be a part of this session on new trends in agricultural research, and to follow such an esteemed speaker – The Honorable Dr Adesina. Nigeria’s work on making cassava a key source of income for small-holder farmers is very consistent with some of the themes of IDRC’s work in Africa. A project supported by the CIFSRF has helped Nigerian vegetable growers (particularly women) double their income – by growing under-utilized but marketable crops like celery and eggplant, improving post-harvest handling to preserve value, and organizing themselves into cooperatives to access credit and other types of support. This is one example among many of how Research can make a difference to the food security and livelihoods of smallholder farmers here in Africa and around the world. Indeed, I hope my contributions here will help convince you that more of the right kind of research in the right place is an essential element of ongoing efforts to unlock the potential for Africa to harness its agricultural potential to feed itself 1

Slide 1 HAWASSA What do I mean by the right kind of research in the right place? You will hear more later today about this example from nearby here in Ethiopia. Researchers from Hawassa university partnered with Canadians from the University of Saskatchewan (Dr Henry is here today) to test of state-of- the-art chickpea varieties By working with local partners in the value-chain, this research project did more than demonstrate how better yields of more nutritious crops could be achieved – it has resulted in sustained improved farmer income; improved child nutritional outcomes; and increased demand for the varieties has energized the local economy, with seed producers and distributors aiming to reach thousands more farmers in the future. Most agricultural R&D research and development programs tend to focus on promoting technologies for a limited number of key major crops (maize, cassava, rice, wheat) in high potential, bread basket areas. They have neglected “orphan crops” or minor crops in vulnerable low-medium potential areas. Although investing in large commercial crops is essential to tackle food security at a global level, it is insufficient. Millions of people in rural areas of Africa, and in particular women and the poor in Africa live in low-medium potential areas and rely on “orphan” or “neglected” crops for their daily sustenance. Orphan crops are composed of diverse set of minor crops like millets, sorghum, roots and tubers (cassava, sweet potatoes, ginger) indigenous vegetables and some legumes (cowpeas, bambara nuts) that tend to be locally important but receive little or no attention by mainstream research and extension; policy and donor support. We generally prefer to call them underutilized crops. They have the potential to diversify the farming systems, spread risks, contribute to food security, and provide income opportunities for the most vulnerable and women in particular. E.g. Re-introducing “under-utilized” pulse crops alongside existing high yield cereals to address micronutrient deficiencies (e.g. chickpeas in Ethiopia, g g p p g g g y f ( g p p , millets in India) starting from local existing practices Better soils, crops, and nutrition: In southern Ethiopia, improved chickpea varieties now provide up to 25% of farmers’ income and have exceeded yields of local varieties by 60–90%. Plant breeding and better soil management—including the application of zinc fertilizer—produced nutrient-rich grains with increased zinc and iron content. These more nutritious crops, combined with nutrition education, have already helped to increase children’s weight gain, a key indicator of nutrition. Local institutions joined forces to produce more seeds of the improved varieties and will distribute them to 30,000 farmers in the coming years. The project is good example of CIFSRF’s work on improved agriculture and nutrition (including ensuring that improved agricultural production actually leads to improved nutrition) and a good example of adding value to existing farming systems – (rather than replacing them). The approach is relatively simple : the introduction of improved crops and farming practices, combined with participatory methodologies and education. Working closely with farmers, researchers identified improved pulse varieties that can be double-cropped with existing high yield cereals. The combination of bio-fortification with appropriate soil micronutrient management led to the production of high quality, nutrient-rich grains, thereby enhancing nutrition for rural households. 2

Slide 2 Do we not have enough research on food security by now? The food crises in 2007-2008 prompted renewed action on what had been a long decline in Th f d i i 2007 2008 t d d ti h t h d b l d li i funding for agricultural development and research. More than 22 Billion USD in pledges were made by the G-8 in 2009 under the L’Aquila Food Security Initiative, supporting country-owned processes and plans like the CADPP. But the public sector alone , as Jean Lebel made clear in his remarks, cannot meet the challenge of global food security. Examples like the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition and Grow Africa are leading the charge to stimulate and leverage private sector investment in smallholder agricultural development. New Alliance has grown to 10 African countries, more than 160 companies, and more than $7 billion in planned investments, $970 million of which were implemented in 2013. African countries are leading the transformation of the sector, with market-oriented reforms like clarifying land title and policies for governing natural resources. AGRA leads exciting new y g p g g g initiative on improving availability and distribution of HQ seeds, the World Bank is supporting countries to conduct risk assessments for the agricultural sector and ADB is investing in agricultural infrastructure. Things are looking up. 3

Slide 2 Do we not have enough research on food security by now? The food crises in 2007-2008 prompted renewed action on what had been a long decline in Th f d i i 2007 2008 t d d ti h t h d b l d li i funding for agricultural development and research. More than 22 Billion USD in pledges were made by the G-8 in 2009 under the L’Aquila Food Security Initiative, supporting country-owned processes and plans like the CADPP. But the public sector alone , as Jean Lebel made clear in his remarks, cannot meet the challenge of global food security. Examples like the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition and Grow Africa are leading the charge to stimulate and leverage private sector investment in smallholder agricultural development. New Alliance has grown to 10 African countries, more than 160 companies, and more than $7 billion in planned investments, $970 million of which were implemented in 2013. African countries are leading the transformation of the sector, with market-oriented reforms like clarifying land title and policies for governing natural resources. AGRA leads exciting new y g p g g g initiative on improving availability and distribution of HQ seeds, the World Bank is supporting countries to conduct risk assessments for the agricultural sector and ADB is investing in agricultural infrastructure. Things are looking up. 4

SLIDE 3 There is Skepticism over the complex, process-oriented and anecdotal nature of development research Concerns that research projects take too long to show results , Fail to benefit many poor people and that projects remain “ islands of success ” within the local context So why do we still need attention to research ? There remain major gaps in understanding how to get new technologies, tools and innovations into the hands of poor or remote small-holders and pastoralists. We need more innovations and technologies , particularly outside the main-stream of agricultural development (secondary crops, small livestock, technologies suitable for women, for example). We still have a long way to go to ensure that all this important investment benefits w omen in farming households, and that increased productivity is translated into food security and improved nutrition and health . At least half of what is grown or produced is lost post-harvest – there are enormous gains to be made in reducing these. There remain challenges that are complex (combating livestock diseases) or that involve many other sectors (understanding the implications of climate change); Perhaps most critically, we still do not understand how innovations get taken up at scale . Figuring this out will greatly enhance the impact of investments in development going forward. So, what type of research will feed Africa and the World? What type of research do we need to feed the 1 billion undernourished and double production to feed the 9 billion people by 2050, and the 2 billion Africans by 2050? The answer to this question is complex, and we have learned from our 40 years of experience and current CIFSRF projects that there is no silver bullet or magic solutions. But we have also seen some examples to point us in the right direction. From our experience there is not a single type of research required to feed Africa but 4-5 different types of research: 1. High standard of scientific excellence that leads to the development of pro-poor products 2. Focusing on “on the ground”, practical solutions with farmers and other value chain actors 3. Research that reduces postharvest losses and increases labour productivity 4. Research that helps women and the poor to boost nutrition and create wealth 5. Research that builds partnerships and leaders of today and tomorrow. 5