Ki 1~I~ JfWW1 IL'L GROUP -ON- SiI 1 gu 3 RN I 1 M 1 a4 (el J o 1 | ItJ a M 9 :1: ""1 I VOLUME 2, NUMBER I 4' NEWS Ij April 1995 Ministers in Lucerne Develop Strategy for 23539 International Agricultural Research M k X rinisters of developed and ject poverty, D. _ Lr. Bal Rarn Jakhar, developing countries, heads manv of Indian Unon Minster of international develop- whom suffer _F-- --()li1iI ofAgriVkuhre and ment agencies representing from chronic , ((. / CGL4R Chaimnan the CGIAR membership and indepen- hunger. In or- _ . , . , i '" Ismail Serageldin in dent experts called for increased efforts der for agricul- Lucerne In support of in international agricultural research to tural research "aP. |ienationalagrial- alleviate the suffering of I billion people to address the 1 t b ral research India who are poor and hungry. In order to n.eeds of the increased its contribu- help meet global food demand that is poorest, inter- hton to the CGL4R by expected to double by 2025, the del- nationa.l coop- - - 50 percentand made egates urged scientists to intensify their eration needs -an add-iona one- efforts to increase farm productivity and to he intensi- tim contribiaon of conserve the environment. fied. Ihe - - US$ I iniuion. The two-day Ministerial-level meeting challenge is to of the CGIAR (February 9-10, 1995) pro(mote a adopted a Lucerne Declaration and Ac- people-cen- tion Program (see full text of the Pro- tere d sustain- gram on page 8 and 9) outlining the in- able development that helps feed the tium, supported by some 48 public and ternational community's strategy for agri- hunirv. reduces poverty, and safeguards private donors and jointly sponsored by cultural research aiming to break the vi- the environment. The Lucerne meeting the Food and Agriculture Organization cious circle of poverty, population his provided us with a framework for in- (FAO), the United Nations Development growth and environmental degradation tensilied international collaboration in Programme (UNDP), and the World affecting the world's poor. ai:ri,ultural research to promote sustain- Bank. The meeting invited the United In her opening address, Swiss Minister abile. agriculture for food security." Nations Environment Programme of the Interior, Ms. Ruth Dreifuss said "It TIhe members defined the CGIAR's (UNEP) to join the group of co-sponsors; is unacceptable that hundreds of millions mission as being to contribute, through the Executive Director of UNEP, Ms. of people, mainly women and children, its research, to promoting sustainable ag- Elizabeth Dowdeswell, accepted the invi- go hungry and lack the necessary calorie riculture for food security in developing tation. intake to carry out their daily tasks. It is countnes. In this respect, the meeting re- C6te d'lvoire, Egypt, Iran and Kenya equally unacceptable that, each day, our que ted the scientists in the CGIAR research joined the CGIAR at the Lucerne meet- generation's agricultural and industrial centers to address more forcefully intema- ing. Members hailed the broadening production destroy a little more of the tional issues of water scarcity, soil and nutrient membership as an important step to- environmental capital we have inherited." management, and aquatic resources. wards equitable North-South ownership Echoing similar sentiments, CGIAR The meeting endorsed a new orienta- of the system of 16 specialized interna- Chairman Ismail Serageldin said "It is a tion, governance and financing arrange- tional research centers located mostly in moral outrage that in a world of plenty, ments for the CGIAR, the world's largest one billion people continue to live in ab- international agricultural research consor- Continued on page 2 FILEC~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Cotne Fnpg In this issue I RESEXRCH HIGHLIGHTS 4I Ministers Meeting I SCientists Reap Wheat Crop at End Wheat-ICARDA 2 ri. Weeding with Weeds 3 Of DJ 1Summier in Northern Syria Agricultural Development, cientists at the International Cen- The idea of growing durum wheat in the Key to Growth 5 ter for Agricultural Research in summer is to select plants that are tolerant In the Line of Fire 5 the Dry Areas (ICARDA) have of the extreme heat: temperatures in ICW '94 6 just harvested a crop of durlm Aleppo in August peak at 42°C just as the wheat grown during the summer under plants are flowering. "During the first sum- South Asia's Rice-Wheat scorching heat, day temperatures above mer, we reaped nothing, but with irrigation Rotation 7 40°C and night temperature above 25°C. and breeding we now have a variety which Lucerne Declaration Durum wheat is a typical crop of the will not only grow, but yield 2 tons in the Mediterranean environment, traditionally summer." and Action Program 8-9 grown in winter for making pasta and lo- At the ICARDA farm, Nachit's durum Chickpeas Conquer the Cold 10 cal foods such as couscous, bourghul, wheat yield was the only one with a grow- World Plant Collection 12 frike and firm, flat breads. However, a ing crop throughout the summer. In early group of scientists led by CIMMYT/ trials, 700 mm of irrigation water was ap- The Blue Revolution 13 ICARDA wheatbreeder Dr. Miloudi plied during the 90-day summer crop A Central American Tree 14 Nachit have been growing and harvesting cycle, but this year only 300-350 mm was durum wheat during the summer at the used. Plans for next summer envisage a New Developments in ICARDA research station near Aleppo for mere 250 mm. Peasant farmers may not Crop Selection 15 the past seven years. have access to irrigation water, but local co- Much of the Mediterranean region has operatives should be able to produce viable an erratic climate which makes subsistence seed from a summer crop if the previous farming a risky business. "There are three winter crop fails. principal stresses affecting any crop in this The variety, known as Omlahn, is the area," says Moroccan-born Nachit, "heat, first successful cross between plants resis- cold and drought. Normal growing season tant to the environmental stresses (November to June) crops suffer cold dur- (Omrabi) and others with very high yield ing their early life and heat when they are (Lahn). The high-yielding parent is already maturing." Continued on page 4 Lw z ANNOUNCEMENTS 4w (continued from page 1) Lucerne CIAT developing countries. It urged effort:s to Several members indicated they would complete the research system's transition be increasing their contributions to fund from a donor/client approach to equal international agricultural research with The Centro Internacional de partnership of all participants, from an emphasis on poverty-alleviation. Agricultura Tropical announced the ap- North and South.. In addition to calling Among other action, the delegates in- pointment of Dr. Grant M Scobie as its on more developing countries to join the vited the CGIAR to undertake research new director general, effective July Group, the meeting pursued its aim of in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet 1995. A native of New Zealand, Dr. rendering the research system more Dpen Union, to be financed by a separate fund. Scobie is currently professor and chair- and strengthening links to national re- The Group was also urged to give special man of the Department of Economics at search systems in the Nor-th and the priority to the problems of the poor in the University of Waikato in New Zealand. Much of his work has focused South. Arrangements will be made, as less-endowed areas, in addition to con- on world food supplies, particularly rice. well, to enter into a dialogue with the tinuing its work on high-potential areas. private sector in agricultural research. In his closing remarks, CGIAR Chair- Global and regional forums will be con- man Serageldin said "This meeting has vened to ensure that the system's re- kindled a new 'Spirit of Lucerne' of inter- search agenda reflects the needs and goals national cooperation and commitment to of the CGIAR's partners in South and agricultural research. The new spirit will North, including farmers' groups, univer- guide us in our work to achieve equity sities, NGOs, and international institu- and food security for coming genera- tions. In addition, a committee of non- tions." governmental organizations (NGOs) will (CGIAR News Release) be convened to improve communication between the CGIAR and members of the civil society interested in the issues facing the Group. 2 '10'CGIAR RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS | Weeding with Weeds While Restoring Soil Fertility African and Latin American Farmers Help Develop Environmentally Beneficial Technology A frican farmers and their Researchers fromrn - AVAV= 40 percent of their worktime tute for Tropical Agri- t thshg ffort,iees arvoe snavreadig. o theadquaternainlIstin to manual weeding. Despite culture (IITA) with Y. this huge effort, weeds are spreading. headquarters in ^ -? .-- 3 . f---s One of the most persistent and common Ibadan, Nigeria - , L weeds in Africa, Asia and South America thought of ways to - is speargrass (Imperata cylindrica). It has help these farmers ; pointed tips like a warrior's spear; its They started looking . _- , leaves are as sharp as a knife's blade. Ev- for another plant that ."'- '- erywhere it appears the weed spreads like would compete with wildfire, forcing farmers to abandon their speargrass but one that fields. could also he useful to Farmers in industrial countries control the farmer and help : - weeds mostly by applying chemicals (her- reclaim abandoned - ' ' bicides) and thus require less than 10 fields. "We call our re- - 1 53 percent of their time for weeding work. search strategy habitat Poor African farmers like those of management", says Dr. Ishmael Akobundu, Mucuna grown as cover group as well as Zouzouvou village in the southeastern weed scientist at IITA. "What it means is to provide mukh on a fallow plot. province of Mono in Benin cannot afford we let plant fight plant instead of man fight- herbicides; most of the backbreaking ing weed." Mahouvi and other farmers of manual weeding is performed by women Mucuna or velvet bean is a fast grow- Zouzouvou learned. What about and children. ing, leafy plant. It is sown at the onset of mucuna? Isn't it a weed, too? "Mucuna is One of the Zouzouvou farmers, the rainy season, particularly after the an annual that produces lots of seeds", Gamfioh Mahouvi, has three plots of speargrass has been cleared by fire or says Akobundu. "They remain in the soil farmland which he inherited from his fa- manually. Three or four weeks later, and germinate with the first rains. But ther, and four goats. Gamfioh tells a story mucuna and speargrass begin to compete. the plants are very easy to weed. To date that is typical for the area. Almost thirty In another month or so, the long vines none of the farmers has complained years ago, when farmland was becoming and velvety leaves of mucuna over- about difficulties in weeding mucuna." scarce n Zouzouvou, Gamfioh's father sh. -dow the speargrass, preventing it from The mucuna saga began in 1986 when discovered that their land was not yield- receiving adequate sunlight. Over a year, IITA and Benin scientists from the Direc- ing as much as it usedc to. He knew the most of the speargrass is smothered or tion de la Recherche Agronomique land was getting tired from repeated use, made ineffective. started on-farm research on methods to but there was nowhere for them to The farmers of Zouzouvou and those restore soil fertility. This problem had move; virtually all land had been put un- of Ijaye in southwestern Nigeria were been particularly severe on the Adja pla- der cultivation. So Gamfioh's father and among the first to adopt the new method teau in Mono province because of popu- the other farmers turned to their gods of weed management. "Not only did they lation growth and rising food demand and asked the deities for a kinder disposi- get rid of speargrass, they also improved which shortened traditional fallow peri- tion. their exhausted soils," says Akobundu. ods in the cultivation cycle. The scientists On a more practical level, they learned Mucuna's roots have the ability to enrich encouraged local farmers to participate in to practice a cowpea-maize rotation. Ac- the soil by a process called nitrogen fixa- the experimentation process as a means cording to Gamfioh "the cowpea wakes tion; they convert atmospheric nitrogen to develop practical, adoptable technolo- the land up" and helps the maize achieve into a form of fertilizer. Mucuna also im- gies. One such technology was the use of a better yield. But after a short while, the proves soil fertility by generating abun- mucuna as a fallow crop. yield would drop again. Soil exhaustion dant mulch. According to Dr. Mark The farmers periodically met with combined with the constant menace of Versteeg from the IITA station in Calavi, project scientists and technicians to dis- speargrass, the erratic nature of rainfall, near Cotonou, who is leading the work in cuss their experiences. Group discussions and the volatility of market prices kept Benin, this method offers "a unique ex- were very lively; farmers like Gamfioh Zouzouvou farmers poor and despon- ample of weed control in combination were curious to hear the impressions and dent, says Gamfioh. Today, with the in- with soil fertilization which is of consid- experiences of others. They became well creasing pressure of the village popula- erable significance in and beyond Africa." informed on all research aspects, includ- tion on the land, land is even scarcer and Mucuna does not eliminate speargrass ing options they had not selected; even- soils more severely depleted. But, unlike totally. The rest can be removed by nor- tually, the group became so large that it his father and grandfather, Gamfioh has mal hand weeding. If this is not done, the had to be divided. The greatest impact on the advantage of applied science. speargrass will come back, as Gamfioh continued on page 4 CGIAR I 3 continued from page 3 Weeding with Weeds farmers' decision-making, as it turned coming an important part of interna- from washing away. It also adds nitrogen out, had the demonstration fields, par- tional and national research efforts aimed to the soil. Meanwhile, farmers grow and ticularly those which showed how at developing integrated weed control harvest maize on another field. When the mucuna smothered speargrass. systems which reduce the weed pressure dry season begins again, farmers return to Among several alternatives for soil im- on foodcrops while reducing the farm their mucuna fields and slash the mucuna provement tested, mucuna consistently family's drudgery and limiting or avoid- down to the ground. The decomposing gave the best results; it even performed ing the use of chemicals. vines and leaves are left on the field to well in very depleted soils. Maize yields To many farmers who grow maize on form a nutrient-rich mulch. Farmers then on plots earlier planted to mucuna were, steep, sloping hills in the Atlantida area sow dry season maize directly into the on an average, 80 percent higher than on of Honduras, only one thing prevents mulch. continuously cropped land. "That's the their fields and futures from eroding A recent survey found that over 80 yield level my grandfather had achieved," away: mucuna. 'According to one farmer, percent of the farmers in the Atlantida Gamfioh says. 'Mucuna makes cowardly land beccme area have grown mucuna. When maize is By repeatedly planting mucuna during brave again,"' says Ignacio Ponce, grown on a former mucuna field, as the short season-one of the two rainy socioeconomist with the Honduran Min- much as 35 percent more grain is pro- seasons typical for the climate in this part istry of Natural Resources (SRN). duced-usually without fertilizer, which of Africa-farmers recorded on average a Knowledge of mucuna came to many farmers cannot afford. "Maize pro- dramatic tenfold increase in maize yield Atlantida in the early 1970s with poor duction in Atlantida has been trans- from 200 to 2,000 kgs per hectare. immigrant farmers from Guatemala and formed," says CIMMYT economist Mucuna became known by other parts of Honduras. Their search for Gustavo Sain. "Ten years ago most maize word-of-mouth as a popular soil im- land brought them to the hills of was grown in the wet season, but now prover. The U.S. Global 2000 project se- Atlantida, where their method of more dry season maize is produced, lected it for demonstration trials by 500 maize-mucuna farming passed to other partly because of mucuna." Benin farmers; national extension au- farmers until it became common knowl- Says Daniel Buckles, CIMMYT anthro- thorities were so impressed that they de- edge. pologist: "Farmers like mucuna because it cided to apply the technology in all In a different twist on a traditional re- makes sense to them. It fits with what agro-ecological zones of the country lationship, scientists are learning about they already know about soil degradation where the soils are depleted and mucuna by studying farmers' experi- and restoration. By learning from farm- speargrass is a problem. A report on the ments. The virtues of this "green manure" ers, we're hoping to stimulate more re- overall impact of introducing the new have been known to scientists for more search on the potential of mucuna and technology is now being prepared which than 100 years; SRN and the Interna- other green manures." will document the extent of adoption. tional Maize and Wheat Improvement The success of mucuna would not have Center (CIMMYT) in Mexico have con- (From IITA and CIMMYT newsfeatures) come about without the enthusiastic par- ducted maize-mucuna experiments since ticipation of the farmers who took ac- the late 1980s. But not much is known tively part in the experimental process by about why mucuna is so popular among conducting trials and stepwise refining farmers in Central America and how oth- the technology. The dual impact of ers might be motivated to take up similar mucuna in restoring soil fertility and earth-friendly practices. (continued from page 1) fighting speargrass appealed greatly to "In the humid tropics, five to seven farmers, particularly those with limited million hectares of land become useless "heat Crop labour resources. every year because of erosion," says SRN The use of mucuna fallow is just one agronomist Gilmer Medina. "Once land grown on over 200,000 ha in Syria, and of the methods of weed management has been degraded, farmers must migrate farmers will pay twice as much for Lahn technologies with legumes that are cur- to find new land or leave their land fal- seed as for any other. A good winter crop of rently being evaluated by IITA scientists. low. However, we have seen that farmers Lahn will yield 8-10 tons, or even more, Weed smothering has also been tried out who use mucuna can extend the life of per hectare. Initial trials with Omlahn have experimentally and on farmers' fields in their land and get seven maize harvests in given 8-9 tons during the winter. On-farm other parts of Africa, in Asia and in Latin the amount of time it usually takes to ob- trials are underway, paving the way for the America with a variety of cover crops and tain three." release of the variety in the next few tree type plants like pigeon pea (Cajanus How does mucuna work in Central years. cajan) and Acacia auriculiformis. It is be- America? In the dry season, farmers sow mucuna among the growing maize plants. (ICARDA news release) After the maize harvest, the mucuna pro- liferates during the wet season into a tangle of leafy vines. This controls weeds, retains moisture, and prevents soil 4 IP CGIAR 4 1X FORUM 4 Agriculture Development, Key to Growth and Expanding Trade by Per Pinstrup-Andersen et al. A s many industrial countries riculture. Investment in agricultural re- change in imports is very short. IFPRI re- ,A,seek to expand trade through search to develop improved technologies search on some 100 developing countries exports, they need to take is essential for agricultural growth. Agri- shows that during the 1970s and 1980s, another look at Bangladesh, cultural growth is strongly linked with only two countries experienced a decline Ethiopia, and other developing countries. growth in other sectors of the economy. in total imports when incomes increased, Developing countries make up the largest In the past 20 years, the countries that and only four a decline in agricultural im- potential market in the world, but that achieved the most rapid agricultural ports. potential must be developed. The poorer growth also had the most rapid economic Countries with rapid agricultural the country, the poorer the market. growth, while the countries that experi- growth import more agricultural prod- Research has conclusively shown that enced real declines in agriculture also ucts. An IFPRI study finds that 16 devel- countries whose economies are growing registered negative economic growth oping countries with the most rapid import more goods and services, thus cre- rates. Evidence from developing coun- growth in staple food production be- ating employment and exporting oppor- tries indicates that a one-dollar increase tween 1961 and 1979 doubled their net tunities for their trading partners. When in income within agriculture creates in- food imports. Countries with rapid agri- govemments invest in agricultural re- comes of more than a dollar in the rest of cultural growth between 1970 and 1980 search and development, they are invest- the economy. increased agricultural imports by 47 per- ing in economic growth and market ex- The faster a country's economy grows, cent. Agricultural growth stimulated pansion. Exporting countries, both devel- the more it imports. On average, between even more vigorous economic growth oping and developed, stand to benefit 1970-75 and 1986-91, countries whose which, in turn, led to rising demand for tremendously from enhanced trading op- economies were growing quickly im- agricultural goods from both domestic portunities created by expanded markets ported nearly 40 percent more per capita production and from abroad. in developing countries. than countries with slow economic (Per Pinstrup-Andersen is Director General of the Interna- In order to grow, most low-income de- growth. In addition, the time lag between tional Food Polioy Research Institute. Source: IFPRI Re- veloping countries must develop their ag- a change in income and a corresponding port) I fi NEWS I In the Line of Fire Improving Maize through Gene Transformation t has no trigger, resembles more DNA-into the waiting maize cells. The CIMMYT tropical maize whose insect re- closely. a microwave oven than it cells are then cultured into whole, viable sistance has already been enhanced does a real gun, and produces only a maize plants which express the particular through conventional breeding. Seed of soft "popff" when fired; but if the trait associated with the new DNA. such genetically resistant maize could "gene gun" now operating in the To test and fine-tune this technology, form the cornerstone for the integrated CIMMYT genetic engineering lab proves Center researchers are zeroing in on a management of maize pests in develop- as useful as expected in transforming lowly soil bacterium, producer of a toxin ing countries, greatly reducing harvest maize, then its gentle shot may eventu- that is deadly when swallowed by certain losses, insecticide costs, and the harmful ally be heard around the world. With this insect pests of maize. "The toxin inter- effects of pesticides on the environment. novel hardware and a handbag of new feres with their digestion, and the pests Success with the toxin genes will also and conventional techniques, CIMMYT quickly starve to death," says Natasha point the way for genetically engineering researchers hope to endow tropical maize Bohorova, head of CIMMYT's genetic a range of other useful characteristics with useful traits, such as insect resis- engineering laboratory; "but it has no into maize, according to David tance, obtained from organisms that are known negative effects on humans, other Hoisington, head of CIMMYT's applied totally unrelated to the crop. mammals, or even other insects." biotechnology laboratories. "As molecular The principle behind the gun is simple. The effectiveness of the toxin mecha- biology progresses and we learn more The explosive release of helium gas (ear- nism in maize has already been demon- about genes and their functions," he says, lier models employed a charge of gun- strated by several private and public re- we could work with pathogen resistance powder) propels minute "bullets"-metal search institutions. Thus, Bohorova and dust coated with specially designed her colleagues believe it will be useful in Continued on page 6 CGIAR 5 4 z News 4 | ANNOUNCEMENTS 4| ICW 1994 Highlights ICLARMiu I nternational Centers Week, the A highlight of International Centers FishBaseReadyforCD-RomRelease annual Washington meeting of the Week was the signing of the CGIAR- FishBase, the global database with Consultative Group on International FAO Agreement on Plant Genetic Re- key information on finfish, is now Agricultural Research (October 24- sources. (See article: "World Plant Collec- available on CD-ROM. Presently, 28, 1994), adopted a program of renewal tion Placed Under Intergovernmental Aus- FishBase covers over 12,000 species and rededication of the CGIAR to its pri- pices" in this issue) including all fishes that are important mary objectives, alleviation of world hun- Among other activities at ICW '94, the to humans, e.g., in fisheries, aquacul- ger and poverty, improvement of food se- International Institute for Tropical Agri- ture, game fishing or ornamental curity, and protection of the natural re- culture (IITA) received the biennial King trade, or because they are threatened sources of agriculture. The purpose of the Baudouin Award in recognition of 11.S pio- verson ofFishBase This first public program is to clarify the vision of the neering research on breeding hybrid plan- one and the FishBase team expects world's largest international research tains resistant to black sigatoka-a c.evas- much feedback from the Network of group, reform its governance and opera- tating disease of plantain and banana Tropical Fisheries Scientists members tions, and secure stable support for its (Musa spp.) in Africa-and for advances in order to produce a consolidated mission. made in the genetics if Musa. (See R'e- version by the end of 1995. FishBase Donors responded to the program with search Highlights in CGIAR News Vol. has been developed at ICLARM in additional funding for 1994 and 1995, 1, 1, p.3). The King Baudouin Awarcd, collaboration with the Food and Agri- thereby stabilizing the Group's finances named after the late Belgian monarch, culture Organization of the United for both years. For 1995, donors pledged was established by the CGIAR in 1 98`1 NatEons and with the support of the about $270 million in support of the re- after the Group was the recipient in laborators can now request their search agenda for 1995 agreed at the 1980 of the King Baudouin International copy. Others can order FishBase for meeting. "The stabilization is now in Development Prize of Belgium. The US$95. place," said CGIAR Chairman Ismail CGIAR's biennial award recognizes an (FishBase was described in succes- Serageldin, "but this is only a means, not outstanding achievement by one or more sive issues of Fishbyte (i.e., Vol. an end. It gives the system a breathing of its research centers in the develop- 8(3):21-24, 9(2):58-61) and Naga, space to prepare for the next step in the ment of a technology with great potential ICLAIRM Q. (Vol. 14(4):10-1 1).) renewal process, a High-Level Ministerial impact on food production and agricul- Conference scheduled for Februar-y 9- 10, ture in developing countries. 1995 in Lucerne, Switzerland. (CGIAR news release) . .- CGIAR Chairman - atmA Isrnail Serageld in (continued from page 5) presents Lukas I the -~ . Brader, Directo Inte Line ofzFre - . . J,, General of IITA, genes, genes for grain quality, or other unth the King genes for resistance to insect pests." _-; _ /; center working for the benefit of the - - - poor in developing countries, is that the products of this state-of-the-art technol- - \ _ ll f :/! ' !ogy can be delivered to farmers in a very '~ i ' , : d, ' ^.' j ' ' <1_ ,} ;' -)>ttraditional and convenient package-the J.s t . - ;. ! _t i; . seed. As a result, even subsistence farm- ers can obtain benefits without investing in more costly inputs or additional manual labor. '"A lot of this technology is tied up in the private sector," says Hoisington. "At - \ \ | ;L.~ -tF _ * CIMMYT we try to identify areas where, by working with the private groups, we can transfer products and, whenever fea- sible, technology to research institutions in developing countries, thus benefiting poorer farmers." (CIMMYT news feature) 6 * ;l (!x News South Asia's Rice-Wheat Rotation Tackling Sustainability Problems Affecting the Food Security of One Billion People S~1 C. Joshi, a small-scale farm er sugarcane and wheat planted after both near Pantnagar in the Indian state rice and sugarcane. Joshi observed that a of Uttar Pradesh, has farmed his - . break crop of sugarcane helped control land for 25 years. Almost from _.X.,icm---weeds in wheat. To better understand the beginning, he has grown wheat in ro- longer-term issues of sustainability and tation with rice using the first improved resource quality, the survey team care- varieties and subsequent replacements of . fully recorded Joshi's experience regard- both crops that emanated from the a ing yield trends, input use, soil fertility, Green Revolution of the 1 960s. When i. 1,,.,, and management of farm yard manure Joshi and neighboring farmers shifted to a P and crop residues. Such information from rice-wheat pattern, they were pleased A Joshi and his counterparts across the area with the higher productivity and in- enabled the survey team to piece the comes. "But now", he says, "it seems like I puzzle together. have to put on more fertilizer and water Surveys like the one in Pantnagar were to get the same yields." conducted in both the rice and wheat Joshi and scores of farmers like him - . , growing seasons in other targeted areas of across a four-country region of South - ' ' India as well as Pakistan, Nepal, and Asia are important links in an interna- i i Bangladesh. These key sites represent tional collaborative effort to look at what , South Asia's different physical, biologi- might be behind the apparent productiv- cal, and socioeconomic rice-wheat sys- ity and sustainability problems of the tems. region's vast rice-wheat cropping system. The survey teams interviewed both Rice and wheat are the two most im- men and women. In the Faizabad, India portant cereal grains in the world. No- survey, information was elicited from 50 where is this more evident than in South Farmers examining their wheat crops medium and low caste women. Says IRRI Asia, with its population now exceeding in Nepalm social scientist Thelma Paris, "Women one billion, many of whom are among typically use forest resources and manage the poorest on the planet. Not only do At this point, CIMMYT, IRRI, and the livestock. Since fuel and fodder interact these two cereals together contribute 73 national agricultural research systems critically with the management of or- percent of the foodgrain consumed, they (NARS) of the four countries started a ganic matter and soil fertility, we can't also generate employment and income collaborative project. The joint effort set understand what's going on without for the region's poor. More and more, out to better understand the region's women helping us to do so." they are becoming linked in farmers' farming practices and interactions. Says Near-term problems were identified fields. Today, rice and wheat are culti- IRRI anthropologist Sam Fujisaka, "If we and prioritized at the sites surveyed. For vated in rotation on nearly 12 million attempt to improve the rice-wheat sys- example, causes of the common problem hectares in South Asia--more than 9 mil- tem through natural resource manage- of late planting of wheat included late lion hectares in India, 1.5 million in Paki- ment research, we first need to under- rice harvest, long turnaround from rice to stan, nearly 0.6 million in Bangladesh, stand what farmers like Joshi are doing. wheat, and labor constraints. and 0.5 million in Nepal. And, in order to identify reseaTch activi- Longer-term sustainability issues such According to CIMMYT agronomist Pe- ties that would allow proposed solutions as nutrient deficiencies, pests, and dis- ter Hobbs, the winter wheat cultivation to be tested, we have to understand eases require even more interdisciplinary after rice in South Asia expanded rapidly farmers' problems and their causes." and intercommodity cooperation. Al- with the Green Revolution in the late Critical information has been elicited though some farmers said their yields 1 960s. The then new high-yielding and from farmers through carefully planned were increasing, survey teams usually short-duration varieties of both crops diagnostic farm surveys conducted in the found the increases to be a result of more made the rotation very attractive to farm- late 1 980s and early 1 990s. Specialists use of available water, fertilizer, and other ers. Today, it has become the most impor- from the NARS, CIMMYT and IRRI inputs. In some areas, yields at fixed lev- tant cereal rotation in South Asia. with expertise ranging from agronomy els of inputs were found to be declining. "Unfortunately," says Hobbs, "by the and economics to soil physics and weed Says CIMMYT economist Larry earlv to mid- I 980s, long-term rice-wheat science participated in the surveys. Harrington, "The rice-wheat work in trials on experiment stations in the re- During a survey in the Pantnagar re- South Asia needs a long-term perspec- gion were showing a significant decline in gion, specialists listened to Joshi as they tive. A comparative advantage of the in- rice yields. This was an early warning sign visited him in his fields. He told them ternational centers is in conducting re- that the system may not be sustainable." that, in the early I 980s, he decided to search that can be relevant across sites Although there were no data from add sugarcane to his rice-wheat rotation. farmers' fields showing such a downward Now, during the winter season, his farm yield trend, there was cause for concern. is a veritable quiltwork of small fields of Continued on page 10 CGIAR 4 7 CGLAR Ministerial-Level Meeting February 9-10,1995 Lucerne, Switzerland Declaration and Action Program The Lucerne Declaration We Ministers, Heads of Agencies, and Delegates representing the membership of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR): Cognrizant of the vicious circle of poverty, population growth, and environmental degradation that affects the world's poor; Encouraged by the progress the world community is making in shaping a global agenda to deal with the urgent problems of the envi- ronment, population growth, social development, and the participation of women; Mindful of the potential contribution of agriculture to development, particularly .in alleviating the suffering of I billion people who live in abject poverty, most of them malnourished; Aware that population growth in developing countries and rising incomes will double food demand by 2025, threatening the future food security of much of humanity and the integrity of the Earth's natural resources, especially soil and water, and biological diversity; Convinced that the new knowledge and technologies generated by scientific research are necessary to meet the rising food demand in a long-term sustainable way, from a limited and fragile natural resource base; Recognizing the outstanding achievements of scientific research conducted by CCIAR research centers which have raised the produc- tivity of agriculture,forestry, and fisheries; thus contributing to the generation of ruial income and employment, the lowering of food prices, and the alleviation of urban and rural poverty, while promoting South-North research partnerships: Call for the renewal and reinforcement of this successful work, aimed now at the multiple challenges of increasing and protecting agri- cultural productivity, safeguarding natural resources, and helping to achieve people-centered policies for environmentally sustainable de- velopment; Endorse the vision of the renewed CGIAR of helping to combat poverty and hunger in the world by mobilizing both indigenous knowledge and modern science, and through sharply focused research priorities, tighter governance, greater efforts at South-North part- nership, and flexible financing arrangements, as an appropriate response to the challenges of the coming century; and Affirm our strong support for the revitalized CGIAR as one of the main instruments of the world community whose contribution, in close partnership with other actors, is of considerable importance to the successful implementation of the emerging global development agenda. The Lucerne Action Prcogram INTRODUCTION Ministers, Heads of Agencies, and Delegates endorse the thrusts and themes of the background studies prepared for their meeting. They welcome the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as a cosponsor of the CGIAR. They reaffirm the strong need to en- sure continuity of publicly funded research, complementing research conducted by the private sector, on problems of international sig- nificance in agriculture, livestock, forests, and aquatic resources. This reaffirmation is based on the need to help meet the food needs of the poor and on the contribution that agricultural research can make to poverty alleviation in the context of sustainable development. Although it is a small component of the global research system, the CGIAR has an important role to play as a catalyst and bridge builder. BROADER PARTNERSHIPS In the light of its position within the global agricultural research system, the CGIAR is encouraged to continue its efforts to develop a more open and participatory system with full South-North ownership. Accordingly, the CGIAR is encouraged to: I. Continue to broaden its membership by including more developing countrie; as active members who participate fully in CGIAR deliberations; 2. Convene a committee of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and a coramittee of the private sector as a means of improving dialogue among the CGIAR, the private sector, and members of the civil society who are interested in the same issues as the CGIAR; 3. Accelerate the process of systematizing participation by national agricultural research systems (NARS) of developing countries in setting and implementing the Group's agenda (a specific action plan to do so is being prepared by the NARS and representatives of the CGIAR, and will be presented at International Centers Week 1995); and 4. Complete its transition from a donor/client approach to equal partnership of all participants from the South and North within the CGIAR system. RESEARCH AGENDA The mission of the CGIAR is to contribute, through its research, to promoting sustainable agriculture for food security in the develop- ing countries. Therefore, the CGIAR is urged to: I. Conduct strategic and applied research, with its products being international public goods; 2. Focus its research agenda on problem-solving through interdisciplinary programs implemented by one or more international cen- ters, in collaboration with a full range of partners; 3. Concentrate such programs on increasing productivity, protecting the environment, saving biodiversity, improving policies, and contributing to strengthening agricultural research in developing countries; 8 ;$ CGIAR 4. Address more forcefully the international issues of water scarcity, soil and nutrient management, and aquatic resources; 5. Pay special attention to Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, which face the greatest challenges in eradicating poverty and malnu- trition; 6. Ensure that research programs address the problems of the poor in less-endowed areas, in addition to continuing its work on high potential areas; 7. Reinforce the series of notable actions already taken to protect the human heritage of genetic resources, viz: a. placing the plant genetic resources collections of the CGIAR centers under the auspices of the FAO Commission on Plant Ge- netic Resources; b. creating a system-wide program on genetic resources; and c. establishing a committee of experts to provide the CGIAR system with support and advice on all aspects of plant genetic re- sources policy; 8. Work in closer partnership and collaboration with public and private research organizations in the South, including farmer groups, universities, NGOs, and international institutions to design and conduct research programs; 9. Work in closer partnership and collaboration with public and private research organizations and universities from developed countries to design and conduct joint research programs; and 10. Ensure that the setting of its research agenda reflects the views and goals of global and regional forums on agricultural research. GOVERNANCE Collegiality and informality are important and durable assets of the CGIAR. Therefore, the CGIAR should not be established as a for- mal international organization, but could benefit from strengthening its decision making processes and consultative mechanisms. Toward this end, the CGIAR is requested to: 1. Retain overall decision making powers in its general membership or "committee of the whole," supported in this task by a Steer- ing Committee and its component standing committees on Oversight and Finance as well as ad hoc committees established when neces- sary; 2. Ensure that scientific advice of the highest quality continues to be provided by the CGIAR's independent Technical Advisory Committee; and 3. Strengthen the assessment of its performance and impact by establishing an independent evaluation function reporting to the CGIAR as a whole. FINANCE Higher levels of investment in agricultural research are needed to meet the challenge for innovation and new technologies which can contribute to higher and sustainable agricultural production. To ensure a concentrated and sustained effort, investments must be ex- panded for all components of the global system at the national, regional, and international levels. As to the CGIAR, participants commit themselves to (i) consolidate current complementary funding into the main funding of the agreed agenda, and (ii) maintain the real value of the level of support and, wherever possible, to increase it. For those donors who can do so, multi-year commitments to the CGIAR would help to increase predictability and facilitate programming. To ensure that support for the CGIAR is stable and predictable, members are urged to: 1. Institute a negotiation and review process, involving all members, to ensure a full funding of the agreed research agenda; 2. Continue to use a matrix framework to articulate the CGIAR's programs and to serve as a benchmark for funding and monitoring CGIAR activities, thus enhancing transparency and accountability; 3. Provide their support to centers, programs, or both to facilitate agreement on a financing plan which funds all components of the agreed research agenda fully; and 4. Disburse their pledged contributions as early as possible in the financial year, to ensure timely implementation of approved pro- grams. Meanwhile, the CGIAR is urged to: 1. Continue its efforts to expand its membership from both the North and the South; 2. Solicit philanthropic financial participation of the private sector without compromising the public good character of the CGIAR's research; and 3. Explore the feasibility of setting up a fund or a foundation which can seek contributions to support agricultural research. Additionally, the CGIAR is encouraged to undertake research in Eastern Europe and in countries of the former Soviet Union. How- ever, as more than a marginal effort will be required, such activities should be initiated only when a clear program of work where the CGIAR has a distinctive comparative advantage has been established, and a minimum level of separate and additional funding has been secured. For this purpose, the CGIAR should establish a separate fund to ensure no diversion or dilution of the current focus of respon- sibilities. The CGIAR should carry out an analysis to determine options for decision making in this area of activity. In the meantime, contacts with scientific establishments in that part of the world should be encouraged. CGIAR 9 |v RESEARCH HIGHL1GHTS Chickpeas Conquer the Cold J t took over 10 years of Asia. From these, 15 national programs research involving more working jointly with ICARDA released than 2000 breeding lines, 42 cultivars for winter sowing in the but the effort to breed a Mediterranean region--from Morocco to better chickpea was worth it. Pakistan and Turkey. On-farm evaluations The chickpea is the second - showed an increase of more than 60% in most important pulse crop in yield and 100% in profits. the world. Traditional varieties Farmers began planting the new variet- are adapted to sowing in the - ies in 1988, and by 1993 it was estimated spring but suffer from heat and that nearly 90 000 hectares were sown to drought, resulting in erratic and winter chickpeas, producing US$1 I mil- generally low yields. '- - -. lion a year in extra income. As other Scientists from the Interna- | . countries with a Mediterranean environ- tional Crops Research Institute -. ment outside the West Asia and North for the Semi-Arid Tropics Studies have confirmed that winter-sown Africa region start using the cultivars, (ICRISAT) and the International Center chickpea varieties (background) subs tan- winter-sown chickpeas could cover 2 mil- for Agricultural Research in the Dry Ar- tially outyield the spring-soun ones ifore- lion hectares and bring farmers an addi- eas (ICARDA) set out to produce ground). tional US$300 million in annual income chickpeas for winter sowing. This meant over the next decade. breeding varieties resistant to cold and to large numbers of chickpea germplasm (IPGRI Geneflow 1994) the devastating disease, ascochyta blight. lines. They found the traits they wanted Beginning in 1977, scientists con- in landraces and wild relatives from West ducted field screening and evaluation of Asia and North Africa and in Central (continued from page 7) |_ ____News_____ | Rice-Wheat Rotation z N and countries - as well as in fostering in- W orld Plant (C ollection terdisciplinary and inter-center collabora- tion on complex topics." Placed Under A four-year initiative to study the sustainability of rice-wheat cropping on the Indo-Gangetic Plain has now been Intergovernmiental Auspices launched by a consortium consisting of the four-countries, CIMMYT, IRRI, the T ATashington/Rome, October The arrangement has received strong International Crops Research Institute for J 26, 1994. The Consulta- support from parties to the Convention the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), the In- Vtive Group on Interna- on Biological Diversity, the international ternational Irrigation Management Insti- vv tional Agricultural Re- legal instrument governing the conserva- tute (IIMI), and the International Food search (CGIAR) today signed agreements tion and use of biological resources and Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). The to place the international plant genetic signed by more than 150 countries at the study will rely heavily on the useful infor- resources collections housed in 12 1992 United Nations Conference on En- mation that has been garnered from the CGIAR Centers under the auspices of vironment and Development held in Rio. preliminary diagnostic work, from vari- the Rome-based United Nations Food Research at CGIAR Centers covers ous rice-wheat trials conducted by the and Agriculture Organization (FAO). crops that provide 75% of food energy NARS, and from a backlog of rice and The move gives legal weight to the and protein requirements for developing wheat commodity research. CGIAR's commitment to hold the col- countries. To support this research, 12 Concludes Harrington, "We can't lections in trust for the international Centers have assembled over 500,000 gamble with the food security of count- community. The agreements were s:.gned different samples of major food, forage less millions of rural and urban families by CGIAR Chairman Ismail Serageldin and forest species in genebanks, consti- in the region. Before the concern be- on behalf of the international research tuting the world's largest internationally comes a dilemma, we must address the centers of the CGIAR, and by Mohamed held collection of genetic resources. For sustainability of the rice-wheat rotation S. Zehni, Director of the FAO Research in a way that deals with the parallel is- and Technology Development Division, sues of land degradation and environ- on behalf of FAO Director-General mental concerns." Jacques Diouf. Continued on page 11 (CL.UMT neuws feature) Io0 AP CGIAR "(continued from page 10) | ANNOUNCEMENTS rje Plants the past 25 years, these genetic resources ILR..I have supported the development of higher-yielding, more stable, pest and dis- Ethiopia and Kenya have agreed to jointly host the new International Livestock Re- ease resistant varieties of staple foods search Institute (ILRI). The two-country host status, said the statement, reflects the con- consumed in the developing world. tinuing strong support provided by the Governments of Ethiopia and Kenya to livestock The agreements were signed at Inter- research sponsored by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research national Centers' Week, the CGIAR's an- (CGIAR), as well as the expressed desire of both countries to host the recently created nual meeting that brings together 350 ad- ILRI. ministrators, donors, policymakers and The co-host agreement creates a new precedent in the CGIAR. Ethiopia and Kenya scientists concerned with sustainable ag- will each have a representative on ILRI's Board of Trustees. The arrangement will make riculture. effective use of the experienced staff and well equipped facilities for livestock research Speaking on behalf of the Director already existing in Ethiopia and Kenya. General, Mohamed Zehni said "FAO wel- gEstablished on 21 September 1994 in Beme through an international agreement comes the conclusion of these agree- signed by Switzerland, Denmark, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sweden and the United Nations Envi- coments the importancustp i these agrea- ronment Programme, ILRI is directly responsible for about two-thirds of all CGIAR live- ments, an important step In the realiza- stock and livestock-related research in developing regions. ILRI is also the lead center in tion of the FAO Global System on Plant the development of a major CGIAR initiative-the System-Wide Livestock Research Genetic Resources, which comes under Programme-and participates in other related inter-center initiatives supported by the the FAO Commission on Plant Genetic CGIAR. Resources. The signature of the agree- ILRI has begun operating in January 1995. It inherited the assets and programs of the ments today marks the culmination of International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases (ILRAD), in Kenya, and of the years of work to bring the important col- International Livestock Centre for Africa (ILCA), in Ethiopia. The new Institute will lections of the CGIAR under the aus- collaborate with other CGIAR centers in agricultural and natural resource management pices of the FAO Global System and its research where livestock are involved. Network of Base Collections and it con- Dr Hank Fitzhugh, an animal geneticist and systems specialist with 30 years of experi- tributes to the implementation of the In- ence in livestock research and development, was appointed Director General of ILRI Gtpo eIneti with effect from I January 1995. Before he was Director General of ILCA. ternational Undertaking on Plant Genetic According to CGIAR Chairman Ismail Serageldin, the creation of ILRI opens a new Resources. It demonstrates the CGIAR's chapter in the history of international livestock research. The re-organization of live- continued commitment to work with stock research is a major structural change in the CGIAR as it prepares for greater effec- FAO in our task of ensuring food security tiveness in the future. Research to improve livestock productivity and animal health is for millions of people in the developing now incorporated in a single institution to streamline existing programs in Africa as well world." as to expand research activities in Asia and Latin America. Timothy Rothermel, UNDP's Director ILRI collaborates with other CGIAR centers, advanced laboratories, national research of the Division of Science, Technology programs and bilaterally funded development projects. The Institute's programs address and the Private Sector, said "As part of animal health, animal genetics, production systems (including feed resources and natural UNDP's support to the Agenda 21 priori- resource management), socio-economic and policy analysis, and institution strengthening UNDP's suport to theAgenda 2]and technology transfer. ties that emerged from the UNCED During 1995, the Institute will continue working closely with African national agricul- Conference in Brazil, we aim to tural research systems (NARS) while developing collaborative links with NARS in Asia strengthen national capacities. This action and Latin America. In addition, it will strengthen links with advanced research institu- by the CGIAR Centers will help to de- tions to bring their scientific expertise to bear on high-priority problems of livestock pro- velop national capacity to conserve and duction in the tropics. manage genetic resources in many coun- tries. UNDP is delighted to be partners Address with FAO and the World Bank as fellow International Livestock Research Institute co-sponsors of the CGIAR at this mile- P. O.Box 30709 P. O. Box 5689 stone in international cooperation in the Nairobi, Kenya Addis Ababa, Ethiopia field of genetic resources conservation as Tel: (254-2) 630743 Tel: (251-1) 613215 an essential element of sustainable hu- Fax: (254-2) 631499 Fax: (251-1) 611892 man development." After signing the agreements, CGIAR (Based on ILRI news release) Chairman Ismail Serageldin said "I wel- - come these agreements that make the CGIAR's Centers the founding members of the FAO network. This unparalleled benefited greatly from generous dona- task of preserving genetic resources for international effort to conserve the b y many from These genetic resor for wvorld's precious genetic resources has tions by many countries. These genetic the benefit of all humanity and for future resources will be invaluable in the appli- generations." cation of science for the benefit of the (CGIAR news release) world's poor. The CGIAR stands ready to work with all parties towards the urgent CGIAR l l News Vietnamese Farmers Set Up Backyard Biotechnology Factories T nhe growth of potato farming in sons. First, the seedling arrives in s1terile maintained in their houses. After a Vietnam had its roots in the condition, disease free. Second, plantlets month the test tube plantlets were cut Paris peace talks of 1973 when can be maintained indefinitely, producing into single node units and rooted in seed United States and Vietnamese new planting material each year. Thus, beds. government negotiators met in an at- farmers do not need to save part of one Apical cuttings from seed bed tempt to end the war. year's crop for next year's planting. All plantings were then rooted in seed beds During a lull in the talks, Le Duc Tho, of the crop can be used as food. containing 50 percent subsoil and 50 per- the chief negotiator for the Vietnamese The varieties from CIP were multi- cent manure. Later cuttings were taken delegation and a member of the country's plied using in vitro cuttings to provide from the seed bed and replanted in bio- powerful Politburo, visited a French agri- plantlets for field evaluation and seed tu- degradable pots made from banana culture laboratory where he learned the ber production. Three clones-two of leaves. In 15 days the rooted potato techniques of propagating vegetables in Mexican origin and one from Argen- plantlets were sold to farmers who trans- test tubes (in vitro). Upon returning to tina-proved outstanding for late blight planted them directly into the field. Vietnam, he dispatched a young scientist, resistance and yield. Based on these pre- Three test tube plants produced enough Nguyen Van Uyen, back to the French liminary results and farmer demand, a planting material for one hectare (2.2 lab to learn the propagating techniques. rapid multiplication scheme was devel- acres) of potatoes. Later Van Uyen was assigned to the oped for about 10 families to provide According to a 1993 report in the Brit- government agricultural research station plantlets to commercial growers. ish magazine, The Economist, one Viet- near Dalat, a former French resort town Learning about tissue culture tec.anol- namese family can produce up to 2 mil- in the southern Vietnam highlands about ogy from CIP scientists, the farmers and lion plants a year. One family who pro- 300 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, their families immediately went about duced about 200,000 seedling plants sold where he created a backyard biotechnol- setting up small scale potato seedlir.g fac- them at a half cent each, for a profit of a ogy for the long-term preservation and tories. They created makeshift laborato- third a cent each. rapid multiplication of new potato variet- ries in their bedrooms and backyards Today the use of tissue culture for po- ies. where they used the tissue culture tech- tato seed production is well established A former scientist of the International niques to propagate potato plants in test at Dalat. Much of the output for the Potato Center (CIP) in Peru who visited tubes bought from a local hospital a.nd plants used annually comes from the the Dalat area, John Dodds, said, "It was the research center. Dalat Research Center for Food Crops, a perfect example of trickle down tech- The gelatin media used for growing the headed since 1992 by Pham Xuan Tung, nology. Here we have a handful of poor potato tissue was sterilized in pressure whose graduate work was sponsored by but enterprising Vietnamese farm fami- cookers made from discarded U.S. Army CIP in the Philippines and the Nether- lies who have adapted relatively sophisti- gas canisters. Hundreds of thousands of lands, and from so-called "family satel- cated tissue culture techniques in a re- biodegradable seedling pots were lites." Farm families, however, have markably rustic and homegrown way." painstakenly fashioned out of banara adapted their tissue culture techniques to The potato, called "khoai tay" in Viet- leaves. The key to the entire scheme was produce disease and pest-resistant veg- namese, which translates as "western simplicity and low cost. etable seedlings. root" or "French tuber," was originally The families received two to three CIP Peter E. Schmiediche, CIP Asian re- brought to Dalat in the late 1800s. The test tube plantlets from the research sta- gional representative based in Indonesia, Dalat region has about 1,200 hectares tion, which they multiplied in vitro and says that 90 percent of the under pota- (2,640 acres) of workable land, produc- toes cultivation in the ing cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, onions, Dalat area today are and potatoes. planted with CIP ma- Potato production in Dalat had always terials and show "great been carried out with European seeds. promise" in the field. However, due to high costs and the war, "The research the supply of European seed all but dis- center's tissue culture appeared. Bv, 1978 farmers were discour- facilities are well aged with their crops because of disease, managed and generate small tubers and low yields as the Euro- extra income by mul- pean cultivars degenerated. tiplying high quality In 1980, a Vietnamese agricultural potato clones and va- agency, the Center for Experimental Bi- rieties, and by selling ology, asked CIP for newly developed ge- rooted cuttings to netic material in an attempt to revitalize farmers," Schmiediche potato production in the area. CIP for- - ..says. Like most Viet- warded 100 in vitro plantlets. ; . namese research cen- In vitro plantlets are an attractive me- dium for potato propagation for tNwo rea- Potato farming in Vietnam. Continued on page 13 12 4 CGIAR &ontinued from page 12) | - PERSPECTIVES Farmers The B R t ters, the scientists have to turn them- The Blue Revolution - the quest selves into entrepreneurs to support their 1 work. He notes that the research center r w ater has also started a rapid multiplication project for Japanese ornamental plants and vegetables with the hope of "generat- he World's population is less water will be available for agricul- ing income for the station," he says. increasing at the rate of about tural uses than in the past. CIP economist Thomas Walker, who 90 million people per year. The Green Revolution was a manage- recently visited Vietnam, believes that Yields of major grain crops, ment revolution for the agricultural sec- the in vitro technology will prosper, even however, have been levelling off since the tor. It involved balanced management of without government support. "Its prov- mid -I 980s and almost all the land suit- a well-defined set of vital inputs new ing to be a very efficient way to rapidly able for cultivation has been used up. In seed varieties, fertilizers, pesticides and distribute new potato varieties. We can order to keep up with the demand for tools. It was "a package deal." Without now introduce and distribute a new vari- food, the world must learn, and learn the complete set of vital elements, the ety in just two years. In the old days it quickly, to produce more food with less Green Revolution would not have hap- might have taken up to six." water. The people who gave the world pened. Although questions are arising Nguyen Van Uyen, who started the po- the Green Revolution, the agricultural about its sustainability, the green revolu- tato project says: "Our Dalat experience research centers that form the Consulta- tion was arguably the most important shows that if in vitro technology is sim- tive Group on International Agricultural technical and management revolution plified to a certain level, not only the so- Research (CGIAR), believe that they benefiting humanity in this century. phisticated modem laboratories but the have the answer once again - the Blue Similarly, the Blue Revolution will also farmers can enjoy the new achievements Revolution. They hope to do for water involve balanced management of a in biotechnology. "Without much finan- what they did for crops. well-defined set of vital elements, cial investment," he says, "farmers them- The Green Revolution's dramatic "a package deal." The CGIAR has asked selves can take part in the rapid diffusion breakthroughs postponed the nightmare the International Irrigation Management of a super variety." of world hunger that loomed so large in Institute (IIMI) to be the convening center "The technique has formed the basis of the sixties and seventies. Without similar for a global initiative on water manage- an informal, but highly effective seed breakthroughs in agricultural production, ment. This initiative will bring together production program by Dalat farmers," that nightmare is likely to comeback and research and management experts from Van Uyen says. "This should serve as a haunt us. Population levels continue their all over the world to focus on the follow- good example of what can be done else- upward spiral and the increased demand ing issues: where in the developing world." for food will require substantially im- * Future scenarios on water supply for CIP's many years of work in Vietnam proving production on irrigated land. global agriculture were acknowledged in January 1994 in That means more water for agriculture. - Efficient water use and food supply (ir- Hanoi, when the Center was presented But there is a problem. Although water is rigation / crop production / livestock with the country's International Friend- the most abundant natural resource on production) ship Award. CIP scientists have worked earth, less than one percent of the global * Environment (conservation of water re- in Vietnam for more than a dozen years. water supply is available as fresh water sources / climate change) In a recent report published in the Hanoi for consumption. Already, eight-tenths of * Policy and Institutions (socioeconomic English-language weekly newspaper In- that one percent is consumed for issues / property rights / gender issues / vestment News, the Director of agricultural purposes. national planning) Vietnam's Institute for Agricultural Sci- There is, however, a further complica- IIMI has already had discussions with ence, Truong Van Ho, said that with CIP's tion in the equation. As global popula- the International Center for Agricultural help the country now produces 260,000 tion levels rise, urban population Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), the tons of potatoes and 2.5 million tons of levels explode. By the year 2025, urban International Food Policy Research Insti- sweetpotato. population is expected to have increased tute (IFPRI), the International Rice Re- (CIP news release) by as much as 400 percent in Africa, search Institute (IRRI) and the and 300 percent in South Asia. In that West Africa Rice Development Associa- year, it has been estimated that water de- tion (WARDA) on potential activities mand by urban dwellers will that could be integrated into the water be equivalent to that needed to irrigate initiatives. IIMI also expects to establish 25 million hectares of land about 10 per- linkages with a wide consortium of po- cent of the present total irrigated tential partners within and outside area. The impact on agriculture from this the CGIAR, including regional and na- increased competition for water will be tional institutions. Work on this global considerable. Agriculture will face initiative is expected to begin early next intense competition for water with year, in Colombo, with the convening of household and industrial consumers. an international workshop on water man- Meanwhile, environmental degradation agement. and urbanization will continue to erode (IIMI news release) the resource base that sustains irrigated agriculture. In the coming years, CGIAR; 13 News Acacia angustissima A Central American tree that's going places A cacia angustissima is believed effects when used as a source of nitrogen degrade relatively poorly (48%, 43% and to have originated in Belize, on fertilizer, green manure or soil mulch. They 57% respectively). S. sesban, S. macrantha, the Caribbean coast of Central may lower the rate of nitrogen mine-raliza- G. sepium and pigeon pea leaves degraded America, but MacQueen tion and lower nitrogen availability to rap- comparatively better (from 68% to 91 %) (1993) gives a distribution for the tree that idly growing crops. However, Palm and after 48 hours of incubation in the rumen; starts in the southem USA and extends Sanchez (1991) report that slow rates of the leaf material was suspended in the ru- down through Panama to the northern part nitrogen mineralization may have men part of the stomach through a plugged of South America. It is found at altitudes long-term beneficial effects on the build-up hole in the stomach wall. Here, the less de- up to 2700 m, can withstand the cold and of organic nitrogen in the soil. gradable the dry matter and nitrogen, the is known to grow in acid soils. Little re- In livestock-feeding systems the leaves of more these are lost in the dung because search has been done on the species. multipurpose trees that contain these sec- they are bound to the secondary com- Far from the tree's native continent, in ondary compounds will limit their fodder pounds, in this case the tannins. Research- Zimbabwe, researchers at the Agro- value by affecting consumption of feed and ers are now looking at the possibility that forestry Project of the Southern African digestion and absorption of nutrients. The the tannin-bound nitrogen could be pro- Development Community (SADC) and secondary compounds in leaves of wc,ody tected from use by microbes and other ICRAF have begun to uncover its potential species cause a shift in the route of nitro- bugs in the rumen. If relatively more nitro- as a multipurpose tree in the sub- gen excretion in ruminants. Over 60% of gen escapes degradation in the rumen, humid tropics. the nitrogen from dietary protein is ex- chances are that it will be used more effi- creted in the urine when ruminant live- ciently for absorption in the post rumen A productive tree stock are fed fodder from multipurpose part of the digestive tract, thus benefiting In trials that screened a wide range of ex- browse trees or shrubs that contain lcw the livestock. otic multipurpose tree species, it has shown levels of secondary compounds. The uri- It is also possible that leaves containing excellent growth-surpassed in height and nary protein is rapidly vaporized and lost tannin could slowly release nitrogen into production of leafy and woody biomass from the soil system. When ruminants con- the soil at a rate at which associated or sub- during the first year only by Sesbania sume fodders with high levels of secondary sequent crops can use it, unlike other trees sesban and Sesbania macrantha. However, compounds, over 60% of the nitrogen is such as Sesbania species, which degrade it has advantages over Sesbania species, excreted in the faeces. Most of this is in- very rapidly. This has been demonstrated which are short-lived trees that grow only soluble with a slow rate of mineralization. by the researchers in the agroforestry 2-3 years and do poorly after repeated cut- Depending on the chemical composilion of project in Zimbabwe. In a soil incubation tings, particularly during the 7-month dry the leaves, the composition may affect study to determine nitrogen mineralization season. Unlike sesbania, A. angustissima re- their use in managing soil fertility ancl or- potentials of seven species of trees adapted sponds well to many cuttings and produces ganic matter (Powell et al. in press). to local conditions, A. angustissima im- leafy material suitable for fodder and soil Thus the researchers in the agroforestry mobilized nitrogen from the soil six of the mulch. project in Zimbabwe are able to assess the eight sampling times. It has a high concen- The tree flowers profusely in February potential of the trees for fodder and for re- tration of secondary compounds that bind and March, then produces green pods and cycling nutrients when their leaves are used the nitrogen in the leaves and slow down seeds that eventually turn a coffee-brown. as soil mulch or green manure. So far, re- its mineralization by soil microbes. The Unlike most acacias, it is thomless. When search has focused on the degradabili ty of implications are that A. angustissima may left uncut or unpruned throughout the dry the leafy material and the release of rnutri- not be a good source of nitrogen for the season it tends to shed most of its leaves, ents and how that relates to nutrient re- current maize crop, but that it has the po- which become leaf litter on the ground, a quirements of associated or subsequent tential to release nitrogen at a rate that will medium for nutrient recycling. crops. It has been shown that A. benefit subsequent maize crops. At the agroforestry project in Harare, angustissima leaves contain large amounts The SADC/ICRAF Agroforestry Project Zimbabwe, researchers are comparing the of nitrogen, superior to six other multipur- in Zimbabwe is pursuing these questions, potential of several multipurpose trees by pose species: S. sesban, S. macrantha, in collaboration with the Zimbabwe De- examining the nutritive value of the leaves Cajanus cajan, Glinicidia sepium, partment of Research and Specialist Ser- looking at quantities and quality of nutri- Calliandra calothyrsus and Flemingia vices in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land ents. They are also studying contents of macrophylla. However, the acacia, and Water Development, and with the secondary compounds that can be toxic to calliandra and flemingia leaves tend to have Animal Science Department at the Univer- livestock fed the leaves. Compounds such noticeable amounts of condensed tannins, sity of Zimbabwe. Research thus far, how- as condensed or unhydrolysable tannins which could make the protein less acces- ever, suggests that this Central American and hydrolysable polyphenolics affect the sible to livestock that are fed the leaves as tree shows enormous promise for improv- interactions among plants, animals and supplements. ing soil fertility and livestock quality in the environment. In soil and nutrient manage- A preliminary trial tested the subhumid tropics. ment, these secondary compounds in the degradability of dry matter in cows' rumen, (Ben H. Dzowela in Agroforestty Today 6/3) leaves mav have both positive and negative to evaluate the cow's ability to digest differ- ent multipurpose tree leaves. Leaves of aca- cia, calliandra and flemingia were found to 14 CGIAR | RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS | New developments in crop selection and breeding may overcome productivity constraints of acid soils A new maize variety that will of the International Rice Research Insti- South American savannas. But how? To grow on acid soils offers new tute (IRRI) in the Philippines believe find the answer, CIAT and JIRCAS have farming horizons for the vast that developing crop cultivars adapted to begun collaborative research. avannas of the tropics, espe- acid soils notably for upland rice and Released in 1991 by the Colombian cially those of South America. Sikuani tropical forages is important in achieving Institute of Agriculture (ICA), Oryzica V-I 10 was released in 1994 by the Co- sustainable agriculture, particularly for Sabana 6 was selected by Surapong lombian Corporation of Agricultural Re- the acid savannas of tropical America. Sarkarung, CIAT rice breeder, and col- search (CORPOICA). The adapted species can support stable leagues. It is the first highyielding, "The savannas have traditionally been and productive farming systems by con- deep-rooted dryland rice variety to toler- good only for cattle ranching. The acid tributing to soil enhancement and nutri- ate acid soils. Sabana 6 matures quickly and infertile soils can't sustain crops," ent recycling,. The immediate challenge (in 105-108 days) and resists lodging. It says Shivaji Pandey, plant breeder for the is to identify the mechanisms for plant also resists diseases such as rice blast and International Maize and Wheat Improve- adaptation to acid soils as a basis for de- leaf scald and the sogata planthopper-a ment Center (CIMMYT). "But this revo- signing the tolerant genotypes. pest that also spreads "hoja blanca" lutionary maize tolerates acid soils. The new plants have performed well ("white leaf"), a viral disease prevalent in Planted with improved pastures, Sikuani under the diverse conditions encountered Latin America. also improves soil quality, benefiting the in different environments, say the re- "Acid soils usually have high levels of pasture or subsequent crops too." searchers. These cultivars must have tol- aluminum, which is toxic to crops," says The new maize variety results from a erance for the naturally occurring harsh Kensuke Okada. "Chemical compounds, collaborative effort, Pandey explains. "We soils that contain high levels of aluminum or exudates, may ooze out of the roots of worked for 17 years to develop this new and manganese, the elements most Oryzica Sabana 6 into the surrounding variety, using germplasm and information closely associated with soil acidity, and soil," explains Jorge Mayer, biochemist at from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Indone- grow normally under nutrient-poor con- CIAT's Biotechnology Research Unit. "If sia, Mexico, Peru, Thailand, and Venezu- ditions. They also produce high yields so, the exudate may be composed of or- ela." The Mexico-based CIMMYT also when conditions are favorable, such as ganic acids such as citric acid. These acids collaborated with the International Cen- with added lime. The current level of un- would 'bind' with the aluminum, pre- ter for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) in derstanding of the physiological and ge- venting it from poisoning the plant and, Colombia. The Colombian Institute of netic bases of acid soil tolerance is rudi- simultaneously, free phosphorus-an es- Agriculture (ICA) and CORPOICA mentary, but the CIAT and IRRI scien- sential plant nutrient that is usually tested the maize/pasture strategy in the tists believe that recent research will lead bound with aluminum in savanna soils." savannas and across Colombia. to the improvement of acid-soil-adapted "If we can identify the chemical At 20 sites, Sikuani yielded 3 tons per cultivars. Successful programs in a num- makeup of the exudate, we can test, in hectare on acid soils, while traditional ber of countries have already proven that the laboratory, the acid-soil tolerance of maize yielded only 2 tons, Pandey says. selecting for acid soil tolerance is effec- each new rice line by its ability to pro- Although bred to tolerate acid soils, tive for several important crops. duce the chemical," Okada says. "This Sikuani yields even better in normal soils, Defining the mechanisms that enable would speed the breeding and eventual as much as 7.5 tons per hectare under plants to tolerate acid soils will expedite release of new varieties to farmers. "Sci- experimental conditions. Its grain is ex- the development process and also lead to entists also hope to identify the genes cellent for human consumption or cattle more efficient liming and fertilizing prac- that'control acid-soil tolerance. Once feed. Its stubble provides fodder in the tices for cultivars currently grown. Lime found, we can breed them into other rice dry season. is an expensive input for most farmers. types, thus making them tolerant," Mayer "Planting Sikuani in the savannas will And when large amounts are added to says. "We could even transfer such genes have a revolutionary effect," says Raul highly weathered soils, it is often detri- through molecular techniques to other Vera, leader of CIAT's Tropical Lowlands mental to the soil structure. Liming also plants that, potentially, could use this Program. "A new economic option, a new lessens the availability of phosphorus and mechanism of acid-soil tolerance. way of working. Farmers will see that in- several micronutrients that are essential "There could be an environmental pay- tegration of cropping and ranching can for plant growth. off," says Daniel Robison, soil scientist in make the whole system more productive Rice seedlings are first grown in test CIAT's Land Use Program. "Rice varieties than its parts. In fact, farmers willing to tubes containing a liquid, acidic medium. that tolerate poor soils allow farmers in experiment with new components were Checking their tolerance for acidity is marginal areas such as the savannas sur- the final decisive factor in producing this Kensuke Okada, plant physiologist from rounding the Amazon Forest to produce variety." Japan's International Agricultural Re- more acceptable yields for longer periods. Acid soils limit agricultural production search Center (JIRCAS) assigned to This may reduce the need for more land, in many areas. To make the soils produc- CIAT's Rice Program. In front of him, an thus slowing deforestation." Acid-tolerant tive, many farmers often use costly prac- example of acid-tolerant dryland rice is rice varieties can also help open up the tices such as liming to decrease acidity. growing in a pot filled with acid soil. acid savannas of Africa and parts of Asia. CIAT plant nutrition physiologist I. M. A dryland rice variety, Oryzica Sabana (COAT press material) Rao and plant pathologist R. S. Zeigler 6, can tolerate the acid, infertile soils of CGIAR , I 5 CGIAR Centers- * CIAT-Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical * IFPRI-International Food Policy Research Institute ApartadoAereo 6713 1200 17th Street, NW Cali, Colombia Washington, D.C. 20036-3006 USA Tel. (57)2-4450-000 Tel. (1)202.-862-5600 Fax (57)2-4450-273 Fax (1)20:2-467-4439 * CIFOR-Center for International Forestry Research * IIMI-International Irrigation Management Institute P.O. Box 6596 P.O. Box 21)75 JKPWB Jakarta 10065, Indonesia Colombo, Sri Lanka Tel. (62)251-34-3652 Tel. (94)1-367404 Fax (62)251-32-6433 Fax (94)1-866854 * CIMMYIT-Centro Internacional de Mejoramie nto de * IITA- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture Maiz y Trigo PMB 5320 Lisboa 27, P.O. Box 6-641 Ibadan, Nigeria 06600 Mexico, D.F. Mexico Tel. (234)2-2410848; 2411430 Tel. (52)5-726-90-91 Fax 874-1772276 via INMARSAT Satellite Fax (52)595-41069 ILRI-Interriational Livestock Research Institute * CIP-Centro Internacional de la Papa P.O. Box 30709 Apartado 5969 Nairobi, Kenya Lima, Peru Tel. (254-2)630743 Tel. (51)14-366920 Fax (254-2')631499 Fax (51)14-350842 or 351570 * IPGRI-International Plant Genetic Resources Institute * ICARDA-International Center for Agricultural Research in Via delle Sette Chiese 142 Dry Areas 00145 Ronie, Italy P.O. Box 5466 Tel. (39)6-518921 Aleppo, Syrian Arab Republic Fax (39)6-575-0309 Tel. (963)21-225012 or 225112 or 234890 Fax (963)21-225105 or 213490 * IRRI Interriational Rice Research Institute P.O. Box 933 * ICLARM-International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Manila, Philippines Management Tel. (63)2-818-1926 or 812-7686 MC P.O. Box 2631, Makati Central Post Office Fax (63)2-818-2087 0718 Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines Tel. (63)2-817-5255 or 817-5163 * ISNAR-International Service for National Agricultural Research Fax (63)2-816-3183 P.O. Box 93375 2509 AJ The Hague, The Netherlands * ICRAF-International Centre for Research in Agroforestry Tel. (31)70-3496100 United Nations Avenue Fax (31)70-3819677 P.O. Box 30677 Nairobi, Kenya . * WARDA-VWest Africa Rice Development Association Tel. (254)2-521450 01 B.P. 2551 Fax (254)2-521001 Bouake 01, C6te d'lvoire Tel. (225) 632396 or 633242 or 634514 * ICRISAT-International Crops Research lnstitutit fir the Fax (225) 534714 Semi-Arid Tropics Patancheru P.O. Andhra Pradesh 502 324, India Tel. (91)40-596161 Fax (91)40-241239 Photo Credits: page 1: CGIAR, page 3: IITA. page 6: CGIAR, page 7: Ci'MMYT, page 10: ICARDA, page 12: CIP Issued by the CGIAR Secretariat, 1818 H Street, NW, WVashington, D.C., 20433, USA. Telephone: (1-202) 473-8913. Fax: (1-202) 473-8110. ® Printed on recycled paper