1. Baseline data collection, information gap analysis and overview of resource trends for selection of areas for conserving and managing biodiversity in agroecosystems.
This will include: (i) Map and evaluate the status of biodiversity with a focus on biodiversity for food and agriculture, including wild relatives; (ii) Detailed assessment of existing threats to biodiversity for food and agriculture and the underlying causes; (iii) Characterization of production systems (including agro-forestry, and looking at farming practices); (iv) Characterization of land and resource tenure; (v) Identification and analysis of local, national and global environmental benefits; and (vi) Identification of project sites including criteria such as globally significant biodiversity, threat levels, and existing potential of improved efficiency. This will involve the preparation of relevant studies on the linkages between agroecosystems, biodiversity and farming practices, and the development of criteria for identifying project sites. Demonstration sites will be established and activities initiated. Technical meetings and workshops with relevant international and national agencies will be held.
2. Feasibility for formulation of marketing and financial strategies and identification of partnerships.
This includes: (i) Analyze and evaluate market forces threatening biodiversity; (ii) Analyze the barriers but also options for marketing “agricultural-biodiversity friendly” products; (iii) Identify commercial agricultural companies to develop guidelines for more biodiversity-friendly practices that they can encourage their client farmers to follow; (iv) Analysis of market mechanisms and linkages of local communities to commercial agriculture companies; and (v) Explore options for niche markets and specialized crops.
These analyses will include the identification and valuation of specific markets by region/product and analysis of productive capacity, the costs of production and the viability of the market by product. This will contribute to the development of a market-based strategy for selected agro- biodiversity products managed by local communities. This PPG will analyze international and national market demand for the selected crops including costs of processing, production and certification.
3. Assessment of capacity needs and institutional strengthening for a conducive policy environment and development of appropriate tools for mainstreaming biodiversity into national policy.
Effectively supporting the capacities of national institutions including key government institutions to foster a more enabling environment for the conservation and sustainable management of biodiversity in agroecosystems. More specifically, the PPG funds would be used to: (i) Analyze operational and technical capacities at central, intermediate and local levels, and identification of gaps and capacity building needs; (ii) Assess local stakeholder capacity analysis at the local level; iii) Identify and assess priority areas and alternative strategies for institutional strengthening of relevant institutions; iv) Analysis of the existing policy and regulatory framework, and existing relevant tools (e.g. EIA, life cycle assessment), at the national and local levels to support biodiversity conservation and sustainable management in agroecosystems; (v) Define effective coordination mechanisms between the project and the executing partners.