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Workshop Paper Presentations


Paper 1
Paper 2
Paper 3
Paper 4
Paper 5

Paper 1

CONCEPT DOCUMENT FOR THE FORMATION OF AN EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA FOREST PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT NETWORK

G. B. Allard, International Institute of Biological Control
J. Odera, Kenya Forestry Research Institute

BACKGROUND

The idea of an African network on forestry pest management first received consideration at the "Exotic Aphid Pests of Conifers Workshop" held in Kenya, June 3-6 1991 organised by the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) in technical collaboration with FAO and IIBC. This workshop coincided with the launching of the FRIM/ODA/IIBC (Forestry Research Institute of Malawi/Overseas Development Administration/International Institute of Biological Control) biological control programme for conifer aphids which was followed by the regional biological control programme for (exotic) conifer aphids that attack both indigenous and exotic plantation and ornamental conifers in eastern and southern Africa. This regional programme, which became fully operational in 1992, is sponsored by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) with support from FAO/UNDP and ODA.

These programmes were funded after the most devastating of the conifer aphids, Cinara cupressi, the cypress aphid, rapidly moved from Malawi, where it was first discovered in 1986, throughout east and southern Africa. Other aphids that were reported in the region were the pine woolly aphid, Pineus boerneri, and the pine needle aphid, Eulachnus rileyi. To date, the countries affected by the cypress aphid include Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zaire and Zimbabwe. Ethiopia and Zaire could be faced with similar problems when the cypress aphid arrives there.

The desire for technical cooperation in forest pest management within eastern and southern Africa has recently strengthened. An informal network of forestry pest management personnel has been established under the auspices of the IIBC regional biological control programme for conifer aphids. Through this network, linkages have been forged and information and scientific exchange have been made possible. The operational structure of this network has been endorsed by the collaborating entomologists and forest pest management specialists who attended the IIBC Biological Control Course for Conifer Aphids held at Muguga, Kenya in December 1993 and during a leucaena psyllid workshop held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in October 1994.

This concept document outlines how, with the support of national institutes and the international donor/technical assistance community, the existing IIBC network for forest pest management can be further developed into a fully operational and sustainable Technical Cooperation Network (TCN).

Initially, it is proposed that FAO and IIBC jointly provide assistance in planning and organizing the TCN as both institutions can provide technical input and expertise.

STEPS IN ESTABLISHING A TCN IDENTIFICATION OF THE PROBLEMS TO BE ADDRESSED

Forest pest management involves solving clearly identifiable, specific and limited problems. The conifer aphid problem, for example, is of common interest to ten east and southern African countries where it is of high priority and has a high potential for resolution through an integrated pest management approach. Furthermore, several institutions are already working on the control of conifer aphids.

As most forestry pests, both native and exotic, affect many countries in the region, a regional approach has been proposed for controlling pests and diseases, thus optimising the use of available resources. Examples of recently introduced insect pests into Africa include leucaena psyllid, Heteropsylla cubana, the eucalyptus psyllid, Ctenarytaina eucalypti and the eucalyptus beetles, Phoracantha semipunctata and P. recurva. Various diseases of eucalypts and pines have also appeared and have caused substantial losses in the recent past. Notable examples include dothistroma needle blight, caused by the fungus Dothistroma septospora, sphaeropsis die-back of pines caused by Sphaeropsis sapinea, cryphonectria canker of eucalypts, caused by Cryphonectria cubensis and various eucalypt diseases including Phaeoseptoria eucalypti.

SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS OF THE TCN

The IIBC Regional Biological Control of Conifer Aphids Programme has already discussed with, and gained approval from, forestry institutions in ten countries within east and southern Africa to permit the free flow of scientific information between countries. A newsletter on forestry pest management has been established and a research directory of forestry pest management experts throughout east and southern Africa has been compiled.

IIBC has compiled documents on individual country capacity in forest pest management including statements of on-going activities, infrastructure, available personnel and constraints to capacity building. These documents are subjected to regular updates and are freely available throughout the region. Thus, most of the groundwork has already been done in establishing contacts within relevant institutions and with policy makers in ten countries. What remains to be done is to select individual national co-ordinators from each country that wishes to be involved in a formal network.

Linkages have also been established between national programmes and other international institutions including FAO, ICRAF and ICIPE, and interest has been expressed in assisting with the formation of a regional network.

BRINGING TOGETHER THE POTENTIAL MEMBERS

Representatives from the selected potential member institutions (for example, national coordinators as described earlier) should be invited to a meeting to analyze the technical subject area and to discuss the possibility of creating a TCN. The meeting could be in the form of a workshop, seminar or round-table discussion. Since national and regional priorities differ, more detailed information will thus be gathered on individual countries' priorities within the subject area, and the potential for inter-country cooperation can be further explored. It is at this stage that the TCN will take shape. The aim should be to meet regional or subregional objectives without prejudicing individual national priorities.

Financial, technical and logistical support required to form and promote the TCN should be sought through the participating countries with assistance from the international donor/technical assistance community. The Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) is ready to approach the FAO and UNDP Resident Representatives for Kenya for this support.

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NETWORK

At the first meeting, potential members of the TCN will be permitted to make collective decisions about the TCN's structure, function and organization. Members must elect the governing body of the TCN, such as a Steering Committee, so that every country has an equal opportunity to be represented within the TCN decision making process. The Committee will decide on the network's strategies, plan its programmes and activities and supervise their implementation.

Initially IIBC could act as the Technical Secretariat on behalf of the TCN as they already have expertise within the region. FAO could function as the Coordinating Institution until such a time when elections are held to select a member institution to become the Coordinating Institution. Participants at the first meeting should agree on the following before the official launching of the network:

1. A limited and specific subject area for the TCN in order to establish effective inter-country cooperation in that particular field before expanding into other fields

2. Geographical scope of the TCN

3. Objectives of the TCN

4. Division of organizational responsibilities among members; the first work plan taking into account national and other constraints

5. Budget, including training of the national co-ordinators

6. Outputs, potential for continuity of the newsletter and possible constraints

PRODUCING A PROJECT DOCUMENT

The results of the first meeting should be written up into a full project document containing the following information:

1. Background and justification
2. Development objective
3. Intermediate objective
4. Output(s)
5. Activities and work schedule
6. Inputs

Even though external funding will initially be required to run the TCN, it is anticipated that member institutions will eventually be able to sustain it. FAO and IIBC, as the catalysts in the promotion of the TCN, will be expected to explore funding possibilities, both from their resources as well as from extra-budgetary sources.

Paper 2

SOME EXAMPLES OF SUCCESSFUL FORESTRY NETWORKS

William M. Ciesla, Forest Protection Officer, Forest Resources Division FAO, Rome

INTRODUCTION

FAO, through both is Regular Programme and Field Programme activities, has had considerable experience in the organization of networks in agriculture, forestry and fisheries. What I would like to discuss in this session is three examples of forestry networks; their structure, activities and funding. Elements of these can serve as models for an African Forest Insect and Disease Network. The networks I will review include:

1. The networks of Silva Mediterranea
2. Forestry Research Support Programme for Asia-Pacific Region (FORSPA)
3. International Neem Network

SILVA MEDITERRANEA

Silva Mediterranea, the African Forestry and Wildlife Commission (AFWC)/European Forestry Commission (EFC)/Near East Forestry Commission (NEFC) Committee on Mediterranean Forestry Questions is an organization which sponsors several networks. This organization is a statutory body of FAO. The objective of Silva Mediterranea is to provide a forum to address forestry issues of importance in the Mediterranean Region. This organization was originally conceived of in 1911 and implemented as an NGO during 1922. It became a statutory body of FAO when FAO was created. Membership consists of 25 countries from Mediterranean Europe, Africa and the Near East. Since several member countries of the European Union (France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain) are members of Silva Mediterranea, EU is also a member.

Recent activities of Silva Mediterranea include coordination of the development of the Mediterranean Forest Action Plan and the collection of data from the region for the Forest Resources Assessment 1990 project. The organisation also sponsors a number of research networks. These are organised on an as needed basis. Presently there are six research networks in operation:

1) Forest fire management.
2) Selection of multi-purpose species for arid and semi-arid zones.
3) Silviculture of Cedrus.
4) Silviculture of Pinus pinea.
5) Selection of stands of Mediterranean conifers for seed production.
6) Silviculture of Quercus suber.

Each network has an international coordinator and a country focal point. Network activities include collaboration and coordination of research, information exchange through seminars, workshops and publications.

There is no formal funding structure for the networks. Network activities are funded through individual national research projects. For special initiatives, funds have been made available by member countries. For example France made trust funds available for activities under the forest fire network.

FORESTRY RESEARCH SUPPORT PROGRAMME FOR ASIA-PACIFIC REGION (FORSPA)

The objective of FORSPA is to improve forest research capacity among participating countries. Member countries include Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand. Activities of FORSPA include publication of a newsletter and other papers, organization of workshops and coordination of forest research activities.

Funding is provided partially through a field project executed by FAO by the Asian Development Bank. The balance is provided by member countries either as direct contributions or in kind services.

INTERNATIONAL NEEM NETWORK

The International Neem Network is an informal, relatively unstructured network. It was formed to broaden the genetic base of neem, Azadirachta indica. The focus of this work was the Sahel region of West Africa where neem has been widely planted and a widespread decline of this species was occurring. The causes of the decline are still not fully understood but it is believed that a population of neem with a broader genetic base might be more adaptable to stresses.

Members of the network include a number of Asian and African countries. One Latin American country, Nicaragua, is also a member. International organizations and projects involved in the network include FAO, the Danida Tree Seed Centre (Denmark), CIRAD Forêt (France), FORSPA, and the Forest Tree Improvement Programme (FORTIP), based in the Philippines.

Network activities have included international workshops, seed collections and progeny tests, supportive research and information exchange. To facilitate information exchange, a newsletter is being published by Indian Centre for Forest Research and Education (ICFRE).

Small amounts of funding and in kind services are provided by FAO, CIRAD Forêt and DANIDA as well as FORSPA and FORTIP. Member countries provide in kind services.

Paper 3

EXPERIENCES FROM FORESTRY RESEARCH NETWORKS

J. A Odera, Director, Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI)

SUMMARY

It is observed that poor inter-African communication systems and lack of fora for information exchange is leading to duplication of efforts and waste of scarce resources. Moreover current under-funding of forestry research programmes and related factors have weakened the ability of many institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to respond to pest outbreaks. On the other hand, forest pests move freely in all areas where their hosts occur, in defiance of territorial boundaries. Recognizing that the countries of the SSA region constitute one major quarantine block, it is recommended that the region should impose identical quarantine restrictions, and observe common pest monitoring systems.

Available experiences show that these weaknesses can be addressed effectively through an African forest pest network. The paper recognises a range of existing forest and forest-related networks in Africa. Factors that favour and enhance the success of a network are acknowledged. The significance of a strong leadership with demonstrable stature and scholarship in the field of study is noted and the imperatives of involving all players from the planning stage and throughout all stages of project implementation, including data analysis and dissemination of results are stressed. It is urged that these attributes accord credit of visibility in the roll of partnership and ownership of the network and over time cultivate confidence and commitment to collaboration. A conceptual framework of a model network based on the FAO's proposed Forestry Research Network for Sub-Saharan Africa (FORNESSA) is presented for the workshop's consideration.

1.0 Introduction

Effective national agricultural research systems are critical for the reversal of the progressive decline in per capita food and agricultural production, and the escalating rates of deforestation in Eastern and Southern Africa. For various reasons, investments in forestry research (through national, regional or international programmes) have not been able to deliver higher yielding and pest resistant clones, locally adapted and economically viable technologies. While additional and continuing investment will be necessary, the key to improved productivity and efficiency is shared between enhancing the performance of existing institutions, optimizing inter-institutional co-ordination and maintenance of adequate funding. Donor involvement has typically been piecemeal and of limited duration, while the effectiveness of national research programmes has been constrained by recurrent budgetary deficiencies for operational activities. Unless the national research systems are substantially strengthened, the effectiveness of the work of international research systems and regional centres will remain marginal and therefore, susceptible to uncoordinated efforts from outside which, while well-intended may further weaken national programmes.

Inter-institutional coordination is often cost effectively realized through networking. Indeed forestry and agricultural research in developing countries have used informal and formal networks as vehicles for cooperation. On the whole, networks have become attractive with world wide declining funds for research, and are particularly appealing to research communities with limited resources and scientific manpower. According to Burley (1987) a network reduces costs, minimizes duplication, boosts efficiencies, strengthens national capacities. Indeed many development agencies and developing countries have accepted networks as a cost-effective mechanism for strengthening institutional capacity and causing noticeable impact in the application of research findings.

However, networks are not easy to create, manage and maintain; they require great dedication on the part of the network supporters to be sustained over a long period of time. But, in the absence of a network, neighbouring countries are obliged to individually repeat similar work due to lack of information exchange. In addition they are often within the e same country barriers between the various institutions and hardly any framework for cooperation to make good use of research results.

2.0 TYPES OF NETWORKS

Networks range from simple informal exchange of information on experiences touching on work done, methodology followed and names of participating scientists etc., effected through correspondence and or newsletters; to more formal structured systems governed by a contract or a memorandum of understanding involving a number of actors and coordinated by a secretariat. The following models are common among forest scientists in Africa.

2.1 Twinnings

Consist of an agreement between two institutions to strengthen one of them by sharing of information, skills or resources particularly through the contribution of staff, training, equipment, materials, or finance. Twinning is often common between an institution in a developing country and one in a developed country. Technical cooperation models adopted by some agencies of the United Nations and bilateral donors operate along this model.

2.2 The Union of Forestry Research Institutions

The International Union of Forestry Research Organization (IUFRO) provides a good example of a forum that is over 100 years old for forest scientists for the discussion of research plans, methods and results, instruments, standards and harmonized operational rules aimed at enhancement of quality and excellence. Its vision is to bring together scientific knowledge from all aspects of forestry, forest products and forest operations for the sustainable use of forest ecosystems. The Union is governed by the General Assembly and the World Congress. The International Council is made up of representatives of the national research institutions and an Executive Board elected by the Council. The Union does its work through the Subject Groups (36), the Project Groups (28) and the Working Parties (220). All these groups are run by IUFRO's officers on a voluntary basis. Co-ordination is effected by correspondence with intermittent meetings, training workshops and seminars. The IUFRO World Congress is held once in four years and is hosted by one of its member institutions. This provides a venue for presentation of the thematic invited and voluntary papers.

Costs of communications are borne by the member organizations currently standing at about 730 forestry research institutes, faculties and enterprises. The members support the organization through a small membership fee based on the number of scientists working in the institution. But trials and research may be initiated at the pleasure of member institutes. Currently, paucity of resources among Third World countries has tended to restrict participation of scientists from the South, a development that continues to erode the impact of IUFRO's international networks.

2.3 International Networks

A number of international networks of provenance trials have been implemented for a range of species by different institutions. The Oxford Forestry Institute (OFI), working on Central American Tropical Pines; Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) focusing on Australian species of Acacia, Casuarina and Eucalyptus; the Centre Technique Forestier Tropical (CTFT) working on African Hardwoods and Pacific insular eucalyptus; and the FAO sponsored Asia Pacific Agroforestry Network (APAN) based in Indonesia are noteworthy.

2.4 CGIAR - Centre Driven Networks

A large number of community based CGIAR centre driven networks are currently operating in Africa. Many of these are concerned with comparative testing of improved crop germplasm, with a few dealing with agronomic problems and farming systems. In agroforestry, AFNETA and AFRENA networks have been running for some time in nearly all regions of Africa.

2.5 Collaborative Contract Research

Collaborative research implemented through a contractual bond has become popular funding vehicles by European-based funding agencies, particularly the European Union (EU). The collaboration often involves two or three institutions, one of which must be based in an EU member country. The programme is implemented by a contractor who is also the co-ordinator affiliated to an institution based in an EU member country and associate contractors based in other participating countries. Quite often the northern-based tend to focus on basic/tactical research; while southern-based ones concentrate on applied/process oriented research, field validation and pilot testing. Other collaborative contract research types include:

(i) International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) established in 1993 and is funded by IDRC of Canada and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

(ii) Forestry research support programmes for Asia and the Pacific (FORSPA) developed by FAO and funded by the Asia Development Bank and the UNDP.

(iii) FAO is currently steering the formation of a Forestry Research Network for Sub-Saharan Africa (FORNESSA).

3.0 WHY AN AFRICAN FOREST PEST NETWORK?

Forestry research programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are currently starved of resources. National expenditure on research only average 0.3% of GNP and less than 0.1% of the value of the forest products is spent in research in SSA. Moreover, the research environment is often stifled with inexperienced staff, some of whom are inappropriately or insufficiently trained, and poor information dissemination (Odera and Sail, 1994). It is noted further that poor information dissemination, lack of fora and dialogue is leading to duplication of effort and waste of scarce resources. This concern is particularly significant in the management of forest pests and diseases; organisms which do not recognize territorial boundaries. In this regard, the entire SSA is virtually one geographical block and once a foreign pest or disease gains a foothold in any one country in the region, then it is sure to spread to every country in the region where its host trees occur. The recent experiences with exotic forest and agricultural pests, such as the conifer aphids, the leucaena psyllid etc. clearly underscore this concern.

Since the SSA countries share the same geographical land mass and are still free from many destructive forest pests and diseases, it is necessary for the region to impose identical restrictions, reflecting introduction of plant materials from outside; observe a common pest monitoring system to enable an early detection of arrival of new pests and possible build up of endemic ones. This would enable prompt suppression of pest outbreaks, with substantial savings of the crop. This situation together with the existing low level of funding of R and D and scarcities of quality scientific staff, call for teaming up of available resources in tackling many problems of common regional concerns.

A network strategy is proposed because;

(i) It is cost effective especially in monitoring pest distribution, epidemiologies and in mounting control interventions.

(ii) Forestalls duplication, provides efficient use of scarce manpower

(iii) Has capacity for addressing all relevant agro-ecosystems where the pests occur, in consistence with pests bioecology, outside national boundaries.

Plucknett and Smith (1984) have recognized seven main principles for success in networking. Burley (1987) has observed that a network must further strive to encourage participants to disseminate the results through formal publications, informal reports, newsletters etc., and promote application of technological findings by users. Odera and Sail (1994) have recently developed a network model for a SSA forestry research network, which can provide a useful frame of reference in the development of an African pest network. The following considerations are particularly important in the development and management of a network:

· The problem must be clearly defined and a research agenda drawn up, jointly by all players working as equal partners on a level playing ground. Governance should be collegiate with powers vested on its members and committees, which should in turn provide desirable moral and substantive support to the coordinator.

· The problem should be common to the participating countries, and the network should strive to promote equal partnership of participants who should work in an open participatory system.

· Strong self-interest must exist in each collaborator, but the activities of the network should remain driven by needs, and be geared to stimulate upstream, downstream and horizontal linkages, promote N-S partnerships and where necessary spinning research activities to national programmes.

· Participants must be willing to commit resources, but some outside funding must be made available to facilitate the birth and early functioning of the network, with built- in mechanism that would promote eventual self-reliance even if this be on a gradual basis.

· The network secretariat/coordinator should strive to mobilize additional resources to enable the network establish efficient conduits for corporate interventions and feedback, and to meet the challenges for innovation and new technologies which can contribute to more dynamic SSA strategy that would in turn nurture maximum synergies for sustainable production of healthy crops.

· Staff from participating institutions should have sufficient training and expertise to generate self-confidence, quality and assure reliable contribution.

· The network must be guided by strong and efficient leaders who have the confidence, support and acceptance of the participants.

A conceptual framework of a possible network model with instruments for governance, coordination and linkages is shown in Figure 1.

Fig 1: A conceptual model of possible institutional-linkages in an African Forestry Pest Network

5.0 CONCLUSION

The performance of forestry research programmes and ability of national institutions to respond to forest pest outbreaks in SSA region are relatively weak. This situation is excercabated by declining funding of the R&D programmes and shortfalls in scientific manpower. It is noted further that national programmes tend to be repetitive and fail to address the range of crops and ecosystems.

Although development of a network is proposed as a strategy for solving constraints to pest management, it is noted that networks are not easy to create, manage or operate. For smooth function of a network, common aspirations must be evident and should be perceived as such by all partners. While the importance of having a solid and firm leadership, remains a leading ingredient for ensuring the success of a network; the coordinator should be professionally competent and experienced in the field of study.

Cultivating effective partnerships by involving all players from conception of research agenda, and throughout all stages of planning, including choice of methodology, implementation processes, data analysis and dissemination of results remains an imperative task. Equitable and transparent allocation of roles and resources cultivate a sense of ownership and belonging.

Clearly defined roles, and areas of responsibility, would generate mutual acceptance, ownership and over time build confidence and commitment. A strong commitment at the departmental and institutional levels ensures sustainabilty of the network.

Paper 4

THE DEVELOPMENT OF AGROFORESTRY NETWORKS: THE CASE OF THE AGROFORESTRY NETWORKS FOR AFRICA (AFRENA'S)

Kwesi Atta-Kran, ICRAF Regional Coordinator, Bruce Scott, ICRAF Deputy Director

Introduction

The Agroforestry Research Networks for Africa (AFRENA) are network mechanisms through which the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) collaborates with national agricultural research systems (NARS) in agroforestry and natural resource management research in four major eco-regions of Africa; the sub-humid tropics of the unimodal plateaux of Southern Africa; the sub-humid tropics of the bimodal highlands of East and central Africa; the humid lowlands of West Africa and the semi-arid lowlands of West Africa.

Agroforestry Research Network for Eastern and Central Africa

The operating zone are the bimodal rainfall highlands of East and Central Africa, characterised by low rainy seasons normally exceeding 1000 mm per year and with an elevation of between 1000 and 2500m. The natural resource base is rich and genetically diverse, providing water for irrigation and hydro power.

The network's main objectives are:

· the development and transfer of appropriate agroforestry technologies for the land use systems within the bimodal rainfall ecological zone; and

· the development and strengthening of the national/regional capability and capacity to plan, formulate and carry out agroforestry research.

Research Orientation

AFRENA-ECA seeks to explore the potential contribution and role of trees and woody shrubs integrated into highland cropping systems for:

· Soil conservation (reduce erosion)
· Soil fertility maintenance and regeneration
· Conservation of remaining forests (biodiversity conservation)
· Production of wood for construction and fuel
· Sustainable crop and livestock production

The research in AFRENA-ECA is based strongly on:

· Systems Improvement, and
· Technology Development

The goal of this research is to develop sustainable agroforestry technologies that will contribute towards improving the productivity and sustainability of landuse systems within the highlands of East and Central Africa.

Other research activities are undertaken to support the technology development research. These include:

· Diagnostic and socio-economic surveys
· Multipurpose and tree screening and selection
· Component interaction and process studies

These supporting research activities are undertaken in close collaboration with relevant resource programmes at ICRAF.

The research strategy adopted involves three forms of partnership:

· IARS-NARS partnership
· Research-Development (NGO) partnership
· Farmer partnership in Research and Development

Research Programme Development

D & D studies undertaken by multidisciplinary ICRAF/NARS Task Forces identified three main region-wide research needs:

· soil fertility maintenance/improvement and erosion control to increase productivity and sustainability of food crop production;

· the production of high quality fodder to improve the productivity of livestock; and

· the production of wood and fruit to reduce deforestation and to enhance the supply of these products for domestic use or sale.

With regard to the status of research and sharing mechanism within each country, various research activities have produced results in key areas, forming the basis of a review of priority technologies and mechanism of research organization within AFRENA-ECA.

In 1994, the flagship model for sharing research responsibilities was developed on the basis of major cross-cutting research concerns or "flagship issues" for agroforestry in the region.

Below are the flagship themes and associated technologies.

Flagship theme

Research locations

Potential technologies

i) Soil fertility

Kenya, Burundi

Rotational fallows, rotational hedgerow intercropping

ii) Soil conservation

Uganda, Rwanda

Contour hedges, fodder and terrace banks, fallow terrace management

iii) Upperstorey trees

Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda

Boundary planting, upper storey trees in crops

iv) Fodder from agroforestry systems

Kenya, Rwanda Contour hedges, fodder trees gardens, trees in napier plot


Training

Through the AFRENA mechanism several NARS scientists and technicians have received training at various group training courses organized by the Training Programme of ICRAF and the African Network for Agroforestry Education (ANAFE). NARS scientists are also able to obtain fellowships and scholarships to undertake higher degree courses at both local and foreign universities. This has been the central mechanism for capacity building and human resource development within the network.

Information development and exchange

ICRAF provides information support services to the network by making its library services available to network members. Several technical and scientific journals, as well as agroforestry news and other information sources, are supplied through various means to the network members.

Within the network, information exchange is promoted through conferences, workshops, meetings and through correspondence. Once a year there is a network research planning and review workshop at which information is shared by all members of the network and future research activities are planned. As well, representatives from member organizations visit other members to coordinate on-going activities. Meetings of technical working groups are also important mechanisms for information exchange and experience sharing.

Lessons learnt and issues

Based on ICRAF's experience in designing and implementing Agroforestry Networks in Africa, there are certain lessons that can be extracted:

· All partner institutions must agree on problem identification and the prioritization of issues. Clear procedures must be established for planning and work approval. In short a clear division of roles and responsibilities must be established.

· A network must recognise the importance of developing partnerships. Institutional partners must expand to include NGO's, Universities, farmers groups at the national institutions and with advanced research institutes. To be effective, building partnerships takes time and must be handled with care.

· An important component of a network is the focus on human resource development through formal short term training degree fellowships and on the job training.

· Experience has shown that longer term effectiveness requires awareness and support at the policy level. This must be achieved at the national, regional and international level, to provide legitimacy to the programme and to assist with resource mobilization.

· A network must be able to foster a research enabling environment within the partner institutions. This includes assistance with operational expenses, creating multidisciplinary teams, and providing incentives for those teams to work together. To produce the correct enabling environment requires visionary leaderships and the development of creative mechanisms to achieve the goals of the programme.

· Networks need to be flexible and sufficiently robust to be able to adjust and evolve given a changing eternal environment. A constant re-assessment of achievements and priorities is key to maintaining a dynamic network.

· Financial stability and security of funds is important in the early stages of the development of a network. After 10 years, the programme should be able to have developed its won confidence and justification for continued funding.

Conclusion

ICRAF has used networks as the major mechanism to develop its research and dissemination activities globally. ICRAF has benefitted enormously from these partnerships with national institutions. The achievement that ICRAF has made in the last 10 years can be largely attributed to the effectiveness of these partnerships. The success of ICRAF will in turn be largely judged by the effectiveness of these partnerships from the perspective of the collaborative national research institutions.

Paper 5

SOME CONSIDERATIONS ON THE FORMATION OF A NETWORK

G. B. Allard, International Institute of Biological Control

Introduction

The objective of this meeting is to ratify a forestry pest management network for Africa which will cover insects, diseases and weeds affecting forestry. The importance of such a network was first discussed at a workshop held in Muguga, Kenya, 3-6 June 1991," Exotic aphid pests of conifers. A crisis in African forestry". The topic was then further discussed at a subregional workshop on leucaena psyllid. "A threat to Agroforestry in Africa", Dar es Salaam, 10-14 October 1994. All participants at this meeting have been provided with the recommendations from both these workshops.

In the interim, an informal network has been operational in Africa since 1992 coordinated by the International Institute of Biological Control through the regional biological control programme for conifer aphids, funded by CIDA and ODA. To date eleven countries in east and southern Africa are involved with this network, some more actively than others, dependent on resources, infrastructures, pest problems and on the time when they joined the network. These countries are Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Zaire, South Africa.

A concept paper for the formation of a network has been developed by the combined efforts of several people and this is presented in these proceedings for reference. This concept paper formed the basis for discussions on networking held at the leucaena psyllid workshop which was the precursor of this meeting. This paper is also printed in the proceedings of this workshop "A threat to Agroforestry in Africa", Dar es Salaam, 10-14 October 1994.

The next logical step is to expand on these concepts and make them a reality by drawing on information available from existing networks and using them as a model for this network. Previous speakers have provided information on existing networks operating either globally or with an African focus, I will now provide brief information on the existing informal pest management network operated by IIBC.

The IIBC Regional Biological Control Programme

IIBC was contracted by CIDA in 1991 to carry out a regional biological control programme for conifer aphids aimed at assisting with capacity and capability building in forestry pest management as well as sustainable control of certain pests. As the project proceeded and evaluations of infrastructures, strengths and weaknesses were made the project attempted to embrace immediate needs of the ten participating countries. Logistical and technical support have been provided using kick-start funds to provide immediate assistance followed by the development of bilateral funding proposals intended to provide sustainability.

Successes to date include information exchange through a newsletter, scientific interaction through country exchange of expertise, in-country and regional training courses and most important, increased awareness of pest management needs in forestry with emphasis on planning and priority setting.

In order to sustain such activities a more formal approach must now be adopted and donors sought for support of a network which can fulfil specified criteria. This meeting seeks to discuss issues relating to ratifying such a network and it is anticipated that at the end of the meeting a Charter and MOU will be drafted which can then be further discussed and approved by policy makers.

Points for Consideration

Thus the backbone of a network already exists and your attendance at this workshop indicates that several countries and institutions are willing to provide input into the formation and operation of a network. The "why have a network" question has already been affirmed and now we must consider other factors.

In deliberating on the formation of a forest pest management network it must be established what benefits members will accrue, either directly or indirectly, from the formation of this network and what input will be necessary

In considering the objective it may help clarification if it is known whether your organisation/institution is directly involved with other networks and, if so, what are the objectives and how are they achieved. This may also provide guide-lines on operation and benefits attained from networking.

Once objectives have been decided upon, the management of the network should be determined, including the possibility of the setting up of committees. Membership should be discussed and whether there should be membership contributions.

Questions will be raised such as, what problems should be addressed, should the network be involved in scientific and information exchange only or with research or with both?

Summary

Through my own experiences I have no doubts that networking whether it be formal or informal, whether it involves scientific research or merely information exchange is vital in forestry pest management. I also believe that the success of a network lies in good fair management with the unanimous support and backing of its embers..

I now leave you in the good hands of an unbiased facilitator to lead us through the discussions.


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