Main Contributors

This PAIA is coordinated by an informal working group which brings together virtually all departments. Clearly, it is of major interest to AG given the strong emphasis on intensification of production systems and improved technologies. Nevertheless, other departments need to contribute (FO for the critical role of forests and trees, ES for supportive analytical work, SDA and SDW for institutional and gender issues, and TCA for related policy assistance).

Objectives

1. to assist with smallholder crop and livestock intensification strategies and integrated production technologies, including aquaculture and agro-forestry;
2. to provide viable crop and livestock diversification options to Members to meet food security and income generation targets and increment market opportunities;
3. to enhance integration of production, processing, packaging, transport and storage of marketable commodities and value-added products from the farm through to the consumer;
4. to support entrepreneurs in rural and peri-urban agribusiness development; and
5. to facilitate adoption of novel approaches to crop and livestock intensification and product processing.

Priorities

1. sustainable intensification and horizontal integration of production systems:
2. evaluation of good agricultural practices for specific production systems in selected agro-ecozones and related assistance to countries;
3. uptake of conservation agriculture concepts and technologies through policy guidance, appraisal and pilot projects as well as related training activities;
4. dissemination of technologies for intensive crop and forage production, including agroforestry, aquaculture and conservation measures within integrated systems;
5. appraisal and design of policies to correct the negative environmental effects of livestock and crop production which are not reflected in product and input prices, and related technology transfer (including the "Livestock Environment and Development Initiative");
6. economic appraisal of farming systems dynamics and the farm-level impacts of integrated and intensive production;
7. vertical integration of production systems, processing and marketing:
8. management tools for entrepreneurs in agribusiness, together with related information and training packages;
9. promotion of appropriate technologies, including biotechnology, for agro-industries and post-harvest management and related training;
10. training materials and capacity building to reinforce linkages between producers and processors;
11. post-harvest analytical framework to identify inefficiencies in the post-harvest system and advice on necessary policy, management and infra-structural adjustments;
12. integrated databases and information systems:
13. country-based farm data and information systems, including design, pilot development and promotion of field guides, software and training materials, particularly in support of SPFS;
14. assessment of lesser-known crop plants with localised and/or international potential, and dissemination of information (including training and networking);
15. global databases and interactive websites on post harvest information, conservation agriculture, farm machinery, grass and forage production, and livestock intensification; and
16. pilot projects:
17. for each regional pilot project, introduction and field-level assessment of improved crop, livestock, aquaculture and agro-forestry techniques, and development of post-production systems, high-valued crops and livestock products;
18. participatory assessment for the improvement of farming systems and methods (through meetings and collaboration with local institutions and stakeholders);
19. appraisal, design and promotion of supportive policies and institutional measures for better management of available resources in smallholder farming systems (including sharing of experiences);
20. establishment of pilot sites, in cooperation with SPFS, as learning centres in support of countries and organizations working on improved livelihoods through sustainable integration of crop and livestock systems (including aquaculture and agro-forestry wherever appropriate).

[extract from MTP 2004-09]