First Review of Systemwide Programmes with an Ecoregional Approach













Table of Contents


Document No.:

SDR/TAC:IAR/99/8

Distribution:

General

Date:

1 October

THE CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

TAC SECRETARIAT

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS

September 1999

International Centers Week 1999
October 25 - 29
Washington D.C.

Reducing Poverty through Cutting-edge Science

Attached is the Report of the First Review of Systemwide Programmes with an Ecoregional Approach, together with the transmittal letter from the Chair of TAC to the Chairman of the CGIAR, and TAC's commentary on the review.

This report will be presented in plenary session under Agenda Item 4(a)(i): Integrated Natural Resources Management - Ecoregional Review. The Chair of the Review Panel will summarize the Panel's findings, and a TAC Member will present the TAC commentary prior to discussion and decision-making by the Group.

CGIAR Secretariat · Mailing Address: 1818 H Street, N.W,. Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A. · Office Location: 701 18th Street. N.W. Tel: (1-202) 473-8951 · Cable Address: INTBAFRAD · Fax: (1-202) 473-8110 · E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]


Table of Contents


TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

TAC COMMENTARY ON THE REVIEW OF SYSTEMWIDE PROGRAMMES WITH AN ECOREGIONAL APPROACH

ACRONYMS

SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

CHAPTER 1 - BACKGROUND AND PROCESS

1.1 Introduction
1.2 Evolution of the Ecoregional Approach

1.2.1 Within the CGIAR System
1.2.2 In other organizations

1.3. The Review Process

1.3.1 The desk study
1.3.2 The main phase

CHAPTER 2 - IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ECOREGIONAL APPROACH IN THE CGIAR

2.1 The Ecoregional Programmes

2.1.1 Overview of the eight programmes

2.1.1.1 Desert Margins Initiative (DMI)
2.1.1.2 Programme for the Warm Humid and sub-Humid Tropics of sub-Saharan Africa (EPHTA)
2.1.1.3 Programme for the Humid and sub-Humid Tropics of Asia (Ecor(I)Asia)
2.1.1.4 On-farm Water Husbandry (OFWH) Programme for West Asia and North Africa
2.1.1.5 Rice-Wheat Consortium (RWC)
2.1.1.6 Programme for Enhancing Agricultural Research Effectiveness in Tropical America (CIAT's)
2.1.1.7 Alternatives to Slash and Burn (ASB) Programme
2.1.1.8 Sustainable Mountain Agricultural Development Programme

2.1.2 Commentary

2.1.2.1 Organization
2.1.2.2 Choice of regions
2.1.2.3 Relation to other Systemwide Programmes

2.2 Other Ecoregional Activities

CHAPTER 3 - RESPONSE TO TERMS OF REFERENCE AND OTHER CONCLUSIONS

3.1 Response to Terms of Reference

3.1.1 Response to Terms of Reference 1

3.1.1.1 Sustainable improvement of productivity
3.1.1.2 Linking research on natural resource conservation and management with that on production systems

3.1.2 Response to Terms of Reference 2

3.1.2.1 The degree of effectiveness of collaboration among Centres and between them and their partners (linking, openness, involvement with NARS and other research partners)
3.1.2.2 Cost-effectiveness/value-added of the implementation option
3.1.2.3 The participation of potential beneficiaries and other stakeholders in the definition of the research problems and priorities
3.1.2.4 Clarity in communicating the importance of the research to the CGIAR members and other actors
3.1.2.5 Continuity of funding support
3.1.2.6 Ease of accountability
3.1.2.7 The standards of planning, monitoring and evaluation

3.2 Other Conclusions

3.2.1 Misunderstanding of the Ecoregional Approach

3.2.1.1 Means confused with ends
3.2.1.2 Other agendas attached
3.2.1.3 NRM priorities not specified in detail

3.2.2 Consequences
3.2.3 Strong Support for the Principles

CHAPTER 4 - FUTURE OF THE ECOREGIONAL APPROACH AND ECOREGIONAL PROGRAMMES

4.1 Sustainable Improvement of Productivity as a System Priority
4.2 Towards a Revised Conceptual Framework for NRM Research
4.3 Implementing the Proposed Framework

4.3.1 Priorities and strategies
4.3.2 Organization and governance
4.3.3 Strengthening strategic research in NRM
4.3.4 Strengthening social science research, especially policy research
4.3.5 Developing and harmonizing methodologies
4.3.6 Exchanges among NRM Programmes

4.4 Terminology
4.5 Future Policy on Programmes at the System Level
4.6 Unfinished Business

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ANNEXES

Annex I Composition of the Panel and Biographical Information
Annex II Terms of Reference for the Review of Systemwide Programmes with an Ecoregional Approach
Annex III Report of Panel Visit to Rice/Wheat Consortium
Annex IV Report of Visits to Ecoregional Activities in sub-Saharan Africa
Annex V Report of Panel Visit to the Programme for Enhancing Agricultural Research Effectiveness in Tropical Latin America and to CONDESAN
Annex VI Conclusion of the Desk Study in Support of the Ecoregional Review
Annex VII Landmarks of the Ecoregional Approach
Annex VIII List of Selected Contacts
Annex IX Documents Provided to the Review Panel