AFRICA RICE_2008-2010_OVERVIEW

8/7/2019 AFRICA RICE_2008-2010_OVERVIEW

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Medium Term Plan20082010

Charting the Future of Ricein Africa

June 2007

Africa Rice Center (WARDA)01 B.P. 2031, Cotonou Benin

Tel (229) 21.35.01.88 Fax (229) 21.35.05.56

CGIAR


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iAFRICA RICE MTP 2008-2010

Contents

CONTENTS .................................................................................................................................................... I

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................. 1PROGRAM 1 INTEGRATED RICE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS............................................................................ 3

PROJECT 1:ENHANCING PRODUCTIVITY AND STABILITY OF UPLAND RICE-BASED SYSTEMS .............................................. 3PROJECT 2:SUSTAINABLE INTENSIFICATION OF LOWLAND RICE-BASED SYSTEMS FOR ENHANCED LIVELIHOODS..................... 3PROJECT 3:ENHANCING THE PERFORMANCE OF IRRIGATED RICE-BASED SYSTEMS IN AFRICA ........................................... 3

PROGRAM 2 RICE POLICY AND DEVELOPMENT ......................................................................................... 4

PROJECT 4: RICE POLICY AND TECHNOLOGY IMPACT ON FOOD SECURITY AND POVERTY REDUCTION................................. 4PROJECT 5: ADAPTATION TO HUMAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ON RICE-BASED LIVELIHOODS................................. 4PROJECT 6:PARTNERSHIPS, LEARNING AND INNOVATION SYSTEMS ............................................................................ 5

1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 7

1.1.ASUSTAINABLE INCREASE IN RICE PRODUCTION IN AFRICA ............................................................................... 71.2.CONSTRAINTS TO SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION IN AFRICA............................................................................ 71.3INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC GOODS................................................................................................................... 8

2. SUMMARY OF ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2006 ................................................................................................... 9

2.1PROGRAM-LINKED ACHIEVEMENTS .............................................................................................................. 92.1.1PROGRAM 1:INTEGRATED PRODUCTION SYSTEMS........................................................................................ 92.1.2PROGRAM 2:RICE POLICY AND DEVELOPMENT.......................................................................................... 102.1.3PROGRAM SUPPORT UNITS ................................................................................................................... 102.1.3.1GENETIC RESOURCES UNIT ................................................................................................................ 102.1.3.2 BIOSAFETY AND PLANT QUARANTINE................................................................................................... 112.1.3.3TRAINING,INFORMATION AND LIBRARY SERVICES (TILS) ........................................................................... 11

3. AFRICA RICE CENTER (WARDA) INVOLVEMENT IN CHALLENGE PROGRAMS ........................................... 11

3.1HARVESTPLUS CP ................................................................................................................................. 123.2GENERATION CP ................................................................................................................................... 123.3WATER AND FOOD CP ........................................................................................................................... 133.4SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA CP ....................................................................................................................... 13

4. AFRICA RICE CENTER (WARDA) INVOLVEMENT IN SYSTEMWIDE PROGRAMS ........................................ 13

4.1SYSTEMWIDE INITIATIVE ON HIV/AIDS AND AGRICULTURE (SWIHA) ................................................................ 134.2INLAND VALLEY CONSORTIUM .................................................................................................................. 144.3SYSTEMWIDE LIVESTOCK PROGRAM ........................................................................................................... 144.4ON-LINE LEARNING RESOURCE PROJECT (INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY KNOWLEDGE

MANAGEMENT) ......................................................................................................................................... 14

4.5CONSORTIUM FOR SPATIAL INFORMATION (ICT-KM) .................................................................................... 144.6INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM) .................................................................................................... 144.7PROPOSED SYSTEMWIDE PROGRAM TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION:OASIS .......................................................... 15

5. OUTLOOK FOR 2007 .............................................................................................................................. 15

5.1PROJECTS BEGUN IN 2006 ...................................................................................................................... 155.2PROJECTS COMPLETED IN 2006 ................................................................................................................ 155.3COLLABORATION................................................................................................................................... 16


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5.3.1WARDAIRRICIATCOLLABORATION .................................................................................................. 165.3.2COLLABORATION WITH NARS ............................................................................................................... 165.3.3ROLE OF PARTNERS IN PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION ...................................................................................... 165.3.4OTHER COLLABORATION....................................................................................................................... 17

6. MONITORING, EVALUATION AND PRIORITY SETTING ............................................................................ 17

7. RESEARCH PRIORITY SETTING AND PLANNING ...................................................................................... 17

7.1RESEARCH DAYS .................................................................................................................................... 187.2THEMATIC GROUPS ................................................................................................................................ 187.3CONSORTIUM STEERING COMMITTEE OF IVC ............................................................................................... 187.4STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE AFRICAN RICE INITIATIVE ................................................................................. 187.5STEERING COMMITTEE OF ROCARIZ ......................................................................................................... 197.6STEERING COMMITTEE OF ECARRN .......................................................................................................... 197.7STEERING COMMITTEE OF SYSTEMWIDE INITIATIVE ON HIV/AIDS AND AGRICULTURE............................................ 197.8AFRICA RICE CENTER (WARDA) ROLE IN ACTIVITIES BEYOND THE CGIARSYSTEM PRIORITIES .................................. 20

8. FINANCING PLAN................................................................................................................................... 20

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................................. 26


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1AFRICA RICE MTP 2008-2010

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This MTP based on the Centers strategic plan 2003-2010 takes full account of the greatly increasedinvolvement of WARDA in all regions of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) at the request of both its Council of

Ministers and national agricultural research systems (NARS) in the 17 member countries of WARDA and inmany non-member countries. It also takes account of the evolution of the CGIAR in SSA to embrace moreintensive cooperation between centers and their national and international partners.

The MTP recognizes and serves as an associated tool in the implementation of the Regional Plan forCollective Action, formerly the West and Central Africa MTP in conjunction with our partners. As a keymover in the development of the MTP for West Africa, WARDA is particularly cognizant of the latestCGIAR System Priorities and has readily adopted these as underpinning for the Centers continuingengagement with poverty in SSA and the creation and dissemination of the many pertinent international andregional public goods being produced by the Center. At all times the Center also recognizes the importantroles it can play in meeting Millennium Development Goals and the five pillars of NEPADs CAADP.

In partnership with ASARECA, WARDA activated the ECARRN rice network with a coordinator based inDar es Salaam, Tanzania, and is now entering new collaboration with IRRI and the Japanese Government ineastern Africa and with IRRI and CIAT in West Africa. The CCER on Partnerships praised WARDA modelfor producing highly diversified partnerships with all levels of the rice sector, including farmers.Recommendations from the CCER, especially to strengthen the ROCARIZ and ARI networks, are beingtaken on board. WARDA was winner of the South-South Triangular Partnership Award by the United Nationsin December 2006, thereby reaffirming the Centers strength in this field.

Underpinning the MTP period and beyond are four key elements:

Pursuit of coherence and excellence in a number of core research areas aimed at producingdesirable international public goods.

Adaptation of the network-based model for research collaboration.

Enhancing the institutional capacity of national agricultural research and extension systems(NARES) through training and human resource development.

Direct engagement with the rice development sector.Together these build towards WARDAsstrategic goal to significantly increase the quality, usefulness andavailability of knowledge and technology within the rice sector to support the poor in Africa.as stated in thestrategic plan.

WARDA will continue to strive to make locally produced rice (especially NERICAs) competitive in price andquality through reduction in local rice production costs, increased quality and cleanliness and consequenthigher market desirability. Confirmation of the progress achieved by past efforts of the Center indisseminating NERICAs and promoting policy change was received in March 2007 when the FAO RiceMarket Monitor highlighted NERICA adoption as one of the key reasons for the marked increase inproduction of rice in Africa in both 2005 and 2006. Improved policies in seven key rice-producing countriesas well as favorable weather also contributed to the increases in home-produced rice, according to FAO.

The preparatory processes have resulted in a Medium Term Plan that WARDA feels is fully engaged in

delivering solutions to the problems and the needs of resource-poor communities throughout the major rice-growing ecologies of sub-Saharan Africa. This MTP also emphasizes partnership with effective NARS, withARIs and with farmers, and is designed for implementation within a background of enabling governmentpolicies and profitable markets for locally produced rice.

The Center is also internalizing in this MTP how it is encapsulating in each of its projects the vitalrequirement to ensure the production of international public goods (IPG) and demonstrate how these willimpact effectively in the alleviation of poverty and hunger across nations. In further taking into account


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various review recommendations and vital M & E, the Center is also seeking to progressively align with theSystem Priorities of the CGIAR and the regional MTPs for science research in sub-Saharan Africa.

In response to the earlier comments of the Science Council, greater focus is now incorporated in thesimplified programmatic structure of the Centers research activities originally introduced in 2005. The twoprogram format remains the backbone of this MTP, but the number of center projects is reduced to six, plus

the Inland Valley Consortium (IVC) and the Systemwide Initiative on HIV/AIDS and Agriculture (SWIHA)which each have individual MTPs. Program 1 now hosts projects 1, 2 and 3 while program 2 hosts projects 4,5 and 6. The numbering of projects 4, 5 and 6 has changed from the previous MTP. In accordance with the SCcommentary and WARDA Boards recommendation, the previous Project 4 Integrated Management ofDrought in Rainfed Rice Ecosystems in Africa has been dissolved and elements of it incorporated inprojects 1 and 2, with drought mapping moved to project 5 which is rewritten to take account of thegraduation of SWIHA to a full SWEP. Overlaps with projects 1 and 2 have been eliminated.

Projects 1, 2 and 3 have been re-focused to take clear account of and align with CGIAR system priorities (SP)and with the West and Central Africa Regional Plan for Collective Action. In recognition of Science Councilconcern and of the growing emphasis on wider aspects of climate change, research in the area of drought hasnow been placed more appropriately with other projects. The focus of Project 4 (formerly 5) has beenaddressed. The post-conflict impact of this project is now additional to that of the products related to researchon climate change and sustainable intensification. Networks remain at the heart of the new Project 6 Partnerships, innovations and learning systems which has been rewritten to refocus the research aspects ofnetworks, expressly bringing out the innovative aspects of technology uptake and transfer, and showingclearer alignment to SP 5c and 5d. Most elements of impact and adoption research are now better aligned andconcentrated in Project 4 in accordance with the SC comments and in keeping with PM guidelines.

The USAID-funded biotechnology project now in its third year on the use of marker-assisted selection hasgreatly enhanced the biotechnology capacity of four West African countries. Two popular varieties of ricefrom each country have been identified for improvement by the addition of a gene conferring resistance torice yellow mottle virus. This improved capacity in molecular biology has paved the way for a new three-yearproject under the Generation CP to be funded by the EU in late 2007. The second phase of the IFAD-fundedPADS project to identify, evaluate, adapt and scale-out sustainable productivity-enhancing innovations forrice production systems in the rainfed lowland ecology is in full swing. The Gambia, Guinea, Ghana and Malibenefit from the Phase II agenda focussing only on the inland valley systems because of their great potential

to become the food basket of West Africa.The program structure Integrated Rice Production Systems and Rice Policy and Development continues tofocus on the two major challenges previously identified in the 2003 2012 Strategic Plan. The ecoregionalprogram IVC and the systemwide program SWIHA now produce their own MTPs (Annexes B and C) whichare likewise revised to take full account of CGIAR SPs and the Regional Plans for Collective Action inAfrica. The Centers logframe analysis (Annex D) fully takes account of the relevant updates and the SystemPriorities of the CGIAR. The outputs and especially output targets have been consolidated and logframesadjusted accordingly.

Financing plan

The resource requirements over the MTP period are based on the 2007 funding level of the Center andprojections for 2008. The plan assumes combined growth and inflation rates of 2.0% and 2.6% for 2009 and2010, respectively. The projected unrestricted funding for 2008 amounts to US$ 5.98 million and restrictedfunding is put at US$ 6.26 million, giving a total 2008 grant income of US$ 12.24 million. The Centersearned income is projected at US$ 0.20 million. The combined annual weighted inflation in those Africancountries where the Center operates is projected to be 2.5-3.5%. Spending on Center operations in 2008 isplanned to be at the level of US$ 12.29 million leaving a positive net increase in Center reserves of US$ 0.15million.


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Program 1 Integrated Rice Production Systems

Project 1: Enhancing Productivity and Stability of Upland Rice-based Systems

Resource-poor farmers dominate rice production in upland ecologies constrained by biotic and abioticstresses, declining soil fertility and water deficit. Conventional breeding and modern biotechnology will beused to exploit reservoirs of rich genetic resources present in neglected indigenous landraces, namely O.glaberrima, O. barthii, O. longistaminata and O. sativa to develop varieties of higher biotic resistance,increased protein content, stable yields and good performance in low input systems. The project focuses on:(i) upland rice varieties with higher yield, lower nutrient requirement and improved resistances to stress; (ii)integrated management packages for pests such as rice stem borers and termites, blast disease and theparasitic weed, Striga; (iii) assessing the impact of new varieties and technologies to allow better futuretargeting of related research. System priority areas 1, 2 and 4 in particular sub-priorities 1a, 2a-2d and 4c are strongly addressed, with medium relevance also demonstrable to 1b.

Outputs

1. Improved lines and varieties of good quality with higher and stable yield available to NARS2.

Integrated management options for pests and diseases available

3. Profitable integrated soil fertility and drought management options

Project 2: Sustainable Intensification of Lowland Rice-based Systems for Enhanced

Livelihoods

A combination of improved quality rice varieties, pest and disease management packages designed forsustainability, and multi-cropping for more and better food at lower cost as well as for wealth creation willhelp revive and expand rice production in lowlands. Cutting edge biotechnology tools and innovativetraditional breeding methods will pinpoint and develop breeding material with resistance to important stressesthat will be evaluated by farmers through participatory varietal selection to identify farmer-selected lines forrelease. At the same time, integrated pest management packages and integrated crop management are

emphasized. Vegetable crops will improve and diversify farm production. The project mainly focuses on: (i)new cultivars with resistance or tolerance to iron toxicity, RYMV, AfRGM and weeds; (ii) sustainableintegrated crop management techniques for these widespread stresses; (iii) new high-value vegetable or fieldcrop options to fit a rice-based system. The system priorities strongly addressed in this project include Priorityarea 2 and sub-priorities 1a, 1b and 4d. The diversification element is pertinent to sub-priority 3a.

Outputs

1. High-yielding and stable lowland rice lines of good quality available2. Improved integrated crop management options for lowland rice-based systems3. Stable and profitable crop diversification in lowland rice-based systems

Project 3: Enhancing the Performance of Irrigated Rice-based Systems in AfricaIrrigated-rice systems realize high yields per days of water provided pesticides are used rationally and therange of degradation processes such as salinity, alkalinity and iron toxicity are corrected. Presently, thenarrow genetic base of existing improved varieties limits the germplasm for this ecology. This project adoptsa holistic approach embracing not only germplasm improvement and efficient crop and natural resourcemanagement techniques, but also the changes in policy that are needed to support a profitable future forirrigated production. Working with NARES and with small- and medium-scale farmers will ensure thatimproved research results are rapidly transferred. The project focuses on: (i) germplasm improvement for


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yield and stresses; (ii) halting environmental degradation at the farm level; (iii) developing systems to makeefficient and sustainable use of inputs, including post-harvest, while maximizing the returns; (iv)intensification and diversification opportunities, including rice-livestock and rice-vegetable integration. In thisproject the biodiversity and genetic improvement aspects linked to SP1 and 2 are addressed, as well as SP4and the policy dimensions in 5d.

Outputs

4. Agro-morphological characterization of irrigated rice-based systems developed5. Improved lines and varieties for use in irrigated rice-based systems in Africa6. Options for improved resource-use efficiency and mitigation of degradation in irrigated rice-based

systems developed

Program 2 Rice Policy and Development

Project 4: Rice Policy and Technology Impact on Food Security and Poverty Reduction

Although efforts are being made to increase rice production through breeding and agronomic enhancement ofseeds and cultivation systems, unfavorable policies and inappropriate institutions can wipe out these gains.The project aims at developing a much deeper understanding of the likely scenarios for rice development inSSA, as well as assessing poverty, economic and environmental impacts with particular emphasis onproductivity and poverty at the individual, community and national levels (SP3a, 4c, 4d). This project isaligned to SP5 in generating knowledge and strategies for developing policy and institutional frameworks forcompetitive rice production, thereby improving the livelihoods of millions of people in SSA. The projectfocuses on: (i) developing tools and methods for priority setting, impact assessment and policy analysis andsharing expertise in policy analysis and impact assessment with NARES and other stakeholders; (ii) policiesand institutions to promote competitive rice systems; (iii) understanding how better post-harvest technologiescan improve competitiveness; (iv) assessing ex-ante and ex-posteconomic, social, and environmental impactsof technological, institutional and policy changes at the national and regional levels.

Outputs

1. Tools, methods and enhanced capacity for impact assessment, policy analysis and priority setting2. Rice policy options and institutions for competitive domestic rice production3. Improved post-harvest systems for competitive domestic rice production

Project 5: Adaptation to Human and Environmental Effects on Rice-based Livelihoods

Rice has a key role to play in offsetting major impacts of climate change and natural or human-induceddisasters, and in rebuilding the livelihoods and well-being of the displaced and vulnerable, especially womenand children. Rural areas often bear the brunt of climate change, which induces flooding, soil degradation,disease and pest outbreaks, and the loss of the genepool. Civil conflict invariably impacts on farmers, forcing

them from their home areas into the cities where there is no opportunity to farm, with consequent loss ofagricultural knowledge. This project will first understand the differing needs of climate change, unexpectednatural disasters and those induced by man (SP2a, 2b, 2c). It will use the Africa Rice Center (WARDA)knowledge base and that of NARES and NGOs to design strategies to mitigate displacement and quicklyrestore viable agriculture production, to allow sustainable intensification of rice-based cropping systems, andto adapt to longer-term climatic impacts. The project focuses on policymakers (SP5a, 5c), with: (i) options formitigating the impact of climate change; (ii) strategies to offset the potentially-devastating effects of conflictor unexpected environmental disaster on rice-based livelihoods; (iii) strategies to ensure intensification can becarried out in a sustainable manner.


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Outputs

1. Strategies and integrated management options to offset medium- and long-term impacts of climateanomalies and environmental or human-induced disaster on rice-based livelihoods

2. Enabling socio-economic, institutional and policy options for sustainable management of land andwater in rice-based systems

3. Major drought profiles in rainfed rice characterized for Africa

Project 6: Partnerships, learning and innovation systems

The project develops knowledge, strategies and tools that contribute to strengthening the overall riceinnovation system, with particular emphasis being paid to enhancing shared learning between NARES, theprivate sector and rural communities. Through involvement in the post-harvest sector, in platformdevelopment and the rice marketing chain, it feeds directly into SP5. Despite promising new technologiesbeing developed, access is a critical limiting factor, especially for marginalized youth, women and poorerfarmers. Also, the role of these groups in the generation and dissemination of technologies such as improvedvarieties needs to be further strengthened. Effective partnerships and an emphasis on social learning processes

can help in scaling-up and scaling-out appropriate technologies. The project valorizes complementarity withWARDAs networks ROCARIZ and ECARRN, the African Rice Initiative (ARI), and WARDAs multiplepartnerships with NGOs, the private sector and universities.

The project focuses on: (i) developing a competitive rice sector through effective R&D platforms; (ii)developing pro-poor seed systems, including mechanisms to bridge local and formal seed systems; (iii)strengthening rural learning systems through improved participatory learning and action research approachesand linkage with communication technologies; and (iv) strengthening the post-harvest sector to improve thequality and competitiveness of local rice.

Outputs

1. Improved partnerships and networks to promote rice sector development2. Improved and functional pro-poor seed systems3. Enhanced rural learning systems4. Strengthened post-harvest sector

Consortium for the Sustainable Development of Inland Valley Agro-ecosystems in Sub-Saharan Africa(IVC)

IVC responds to social and environmental challenges in West Africa, related to poverty and food security onthe one hand and degradation of the natural resource base on the other. In formulating its response theconsortium addresses SP3, 4 and 5. Five CG centers participate in IVC along with five international researchand development institutions. It has four main research themes in its third phase: 1) increasing inland valleyproductivity, 2) mitigating negative impacts affecting ecosystem services, 3) benefits from past achievementsand transfer of technologies, including local innovations, and 4) systematic stakeholder capacity building. The

consortium aims to produce international public goods (IPG) in six general categories: decision-making tools(1), policy recommendations (2), databases (3), agricultural technologies (4), manuals, training modules andfact sheets (5), and scientific publications (6).


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Outputs

1. Productivity of inland valley agro-ecosystems increased2. Negative impacts affecting ecosystem services mitigated3. Past achievements and local innovations transferred4. Capacity of inland valley stakeholders enhanced

Systemwide Initiative on HIV/AIDS and Agriculture (SWIHA)

SWIHA places HIV/AIDS squarely on the agricultural agenda by ensuring that institutions in agriculture andrural development are alive to the role that they can play in the collective effort to mitigate its further spread.Through research in four countries in West and Central Africa, the SWIHA is generating knowledge on thelinkages between the pandemic and agriculture, developing policies and strategies to mitigate the effect of thepandemic on rural livelihoods, and tool kits of methodologies and training manuals to support research andfor capacity building. SWIHA works closely with the Africa Network on HIV/AIDS and Agriculture(ANEHA), particularly with the ANEHA country focal points for implementing agreed activities.

Outputs

1. Efficient and better coordinated response of research and development institutions to mitigate theimpact of HIV/AIDS on agriculture

2. Livelihoods of agricultural communities and vulnerable people diversified and improved3. Nutrition and diets of HIV/AIDS-vulnerable rural communities improved4. Information and communication models for effective interventions in agriculture and nutrition

management developed and promoted


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1. INTRODUCTION

The eyes of the world turned increasingly towards Africa in 2005 and 2006 with renewed reports of famine invarious parts of the continent and of the food supply problems that dog the heels of conflict. The Africa Rice

Center (WARDA) believes that food, in particular rice, can be grown sustainably with the help of goodscience to meet Africas needs, and this MTP serves to further underline the strength and feasibility of theCenters research and development agenda. The development and release of new NERICAs for the lowlandsare only the latest fruits of this R&D thrust, while the outward spread of the upland NERICAs continuesacross West, East, Central and Southern Africa. Determination to work in a focused manner with regional andinternational partners for sustainable development of rice-based production systems for food security andpoverty alleviation underpins this 20082010 MTP.

Rice is life for major populations throughout the world and is deeply embedded in the cultural heritage ofmany societies. It is a staple food for more than half of the worlds population and has become increasinglyimportant in Africa, both as a food source and as an economic commodity. It is now the continents mostrapidly growing food source.

African rice production increased from 8.6 million tonnes of paddy in 1980 to 21.6 million tonnes in 2006(FAO Rice Market Monitor, March 2007). Demand continues to exceed supply and annual imports of rice bythe region increased from 2.5 million tonnes in 1980 to 9.3 million tonnes in 2006. In the immediate future,food security in Africa will largely depend on achieving a sustainable increase in local rice production.

1.1. A Sustainable Increase in Rice Production in Africa

Africa's potential for expanding rice production can be seen in the following context: land with potential forarable production in Africa is estimated at 637 million hectares, with about 68% in reserves. The areacurrently designated for rice production represents only about 1.6% of total potential arable land. Low laborcost and increasing availability of yield-enhancing technologies to farmers will contribute to increasing riceproduction.

1.2. Constraints to Sustainable Rice Production in Africa

Upland rice and rainfed lowland rice are grown mainly by resource-poor farmers who, in general, apply avery low level of inputs such as fertilizers and agro-chemicals. The performance of upland rice is also limitedby the following factors:

Severe drought stresses. Rice planted on the upper slopes of inland valley swamps, where thegroundwater table is at 60 cm or more below the soil surface, display symptoms of drought stressafter only a few days without rain.

High pressure from weed competition.

Low soil fertility due to a combination of inherent low soil fertility, soil erosion and the shortenedfallow period under shifting cultivation methods that have arisen from increasing productionpressures due to population growth.

Blast disease, iron (Fe) deficiency and aluminum (Al) toxicity, bird and rodent damage.

Drought stress can also affect rice grown in rainfed lowland/inland valley swamp systems in the region but toa lesser extent compared to that in the uplands. In rainfed lowland/inland valley swamp systems, dependingon the location of the field, rice plants can obtain supplementary water from one or more of the followingsources: high groundwater table, run-off water and the swelling of the river water supply during rainyseasons. However, the other major constraints to rice production in rainfed lowland/inland valley swampsystems in the region are:


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Physical constraints: flash flood and iron (Fe) toxicity.

Biological constraints: weed competition, rice yellow mottle virus, gall midge, Diopsis species,stem borers and bird damage.

Economic constraints: lack of appropriate means for land preparation, labor shortage.

In irrigated ecosystems, rice crops receive a reliable and regulated water supply; as a result, rice iscontinuously cropped and degradation processes are accelerated. Relative to the other ecosystems, rice yieldsremain higher in irrigated areas in sub-Saharan Africa. However, irrigated rice yields in Senegal, BurkinaFaso, Cte d'Ivoire and Nigeria in West Africa; Cameroon in Central Africa; and Mozambique in SouthernAfrica have declined in the recent past due to deterioration of both soil fertility and the irrigationinfrastructure that originally brought exceptional results. Moreover, epidemic outbreaks of RYMV and BLBremain important constraints to increasing yield. In Madagascar, irrigated rice yields have been stagnant dueto low levels of fertilizer application.

Rice production in sub-Saharan Africa is further limited by the following constraints:

Unfavorable policies affecting agriculture in general and demand for local rice, in particular, isinfluenced by competitiveness;

Inadequate and irregular input supplies (seed, fertilizer, pesticides) and credit;Weak research and extension support and a poor link between research and development;

Insecurity of land tenure and lack of effective farmer organizations and cooperatives;

Lack of appropriate equipment, especially for post-harvest operations;

Poor road networks and marketing systems;

Weak private sectors to develop post-harvest operations.

A sustainable increase in rice production in Africa requires strategies for overcoming the constraints that limitthe growth of the rice industry. These strategies must focus on the following: the formulation of appropriatepolicies to support the development of upland and wetlands for rice production; increasing rice yield;improving post-harvest technology through research and extension; and on the provision of infrastructure andaccessibility to viable input-output markets (especially the private seed and fertilizer sectors).

1.3 International public goods

NERICA (New Rice for Africa) is the cornerstone of the Africa Rice Center (WARDA) international publicgoods (IPGs) in the third millennium. Such is its success with smallholder farmers that they may oftenoverlook that NERICA is not just one variety or even one family of varieties. Today it encompasses ricevarieties suitable for the very different upland and lowland ecologies and in the future the NERICAappellation will be even more embracing as varieties continue to be bred from Asian and African parentswhile incorporating various genes for tolerance to known constraints on smallholder rice production.

As well as the development, testing, dissemination and uptake of these improved lines and varietiesthroughout Africa, germplasm is shared with researchers on other continents. Africa Rice Center (WARDA)research to characterize genes and develop markers associated to drought tolerance in O. sativa and O.glaberrima is expected to have widespread application in rainfed systems, together with new information oninteractions between drought and other biotic and abiotic factors in rainfed rice ecosystems which will feedinto the global knowledge bank on the likely impacts of climate change. Information on the physiologicalmechanism underlying drought tolerance in the different rice species and sub-species and databases ondrought mapping will have widespread application.

Hand-in-hand with germplasm improvement goes research in complementary technologies, includingintegrated soil fertility management, IPM options for RYMV and AfRGM, cultivation technology options for


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rice-based systems in lowland, and options for integrated crop and natural resources management to enhanceirrigated rice productivity and profitability. Within the framework of IGNRM, special attention is being paidto addressing problems of degradation that have become particularly associated with irrigated rice-basedsystems in Africa.

In a joint project with AVRDC, development is proceeding on rice-vegetable systems that will be as relevant

outside Africa as they will be for many countries in Africa where the nutritional benefits of systemscombining rice with other products such as vegetables or fish have still to be felt.

Scientific publications, including research papers, training manuals and conference papers on new methodsand new technologies, help disseminate the fruit of Africa Rice Center (WARDA) research.

2. SUMMARY OF ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2006

2.1 Program-linked achievements

Through its partnership with national programs, the Africa Rice Center (WARDA) concentrated its effort onthe three major rice production systems, namely upland, lowland and irrigated. At the same time activities

were undertaken in processing; dissemination of research results; policy and marketing issues; naturalresource management, particularly impoverishment of soil fertility; water use efficiency; integrated pestmanagement; and technology uptake. Issues such as the high cost of inputs, the unstable market, weakinstitutional policies and capacity building were addressed. A new area, which received increased attention,was the theme of drought.

2.1.1 Program 1: Integrated Production Systems

Program 1 successfully established the proportion of donor genome content in NERICAs; employed 25 near-isogenic lines (NILs) from IRRI in the identification of virulence genes for blast fungus in five West Africancountries; quantified the impact of NERICA adoption in Benin , and on rice yield in Cte dIvoire; andestablished that moderate NPK (60-13-25 kg/ha) level gives twice the grain yield (4 Mg/ha) over zero-

fertilizer.Sixty NERICA-Lowland varieties were disseminated across 20 African countries, and six were released infive countries in West Africa: Togo (NERICA-L-19 and 34), Sierra Leone (NERICA-L-19 and 20),Cameroon (NERICA-L-19), and The Gambia (WAS161-B-9-2, WAS122-IDSA-15-WAS-6-1, and WAS127-B-5-2). Breeder and Foundation seed of NERICA-L were produced in conjunction with the African RiceInitiative, and a PVS workshop organized for 30 researchers from 10 African countries. A large number ofintra- and interspecific varieties were developed with adaptation to rainfed lowland systems in Africa; in all,1694 segregating lines: 753 intraspecific and 941 interspecific.

Four irrigated rice varieties (3 NERICA and 1 sativa) were released in The Gambia. Water-saving technology,giving a 19-40% reduction in water use, was developed.

Advances were made in the methodology for drought assessment using historical and satellite data. Severaltraits contributing to drought tolerance were identified, along with sources of drought tolerance. A population

segregating for osmotic adjustment and root characteristics was developed.

Control methods for termites, including choice of NERICA, were developed; NPK rates for NERICAestablished, sowing density recommendations made for NERICA, and NERICAs assessed for weedcompetitiveness.

NARS scientists of Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and The Gambia were trained at Africa Rice Center(WARDA) in handling MAS for RYMV resistance. New equipment needed for MAS was sent to thoseNARS to establish new biotechnology labs. BC3F1 populations with resistance to RYMV were developed.


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2.1.2 Program 2: Rice Policy and Development

The program showed that the performance indicators for irrigated rice production depend on the scheme types(source of energy), scheme management, level of organization of farmers and their ability to provide

marketing services. It was further demonstrated that by improving water use efficiency, productivityimprovements, marketing, and improved management practices, the irrigated rice schemes in West Africacould contribute to improving their (international) comparative advantage, while improving intra-regionaltrade in domestic rice and meeting regional rice demand.

A new methodology based on the Average Treatment Effect (ATE) was developed to improve ex-post impactassessment. Two general purpose impact assessment tools in the form of Stata add-on software modules havebeen developed.

A study in Benin estimated that about 15.4% of rice harvested is lost during post-harvest handling.Nevertheless, local rice is more competitive for price than imported rice. Evidence was found that consumerspreferred NERICA 2 due to its shorter cooking time and its swelling ability. NERICA adoption has a positiveand significant impact on farmers yield and income. More women than men are adopting NERICA varieties,

but seed availability was identified as a major constraint.

The ROCARIZ network collaborated with Africa Rice Center (WARDA) to organize the Africa RiceCongress in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, under the aegis of the Tanzanian Ministry of Agriculture, Food andCooperatives. The Congress, attended by 212 participants from national programs, CGIAR Centres,academia, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the media, adopted four (4) strategic resolutions withfar-reaching implications for the future of rice research and development in Africa.

ARI produced over 60 tonnes of foundation seed for use in ARI countries, and over 4000 tonnes wereproduced by pilot countries. More than 3 tonnes of seed was supplied to Liberia and Sierra Leone forrehabilitation efforts in these post-conflict countries. Partnership between farmers and the private sector wasfacilitated by ARI, particularly in Benin where the private sector funded NERICA PVS and seed production.

A review of Nigeria rice sector policy had a number of outcomes including:

1. The Nigerian government:- Removed tariffs on imported processing equipment and increased the imported

rice tariff from 50% to 150%- Provided a 50% subsidy on rice seed- Provided a 25% subsidy on fertilizer

2. The Presidential Initiative on Rice distributed:- 600 tonnes of NERICA Foundation seed in 2006- 300 tonnes of NERICA Certified seed in 2006

3. The private-sector-led MARKETS program improved quality of rice processing for 9,000 farmers in2006

2.1.3 Program support units

2.1.3.1 Genetic Resources Unit

Africa Rice Center (WARDA) Genetic Resources Unit (GRU) has as its objectives the collection,conservation, management, use and continued availability of rice genetic resources to national researchpartners and other collaborators.
http://www.warda.org/africa-rice-congress/rationale.htmlhttp://www.warda.org/africa-rice-congress/rationale.htmlhttp://www.warda.org/africa-rice-congress/rationale.htmlhttp://www.warda.org/africa-rice-congress/rationale.htmlhttp://www.warda.org/africa-rice-congress/rationale.html


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In 2006, the new genebank was completed in Togoudo (Benin), and there are 5,600 accessions in mediumstorage. A total of 18,000 accessions are conserved in the IITA genebank at Ibadan, Nigeria, and a furthersafety backup of 1,000 samples placed at Fort Collins, USA.

Activities during 2006 included:

141 accessions of O. sativa landraces characterized.

600 accessions of O. glaberrima characterized

3800 accessions multiplied in Ibadan, 311 accessions in Cotonou and 1200 accessions at Dv,Benin.

Seeds from 38,000 accessions were fumigated and dressed

A total of 39,487 accessions of seed were distributed West Africa (30,098), East, Central andSouth Africa (7,817) and Others (1,572)

2.1.3.2 Biosafety and Plant Quarantine

Africa Rice Center (WARDA) Plant Quarantine and Biosafety Unit continues to be actively involved in the

process of developing biosafety regulations in the region. The plant quarantine facility at Africa Rice Center(WARDA) is a cornerstone in strengthening domestic quarantine capabilities by providing assistance inmeeting the plant health requirements. It is an important link between Africa Rice Center (WARDA) andNARS.

In 2006, the unit was responsible for:

9.45 tonnes of seeds fumigated and treated

Request forms for import permits and certificates were developed

25 import permits and phytosanitary certificates obtained

2.1.3.3 Training, Information and Library Services (TILS)

A working library facility was constructed and brought into use in 2006. A total of 418 participants from 27African countries took part in 11 regional training sessions/specialist workshops organized by TILS during2006. Topics dealt with ranged from molecular techniques to rice policy and food security.

A total of 45 interns, including 10 women, from eight African countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cte dIvoire,Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Togo) and two European countries (The Netherlands and France)were hosted by TILS. This included eight students at PhD level and 28 at the MSc/DEA/DAA levels.

In conformity with the new vision of WARDA, TILS was dissolved in early 2007 and its services integratedwithin the Corporate Services and Research Divisions.

3. AFRICA RICE CENTER (WARDA) INVOLVEMENT IN

CHALLENGE PROGRAMS

The Challenge Programs bring together powerful coalitions to use advanced technologies andtraditional plant diversity to address the continuing problem of hunger, especially among theresource-poor farmers of the developing world. Africa Rice Center (WARDA) is engaged in each ofthe four Challenge Programs to ensure that rice producers and rice consumers alike are able to reapthe manifold benefits from these initiatives.


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3.1 HarvestPlus CP

The primary underlying cause of micronutrient malnutrition is poor quality diet, characterized by high intakesof food staples, but low consumption of animal and fish products, fruits, grain legumes and vegetables, which

are rich sources of protein, bioavailable minerals and vitamins. Biofortification of staple crops provides, atlow cost, a sustainable food source with improved levels of micronutrients.

WARDA in collaboration with HarvestPlus and an advanced research laboratory in Australia has screened awide range of germplasm covering breeding lines from rainfed and irrigated ecologies and O. sativa and O.glaberrima accessions and landraces from the Genetic Resources Unit for a range of importantmicronutrients. WARDA has identified varieties which have higher Fe and Zn content compared withreported values among Asian rices. The initial research, which suggests these varieties are suitable for bothupland and lowland ecologies, is a prelude to further developing varieties with improved levels ofmicronutrients in rice for Africa through genetic engineering once the heritability traits are confirmed.

3.2 Generation CP

The products of the genomics revolution will not address the needs of the poor without this strong coalition ofinstitutions dedicated to alleviating poverty through a combination of molecular technology and traditionalplant breeding. WARDA is involved in several GCP projects aimed at exploiting genes from O. glaberrimausing genetic and genomic science. The cultivated African rice species O. glaberrima has known resistance tobiotic and abiotic stresses and has been described recently as possessing higher genetic diversity thanpreviously thought. The use of this diversity is an important challenge for rice breeding, and constitutes themain objective of different projects or initiatives.

Achievements recorded by the GCP:

The Genetic Resources Unit supplied 300 drought-tolerant accessions, lines and varieties for the3000 global genetic resource

The Biotechnology Unit completed at Cornell the genotyping of 3000 accessions of rice with sixSSR markers. The population structure was determined.

The Biotechnology Unit completed the drought screening of Chromosome Segment SubstitutionLines (CSSLs) from Caiapo x O. glaberrima (IRGC103544) and IR64 x O. glaberrima(TOG5681) for identification of gene/QTLs associated with drought-tolerant traits. In the Caiapox O. glaberrima (IRGC103544) population, drought stress, on average, reduced plant height, leafnumber, leaf length, number of fertile panicles, grain yield and total biomass but increased canopytemperature, stomatal resistance, number of sterile panicles. In the IR64 x TOG5681 population,plant height was also reduced by drought stress.

New and ongoing project involvement:

1. The GCP competitive project Exploring Natural Genetic Variation: Developing Genomic Resourcesand Introgression Lines for four AA genome Rice Relatives in collaboration with CornellUniversity (USA), Fedearroz (Colombia) and EMBRAPA (Brazil) approved in 2004 and continues

until2. The iBridges competitive project Interspecific bridges that give full access to the African rice

allele pool for enhancing drought tolerance in Asian rice in collaboration with PhilRice(Philippines), CIAT (Colombia), Arizona University (USA), Punjab (INDIA), Fedearroz IER (Mali)and INERA (Burkina Faso) approved to start in 2007

3. The commissioned project Integration of genomic tools with conventional screening for developingNERICA rice cultivars for West Africa led by WARDA in collaboration with IER (Mali), IRD(France) and CIAT (Colombia) approved to start in 2007


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4. Generation CP Fellowship 2007. A PhD student was selected for the Generation CP Fellowship 2007for a period of nine months at WARDA for the project entitled Characterization and molecularintrogression of bacterial leaf blight resistance gene in rice effective from June 2007).

3.3 Water and Food CPThe Center is participating in this Challenge Program in collaboration with WorldFish, IFPRI and NARES,NGO and governmental organizations from Asia and Africa. The project entitled Community-based FishCulture in Irrigation Systems and Seasonal Floodplains was approved for implementation in 2005 and madegood progress in 2006. The aim of the project is to investigate fish productivity using seasonal floodwaters oflarge rivers such as the Indus-Ganges, Mekong and Niger for rice-fish culture. These waters are considerablyunderutilized in terms of managed aquatic productivity. The underlying assumption of the approach is that allstakeholders can communally manage seasonal water bodies under equitable and sustainable sharingarrangements. is coordinating the research in the floodplains of the Niger River in Mali. The work is executedby IER, PVRES, ORM, Direction Rgional de la Pche and the Coordination Rgionale ONG.

3.4 Sub-Saharan Africa CP

The SSA-CP addresses the three major challenges to African agriculture: failure of agricultural markets,inappropriate policies and natural resource degradation using the concept of Integrated Agricultural Researchfor Development (IAR4D). Africa Rice Center (WARDA), in collaboration with other CG Centers, FARA,NARES in West and Central Africa and through sub-regional organizations, including CORAF/WECARD,helped identify and characterize pilot learning sites in each of three cross-border sub-regions. The main fociof this program are:

Improving accessibility and efficiency of markets for smallholder and pastoral products

Developing technologies for intensifying subsistence-oriented farming systems

Developing smallholder production systems that are compatible with sound NRM

Catalyzing the formulation and adoption policies that will encourage innovation to improve the

livelihoods of smallholders and pastoralistsCurrently, nine projects have been approved through competitive bidding for funding during the three-yearProof of Concept implementation phase from 2007-2009. WARDA is a partner in one of the projects in theKano-Katsina-Maradi Pilot Learning Site in West and Central Africa. All projects have links with WARDAMTP Projects and Systemwide Programs.

A senior Africa Rice Center (WARDA) scientist sits on the steering committee of the SSA-CP coordinated byFARA. The Africa Rice Center is actively involved in the planning process for the next series of pilot sitesand hopes to take leadership in one of these key new sites.

4. AFRICA RICE CENTER (WARDA) INVOLVEMENT INSYSTEMWIDE PROGRAMS

4.1 Systemwide Initiative on HIV/AIDS and Agriculture (SWIHA)

The CGIAR response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic is the Systemwide Initiative on HIV/AIDS and Agriculture(SWIHA) of which Africa Rice Center is the convening center. In line with SC recommendations, SWIHAbenefits from its own Medium Term Plan (see Annex C). SWIHA ensures that institutions in agriculture and


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rural development are alive to the role that they can play in the collective effort to mitigate further spread ofHIV/AIDS. It carries out its own research currently in four countries in West and Central Africa and isalso active in the transfer of relevant knowledge on the pandemic and its effects on agriculture throughoutAfrica, in developing policies and strategies to mitigate the effect of the pandemic on rural livelihoods, andtool kits of methodologies and training manuals to support research and for capacity building.

4.2 Inland Valley Consortium

The ecoregional program of IVC released WAIVIS (West African Inland Valley Information System) in2004. This software draws upon the data accumulated during the first 10 years of inland valley research.Apart from scientists in national programs, international organizations like IWMI and FAO are usingWAIVIS. Immediately after its release IVC started with the development of its successor NIVISA (NationalInland Valley Information Systems of Africa). NIVISA is a relational database capturing all geo-referencedinformation of inland valleys in a common format. NIVISA started in 2004 in Guinea, followed by Togo(2005), and Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali in (2006). Further adoption is expected in 2007, 2008 and 2009.IVC has its own MTP (Annex B)

4.3 Systemwide Livestock Program

Many small-scale rice farmers grow crops in mixed crop-livestock systems within which rice straw has adistinct fodder value. Africa Rice Center (WARDA) is teamed up with ILRI, IRRI and ICRISAT to carry outmultidimensional improvement of the fodder value of rice straw for ruminants. The research agenda includesan assessment of the opportunities for exploiting variation in fodder value of rice straw in current varietiesand opportunities for further rice improvement with respect to rice straw fodder as an additional breeding andselection criterion.

4.4 On-line Learning Resource Project (Information and Communications Technology

Knowledge Management)

The objective in creating an On-line Learning Resource Center (OLR) is to enhance the quality andpertinence of information related to agriculture and natural resource management in collaboration with keypartners (NARES, CGIAR centers, Agriculture Programs and Universities). The OLR will allow the rapidtransfer of public goods created within the CGIAR no matter where and in what format, develop a state -of-the-art educational resource with a joint platform approach to education and training, and build the capacity ofnational partners. The entry point and coordination unit for this program is Library Services.

4.5 Consortium for Spatial Information (ICT-KM)

Africa Rice Center (WARDA) is a member of the Consortium for Spatial Information (CSI) and takes anactive part in the Information and Communications Technology Knowledge Management project. Theexisting geo-spatial data at Africa Rice Center (WARDA) were inventoried and the datasets were compiledusing a common methodology to form part of a meta-database that was released in February 2007. The

database is searchable in English, French, Spanish and Chinese. It has led to better availability and sharing ofgeo-spatial data, and increased collaboration across centers. Geo-referenced data of 13 CG centers can beaccessed on-line. The release of the CSI meta-database signified the end of the ICT-KM project.

4.6 Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Resource-poor farmers in developing countries, who currently rely on rice, lose an estimated 10% in yieldeach year because of soil-dwelling insect pests. Africa Rice Center (WARDA) involvement in this sub-


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program on integrated pest management focuses on sustainable management of termites through acombination of improved management techniques and identification and dissemination of NERICAs withresistance/tolerance to termites.

4.7 Proposed Systemwide Program to Combat Desertification: OasisThe CGIAR has urged Centers to elevate their game by aligning their collective work more visibly withmajor global initiatives such as the environmental conventions agreed through the United Nations. One casein point is the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Compared to the Climate ChangeConvention, the Desertification Convention has a less vigorous connection to the scientific communityaweakness that has hindered its progress. CGIAR Centers are spending about US$ 120 million per annum tocombat degradation in the drylands, but these efforts are fragmented among Centers and low in visibilitybecause they are submerged within other thematic programs and initiatives. There is a need to bring these tothe surface, interlink them to build complementarities and synergies, formulate more holistic approaches, andpresent a unified, visible contribution aligned with the global framework of the UNCCD and its linkages withthe UN Conventions on climate change and on biodiversity. Eleven CG centers (CIAT, CIFOR, CIMMYT,ICARDA, ICRAF, ICRISAT, IFPRI, IITA, IPGRI, ILRI and WARDA) have joined forces to propose thisSystemwide Program called Oasis. WARDA is actively involved in its development.

5. OUTLOOK FOR 2007

5.1 Projects begun in 2006

Interspecific Hybridization Project Japan Phase 4 Ministry of Foreign Affa irs (MOFA),Japan (MTP Program 1: projects 1, 2)

Interspecific Hybridization Project UNDP Phase 3 South-South Cooperation (SSC) Unit,UNDP (started January 2007) (Program 1: projects 1,2)

Identification of high yield potential varieties and their plant types in the humid zone in West and

Central Africa Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Japan(Program 1: projects 1,2)

Enhancing capacity for NERICA dissemination UNDP (Program 2: project 6)

Promoting Ant-Based Pest Control in Tree Crops in W/Africa CFH (Program 2: project 6)

PVS Extension UNDP (Program 1: project 2)

Improving the productivity of irrigated rice systems to fight poverty in Mauritania PDIAIM (Program 1: project 3)

5.2 Projects completed in 2006

WARDA/AVRDC Collaboration USAID

FPATDD Mali and Nigeria Rockefeller Foundation

ROCARIZ USAID

Peri-Urban Lowland Germany

NERICA Promotion in the Bumba province DRC IFAD

AVRDC/WARDA on Promotion of Superior Vegetable Cultivars Republic of Taiwan


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A total of 24 projects were ongoing during 2006. Output targets for some of the projects completed in 2006feature in the 2007 output targets in this MTP, and some outcomes are relevant for 2008 and beyond.

5.3 Collaboration

5.3.1 WARDA

IRRICIAT Collaboration

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)and the Africa Rice Center (WARDA) have many decades of experience in rice R & D through working withpoor farmers in unfavorable environments across Asia, Latin America and Africa. WARDA has successfullydeveloped and deployed NERICA rice varieties to improve rice production in uplands and now lowlands.IRRI successfully deployed rice varieties and production technologies that triggered the green revolution inAsia. IRRI can therefore adapt its successful Asian experience to African conditions in collaboration with theAfrica Rice Center (WARDA) and other national and international centers and help develop viable nationalrice R&D systems to address the problems of small rice producers in SSA. IRRI is bringing its formidablecapacities in germplasm improvement and expertise in genomics and biotechnology. The elite breedingmaterial developed and adapted to irrigated, rainfed and upland ecosystems in rice growing countries of Asia,including germplasm identified under the INGER network and a large number of interspecific progenies

generated from crosses of Asian (O. sativa) x African (O. glaberrima) species (>5000 introgression lines),will be available for evaluation and adaptation under African conditions. Successful development of mutuallybeneficial IRRI-Africa Rice Center (WARDA) collaboration plays a critical role in supporting the rebuildingof the rice sector of resource-poor countries of SSA. CIAT has the mandate for rice in Latin America and hasa history of collaboration with Africa Rice Center (WARDA) through exchange of germplasm and jointefforts on genotyping of accessions.

5.3.2 Collaboration with NARS

Africa Rice Center (WARDA) has traditionally strong partnership links with the NARS, in particular, whichmeans that the Center draws on a pool of nearly 150 senior scientistsincluding its own staffboth throughdirect links and those created and fostered under the aegis of the ROCARIZ and ARI networks and the InlandValley Consortium. This collaboration with the NARS has been further extended by the presence of

ECARRN in eastern Africa and the extension of the ARI activities in eastern and central Africa.

Within multi-country activities and projects, WARDA uses its superior buying power to drive down the costof commonly-used materials and equipment for its NARS collaborators, as well as funding project-relatedactivities, including training and cross-border travel for the collaborating scientists. Typically, within a projectframework, the NARS make in-kind contributions in terms of staff time. The adoption of this approachenables WARDA to fulfill its project objectives while contributing simultaneously to capacity-building in theNARS. A number of NARS staff, nominated by their respective institutions, are welcomed to WARDA forperiods from one or two weeks to several months to work intensively on collaborative projects within theframework of the ROCARIZ and other networks.

5.3.3 Role of partners in project implementation

Partnership with NARES and development agencies is the modus operandi for project implementation. Themechanism includes exchange and joint field visits, preparation and implementation of joint research projectproposals. Producer organizations and farmers collaborate directly in the identification of constraints andresearch priorities, and the implementation of on-farm adaptive research. NARS partners have principalresponsibility for implementation of country level project activities. SROs and universities have a partnershiprole in the development and implementation of activities, including joint research projects and training.


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5.3.4 Other collaboration

Africa Rice Center (WARDA) continues to engage with other international centers of excellence, withnational institutions, with NGOs and with the private sector. Improved line rice and varieties of good qualityand rice technology must be made available to the poor farmers not only through the traditional, nationalagricultural research and extension system but also through partners in the private sector. This requires theattention of WARDA scientists. Several new Memoranda of Understanding have been signed withorganizations, including the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Nigeria, the SonghaiCentre in Benin, and Nagoya University of Japan. WARDAs critical mass of scientists was substantiallyimproved in 2006 by the secondment to the Center of seven scientists from JICA and JIRCAS.

ExCo 10 instructed both IITA and WARDA proceed with deliberate speed on the alignment of theirCorporate Services. At the AGM 2006, the IITA and WARDA Directors General announced that theCorporate Service alignment in Benin would proceed with an implementation date on 1 September 2007. Ageneral Memorandum of Agreement on the alignment of Corporate Services between WARDA and IITA wassigned on 16 April 2007. The agreement deals with the details of the provision of Corporate Services inCotonou, Ibadan and Dar-es-Salaam where WARDA and IITA have joint operations. IITA will handle theservices in Ibadan and Dar-es-Salaam, while WARDA will handle the services in Cotonou. A joint anddetailed roadmap, the plans to operationalize the strategy, the timeline and the resources are all in place to set

up common corporate services for the activities at the IITA research station in Benin, where WARDAstemporary headquarters is based. The process is expected to come into effect in September 2007, by whichtime WARDA will manage the whole Cotonou station through common corporate services.

The alignment of Corporate Services is combined with a Governance Alignment. Common IITA/WARDABoard members attended both IITA and WARDA Board meetings in March 2007 in Ibadan (Nigeria) andCotonou (Benin), respectively. They now serve in committees of both Boards.

6. MONITORING, EVALUATION AND PRIORITY SETTING

The Fifth External Program and Management Review (EPMR) of WARDA took place in mid-2007. CCERson Integrated Genetic and Natural Resources Management (IGNRM), on Socio-economics, on the Inland

Valley Consortium and on Africa Rice Center (WARDA) Partnerships were completed in advance of thisEPMR. An external evaluation commissioned by UNDP on the Interspecific Hybridization Project is alsoavailable.

7. Research priority setting and planning

Building on the outputs of the 2004 priority setting exercise, this MTP reviews and updates Center prioritiesfollowing consultation with the National Experts Committee (NEC), the ROCARIZ, ARI and IVC networks,and SWIHA via their steering committees that meet every year. Africa Rice Center (WARDA) Research Daysprovide further opportunity for priority setting. The recommendations of the CCERs on partnership,integrated genetic and natural resources management, socio-economics and on IVC have guided prioritysetting; and so too do the valuable recommendations enshrined in donor reviews of research such as thoseundertaken by the Japanese Government on the IHP project, by the EU on its supported projects, and by theUSAID on the functioning of cereals networks in West Africa.

Over the last few years System Priorities have been a major driver influencing Center research priorities. ThisMTP is cognizant of these SPs and framework plans including the SSA Regional Plan for Collective Action.Board oversight through the Program Committee underpins relevance, quality and products of researchincluding priority setting guided by the Center Strategic Plan.


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7.1 Research days

Research Days provide staff of the Africa Rice Center (WARDA) with an opportunity to turn the spotlightinward on Africa Rice Center (WARDA), with additional help from those of our partners present. Pastperformance is reviewed and plans for the following years are presented and subjected to a mixture ofconstructive criticism and praise. The 2006 Research Days were held from 13-15 November at TogoudouStation, Cotonou. About 80 scientists, researchers, NARS and NGO representatives, together with invitedguests from other organizations with an active interest in riziculture were present at the meeting. Keynotepresentations were made by the Director General, Director of Research and the ADG Corporate Services,together with program and project leaders, network and Systemwide initiative coordinators, and heads ofsupport units.

7.2 Thematic groups

In late 2006 the Africa Rice Center (WARDA) established five thematic groups (Genetic improvement;Natural Resources Management; Socioeconomics; Integrated Pest Management; Technology transfer)bringing together scientists in related disciplines to among other roles assure science quality, provideoversight of research planning and contribute to priority setting.

7.3 Consortium Steering Committee of IVC

The Consortium Steering Committee (CSC) met twice in 2006. Once during the Annual Workshop of theConsortium, which was held on 25 May in Serrekunda, The Gambia. Dr Vincent Mama of INRAB, Benin,came to the end of his two-year term and stepped down as President. The CSC elected Ansumana Gibba ofNARI, The Gambia, as his successor. The second CSC meeting was held from 67 November at WARDA inCotonou. Besides the usual housekeeping decisions the CSC decided that the Annual Workshop for 2007 willbe held in East or southern Africa, where members from West and Central Africa can share their inland valleyexperience with researchers from East and southern Africa.

7.4 Steering Committee of the African Rice InitiativeThe African Rice Initiative Steering Committee met in Cotonou during the week of April 18 20, 2006 withthe participation of all the members including the donors representative Mrs Kae Yanagisawa. As in theprevious year, seed production and distribution was identified as the first priority to be addressed by ARI topromote NERICA. To achieve this, the committee has restated all its 2005 recommendations on seed asfollows:

i. Emphasis should be put on breeder and foundation seed productionii. ARI should support and encourage the production of certified seed by local

communities and the private sectoriii. ARI should conduct training in seed production and train communities iniv. Community-based seed systems (CBSS)v. The committee also urged the donors representative to support the coordinators

resource mobilization efforts.Other priority areas identified were the development of complementary technologies for NERICAs, post-harvest handling and processing.


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7.5 Steering Committee of ROCARIZ

The ROCARIZ network will continue to work on the five major priority themes: rice varietal selection,natural resource management, integrated pest management, socio-economics and technology transfer.Between the rice improvement and IPM Task Forces, the network will support the development anddissemination for site-specific selection in the following areas: (i) evaluation of inter- and intraspecificsegregating populations and the selection of improved rice lines which combine good yield potential andmultiple stress tolerance (ii) fixed lines will be identified at one or two sites which combine good yieldpotential with multiple stress tolerance and (iii) superior rice lines will be selected and evaluated by farmersthrough PVS.

The Socio-Economics Task Force will broaden its outlook to assess impact and policy issues affecting the ricesector in NARS countries. The Natural Resource Management Task Force will continue to work on soilfertility, water and cropping systems. The Technology Transfer Task Force will use participatory methods toevaluate post-harvest methodologies and adopt the PLAR methodology in most of its activities.

In the next three years, training programs and yearly Task Force meetings will be carried out for all thethematic groups. Universities in the sub-region will be brought into the networks work. Breeder seedproduction for most new rice lines will be a major network activity.

7.6 Steering Committee of ECARRN

ECARRN will continue to work with NARS and other partners with an interest in rice. The research activitiesof the network will be guided by the order of priorities identified during the priority setting exercise. Theprioritized sub-themes will constitute projects under which activities can be developed. Development of theprojects will be aligned with the research activities of the major projects of the Africa Rice Centre. There aretwo approved research projects which are expected to be implemented starting in 2007. These are:

Integrated management options for a sustainable lowland rice-legumes cropping system

Livelihood improvement through integrated management practices for lowland rice.

IRRI and WARDA will also implement a new IFAD-funded project Alleviating rural poverty throughimproving rice production in East and Southern Africa.

Under the new ASARECA operational Plan, the current 17 Networks, Programs and Projects (NPPs) will betransformed into seven programs. Rice will be embedded in Program 1 which is the Staple Crops Program. Itis envisaged that the activities of ECARRN will be aligned with the priorities of Program 1 of ASARECA.Similarly, research activities will be formulated in accordance with the new Regional Plan for CollectiveAction in ESA. With this new initiative, it is foreseen that ECARRN will play a role in Flagships 3 and 4,although it can also work in collaboration with other partners in Flagships 1 and 2.

ECARRN organized a Stakeholders Workshop on priority setting in Nairobi using a standard proceduredeveloped by ASARECA. The process involving stakeholders of the rice sub-sector in the Eastern andCentral Africa sub-region ranked the following themes in order of priority: 1) Human and institutionalcapacity development, 2) Enhanced information and knowledge-sharing mechanisms, 3) Increased production

and productivity of rice-based production systems in the ECA region, 4) Enabling policies and improved ricemarketing systems.

7.7 Steering Committee of Systemwide Initiative on HIV/AIDS and Agriculture

SWIHA has continued to enlist new partners in its activities, developing working relationships with thenational HIV/AIDS programs in Benin and other West African countries, and establishing collaborativeworking relationships with CABI and several NARES.


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An English-language training manual on Positive Living is being translated into French for training use inFrench-speaking West African countries as a joint collaborative effort with CABI. Regular workplacesensitization meetings were organized.

7.8 Africa Rice Center (WARDA) role in activities beyond the CGIAR System PrioritiesWARDAs research agenda as outlined in this MTP is fully geared towards ensuring that 80% of Centeractivities are fully aligned with the CGIAR SPs. However, in order to highlight the research for developmentcontinuum, training/capacity building and development activities have been removed to be covered within theremaining 20%. The Center, which is an association of 17 member States, also has to acknowledge incollaboration with its partners, including donors, that successful dissemination of WARDA IPGs risks beinghampered by underdeveloped infrastructure in Africa and weak and often underfunded NARES. WARDAstrives to overcome this potential blockage by welcoming seconded scientists, such as those from JICA andJIRCAS, who contribute to the critical mass of the Center but frequently have a pre-determined capacitybuilding and training commitment to the NARS, and also by working through the various initiatives andnetworks hosted by the Center.

Underpinning scientific research is therefore available to develop and validate the training and capacity

building work of the Centers own Genetic Resources Unit, for the INGER and ROCARIZ networks, and forSystemwide initiatives and consortia such as SWIHA and the IVC. Africa Rice Center scientists also mentorthe upcoming generation of young African scientists working for first and advanced science degrees.

8. FINANCING PLAN

2006 OUTCOME AND 2007 FORECAST

2006 Actual(US$ million)

2007 Estimate(US$ million)

Sources of funds

Donor funding

a. Unrestrictedb. Targeted

Earned incomeTotal

Application of funds

ProgrammaticManagement and general expensesDepreciationLess: Overhead recoveriesTotal

Surplus/(Deficit)

6.045.510.36

11.92

8.452.940.90

(0.66)11.64

0.28

4.636.390.39

11.41

7.963.280.90

(0.73)11.41

0.00

In 2006, about 73% of resources were utilized for programmatic activities. WARDA ended the yearwith a surplus of US$ 0.28 million, thereby strengthening its long term reserves to a healthy level of102 days of operations.


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For 2007, the Working Budget is balanced at US$ 11.41 million, with projected expenditurematching revenues. Reserves should stay over 100 days and the allocation to programs is projectedat around 70% of total expenditure.

FINANCING PLAN 2008

The proposed funding, including earned income, for financing the Center operations in 2008 amounts to US$12.44 million. This includes World Bank funding at a level of US$ 1.00 million. The projected unrestrictedfunding amounts to US$ 5.98 million while restricted/project funding is projected at US$ 6.26 million. Earnedincome is projected at US$ 0.20 million. Table 7 of the MTP provides details of the funding and donorsupport for 2008 agenda.

US$ (M) %Unrestricted support 5.98 48

Targeted /restricted funding 6.26 50

Subtotal 12.24 98

Center-earned income 0.20 2

Total 12.44 100

Spending is planned to be at the level of US$ 12.29 million leaving a surplus of US$ 0.15 million tostrengthen Center reserves.

OVERVIEW FOR THE PERIOD 2007-2010

Projected operating levels for the period 2007 to 2010

The 2007 funding level of the Center has been used as the basis for developing the plans for 2008 to 2010.The expected level of donor funding for 2007 is projected at US$ 11.41million. Combined growth and

inflation rates of 2.0% and 2.6% have been incorporated in the plans for the years 2009 and 2010,respectively. The Center-projected operating levels for 2007 to 2010 are:

Temporary relocation to Cotonou, Benin and alignment of Corporate Services

As a result of the Ivorian crises in September 2002 and November 2004, the Center had to move twice in twoyears. After a first move to Bamako, Mali, WARDA relocated its headquarters temporarily to Cotonou,Benin. The temporary site in Bamako, Mali is now closed. In Abidjan only a small liaison office ismaintained. A WARDA representative at the Mb HQ supervises all research activities related to seedproduction and the genebank.

Projected donor fundinga. Unrestricted fundingb. Targeted funding

Earned income

Total projected funding

US$ (million)

2007 2008 2009 2010

4.636.390.39

11.41

5.986.260.20

12.44

5.986.460.20

12.64

5.986.790.20

12.97


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Since January 2005, the Center has fully been operational out of Cotonou, Benin and, based on a Boarddecision, WARDA is planning to remain at this site for at least a five-year period. Other stations at Saint-Louis, Senegal, Ibadan, Nigeria and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania remain in operation. WARDA initially signedan agreement with IITA, Cotonou to rent offices and share a number of operational services. Two existinggreenhouses were converted. All costs of conversion were realized in 2006 and will be depreciated over a

five-year period.Most recently (April 2007), WARDA and IITA signed an agreement to align both Centers corporate services.WARDA will handle all corporate services in Cotonou, while IITA will continue to administer the WARDAoperations in Ibadan and Dar es Salaam. Detailed arrangements for staffing, services and charges have beenworked out. The effective starting date will be 1 September 2007.

Inflation and exchange rates

The combined annual weighted inflation in West Africa is projected at around 2.53.5%. The CFA franc ispegged to the Euro.

The weakening of the US dollar continues to be a financial challenge. An increase in the non-dollar income ismore than offset by the fact that a large portion of WARDAs expenditure is in the CFA/Euro zone. The

Center is monitoring this situation continually, and takes remedial steps wherever possible.

Funding trends

With the continued efforts in fund raising and the harnessing of greater public awareness on the importance ofstrategic rice research within its community of donors, WARDA has consistently increased its revenue.Funding has increased in nominal terms from US$ 9.0 million in 1998 to US$ 11.41 million in 2007(expected), a 37% increase in eight years. In real terms, however, adjusting for inflation and exchange ratesshows growth has been minimal.

Fundraising efforts, a well defined research focus, the revision of the 2008 2010 MTP projects, the success ofWARDA research, and a greater public awareness of NERICA all indicate that it is reasonable to expect amoderate but steady growth in funding for the plan period of 20082010. Particular attention is paid to the

need to obtain annual contributions from WARDAs member States. Good progress has recently been madein this respect.

Financial indicators

WARDA is continuing its efforts to improve its short and long term reserves to be able to absorb unexpectedadverse financial developments. The Center has come a long way in improving its financial health.

Liquidity and adequacy of reserves (expressed in days of operation)

Year 2002 2005 2006 2007

Days (5) 87 102 105

In 2002 the Institutes reserves were negative (5 days). Four years later, at the end of 2006, both the Liquidityand reserves stand at 102 days against a benchmark of 90120 and 7590, respectively. The Board,management and staff are working together to reach a level that can support consistent and uninterruptedoperations in case of funding shocks, delays in donor contributions, dramatic exchange fluctuations or anyother adverse financial development. The intention is to maintain these reserves in a bracket between 90 and120 days.


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Allocation of resources for the period 2008 to 2010

The research activities and allocation of resources were determined after an in-depth review of WARDAprograms and research projects at a special program retreat. The retreat was followed by meetings of staff atdifferent levels of the Center. A Center-wide review was also undertaken by the Board and Management toset priorities for the development of the 20082010 MTP. In line with Center priorities and strategy 2003

2012, research is allocated 70% of total Center resources. The main budget tables reflect the allocation offunds to projects, source of funding, and linkage with the CGIAR research agenda and systems prioritieswithin the newly-adopted log frame.

Allocation by CGIAR activities 20062010

US$ (million)

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Actual Estimate % Proposal % Plan Plan

Increasing productivity 4.9 4.5 40 4.8 39 4.7 4.7

Protecting the environment 0.6 0.5 4 0.7 5 0.7 0.7

Saving biodiversity 1.3 1.8 16 1.9 15 2.0 2.1

Improving policies 0.9 0.8 7 1.0 8 1.0 1.0

Strengthening NARS 3.8 3.7 33 4.0 33 4.1 4.4

Total 11.6 11.4 100 12.3 100 12.5 12.9


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Allocation by CGIAR System Priorities in 2006-2010

US$ (million)

2006 20072008 2009 2010Estimate % Proposal % Plan Plan

Sustainable biodiversity for currentand future generations

1.6 1.3 12 1.4 11 1.4 1.4

Producing more and better food atlower cost through geneticimprovements

3.5 3.1 27 3.3 27 3.4 3.5

Reducing rural poverty throughagricultural diversification andemerging opportunity for high-value commodity and products

0.9 0.4 4 0.6 5 0.5 0.5

Promoting poverty alleviation andsustainable management of water,land, and forest resources

3.0 3.4 30 3.8 31 3.9 3.8

Improving policies and facilitatinginstitutional innovation to supportsustainable reduction of povertyand hunger

2.6 3.1 27 3.2 26 3.4 3.6

Total 11.6 11.4 100 12.3 100 12.5 12.9

Allocation by outputs (logical framework format)

US$ (million)

2006 20072008 2009 2010

Actual Estimate % Proposal % Plan Plan

Germplasm improvement 2.1 2.1 18 1.9 16 1.9 1.9

Germplasm collection 1.4 0.9 8 1.0 8 1.0 1.1Sustainable production 4.1 3.7 33 4.1 33 4.0 3.9Policy 1.5 2.2 19 2.7 22 2.8 2.7Enhancing NARS 2.5 2.5 22 2.6 21 2.9 3.3

Total 11.6 11.4 100 12.3 100 12.5 12.9


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Allocation of resources by object of expenditure (MTP Table 6)

WARDA carefully monitors the cost structure of operations to ensure that fixed costs are kept within areasonable proportion of the annual budget. Approximately 40-50% of the resources are allocated topersonnel costs.

Allocation of resources by CGIAR undertaking and system priorities (MTP Table 2)

The allocation of resources to CGIAR undertakings is in accordance with WARDAs strategic plan2003-2012 priorities and consistent with CGIAR strategies and system priorities.

Allocation of resources by region (MTP Table 5)

All Center resources are directed to sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) as dictated by the mandate of the Center withinthe CGIAR System.

Staffing levels (MTP Table 9)

Center-hired Internationally-recruited Staff (IRS) is estimated at 49 positions including post-doctoral fellowsand visiting scientists. The same level of staffing with a slight increase is estimated during the period throughto 2010. Nationally-recruited Staff (NRS) numbers are expected to reach 165 positions in 2007 and to remainconstant thereafter. This is an important reduction compared to 2003 and 2004. A major staff reduction afterthe 2002 and 2004 relocations from Cte dIvoire reduced total staff.


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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

AfDB African Development Bank

AfRGM African rice gall midgeAGRHYMET Agriculture Hydrology Meteorology Regional Center, Niger

ANADER Agence nationale dappui au dveloppement rural

APO Associate Professional Officer

ARI African Rice Initiative

ASARECA Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and CentralAfrica

ASI ADRAO/SAED/ISRA thresher-cleaner

AU African Union

AVRDC The World Vegetable Center

BL

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