GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY

PDF BLOCK B REQUEST1

Project title: Regional : In-situ conservation of endemic ruminant livestock in West Africa (#1119)

GEF Implementing Agency: United Nations Development Programme

Countries involved: Gambia, Guinea, Mali and Senegal

GEF Focal area: Biodiversity

Operational Programmes: Agrobiodiversity (OP 13), with relevance to the cross cutting theme of land degradation

Executing Agencies: Gambia (Department of Livestock Services)Guinea (Direction Nationale de l’Elevage)Mali (Direction Nationale de la Conservation de la Nature)Senegal (Direction de l’Elevage)

Estimated Full project cost: US$ 40 millionGEF Contribution: US$ 12-16 millionAfDB Co-financing: US$ 19-23 millionOther co-financing: US$ 5 million

PDF-B Total Cost: US$ 599,500GEF Contribution US$ 470,000Countries’ ContributionUS$ 34,500 AfDB co-financing US$ 55,000GTZ co-financing US$ 5,000ITC co-financing US$ 5,000ILRI co-financing US$ 30,000

PDF-A requested: Yes ($25,000)

Duration of PDF B: 12 months

Full Project expected Duration: 12 years

1 The Concept Paper for this project was approved for Pipeline Entry on 14 May 2001. See Annex 1 for the full text of the Cncept Paper.

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Full Project Summary

The West African populations of endemic ruminant livestock in the four countries represent a highly diverse “genetic treasure trove”, which is under increasing threat of genetic dilution and extinction. The Full project will remove barriers to the in-situ conservation of these critical and unique genetic trait/habitat complexes. Measures will include community-based natural resource management, and incentive programs to motivate farmers and herders to maintain endemic, pure, breeds in their herds. The project will identify habitats, increase critical awareness, and develop links with the private sector for appropriate economic incentives at the community level for endemic livestock and habitat conservation.. Annex 1 provides the full text of the approved project concept paper.

COUNTRY ENDORSEMENTS: (see Annex 2)Gambia : 27 March 2001Guinea : 28 March 2001 Mali : 12 April 2001 Senegal : 6 April 2001

ACRONYMS

CILSS Comité Inter-Etat pour Lutte contre la Secheresse au SahelCIRDES Centre International pour la recherché et development de l’elevage dans les zones humidesCORAF Center for research on agriculture and forestryILRI International Livestock Research InstituteITC International Trypanotolerant CenterNAR National Agricultural Research CentersNBSAP National Biodiversity Strategy and Action PlansUEMOA West African Economic and Monetary Union

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Terms Of Reference for the PDF B

The main objective of the PDF B is to prepare and submit a Full project Brief to the GEF Council. In addition, the process of PDF B implementation is expected to also result in : enhanced awareness of long term benefits of animal genetic and habitat conservation in West Africa ; preliminary capacity building for in-situ conservation of endemic ruminant livestock and community based natural resource management ; and participatory concensus on the objectives and design of the project.

Description of Proposed PDF-B Activities by Component

The PDF-B phase will be devoted to three major components, each including sets of activities at both national and regional levels:

(i) Studies, investigations, and participatory selection of appropriate pilot sites/communities based on previously defined parameters and choice of flagship species (see Annex 1);

(ii) Elaboration of the project brief and document (objectives, logical framework, phasing, benchmarks, workplans, required annexes such as Incremental cost analysis, etc.)

(iii) Implementation of a participatory process to define the nature of activities to be undertaken within the full project, the modalities of involvement of the various groups of actors, and the requisite institutional arrangements

Expected outputs of the PDF-B project

The outputs expected of the PDF-B activities include:

Definition of overall environmental issues (natural resources, animal genetic resources) targeted by the project and their relation to the challenges and stakes for each of the four participating countries and the region;

Final selection of project sites, and communities, and definition of activities to be undertaken at each site on a consensual basis; the number of sites to be proposed initially (about five in each country) will take into account the diversity of situations encountered in the field. From this sample, the national steering committees will make a final selection of three sites and identify flagship species;

Local level ownership and acceptance of the process by local communities, CBOs and traditional leaders in the selected sites, after extensive consultations to ensure understanding of the linkages between natural resource management/protection and animal genetic conservation.

Delineation of areas of competence and responsibilities of the various groups of actors involved in the implementation of the project; and definition of project implementation modalities, including in particular the creation of steering entities and appropriate mechanisms for participatory monitoring/evaluation;

A review of the legislative framework governing the management of animal genetic resources and definition of guidelines to promote a convergence of national policies and strategies regarding the management of endemic livestock in the sub-region.

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Elaboration of a project proposal indicating the intervention framework for GEF and the national, regional and international partners.

PDF-B activities

During the PDF B, investigations will be conducted at three different levels:

(a) Site level

(i) Inventory of animal genetic resources (survey of endemic livestock status on the basis of available data, phenotypic characterization, genetic characterization integrating diversity and cross-breeding rates);

(ii) Inventory of ecosystems (land use, condition of pasture land, hydrological resources, wild fauna, etc.); this diagnosis will be based essentially on the analysis of available data and participatory surveys;

(iv) Analysis of production systems (identification of production activities, assessment of their importance in local economies, typology of animal production system, factoring in of gender issues in local development and environmental management). This activity will be conducted on one of the sites whose characteristics may be extrapolated to the rest (unless it is necessary to choose more than one site to reflect local diversity).

(v) Extensive consultations with local pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in all selected sites (customary leaders, user groups, temporary and permanent users of nearby rangelands, local traders, CBOs) to discuss the objectives and methods of the project, to fine-tune the design (including activities, outputs, indicators), and discuss implementation arrangements and local level contributions/responsibilities to the project, leading to the development of the Public Involvement Plan for the project.

(b) National and sub-regional levels

(i) Exhaustive evaluation of baseline activities and identification of interfacing mechanisms with the in-situ conservation of endemic ruminant livestock project;

(ii) Analysis of operation of endemic ruminant livestock marketing system (breeds and species selected within the PDF-B project) and determination of strategy components to promote such marketing with enhanced involvement of private sector operators;

(iii) Extensive consultations with local and national NGOs (e.g. Livestock and Herder Associations) to obtain consensus on project objectives, design, and methodologies, and to discuss implementation arrangements and contributions/responsibilities to the project

(iii) Assessment of capacity-building needs for public and private institutions/organizations (inventory of institutions and organizations concerned, evaluation of their operating capacities and impacts, outline of institutional strengthening strategies);

(iv) Review of policy and legal framework governing the management of animal genetic resources and definition of guidelines to promote a convergence of national policies and strategies regarding the management of endemic ruminant livestock;

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(v) Identification of activities to be undertaken under the full project, with costing and evaluation of financing arrangements, finalization of implementation arrangements, and finalization of the monitoring and evaluation plan.(vi) Consultations with AfDB and coordination of design activities; consultations with other donors and identification of concrete co-financing arrangements.

JUSTIFICATION FOR GEF PREPARATORY GRANT

The mobilization of GEF financing within the framework of the overall co-financing strategy will make it possible to conduct investigation and dialogue in the four countries participating in the project. These financial resources are indeed necessary to initiate and support a concerted reflection process on the stakes and prospects of in-situ endemic livestock conservation, as well as coordinate the elaboration of national proposals which will serve as a foundation for the preparation of the project brief and document.

COUNTRY-LEVEL SUPPORT FOR THE PDF B

The project is consistent in its orientation with the general environmental policy objectives as defined by the four countries, in particular the strategies and action plans for the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity. It is also consistent with the strategies to combat poverty which now constitute the foundation of these countries’ development policies.

The political support by the four countries in support of the project was already evident in the PDF A formulation phase, in their commitment to contributing to the funding of the activities by mobilizing national expertise, making premises available for the meetings, providing transportation for field visits, and helping to organize regional and national meetings. This high level of support and country ownership is expected to continue during the PDF B phase.

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ITEMS TO BE FINANCED

PDF-B PROJECT BUDGET

OUTPUTS AND ACTIVITIES

GEF GOS AFDB ITC GTZ ILRI TOTAL

STUDIES AND INVESTIGATIONS: REGIONAL NATIONAL LOCAL

60,40043,80066,400

5,000 5,000 30,000 100,40043,80066,400

ELABORATION OF PROJECT BRIEF AND DOCUMENT AFDB FEASIBILITY GEF BRIEF &

PRODOC PROJECT COORD

23,900127,500

50,000 50,00023,900

127,500PARTICIPATORY PLANNING AND AWARENESS RAISING REGIONAL NATIONAL LOCAL DONOR MTG

60,00054,00018,00016,000

29,2505,250

5,000

60,00083,25023,25021,000

TOTAL 470,000 34,500 55,000 5,000 5,000 30,000 599,500

(a) Partners’ contributions

The countries’ contribution, evaluated at US$ 34,500, covers the mobilization of national expertise (8 executives employed half-time over 12 months) and the provision of premises and transportation (vehicles) for the supervision of decentralized activities. The contributions from ILRI and ITC will be in-kind covering salaries of resident technical expertise for studies. GTZ will contribute funds necessary to engage an international consultant. The contribution from AfDB will cover a donor round table towards the end of the PDF B , as well as complementary feasibility studies for the AfDB portion of the project. (b) Grant requested from GEF

The preparatory grant requested from GEF (US$ 414,870) is intended to cover the expenses in connection with the preparation of the project document and participatory meetings. It will also provide resources to cover the administrative costs of the project, i.e. those of the Regional Coordination Unit in charge of assisting the countries and coordinating their activities, and of national executing agencies.

Expected Date of Preparation Completion

The PDF B process is expected to take 12 months ; expected starting date is October 2001. The Full project is therefore expected to be presented to the GEF Council in December 2002.

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Special Features

The focus of the project is to develop the enabling environment and the incentives for farmers and pastoralists to continue to maintain a nucleus of genetically “pure” endemic ruminant livestock in their herds, thus providing an incentive not only to conserve genetic diversity, but also to conserve the ecosystemic integrity of the natural habitat of endemic livestock. Elements involved in the enabling environment must be holistically planned , and will cover issues such as communal land tenure, pastoral movement, community based natural resource management, harmonization of relevant policies between the four countries, and coordination of interventions. Elements involved in providing incentives for in-situ conservation of animal genetic resources will involve improvement of marketing channels and public-private sector partnerships. In this regard, the partnership already established with the AfDB will be instrumental in assuring long term sustainability of GEF interventions.

PDF B implementation arrangements

The project will be executed by a competent national/regional NGO, under direct NGO Execution arrangements with UNDP, and on behalf of the four governments. Several competent regional and international institutions will provide technical backstopping, such as ILRI and ITC. The AfDB will take charge of organizing a Donor Round Table. The feasibility study of the expected AfDB co-financing will be synchronized with and run parallel to the PDF B process. Detailed partnership modalities will be developed during this process.

At the regional level, a steering committee comprising two members for each country and GEF and UNDP representatives has already been established during the PDF A. The mission of this committee will continue to be to define the project’s general framework and supervise implementation. The Regional steering committee will be supported by a technical monitoring committee whose membership would include representatives of the regional and international institutions (ITC, CIRDES, CIRAD, ILRI, AfDB, FAO and GTZ).

National steering committees consisting of representatives of the groups of actors concerned has also already been established. Its mandate is to ensure the mobilization and effective involvement of all actors in the dialogue and information-sharing process at the national level, concerted reflection on project orientation, definition of implementation modalities, and coordination mechanisms.

A PDF B Regional Coordination Unit will be established to execute the PDF B on behalf of the four governments. This Unit will be responsible for achieving the PDF B objectives, will be in charge of monitoring the progress of project activities, and will provide support to the four national teams to be established. The Regional Coordination Unit will:

Define terms of references for the studies and sub-contracts approved by the Steering Committees; Adhere to the provisions of UNDP procedures manual; Prepare the work plan; Organize regional meetings; Assist in the recruitment of consultants, etc. selected by the Regional Steering Committee; Supervise the elaboration of national reports; Directly supervise regional studies; Synthesize national reports into a Project Brief and Document.

The PDF B will be implemented through a series of participatory processes at the regional, national and local levels, as follows:

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(a) Sub-regional level

Four meetings are planned. The first one will need to take place prior to national workshops as it will be devoted to the definition of the Workplan and outlining the terms of references for the various investigations to be conducted. These meetings will include the Regional Steering Committee, the Technical Advisory Committee, and other regional entities, such as OMVS, OMVG, CORAF, etc.

The second meeting will be devoted to a review and synthesis of the national reports, based on which a regional (overall) logical framework will be established. The third meeting will review and approve the final draft of the project brief. The fourth meeting will review and approve the final draft of the project document pursuant to GEF Council approval of the Brief.

(b) National level

Taking into consideration the regional work plan, each national steering committee will elaborate its own work plan. These national work plans will include four meetings to:

elaborate the national work plan; prepare the first national workshop focussing on draft national logical framework and the validation

of the sites and flagship breeds/species selected; conduct a mid-term evaluation prepare the second national workshop whose purpose will be to validate the national report.

The national workshops will include representatives from the local pilot sites.

(c) Local level

Two participatory meetings will be organized at each project site, one at the beginning and one at the end of the process, in order to identify the concerns and needs of the actors concerned, mechanisms to ensure their involvement and the forms of partnership to be promoted.

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PDF B PROJECT WORKPLAN AND SCHEDULE

ACTIVITY/ MONTH

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Regional workshops

X X X

National workshops

X X

Local workshops X X X XReview of entomology data

X X

Logical framework and policy

X

Inventory of AGR X X X X X XEvaluation of baseline activities Capacity-building XOperation of livestock marketing system

X

Inventory of ecosystems

X

Study of production systems

X

Country reports XGEF Project Brief and Document

X X

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ANNEX 1 : FULL TEXT OF APPROVED CONCEPT PAPER

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY CONCEPT PAPER

Project title: Regional : In-situ conservation of endemic ruminant livestock in West Africa

GEF Implementing Agency: United Nations Development Programme

Countries involved: Gambia, Guinea, Mali and Senegal

GEF Focal area: Biodiversity

Operational Programmes: Agrobiodiversity (OP 13), with relevance to the cross cutting theme of land degradation

Executing Agencies: Gambia (Department of Livestock Services)Guinea (Direction Nationale de l’Elevage)Mali (Direction Nationale de la Conservation de la Nature)Senegal (Direction de l’Elevage)

Estimated Full project cost: about US$ 40 millionGEF Contribution: US$ 12-16 millionAfDB Co-financing: US$ 19-23 millionOther co-financing: US$ 5 million

PDF-A requested: Yes ($25,000)

Full Project expected Duration: 12years

ACRONYMS

CILSS Comité Inter-Etat pour Lutte contre la Secheresse au SahelCIRDES Centre International pour la recherché et development de l’elevage dans les zones humidesCORAF Center for research on agriculture and forestryILRI International Livestock Research InstituteITC International Trypanotolerant CenterNRS National Research SystemsNBSAP National Biodiversity Strategy and Action PlansUEMOA West African Economic and Monetary Union

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CONTEXT

1. The total human population for the West and Central African region in 1999 was approximately 317 million or 50.3 % of Sub-Saharan African total. Human population growth during the 1990's was estimated at 2.8% per annum, and in urban areas about 6%. Whereas the population “doubling time” in Sub-Saharan Africa as whole was calculated to be 27 years, in West and Central Africa the figures were 24 and 23 years, respectively. Considering therefore projected demand for livestock products and needs for sustainable agricultural production, livestock genetic resources will be expected to play increasingly more important roles in the agricultural and social economies of West and Central Africa region.

Environmental Context

2. The project target zone consists of eastern Gambia, southern and southeastern Senegal, western and southern Mali, and central and southern Guinea. This transboundary zone consists of four vegetative formations, dominated by wooded savannas, and including shrub savanna, open forest, riparian gallery forests. The tree strata is dominated by : Daniella oliveri, Anogeissus leocarpus, Khaya senegalensis, Burkea africana, Bombax costatum, Pterocarpus erinaceus, Terminalia macroptera, Combretum glutinosum, Enteda africana, Isoberlina doka, Detarium senegalensis , etc. Although the vegetation formations are fairly similar across this transboundary zone, its topography is variable. In Guinea, the landscape is highly variable and consists of rolling plains and plateaux broken up by the Fouta Djallon and Nimba Mountains. Southeastern Senegal is dominated by a high plateaux and frequent hills. In Gambia and Mali, the landscape is more flat.

Global significance

3. The objective of the project is the in-situ conservation of endemic ruminant livestock in West Africa that show many unique genetic attributes. There are several endemic breeds and strains of livestock in this region, the N’Dama cattle being the most renowned. Through the PDF A funding, a literature review was conducted and was able to catalogue the traits and approximate distribution of endemic cattle in west and central Africa (Annex 1). These endemic breeds carry genes that are simultaneously responsible for resistance to several diseases in the humid tropics (e.g. trypanosomosis, endoparasties, and dermatophilosis). These unique genetic traits have evolved exclusively in West African habitats. For example the centre of diversity of N’dama cattle is thought to be in the Fouta Djallon of Guinea. However, Senegal, Mali, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, Cote d’Ivoire and Liberia are also considered to be “original” areas of the breed. Endemic ruminant livestock tolerant to tropical diseases are geographically distributed in the sub-region as follows : all of Gambia; all of Guinea; southern regions of Mali containing both the country’s cotton basin and endemic livestock habitats; and Senegal’s Casamance and Tambacounda areas.

4. Trypanosomosis is arguably the single most important constraint to animal production in the subhumid and humid zones of Africa. In 1963, the annual loss in meat production alone was estimated at US$5 billion. The total loss to agricultural production and social development in tsetse affected areas is currently estimated at US $50 billion per year. Trypanosomosis control relies on three techniques : trypanocidal drugs, control of the vector, and production of typanotolerant livestock. Up to now vector control has been based on widespread clearing of bush to eliminate the breeding habitats of the tsetse flies, and the use of insecticides to eliminate these vectors. These strategies are known to have serious negative impacts on the ecosystems as they destroy non-target fauna and flora, and leave behind chemical residues. Furthermore, all such

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efforts to date to eradicate tsetse have failed to do so completely. The option of using trypanotolerant livestock reduces or eliminates the use of chemicals and bush clearing for controlling the vector and parasites, contributes positively to a balanced ecosystem health, and preserves globally significant genetic diversity.

5. But the global significance of endemic ruminant livestock in West Africa does not rest solely on their resistance to diseases. In fact, other traits are of equal if not more, importance, such as : their resilience under adverse climatic and poor resource (feed) conditions ; tolerance to high temperatures and humidities ; ability to utilise low-quality (high fibre) diets, and scavenging attributes ; etc. Furthermore, conservation of endemic livestock will contribute directly to the protection of their habitats. The high genetic diversity of endemic ruminant livestock populations in West Africa, allows them to respond to different conditions (from semi-arid to semi-humid), and is therefore of major global and national importance. It contributes to maintaining a diverse household portfolio that ensures food security at the local level.

6. Currently, many endemic ruminant livestock are threatened with extinction (Table 1). Such breeds as the Manjaca of Guinea-Bissau have practically disappeared while others, such as the Lagune, are endangered. The majority of endemic livestock in the sub-region of Senegal, Gambia, Mali and Guinea consist of N’dama cattle, Djallonké sheep and West African Dwarf goats. Although numbers of these breeds are still high, their future may be in jeopardy due to the high rate of cross-breeding. There is emerging evidence that the rate of dilution is fast increasing. For example, studies have shown the presence of genes from non-native zebu cattle in over 50 % of the N’dama sample in the Gambia. The remaining population in West Africa is expected to be faced with similar threats of dilution. However, very little information exists on the genetic status of endemic ruminants.

7. Since its evolution, the population of these endemic West African livestock has dispersed out of its centre of diversity into other African regions and in the process has undergone genetic erosion due to cross-breeding. An unknown number of pockets of habitat remain in the four countries of origin where populations of endemic livestock with the highest genetic resistance to trypanosomosis and other diseases can still be found. The West African populations in the four countries represent a highly diverse “genetic treasure trove”. For this reason, a regional approach is necessary.

Socio-economic context

8. The project zone is populated by two major ethnic groups : the Peul and the Mande. The former specialize in pastoralism and agropastoralism, while the latter are essentially farmers who may also raise endemic livestock on a smaller and less extensive scale. Livestock production is a primarily contributor to livelihoods, in terms of its role as savings and investment bank. It also contributes to crop cultivation in terms of providing organic fertilizer, draught power, and capital for purchasing agricultural inputs. Agropastoralism in general is characterized by a more or less sedentary system, with livestock grazing occuring on communal land in a relatively small radius around settlements. Dry season feed is obtained from crop residues and water is available in ponds and riparian areas. Pastoral production however is determined by the need for livestock mobility in order to be able to feed and water large herds on a sustainable basis. Pastoral migration in the project zone can be quite extensive and transfrontier, e.g. between the Kayes Zone of Mali and the Kedougou Zone of Senegal. However, the dominant form of pastoralism is of relatively shorter distances (e.g. 30-70 km). Increasing conversion of range and forest lands to crop cultivation is having severe effects on the viability of pastoralism in this area, particularly as

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the most productive lands are encroached upon, denying pastoralists and their livestock of both good quality and quantity feed and water.

9. This situation is aggravated by the lack of land tenure legislation conducive to a balanced and sustainable agricultural production. However, in all four countries, there have been recent initiatives by the governments to remove disincentives posed by existing legislation. Senegal has increased the responsibilities of local government and local communities for natural resource management. Mali has developed and is in the process of implementing a Pastoral Code, that will define the roles, rights and responsibilities of pastoral communities. Gambia and Guinea have been experimenting with legislation for private ownership of land, and are considering the implications for communal pastures. These initiatives form a conducive baseline for the project’s activities in promoting conservation and sustainable use of the natural habitats of endemic livestock.

Threats and root causes

10. Preliminary investigations during the PDF A have shown that the population of endemic ruminant livestock in West Africa are currently threatened with extinction, or dilution of their specific genetic traits, from three sources : destruction of their habitat, cross-breeding with exotic livestock, and constraints to effective reproduction (see Annex 2 for a preliminary matrix of threats and root causes). The following analysis is a generic one that applies across the West African region. It will be fine tuned during the PDF B in order to identify country-specific threats and root causes.

11. Endemic ruminant livestock inhabit closed wooded savannas (Daniella oliveri, Isoberlinia doka, Bambusa abyssinica in the semi-humid zones, and Acacia-Combretum associations in semi-arid zones). Due to human population increase, these indigenous habitats are being increasingly converted to cropland, and deforestation is rampant due to high demand for fuelwood. Almost 84% of the population of Mali is concentrated in the southern zones. In southern Mali, for example, land under cultivation increased from 5 to 18% between 1977 and 1994. Similar trends can be seen in southeastern Senegal, due to the decrease of fertility in the so-called Peanut Basin, that pushes farmers to migrate into virgin land in the south. In eastern Gambia, the surface area of cultivated land has doubled in the last 15 years. These pressures are transforming the indigenous woodlands into open savannas and fallows. There is evidence that without continuous challenge by disease vectors inherent in the indigenous habitats, the unique genetic traits of the West African endemic ruminant livestock can be lost. Furthermore, habitat conversion is decreasing feed and water availability for endemic livestock, which is not adequately replaced by crop resideus, thus contributing to their further impoverishment.

12. Secondly, as most endemic livestock are relatively low producers of milk or meat, the pure indigenous population is rapidly declining as herders and farmers choose to cross-breed with more productive exotic animals. Evidence suggests that crossbreeding between Zebu and Shorthorns in West Africa has increased significantly since 1985 (rates of cross breeding were 29% in 1985, compared to 34% in 1998). Although cross-breeding has short term national benefits (increased milk, meat and draught power), it can result in an erosion of the unique endemic genetic traits in the long run. In addition, cross breeds have less adaptive traits (hardiness, disease resistance) than endemic ones, and therefore are less resilient in the long run.

13. Thirdly, many populations of endemic livestock are subject to mismanagement and malnutrition, because farmers pay more attention to crops or to higher performing exotics. All the above factors are compounded by other factors that affect all livestock, such as prevelance of Rinderpest, foot

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and mouth disease and Contagious Bovine Pleuro Pneumonia (CBPP) ; droughts ; and lack of adequate veterinary care.

14. Fourth, traditional marketing is done conservatively and only according to the concept of surplus offtake. A farmer/herder will not sell livestock to extinction (unless he is responding to external factors that push him to abandon livestock altogether). One of the major threats identified by the PDF A and scientific studies of the status of endemic livestock is, in fact, the lack of markets. In the absence of markets, farmers/herders will abandon endemic livestock in favor of exotics or other marketable products.

15. The root causes of all of these factors are those related to poverty (e.g. lack of adequate labor, increasing population, deforestation and demand for cropland and livestock products), to lack of awareness of long term value of endemic breeds (lack of economic incentives to maintain endemic ruminant livestock), and to policy disincentives and market distortions (e.g. subsidies favoring crop production and exotic breeds ; undeveloped regional markets, etc.).

Baseline activities

16. Programmes and projects for the development and improvement of endemic ruminant livestock productivity are currently under way in the various countries. The PDF A commissioned an exhaustive review and assessment of existing and past projects and programmes (see Annex 3; the PDF B will complete this list as necessary). This Review showed that various national and regional initiatives have been undertaken to test and implement purebred N’dama cattle selection programmes, with farmers’ participation, to improve milk and meat productivity of purebreds. However, these types of programmes do not specifically address in-situ conservation of endemic ruminant livestock and their habitats. Similarly, baseline projects focusing on management of natural resources and ecosystem conservation tend do concentrate on improving (all) production systems, but do not specifically address the needs of preservation of genetic diversity of endemic ruminant livestock. There is therefore a lack of specific mechanisms and models that link animal genetic resources management to ecosystem management. Furthermore, the baseline focuses on mostly N’dama cattle, with little attention being paid to small ruminants, and other endemic breeds.

17. Baseline interventions have, however, prepared the ground and established reference points upon which it will be possible to build and progress further. For example, in Mali, the N’dama operation undertaken in the Yanfolila area and the activities to support livestock production developed by CMDT have challenged the validity of sectoral approaches, in favour of a more holistic approach whereby linkages can be established between improvement of N’dama cattle at farm level and the adoption of pastoral management systems. Another useful baseline is a Guinean programme to genetically improve the N’dama breed with effective integration of the traditional livestock farms in the selection process. Complementary actions were conducted on herd and rangeland management, together with the creation and strengthening of support to and collaborative relationships between livestock farmers and research stations.

18. There is apparently significant, but informal, marketing of endemic ruminant livestock in the sub-region. However, there is no formally structured export network, and marketing is handled by local traders. Available data are of variable quality and spotty, as they are collected only at border points. According to this information, 300 cattle, 5,000 sheep and 3,000 goats were exported in 1999 from Guinea to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau. In 1998, exports to Liberia and Sierra Leone amounted to 5,000 kilograms in net weight. In 1998, Senegal exported 1,759 cattle, 2,505 sheep and 2,598 goats mainly to Guinea, the Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. Mali exported 210,000 cattle

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and 21,400 sheep and goats in 1998 mainly to Ivory Coast, Ghana and Algeria. In addition, there is a lot of informal trade in livestock between The Gambia, Senegal and Mauritania especially in small ruminants. Furthermore, The Gambia has a long standing programme of exporting N’dama bulls to Nigeria for breeding purposes.

19. This north-south trade also provides further justification for designin a regional project. To be successful and sustainable, the project will have to develop incentives for farmers and herders to maintain endemic ruminant livestock in their herds. These incentives should be able to cover the opportunity cost of lower productivity. There is currently high demand from neighbouring countries such as Ghana, Benin, Togo, Nigeria and Burkina Faso, for pure breeds of West African endemic livestock to be used for cross-breeding to raise the disease tolerance of their livestock. Thus the potential for involving the private and other sectors in this project is very high. As demand apparently far outweighs supply, there is a strong potential for developing economic incentives to cover the short term opportunity costs of the herder for in-situ conservation, and the recurrent costs of the project.

20. Ex-situ conservation of endemic livestock by several regional and national centres is a growing activity, but it lacks representation of all genetic diversity, because of an inadequate knowledge base of all habitat pockets. Furthermore, although some capacities exist in the region for storage of semen and embryos, only a few of these facilities have reliable logistics and supplies of needed materials, such as liquid nitrogen, on a long term basis to carry out semen and embryo production and storage. Hence the necessity to promote in-situ conservation as a complement to the baseline.

21. In the long run it is in the national interest of all African countries to protect their livestock from trypanosomosis and other diseases. However, the immediate national sustainable development interest is to improve breeds for higher productivity, and habitat conversion for cultivation and pasture production. Although habitat conversion will result in a local retreat of the tropical diseases, they will not lead to their total eradication. On the other hand, habitat conversion together with cross-breeding will result in loss of the genetic reservoir of endemic ruminant livestock.

COUNTRY DRIVENNESS

Project linkage to national priorities, action plans and programs

22. In most Sahelian countries, heightened awareness of the crisis affecting livestock production as a result of degradation of the natural environment has prompted efforts to revise public policies in order to take a number of major challenges into consideration, in particular those pertaining to the conservation and improved production of endemic ruminant livestock, as well as the sustainable management of their habitats.

23. In the context and spirit of the Rio Earth Summit, countries in the sub-region have designed instruments for the implementation of the new environmental conventions they ratified and to revise their development policies so as to harmonize them with the recommendations of Agenda 21. In this perspective, the Gambia, Guinea, Mali and Senegal have elaborated environmental action plans to provide guidance for coordination and ensure consistency of natural resources, biodiversity and environmental management policies.

24. In the Gambia, the project addresses the concerns of the National Environmental Action Plan (GEAP), which lists the conservation of genetic resources among its priorities. In addition,

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Gambia’s Rural Sector Support Policy is aimed at increasing rural productivity, including that of endemic livestock.

25. In Senegal, the NBSAP elaborated on a number of actions contained in the National Environmental Action Plan (PNAE). These actions are aimed first and foremost at those ecosystems with the highest endemic species, and protecting habitats for rare, threatened or endangered species. The NBSAP advocates the integration of measures for in-situ conservation of animal and plant species within rural planning and development programmes. In addition, it stresses the need to establish mechanisms to strengthen the regulation on the introduction of exotic genes. The project addresses all 6 general strategic options of the NBSAP, including : strengthening the capacities of the various actors for biodiversity conservation; and developing sub-regional and international cooperation in the area of biodiversity management. Furthermore, Senegal’s Policy on Livestock Development and the Livestock Action Plan have set production intensification, and ecosystem preservation, as priority goals. In order to promote the improvement of dairy production, the policy advocates controlled cross-breeding between local and exotic breeds.

26. In Mali, the National Environmental Action Plan and the National Action Programme to Combat Desertification (PNAE/PAN-CID) have adopted as a priority goal the optimal improvement of animal production and the expansion of animal draught cultivation, while preserving the natural environment. Furthermore, the NBSAP advocates the preservation of local varieties and breeds of domestic animals under the threat of extinction.

27. Like other countries in the sub-region, Guinea has undertaken to revise it agricultural policies. In conformity with the general guidelines set forth in its Agriculture Development Policy (LPDA 2, in effect since 1995), the country defined a strategy and action plan for the development of the livestock sector in the short and medium terms (1997/2010). One of the major objectives is the improvement of livestock performance, first through selective breeding of N’dama cattle among small farmers, and second, through the introduction of exotic genes in commercial dairy farms located in peri-urban areas. The project address several priorities of Guinea’s NBSAP, inter alia: (i) strengthening in-situ biodiversity conservation with popular participation, and (ii) sustainable use of biodiversity (through the restoration of degraded ecosystems, promotion of alternative sources of energy, and creation of innovative funding mechanisms for biodiversity conservation initiatives).

28. The strategic orientations defined by the countries are integrated at the regional level within several joint initiatives addressing in-situ endemic ruminant livestock conservation. The International Trypanotolerance Centre (ITC) established in the Gambia, is working in partnership with national research systems (NRS) in order to improve the genetic potential of the N’dama cattle and Djallonké sheep within a general framework aimed at fighting poverty. A similar initiative is under way at the International Center for Livestock Research and Development in Sub-Humid zones (CIRDES) at Bobo-Dioulasso, focusing on other breeds of trypanotolerant livestock, such as the West African Short Horn. The FAO Global Strategy for the Management of Farm Animal Genetic Resources is a world-wide initiative for promoting regional networking and coordination among NRS and other national centres, for the sustainable use of animal genetic resources (all livestock). Through its own resources and a $140,000 Preparatory Assistance grant from UNDP, it established a West Africa Regional Focal Point Office in collaboration with UEMOA, CILSS and CORAF, that is instrumental in supporting national counterparts with capacity building, regional and national data bases on farm animals, and assistance with the development of pilot projects. One of the activities of ILRI’s Animal Genetic Resources global programme is to conduct research on effective conservation and

16

utilisation of indigenous genetic populations of cattle, Asian buffalo, sheep, goat and yak, through a better understanding of the genetic diversity in indigenous livestock breeds. One of the major activities in this programme is the application of genetic markers (DNA microsatellites) for identification and characterisation of genomic regions in order to unravel the domestication origins and evolutionary history of indigenous breeds. All these regional and national initiatives are connected in a synergistic network of research institutions (Africa Trypanotolerant Network) which endeavours to advancing knowledge of all trypanotolerant livestock breeds.

GEF national operational focal point and date of country endorsement

Gambia: Momodou Cham, Executive Director National Environment Agency on 27 March 2001.

Guinea: Mme Kadiatou N’diaye, Opertional Focal Point, on 28 March 2001. Mali: to be obtained by time of submission of terms of reference of PDF B. Senegal : Ndiaye Checik Sylla for Mrs. Fatima Dia Toure, Operational Focal Point and

Director of Environment : on 22 March 2001.

PROJECT RATIONALE

29. It is in the interest of the global community to identify these critical habitat pockets in the region, and to support measures to protect and conserve these globally and regionally significant breeds and their habitats. Baseline national and regional programmes do not emphasise in-situ conservation of endemic livestock/habitat complexes, nor are there any viable models for the application of economic incentives, which are essential long term ingredients for ensuring sustainable in-situ conservation of endemic livestock. Therefore, the project will remove barriers to the in-situ conservation of these critical and unique genetic trait/habitat complexes. Measures will include community-based natural resource management, and incentive programs to motivate farmers and herders to maintain endemic, pure, breeds in their herds. The project will identify habitats, increase critical awareness, and develop links with the private sector for appropriate economic incentives at the community level for endemic livestock and habitat conservation.

30. For breeds that are already in danger of extinction, (for example the Doayo, Bakosi, Bakweri and Kapsiki of Cameroon, the Liberian Dwarf Shorthorn, the Ghana Muturu and Keteku of Nigeria), it is proposed that separate urgent action projects should be developed to focus on creating more or less ex-situ herds at locations where multiplication can occur with minimum stress from diseases, nutrition, etc. The current project, based on the principle of in-situ conservation, will therefore concentrate on preventive action in the four chosen countries, in order to ensure that other globally significant but threatened populations and breeds of endemic livestock are protected in the long run. The project will adopt a win-win strategy of (a) ensuring conservation of endemic ruminant livestock, while at the same time (b) promoting sustainable development and sustainable natural resource management.

31. Domestic animal genetic resources conservation is a different paradigm from conservation of wild animals. In the former, man controls all production and reproduction parameters (i.e. through domestication). Therefore, management of endemic livestock is an inherent part of their conservation. The objective of management is to (a) maintain a distinct gene pool, and a genetically dynamic population; and (b) enhance the quality and quantity of products (economic, social, environmental) derived from the gene pool. Traditionally, marketing is done conservatively and only according to the concept of surplus offtake. A farmer/herder would not sell to extinction (unless he is responding to external factors that push him to abandon livestock altogether). One of the major threats identified by the PDF A and scientific studies to endemic

17

livestock is, in fact, the lack of markets. In the absence of markets, farmers/herders will abandon endemic livestock in favor of exotics or other marketable products. Therefore, conservation of endemic livestock is inexorably linked to their production and marketing.

32. The GEF Alternative is expected to focus on the development of a model for in-situ conservation of endangered breeds/strains of West African endemic livestock and protection of their habitats in selected priority sites (GEF increment), with supporting activities on : regional research on genetic diversity of sub-populations (co-financing from donors, ILRI and national governments), in-situ pure breeding programmes with the participation of farmers in the project’s priority sites (FAO, GTZ, ITC, national governments, and some GEF to remove barriers), and expanding opportunities for regional marketing (AfDB, national governments, private sector, with some GEF funding where incrementality is established). Regional cooperation will be enhanced for the coordinated conservation of genetic diversity, and exchange of experiences (GEF and co-financing).

33. The GEF increment will, in summary, address threats to globally significant endemic ruminant livestock in West Africa, remove barriers to long term sustainable protection and management of these livestock, improve the enabling environment, and build capacity for such work in the long term.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

34. Activities conducted under the PDF-A project with the collaboration of various partners (GEF, ILRI, FAO, AfDB, CIRAD, ITC, CIRDES and Governments) resulted in a major literature review (Agyemang 2000), two regional workshops, and four national workshops, which allowed a preliminary identification of expected outputs and activities of the Full project. These discussions led to four main strategic conclusions:

The project will be launched initially in four West African countries (Gambia, Guinea, Mali and Senegal), with the understanding that in a second phase, consideration can be given to involving other countries if and when required by the system boundary. The details of this phased approach will be developed during the PDF B.

The project will have to be integrative, and take into account the relations between animal genetic resources, ecosystems, production systems and human population welfare.

A combination of expected global benefits, concerns for promoting food security and the fight to alleviate poverty, lead the project to cover not only cattle, but also sheep and goats. This is because small ruminants play an essential role in the economy of the poorest groups (women, youth and small farmers in general).

It will be necessary to choose several “flagship” breeds in order to make the project manageable. Flagship breeds are defined as those whose conservation will have beneficial impacts and replicability for the conservation of all endemic ruminant livestock. Flagship breeds should preferably be those which demonstrate globally significant traits (such as hardiness and disease resistance) that ensure their adaptation to the ecosystem. They should also be breeds that are relatively well known by local farmers, therefore making adoption of new techniques much easier. Some examples are the trypanotolerant N’dama cattle, Djallonke sheep, and West African Dwarf goats. This selection will be verified and confirmed during the PDF B.

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The strategy of the project is to conduct preventive actions to protect globally threatened genetic diversity, by demonstrating a model for conservation of several species of endemic livestock. The exact number and selection of species will depend on consultations during the PDF B. However, by choosing different sites in each country, it is conceivable that the project will help to conserve at least 4 distinct populations in each breed. This can only be verified through DNA marking expected during the Full project. Therefore, although the focus of the project is on inter-breed conservation, it will also probably have beneficial impact on intra-breed conservation.

A further strategy of the project is to improve the quality of performance of endemic ruminant livestock, not to increase their population, so as to avoid overgrazing and other environmental problems.

The project will be both national and regional in scope. It will select 12 pilot sites (3 in each country) for field-level work.

35. The PDF A process also developed a preliminary list of criteria for the selection of pilot sites in each country. It must be recognized that centers of diversity and geographical distribution of pure populations of endemic livestock do not necessarily coincide with biodiversity/habitat hotspots. However, as much as possible, the project will endeavor to select sites near such wild hotspots in order to garner additional global benefits. The criteria for site selection can include :

Breed “purity”; Presence of diversified production systems (involving cattle, sheep and goats); State of the natural environment and scope/degree of threats on the ecosystems; Level of tsetse challenge; Scope/degree of threat on endemic breeds. Priority given to (but not exclusive) transboundary sites. Participatory confirmation of local community ownership. Presence of ongoing projects and baseline.

Objectives

36. The overall goal of the project is to promote in-situ conservation of endemic ruminant livestock in the four West African countries with specific genetic traits, with a view to safeguarding critical and unique genetic traits in these livestock and promoting sustainable development, by protecting their natural habitat, establishing local level incentives for in-situ conservation, and implementing measures to manage and control cross-breeding.

Expected outcomes of the Full Project

37. The project is expected to have the following outcomes (these will be further fine-tuned during the PDF B process):

a. A model that removes the barriers to in-situ conservation of endemic livestock genetic diversity as well as conservation of ecosystems providing habitat for said livestock; tested and demonstrated in the four countries. This will include :

An increase in the relative share of pure endemic livestock breeds in herds of selected pilot zones.

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Endemic livestock classified and inventoried using genetic markers. This classification to be matched to indigenous systems of classification

Natural resources used sustainably in indigenous habitats of the pilot sites to ensure protection through community based land use planning and natural resource management

Enhanced productivity of purebreds through community-based selective breeding schemes, with a view to strengthening food security, increasing producers’ incomes, and enhancing incentives for in-situ conservation.

Incentive schemes to foster community-based conservation of endemic livestock established, such as building up prestige for owners (e.g. through certification, fairs and competitions); better marketing of dairy and meat products; crafts using hides and horns; etc.

Increased offtake and exports of endemic purebreds to neighbouring countries.

b. A system to develop cooperation and regional exchanges pertaining to endemic livestock established and linked to regional programmes.

Harmonized policies and legal frameworks on in-situ conservation of animal genetic resources among the four countries

c. Strengthened capacities for all actors concerned, enabling them to promote in-situ conservation of endemic livestock and their habitat.

Expected activities of the full project

38. The range of activities under the Full project will be determined during the project development phase, but they are expected to include the following. GEF incrementality is indicative only, and will be finalized during the PDF B.

Land use planning with local communities in pilot sites, particularly for the regulation of cultivated lands for the protection of indigenous habitat pockets (GEF)

Locally adapted and adopted regulations on communal use of natural resources in the indigenous habitats, including fuelwood use, and transhumance (GEF)

Promotion of energy saving/substituting devices to decrease deforestation of habitats (co-financing and GEF)

Identify and demonstrate incentive schemes for farmers and herders to maintain pure endemic livestock, including communal herding of nucleus herds (GEF)

Establishment and maintenance of community/association managed in-situ nucleus herds, composed of purebred animals obtained from members and others (GEF)

Strengthening of community/associations to manage and selectively breed remaining herds for endemic traits (co-financing and GEF)

Economic valuation of endemic livestock (breeds, traits, functions, services) to influence awareness raising at community and national levels, and contribute to policy reform and development of markets for endemic livestock (GEF)

Development of economic, social and institutional incentives for farmers to continue to raise the purebreds, and equitable sharing of benefits (GEF)

Develop market niche for flagship endemic livestock (AfDB) Identification, classification and inventory of genetic diversity of trypanotolerant livestock,

identification of correlative genetic traits of economic and global biodiversity importance, and

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development of regional distribution maps for both genetically pure and mixed populations (GEF in 12 sites, ; co-financing elsewhere)

Improvement of capacity of national and regional research and extension centers to assist farmers and herders in promoting in-situ conservation of animal genetic resources (GEF)

Improvement of productivity of purebreds, through selective breeding in research centres (Co-financing)

Review of national policies and recommendations for harmonization (GEF, AfDB) and implementation of recommendations (Governments)

Capacity building and strengthening of national capacities to replicate and sustain the results of the project (GEF)

Regional exchanges of experience and cooperation (GEF and co-financing)

SUSTAINABILITY AND REPLICABILITY OF THE FULL PROJECT

39. In order to establish the foundations required to ensure project sustainability, it is essential to facilitate its appropriation by the actors concerned, in particular the grassroot communities. Current decentralization policies in the four countries provide the framework for devolution of increased responsibility and power to local communities for land use planning and natural resource management. But, in order to ensure that the involvement of the local communities does not serve as a mere political move to the credit of public institutions, the quality of their involvement should be considered as a determining criterion in the assessment of project performance. In this regard, the participatory activities to be conducted under the PDF-B phase will achieve consensus on the principles to be applied in relation to the involvement of the grassroot communities in the implementation of the project.

40. To empower those communities so that they may fully assume their responsibilities in the implementation of the project, it will be necessary to go beyond the narrow, limited perception of capacity-building issues and take into consideration all of the needs of the grassroot actors, i.e. organizational development, improvement of technical skills, strengthening capacities in the areas of project planning and implementation, fund raising and monitoring/evaluation. In this process, priority should be granted to the development of institutional analysis capacities, in order to enable existing livestock producer’s organizations to define independently the types of support needed to reinforce their intervention capacities as well as the partnership mechanisms to be established. Partnership should also be extended to independent livestock farmers, i.e. those who are not already involved in an organizational system.

41. The PDF B will identify opportunities for the development of local incentives for in-situ conservation of endemic livestock. Experience acquired over the last few decades, in particular the difficulties confronted in funding activities for development and environmental management (low national budgets, inappropriate character of support mechanisms in place, dwindling flows of development aid, etc.), point to the importance of developing such incentives for ensuring the financial sustainability of the project. The PDF B will explore options for effective incentive systems whose positive effects could be reinforced by the creation of added value for endemic livestock on export markets.

42. It is expected that the results of the project will be relevant and replicable to other regions of Africa, where endemic ruminant livestock are of importance both globally and locally. A similar project currently being planned for Southern Africa will, in particular, benefit from lessons learnt and cross-regional exchanges.

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COUNTRY ELIGIBILITY

43. The four countries where the project will be implemented have ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity (on 10/6/94 for the Gambia, 7/5/93 for Guinea, 29/3/95 for Mali and 14/6/94 for Senegal), as well as the Convention to Combat Desertification. In-situ conservation of endemic livestock fits within the specific thematic area of agrobiodiversity. The Third Conference of Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted Decision III/11 on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity important to agriculture. This project supports the framework established by Note GEF/C.12/Inf.10, as well as the final draft of OP 13 (December 2000), in that it seeks to promote the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources important for food and agriculture, as well as the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of these genetic resources, while at the same time linking such work to conservation of productive landscapes and natural habitats. The project meets the guidelines established by this Note on incremental efforts, as it recognizes the considerable benefits accruing to both global and national/local levels. In addition, converging orientations between the project and several initiatives under way at the national and sub-regional levels will facilitate the mobilization of co-financing from various technical and financial partners.

44. The project also has beneficial impacts on the concerns related to arid and semi-arid ecosystems (OP 1) and forest ecosystems (OP 3) in terms of protection of important habitats. Land degradation as a cross cutting theme is important because of the threats related to deforestation and destruction of habitats in the project zone.

45. Beyond the objective to preserve a unique gene pool and its habitats, the project holds undeniable scientific interest in that it will further the conservation of ecosystems containing large numbers of species and varieties as yet unstudied.

PROJECT FINANCING PLAN

46. Considering the regional and participatory nature of the project, and the fact that conservation of agrobiodiversity (particularly of livestock) is a new, untested, opportunity within GEF, the full range of PDF resources is expected to be needed for the development of the project. The PDF A (already expended) and PDF B preparatory phases are expected to take 24 months.

47. It is expected that the Full project will leverage considerable co-financing. A target of 60% is being sought. Substantial interest already has been expressed through the PDF A phase from AfDB, GTZ, ILRI, CIRAD/AFD, and the four governments. Other sources of co-financing will also be explored during the PDF B. It is expected that the Full project will be implemented in four countries over 15 years, with a total budget of about $40 million, of which GEF increment is expected to be about 40%. The AfDB contribution is estimated at 80% of the total co-financing amount. These figures are presented here only for planning purposes, and will be fine tuned according to actual cost estimates, and co-financing availability, during the PDF B process. Much will depend on the level of co-financing from governments and AfDB, as well as the scale and scope of the final project proposal.

48. The PDF B is expected to require about $470,000 in GEF financing (to be confirmed). The supplemental amount over $350,000 is justified because this is a complicated and regional project. Substantial co-financing has been identified for the PDF B.

Project Phasing

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49. An assessment of progress achieved by the project will only be possible over a relatively long period of time, in view of the fact that dynamics of ecosystem function and renewal, participatory nature of the project, development of regional markets, and results of selective breeding, all take time. As a result, the proposed duration for the project is fifteen years, of which donor funding is sought for the first 12 years. Project implementation is expected to take place in three phases (this will be verified during the PDF B):

An initial six-year phase, during which activities will be initiated with substantial donor support. These activities will probably focus on creating enabling environments, building capacity at all levels, marketing incentives explored, and initiating activities in the pilot sites.

A second six-year phase, which should be marked by a significant additional financial input from the countries. This phase would constitute a consolidation phase, where the pilot results of the first phase would be fine-tuned; gaps covered; new issues dealt with; marketing incentives established; and some replication to additional local communities and sites initiated.

A third three-year phase, during which the Governments would take over donor support and assume complete funding. This phase is expected to focus on replication on a wider scale. It is considered part of the project and will be subject to monitoring and evaluation to show “post project” impacts.

50. Progress from one phase to the next will be conditional upon successful achievement of specific benchmarks. These benchmarks, and the logical framework of the project, will be developed during the PDF B.

Monitoring and Evaluation

51. Each country will establish an internal unit in charge of monitoring/evaluation which will be responsible for producing monthly report for the project coordination unit. Each monitoring/evaluation unit will have to conduct a yearly assessment of the technical improvements and financial results of the project. For each project component, an annual work plan will be established, indicating specific targeted objectives and defining performance indicators to be used for assessment purposes. At the regional level, the assessment will be the responsibility of the Regional Technical Committee.

52. Every three years, an external evaluation team (consisting of experts with no involvement in the project) will be tasked with a systematic, critical review of the technical, financial and institutional performance of the project (total 5 events). Two of these will constitute the mid-term evaluations during the first two phases of the project. The evaluation conducted at the end of the First Phase will review the achievements against benchmarks, and trigger funding for the second phase. The last evaluation will correspond to the end of the project. Appropriate steering committees, whose composition will be defined at a later date, will be expected to meet once a year and will provide guidance and supervision to the implementation of the project.

53. The importance of participatory monitoring and evaluation cannot be understated. Capacity and mechanisms for this will be developed during the life of the project to (a) assist in ensuring project success; and (b) build capacity for long term adaptive management at local and national levels.

PROJECT STAKEHOLDERS

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54. The following have already participated it the PDF A phase (with the exception of local communities in the as yet un-chosen pilot sites), and are expected to continue to participate during the PDF B and full project phases:

Local communities in at least 12 pilot sites to be chosen during the PDF-B, including existing livestock cooperatives and pastoral associations

National herders organisations, such as the National Coordination Committee for Herders of Guinea (CCNEG)

National Agricultural Research Centres in the four countries (Mali : Rural Economic Institute that includes all the research centres of Mali, including : all regional centres, the Sikasso Centre for research on N’dama, the Research Unit on Genetic Resources of Bamako, the Livestock Research centre of Sotuba; Centre for research on the Toronké race in Kayes.. Gambia : National Research Institute; Guinea: Institut de Recherche Agronomique; Senegal : Laboratoire National de Recherches Vétérinaires; Centre de Suivi Ecologique).

National Ministries and Divisions in the four countries (Mali: Ministry of Environment’s National Direction for Nature Conservation; Ministry of Rural Development and Water’s National Direction on Rural Infrastructure, National Direction for Rural Assistance (DNAMR); and Directorate General for Regulations and Control (DGRC). Gambia : Department of State for Agriculture; Department of Agricultural Services; Department of Forestry; Department of Livestock Services; Department of Parks and Wildlife Management; Department of Fisheries. Guinea : National Livestock Direction, and the relevant Livestock Support Centres in the project sites; National Direction for Water and Forests; Institute for Agronomic Research; National Direction for the Environment of the Ministry of Mines, Geology and Environment; Ministry of Scientific Research and Higher Education’s National Direction for Scientific Research, University of Conakry (Faculty of Biology), and Higher Institute for Agronomic and Veterinary of Faranah. Senegal : Directorates of Livestock, Agriculture and Environment)

International Trypanotolerant Centre, Banjul ICRAF’s Sahel Programme, Bamako ICRISAT’s Programme in Mali West Africa Regional Focal Office for Management of Farm Animal Genetic Research (FAO,

UEMOA, CILSS, CORAF) ILRI Animal Genetic Resources Research Programme (Ethiopia and Kenya) CIRDES, Burkina Faso Donors, such as AfDB, GTZ/BMZ, CIRAD/AFD, FAO.

INFORMATION ON PROJECT PROPONENT

55. The four Governments of the Gambia, Guinea, Mali and Senegal are jointly proponents of the project. The project will be executed by (respectively): Department of Livestock Services, Direction Nationale de l’Elevage, Direction Nationale de la Conservation de la Nature; and Direction de l’Elevage. A Senegalese based NGO will be contracted as Regional Coordination Unit to execute the PDF B on the behalf of the four governments. UNDP Country Offices may be called upon as and when required to assist in execution of national and regional activities.

IA COORDINATION AND LINKAGES TO GEF AND IA PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES

56. The project will coordinate and take into account the existing pipeline and portfolio of GEF projects in the four countries, in particular, the UNDP-GEF ‘Integrated Ecosystem Management’ project for Senegal ; the pipeline Fouta Djallon project (UNEP-GEF) ; the pipeline Integrated Management of the Senegal River Basin (WB/UNDP-GEF) ; and the pipeline Mont Nimba project in Guinea (UNDP-GEF). It is not expected that the project will have sites on the coastal areas as these are not endemic areas for trypanotolerant livestock. The project will have

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significant relevance to UNDP’s ongoing mandate for poverty alleviation, as expressed in the Country Cooperation Frameworks, as it will focus on finding ways to generate both global benefits of genetic conservation and local benefits for the rural poor on income generation, food security, and natural resource management. The AfDB has in the past engaged in the livestock marketing sector in Western Africa, and this project is considered as an important extension of their efforts.

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ANNEX 1: Description of Endemic Ruminant Livestock in West Africa

The ruminant populations in the West and Central African in 1998 were estimated to be 60.93, 61.6 and 78.13 million cattle, sheep and goats, respectively. These were 32, 38, and 44% of sub-saharan African totals. Approximately 69, 85 and 77% of the cattle, sheep and goats in the West and Central Africa region were in West Africa and the balance in Central Africa.

Cattle

There were an estimated 10.57-million trypanotolerant cattle in West and Central Africa in 1998. These represented 17.3% of the entire cattle population, including those from Chad, Mauritania and Niger. If the cattle population from these three countries is excluded from the total on account of lying substantially out of the tsetse belt, the percent of trypanotolerant cattle was 20.7% as compared to 26.6% in 1985.

Overall, the trypanotolerant cattle population grew at 0.59% during the 14-year period (1985-1998) compared with 2.7% per annum for the total cattle population. In 1985, 48.4% of all trypanotolerant cattle were found in the four countries selected for the proposed project. In 1998, 46.6% of the trypanotolerant cattle were in these countries. This apparent decline resulted from a decrease in cattle population in Mali and a near zero population growth rate in Guinea.

The N’Dama cattle population in the West and Central Africa Region in 1998 was estimated to be 5.39 million head and constituted 10.6% of the total cattle population compared with 13.1% in 1985, when the N’Dama population was 4.86 million. In 1998, the N’Dama constituted an estimated 51.0% of the total trypanotolerant cattle population compared with 49.5% in 1985.

There were an estimated 2.51 million head of Savanna Shorthorn cattle in the West and Central Africa region in 1998. They constituted 4.7 and 23.7 % of the total cattle and trypanotolerant cattle population, respectively. In 1985, when they numbered 1.96 million head, the corresponding shares were 5.3 and 20%. Therefore, whereas the Savanna Shorthorns appear to have maintained their share of the total cattle population, their relative numerical importance in the trypanotolerant cattle population has decreased.

There were an estimated 0.133 million head of the Dwarf Shorthorns in 1998, a 34% increase over the 1985 population of 0.10 million head. The Dwarf Shorthorns represented only 0.26% of the total cattle herd and 1.26% of the trypanotolerant cattle population. There were an estimated 3.63 million head of Zebu x N’Dama and Zebu x Shorthorn crossbreds in the West and Central Africa region in 1998. This represented 34% of the trypanotolerant cattle population and 7.1% of the total cattle population. In 1985, they constituted 29% of the trypanotolerant cattle population and 7.8% of the total cattle population. From 1985 to 1998, the crossbred population grew at an annual rate of 1.83%. The fastest growth occurred in Ghana (6%) for the “ Sanga”, Benin (3.2%) for the Borgu and in Cote d’Ivoire (3.7%) for the Mere. Small Ruminants

There was an estimated 61.70 million head of sheep in the West and Central Africa Region in 1998. Approximately 12.78 million head of this total (20.1%) were found in Mauritania, Niger and Chad. Exclusion of the sheep populations in these countries from the analysis leaves the total sheep population at an estimated 48.93 million head. An estimated 15.78 million head (32%) were considered trypanotolerant, but the portion of purebreds is unknown.

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In 1998, there was an estimated 78.13 million head of goats in the West and Central Africa Region. Approximately 15.41 million head of this total (19.7%) were found in Mauritania, Niger and Chad. If the goat populations in these countries are excluded from the analysis, the total goat population comes to an estimated 62.72 million head. An estimated 29.39 million head (46.9%) were considered trypanotolerant, but the portion of purebreds is unknown.

Table 1: Traits and distribution of endemic cattle in Western and Central Africa

Major breeds Heads of cattle (millions)

% of breed in total population

Original traitsTrypanotolerance Resistance to Resistance to ticks and transmitted endoparasites diseases

Endangered

Bos indicus (Zebu) 48.0 78.0 - - * -Bos taurusLonghorn cattle (N’dama) Savannah shorthorns (Baoulé, Méré, Somba, Muturu, Doayo, Kapsiki, Bakosi) Dwarf shorthorns (Lagune and Muturu)

5.32.5

1.5

8.741

2.5

*****

**

****

**

****

**

-Doaya, Kapsiki, Bakosi

Liberia muturuGhana muturu

Derived/Composite Breeds: Sanga Borgou, Djakoré, Kétéku and Bamabara

3.5 5.7 * * * Kétéku

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Annex 2 : Indicative Threats and Root Causes

Problem Threats Proximate Causes Root Causes Dilution or loss of attributes unique to local breeds, e.g.

- Longhorn cattle (N’dama)

- Djallonke Sheep- West African Dwarf

Goats

Cross-breeding with exotics

Deforestation and habitat destruction

Constraints to reproductive rates of certain endemic breeds

Low commercial value of endemic breeds (lower milk and meat production; but higher resilience)

Lack of awareness of long term value of endemic breeds

Undeveloped regional markets

Neglect and inappropriate management of certain endemic breeds

Deforestation for agriculture and household needs (fuelwood, charcoal)

Uncontrolled bushfires

Absence of data to design conservation policies

Increasing population and demand for meat and dairy products

Higher socio-cultural value of large-size (cross bred) animals

Disincentives created by existing policies for both genetic conservation and natural resource management

Pricing schemes based on quantity not quality

Policies favour cereal production over livestock even in marginal areas

Drought cycles

Lack or weakness of technical and financial support to local herders and farmers.

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ANNEX 3 : Baseline Activities

Within the current context, major baseline activities include the following (the list will be finalized during the PDF B):

Table 1: Baseline activities being implemented in Guinea

Programme title Objectives Time frame DonorsProgramme to support agricultural income generation

Alleviation of poverty in rural areas through increased income for producers by focussing on increased livestock production

Programme being formulated

IDA

Livestock production support programme

Improvement of animal production and empowerment of livestock farmers’ organizations

2000 : 2003 Caisse Française de Développement

Village community support programme

Strengthening of institutional and financial capacities of local authorities to manage their own development and creation of community-based infrastructure

1999 / 2010 IDA, IFAD, AFD, ADF and BND

Guinean network on animal draught power

Contribution to efforts aimed at developing animal draught power

Guinean NGO

Programme for transhumance development in Lower Guinea

Enhancement of livestock productivity, increase income, organization of livestock farmers’ environment and protection of natural resources

FED

Project to support epizootic diseases control

Institutional capacity building, improvement of access to and distribution of services and inputs, fight against rinderpest, CBPP and other epizootic diseases control

2000 / 2004 FED and BND

Concerted Research and Development Programme in Livestock Production

See ITC Start-up imminent

Programme for pilot pastoral perimeters

Restoration and improvement of pasture lands, community participation in pastoral resource management and conflict attenuation

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Table 2 : Baseline activities being implemented in the Gambia

Programme title Objectives Time frame DonorsRural finance community initiative Project

Provide credit including livestock farmers

2000 – 2005 IFAD

Programme on small ruminant and cattle genetic improvement

Collaboration ITC / Department of Livestock Services

Sheep and goat fattening and breeding programme

Provision of rams for Muslim feats

UNDP/BAfD

Coastal biodiversity conservation project

Management and conservation of coastal biodiversity

GEP (preparation)

OMVG (Organisation for the Management of The Gambia River Basin)

Livestock development component

EU / BAfD

OMVG Sustainable utilization and management of the water resources of The Gambia River Basin/catchment (which encompass 4 countries : Senegal, Guinea, Guinea Bissau and the Gambia), including the protection of its source (The Fouta D’Jallon Highlands). The projects are mainly related to the development of irrigation agriculture and hydroelectric power developmen

AfDB, EU, BADEA

30

Table 3 : Baseline activities being implemented in Senegal

Programme title Objectives Time frame DonorsAfrican Programme for epizootic disease control

Control of major epizootic diseases, in particular rinderpest and contagious bovine pleuropneumonia

FED

Programme to support concertation between the Government and members of agricultural occupations

Development of concertation between the Government and professional agricultural organizations

Project to fight Poverty Build capacity in government, civil society, private sector and local governments to better fight against poverty through micro-credit for sustainable income generation.

1998 to 2002 UNDP and American Foundation for Development, the Senegalese Association for Credit support, and AFRICARE

Forestry Sector Support Programme

Project will improve planning, restoration and management of classified forests of Senegal with technical supports to Ministry and local governments. Some activities will be carried out in the UNDP-GEF Project Sites and will be re-programmed to constitute co-financing for the project.

Netherlands

31

Table 4 : Baseline activities being implemented in Mali

Programme title Objectives Time frame DonorsMalian Company for Textile Development

Promotion of cotton and cereal production Development of animal-drawn cultivation

AFD / Mali / World Bank

Project for the development of Kita forests by peasant organizations

Participatory forest development Fight against poverty

2005 Word Bank / UNDP / Norway / Mali

Project to support integrated natural resource management

Integrated natural resource management

2005 European Union / Mali / Guinea-Bissau / Senegal

Community centre for N’dama stock breeding (Yanfolila)

Selection of N’dama breeding stockMarketing of N’dama breeding stock in the sub-region

2001 ECOWAS

Sikasso border livestock market

Promotion of livestock and meat marketing

2001 CILSS

Project for livestock production development in the Kayes Sud area

Fight against poverty through development of local livestock production Improvement of basic infrastructure

BADEA

Project to support livestock production in the private sector

Capacity building for partners active in the livestock production sector

AFD

Sustainable forest management in the 3rd Region

Participatory forest management Fight against poverty

2005 AFD / Mali

African Programme for epizooty control

Control of main epizootic diseases

FED

Project to support the agricultural sector and farmers’ organizations

Institutional capacity building for the public sector and farmers’ organizations

2001 - 2010 World Bank / BAfD / Netherlands

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Kamuanga, M., Tano, K. and D’Ieferen, G. 1999. Farmers’ Preferences of Cattle Breeds, Their Market Values and Prospects for Improvement in West Africa: A Summary Review. A Paper Presented at the 25th Meeting of the International Scientific Council on Trypanosomiasis Research and Control (ISCTRC), September 27-October 2, 1999, Mombasa, Kenya.

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ANNEX 2 : COUNTRY ENDORSEMENT LETTERS

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