Africa-Brazil Agricultural Innovation Marketplace

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Magdalene Flynn
6 years ago
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1 Africa-Brazil Agricultural Innovation Marketplace FINAL EVALUATION OF THE PROJECT ID: 200 Title: Introduction of Napier grass elite lines for screening for stunt resistance to provide feed for improved smallholder dairy productivity. CO-LEADERS: Dr. Francisco José da Silva Lédo (Embrapa/Brazil) Dr. Jean Hanson (ILRI/Ethiopia) Introduction The final evaluation of the project was made through the following tools: 1) proposal reading; 2) reading of the reports presented by the project co-leaders; and 3) presentation of the project results by the co-leader Dr. Francisco José da Silva Lédo, who replaced the co-leader Dr. Maurício Marini Köpp transferred to another Embrapa unit. The meeting was held at Embrapa Dairy Cattle on April 29, 2013 and the researchers Dr. Rui da Silva Verneque (Head of R&D), Dr. Juarez Campolina Machado (Genetic resources and improvement of tropical forages) and Dr. Ana Luiza Sousa Azevedo (Molecular markers and detection of genes of economic interest in the animal and vegetal area) were present. The project evaluation was made by the consultant Leonardo de Britto Giordano, who, during the visit to Embrapa Dairy Cattle and throughout the preparation of the final report, counted on the logistical support of the agronomist and MKTPlace consultant Ana Gláucia Heinrich. The consultants were also received by the Head of the Embrapa unit, Dr. Duarte Vilela. Performance of the activities proposed in the project. Five activities were scheduled to be performed by Embrapa (Embrapa Dairy Cattle) and by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI / Ethiopia): (1) Establishment of agreements for germplasm exchange (MTAs); (2) Selection of the genotypes to be transferred; (3) Transference and quarantine of the genotypes; (4) Cultivation of accessions aiming to establish a Germplasm Bank in vivo at ILRI Ethiopia, and (5) Release of the materials for field evaluation. During the progress of the project, the extension of the performance deadline for one more year was requested. The description of the activities, term of execution, indicators, percentage of performance and products generated can be found in Annex 1.

2 It was found that the main objective of the project: Introduction of elephant grass elite genotypes of the Brazilian improvement programs to increase options of food supply for future improvement of the productivity of small dairy producers systems was not achieved. However, it was found that results obtained in some research activities can facilitate the selection of genotypes, avoiding work with duplicate materials and simplifying the management of the Active Germplasm Banks, from both Embrapa and ILRI and the exchange of genetic material between the distinct collections. It is worth highlighting that MKTPlace projects must cover actions of generation of knowledge and also actions related to technology development. Since a great part of the project activities depended on the shipping of germplasm from Embrapa to ILRI, and both co-leaders faced problems and unforeseen events during the implementation of the Material Transference Agreements (MTAs), the activities A3 Transference of disease-free materials and quarantine after introduction of the genotypes, A4 Plantation of the field accessions aiming towards the establishment of a Germplasm Bank in vivo at ILRI / Ethiopia, and A-5 Release of genotypes for evaluation and selection on field could not be implemented, even after the extension of the project performance deadline for one more year. Identification of the positive points and obstacles during the performance of the project. The following positive points observed during the performance of the project must be highlighted: The initiative of joint work with Brazilian researchers came from the institution acting in Africa, and the initial contact was intermediated by Dr. Paulo de Camargo Duarte, from the MKTPlace SRI Technical Coordination. Increase of exchange of knowledge and technology between Brazil and Ethiopia. During the project performance period, a transference of technology developed at Embrapa Dairy Cattle took place, involving the use of microsatellites molecular markers (Single Sequence Repeats - SSRs), and enabling the assessment of the molecular and genetic diversity of the ILRI and Embrapa collections. The DNA extracted from the accessions of the Germplasm Bank of elephant grass and of hybrids from the Embrapa Dairy Cattle breeding program (111 genotypes) was sent to ILRI on 09/05/2011. In this work, there were used 20 SSRs primers selected by Embrapa for use in elephant grass genotypes based on the DNA amplification. At the end, 25 genotypes were selected in Brazil to be sent to ILRI, and nine genotypes at ILRI to be sent to Brazil. Common interest of the partners in using elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) This African species was introduced in Brazil around 1920, and currently is cultivated in the five Brazilian regions, 2

3 having great importance in animal nutrition. In the African continent, it is the primary food for dairy cattle. Interest of both teams in sharing germplasm. The teams involved in the project have an ability that allows to assess the agronomical performance and the genetic diversity of the elephant grass, and they are willing to share knowledge in this area. Very proactive partners, with ILRI / Ethiopia presenting good conditions in terms of infrastructure and personnel. Interest of both teams in continuing the project within MKTPlace. The visit of the African counterpart, Dr. Jean Hanson, and the researchers Alexandra Jorge, team member, to Embrapa Dairy Cattle and Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnogy, after participation in the 2012 Forum, has made possible a good definition of the common interests of both teams. Agility in obtaining and using the project resources. Good support of the MKTPlace team during the draw up and performance of the project. Performance of the study on genetic diversity of the elephant grass accessions, through biomolecular studies, both in the collections of ILRI (60 accessions) and of Embrapa Dairy Cattle (111 accessions). It has awakened the attention of Brazilian researchers to diseases that attack the elephant grass in Africa: Napier Grass Smut Ustilago kamerunensis and Napier Grass Stunt Phytoplasma. A few obstacles were also observed during the performance of the project: Not all activities in the area of generation and transference of technology could be performed due to the short deadline and the bureaucratic complications from the genetic material transference between the two countries. The deadline initially proposed for the project performance was later extended to two years. Nevertheless, due to problems and unforeseen events that occurred during the ATMs proceedings, many activities could not be performed. Since Ethiopia does not have a quarantine station for vegetable materials to be introduced in the country, an additional statement was required from the Brazilian counterpart establishing that the genotypes to be sent by Brazil were free from the presence of eight pathogens: (Bipolaris sacchari, Erwinia chrysanthemi, Erwinia chrysanthemi pv. Zeae, Pseudomonas syringae pv. Syringae, Xanthomonas albilineans, Setosphaerica turcica, Sphaerulina oryzina and Sugarcane chlorotic 3

4 streak virus. This fact contributed for the delay in the shipping of the material. The shipping of nine genotypes of the ILRI collection to Brazil was only mentioned in the last partial report. This activity was not in the original proposal. In the case of submission of a new project involving ILRI and Embrapa, there must be a warning to the fact that Dr. Jean Hanson will be retiring at the end of this year Consultation made to the website ( on 05/01/2013. However, according to Dr. Francisco Lédo, during the visit of Dr. Jean Hanson to Embrapa Dairy Cattle that took place before the 2012 Forum, the ILRI researcher Alexandra Jorge was part of the team, and she will be the new ILRI contact for future projects involving both institutions. Currently, the researcher Alexandra Jorge is the head of the ILRI Forage Germplasm Bank in Addis Abeba Consultation made to the website ( on 05/08/2013. Recommendations for the improvement of the projects During the assessment of the project, it became evident how the Brazil/Africa cooperation is important to the generation of expertise and technology useful for small dairy producers in Africa and Brazil. Brazil was contemplated with the introduction of elephant grass at the beginning of the past century, what has generated benefits for the country in technological and economic terms. The technological advances obtained in the several Brazilian research institutions after the introduction of this species in Brazil can be shared with our African partners. However, for the upcoming projects, the following points must be observed with attention: Longer deadline in the stage of partnership prospection, with the aim to improve the knowledge between the potential teams that will propose the project, including with the contribution of resources. This action will provide a better knowledge of the structural and bureaucratic difficulties that the teams can face during the project performance. For instance, the inexistence of a quarantine station in Ethiopia was one of the obstacles mentioned in the reports that ended up hindering the shipping of genotypes from Brazil to Ethiopia, making the fulfillment of actions A3, A4 and A5 impossible. Establishment of goals more compatible to the performance period of the projects. Because these are projects covering components in the area of knowledge and technology, with emphasis in the transference of the technology generated, it would be interesting to include extension agents in the teams involved in the project. Actions involving assessment of genotypes 4

5 with small producers both in Brazil and in Africa require this type of expertise. To encourage an increased exchange between the co-leaders through the exchange of information and trips, in a way that each co-leader has full knowledge of the activities being performed in the country where their counterparts act. Better definition, during the stage of submission of proposals, of what will be shared between the parties involved in the project, in terms of knowledge and technology. In this project, for instance, initially it was not made clear that Brazil would also receive germplasm from Africa. This fact only became evident in the fourth report of progress of the project activities. Although tropical Africa is an origin and diversity center of the elephant grass, the fact that the ILRI collection only has 60 accessions is surprising. Therefore, it would be advisable, despite the bureaucratic obstacles, to include actions involving a joint collection of new elephant grass genotypes in the next projects. Recommendations to improve the process of assessment and management of projects The period established for the final assessment of the project was very adequate. However, we would like to emphasize a few points: The final assessment of the project must be made after the receipt of the final report and not only using the partial reports. If this is not possible, it is suggested that, during the meeting of the co-leader with the evaluators, emphasis is given to the final results of each activity proposed. If it is possible, it would be recommended, during the project evaluation, a joint presentation of the results by the co-leaders in charge of the project performance. Thanks I record my gratitude to the co-leader Dr. Francisco José da Silva Lédo and the other researchers present in the meeting, to the researchers Dr. Juarez Campolina Machado and Dr. Ana Luiza Sousa Azevedo, for the thoughtful, professional and honest way they answered all of the questions from the evaluator. I'm also thankful for the priceless collaboration of the Agronomist Engineer Ana Gláucia Heinrich, from the team involved in the MKTPlace management, who organized and followed the assessment travel, helping in the notes made during the assessment meeting with a lot of competence. My thanks are extensive to the other components of the MKTPlace team, who made our task much easier. Finally, I thank the leadership of Embrapa Dairy 5

6 Cattle, in the person of its General Head, Dr. Duarte Vilela, and its Deputy Head of Research and Development, Dr. Rui da Silva Verneque, for the respect with which they received us. Brasília, May 08th, Leonardo de Britto Giordano Evaluator 6

7 Annex 1. Activities planned to be performed during the validity of the project Introduction of Napier Grass elite lines for screening for stunt resistance to provide feed for improved smallholder dairy productivity. Identification Number: 200 Activities Description of activities Performance period Indicators Performance % Products Observation A1 Establishment of agreements for the shipping of germplasm. May 2011 to April 2013 Agreement of transference of genetic material (ATMs) endorsed by Embrapa and ILRI 100% in Brazil ATMs endorsed by Embrapa and ILRI delivered in the Technologies Prospection and Evaluation Sector (SPAT) of Embrapa Cenargen. The ATMs will be part of the documentation of the Cernargen Exportation Process 211/12. ATMs endorsed by ILRI did not arrive at Cenargen. Document lost during the path ILRI to Embrapa. Documents being processed again at the Embrapa AJU. A2 Choice of genotypes to be transferred. Use of AFLPs techniques (in the existent facilities in BECA / Nairobi), agro-ecological data and Geographical Information System (GIS), ILRI and Embrapa describers to compare the material, avoiding the shipping of duplicate genotypes. September 2011 to January Study of the molecular diversity of the collections of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) From ILRI and Embrapa performed. 100% in Brazil and 100% in Ethiopia. List of materials that will be exported to ILRI. Samples of DNA of 111 genotypes sent to ILRI on 09/05/

8 Activities Description of activities Performance period Indicators Performance % Products Observation A3 Transference of disease-free materials and quarantine after introduction of genotypes. November 2012 to January Assessment of the phytosanitary conditions of the genotypes. Shipping to ILRI - Ethiopia 100% 0% Phytosanitary report certifying that the genotypes are free from eight diseases. Exportation concluded Process Exportation of genotypes to ILRI requires ATMs endorsed by Embrapa and ILRI. A4 Plantation of the field accessions aiming to the establishment of a Germplasm Bank in vivo at ILRI Ethiopia. January to April Plantation of genotypes of elephant grass at ILRI / Ethiopia. 0% Germplasm Bank in vivo of elephant grass established at ILRI Ethiopia The activity could only have been performed after the introduction of the genotypes in Ethiopia (ILRI.) A5 Release of genotypes for assessment and selection on field January to April Genotypes assessment tests 0% Genotypes evaluated The activity could only have been performed after the introduction of the genotypes in Ethiopia (ILRI.) 8

Monitoring and Evaluation Report

Monitoring and Evaluation Report 1 1. Introduction On April 20 th, 2016, as part of the M&E strategy of the Agricultural Innovation Marketplace MKTPlace, the in situ M&E of the project ID 1004 took place