Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species. Progress Report 2007

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1 Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species Progress Report 2007

2 Introduction In addition to progress made in the 3 thematic focus areas: Policy analysis and advocacy Information, communication and documentation Public awareness achievements towards the creation of a new entity on underutilized crops will be reported

3 Policy analysis/advocacy Information/documentation Public Awareness Analysis policies and legislation and their impact on underutilized species National agriculture, education, health and nutrition, investment, marketing and export International - WTO, WIPO, EU, UN (e.g. FAO GPA, Int. Treaty on PGRFA, CBD, UPOV, WHO Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health, UNESCO Initiative for Education for Sustainable Development, Codex Alimentarius, EU NFR, World Declaration and Plan of Action on Nutrition, WTO Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement, ) Recommendations to address gaps in policies and to create enabling policy environment

4 Achievements studies on impact of national policies on underutilized species conservation and use in Peru, Papua New Guinea, Nepal, Vietnam, Jordan, Uzbekistan, Zambia, Ghana cross-analyzed to identify similarities and differences (policy gaps, policy potentials) recommendations to policy makers for general national policy reform in the agricultural, education, health and nutrition, investment, marketing and export sectors formulated and reviewed by development policy specialist

5 Achievements analysis of international agreements and legislation in the areas of agriculture, natural resources, education, health and trade finalized policy gaps and opportunities identified (intern. policies are not conducive for underutilized species, however provide opportunities if well implemented) recommendations to policy advocacy groups (incl. GFU) for actions under the existing policy arrangements to enhance conservation and use of underutilized species formulated and reviewed by development policy specialist

6 Achievements formulation and publication of final recommendations in progress 2 meetings with policy makers organized to present the options offered by underutilized species and to advocate for conducive policies: 11 th session of the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture 2 nd session of the Governing Body of the ITPGRFA

7 Policy analysis/advice Information/documentation Public awareness web portal as main information tool for stakeholders to facilitate their work, create awareness, foster collaborations and contribute to informed decision making case studies to identify best practices in tapping the potential of promising species formulate guidelines for development of underutilized species value chains

8 Achievements web portal increasing amount of information available database on funding opportunities re-designed and updated blog added database with detailed species information added (400) monthly updates sent to stakeholders 2 static versions produced and distributed for users with poor Internet connectivity growing number of visits and visitors and double time spent on the site/visit

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11 Achievements web portal increasing amount of information available database on funding opportunities re-designed and updated blog added database with detailed species information added (400) monthly updates sent to stakeholders 2 static versions produced and distributed for users with poor Internet connectivity growing number of visits and visitors and double time spent on the site/visit

12 Achievements Visits/month New visitors/year Monthly visits New visitors

13 Achievements case studies 7 studies analyzing factors enabling or inhibiting successful marketing of underutilized species in India, Peru, Kenya, Italy, Turkey, Ghana (minor millets, kokum, maca, African leafy vegetables, emmer, African eggplant) finalized and published on Web site Guidelines and good practices for underutilized species value chain development elaborated (decision tools for value chain actors and facilitators) Study on relevance of Geographical Indications and Designation of Origin for Agricultural Products and Foodstuff for sustainable use and protection of agricultural biodiversity with recommendations for their development and implementation, and suggestions to research and development organization for action

14 Policy analysis/advice Information/documentation Public awareness Sensitizing policy makers, research managers, donors, general public on the importance of underutilized species for the poor changing negative image of underutilized species

15 Achievements Film on underutilized crops for BBC Earth Reports to be launched at CoP9 on BBC and German TV Side event a 11 th Session of the Commission on GRFA Greater appreciation for local crops : panel discussion with 4 speakers; recommendation of Plenary to include underutilized crops in MYPoW Side event at the 2 nd Session of the GB of the ITPGRFA Underutilized Species Treasures hidden in the IT ; suggestion to Plenary to consider expansion of Annex 1 Information material displayed and distributed at various events

16 Achievements brochures Inviting all the world s crops to the table supporting traditional crops to supply future needs info brochures on 19 underutilized species to accompany travel exhibition several posters presentations delivered at underutilized species related events traveling exhibition of underutilized species products displayed

17 Traveling exhibition

18 Achievements Capacity building 2 nd training course Promoting agro-biodiversity use through markets and chains co-designed and co-organized with Wageningen International and Bioversity International 3 rd course planned for 2008, regular module of WI training programme co-organization of intern. symposium March 2008 under the auspices of the ISHS

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20 Achievements Partnerships with CGIAR GFU included in an SGRP project as coordinator of the activity: Optimization of CGIAR s contribution to global efforts on conservation and sustainable use of Underutilized Plant Genetic Resources lead role in developing frame work for System Priority 1B contributions to frame work for System Priority 3A and pre-proposal for Challenge Programme on High-value Crops

21 Achievements Partnerships with other research organizations Univ. of British Columbia, Bioversity International, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Ethiopian Institute of Biodiversity Conservation: joint research project on Noug (Guizotia abyssinica), funded by CIDA; GFU project coordinator Univ. of Freiburg, South African Agricultural Research Council, Bioversity International, Maseno University: joint proposal submitted to BMZ on underutilized species in coping strategies for climate change

22 Partnerships with ICUC Achievements Dec. 2006: joint side event at AGM 2006 about our plans to merge and create a new entity on underutilized crops 2007: 3 joint GFU/ICUC Steering Committee/Advisory Board meetings GFU/ICUC commissioned independent evaluation of continuing need for a global entity on underutilized crops, preferred programmatic focus, institutional profile and key partners Joint side event at AGM 2007, Sun 2 Dec. 12:00, room 310

23 Consultant s main findings and recommendations: Clear and on-going need for an international entity to help catalyze, backstop, promote and publicize work on underutilized crops for the benefit of the poor and the environment No own legal personality, a new semi-autonomous entity, hosted by a well functioning, technically appropriate institution Reasonable measure of independence from the host, free to pursue own mission, own oversight body, own institutional identity Potential hosts: Bioversity International, FAO, ICRAF, AVRDC-RCA

24 Programmatic priorities: Information and communication: serve as a knowledge broker, information clearing house and one-stop-shop for information seekers Market analysis and market research: advice on how markets operate and how to maximize market opportunities Policy research, analysis and advocacy: at the international/regional level, advice and assistance at national level to create enabling policy environment Public awareness: targeting policy makers and donor agencies, raising the profile of underutilized species and seeking policy and financial support Capacity building: development and dissemination of training materials, facilitating access to training materials, not a primary provider of education and training

25 GFU - State of the art funding ends in December 2007 no-cost extension until June 2008 requested GFU staff contracts extended by Bioversity International until March 2008, funds largely from Bioversity funding gap to complete no-cost extension period and to keep GFU operational during transition phase proposal for a small grant in preparation for submission to IFAD GFU/ICUC expectation: funding to start new entity available mid 2008, no commitments yet; side event and additional meetings to raise donor interest, further fundraising if funds cannot be secured, operations likely to end in June 2008

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