R4D Cameroon

Final Technical Report. Participatory promotion of on farm seed priming.

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:20:00 GMT

Miscellaneous Harris, D. 2006 Centre for Arid Zone Stutied, UK., 6 pp. The project purpose was: Methods to optimise cropping systems by agronomic means developed, tested, piloted and promoted. Specifically, the project objectives were to facilitate the testing, development and adoption of seed priming by farmers and researchers, using participatory approaches, for as many crops and countries as possible.

Domestic Resource Mobilisation North-South Institute (Phase 2) (DRM)

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:28:00 GMT

Current Sub Saharan Africa faces significant financial resource gaps in meeting its developmental needs. These gaps can be financed through external resource mobilization (e.g. through ODA and FDI) and through enhanced domestic resource mobilization, which entails increasing and enhancing domestic savings mobilization, improving financial sector performance and enhancing public sector revenue collection and expenditure. For sustainable growth and poverty reduction to take place in Sub Saharan Africa, it is essential that a coherent, dynamic and domestically driven capital accumulation, intermediation and mobilization process take root in the region. This is necessary to wean countries away from aid and other unpredictable and volatile external flows that can be problematic even when well intentioned.

The overall purpose of the research is to enable Sub Saharan African countries to enhance mobilization of domestic financial resources to finance domestic developmental priorities.

Phase 2 of the project is intended to build on the analytical work done in phase 1, and to address the key questions through a country focused approach via 5 in-depth country case-studies on DRM in Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda.

5 in-depth country case-studies

Production of a synthesis paper that brings together key findings from each case-study

Donor Handbook on Resource Mobilization

A final publication to be undertaken jointly with other project partners

Five in-country stakeholder engagement workshops

End of project conference and report

Development of integrated aquaculture-agriculture systems for small-scale farmers in the forest margins of Cameroon. Final Technical Report.

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:11:00 GMT

Miscellaneous Brummett, R.E. ; Pouomogne, V. ; Gockowski, J. 2006 WorldFish Center, 34 pp. WorldFish Center (formerly ICLARM) aquaculture experts, IITA economists, IRAD researchers and MINEPIA technicians formed a Research-Extension Team (RET) to undertake action research on the importance of markets in driving aquaculture intensification. The primary objective was to understand the processes that create increased opportunities for small-scale farmers to improve their livelihoods while decreasing pressure on natural resources in the forest margins of Central Cameroon. In addition, the costs and benefits of participatory research and increased availability of cultured fish for urban markets were documented.

Over five years, seven cycles of participatory research were conducted between the RET and a group of 100 farmers from four typical central Cameroonian villages, selected over a range of market access and population density domains. To increase the range of collaborative interactions and expand project impacts beyond the target villages, a network of NGOs was created to disseminate information and a Research Committee was established to manage 32 ancillary research projects through a competitive grants facility.

The project sought to intervene as a development actor at a number of levels. In terms of policy, the project worked with local and international agencies to define, describe and institutionalise a Strategic Framework for Aquaculture Development. The model was first applied in Cameroon, but through collaboration with FAO is now being adapted to a number of other countries within the region.

At ground level, the RET worked directly with farmers and non-governmental organizations (NGO) to disseminate information and improve human resource capacity in terms of aquaculture technology and delivery mechanisms. A number of training courses were undertaken to reinforce basic aquaculture technology as well as develop new research and analytical tools for use by the national agricultural research system (NARS). An email information dissemination network was established among local aquaculture development agents and regional aquatic resource scientists and managers.

Over 40 reports, 11 technical bulletins and a number of radio, television and newspaper items were produced and disseminated locally, regionally and internationally through the primary scientific literature, popular media, trade journals, information networks and participation by project staff in 33 seminars/conferences.

The findings of the project were directed at several key corollaries of the Sustainable Livelihoods development paradigm and the utility of participatory research in engendering farming systems intensification:

Changes in Fish Production & Number of Fish Farmers: Productivity of small-scale aquaculture in the target areas increased over the project period from 498 kg/ha to 2525 kg/ha. The number of active fish farmers in the target areas increased from 40 to 137, among whom cash returns from aquaculture increased by 16 times. Farmers not directly participating in project activities also benefited such that 262 small-scale farmers with 870 ponds are currently producing 14.4 tons per annum (£30,000 wholesale ) for the Yaoundé market. In addition, an average of 50 kg/family/9 months and 8 kg/family/9 months in periurban and rural areas, respectively, are consumed by the farm family.

Changes on Farm / Periurban Vs Rural: Farming systems diversification through the integration of aquaculture significantly increased the productivity, intensity of production and profitability of small-scale farms in periurban areas, but not in rural areas. Among farmers with good market access, net profits rose from cfa180,000 to cfa770,000 with increases in fish pond income from cfa49,000 up to cfa870,000 over the project period. The amount of fish retained for consumption by the farming family was higher in periurban areas (26% Vs 17% in rural areas) where freezers were available to store fish for later use.

Cost of FSRP: Provision of participatory research services to the original 50 rural farmers cost an average of £26,900 per year in salaries, equipment, vehicle operation/depreciation. In periurban areas where transportation was less expensive, costs averaged £7,140 per 50 farmers per year. Calculated on a per active farmer basis (within the target villages at the end of the study) the costs come to £317 and £130 per farmer per year, respectively for rural and periurban farmers. In terms of fish supplied to the market, FSRP support cost slightly more than the retail value of the fish produced, £170,000 Vs £140,000. Nearly 80% of these costs were incurred in providing services to rural farmers. If only existing periurban farms are targeted, £10,000 worth of technical support could produce revenues of at least £51,000 on sales of 26 tons of fish per annum.

In conclusion, this research has shown that the provision of high-quality technical advice to farmers with market access can have a strong positive impact on farm productivity and profitability among small and medium-scale farmers. In areas with good market access, these impacts are quickly translated into improved cash flow and household nutrition. In areas with little or no access to markets, the number of fishponds and fish farmers can be increased and pond productivity can be improved, increasing local food supplies. However, economic impacts are not clearly visible in the short -term. Comparison between response to RET intervention on periurban and rural farms shows that, if market access by rural producers can be improved, realistic cash incentives and thus improved cash flow and sectoral growth are likely. Following pilot trials under the project, an NGO-led effort to facilitate market access and the development of a sustainable rural fish marketing business plan is continuing with RET support.

Agriculture on-air

Thu, 21 May 2009 01:00:00 GMT

Recorded by Africans for Africans, the DFID-funded AGFAX monthly radio service, now in its 15th year, provides the latest information on agricultural and rural development to agricultural broadcasters and, through them, to millions of listeners across Africa

Managing people in the health sector: personnel motivation, team-working and contracting in public and nonprofit organisations in Cameroon

Mon, 18 May 2009 11:51:00 GMT

Miscellaneous Ambegaokar, M. 2003 PASS-EU, LSHTM-HPU Under the auspices of the European Union-funded Projet dAppui au Secteur Santé (PASS) in Cameroon and in particular under the subproject Appui à Trois Provinces led by EPOS and Futures Group Europe, this LSHTM research project seeks to 1)Analyse the responsibilities and work activities of the health service providers in order to describe the team work system at the district level, 2)Identify public health indicators that could serve as measurable objectives of the work done by the teams of providers and propose indicators that would be most appropriate for a performance-based management system, 3)Analyse the currrent management and motivation system of health sector personnel, 4)Describe the dual practice and parallel activities of health personnel and gather opinions about an improved motivational system, 5)Propose an incentive-based contracting system that could more directly motivate the teams and bring them to fulfill the objectives of the governments Health Sector Strategy, 6)Share with the Ministry of Health and with PASS the findings and lessons from other research projects in developing countries on contracting and the use of financial incentives, and 7)Elaborate a research plan to evaluate Cameroons experience should it implement a new system of contracting with incentive payments based on performance.

Travail en Equipe ou Travail Individuel : Facteurs de Motivation du Personnel de la Santé Primaire au Niveau du District

Mon, 18 May 2009 11:18:00 GMT

Miscellaneous Ambegaokar, M.; Ongolo-Zogo, P.; Aly, T.; Betsi, E.; Fouda, J.; McPake, B. 2004 MSP-DROS, PASS-EU, LSHTM-HPU, Yaounde, Cameroon

et Sanctions: Resultats de recherche pour la conception de contrats de district.

Mon, 18 May 2009 11:02:00 GMT

Miscellaneous Ambegaokar, M.; Ongolo-Zogo, P.; Aly, T.; Betsi, E.; Fouda, J.; Mubudu, L.; McPake, B. 2005 MSPDROS, PASS-EU, LSHTM-HPU, Yaounde, Cameroon

Socio Economic Survey of Indigenous Vegetables in South West Cameroon.

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:53:00 GMT

Miscellaneous M. T. Besong 1998 In 'Opportunities and constraints in the subsistence production and marketing of indigenous vegetables in East and Central Africa.' Edited by Rudy Shippers and Nicholas Fereday PP.16-21. A survey was conducted in three urban markets and three smaller rural markets. By talking to traders, production sources of indigenous vegetables were identified. This chapter reports on the market and production of indigenous vegetables in the study area of Cameroon.

Tropical forests in poverty alleviation: from household data to global-comparative analysis

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:53:00 GMT

Current Forests are important to the rural livelihoods of poor people in developing countries. But due to the paucity of quality data on rural household economies in the tropics and sub-tropics, we know very little about just how important forests are, for what specific purposes they primarily serve, and for how many people forests are vital assets. This impedes the design of effective strategies for forest-based poverty alleviation. This project aims to fill these serious empirical gaps by using a uniform methodology to gather high-quality primary household data in about 25 sites with tropics-wide coverage. The global data bank (5-6000 households) with complete annualized income information and other economic and non-economic data will be used for a global-comparative analysis of forest-poverty linkages in rural household economies. Our goal is to analyse the general importance of various forest types in different aspects of rural livelihoods, identify major causes of geographical variation, and point to tangible options for interventions that actively enhance forest-based poverty alleviation. Specifically, we will test for hypotheses related to the alleged pro-poor role of market integration and of collective forest mangement at the local level. The data will also enable tests of broader microeconomic hypotheses regarding the role of natural resources in rural livelihoods, e.g. to what extent natural resources serve as seasonal gap-fillers, as safety nets in response to shocks, and as means of accumulating assets that eventually can lift people out of poverty. The project is integrated into the Poverty and Environment Network (PEN), coordinated by the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR). PEN is an ongoing collaborative research effort between CIFOR, a network of PhD students, and external experts from ten universities including the University of East Anglia. PEN data collection is already advanced; we thus seek financial support over a three-year period mainly to establish a global data bank, to undertake the global-comparative data analysis, and to carry out synthesis & dissemination work. Research results will be communicated through a variety of media to the main intended beneficiaries that include academia, donors, multilaterals, and policy makers at different levels. The primary project objective is:
I. To undertake a comprehensive global-comparative analysis of the role of forests and environmental income in preventing and reducing rural poverty, built on a centrally coordinated pan-tropical data bank with high-quality primary household and village data collected though PEN (research outputs);
The secondary project objectives are:
II. To elaborate recommendations for tangible forest-poverty interventions, and feed them into national and global policy processes (policy impacts);
III. To enhance the ability of project partners in using best-practice methods for conducting income-accounting rural household surveys, and to suggest improved research methodologies for future studies of environmental incomes and rural livelihoods (capacity building and methodological innovation).

Improved treatment for sleeping sickness

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 01:00:00 GMT

A new combination of drugs has been successfully trailed by the DFID-funded Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative as a treatment in Sub-Saharan Africa

Supporting science journalism in Africa and the Middle East

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:00:00 GMT

A dozen new teams of science journalists from different countries across Africa and the Middle East trained through the DFID-funded SjCOOP Programme are collaborating on science related stories

Four cities modelling: #5 simulated effect of HSV-2 prophylactic vaccines on population-level HIV incidence in sub-Saharan Africa.

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 16:39:00 GMT

Miscellaneous Freeman, E.E.; White, R.G.; Orroth, K.K.; Bakker, R.; Buve, A.; Habbema, J.D.F.; Boily, M.C.; Hayes, R.G.; Glynn, J.R. 2006 XVI International AIDS Conference, Toronto, Canada, 13-18 August 2006, abstract TUPE0414.

Field guides for better livelihoods. Validated RNRRS Output.

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:21:00 GMT

Miscellaneous RIU 2007 FRP37, New technologies, new processes, new policies: tried-and-tested and ready-to-use results from DFID-funded research, Research Into Use Programme, Aylesford, Kent, UK, ISBN 978-0-9552595-6-2, p. 84

This is one of 280 summaries describing key outputs from the projects run by DFID's 10-year Renewable Natural Resources Research Strategy (RNRRS) programmes.

Summary for Project title: R7475: Developing a global methodology and manual for biodiversity guides suitable for use in rural development.

To help poor forest users make better use of the resources around them, researchers have worked with local people to produce field guides and create methods for identifying useful local plants. Outputs include policy briefings, a book to teach in-country partners how to produce usable easy-to-understand local field guides and a whole range of field guides suitable for use by local people. These are targeted at different countries, such as Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, Cameroon, Grenada, the West Indies and Ghana. This work has created a popular approach that local people can readily benefit from. Demand for the handbook on field guide preparation is high, and copies have been distributed to at least 15 countries.

The CD has the following information for this output: Description, Validation, Current Situation, Current Promotion, Impacts On Poverty, Environmental Impact. Attached PDF (12 pp.) taken from the CD.

Four cities modelling: #1 rationale, methods and summary of results.

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:33:00 GMT

Miscellaneous Hayes, R.J.; White, R.G.; Orroth, K.K.; Bakker, R.; Freeman, E.E.; Buve, A.; Habbema, J.D.F.; Boily, M.C.; Glynn, J.R. 2006 XVI International AIDS Conference, Toronto, Canada, 13-18 August 2006, abstract TUPE0405.

Four cities modelling: #2 the dynamic impact of male circumcision and curable STIs on the heterogeneity of HIV epidemics in sub-Saharan Africa - simulation results.

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:39:00 GMT

Miscellaneous Orroth, K.K.; White, R.G.; Freeman, E.E.; Bakker, R.; Habbema, J.D.F.; Buve, A.; Boily, M.C.; Glynn, J.R.; Hayes, R.J. 2006 XVI International AIDS Conference, Toronto, Canada, 13-18 August 2006, abstract TUAC0401.

Implementation of Cocoa Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in West Africa

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 16:26:00 GMT

Completed Cocoa across the region is produced almost exclusively on small family-owned farms that also produce food crops in addition to cocoa. Yields on average range from 300 to 500 kg per ha which is significantly below potential yield. Pests (including diseases) are classified by producers in all the countries as their major production constraints. The most significant of these are cocoa black pod disease (Phytophthora spp.) and mirids. Research in Cameroon has shown that if left untreated, losses as high as 90% commonly occur due to P. megakarya. In a strategic alliance with Sustainable Tree Crops Programme (STCP), the project will aim to improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers in West Africa through support of the development of participatory extension approaches for addressing the major production constraints, black pod and mirids. Local and researcher knowledge will be developed and shared through farmer participatory experimentation. The approach will place the farmer and his/her contextual environment at the centre of technology dissemination and adoption processes. The attention will focus on increasing productivity, lowering dependence on costly agro-chemicals, and improving the quality of cocoa. The aim of the STCP farmer training component is to train at least 7500 farmers over two years in pilot project areas in the Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria and thus contribute directly to DFIDs aims to improve poor farmers' livelihoods. A key strategic element for the STCP will be the monitoring and evaluation of research and development interventions. Among the assessment measures will be benefit-cost accounting and economic surplus approaches. The long-term strategic objective is to institutionalise farmer participatory training into farmer organisations and possibly national extension services. It is expected that farmer associations will democratically accept the costs of implementing participatory extension approaches based on sound economic evaluation of the benefits and costs. Promotion of strategies to reduce the impact of pests and stabilise productivity of tree crops important to livelihood security of poor people in forest agriculture systems. The project goal was achieved through interaction with the regional Sustainable Tree Crops Programme as well as with national research institutions. All outputs were achieved. Farmer participatory learning curriculum for cocoa IPM in West Africa developed.

Farmers trained and involved in participatory technology development.

New IPM knowledge from previous research effectively evaluated by farmers and disseminated. 1: Farmer participatory learning curriculum for cocoa IPM in West Africa developed.
1.1 A wide range of participatory exercises was compiled and validated with master trainers and farmers during curriculum development workshops and in pilot farmer field schools. Many of these were written up in straightforward protocols and included in the Discovery Learning about Cocoa manual, which was agreed to become the base curriculum for the STCP master trainers. From there local adaptation and expansion of the curriculum has taken place, which have been documented in workshop reports.
1.2 Modelling work - Several modules of the finished model have been developed including a shade module that will allow the user to explore how the intensity of the shade (3 levels) and gappiness (2 levels) affect three primary pests of West African cocoa; mirids and two black pod species. The gappiness aspect of shade allows the mirid population model to be compartmentalised for an improved description of population dynamics and management. Shade intensity affects both mirids and black pod but most importantly the latter. This module will allow the user to simulate shade management and to assess the costs and benefits that shade manipulation may have for farmers. Climate-based vegetative flushing models have been developed which are relevant to the population dynamics of pest populations based on historical weather data. The most important inhibitory factors to vegetative flushing are drought and low temperatures. The flush model interacts with flower setting and cherelle wilts in the age-structured pod model that interacts with the flush model when large numbers of rapidly growing pods (90 days to 120 days old) inhibit the size of climate-induced flushes. The model simulates the start of ,normal, floration as occurring at a fixed time after a leaf-hardening period following a new vegetative flush. It is expected that, by including these phenological aspects, different varietal responses to climatic and phenological cues will improve the value of the model.
1.3 The project developed IPM technical bulletins for the major cocoa pests in the region, to be translated into French and handed out to farmer trainers as information leaflets. The project also contributed to exercise protocols and advisory documents, especially on rational pesticide use and testing biocontrol agents. Through workshop participation and facilitation, further documentation of participatory training processes and methods were realised and made available to trainers within STCP. All these guidelines will be bundled into the STCP manual (in English and French) 'Learning about sustainable cocoa production: a guide for participatory farmer training' which will be disseminated through internet and as hard copies in March 2005. The manual will have three sections: (1) technical bulletins, (2) discovery learning exercises, and (3) field guides.

2: Farmers trained and involved in participatory technology development.
2.1 Through active participation and facilitation of workshops as well as email contact, the STCP knowledge transfer specialist was supported in the first phase of initiating farmer participatory training activities in awareness raising, planning and curriculum development workshops, as well as over the course of the project in advising on initiation of participatory research activities as well as feeding information on impact assessment, self-financing field schools, simplified statistics, etc. The project also made a start working on documenting farmer innovations and experiences within the STCP context and with various other stakeholders through participatory video production, so that these experiences can be disseminated more widely than only to farmers participating in field schools.
2.2 Farmer field research activities were supported in Nigeria, Cameroon and Ghana, on issues of interest to both the farmer and scientist communities. This collaboration

Transport and Poverty Reduction

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Completed The study provides recommendations on the ways in which standard approaches to transport sector policy formulation and transport sector planning in Sub-Saharan Africa could be revised to better integrate poverty reduction concerns, and specifically improve the mobility of the poor. The study will draw on the lessons learned in the ongoing trends towards the greater involvement of stakeholders in sector strategy determination and sector planning and the greater role of the private sector in the financing organisation and management if transport infrastructure and services in SSA.

ICLARM IITA Cameron Integrated aquaculture project

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Current To reduce poverty and improve the quality of life amongst the rural population in the forest margins of West Africa.

The Extent and Nature of Absolute Poverty

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Current To produce cost-effective and efficient ways of eradicating poverty, it must be defined and measured accurately. Social science research shows that, whilst all cultures have a concept and definition of poverty, these often vary. Until the World Summit on Social Development in Copenhagen there was no agreed definition. However, the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action included the preparation of national anti-poverty plans based on measures in all countries of 'absolute' and 'overall' poverty. 'Absolute' poverty is defined as ,a condition characterised by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information. It depends not only on income but also on access to social services., This research will provide reliable scientific estimates of the extent and nature of absolute poverty in the world, based on the definition agreed to by the government of 117 countries at the 1995 World Summit on Social Development and within the framework of International Human Rights Conventions. This research will provide reliable and valid scientific measurements of the extent and nature of absolute poverty of adults and children, by operationalising the internationally agreed definition. Without good comparable measures of poverty, it will be impossible to determine if any anti-poverty policies are working effectively and efficiently.

International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) Phase 2

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Current To enhance partnership development and policy changes in the bamboo and rattan sector through comparative research in Kerala, Ecuador and Cameroon in order to empower rural communities for harnesssing Bamboo and Rattan resources.

Monitoring of developmental impact of "Development and Promotion of African Rattans"

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Current This project is follow up to R7636. The collection of data on the baseline livelihoods of people engaged in rattan-related livelihoods in West Africa is one of the most thorough studies for FRP of the relationship between research and rural livelihoods. The guidance manuals written specifically for this project and for each of the participating countries are fairly clear and could possibly be adapted for use in other projects. The amount of data which is required by these manuals to be collected is relatively enormous, compared with other FRP projects. Therefore this follow-up project sets out to specifically improve rattan entrepreneurs' livelihoods. To implement strategies for improved sustainable livelihoods and income generation for forest and tree dependent poor people in the forest/agriculture interface developed and promoted. The main research project R7636 collected far more data on the socio-economic contribution of rattan to local livelihoods than was originally envisaged. This extension allowed the extra data to be analysed and published, and for further monitoring of livelihood effects. This matches the DFID desire for detailed assessment of developmental impact in a small number of FRP projects. The social surveys started in R7636 will continue in each of the target countries. However, the focus will be widened to include qualitative and quantitative assessments of the importance of the wider NTFP portfolio to rural livelihoods. Livelihood impacts of improved rattan processing and transformation will continue to be assessed. Development of training manual (and video CD-ROM) for rattan transformation. Existing rattan cultivation trials will continue to be monitored and assessed for ecological and socio-economic acceptability. Socio-economic and ecologically acceptable approaches to sustainable rattan cultivation for different categories of low-income farmers have been developed.

Improved rattan production within diverse agroforestry systems has been developed.

Improved sustainable livelihood strategies have been developed through the introduction and training of artisans in improved appropriate processing and transformation techniques.

Baseline information needed for the establishment of a management strategy for the in situ exploitation of rattan has been collected and guidelines for sustainable harvest have been developed and disseminated.

The internal cane properties, through analysis of anatomy and physical properties of African rattan, are now understood.

Research findings relating to the significance of rattan and other NTFPs to the livelihoods of rural households as well as to the opportunities and constraints to the development of rattan and other NTFPs have been promoted and disseminated.

Research Programme Consortium on Improving Institutions for Pro-Poor Growth (IPPG)

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Current

It is increasingly recognised that a key factor in explaining differences in rates of economic growth, and the degree of impact on the poor in different countries may be due to their differing institutions - conventions, rules and norms that make behaviour more predictable and facilitate specialisation and exchange. But how do different institutions arise? What determines their functioning in given cases? And what are the impacts on economic growth and poverty? The research programme sets out to explore potential answers to these questions and involves research on the institutional conditions for the establishment of employment intensive enterprise. Research will be cross-disciplinary and draw on quantitative and qualitative methods, providing frameworks for analysis of institutional factors in different contexts for both policy makers and development agencies. It aims to ensure practical relevance through policy dialogue, building on extensive networks of southern partners, and collaborative learning.

Goal: The production and uptake of technologies and policies that will contribute to poverty reduction and the achievement of the MDGs.

Purpose: Policy-makers in developing countries, donors and civil society organisations, recognise and value the scope for the creation and adaptation of institutions, as a means for and by which economic growth can benefit poor men and women.

The IPPG is exploring the relationship between institutions and economic growth in an innovative and genuinely cross-disciplinary way. To achieve its potential it now needs to focus its efforts on work which will allow it to draw broader lessons for theory and policy, and to engage more systematically in communicating these to a wide range of stakeholders. 1. A coherent body of high quality, policy relevant new knowledge generated on:
a. how institutions are formed, evolve and function within particular social, economic and political contexts
b. how institutions affect both economic growth, its distribution and impacts on poverty

2. A set of guidance notes and methods for institutional change to support pro-poor growth. These will be amenable to adaptation and adoption to specific contexts.

3. Research and policy practitioners, in a range of relevant disciplines, improve their ability to provide independent and high quality analytical work and policy guidance

4. Learning platforms and communities of research providers and users established. These contribute to research planning and wider change process in a dynamic and sustainable manner at national, regional and international levels

5. Media and dissemination products delivered to meet the demands of multiple stakeholders

To date IPPG has produced:

22 Discussion papers
20 Briefing papers
7 Conference papers
7 Public lectures by leading thinkers on institutions
A bulletin in Spanish based on work by IPPG and a collection of papers on State Business Relations

The IPPG has taken capacity building quite seriously. The main tools used been training, mentoring, and exchange of experience.

Useful steps have been taken to construct learning platforms and communities of research providers.

A number of communications and policy outcomes have been achieved, but communications and policy influencing has not been an area of major focus in the first three years of the programme.

Participatory promotion of on farm seed priming

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Current There is ample evidence that poor crop establishment is a widespread constraint of crop production in developing countries, particularly in the marginal environments farmed by poor people. Patchy plant stands are common, and yields are often reduced simply because there are not enough plants in the field. In addition, plants that do eventually emerge often grow slowly, and are highly susceptible to stresses such as drought, pests and diseases. Farmers can choose to re-sow, although this entails severe yield penalties and increased labour and financial costs, and there is evidence from India that borrowing to pay for replacement seed can initiate or add to a spiral of indebtedness. Clearly, anything that can be done to increase the proportion of seeds that emerge, and the rate at which they do so, will have a large impact on farmers' livelihoods. Low, unstable yields are a major contributor to the fragile lives of poor farmers in marginal areas. Low-cost, low-risk interventions that increase and stabilise yields will have a large impact on the livelihoods of such farmers. Pathways for the equitable uptake of technologies from plant science programme outputs identified, piloted and promoted. Benefits of seed priming validated by farmers in at least six countries.

Benefits of seed priming validated by farmers in at least three production systems.

Increased awareness of the value of seed priming with research, extension and development agencies in at leasat four countries.

Increased awareness of the value of a participatory approach with research, extension and development agencies in at least four countries.

Experiences with seed priming shared with institutions from non-collaborating countries.

Impact of seed priming quantified for at least four countries.

Greater understanding of the process of farmer-to-farmer spread of seed priming knowledge. Trials were funded by the project in eight countries (Cameroon, Gambia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, Nepal, India and Pakistan) on 13 crops (rice, maize, wheat, barley, sorghum, pearl millet, cowpea, bambara groundnut, chickpea, lentil, mung bean, blackgram and niger). Responses to seed priming were generally positive, although not all trials are complete.

In Pakistan, priming gave a mean increase of 31% from 2 on-station RBD trials with sorghum, an average 26% increase with pearl millet (from 3 trials) and an average 20% increase with maize (2 trials). The mung bean average (from 4 experiments) increase was 69%, but included a 206% increase from one 4-rep RBD.

Non-project-funded trials were instigated in Bangladesh (chickpea, India (pearl mlllet, finger millet, rice, chickpea, maize) and Senegal (pearl millet, groundnut).

Registration of seed priming as a recommended practice was discussed at ministerial level in Pakistan (after only one year's trials).

Funding of work on seed priming was implemented or proposed by the British Embassy, Senegal, DFID Crop Protection Programme (ongoing project R7189 and proposed project on IPM in Nepal) and the Eastern India Rainfed Farming Project, India (DFID bilateral project).

Institutional information has been collated for production of a web page. The first season's data will be included on the web page and will allow the production of the first edition of a newsletter.

The web page can be found at: www.seedpriming.org and is being regularly updated. This has also been completely re-designed.

Trials funded by the project continued in 10 countries (Bangladesh, Cameroon, Gambia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Thailand) on 14 crops (rice, maize, wheat, barley, sorghum, pearl millet, cowpea, cotton, chickpea, lentil mungbean, blackgram, pigeonpea and niger).

Non-project-funded trials continued in Bangladesh (chickpea), Bolivia (wheat), India (finger millet, rice, chickpea, maize), Kyrgyzstan (various crops), Mexico (wheat), Pakistan (wheat, groundnut, maize) and Zimbabwe (pearl millet, sorghum, cowpea, Bambara groundut, maize).

There was continued interest from researchers and NGOs around the world and information on priming was supplied to a large number of groups.

OFSP adopted from Farmer Field Schools in Zimbabwe and Tanzania. Widespread use of OFSP in NWFP, Pakistan. Promotion by DoA, BARI and BRRI, Bangladesh of OFSP for chickpea in rice fallows.

Paired-plot trials adopted by On-Farm Research Division of BARI, Bangladesh (also linked to R7540).
Presentations were made at WARDA, and at two meetings in Nepal: the Nepal Maize Symposium; and a project-funded workshop in Bharatpur.
An additional uptake and impact study was implemented in Zimbabwe.

Trials funded by the project continued in 13 countries (Bangladesh, Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Zimbabwe) on 14 crops (rice, maize, wheat, barley, sorghum, pearl millet, cowpea, cotton, chickpea, lentil, mungbean, blackgram, pigeonpea and niger).

Non-project-funded trials continued in Bangladesh (chickpea), Bolivia (wheat), India (finger millet, rice, chickpea, maize), Kyrgyzstan (various crops), Mexico (wheat), Pakistan (wheat, groundnut, maize) and Zimbabwe (pearl millet, sorghum, cowpea, Bambara groundnut, maize).

There was continued interest from researchers and NGOs around the world and information on priming was supplied to a large number of groups.

OFSP adopted for Farmer Field Schools in Zimbabwe and Tanzania. Widespread use of OFSP in NWFP, Pakistan. Official promotion by DoA, BARI and BRRI, Bangladesh of OFSP for chickpea in rice fallows.

Paired-plot trials adopted by On-Farm Research Division of BARI, Bangladesh (also linked to

Trade case studies

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 01:00:00 GMT

Building capacity for trade plays an important role in enabling developing countries to take advantage of the opportunities of international trade