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Director General Report to BOT 60

Director General Report to BOT 60. Ruben G. Echeverría 17 November 2009. Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor. Advances in implementing Strategic Directions 2009. Strengthened core research areas (Agrobiodiversity, Soils, and Policy)

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Director General Report to BOT 60

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  1. Director General Report to BOT 60 Ruben G. Echeverría 17 November 2009 Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  2. Advances in implementing Strategic Directions 2009 • Strengthened core research areas (Agrobiodiversity, Soils, and Policy) • Repositioning of CIAT in LAC: FORAGRO, FONTAGRO, IDB, Ibero-American INIA System, CATIE, IICA, EMBRAPA, YPARD, CORPOICA, COLCIENCIAS, DNP • Strengthened global strategic research alliances: CIRAD, CAAS, and CATAS (China) • Maintained the momentum generated by strong corporate services • Preparation of CIAT’s Business Plan: Definingmilestones, priorities,integratingprograms, resourcesmobilization, humanresources andbudgets, communicationstrategy and organizationalstructure Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  3. Research Highlights: Agrobiodiversity Genetic Resources • ImprovedmethodologyfordetectingCassavaFrogSkin Virus, whichallows diagnosis at 72 weeks, 21 weeks, and 0.7 week. Key point: The entire cassava collection of 5,584 clones certified as virus-free Beans • First Lines to Africa under HarvestPlus-II, with up to 40 ppm more Fe • Contracts with DRC and Rwanda signed in February, 2009 • Intraspecific and interspecific lines developed and shipped from HQ • Beans resistant to multiple abiotic stresses • Aluminum and drought • Low phosphorus and drought Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  4. Research Highlights: Agrobiodiversity Forages • Evidence for biological nitrification inhibition in Brachiaria • Collaborative research with JIRCAS (Japan) showed that brachialactone, a root exudate, is involved in biological nitrification inhibition in Brachiariahumidicola pastures, minimizing nitrogen losses and reducing nitrous oxide emissions • This ground-breaking research was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (USA) • Re-initiated forage research activities in Eastern and Southern Africa. Partners: CIAT-TSBF, ILRI, and national institutions • Intensified forage research activities for monogastrics, with most on-farm advances in SE Asia. Field work is underway in Nicaragua, Colombia, and DR Congo. Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  5. Research Highlights: Agrobiodiversity Cassava • Cassava genome sequenced in November 2009. The Joint Genome Institute finished the genome assembly of cassava with funds from DOE on a genotype subjected to inbreeding (CIAT AM 560-2 ) • Post-harvest physiological deterioration (PPD) renders cassava roots useless soon after harvest. You have to consume or process the Roots within a few days after harvest. PPD is a self-inflicted damage by active genes in the root (therefore under genetic control). These are photographs taken 20 and 40 days after harvest. Check1 Check2 Cb 44-15 GM 905-66 Waxy1 Waxy2 BC1-1 Mutant-1 Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  6. Research Highlights: Agrobiodiversity Rice • Establishment of drought screening methodology using rainout shelter for improved water use efficiency in rice; promising candidates using a transgenic approach were selected for further confirmation. • Three varieties (Azucena, Saavedra 26, and IA Cuba 30) were released 30-50%. These varieties have more iron and 17-30% more zinc than commercial milled rice consumed in Bolivia and Cuba were released. • Eight varieties were released by FLAR members and five are in the pipeline for 2010. • Molecular characterization of improvedpopulationsdevelopedusingrecurrentselectionmethodsconfirmedgeneticprogressmade in terms of increasing and maintaininggeneticvariabilitythroughoutbreedingcycles. Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  7. Research Highlights: Latin America and the Caribbean • Agronatura • Now part of LAC Research Area • Consultations are being carried outwith potential partners and stakeholders, which will help to define Agronatura’s work in coming years • Fundaciat: an initiative with emphasis on self–sufficiency, based on support from the private sector. Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  8. Research Highlights: Tropical Soils • Regional platform for integrated soil management in Africa: joining NARs with all CGIAR centers, using the CIALCA and PABRA platforms • Books to consult as standard reference: • Integrated soil fertility management: principles, process and practices Edited by: N. Sanginga and P. Woomer • The role of fertilizers in integrated plant nutrient management Written by: M.M Alley and B. Vanlauwe • Resource mobilization • 2009: the income and budget are nearly 12 million (excluding the current BNF award of $19,204,955) compared with8.5 million in 2008. • Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have invested almost USD 44 millions for: • AfSIS, AfricaSoils.net): US$18,172,000 • COMPRO: US$4,825,343 • N2 Fix Africa: US$19,204,955 • Soybean TL2: US$1,725,500 Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  9. Research Highlights: SS AFRICA Regional Activities • Beans – PABRA: Ten climbing and bush bean varieties, includingbiofortified, drought and low soil fertility tolerant lines, were pre- released or released in partner countries. • Cassava—IITA • Sub-Saharan African Challenge Program (SSACP): Lake Kivu Pilot Learning Site: • A major baseline study was completed across three countries (Rwanda, Uganda, DRC) and reports developed. • A forum was held in Ghana to share and exchange experiences and lessons learned during year 1 of implementation (2008) of SSACP • An internal commissioned review is planned before an external commissioned review       • CIDA is offering to support PABRA with an additional US$1 million for the current budget year. Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  10. Research Highlights: SE Asia Regional Activities • Current activities • Cassava: breeding, impacts, and biofuel • Forages: livestock systems, research, and adoption • Linking farmers to markets: piloting, and mainstreaming • New activities • Small climate change study in the Lao PDR • Key partners: Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and China Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  11. Upcoming Impact Studies • Tracking varietal change and assessing the impact of crop genetic improvement research in Sub-Saharan AfricaStatus: Proposal approved by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation • FLAR / CIAT AllianceEvaluating the impact of FLAR in LAC after 15 years of work Assessment factors: technological improvements in production, new varieties developed, and institutional strengthening in partner countries. Status: Design • Improved forages varieties for AsiaEvaluating the impact of forages in cattle and fish production in Asia. Status: Collection of existing documents and short studies conducted by Dr. Federico Holmann • WhiteflyStatus: Starting officially in 2010. Funds will be sought through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation • Cassava in China and beans in Africa Status: Conversations and agreements underway with Robin Buruchara and Rod Lefroy Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  12. Embracing CGIAR Changes Megaprograms CIAT’s Research Areas Crop Germplasm Conservation, Enhancement, and Use Cassava, Bean, Rice, and Forages Diets, Agriculture, Nutrition, and Health Agrosalud + HarvestPlus Institutional Innovations, ICTs, and Markets Decision and Policy Analysis, Tropical Fruits Climate Change and Agriculture Decision and Policy Analysis Agricultural Systems for the Poor and Vulnerable Integrated Soil Fertility Management and Sustainable Land Management Water, Soils, and Ecosystems Decision and Policy Analysis, Integrated Soil Fertility Management, and Amazon Initiative Platforms Gender Gender Analysis Capacity-Building LAC Platform Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  13. Opportunities ahead • CGIAR changes • Knowledge Management (CIAT Research management) • Medium-Term Plan 2010 – 2012 and Performance Measurement (Actions CIAT undertook after a reduction of US$500,000) Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  14. Intellectual Property • IP Management and Transactions: Streamline, advice, and channelize • Open Access and Protection of IP: Open access policy, training, institutional repositories, and sharing information with European and American Patent offices • Using IP and technology as a platform to engage with regional partners: Projecting CIAT as an IP and technology transfer hub in LAC Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  15. Some Significant New Projects (2009) Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  16. Implementing a PragmaticResource Mobilization Process Internal program review (PAD-led) General resource inventory Incentives for idea sharing (institutional & program) RM coord. (all notes) MT for info, strategic fit & selection for limited calls (>$250k) Project needs analysis: IP, partners, environ, human subject, gender & REU (PAD-led) General budget review (all notes, GM) • Submissions: • DG • Online • Regional donor office • Peer review (>$250k) • Technical editing (as needed >$250k) • Budget co-develop. w/ tool & compliance (all proposals, GM & PIs) • MT review (>$250k): • content review • IP, human subject, environ, gender, REU considerations • donor & marketing process review

  17. Summary of Project Pipeline 39 out of the 42 Proposals (92%) include cost recovery *** Proposals and Concept notes submitted during the last 12 months Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  18. 2010 Budget

  19. CIAT Staff Recruitments and Departures 2009 (May-October) • Recruitments • Research: • 3 in CIAT HQ: Biotechnology, Impact Assessment, and Cassava • 2 in Sub-Saharan Africa: TSBF • Management: • 1 in CIAT HQ: Intellectual Property • Departures • Research: • 2 in CIAT HQ: DDG-Research and Impact Assessment • 1 in SS Africa: TSBF • 1 in Central America • Management: • 1 in CIAT HQ: Grants Management From June 1st to October 31st Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  20. Changes IRS: New Policies Categories Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  21. Improvements in Administrative Policies New Emeritus Policy • Nominations have been made for BOT endorsement • Granting of the Emeritus status by 18 December 2009 Delegation of Authority • Simplification of procedures • Renewal of IRS contracts by the HR Office • Decentralization of decisions related to expenses Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  22. Office of the Director General New Team Members Maya Rajasekharan,Program Officer, September 2009 Andrea Carvajal, Social Communicator, May 2009 Carolina Jaramillo, Resource Mobilization Officer, November 2009 Partha S. Mudgil, Intellectual Property Officer, October 2009 Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  23. Corporate Communications and Capacity Strengthening Principal Achievements • Developed  and implemented the new website on MicrosoftSharepoint (in process) and progress made regarding CIAT’s visual identity • Developed new Open Access Policy and linked CIAT staff performance appraisals with  depository mandate for publications • Provided logistical support and library services for over 150 visiting researchers, helped organize 12 short courses, and attended 1500 visitors at CIAT HQ. Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  24. Training (Professionals trained at CIAT headquarters, 1967–2009) Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  25. Awards Silvia Dorn and César Cardona Swiss Forum for International Agricultural Research Award 2009 Preventing post-harvest losses by a combination of a parasitoid and host plant resistance in dry beans Aracely Castro2009 World Water Week Best Poster Award Stockholm International Water Institute "Improving the efficiency of rain water use on hillsides in the sub-humid tropics: agricultural & environmental benefits of Quesungual system" Andy Jarvis International Ebbe Nielsen Global Biodiversity Information Facility Recognition of his innovative work to predict and prevent the effects of climate change on agrobiodiversity Myriam Cristina Duque The 2009 Scopus Colombia Award, granted by Elsevier with the support of Colciencias. Recognition for the number of research papers she has published in the areas of agriculture and biological sciences over the last 5 years and the numerous times these have been cited. Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  26. Corporate Communications and Capacity Strengthening Institutional Publications CIAT AnnualReport 2008 English and Spanish Challenges & Innovations Strategic DirectionsFour Languages: EN, ES, PO, FR Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  27. Corporate Communications and Capacity Strengthening CIAT’s Awards 2009 Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  28. Corporate Communications and Capacity Strengthening Information Panels and TV Screen Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  29. Corporate Communications and Capacity Strengthening Tributes Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  30. Administrative Developments • CIAT’s Business Plan • Restructuring of the Social Welfare Fund: accountability moved to CRECIAT (employees cooperative) • Updating of CIAT’s general infrastructure maintenance plan • Renewing the agreement with ICA for 15 years more on CIAT’s HQ land • Consolidation of Africa’s finance and administrative support in Kenya. Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  31. Internal Auditing Major Updates and AccomplishmentsMarch-October 2009 • Since September 2009 the CGIAR Internal Audit Unit (IAU) assumed full oversight responsibility for the internal audit activities at CIAT under Mr. Gerardo Carstens, Associate Director, CGIAR IAU • After the last activity report presented in May 2009, the following internal audit activities have been completed or are underway: • CIAT Enterprise Risk Management System audit • Audit of the CIAT-Nicaragua Regional Office requested by the DG • Review of collective salary increases to national staff (–NRS) and changes in wages during the period January -May 2009. • Support in the selection of a new external audit firm Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  32. Organizational Chart BOARD OF TRUSTEES DIRECTOR GENERAL CORPORATE SERVICES Coordination AFRICA LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN TROPICAL SOILS AGROBIODIVERSITY Coordination ASIA CommunicationsCapacityLibrary Decision and Policy Analysis (DAPA) Integrated Soil Fertility Management Genetic Resources Tropical Fruits SustainableLand Management Beans Central Services Amazon Initiative Forages Finances Gender and Participatory Research Cassava Human Resources Rice Agronatura Information Systems Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

  33. CIAT and the CGIAR as part of the global recommitment to agriculture Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor

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