CGIAR research program (CRP) on roots, tubers, and bananas: Rationale, strategy and impact.

The CRP recognizes that research must embrace a broad portfolio of commodities beyond the grain crops that have traditionally been the focus of food security initiatives. Roots, tubers, and cooking bananas and plantains are a critical component of the global food system. As vegetatively propagated crops they have many similarities for genetic conservation, breeding strategies, seed systems and post-harvest technology. The program is led by the International Potato Center, Bioversity International, the International Center for Tropical Agriculture, and the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture and includes a wide spectrum of research-for-development stakeholders. This new collaboration, with its combined scale and capacity, will increase the ability to advance research, share knowledge, and enhance impact. The program strategy is to exploit the underutilized potential of root, tuber, and banana crops to reduce the risk of food shortages and malnutrition through increased yields and stronger, more diversified crop systems. In addition, the CRP aims to increase income generation and foster greater gender equity. The CRP has identified impact pathways to increase the likelihood that research is translated into improved livelihoods – especially among some of the world's most poor and vulnerable populations. In its first year of operation, it is quantifying potential impacts to help priority setting. Engaging partners and stakeholders will be critical to successful implementation

Apple monitoring in Germany & the Netherlands: A whole systems approach to grower education & research

Twenty one Jonagold orchards in three regions of Germany and one in The Netherlands were monitored during the 1989 season for a range of biological, economic and management factors. Most orchards were 8 years old on MIX stock. Tree numbers varied between 1250 - 3472/ha and the selected orchards covered single and double row planting as well as 4, 5 and 6 row beds. Flower numbers varied between 0.95m and 5.27m/ha but often orchards with high flower numbers set a lower percentage of fruit. Fruit set varied between 7.5 and 34.1 %. Average fruit number/tree varied between 105 and 330. Average fruit weight on an orchard basis varied between 140 and 280g. Highest extrapolated yield was 92.2t/ha and the lowest 19t/ha. Gross margins varied markedly between districts mainly because of average price. The highest gross margin recorded was DM 62,000 per ha and the lowest DM 9800. Harvesting and marketing costs represented about 20% of total returns but chemical costs were less significant in the range 3.0 - 3.3% of total returns. Market prices on average were highest in the south of Germany (DM 0.82/kg) and lowest in The Netherlands (DM 0.48/kg). Detailed appendices are included setting out individual grower's spray and fertiliser programmes and labour and machinery inputs. Data is recorded on a per tree basis with the trees divided into 3 levels. The harvest data includes yield, fruit size, fruit colour, and rejects. Some data is supplied on terminal and lateral positions of the flower buds and subsequent fruiting. Analyses is given of various relationships, such as fruit number versus fruit size, and reasons for differences identified. The paper provides a basis for further development of this monitoring work to allow growers to improve their profitability by making management changes. It also identifies areas of research which are still needed to allow reliable predictive and explanatory apple tree models to be developed

Scaling readiness: Concepts, practices, and implementation.

Scaling Readiness is an approach that can support organizations, projects, and programs in achieving their ambitions to scale innovations and achieve impact. Scaling Readiness encourages critical reflection on how ready innovations are for scaling, and what appropriate actions could accelerate or enhance scaling

Perspectives on partnership: Highlights of a literature review

Working in partnership has become central in efforts to address complex environmental, socio-economic, and technological problems. The terms partner or partnership appear more than 100 times in the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness and more than 200 times in the version of the CGIAR's new Strategy and Results Framework presented at the recent Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development. It is promoted as an effective means to mobilise the resources and capacities needed to generate knowledge, stimulate innovation and influence decision-making. Nevertheless, partnering is often experienced as timeconsuming and frustrating, and it has proved difficult to demonstrate its 'value added'. To improve partnering at the International Potato Center (CIP), we reviewed publications, evaluations and reports dealing with partnership. Rather than a single 'partnership literature' we found several different literatures that approach the subject from different perspectives. Several themes – relating to partnering processes vs. partnership structures, partnership dynamics, types of partnership, incentives for partnering, the key role of trust, power and equity issues, success factors and evaluation – cut across the distinct literatures. This ILAC Brief presents findings in each of these areas, notes some prominent knowledge gaps and identifies areas for future study