CGIAR Research Priorities for Marginal Lands













Table of Contents


Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research - CGIAR

Document No.:SDR/TAC:IAR/99/12
Distribution: General
Date: 1 October 1999

International Centers Week 1999
October 25 - 29
Washington D.C.

Reducing Poverty through Cutting-edge Science

CGIAR Research Priorities
for Marginal Lands

Attached is the Report of the TAC Study on CGIAR Research Priorities for Marginal Lands, together with the transmittal letter from the Chair of TAC to the Chairman of the CGIAR. The Study comprises the Report of the Study on CGIAR Research Priorities for Marginal Lands, the Framework for Prioritizing Land Types in Agricultural Research, the Rural Poverty and Land Degradation: A Reality Check for the CGIAR, and TAC's commentary on this study.

This report will be discussed in plenary session under Agenda Item 4(a)(ii): Integrated Natural Resources Management - Study on Marginal Lands. The Panel Chair of the of Study will summarize the findings, and a TAC Member will present the TAC commentary prior to discussion and decision-making by the Group.

CGIAR Secretariat · Mailing Address: 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A. · Office Location: 701 18th Street, N.W. Tel: (1-202) 473-8951 · Cable Address: INTBAFRAD · Fax: (1-202) 473-8110 · E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)

TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Donald Winkelmann, Chairman

September 30, 1999

Dear Mr. Serageldin,

I am pleased to transmit to you the reports of TAC's Study on Marginal Lands. The Study comprises four papers: the first was prepared by a Panel chaired by Dr. Mike Nelson and is entitled Report of the Study on CGIAR Research Priorities for Marginal Lands; the second was prepared by Dr. Ted Henzell and the TAC Secretariat and is entitled A Framework for Prioritizing Land Types in Agricultural Research; the third was prepared by a Consultant to the TAC Secretariat, Dr. Sohail Malik, and is entitled Rural Poverty and Land Degradation: A Reality Check for the CGIAR; TAC's Commentary on this Study is the fourth paper.

This is an especially rich mixture of papers, the last two of them stimulated by the ideas emerging from the first. The collection has strong implications for the way the System prioritizes its efforts on less favoured environments. The overall conclusion of the Study is that the information available is insufficient to support the presumption that the character of marginal lands can be used to set research priorities that meet CGIAR objectives. In its commentary, TAC refers to a number of immediate implications of the results of this Study for Centre and System research planning. The Committee also raises a number of issues which will guide analysis of future resource allocation decisions.

On behalf of TAC, I would like to sincerely thank Dr. Mike Nelson and the members of his Panel, and Drs. Ted Henzell and Sohail Malik for their excellent work.

I look forward to a stimulating discussion at ICW'99.

Kind regards,

Sincerely Yours,
Donald L. Winkelmann
TAC Chair

Mr. Ismail Serageldin
Vice President, Special Programs
The World Bank
1818 H Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20433 USA

355 E. Palace Avenue, Santa Fe, NM 87501 (1-505) 988-1284 FAX: (1-505) 988-1285
[email protected]

Table of Contents


TAC Commentary on the CGIAR Study on Marginal Lands

REPORT OF THE STUDY ON CGIAR RESEARCH PRIORITIES FOR MARGINAL LANDS

CGIAR RESEARCH PRIORITIES FOR MARGINAL LANDS - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CHAPTER 1 - BACKGROUND

1.1. The Change in Focus Between Phase I and Phase II
1.2. Presentation of the Analysis

CHAPTER 2 - DEFINITIONS AND CONTEXT

2.1. Marginal Lands
2.2. Initial Framework for Evaluating the Issues
2.3. Marginal Lands as a Moving Target
2.4. Contexts in which the Term "Marginal Lands" is Used
2.5. From Biophysically Marginal Lands (ML) to Marginal Agricultural Land (MAL) Based on Existing Use
2.6. Location and Incidence of Rural Poverty on MAL
2.7. Linkage of FAL to Poverty on MAL
2.8. Current CGIAR Activity in Poverty Alleviation on MAL
2.9. From Marginal Lands to Marginal Population
2.10. Poverty Processes on Marginal Areas
2.11. Implications: Recommendations for the CGIAR

CHAPTER 3 - POVERTY ALLEVIATION ON MARGINAL AREAS: THE ROLE OF THE CGIAR IN REMOVING CONSTRAINTS

3.1. The International Role of the CGIAR
3.2. Gender Considerations
3.3. Scope for Research-Based Solutions to Rural Poverty
3.4. The Way Ahead for the CGIAR - A Summary

CHAPTER 4 - REFORMING POLICIES AND INSTITUTIONS: ROLE OF THE CGIAR

4.1. Nature of the Issues Involved
4.2. Current Activity and Future Options for the CGIAR

CHAPTER 5 - GENERATING NEW AND IMPROVED TECHNOLOGIES: ROLE OF THE CGIAR

5.1. The New Green Revolution - Technologies for Marginal Lands
5.2. Current Activity and Future Options for the CGIAR

CHAPTER 6 - DIVERSIFYING LAND USE SYSTEMS AND INCOME OPPORTUNITIES: ROLE OF THE CGIAR

6.1. Diversification: Nature of the Needs and Opportunities
6.2. Livestock: Expansion of On-Farm Activities
6.3. Agroforestry: Making Marginal Lands More Productive
6.4. Forests and Diversification of Land Use Activities for Poverty Alleviation
6.5. Expansion of Off-Farm Employment and Vertical Integration of Farm Activities
6.6. Increased Emphasis on Niche Opportunities and Underutilized Plants and Animals
6.7. Current Activity and Future Options for the CGIAR

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ANNEXES

ANNEX I - TERMS OF REFERENCE
ANNEX II - METHODOLOGY APPLIED FOR THE DATABASE
ANNEX III - CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR ANALYZING RESEARCH INVESTMENTS IN POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN A MARGINAL LANDS CONTEXT
ANNEX IV - CURRENT CGIAR ACTIVITIES
ANNEX V - COMPOSITION OF THE STUDY TEAM
ANNEX VI - LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

A Framework for Prioritizing Land Types in Agricultural Research

Rural Poverty and Land Degradation: A Reality Check for the CGIAR

SUMMARY

1. BACKGROUND

1.1 Defining Land Degradation and Sustainability
1.2 Classifying the Approaches to Land Degradation
1.3 Defining Poverty
1.4 Mapping Rural Poverty and Land Quality

2. POVERTY AND LAND DEGRADATION

2.1 Impact of Degradation on the Poor
2.2 Poverty Impact on Resource Management
2.3 The Links Between Poverty and Land Degradation - Mixed Empirical Evidence
2.4 Household Level Effects of Degradation
2.5 Conceptualizing the Linkages Between Poverty and Land Degradation

3. SUSTAINABLE LAND USE MANAGEMENT

4. IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICY

REFERENCES

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

APPENDIX 1: Hot Spots of Land Degradation

APPENDIX 2: Poverty Indices