ANNEX VI - LIST OF SYSTEMWIDE INITIATIVES AND CIAT NETWORKS

SYSTEMWIDE INITIATIVES

Systemwide Soil, Water and Nutrient Management Initiative

At the New Delhi Mid-Term CGIAR meeting in May 1994, IBSRAM (International Board for Soils Research and Management, a non-CG centre) presented a document on soil, water and nutrient management (SWNM) (Greenland et al.). At the same meeting CIAT was proposed as the 'focal' centre for this possible initiative for the CG System. CIAT accepted this role.

CIAT and IBSRAM are to co-convene this initiative and will prepare a position paper with a strategy for project proposal preparation and project outlines for submission firstly, to TAC, by the end of February 1995, to the CG Mid-Term meeting and finally to the ICW'95 with the aim of securing funding from the 1996 CGIAR budget. CIAT will need to establish a secretariat to fulfil its functions as convening CG centre and plans are underway to utilize some of the above mentioned funds for this purpose.

Management of Acid Soils (MAS)

Management of Acid Soils (MAS) is a regional consortium established in 1994 for the generation of technologies for enhancing and sustaining agricultural production on the low fertility, generally acid soils of Latin America, which are prone to degradation. The main institutions involved in the consortium include NARS, a regional centre, ORSTOM, France, universities from developing and developed countries and ICRAF.

No separate funding is yet available for MAS activities and CIAT currently bears the cost of the MAS secretariat in terms of materials and manpower (mainly from the budget of the PSSM-SRG). The MAS theme has now been incorporated into the CGIAR systemwide initiative on SWNM.

Systemwide Genetic Resources Programme

In 1994 the Centre Directors set up a Systemwide Genetic Resources Programme (SGRP) comprising independently-managed Centre GRUs, with a convener Centre (IPGRI). It will catalyze the IARCs' involvement in the emerging global genetic resources (GR) system. The Inter-Centre Working Group on Genetic Resources (ICWG-GR) is the main advisory body of the Programme. The DDG-Research as the Chair of CIAT's Standing Committee on Genetic Resources, has been actively involved in the initiative.

An internally commissioned external review of the CGIAR genebank operations will take place in 1995-96. The outcome of this review should help CIAT's case for funding for the GRU and a wider role in LAC.

Forage Genetics Resources Network

Under the umbrella of the Systemwide Genetic Resources Programme, CIAT invited several IARCs and NARS Forage Genetic Resources Centres to a workshop in April 1994 to discuss closer interaction among Centres holding tropical and subtropical forage germplasm and the procedure for setting up a formal network. Institutions attending were CENARGEN (Brazil), CIAT, CSIRO-ATFGRC (Australian Tropical Forages Genetic Resources Centre), ILCA and IPGRI.

Strategic Alliance for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Agrobiodiversity in LAC

This is a CIAT 1994 proposal, also under the umbrella of the Systemwide Initiative on Genetic Resources, to establish a strategic alliance of these institutions to better understand, conserve and sustainably utilize their agricultural biodiversity resources. The Inter-Centre Working Group on Genetic Resources endorsed CIAT as the lead centre to implement the proposal, and under the Systemwide Initiative on Genetic Resources, the Group approved an allocation of US$ 30,000 to conduct a planning workshop.

CIAT expects representation of NARS and universities of Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Peru and Brazil, the PROCIs of IICA, and COPRA (Smithsonian Institute) together with the Latin America based IARCs (CIAT, CIMMYT, CIP and IPGRI).

Systemwide Livestock Initiative

An integrated approach to livestock teed resources production will be the initial thrust of this initiative which was launched with the establishment of ILRAD in January 1995. US$ 0.05 million has been approved by TAC for the preparation of the initiative. CIAT will be collaborating, particularly through the Tropical Forages Programme.

Integrated Pest Management Network (An Inter-Centre Initiative)

The 'IPM Network' was approved at ICW'94 and IITA was designated the convenor centre. CIAT is represented in the network by the Pest and Disease Management SRG which is organizing meetings with some LAC NARS to formulate joint IPM projects to be presented there.

Seeds of Hope (An Inter-Centre Initiative)

Starting in early 1994 the CGIAR centres have pooled technical expertise and in collaboration with NARS in neighbouring countries have responded, to the critical need to restore crop production and biodiversity in Rwanda. They are: CIAT (beans), CIP (sweet potato, potato), ICRISAT (sorghum), CIMMYT (maize), IITA (cassava), IPGRI (genetic resources). CIAT is coordinating the initiative. The budget for July 1994 through December 1995 is US$ 1,071,000, of which US$ 350,000 go to CIAT. The sponsors of Seeds of Hope are USAID, ODA, SDC, AIDAB, IDRC and World Vision. In addition the CG centres will provide in-kind resources of US$ 800,000.

Integrated Pest Management Network

The IPM Network was approved at ICW'94 and IITA was designated the convenor centre. The CIAT Pest and Disease Management SRG is preparing to participate in network meetings and is organizing meetings with NARS' representatives to formulate joint IPM projects to be presented to the networks.

Water Management Initiative

TAC has recommended this initiative, with IIMI as the convening Centre, recommending US$ 1.0 million for proposal preparation and coordination, and seed funding of approved research thrusts. Activities under four heads will begin in 1995.

1) Future scenarios on water supply for agriculture (IFPRI, IIMI and FAO).
2) Efficient water use and food supply:
a) Increasing the efficiency of irrigation water use (IRRI, WARDA, ICARDA, CIMMYT, CIAT, ICRISAT, IBSRAM, IIMI, ICID);
b) Increasing water use efficiency for crop production (same group of institutions); and
c) Improving water resources use in livestock production (ICARDA, ILRI and IIMI).

3) Environment:
a) Conservation of water resources (ICRAF, CIFOR, ICIMOD, ICARDA, IRRI, CIAT, IIMI, IBSRAM, IUCN, UNEP, ICLARM); and
b) Climate change and effect on water resources (IRRI, UNEP, WMO, IIMI).

4) Policy and institutions (IFPRI, IIMI, WB, FAO, ICRISAT, ISNAR. IWRA, ICID, UNDP, UNEP, Indiana University).

Systemwide Information Resources Initiative

All of the CG centres will potentially be involved in this initiative. Fifteen participated in the initial strategy planning workshop in June 1994. An Inter-Centre Working Group on Information, to be designated by the Centre Directors Committee on Information, will coordinate Systemwide information activities on behalf of the centres. Standing working subgroups and ad hoc task forces would be organized to carry out specific projects. A task force, led by CIAT, was established to conduct the necessary technical, legal and financial requisites of the proposed Integrated Voice and Data Network. By the end of 1994, plans for the implementation of the IVDN over an 18-month period were available and it was anticipated that by the end of 1994, a total of 12 Centres, plus the two Secretariats, would be interconnected.

ECOREGIONAL INITIATIVES

LAC Ecoregional Convenor Initiative

CIAT has the role of ecoregional convener in the CGIAR system to improve the management of agricultural resources in tropical America. In 1994 CIAT consulted with CG and regional partners to prepare an initial project. It proposes to build on CIAT's existing core competence in geographic information systems and analysis and to put this competence and the service of other centres working in the region: CIMMYT, CIP, ICRAF. It also proposed to develop a system of electronic data exchange among IARCs for georeferenced continental climate, soils and agricultural data. It further proposed to provide expertise in spatial modelling and data bases to strengthen existing agroecosystem consortia in the region. It envisaged the following resources for 1996-98:

· US$ 367,000

For GIS studies for CIMMYT, CIP, ICRAF and ICRISAT.

· US$ 871,000

For GIS modelling work to support the agroecosystem networks

· US$ 1,184,000

For research in existing agroecosystem networks

· US$ 718,000

For project coordination at CIAT

Alternatives to Slash-and-Burn (A global initiative)

The Alternatives to Slash-and-Burn initiative (ASB) was established in 1992, with the goal of reducing deforestation caused by slash-and-burn agriculture, by providing technology alternatives and policy options that reduce the need to clear additional land and encourage the reclamation of degraded lands. It is clearly congruent with the forest margins priorities as laid out in the 1991 CIAT Strategic Plan.

The following institutions are members of ASB as of December 1994: Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (AARD), Indonesia; CIFOR; CIAT; Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippines; EMBRAPA, Brazil; FUNDEAGRO, Perú; INIA, Perú; INIFAP, Mexico; Institut de Recherches Agronomiques, Cameroon; ICRAF; IFDC, USA; IFPRI; IITA; IRRI; Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand; Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Zambia; TSBF and WRI. ICRAF acts as Global Coordinator and CIAT's role in ASB is to act as LAC regional coordinator, and contribute to biophysical and socioeconomic research conducted by the consortium.

African Highlands Initiative

ICRAF is the Coordinator of the African Highland Initiative launched in 1993 in response to a TAC recommendation to launch an ecoregional programme in the African Highlands. The AHI will initially focus on two main research themes: (1) maintenance and improvement of soil productivity, and (2) management strategies for plant protection in intensive systems. Another important theme, management of genetic resources, is also of high priority. Partners in the AHI are NARS (Burundi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zaire), CGIAR Centres (CIAT, CIMMYT, CIP, ICRAF, ICRISAT, IITA, ILCA, IFPRI, IPGRI, ISNAR), other international programmes (CTA, TSBF), a network of NGOs called the African Research Utilization Network (ARUNET), and the governing body of legal authority for the initiative, the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA). The budget for Phase I is US$ 2.11 million.

CIAT-SPONSORED NETWORKS

Bean Programme:

Network title:

Eastern Africa Regional Bean Network

Acronym:

EABRN

Countries involved:

Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Madagascar, Sudan

Date started:

1984

Activity:

Improve nutritional status and income of the poor in the region through promotion of bean research.

CIAT's role:

Member of steering committee
Technical assistance
Manages finances

Funding source:

CIDA, USAID 1995

Network title:

Réseau pour l'Amélioration du haricot (Phaseolae) dans la région de l'Afrique Centrale

Acronym:

RESAPAC

Countries involved:

Rwanda, Burundi, Zaire (Great Lakes Region)

Date started:

1983

Activity:

Strengthen national research capacity and interregional cooperation for the development of improved bean production technology, thereby leading to increased production of beans in the region.

CIAT's role:

Technical assistance
Member of steering committee
Manages finances

Funding source:

SDC (1995)

Network title:

Southern Africa (SADC) Bean Network

Acronym:

SABN

Countries involved:

Southern Africa (Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe)

Date started:

1985

Activity:

Increase bean productivity and production and to strengthen National Bean Research in the Countries of the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) under the Coordination of the Southern Africa Coordinating Centre for Agricultural Research (SACCAR)

CIAT's role:

Technical assistance
Member of steering committee

Funding source:

SACCAR
(funded by member countries)

Network title:

Proyecto Regional de Frijol para la Zona Andina

Acronym:

PROFRIZA

Countries involved:

Ecuador, Perú, Bolivia, Colombia y Venezuela

Date started:

1988

Activity:

Increase the productivity, production and consumption of beans in the Andean Region, through the strengthening of research capacity and transfer of technology in national institutions and promotion of interregional cooperation.

CIAT's role:

Regional coordination

Funding source:

Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) to 1996

Network Title:

Phaseolus beans advanced biotechnology research network

Acronym:

BARN

Countries involved:

Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Italy, USA, U.K., Germany

Date started:

1990

Activity:

Promote, coordinate phaseolus beans biotechnology research training of LDCs

CIAT's role:

Coordination

Funding source:

GTZ/BMZ (likely) 1995-98

Cassava Programme

Network title:

Asian Cassava Network

Acronym:

Countries involved:

Principal Asian cassava producing countries

Date started:

1987

Activity:

Breeding and agronomy research, information exchange.

CIAT's role:

Secretary of the Advisory Committee, technical support in breeding, agronomy and economics.

Funding source:

Core for CIAT participation; UNDP and Japan in the past

Network title:

Panamerican Cassava Breeders Network

Acronym:

Countries involved:

Latin America

Date started:

1987

Activity:

Breeding research Information exchange (Triannual Meeting)

CIAT's role:

Convener, Scientific and technological support

Funding source:

Core and participating countries resources

Network title:

Manihot Genetic Resources Network

Acronym:

MGRN

Countries involved:

16 countries from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, plus IPGRI, IITA, CIAT.

Date Started:

Aug. 1992

Activity:

Conservation, documentation, and utilization of genetic resources of Manihot

CIAT's role:

Secretariat and member of the steering committee

Funding source:

IPGRI, CIAT, IITA for first initial meeting.

Network title:

Southern Cone Cassava Development Network

Acronym:

Countries involved:

Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil.

Date started:

1992

Activity:

Collaborative activities in the areas of:
Germplasm development
Crop management
Post-harvest research
Socio-economic studies
Technology transfer

CIAT's role:

Member of the Executive Committee, technical support in the above areas

Funding source:

Core and special project funding from various sources (IDB, IFAD,..)

Network title:

Cassava Biotechnology Network

Acronym:

CBN

Countries involved:

Global

Date started:

July 1992

Activity:

Definition of Biotechnology Research Priorities, Stimulation of Biotechnology Research on Cassava information Exchange. (Newsletter, Scientific meetings etc.)

CIAT's role:

Provides logistical and technical support for the Network Coordinator.

Funding source:

DGIS (Holland) 5 years.

Rice Programme

Network title:

International Network for Genetic Evaluation of Rice, Latin America and the Caribbean

Acronym:

INGER-LAC (former IRTP from 1976 to 1985)

Countries involved:

Latin America and the Caribbean; IRRI

Date started:

1976

Activity:

Rice Germplasm related activities

CIAT's role:

Regional liaison for global network

Funding source:

UNDP until 1991; CIAT and IRRI from 1991

Network title:

Caribbean Rice Improvement Network

Acronym:

CRIN

Countries involved:

Caribbean countries

Date started:

1987

Activity:

Rice Germplasm related activities

CIAT's role:

Lead partner and executing agency

Funding source:

Canadian Internal Devel. Agency, CIDA, until, 1992; none current

Tropical Forages Programme

Network title:

Red Internacional de Evaluacion de Pastes Tropicales

Acronym:

RIEPT

Countries involved:

RIEPT-MCAC (Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Countries). RIEPT-Tropical Lowlands (Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela) northern parts of Argentina and Paraguay)

Date started:

1979, split into regional areas in 1987.

Present activity

Activity:

i) Germplasm exchange

ii) Collaborative research

iii) Communication

iv) Training

CIAT's role:

Facilitator for activities. In MCAC, countries to form national networks to discuss priorities.

Funding source:

RIEPT received Special Project funding until 1992. Present funding is from core funds.

Network title:

South East Asia Forage Research and Development Network

Acronym:

SEAFRAD

Countries involved:

China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam.

Date started:

Initiated in 1989. Activity commenced in four countries in 1992 with special Project Funding from AIDAB and now extended to 7 countries.

Activity:

Germplasm exchange, on-farm research, seed production, communication, training.

CIAT's role:

CIAT facilitates programme implementation. Communication through national coordinators.

Funding source:

AIDAB

CIAT NETWORK MEMBERSHIP

Bean Programme

Network Title:

Programa Cooperativo Regional de Frijol de Centroamerica, Mexico y el Caribe.

Acronym:

PROFRIJOL

Countries involved:

Central America, The Caribbean and Mexico (Costa Rica, Cuba, Rep. Dominicana, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico)

Date started:

1978

Activity:

Increase the productivity, production and consumption of beans in the Andean Region, through the strengthening of research capacity and transfer of technology in national institutions and promotion of interregional cooperation.

CIAT's role:

Technical assistance
Manages finances
PROFRIJOL was devolved from CIAT to the region in 1993

Funding source:

SDC, 1996

Cassava Programme

Network title:

Programa de desarrollo de la agroindustria rural

Acronym:

PRODAR

Countries involved:

Latin America

Date started:

1990

Activity:

Promotion and information exchange on rural agronomy.

CIAT's role:

Member

Funding source:

IICA, French cooperation, IDRC, CIRAD.

Rice Programme

Network title:

The International Programme on Rice Biotechnology -Rockefeller Foundation

Acronym:

Countries involved:

CG Centres, Universities, Research Institutes from Developed and Developing Countries. Global Network.

Date started:

1980. CIAT's involvement: 1986.

Activity:

Rice Biotechnology and applications for germplasm development.

CIAT's role:

Active member

Funding source:

Rockefeller Foundation. Indefinite term.

Network title:

Comissao Tecnica de Arroz

Acronym:

CTARROZ

Countries involved:

Brazil, Colombia

Date started:

1982. Ciat's involvement: 1989.

Activity:

Rice Germplasm evaluation activities

CIAT's role:

Provides germplasm

Funding source:

EMBRAPA and State Institutions in Brazil. Indefinite Term.

Network title:

Conference des Responsables de Recherche Agronomique Africains.

Acronym:

CORAF

Countries involved:

West Africa and Madagascar

Date started:

1992

Activity:

Rice Germplasm related activities

CIAT's role:

Germplasm exchange

Funding source:

CIRAD-CA, Minister de la Cooperation Francaise. Indefinite Term.

Land Management SRG

Network title:

UNEP Collaborating Centres for International Environmental Assessment, Reporting and Forecasting

Acronym:

Countries involved:

Institutes in The Netherlands, USA, Colombia (CIAT).

Date started:

CIAT's involvement started at 6 December, 1994

Activity:

Cooperation in environmental and sustainable development activities.

CIAT's role: Funding source:

CIAT is one of the Collaborating Centres. CIAT is hosting an International Workshop on the Global Environmental Outlook Project. A proposal to create a Data Centre on Sustainability Indicators for Latin America and the Caribbean at CIAT is being considered by UNEP. Network activities are financed by UNEP

Network title:

Strategies for Sustainable Agricultural Land Use in the Lowland Savannas of South America

Acronym:

SALLSSA

Countries involved:

Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela and The Netherlands

Date started:

May 1994

Activity:

Preparing position papers and defining a joint project proposal

CIAT's role:

Coordination

Funding source:

DGIS (The Netherlands). Network was financed for planning stage; new activities pending approval of the project.

Biometry Unit

Network title:

International Biometric Network for Central America, the Caribbean, Colombia and Venezuela

Acronym:

Countries involved:

Mexico, all Central American and Caribbean countries, Colombia, Venezuela.

Date started:

1991

Activity:

Applied Biometrical/Statistical/Mathematical methods and tools for the benefit of agriculture and environmental research; invited members from Europe, Canada, USA.

CIAT's role:

CIAT is a member of the scientific/organizing Committee; planning, organization and financing of the 4th Annual Meeting Conference in June 95.

Funding source:

1st meeting financed by the Fund Biometric Society USA. No continuing funding.

· US$ 367,000	For GIS studies for CIMMYT, CIP, ICRAF and ICRISAT.
· US$ 871,000	For GIS modelling work to support the agroecosystem networks
· US$ 1,184,000	For research in existing agroecosystem networks
· US$ 718,000	For project coordination at CIAT

Bean Programme:

Network title:	Eastern Africa Regional Bean Network
Acronym:	EABRN
Countries involved:	Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Madagascar, Sudan
Date started:	1984
Activity:	Improve nutritional status and income of the poor in the region through promotion of bean research.
CIAT's role:	Member of steering committee Technical assistance Manages finances
Funding source:	CIDA, USAID 1995

Network title:	Réseau pour l'Amélioration du haricot (Phaseolae) dans la région de l'Afrique Centrale
Acronym:	RESAPAC
Countries involved:	Rwanda, Burundi, Zaire (Great Lakes Region)
Date started:	1983
Activity:	Strengthen national research capacity and interregional cooperation for the development of improved bean production technology, thereby leading to increased production of beans in the region.
CIAT's role:	Technical assistance Member of steering committee Manages finances
Funding source:	SDC (1995)

Network title:	Southern Africa (SADC) Bean Network
Acronym:	SABN
Countries involved:	Southern Africa (Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe)
Date started:	1985
Activity:	Increase bean productivity and production and to strengthen National Bean Research in the Countries of the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) under the Coordination of the Southern Africa Coordinating Centre for Agricultural Research (SACCAR)
CIAT's role:	Technical assistance Member of steering committee
Funding source:	SACCAR (funded by member countries)

Network title:	Proyecto Regional de Frijol para la Zona Andina
Acronym:	PROFRIZA
Countries involved:	Ecuador, Perú, Bolivia, Colombia y Venezuela
Date started:	1988
Activity:	Increase the productivity, production and consumption of beans in the Andean Region, through the strengthening of research capacity and transfer of technology in national institutions and promotion of interregional cooperation.
CIAT's role:	Regional coordination
Funding source:	Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) to 1996

Network Title:	Phaseolus beans advanced biotechnology research network
Acronym:	BARN
Countries involved:	Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Italy, USA, U.K., Germany
Date started:	1990
Activity:	Promote, coordinate phaseolus beans biotechnology research training of LDCs
CIAT's role:	Coordination
Funding source:	GTZ/BMZ (likely) 1995-98

Cassava Programme

Network title:	Asian Cassava Network
Acronym:
Countries involved:	Principal Asian cassava producing countries
Date started:	1987
Activity:	Breeding and agronomy research, information exchange.
CIAT's role:	Secretary of the Advisory Committee, technical support in breeding, agronomy and economics.
Funding source:	Core for CIAT participation; UNDP and Japan in the past

Network title:	Panamerican Cassava Breeders Network
Acronym:
Countries involved:	Latin America
Date started:	1987
Activity:	Breeding research Information exchange (Triannual Meeting)
CIAT's role:	Convener, Scientific and technological support
Funding source:	Core and participating countries resources

Network title:	Manihot Genetic Resources Network
Acronym:	MGRN
Countries involved:	16 countries from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, plus IPGRI, IITA, CIAT.
Date Started:	Aug. 1992
Activity:	Conservation, documentation, and utilization of genetic resources of Manihot
CIAT's role:	Secretariat and member of the steering committee
Funding source:	IPGRI, CIAT, IITA for first initial meeting.

Network title:	Southern Cone Cassava Development Network
Acronym:
Countries involved:	Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil.
Date started:	1992
Activity:	Collaborative activities in the areas of: Germplasm development Crop management Post-harvest research Socio-economic studies Technology transfer
CIAT's role:	Member of the Executive Committee, technical support in the above areas
Funding source:	Core and special project funding from various sources (IDB, IFAD,..)

Network title:	Cassava Biotechnology Network
Acronym:	CBN
Countries involved:	Global
Date started:	July 1992
Activity:	Definition of Biotechnology Research Priorities, Stimulation of Biotechnology Research on Cassava information Exchange. (Newsletter, Scientific meetings etc.)
CIAT's role:	Provides logistical and technical support for the Network Coordinator.
Funding source:	DGIS (Holland) 5 years.

Rice Programme

Network title:	International Network for Genetic Evaluation of Rice, Latin America and the Caribbean
Acronym:	INGER-LAC (former IRTP from 1976 to 1985)
Countries involved:	Latin America and the Caribbean; IRRI
Date started:	1976
Activity:	Rice Germplasm related activities
CIAT's role:	Regional liaison for global network
Funding source:	UNDP until 1991; CIAT and IRRI from 1991

Network title:	Caribbean Rice Improvement Network
Acronym:	CRIN
Countries involved:	Caribbean countries
Date started:	1987
Activity:	Rice Germplasm related activities
CIAT's role:	Lead partner and executing agency
Funding source:	Canadian Internal Devel. Agency, CIDA, until, 1992; none current

Tropical Forages Programme

Network title:	Red Internacional de Evaluacion de Pastes Tropicales
Acronym:	RIEPT
Countries involved:	RIEPT-MCAC (Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Countries). RIEPT-Tropical Lowlands (Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela) northern parts of Argentina and Paraguay)
Date started:	1979, split into regional areas in 1987.
	Present activity
Activity:		i) Germplasm exchange
		ii) Collaborative research
		iii) Communication
		iv) Training
CIAT's role:	Facilitator for activities. In MCAC, countries to form national networks to discuss priorities.
Funding source:	RIEPT received Special Project funding until 1992. Present funding is from core funds.

Network title:	South East Asia Forage Research and Development Network
Acronym:	SEAFRAD
Countries involved:	China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam.
Date started:	Initiated in 1989. Activity commenced in four countries in 1992 with special Project Funding from AIDAB and now extended to 7 countries.
Activity:	Germplasm exchange, on-farm research, seed production, communication, training.
CIAT's role:	CIAT facilitates programme implementation. Communication through national coordinators.
Funding source:	AIDAB

CIAT NETWORK MEMBERSHIP

Bean Programme

Network Title:	Programa Cooperativo Regional de Frijol de Centroamerica, Mexico y el Caribe.
Acronym:	PROFRIJOL
Countries involved:	Central America, The Caribbean and Mexico (Costa Rica, Cuba, Rep. Dominicana, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico)
Date started:	1978
Activity:	Increase the productivity, production and consumption of beans in the Andean Region, through the strengthening of research capacity and transfer of technology in national institutions and promotion of interregional cooperation.
CIAT's role:	Technical assistance Manages finances PROFRIJOL was devolved from CIAT to the region in 1993
Funding source:	SDC, 1996

Cassava Programme

Network title:	Programa de desarrollo de la agroindustria rural
Acronym:	PRODAR
Countries involved:	Latin America
Date started:	1990
Activity:	Promotion and information exchange on rural agronomy.
CIAT's role:	Member
Funding source:	IICA, French cooperation, IDRC, CIRAD.

Rice Programme

Network title:	The International Programme on Rice Biotechnology -Rockefeller Foundation
Acronym:
Countries involved:	CG Centres, Universities, Research Institutes from Developed and Developing Countries. Global Network.
Date started:	1980. CIAT's involvement: 1986.
Activity:	Rice Biotechnology and applications for germplasm development.
CIAT's role:	Active member
Funding source:	Rockefeller Foundation. Indefinite term.

Network title:	Comissao Tecnica de Arroz
Acronym:	CTARROZ
Countries involved:	Brazil, Colombia
Date started:	1982. Ciat's involvement: 1989.
Activity:	Rice Germplasm evaluation activities
CIAT's role:	Provides germplasm
Funding source:	EMBRAPA and State Institutions in Brazil. Indefinite Term.

Network title:	Conference des Responsables de Recherche Agronomique Africains.
Acronym:	CORAF
Countries involved:	West Africa and Madagascar
Date started:	1992
Activity:	Rice Germplasm related activities
CIAT's role:	Germplasm exchange
Funding source:	CIRAD-CA, Minister de la Cooperation Francaise. Indefinite Term.

Land Management SRG

Network title:	UNEP Collaborating Centres for International Environmental Assessment, Reporting and Forecasting
Acronym:
Countries involved:	Institutes in The Netherlands, USA, Colombia (CIAT).
Date started:	CIAT's involvement started at 6 December, 1994
Activity:	Cooperation in environmental and sustainable development activities.
CIAT's role: Funding source:	CIAT is one of the Collaborating Centres. CIAT is hosting an International Workshop on the Global Environmental Outlook Project. A proposal to create a Data Centre on Sustainability Indicators for Latin America and the Caribbean at CIAT is being considered by UNEP. Network activities are financed by UNEP

Network title:	Strategies for Sustainable Agricultural Land Use in the Lowland Savannas of South America
Acronym:	SALLSSA
Countries involved:	Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela and The Netherlands
Date started:	May 1994
Activity:	Preparing position papers and defining a joint project proposal
CIAT's role:	Coordination
Funding source:	DGIS (The Netherlands). Network was financed for planning stage; new activities pending approval of the project.

Biometry Unit

Network title:	International Biometric Network for Central America, the Caribbean, Colombia and Venezuela
Acronym:
Countries involved:	Mexico, all Central American and Caribbean countries, Colombia, Venezuela.
Date started:	1991
Activity:	Applied Biometrical/Statistical/Mathematical methods and tools for the benefit of agriculture and environmental research; invited members from Europe, Canada, USA.
CIAT's role:	CIAT is a member of the scientific/organizing Committee; planning, organization and financing of the 4th Annual Meeting Conference in June 95.
Funding source:	1st meeting financed by the Fund Biometric Society USA. No continuing funding.