Adding value to the Agricultural Biodiversity Assessments (ABD): Analysis and synthesis of the roles of ABD in livelihoods and natural resources management in the Dryland Systems
| Project title | Adding value to the Agricultural Biodiversity Assessments (ABD): Analysis and synthesis of the roles of ABD in livelihoods and natural resources management in the Dryland Systems |
| Implementing Institutions | The CGIAR Research Program on Dryland Systems (DS) representing 8 CGIAR Centers and its 284 national and regional partners (INGO, NGO, CBOs, Academia, Advance Research Institutions and NARS). It is based in Amman, Jordan and operates in 10 countries in Africa and Asia: http://drylandsystems.cgiar.org/ The proposed project will mainly implemented by three following CG Centers: 1. Bioversity International 2. International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) 3. International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) |
| Country(ies) | Mali, India |
| Abstract | Work will increase capacity to contribute to IPBES assessments and generate common methods and indicators to assess status of agricultural biodiversity (ABD).We refine a methodology for ABD and dietary diversity (DD) characterization developed in India and Mali. Custom learning modules, policy dialogue, evidence-based recommendations and decision-guidance tools will bolster capacity to undertake, use and improve biodiversity assessments. Piloting and scaling-up a conceptual framework and toolbox for ABD assessment, linked to existing datasets, will contribute to evidence-based decision-making. |
| Project Description | ABD is a fundamental asset for poor rural households in marginal dryland areas, providing multiple ecosystem services (ES). But knowledge of ABD distribution, management and use is patchy and focused on few species and locations. Its contribution to ES is poorly understood. This neglect accelerates ABD loss and missed opportunities for ABD use in agricultural development. National biodiversity and ES assessments do not adequately cover ABD due to weak capacity, few standardized tools and methods, and a disconnect between wild and agricultural BD. Drylands Programme researchers developed a conceptual framework for ABD assessment—including dietary diversity—that covers availability and use and includes biophysical and socio-economic factors, blending scientific and local knowledge. An associated toolbox has been produced and piloted, but is yet to be nationally adopted or recognized in policies and programmes. In Mali and India, this project will build capacity to undertake, use and improve ABD assessments by piloting and scaling a conceptual framework and toolbox for ABD assessment. Developing common ABD assessment methods, indicators and capacities, and cross-analyzing geo-referenced ABD data with other existing biophysical and socioeconomic data sets, the project will contribute to enhancing capacity to manage ABD to supply multiple ecosystem services. By introducing ABD assessment tools via learning modules, training and policy dialogue, the work will boost national capacity. Results will be scaled within the CRP Dryland Systems. |
| Project Objectives and expected Achievables | Our specific objectives are to: 1-Improve national capacity to undertake, use and improve biodiversity assessments by including an ABD dimension in national development programmes. 2-Test and refine a conceptual framework and tool box for ABD assessment, and facilitate its adoption by national partners. 3-Integrate ABD data with other bio-physical and socio-economic data from different sources and initiatives, to enhance understanding on the value of ABD to supply multiple ecosystem services. The core activities foreseen in this project are: (a) gather, curate, make available and analyze ABD and dietary diversity (DD) assessment data from Mali and India; (b) develop and test robust and feasible indicators to monitor the impact of the CGIAR and other interventions on ABD; (c) engage with national partners to cross-analyze ABD and DD data with other geo-referenced data sets on e.g., land degradation, ecosystem services, gender, diets and nutrition, and share results with national and local institutions. (d) produce a learning module on methodologies and protocols for ABD and DD assessment and promote it for use among national and regional institutions; (e) link ABD and DD data and their analysis to other initiatives at regional and international level. The expected achievable outputs to be produced include: (1) 2 Data bases developed together with national partners on ABD and D D available as open access (4 months from inception); (2) 1 set of indicators jointly agreed with partners to monitor the impact of interventions on ABD (6 months from inception); (3) 1 tool box with guidelines and 2 peer-review papers, 2 policy briefs with results and analyses, including guidelines for undertaking this type of assessment (20-24 months from inception); (4) 1 learning module on how to implement an ABD assessment disseminated (8 months from inception); (5) 1 report identifying clear entry points to enhance the benefits rural households derive from locally available ABD (16 months from inception). |
| Timeframe | 2 years |
| Geographic Scale | Multinational |
| Seeking Resources for: | Project implementation |
| Type of Resources/Support needed: | Financial |