1. Plant Sciences for Sustainable Crop Production: Strengthening Partnerships between Europe and Developing Countries FAO-EPSO Consultation 25-27 June 2012

2. Africa Regional priorities for FAO support increased agricultural productivity and diversification; promotion of sustainable natural resource management; support to market access and sanitary measures for better trade; improved knowledge management, information and advocacy in Africa.

3. Focus areas for support Policies and strategies on sustainable agricultural production intensification and diversification; Increased productivity from more efficient utilisation of agricultural inputs; with a focus on harnessing the ecosystem;

4. Focus areas for support contd…. Integrated systems approaches; using a wide range of good quality genetic materials, soil and water management systems and integrated production and protection systems; Capacity development drawing on local knowledge, and support for adaptive research and participatory training; encouraging farmers' creativity in problem solving;

5. Focus areas contd… Awareness creation / capacity development for analysis of developments in international agricultural trade, markets and rules; Development of capacity to identify opportunities to formulate appropriate and effective trade policies and strategies;

6. Focus areas for support contd… Agribusiness and agro-industries development, in relation to national and regional policies, regulations and institutions;. Capacity development in phytosanitary and food safety programmes at every level of producers and all other value chains actors

7. Focus areas for support contd… Policy advice for strengthening national research and analysis, information sharing, dissemination and its use to improve decision-making at all levels; Consolidation of partnerships with regional and international agricultural research institutions in the formulation of strategies to improve information management and access and actively promote lessons learned and best practices;

8. Key features of SCP Increasing agricultural production/unit land area; Reducing environmental externalities; Improving resource use efficiency; Increasing the supply of ecosystem services; Improving the profitability of agriculture;

9. Examples of major SCP interventions in SSA Promotion of adoption of Conservation Agriculture Development of SSA CA strategy (harmonising approaches of the concept) Addressing biophysical limitations (soil fertility, water resources, varieties; opportunities for seed systems, IPPM, NRM, agroforestry systems etc).

10. Examples of major interventions in SCPI- contd…. Good example of climate-smart agriculture technologies ( offering adaptation and mitigation opportunities) Facilitating advocacy for socio-economic and policy limitations (knowledge, credit, markets)

11. Examples of major interventions in SSA contd…… Elements of networking in Conservation Agriculture ( the CARWG in Southern Africa) Thematic working groups on research, extension methodologies, input supply, advocacy, resource mobilisation; Broad membership (CGIAR, NGOs, private sector, national CA Task Forces);

12. Examples of major interventions in SSA contd…. Cassava Central, Eastern and Southern Africa (CACESA) Strategic Framework 2009 (FAO and Partners) Comprehensively addressing production challenges to cassava with emphasis on management of Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) and the cassava brown streak virus (CBSV).

13. The Global Plan of Action for PGRFA Objectives: ensure the conservation and promote sustainable use of plant genetic resources to foster development and reduce hunger and poverty, promote the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of plant genetic resources, assist countries and institutions to identify priorities for action, strengthen programmes and enhance institutional capacity.  Supporting component of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources (and essential contributor to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

14.  Major gaps and needs with regards to conservation and management, utilization and building of capacities still exist  Linkages between the Conservation, Breeding and Seed sectors are often weak or broken  New changes and challenges have an impact on PGRFA, including increased food demand, climatic changes and natural degradation SECOND GPA – KEY CHALLENGES Second Global Plan of Action (Second GPA) adopted by FAO council in November 2011

15.  Provides a set of 18 inter-related Priority Activities to enhance the efficiency of PGRFA conservation and improve their utilization  Four main groups of priority activities: 1.In Situ Conservation and Management 2. Ex Situ Conservation 3. Sustainable Use 4. Building Sustainable Institutional and Human Capacities  Comprehensive/flexible framework to adopt supportive policies and programmes for PGRFA  Facilitate implementation of the ITPGRFA and the CBD. ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES – SECOND GPA

16. Examples of on-going initiatives Networking support for the SPGRC to build capacity for developing of the continuum from conservation to sustainable use of PGRFA Development of National Plant Genetic Resources Strategies in 6 countries Support for Harmonisation of the SADC seed technical agreements. Dialogue on seed policy integration

17. Examples of country level initiatives-EC SADP : Swaziland Agricultural Development Programme, crop production intensification, Conservation Agriculture, Seed production activities Mozambique: Boosting agricultural production and market linkages for small-holder farmers to counter soaring food prices

18. Country level initiatives contd… Eritrea Increase agricultural production to overcome the challenge of soaring food prices through the urgent distribution of agricultural inputs Zambia Farmer Input Support Response Initiative (FISRI) to rising food prices ( with CA promotion)

19. Crop Diversification Country level interventions in Zimbabwe Area under CA increasing Better Yields 1.53 tones/Ha (0.7tonnes/Ha)

20. FAO TA delivery- Zimbabwe Line ministries Agriculture, Mechanization and Irrigation Development Lands and Rural Resettlement Health and Child Welfare Environment and Natural Resources Management Water Resources Development and Management UN agencies – UNDP, WFP, UNICEF, WHO, IOM and UNOCHA, UNAIDS, UNWomen NGOs CGIAR (ICRISAT, CIMMYT, IITA) Private sector With technical and back stopping support from HQ, SFS, RAF

21. Thank You