1. FAO-Netherlands Partnership Programme Food Security Food Security Forestry Forestry Agrobiodiversity Agrobiodiversity

2. Background First phase completed First phase completed assessment of utilized aquatic biodiversity in rice-based ecosystems: Cambodia, China, Laos, Vietnam assessment of utilized aquatic biodiversity in rice-based ecosystems: Cambodia, China, Laos, Vietnam 2 nd phase – donor requested to focus on few countries 2 nd phase – donor requested to focus on few countries SE-Asia: Laos, S-Asia: India, East Africa: Kenya, West Africa: Mali SE-Asia: Laos, S-Asia: India, East Africa: Kenya, West Africa: Mali

3. Mali Development of national policies and strategies for integrated community- based aquaculture and water resources management in floodplains in Mali Development of national policies and strategies for integrated community- based aquaculture and water resources management in floodplains in Mali

4. Background Inland fisheries are stagnating or declining in West Africa, which is a real concern for food security. Inland fisheries are stagnating or declining in West Africa, which is a real concern for food security. Fish can be stocked in water managed areas and cultured communally during the flood season, increasing fish production significantly over the traditional catch and allowing the staggering of harvests over time. Fish can be stocked in water managed areas and cultured communally during the flood season, increasing fish production significantly over the traditional catch and allowing the staggering of harvests over time.

5. Background However, wild fish, composed of small indigenous species, are also being captured in seasonal flooded rice fields and other hydro- agricultural environments. These fish are important sources of protein and income for the rural poor However, wild fish, composed of small indigenous species, are also being captured in seasonal flooded rice fields and other hydro- agricultural environments. These fish are important sources of protein and income for the rural poor proposed options for enhancing food production from fish in managed aquatic systems will equally ensure the preservation of this vital aquatic biodiversity during the culture season proposed options for enhancing food production from fish in managed aquatic systems will equally ensure the preservation of this vital aquatic biodiversity during the culture season

6. Background Activities on integrated aquaculture and water resources management will take advantage of existing networks of Farmers Field Schools (FFS) Activities on integrated aquaculture and water resources management will take advantage of existing networks of Farmers Field Schools (FFS) proposed activities will create a real synergy between IPM and IIA, further encouraging farmers to reduce or eliminate toxic pesticide use for an increased protection of water resource quality and enhanced biodiversity proposed activities will create a real synergy between IPM and IIA, further encouraging farmers to reduce or eliminate toxic pesticide use for an increased protection of water resource quality and enhanced biodiversity

7. General objective To contribute to enhanced agricultural and aquatic biodiversity in rice- cum-fish production systems in the inner delta of the Niger River by 2007. To contribute to enhanced agricultural and aquatic biodiversity in rice- cum-fish production systems in the inner delta of the Niger River by 2007.

8. Specific objectives Improved knowledge on actual contribution of agricultural and aquatic biodiversity in support of human well- being and preservation of aquatic ecosystems in floodplains. Improved knowledge on actual contribution of agricultural and aquatic biodiversity in support of human well- being and preservation of aquatic ecosystems in floodplains. Improved knowledge on water productivity in floodplains. Improved knowledge on water productivity in floodplains.

9. Specific objectives Capacity building on improved agriculture, aquaculture and irrigation practices for enhanced agricultural and aquatic biodiversity in floodplains at local and national levels. Capacity building on improved agriculture, aquaculture and irrigation practices for enhanced agricultural and aquatic biodiversity in floodplains at local and national levels. Legal and institutional frameworks strengthened for enhancing and accessing agricultural and aquatic biodiversity in floodplains. Legal and institutional frameworks strengthened for enhancing and accessing agricultural and aquatic biodiversity in floodplains.