Sustainable Intensification of Ethiopian Highlands Systems New strategic focus and realignments in USAID’s Research for Development investments Rob Bertram Office of Agricultural Research and Policy Bureau for Food Security U.S. Agency for International Development January 30, Sustainable Intensification of Cereal-based Farming Systems in the Ethiopian Highlands: Project Design Workshop, Addis Ababa, 30 January-2 February 2012

Accelerate inclusive agriculture sector growth Reduce child undernutrition Include women Integrate climate change and environment Comprehensive strategy includes attention to the entire value chain and enabling environment: including research, extension, information and policy analyses and seeks to leverage strategic partnerships. Feed the Future Goals Sources: Photoshare w/ permission

Source: Stan Wood et al. (IFPRI) Sub-national poverty ca (<$1.25/day) Number Prevalence Defining FTF Research Priorities Using poverty & nutrition lens: Identify key production systems where hunger and poverty are significant…

FTF Research Strategy Analysis Outcomes Advancing the productivity frontier Transforming key production systems Improving nutrition and food safety Three research themes:

Indo-gangetic Plains Sudano – Sahelian East and Southern Africa Maize Mixed Ethiopian Highlands FTF Research Strategy Analysis Outcomes

Major Long Term Research Areas 1. Heat and drought tolerant, climate adapted cereals 2. Advanced technology solutions for animal and plant diseases 3. Legume productivity for improved nutrition and household incomes Application of Advanced Research for Productivity and Resilience - Policy, social science and nutrition research (e.g. utilization of food) - Increased availability and access to high quality foods for improved diets (animal sourced food, horticulture, aflatoxin control) South Asia Indo- Gangetic Plains Bangladesh Maize-mixed East & Southern Africa Tanzania Sudano-Sahelian West Africa Ghana Ethiopian Highlands Ethiopia Longer-Term Investments Near-Term Impact Deep Dive Countries Research Strategy Implementation by USAID 6 Sustainable Intensification of Key Production Systems Complement Mission investments in select value chains Integrate component technologies, policies, social sciences, nutrition

What? Sustainable Intensification Requires component technologies Where? Specific focal agroecologies Spillovers to other region How? Aligning partnerships National and regional CAADP plans US Universities (e.g., CRSPs) International Ag Research Centers National Agriculture Research Systems Development donors NGOs Private Sector – local and international FTF Research Strategy Analysis Outcomes

Increasing productivity while reducing risk: Improve water productivity and water use efficiency Increase nutrient use efficiency through biology and mgmt. practices Minimize negative environmental impacts, enhance resource base Increase adaptation and reduce GHG emissions per unit productivity Integrate best component technologies for system productivity Work in farmer context, integrating local knowledge/perspectives Sustainable Intensification - Interventions

FTF Research Strategy Analysis Outcomes Increase above- and below-ground biomass to improve soil health & system productivity (e.g., fertilizer trees, legumes, N/P fertilization) Diversification (crop & enterprise) for greater resilience, productivity, and nutrition Integrating livestock and mechanization into conservation agriculture Improve water productivity to reduce risk & enhance investment The challenge of transforming systems: beyond tradeoffs ?

FTF Research Strategy Analysis Outcomes Alignment with CAADP priorities Coordination with other donors Alignment with USAID mission investments Need for focused targets & metrics The Impact Imperative: What can we do now? An R&D model (coordination, alignment, and integration with impact) that is scalable and adaptable The bigger picture