The document proposes a new mega program focused on sustainably increasing productivity and consumption of livestock and fish in developing countries. It would do this by targeting interventions in select high-potential value chains through partnerships between research, development, and private sector actors. The goal is to generate measurable local impact, facilitate regional scaling, and produce technologies and learnings applicable more widely to benefit international development efforts. Key questions raised include whether this focus area and approach can achieve impact at scale, attract necessary partnerships, and balance local and global benefits.

1. Shaping a new CGIAR Mega Program on Livestock and Fish FARA African Agricultural Science Week, Ouagadougou 20 July 2010

9. From Piece-meal…. Research for Technology Generation Commodity X in Country Y Commodity R in Country S Commodity A in Country B Consumers Consumers Consumers

12. Source: IFAD

23. Overarching Goal Sustainably increase productivity of small-scale livestock and fish systems so as to increase availability and affordability of ASFs for poor consumers and, in doing so, to reduce poverty through greater participation by the poor along ASF value chains.

24. The enduring productivity gap in poor country small-scale livestock and aquaculture systems can be sustainably reduced through new ways of working in which partnerships between research, development and private sector actors stimulate gender-equitable innovation in selected pro-poor value chains; enable uptake of existing appropriate technologies; and identify and communicate demand for new priority technologies that exploit scientific advances. Reducing the productivity gap for livestock and fish will lead to increased access to ASFs by the poor and increased incomes for producers and other value chain actors, thereby improving nutrition and food security. Our Proposition

26. The overall concept Question 1: The proposed approach commits the CG Centers to achieve impact by catalyzing development and research interventions in a few carefully selected value chains in a few countries. Is it an effective approach for the CGIAR to take? What are the risks of such an approach, and how could we manage those risks?

27. The overall concept Question 2: This approach assumes that CGIAR Centers can act as catalysts to attract new or align existing development investments (including private sector). It also assumes that different research partners will work together to support development partners as they implement major development interventions in the targeted meat, milk and fish value chains. Can CGIAR Centers offer sufficient added value for development donors and actors, including the private sector, to make this approach work? What we would need to do for this to happen in an effective, sustainable and equitable manner?

28. The overall concept Question 3: Is it reasonable to expect that the focus on working to transform specific value chains in specific places will generate measurable local impact AND facilitate subsequent scaling out regionally AND generate technologies and research findings that will benefit international development efforts more widely? What strategies could we use to ensure the lessons from the selected value chains in the selected countries benefit more producers and consumers more widely?

29. Selecting focus value chains Question #1 : The process used for deciding where to focus the Mega Program efforts is sufficiently reasoned and evidence-based. Please comment on how the process could be improved or further strengthened.

30. Selecting focus value chains Question #2: The criteria used for deciding where to focus the Mega Program are the most essential and relevant. Please comment on any specific criterion you feel is non-essential or is missing.

31. Selecting focus value chains Question #3: Successful impact from focussing in a selected value chain in one country can be scaled out to spill the impact over into other countries of the region. Please comment on what would need to be done to enhance spillover impacts.

32. Selecting focus value chains Question #4: Addressing the constraints to value chain development in one country does not limit the ability to generate research results and technologies applicable in other countries. Please comment on what can be done to strengthen such benefits.

33. Engaging with Partners Question: What is the best way for the CG Centres to engage with the range of partners who will be key to success of this approach? National research actors Development agencies & NGOs: Private sector at local, national, international level Regional research coordination bodies National and regional policy makers