Project 3: Developing and up scaling technologies and innovations for prevention and

control of Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease in ECA

Problem statement and justifcation
Trans-boundary plant pests and diseases afect many of the major food crops, causing signifcant
losses to farmers and threatening food security. The spread of transboundary plant pests and
diseases has increased dramatically in recent years. Globalization, trade and climate change, as well
as reduced resilience in production systems due to decades of agricultural intensifcation, have all
played a part in heightening this challenge. Transboundary plant pests and diseases can easily
spread to several countries and reach epidemic proportions. Outbreaks and upsurges can cause huge
losses to crops and pastures, threatening the livelihoods of vulnerable farmers and the food and
nutrition security of millions at a time. Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease (MLN) has recently gained
importance in the ECA region. MLND disease is caused by a combination of viruses, the main ones
being the Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus (MCMV) and any of the cereal viruses in the Potyviridae
group such as Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV), Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus (MDMV), or Wheat
Streak Mosaic Virus (WSMV). However, in Rwanda, it has been established that the disease is
caused by the Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus (MCMV).
The impact of the disease is becoming massive especially at the household level for smallholder
farmers where there can be total crop loss. The disease, frst spotted in Kenya in September 2011,
has since been reported in Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan and Rwanda. MLND disease is so
devastating that in 2012, it afected 77,100 ha in Kenya, translating into an estimated loss of 1.4
million bags of Maize valued at Kshs 4.4 billion (USD 52 million). Therefore, if it is not put under
check, the food security situation of the region will be compromised. In Tanzania, eight of the twenty
major maize growing regions are afected while in Uganda, 8 districts have so far been afected. An
ecological analysis done by ASARECA shows that all Eastern Africa countries are susceptible to
MLND, with majority of hotspots located in the humid and sub-humid central and eastern Africa.
Future climate change predictions show that Eastern Africa countries will remain hotspots (Fig 1).
The implication is that if interventions to curtail the spread of the disease are initiated, MLND will
rapidly ravage much of ECA and the region could potentially be a source of inoculum for spread of
the disease to other parts of Africa.
ASARECA is very cognizant of the importance of this
disease and the potential impact it can have on the
livelihood millions of people who depend on the crop in
the region. ASARECA aims to support research and
interventions that seek to minimize losses due to MLN.
In August 2013, ASARECA convened a regional
stakeholder meeting in Nairobi to develop a strategy for
MLN. The strategy, outlines an approach that confers
seamless integration of interventions against MLN
namely diagnostics and epidemiology; breeding for MLN
resistance; MLN agronomic management options;
phytosanitary measures and regulations; understanding
the socio-economic impact of the disease; communication,
information and knowledge management; and capacity
enhancement. In 2014, focus will be on development, validation and upscaling of gender responsive
technologies, innovations and management practices for surveillance and control of MLN. Key
interventions will target screening of varieties and testing management practices to cope with MLN;
improved regional early warning and disease surveillance; development of diagnostic tools including
use of biotechnology and traditional technologies; and building functional public-private
partnerships for the control of MLN.
Objectives
The following objectives are anticipated to guide the project implementation team in addressing the
above-mentioned issues.
1. Enhance the generation of varieties and gender responsive management technologies and
innovations for management of MLN.
2. Enhance the validation and scaling out of gender responsive MLN Management options
3. Strengthen the regional capacity for control of MLN.
4. Facilitate development and harmonization of policies to prevent transboundary spread of
MLN.
5. Enhance the utilization of knowledge and information on MLN.
Activities
The following broad activities will be implemented to fulfll the above objectives. The lead
programme in each case is shown in the parenthesis.
1. Conduct studies on the epidemiology, ecology, environmental, economic and social factors
underlying the prevalence of MLN (SCP).
2. Screen varieties and develop gender responsive technologies and innovations for
management of MLN (SCP and AGROBIO).
3. Validate and scale out gender responsive options for the management of MLN (SCP).
4. Develop diagnostic tools for detection of MLN including use of biotechnology and traditional
tools (SCP and AGROBIO).
5. Build regional capacity for early warning, surveillance and control of MLN (SCP and PCD).
6. Strengthen phytosanitary measures and regulations for management of transboundary
spread of MLN (SCP and PAAP).
7. Disseminate knowledge and information on management of MLN (SCP and CPR).
Participating programmes: STAPLES, AGROBIO, PAAP, PCD, CPR
Project duration: 4 years
Geographical coverage: Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, S. Sudan
Budget for 2014: US$ 170,000 Budget for OP-II: US$ 2,000,000
Activities Support
Program/
Unit
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Total
Budget
Conduct studies on the epidemiology,
ecology, environmental, economic and
social factors underlying the prevalence
of MLN
Staples 15,000 15,000 - - - 30,000
Screen varieties and develop gender
responsive technologies and innovations
for management of MLN
Staples
Agrobio
35,000 110,000 110,000 115,000 65,000 435,000
Validate and scale out gender responsive Staples 55,000 135,000 185,000 200,000 175,000 750,000
options for the management of MLN
Develop diagnostic tools for detection of
MLN including use of biotechnology and
traditional tools
Staples
Agrobio
15,000 30,000 35,000 30,000 15,000 125,000
Build regional capacity for early
warning, surveillance and control of
MLN
Staples
PCD
30,000 65,000 80,000 55,000 40,000 270,000
Strengthen phytosanitary measures and
regulations for management of
transboundary spread of MLN
Staples
supported
by PAAP
10,000 35,000 55,000 65,000 45,000 210,000
Disseminate knowledge and information
on management of MLN
Staples
CPR
10,000 40,000 45,000 50,000 35,000 180,000
Sub-total 170,000 430,000 510,000 515,000 375,000 2,000,000
Project 16: Development of smallholder wheat production systems for ECA
Problem statement and justifcation
In the Eastern and Central Africa (ECA) sub region, wheat is a high value commodity crop whose
demand has been increasing faster than any other major food grain. This largely is a consequence of
population growth, urbanization, rising incomes, and dietary diversifcation. Given the wide gap
between domestic production and consumption, the defcit is met through imports. Given population
projections alone, wheat consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to increase at an even
faster rate in the coming decades: 670,000 MT to 1.12 million MT per year between 2010 and 2020,
and 770,000 MT to 1.28 million MT per year between 2020 and 2030. Between 2000-2009, ECA
countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya and Sudan imported 4.9%, 8.25 and 10.7 % respectively, of their
wheat demand. This is not sustainable due to supply shocks and disruptions, price spikes and
volatility that characterize the global wheat trade. The drain of foreign exchange to wheat imports
also continues to rise annually, putting a strain on the fragile economies in ECA, which are still
dependent on foreign aid. Consequently, this has placed wheat-importing countries at greater risk of
food insecurity, and consequently poverty. In the short run, wheat imports to bridge the gap between
domestic supply and demand may be unavoidable, but, in the long run, it is crucial for SSA
countries, to explore opportunities for meeting more of their domestic wheat needs through
developing their own production capability.
In the ASARECA countries of Burundi and Rwanda, wheat or wheat products are major staple foods
for the population. In Rwanda alone, the rate of growth in wheat consumption is among the highest
in the sub-region at 10% per annum. However, this ever-increasing demand for wheat and wheat
products is not commensurate with the local production capabilities. The smallholder farmers who
occupy the majority of land and produce most of the crop report low productivity stemming from the
lack of access to markets and technology, credit, uncertain prices, unsupportive governmental
policies. This has been compounded by the volatile food and energy prices, and the global fnancial
crisis. It is therefore imperative that eforts be put in place to address these challenges and enhance
productivity besides ensuring the stability of wheat agricultural systems. Paradoxically, recent
assessments by CIMMYT indicate high potential for proftable, rain-fed wheat production by
smallholders in Burundi and Rwanda. This, however, has to consider integrating wheat into existing
farming systems without crowding out other crops and livelihood options. Further investigation is
required on how this may be done within the existing farming systems and identifying the enabling
conditions. This requires concerted eforts in transforming attitudes, practices and policies among
stakeholders, creation of responsive and conducive enabling environments for production and
marketing, upgrading and promoting value chains, and establishment of strong, multidisciplinary,
action-based research teams. This would ultimately promote domestic wheat production and
revitalize smallholder systems by addressing the inherent constraints to harnessing the system
strategic opportunities.
This project therefore proposes to attempt to enhance the sustainability of wheat-based systems in
Burundi and Rwanda by producing evidence on the potential for wheat production and piloting
proven technologies, innovations and management practices for sustainable productivity of
smallholder wheat systems in the two countries. This will build on the current eforts of the
ASARECA supported Wheat Regional Centre of Excellence of the Eastern Africa Agricultural
Productivity Programme (EAAPP) and the ICARDA led SARD-SC project, both operating in the
ASARECA sub-region
Objectives
The following objectives are anticipated to guide the project implementation team in addressing the
above-mentioned issues.
1. Characterize and understand major constraints and opportunities in enhancing/increasing
smallholder wheat production systems in the high potential areas of ESA and associated
value chains.
2. Pilot best bet technologies, innovations and management practices adaptable to smallholder
wheat production systems and value chains in ECA.
3. Strengthen the capacity of stakeholders for utilization of proven improved technologies,
innovations and management practices for smallholder wheat production systems and value
chains.
4. Enhance the availability and sharing of knowledge and information on sustainable and
proftable (competitive) smallholder wheat production systems.
5. Across the 4 objectives, ensure knowledge fow and learning from other ongoing R&D
projects in the target region (e.g. small-scale mechanization, sustainable intensifcation in
smallholder systems, dissemination of improved varieties, value chain development for
staple crops, etc.)
Activities
The following broad activities will be implemented to fulfll the above objectives. The lead
programme in each case is shown in the parenthesis.
1. Conduct value chain studies on small-holder wheat production systems in the ECA region
(SCP and PAAP).
2. Validate technologies and innovations for enhancing sustainable productivity of small-holder
wheat systems is high potential areas of ECA (SCP).
3. Establish pilot sites for demonstration of innovations and technologies for small-holder
wheat production in high potential areas (SCP).
4. Conduct intensive practical training courses of various wheat professionals (researchers,
extension agents, farmers, potential seed producers) in technology application and adoption
in the two countries (PCD and SCP).
5. Analysis of policies, regulations and standards for enhancing productivity of small-holder
wheat production systems (PAAP and SCP).
6. Package and disseminate knowledge and information on small-holder wheat production
technologies and innovations (SCP and CPR).
Participating programmes: Staples, PAAP, KMUS, PCD, CPR
Project duration: 3 years
Geographical coverage: Burundi, Rwanda
Budget for 2014: US$ 80,000 Budget for OP-II: US$ 300,000
Activities Support
Program/
Unit
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Total
Budget
Conduct value chain studies on small holder
wheat production systems in the ECA
region
Staples
PAAP
30,000 15,000 - - - 45,000
Develop technologies and innovations for
enhancing sustainable productivity of
smallholder wheat systems is high potential
areas of ECA
Staples 15,000 25,000 20,000 - - 60,000
Establish pilot sites for demonstration of
innovations and technologies for small
holder wheat production in high potential
areas
Staples 15,000 40,000 35,000 - - 90,000
Conduct intensive practical training courses
of various wheat professionals (researchers,
extension agents, farmers, potential seed
producers) in technology application and
adoption in the two countries
PCD
Staples
10,000 15,000 15,000 - - 40,000
Analysis of policies, regulations and
standards for enhancing productivity of
small holder wheat production systems
PAAP
Staples
5,000 20,000 15,000 - - 40,000
Package and disseminate knowledge and
information on small holder wheat
production technologies and innovations
Staples and
CPR
5,000 10,000 10,000 - - 25,000
Sub-total 80,000 125,000 95,000 - - 300,000