CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH * JUNE 2000 CHARTING THE CGIAR'S FUTURE CGIAR CHAIRMN A NEW- VISION FOR 2010 SERAGELDIN TO Mid-Term Meeting, Dresden, May 21-26 STEP DOWN JULY 10 The historic city of Dresden, capital of MTM2000 will be remembered as a the Free State of Saxony, Germany-a city very successful meeting with results that World Bank Vice President Ian that was almost completely razed in will mark the CGIAR's future course for Johnson named successor World War II and has since risen and years to come. Much of the meeting's Ismail Serageldin, the seventh become synonymous with renewal and success was due to the excellent arrange- chairman of the CGIAR, ends his rebirth-hosted the CGIARs Mid-Term ments made by the hosts, the German World Bank vice presidency and, Meeting (MTM) 2000. The Honorable Federal Ministry of Economic Coopera- thereby, his CGIAR chairmanship on Kurt Biedenkopf, Prime Minister of the tion and Development. Top item on the July 10. He will be succeeded by Ian Free State of Saxony, welcomed the MTM2000 agenda was a review of ideas Johnson, the Bank's Vice President for CGIAR, and the and proposals developed by the Technical Environmentally an4Socially Secretary of State Advisory Committee (TAC) to formulate Sustainable Development. Mr. Erich Stather, a new vision and strategy for the CGIAR. Announcing the changes at the '7r . addressed the At International Centers Week 1999, May 2000 Mid-Term Meeting of the inaugural session. the CGIAR requested TAC to embark on CGIAR in Dresden, Serageldin said: a broad, open, consultative and participa- "I am delighted that Ian Johnson, a AGRICULTURAL tory exercise to redefine the CG IAs respeCtedRcolleague andRfriend,will RESEARCH FOR vision and strategy for 2010. The speed ceague andifried DEVELOPMENT outcome a far-reaching paper-A Foode. an is a diinguished - outome, farreachng pper-AFoodalumnus of three u~niversities: Wales, DRESDEN 2000 Continued on page 2 Sussex and Harvard. His experience includes service with UNICEF, the' British Govemment, and the Bank. He Was one of the creators of today's GEE GLOBAL FORUM CONVENES He is a strong environmentalist whose expertise will greatly benefit the This year's MTM2000 featured the first GFAR Chairman R.S. Paroda natural resource management efforts of Global Forum on Agricultural Research welcomed the gathering, and introduced CGIAR centers. He is, as well, deeply (GFAR)'which attracted more than 500 keynote speakers such as Mrs. Uschi Eid, committed to nurturing partnerships. I representatives of national agricultural Parliamentary State Secretary of Germany, am sure you will find in him a most research systems, regional and sub- Mr. Uwe Werblow of the European effective and caring Chairman. You can regional organizations, universities, Union, Dr. Klemens van de Sand of the be assured that we will manage a seam- advanced research institutions, non- Intemational Fund for Agricultural less transition." governmental organizations, the private Development (IFAD), and Dr. Ismail sector, farmers' organizations, multilateral Serageldin, Chairman, CGIAR. 5erageldin began his chairmanship at the end of 1993, when the CGIAR and donor agencies, and international A key outcome of GFAR2000 was the agricultural research centers. Aontinued on page 4 Continued on page 3 CGIAR NEWS 4 PAGE I CGIAR'S FUTURE C)ntuInuedfrom page 1 Secure \World for All: Toward a New Vision needs of a changing world-it must * Policy research will expand to include and Strategy for the CGIAR-outlines adapt, transform, and renew itself. regional priority setti.ng 'and protecting future directions for the CGIAR system. The CGIAR has a track record of the interests of the poor; success in dealing with problems of * Enhancing national agricultural Momentous changes in the poverty, hunger, and environmental research systems' capacities with a CGIAR's operating environment protection. CGIAR's science-based focus on delivery of international provide enormous opportunities. approaches have worked well, but more public goods. Teasciences,' needs to be done to tackle the problems The revolutio inbioof less favorable, farming environments, quantum advances in inforination and quamttntumcadvantcshnologinf grmtiong improving the quality of foods consumed Key Elements communication technologies, growing by the poor, -and at the same time vy e e i role of the private sector and changing by th por -an at th sam tie roerrai of thepivatelsectualpoperta c gingh aensuring that productivity targets are of, CGIAR s New terrain of intellectual property rights are maintained. The new vision will help V a Strateg all calling for new ways of doing business. CGIAR to take stock of these challenges Sion and trategy It is a truism that progress is hostage to a r innovation, and in order for the CGIAR to and re-position Itself to address them Vision: A food secure world for all. retain its innovative edge-and meet the more forcefully Goal: To reduce poverty, hunger and Commenting on the myriad changes malnutrition by sustainably increasing the confronting the CGIAR, Chairinan Ismail productivity of resources in agriculture, Serageldin said "The CGIAR faces a future forestry and fisheries. I N T H I 'S I S S U E of make-or-break challenges and make-or- Mission: To achieve sustainable food I Charting CGIAR's Future - break opportunities. The time has come security and reduce poverty in developing Charting CGIAR's Future ~~~~~~~~~~~~count ries.through scientific r6s.earch and A New Vision for 2010 for action, once again. It is time not research-related activities in the fields of 1 CGIAR Chairman Steps Down simply for renewal but, truly, for rebirth." agriculiure, forestry, fisheries, policy, and 1 Global Forurn Convenes 'TACs visioning exercise, led by environmnent 3 Evenson Study Concludes CGIAR Chairman Emil Javier rests on a two- To realize this mission, a strategy has Impact on' Crop Improvement prne taey otnet ul ncomprising seven elements 'was adopted: 5 Generous Donation and TIGR-ILRI pronged strategy: contiue to buld on Partnership to Tackle Cattle Disease past successes, but develop a sharper * sharply focusing CGIAR system activi- 6 Software to Help Determine Future focus on reaching the poor living in less- ties on the reduction of poverty, hunger, Avenues for Hard Wheat Breeding favored environments that were bypassed and malnutrition in developing countries; 7 New Book on Agricultural by the Green Revolution. The members u bringing modern science to bear on diffi- Biotechnology Published, adopted the principles of the far reaching cult productivity and institutional problems 8 Scientists Spearhead Efforts to vision developed by TAC by endorsing that have proven intractable in the past; Savb African Medicinal Tree the new strategy (see box). In addition, 10 Announcements the members reaffirmed TAC's definition * giving highest priority to the research * Syria Formalizes Membership of the CGIARes "heartland" and the impli- Aeds of South Asp a ar d sub-Saharan * Dr. Mui,diyarso Appointed cations for CGIAR's futLpre programs and And * Third Meeting of the CGIAR activities. and growing, Program for CAC a . adopting a regional approach to research * Epcot Center Hosts "Gardening t Germplasm conservation will remain planning n order to better address the for Food Around the World" the core, principal activity for the long het eroe o natur ofpoerty; * Improved Crops on Display in term; Washington, DC a . diversifying and closely integrating its 1.1 * New Headquarters for ICLARM : Germplasm improvement will continue partnerships; to be an important activity over the IITop N t Agnd next 10-15 years, particularly breeding e adopting, under certain circumstances, a TRRIpWiNsoAwardh for those traits that can help the poor: task force approach to the organization * IRRI wins Award and delivery of CGIAR products and * IRRI Director Honored ' Integrated natural resources manage- services; ment research will serve as a Issued by the CGIAR secretariaLt evn sactls,ognzr ori 1818 H Street! NW, washington DC, 20433. USA framework for all CG research and * serving as a catalyst, organizer, coordi- Ter: (1-202) 473-8(SO * Fax: (1-202) 473-8110 - focus more on increasing under- nator and integrator of global efforts on E-mail: cgiar@cgiar.org standing of biophysical and key opportunities and constraints in Design: Iseman Creative. Inc. c agriculture, forestry and fisheries. socPo-economic processes; PAGE 2 CGIAR NEWS CGIAR'S IMPRESSIVE IMPACTS ON At MTM2000, seven working groups IMPROVEMENT OF FOOD CROPS were formed to brainstorm on key issues: genetic resources, intellectual property Increasing the availability of food, higher but for the productivity increases rights and the private sector, new science ensuring that agricultural practices are attributable to CGIAR research. and geographic and ecoregional issues, benign, and reducing the burden of thereby freeing public resources; mode of operation, finance,'process, and poverty are criteria by which the effective- * Higher yielding crops with better other issues. These working groups helped ness of agricultural research and nutritional value developed by CGIAR facilitate rich and diverse discussions. development must be measpred. These scientists reduced malnutrition rates TAC is launching an electronic confer- themes were the topic of a special among children by 1.5 to 2 percent; ence to seek ideas and proposals from all seminar at MTM2000, presented by * Without the CGlAR-NARS partner- CGIAR stakeholders on'the new vision and Robert Evenson of Yale University ship, the number of improved crop implications for structure and govemance. This milestone study - Crop Ge'netic varieties released would have been 45 In the fall, the Center Directors and Board Improvement and A,gricultural Development to 60 percent less; Chairs will review drafts and develop - was introduced by Hans Gregersen and options, and a new synthesis group will commissioned by the TAC Standing Panel * CGIAR parent lines were present in convene to integrate all contributions. on Impact Assessment. It was conducted 33 percent of NARS varieties. ICW2000 will offer an opportunity for the jointly wit4 scientists from the CGIAR The major conclusion of the Evenson members to take decisions. and national agricultural research systems study - consumers benefit most and poor The members also discussed the paper and took an in-depth look at the impact consumers benefit most of all from agricul- 'A longer termfinancing strategyfor the of CGIAR research on improvement of tural research - reinforces the view that CGIAR" prepared by The Conservation crop geTmplasm. The results are very productivity increases in staple crops have Company under tbe auspices of a - encouraging confirming the value and direct, beneficial impacts on reducing working group constituted by Alex beneficial impacts of agricultural research. hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. Indeed, McCalla, former chairman of the CGIAR For example: the provisional findings support the propo- Finance Committee. While highlighting * Were it not for CGIAR research, prices sition that CGIAR research investments that official development assistance, for food crops would have been 27 to currently at 90 percent, remains and will 41 percent higher over the past 25 the portfolio and that these impacts have continue to remain an essential element years, with the result that poverty and been large because of the synergistic part- of support for the CGIAR, the report calls hunger would have&increased; nership with natonal programs. for a broader effort to draw more * On average, food imports by developing A fuller repqrt will be available later in Southern country members, the need to countries would have been 9 percent the fall for discussion at ICW2000. 6 tap into non-ODA sources in non-agricul- ture sectors (environment, population, health and nutrition), and reaching deeper and wider to private and corporate GLOBAL FORUMN' Continuedfrom page I philanthropy The members unanimouslyT ' endorsement of the Dresden Declaration, knowledge and innovations, both agreed with the need to create a global "Toward a Global System for Agricultural modern and traditional. public awareness effort, and endorsed the Research for Development." This global concept of a CGIARJFuture Harvest ReerhfrDvlpet"Tl lblGFAR participants also endorsed the Foundation. In introductory remarks, Mr. vision calls for development of an agricul- ",Declaration on Plant Genetic Resources for Foundat e nirasrodutoty recmrk Mr ture, including crops, livestock, fisheries Food and Agriculture," which strongly MCalla empnastized tn ththe recommen- and forestry, that is: supports the ongoing revision of FAO's dations contained in the paper represented a bold step forward in * sustainable, equitable, profitable and Intemational Undertaking on Plant Genetic creating new, system-wide fund raising competitive, in the context of commu- Resources as well as the Leipzig Global capacities, but that the success of these nity centered rural development, fully Plan of Action. The declaration encourages efforts will need support from key recognizing the role of women; countries "that are considering or reviewing constituencies of the CGIAR, particularly * diversified and flexible to cope with legislation on intellectual property to do developing countries. heterogeneous and rapidly changing so in such a way that they.do not restrict MTM2000 meeting reports are avail- agro-ecological and socio-economic the exchange, transfer and'use of able at www.cgiar.org. environments with an important role germplasm in crop improvement t www.cgiarorg. 4, ~for the farm family;, and programs. 0 * responsive to multiple sources of CGIAR NEWS PAGE 3 FAREWELL Continued from page I1 transparency, effectiveness, and remain true to our mission. We must efficiency. An evaluation culture is haEve the courage to seize the future and faced mtiltiple crises. Under his leader- growing. bend it to our will. We must fashion ship, the CGIAR faced down the crises out of our dreams f6r better tomorrows with n 18-onth rogra of rnewal a Partnerships have been inaiugurated with an 18-month program of renewal / at ali levels of the System. Nothing the realities of a better world for our designed to "clarify its vision, refocus children and our children's children." its eserchageda' crategrekte 'oen- makes this more clear than the its research agenda, create greater open- G.obal Forum for Agricultural The CGIAR, Serageldin added, "has nes and transparenctrengthen-Reseavch (GFAR) from which we proved itself to be an outstanding partnerships, ensure ItS effciency and partnerships, ensure its efficiency and have recently emerged. GFAR, which instrument of progress. Its combination effectiveness, and tighten its gover- - came into being through the influ- of high-level science with grassroots- nance and operations." ence of the CGIAR as catalyst, is a level impact has been unique and The renewal program and other forum that combines all the "players" exemplary. Science revels in replenish- initiatlves taken under Serageldin's involved, from the perceptive ment. New knowledge replenishes what ladership have resulted in defining . farmer in her field to the inquisitive is losing its potency New formns,and changes that include the following: scientists at her laboratory bench. It functions replenish the old. The * The centrality of agriculture and is a unique institution. greatest rewards await those who have agricultural research in combating u The CGIAR has, meanwhile, adopted the courage to undertake the most diffi- the nexus of problems associated most of the recommendations from cult transformations. So, as you prepare with poverty, hunger, and environ- the Third System Review, including to face the future, I entreat you: mental degradation was reaffirmed an emphasis on integrated germ- * Reach out boldly and wisely to by the international community at plasm management and integrated protect and enhance 'the inheritance the Ministerial-level meeting in natural rlesource management. of visionary zeal and boundless Lucerne. Agriculture and rural Serageldin's own assessment is that compassion that has been passed development are today embedded in "the single most significant long-term down from the founders of the most anti-poverty programs. effect of the 1994/95 renewal is the CGIAR. * A magnanimous rescue operation growth of a sense of open-ness," as m Ask yourself whether your actions by the-World Bank combined with manifested in the transformation of the will benefit the men and women of reciprocal efforts from severzal other CGIAR into a fully South-North enter- -today, and sustain the children who CGIAR members saved the CGIAR 'prise. (Currently, twenty-two "country will be the men and women of from financial collapse. Coherent members" of the CGIAR are from the tomorrow. funding mechanisms were developed. South, and tiventy-one from the North. * Send an unequivocal signial to center - * The confidence of center scientists There were none from the South in scientists that you have confidence was restored. A system of awards 1971; and only seven when the renewal in them, that you support them, and for excellence was introduced-to program was launched.) that you will not in any way recognize and nurture the talents of In a.soaring farewell address, compromise their competence or a new generation of young center Serageldin told the CGIAI, at Dresden erode their dedication. scientists and their partners in that they could not be satisfied with * Extend your hand to all the part- national agricultural research "renewal" for they were now challenged ners with whom the ClthAR must systems (NARS). to contemplate "rebirth." The world was work if it is to be truly effective." * The 'research agenda was refocused changing drastically, he said, with "the on the multiple challenges of profound revolutions of ICT and DNA", Serageldin received an emotional increasing and protecting agricultural hving the greatest potential impact on standing ovaton, and the assurance productivity, safeguarding natural the work of the CGIAR. that hls charge to the CGIAR would he resources, and h¢lping to achieve "So," Serageldin commented, 'we people-centered policies for environ- liye in the world of these transforma- The CGIAR is expected to say a *mentally sustainable development. tive technologies and vast global formal farewell to Serageldin at Inter- a Governance mechanisms have been currents. We must seize the momnen- national Centers Week in Octbber 2000, revamped, witha the emiasis on tous opportunities they offer us, but also when Ian Johnson will be at the helm. PAGE 4 s CGIAR NEWS TIGR-ILRI PARTNERSHIP WILL TACKLE EAST COAST FEVER An innovative partnership between isms, provides funding for a significant the Institute for Genomic Research project whose research will lead to (TIGR) and the International Livestock "The significance of vaccines that will eliminate a deadly Research Institute (ILRI) has been disease that is devastating Africarr-coun- strengthened by a $100,000 donation the TIGR-ILRI tries," said Claire M. Fraser, President of from Dr. J. Craig Venter, Chairman of TIGR. "In addition, the ILRI-TIGR TIGR's Board of Trustees and President partnership lies in project to sequence the T. parva genome and Chief Scientific Officer of Celera hugeprovides a good example of cooperation Genomics. its huge potential between a leading U.S. research institute * - s s r s ~~~~~~~~~~~~~and an African-based research center Dr. Venter is among three U.S. to tackle one of the and an Afrin-based r ar cente winners of the prestigious 2000 King. almed at helpnmg to solve a major agri- Faisal International Prize. Upon most destructive cultural problem affecting one-fourth of receiving him King Faisal award, Dr. Venter announced he will,donate the cattle diseases Isnmail Serageldin, World Bank Vice cash prize to the joint TIGR-ILRI project Africa's 'President and CGIAR Chairman, said to help fund sequencing of the genome besieging Africa "This is an age in which the-marvels of of the parasite Theilc-ia parva, which st f science are exploding in myriad ways. causes the cattle disease East Coast psoore armers, The challenge is to harness these scien- Fever (ECF). and tific breakthroughs to serve the poor in ad hthe possibility developing countries. The significance *The genome sequence produced by httisrsac of the TIGR-ILRI partnership lies in its TIGR will be applied tolthe develop- that this researchpote to pursoiallevant ment of a vaccine to prevent ECF, which i h huge potential to spur socially-relevant is a fatal -disease of cattle and is wide- .w ll have spillover science by tackling one of the most. spread in eastern and central Africa. . " destructive cattle diseases besieging Transmitted by ticks, the disease is benefits for Africa's poorest farmers, and the possi- caused by infection with the single- f 'l h bility that this research will have celled protozoan T pareva, a parasite rJalaria r spillover benefits for malaria research." that, once it has entered the blood- This project also provides opportuni- stream, invades the white blood cells of -Ismail Serageldin ties for scientific exchanges and for the host and causes the infected cells to training of African scientists in multiply like cancer cells. Infected cattle genomics research and bioinformatics. die within 2-4 weeks from a leukemia- Several such exchanges have already like disease. ECF causes an estimated taken place with funding awarded by $200 million in economic losses per the U.S. Agencv for International year. Loss of cattle to ECF is particularly Development (USAID). TIGR and ILRI devastating for small farmers for whom also arc collaborating with Chihiro -cattle represent a majoTr proportion of Sugimoto of Hokkaido University in -family wealth and nutrition. Japan who studies another species of "Dr. Venters generous donation, t Theilcria that is found in Asia. z which stems from his vision to find a www.cgiar.org/ilri or cure for disease-causing microorgan- .,4 . www.tigr.org Bovine death due,to East Coast Fever CGIAR NEWS '& PAGE 5 SOFTWARE TO ANSWER HARD WHEAT i BREEDING QUESTIONS CIMMYT and the University of ical, system control, and other modules of testing. It might make more sense to Queensland (Brisbane, Australia) are that interact to simulate farming systems. apply the technology later in the breeding collaborating in developing a sophisticated The module will be endowed with process, when the population of experi- new computer tool that will assist wheat knowledge of genetic and other types of mental wheats has been pared down to a breeders in making some of the toughest relationships among wheats, plus their more manageable and, hence, more decisiolis they face. QU-GENE, a genetic performance. One of most important appli- economical number. But by that time the simulation software package, can integrate cations will be to figure out the combined gene of interest may have been bred out of large amounts of data from widely different effects of several different genes. "There is the population, or nearly so. The module sources, process them in many ways, and a synergy at work here that sometimes will help to get a better idea of how the produce realistic scenarios that the breeder causes 1 + 1 to equal much more than 2, two scenarios would play out, and then can draw on. make a more informed dlecision. and sometimes less," explains van Ginkel. "A trained geneticist can picture the Positive synergy can produce huge genetic The module will give breeders not just, potential effect of four or five genes, gains,,but until now, except for their expe- one possible scenario in which to run tests, maximum," savs Maarten van Ginkel, rience and intuition, breeders have had no but would generate different versions of an bread wheat breeder at CIMMYT. "This means of predicting how and when this artificial environment to simulate condi- simulation module will go much further. It synergy would happen. tions in different years and run, say, 100 will take the information needed and come breeding cycles' to see what the outcome up with alternative selection scenarios and would be. the crosses that would produce it. It may In North Africa, for example, four out e'en indicate when and where to employ "The simulator could help of five years are dry, Farners sow their wheat, and if they see the year will be too enhance the efficiency of the process." bring down breeding costs. dry, they will allow their livestock to graze QU-GENE was developed by Mark on it. For that they need a wheat variety Cooper and Dean Podlich at the University It would also compare the that produces lots of stems and leaves. The ofdeelang simulation mode tost of the input to the cost variety has to produce a lot of grain, too, develop a breeding simulation module I - since farmers expect to reap an abundant based on CIMMYT's bread wheat breeding of the corresponding output harvest one year out of five. In this case, program is being funded by Australia's -the simulation module would help set Grains Research and Development to determine whether breeding priorities. Corporation (GRDC). ' The simulator could help bring down CIMMYT's bread wheat breeding applying a given technology breeding costs. It would also compare the program was chosen because, acc'ording to ' makes sense cost of the input to the cost of the corre- Ian De Lacy, a biometrician and expert on * sponding output to determine whether database management, "the program has applying a given technology makes sense. 53 years of accumulated breeding data, and The QU-GENE module arrives at a is one of the most imp)ortant, largest, and time when it is more urgent than ever to most successful plant breeding programs in Another significant contribution of the the world," module would be to indicate when it is specific needs of the developing world's The simulator will draw on data from cost-effective and/or efficient to use a farmers, who will produce most of the the wheat section of the International Crop specific technology-for instance, molec- grain to feed coming generations. Information System (ICIS) and the ular markers i the process of improving a Geographic Information System (GIS) at particular trait of wheat. Applying molec- www.cgiar.org/cimmyt CIMMYT. It will also be connected to the ular markers at an early stage of the Agricultural Production System Simulator breeding process might seem the thing to (APSIM), a collection of biological, phys- do, but at that stage the number of plants to be tested is still very great, as is the cost PAGE 6 z CGIAR NEWS Agricultural Biotechnology, the Environment and the Poor There is a need for major additional New ways of directing public and private financial resources are global efforts to mobilizi new develop- .enisin _cience and . . ' omethean, urged, at both national and men,ansciencealidlechnologythat, H O etnean, international levels. The authors along With betterpolicis, are needed 3 ce recommend more investment in t tural Biotechnology. and adoption of new scientific to increase sustainable productivy and l nt. d _1 b8kPoor approaches, skills. and tools, forming improve access4o food," says a new strategic alliances and creating inno- *onogroph Ly'CGIaR ~liaimian Ismaul vative institutional arrangements monograph brCGIAR Chairmiar Ismail ,l|ll| cutting across traditional center SerTgetdin and biotechnwlogyexpert boundaries. Gabrielle J. Persleyr Promethean "Widespread fear exists that private enterprises afid research science - Agricultural Biotechnology. ntttsgi neueae the EnonmenL, and the Poor control of the genes of plants native -___________________ ~ .to the developing world and use The book, published by the CGIAR the benefit of producers, consumers them to produce superi.r varieties that would then be sold back to Secretariat, sees future increases and the environment throughout the in smaliholder productivity in the developing world. developing countries at high developing world dependent on a The authors propose a compre- prices,' 'khe authors said, adding: combination of agro-ecological hensive and detailed catalog of The successful implementation of approaches, application of modern action that starts with the mapping the Rio Convention o Biological approaches, mapping~~~~~~~~Dvrsty o ha t ecoescla biotechnology, and the use of of genomes of major crops and Diversity, so that, it becomes clear new information technology and farm animals and ends with the who should compensate whom for precision farming. identification of- desired outputs, what and for how much, needs Several emerging economies are such as, improvedgenotypes and unequivocal regulation. Simple and effective ways need to be found to already investing quite heavily in better agricultural practices to agricultural biotechnology for food ensure sustainabie increases in establish fair compensation." security and reduction of poverty. productivity; new biologicli prod- The full text is available at: The study urges additional efforts ucts, such as vaccines, biocontrol www.cgiar.org by all stakeholders to better realize agents, and diagnostics for the - the potential of biotechnology for controlhof major end'emic diseases of crops and livestock." CGIAR NEWS PAGE 7 NEWS FROM FUTURE HARVEST Scientists Spearhead Efforts To Save African Medicinal Tree: Leading Remedy for Prostate Disorders Worldwide Skyrocketing. demand for a natural remedy for prostate disorders found in the bark of an African tree wiii likely lead to the tree's extinction in the wild in 5 to 0 _ yoears, scientists announced. The slow- growing evergreen Prurnus africania, which 6 is foun_d onl in Africa, is being felled at unprecedented rates to fuel a US $220 million annual market in Pnious remedies in Europe and the United States, according to ICRAF and Future Harvest. Prostate disorders, which affect most men over the age of 50, often make men more susceptible to prostate cancer. "Men around the world are about to lose a leading natural remedy for prostate disorders,' said Tony Simons, principal scientist at ICRAE "Unless we can stop the savaging of this tree, it will be gone forever. Attempts to manage the tree sustainably in the wvild seem doomed. The best way to ensure that this endan- gered tree survives is to domesticate it and encourage farmers to plant it on their plots."' ICRAF scientists are working to estab- lish a sustainable source of Prunus qnfrcana through conser-vation of wild tree populations and by helping poor farmers to grow the tree and increase their incomes through sustainable bark harvesting. The bark will then be collec- tively marketed to natural remedy produc'ers in Europe and the United States under (a "green" label--one that ensures the bark has been collected without endangering Prunuis trees. In a breakthrough that could be applied to -other wild species of endangered trees, the scientists have adapted a technology mainly used for fruit trees to shorten the time it takes the tree to produce seed- from 15 to 3 years. PAGE 8 CGIAR NEWS Visit the Future Harvest website at: www.futureha'rvest..org The bark of Pnunus can be harvested for their own use. sustainably by removing the lower part of The tree grows at altitudes between "It is quite a tremendous leap to two opposite quarters or panels Of the 900 and 3,400 meters (between 3,000 and domesticate a wild tree so that it can be trunk, then allowing eight years for regen-' eratio bef harveing the for two 11000 feet) in mountainous areas that are grown in farmers' fields," said Simons. "To quartionbefrs. B crveasingl tbark poahers"wo difficult to police. It takes 15 to 20 years put it in perspectivo, it was only' 50 years quarters. strp ingreasientely, "erk poacers" for the tree to produce seed and between ago that tree breeding began on commer- ahichrestripping trees denti of their bark, 12 and 15 years for the tree to produce cial tree species. Amazingly, only 40 out of wthich arescultstingdon the de fthe tree. . bark that contains the prostate remedy's 60,000 wild tree species have been domes- Others are cutting down the entire tree. When harvested sustainably each batch of active ingredient. The long period needed ticated so far." Wnen~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~t proveste susamaly eacn thc fattatse bark amounts to 55 kilograms (120 to produce seed and the fact that seedResearch which ~~~~~~remains viable for only a few months both Wrigwt 'ey' oetRsac pounds), which currently returns US $10 Institute and Cameroon's Institut de to 20 to the harvester. When completely hinder the international exchange of seed Rcherche Agronomique et Developpement, stripped, a large tree may yield up to a and the nursery production of seedlings. ICRAF participates in collection missions metric ton of bark worth US $200-one to gather seedlings from the remaining years income for many of Africa's rural It is a wild stands of trees. These accessions are poor. The tree islisted in the Convention q being grown in large conservation areas in on the International Trade in Endangered trmendous aCameroon and Kenya. Once the best Species (CITES) under Appendix II where leap samples have been identified, the stands trade is allowed, but a CITES license is will serve as selection gardens and seed required. - to domesticate a orchards to create better varieties for The extract'or powder from Pntnus ~ A,IA tree so domestication. The center is also using Th exrc or pode fro Pvvnus wil tree s so tha it moleccular analysis to pinpoint exactly afrtcana bark, widely packaged under the name"