Mekelle University

Contract Research and Publication Office

Standard Format for Research proposal

1. Cover page:1

Title: Mainstreaming Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) into national policies,

strategies and programmes in Africa – EOA pillar 1: research, training and extension

Investigators: Tewodros Tadesse (PhD), department of NREM, CDANR, MU:

tewodroslog@yahoo.com, and
Sarah Tewolde-Berhan (PhD), department of DCHS, CDANR, MU: saratbge@gmail.com

August 2014

1
This should include the Title, Investigator’s name, title and address, Department, College, Month and year
2. Research Project Title:2
Title: Mainstreaming Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) into national policies,
strategies and programmes in Africa – EOA pillar 1: research, training and extension

3. Short summary of the project: 3

The intensive application of external inputs has resulted in negative impacts on soils and
biodiversity including crop and animal genetic diversity and welfare, poor human nutrition and
increased costs for public health, and vulnerability to external shocks. This is exacerbated by the
uneven access to resources and supportive institutions to strengthen smallholder farmers‟
capacity. Additionally, poor support for improved post-harvest management and sustainable
market chains result in volatility of prices of most staple foods. Inadequate financial systems
combined with inappropriate and insufficient knowledge infrastructure and technologies, and
coordination failure among research, development institutions, farmers (particularly women),
processors, and marketers dampen prospects for sustainable agricultural productivity in Africa.
Inevitably, as observed in the IAASTD report (IAASTD, 2008), there is need for new
institutional and organizational arrangements to transform agricultural and food supply systems
to ensure food and livelihood security in a stable environment fully supported by appropriate
and implementable government policies and strategies.
Badgley et al. (2007) reported that organic production has increased steadily to become an
important part of the agricultural sector in many countries. This is partly in response to
increased consumer demands for healthy food, i.e. organic products, and particularly in the
European Union, where economic incentives have been offered for „going organic‟ (Ekström &
Ekbom, 2011; Barrett et al., 2002). It has also been shown that ecologically-based organic
production systems are capable of ensuring and sustaining local food security and sovereignty,
ecosystem services for rural welfare and biodiversity conservation through increased uptake of
agro-ecological innovations, practices and technologies. The Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD, 2001) recognizes the importance of traditional knowledge in the conservation
and sustainable use of [agricultural] biodiversity. UNEP also recognizes the vital role of bio-
cultural diversity as the fourth pillar in sustainable development (Ekström and Ekbom, 2011).
As a result, African governments have come up with the initiatives that will better equip
professionals with relevant and functional knowledge, skills and desirable work ethics to steer
the development of sustainable, resilient, and productive farming systems in Africa. Dixon et al
(2001) in their global assessment of farming systems for FAO recognized 18 distinct systems in
Africa, nearly all of them mixed and carried out by smallholders or pastoralists. These can and
should be the base for the wise development of ecological organic agriculture throughout the
African continent (Berhan and Edwards, 2011). The Comprehensive African Agriculture
Development Programme (CAADP) and agricultural policies developed or being developed by
governments envisions development and progress in the agricultural sector in general and
organic farming in particular. Hence, the Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative (EOA-I) has
a mission to promote ecologically sound strategies and practices among diverse stakeholders in
production, processing, marketing and policy making to safeguard the environment, improve
livelihoods, alleviate poverty and guarantee food security through increasing documentation of

2
Keep the title of the project short and simple. The title should clearly describe the basic objectives of the proposed project and
be understandable by a scientist who is not an expert in your field
3
Give a short summary, maximum 400 words, of the proposed project, sufficiently informative for other scientists who are not
necessarily in your field of expertise. This summary should contain a problem statement of the project, followed by the
objectives and a brief description of how these will be accomplished, with expected results

2
information and knowledge on organic agricultural products; systematically informing
producers about the EOA approaches and good practices; increasing the share of quality organic
products at the local, national and regional markets and strengthening inclusive stakeholder
engagement in organic commodities value chain development by developing national, regional
and continental multi-stakeholder platforms. At the end, the project expects to arrive at
outcomes including documenting actors and capacitating these actors in EOA related
knowledge along the value chain, informed producers about the EOA approaches and good
practices; increased share of organic quality products and establish and well-organized and
coordinated multi-stakeholder platforms at the national level, regional and continental levels.

4. Research Work to date (if any)4

5. Proposed Research Project:

a) Background and Justification: 5

The intervention strategy of the EOA Initiative is based on the assumption, that mainstreaming
of EOA in policies and practices requires a multi-stakeholder managed endeavour, best to be
promoted through national platforms that are informed by scientific evidence and local
experiential knowledge, supported by capacity development of the various stakeholder groups,
broad information & communication efforts and particular strategic action and that are linked to
regional and continental policy making bodies.

Mainstreaming EOA includes changes in various spheres, including public policies and
investment plans, technical standards and certification procedures, research agenda and training
curricula, advisory and information practices and the organization of markets and value chains.
Achievement of this requires consultation and mutual agreement on coordinated and concerted
action among the relevant public, private and civil society actors.

Guided by the decision of the AU, changes of policies and practices are realized first and
foremost at country level. To this end, National Platforms convene, facilitate, advise and
monitor progress of EOA mainstreaming. These are open fora under the umbrella of the lead
Ministry (e.g. Ministry of Agriculture) to include all stakeholders interested in supporting EOA
development. The efforts of the National Platforms relate to the national agricultural policy
framework (incl. the CAADP compact and investment plan). The National Platforms shape the
national EOA agenda, oversee the implementation of EOA activities, follow up on the
integration of EOA in public policies and plans and create links and partnerships among
stakeholders. They promote and coordinate specific strategic actions such as creating awareness,

4
- List all your major publications, especially those related to your proposed research project. Also give all information
available about articles in press, in particular to which journal they have been submitted)
- Describe ongoing work at your institution related to research and development: Provide information about the scientific
work at your institution in the area of the proposed research project; also mention any present or planned cooperation research
with other institutions
- Participation in workshops, seminars, conferences, etc.
5
Discuss the historical development of events regarding the specific topic you are interested to study. Describe basic
assumptions/concerns that led you to study this topic. Also include information on the likely contribution to knowledge or
practice that the research will make and its place in current debate/theory. Describe the gaps that the proposed research is
intended to fill.

3
building a critical mass and voice on EOA and facilitating sharing of experiences and lessons
learnt. The National Platforms may as well formulate benchmarks for “good policy work” in the
various fields relevant to EOA.

Country Lead Organizations (CLOs) are selected by the National Platforms to facilitate their
activities and the links to the Centres of Excellence (EOA technical Pillars and their partners at
country level) that provide technical expertise, in the three fields of a) research, training and
extension; b) information and communication; and c) value chain and market development.

b) Objectives of the project: 6

Among the key objectives of the project, the following are some of them.
a) To increase documentation of information and knowledge on organic agricultural products
along the complete value chain and support relevant actors to translate it into practices and
wide application.
b) To systematically inform producers about the EOA approaches and good practices and
motivate their uptake through strengthening access to advisory and support services.
c) To substantially increase the share of quality organic products at the local, national and
regional markets.
d) Strengthen inclusive stakeholder engagement in organic commodities value chain
development by developing national, regional and continental multi-stakeholder platforms
to advocate for changes in public policy, plans and practices.

a) Hypothesis (Optional):
Impact hypothesis: Through the application of EOA approaches and practices along the entire
commodity value chains and its mainstreaming in development systems through National
Platforms, food security, incomes and nutrition of smallholder households as well as the
environmental sustainability of agricultural production are improved.

b) Review of literature (optional): 7

Africa, and particularly Sub-Saharan Africa, faces an unprecedented challenge of providing
sufficient and quality food to its ever increasing population projected to exceed two billion by
2050. Unfortunately, this is in spite of agriculture being the major driver of most African
countries‟ economies and source of livelihood for over 70% of their populace. Contributing to
this mismatch of potential and need are multiple factors, including climate change effects,
degradation of the natural resource base particularly soil and water, loss of biological diversity,
diminishing arable land resulting from human settlement and the conversion to growing crops
for biofuels, as well as desertification and extreme weather events including prolonged frequent
droughts. The smallholder farmers are side lined, particularly through under-investment in basic
infrastructures and disregard of their innate wealth in traditional knowledge and biological
resources, practices and innovations. Consequently, the current agricultural and food supply
systems cannot be sustainable, particularly in the context of over reliance on non-renewable
external inputs associated with greenhouse gas emissions, and the use of industrial production
systems as model for improving agricultural productivity in Africa.
The intensive application of external inputs has resulted in negative impacts on soils and
biodiversity including crop and animal genetic diversity and welfare, poor human nutrition and

6
State the specific (short-term) objectives of the project and how they relate to the general (long-term) objectives and the
questions that the project will attempt to answer
7
Refers to an account of what has been published on a related topic by accredited scholars and researchers

4
increased costs for public health, and vulnerability to external shocks. This is exacerbated by the
uneven access to resources and supportive institutions to strengthen smallholder farmers‟
capacity. Additionally, poor support for improved post-harvest management and sustainable
market chains result in volatility of prices of most staple foods. Inadequate financial systems
combined with inappropriate and insufficient knowledge infrastructure and technologies, and
coordination failure among research, development institutions, farmers (particularly women),
processors, and marketers dampen prospects for sustainable agricultural productivity in Africa.
Inevitably, as observed in the IAASTD report (IAASTD, 2008), there is need for new
institutional and organizational arrangements to transform agricultural and food supply systems
to ensure food and livelihood security in a stable environment fully supported by appropriate
and implementable government policies and strategies.
Badgley et al. (2007) reported that organic production has increased steadily to become an
important part of the agricultural sector in many countries. This is partly in response to
increased consumer demands for healthy food, i.e. organic products, and particularly in the
European Union, where economic incentives have been offered for „going organic‟ (Ekström &
Ekbom, 2011; Barrett et al., 2002). It has also been shown that ecologically-based organic
production systems are capable of ensuring and sustaining local food security and sovereignty,
ecosystem services for rural welfare and biodiversity conservation through increased uptake of
agro-ecological innovations, practices and technologies. The Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD, 2001) recognizes the importance of traditional knowledge in the conservation
and sustainable use of [agricultural] biodiversity. UNEP also recognizes the vital role of bio-
cultural diversity as the fourth pillar in sustainable development. The smallholder farmers are
often pitted against large-scale holders and outside investors who receive preferential state
support despite strong evidence that the former are more equitable and more efficient in the use
of their resources per unit of land (Ekström and Ekbom, 2011).
Evidence by a UN report reveals that smallholder farmers can double food production within 3-
10 years in critical regions when ecological-based improved methods for farming are applied8.
The ecological methods draw on agro-ecology, the science of applying ecological concepts and
principles to the creative management of agricultural processes, such as nutrient cycles based on
local self-sufficiency and adapted to local social conditions1. It also draws on the accumulated
agricultural knowledge, science and technology of farmers and researchers to benefit from the
shared physical and social environment to promote relationships based on the organic principles
of health, ecology, fairness and care2 and ensure a good quality life for all.
Ecological agriculture fosters biodiversity that is, in itself, resilient to impacts of climate change
(Ensor, 2009). It depends on and sustains ecosystem services as well as tapping into and
enhancing the knowledge, practices and innovations of local communities leading to more
reliable and increased food security and incomes. Biodiverse agriculture works with nature, in
contrast to the 21st century „conventional/industrial‟ agriculture, which leads to factory-style
agricultural systems and reduced diversity (Ching, 2011). The challenge confronting nations
then is to speed up, scale out, and share relevant knowledge, practices and experiences and
appropriate policies and strategies to put into practice ecological organic agriculture by
educators and farmers.

8
Eco-Farming can double food production in 10 years, says new UN report. News Release when Olivier de
Shutter, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food, presented his report “Agro-ecology and the Right to Food”
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/food/annual.htm in Geneva on 8 March 2011.
2
IFOAM Principles of Organic Agriculture.

5
 c) Description of study area: 9
The study area will mainly focus around Tigary, but will also look at other parts of the country.

d) Methodology:10 11
Research: Ecological approach, with special emphasis of combining best practices in each field
that fit the parameters of EOA
• Crops, cultivation, breeding, IPM, …
• Animals, breeding, forage improvement, …
• Trees, agroforestry, nutrient cycling, …
• Soil, cultivation, fertility management, …
• Social, people, farmers, society, understanding, …
• Economics, markets, cooperatives, management, …
Training: This will look at training at all levels, starting from short term farmers training to
higher education, will use medium like demonstrations, policy briefs, publications, curriculum
development and the like.
• Farmers training
• Extension service providers training
• Policy makers – packages for awareness creation
• Trainers training
• BSc, MSc …
Extension: the major part of the extension work will be done in collaboration with partners like
the BoARD, NGO‟s, mass media, and other GO bodies
• Integration of extension providers in research
• Involvement of extension providers in training
• Working hand in hand with extension providers to alleviate bottleneck issues in EOA
extension
• Workshops, booklets, policy briefs, curriculum for different levels, books, …

e) Expected output: 12
 Research output indicating the best way forward to get good implementation of EOA
 Incorporation of EOA research output, and curriculum training outputs into the basic
training of the Collage at MU and beyond
 Extension services improved and sensitized to EOA, research outputs of EOA shared
with the extension services, policy makers and relevant stake holders

9
Describe the location, physiography, climate, geology and soils, population, production systems, etc. Contents may depend on
the discipline of concern
10
Describe methods that persuade the reader that the author is an expert on the subject matter. It should provide sampling
methods, research design, data collection and analysis of data
11
Research design: Provide details on your experimental design or plans for trials and observations, indicating plot layout and
sizes (or equivalent information), treatments, replications and statistical methods to be used to analyse data
Research plan: Describe here what will be done (observation work, laboratory experiments, participant observation, surveys
etc) and how it will be done including the following points:
a) Methods and activities to be carried out to solve the problems and answer questions stated above. Which parameters will be
studied and which measurements will be take; which data will be collected and how.
b) Criteria for choosing sites and samples, sampling methods and sample sizes. Provide source of germplasm for life science
experiments.
c) Describe your field trial design (if appropriate). In some cases you may find it necessary to include diagram and if you do
please refer to that diagram in this space.
Analysis of data: Describe the statistical methods that you will use to analyse the data
Materials: List materials that will be required for laboratory experiments, field work and computing facilities
12
Indicate expected outputs from the project

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 f) Time schedule:13
Total (2014-2018)
PILLAR 1: RESEARCH TRAINING AND EXTENSION US dollars
Output 1.1 : Increased knowledge of research into use, needs and
priorities about EOA practices in the entire value chains
1.1.1: Conduct in-depth assessments to document available EOA research into
use 11 512,59
1.1.2: Identify knowledge gaps needs and priorities by gender in the
development of EOA value chains 11 512,59
1.1.3: Create and regularly update a data base of EOA research into use at
national level 11 512,59
1.1.4: Validate research findings in EOA practices 5 756,29
1.1.5: Document application of local knowledge to development of EOA 17 268,88
Subtotal 57 562,93
Output 1.2 : Capacity for organisation and implementation of EOA
Practises developed and strengthened
1.2.1: Identify training needs for EOA actors by gender (Producers, extension
agents, marketers, processors, regulators and consumers) in the value chains 5 756,29
1.2.2: Support periodic reviews of curricula and training materials for relevant
training institution with stakeholders (Practitioners, institutions and policy
makers) 5 756,29
1.2.3: Sensitize stakeholders about the recommend ED EOA curricula and
training materials 17 268,88
1.2.4: Support development of EOA training programmes and materials based
on training needs assessment and curricula reviews 17 268,88
1.2.5: Support short course trainings for targeted actors in EOA value chain to
build capacities on identified gaps 11 512,59
Subtotal 57 562,93
Output 1.3: Effective implementation of the pillar activities enhanced
1.3.1: Conduct M&E 9 593,82
1.3.2: Supervise and support 9 593,82
1.3.3: Prepare annual and progress reports 9 593,82
Subtotal 28 781,462
4.1.1 Travel Cost 4 947,89
Subtotal 4 947,895
4.1.2 Administration Cost 5 811,39
Subtotal 5 811,387

TOTAL FOR PILLAR 1 154 600,00

g) Duration: 14
August 2014 to November 2018

13
In the column on the left note the major phases/activities of your research. To the right, indicate during which months you
will be engaged in the activity
14
Number of months or years of project funding

7
6. References: 15
Badgley C., Moghtader J., Quintero E., Zakem E., Chappell J., Avilés-Vázquez K., Samulon A. &
Perfecto I. (2007). Organic Agriculture and the Global Food Supply. Renewable agriculture and
food systems. University of Michigan.
Ballantyne, P. (2009). Accessing, sharing and communicating agricultural information for development:
emerging trends and issues. Inform. Dev. 25(4): 260–271.
Barrett, H. R., Browne, A. W., Harris, P. J. C., & Cadoret, K. (2002). Organic certification and the UK
market: organic imports from developing countries. Food Policy 27, 301‐318.
CBD, (2001). Handbook of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Secretariat of the Convention on
Biological Diversity. CBD, UNEP, Earthscan Publications Ltd, London and Sterling, VA
Dixon, J., Gulliver, A. & Gibbon, D. (2001). Farming systems and poverty: improving farmers
livelihoods in a changing world. FAO, Rome & World Bank, Washington DC.
Ekström, G. and Ekbom, B. (2011). Pest Control in Agro-ecosystems: An Ecological Approach. Critical
Reviews in Plant Sciences, 30:74–94, 2011.
IAASTD, (2008). Agriculture at a Crossroads: Sub-Saharan Africa. IAASTD, Island Press, Washington
DC.
IAASTD. (2008). Executive Summary of the Synthesis Report and Global Summary for Decision
Makers. International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for
Development, http://www.agassessment.org Accessed on 16 March 2009.
Lim Li Ching, (2011). Climate Change Implications for Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa. In: Climate
Change and Food Systems Resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa (in press). TWN, ISD and FAO. Also
available through: http://www.fao.org/organicag/oa-publications/pub-cat/sustainability-and-
perspectives/en/, and http://www.isd.org.et/publications
Tewolde Berhan G. E., & Edwards, S., (2011). Africa‟s potential for the ecological intensification of
agriculture. In: Lim Li Ching, Sue Edwards & Nadia El-Hage Scialabba (eds), Climate Change
and Food Systems Resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa. FAO, Rome. pp. 15-42.

7. Collaborating researchers & institutions: 16

Institute for Sustainable Development
PO Box 171-1110, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel: +251-116-186774 / sustaindeveth@gmail.com
ETHIOPIA

8. Facilities and funding17

Funding will be provided by Swiss Aid, though Institute for Sustainable Development. There is
provision for purchase of computers and office supplies, however the project will mainly relay
on the facilities of the University.

15
Provide the references which support the information provided in 5a and 5d
16
Researchers from other institutions collaborating in the execution of the research project)
17
This would include:
- Equipment and facilities: List here equipment and facilities, etc, necessary for your project which will be provided by the
Institution where the work will be carried out. This is important for a proper evaluation of the application
- Any other funds: List any other funds that you or your department of college have obtained or applied for in the area of the
proposed research project. State funding organisation, amounts, date of approval, and length of funding period

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9. Budget: 18
USD 154,600.00

10. Assurance of principal investigator

The undersigned agrees to accept responsibility for the scientific, ethical and technical conduct
of the research project and for the provision of required progress reports as per terms and
conditions of the University in effect at the time of grant, if grant is awarded as the result of this
application

Date: ________________________ Signature: _____________________________

Approval

Head, Department:

Name: ________________________________________

Signature: _____________________________________

Date:_________________________________________

Stamp:

College RCS Council Chair

Name: ________________________________________

Signature: _____________________________________

Date:_________________________________________

Stamp:

For Use by the Office of Contract Research and Publication Only

Amount of Approved Budget _______________________

Period of Allocation ___________________________

18
The budget items must be relevant to the proposed research plan and should be justified. It may include the following:
a) Equipment: Specify and describe each item, and give to the best of your knowledge: manufacturer, model/type,
accessories if needed. Give a realistic estimate of the cost for each item
b) Expendable supplies: List categories and significant items of expendable supplies (glassware, solvents, feed, reagents,
etc) and give a cost estimate for each category and significant items
c) Literature: List categories of literature (e.g. books, reprints, and photocopies) or documentation, and give a cost
estimate for each category. Also recommended are subscriptions to journals or membership in a scientific
society publishing a journal
d) Local travel costs: Local travel costs for sample collection, field visits, participant observation, surveys etc are included
in this category. Travel costs can also include costs associated with conferences and scientific meetings
e) Manpower costs: They include manual and skilled labour costs which are necessary for the execution of the project