Rationale
Poverty in all its dimensions-economic, nutritional and natural resource-is widespread in the non-tropical dry areas. The rural population is largely dependent on agriculture, and faces a number of environmental trends converging towards greater stress, which will reduce options, drive migration and threaten the natural resource base, particularly in the most marginalized areas (e.g., mountains and desert margins). A deeper understanding of the typology and the determinants of this poverty, and of the livelihood strategies adopted by rural communities, is necessary to continually refine the targeting of ICARDA's research, enhance and track its impact, and identify pathways out of poverty. The gender nature of agricultural production will influence research and approaches to defining pro-poor interventions.
Despite some economic growth in some dry areas (e.g., in national GDP and cereal production during the last five decades), data show that poverty is increasing. Poverty-targeted research programs and policies are needed to achieve sustainable reductions in poverty. While poverty is a real problem in dry areas, a significant portion of the non-poor population is also vulnerable to lapsing into poverty, given the region's variable and changing climate, and its geopolitical volatility. Countries experiencing natural and man-made disasters (drought, conflict) or in economic transition (e.g., Central Asia and the Caucasus) have experienced dramatic increases in poverty rates over relatively short periods of time.
The poorest and most vulnerable communities tend to be associated with marginal production environments in rural areas. New technologies, policies and institutional options compatible with the marginal and risky environments of dry areas are challenging to develop, and constitute an evident priority for ICARDA. Identifying small farmers' constraints to technology adoption continues to be a priority research issue.
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Theme 4.1. Economics and Policy Research |
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Enabling policy and institutional options to enhance the uptake and impact of improved technologies and optimize the sustainable use of scarce water resources. This includes assessing the impact of research investment in agricultural and natural resources on poverty, food security and the environment.
Sub-Themes
| 4.1.1. |
Analysis of policy and institutional options and development of priorities for public investment to improve rural livelihoods |
| 4.1.2. |
Development of policy options for sustainable use of water and land resources and their economic and social implications |
| 4.1.3. |
Adoption and impact assessment for technology uptake including analysis of adoption constraints |
| 4.1.4. |
Identification of the trade-offs associated with alternative technical and policy options |
| 4.1.5. |
Valuation of natural resources and environmental services to facilitate the conservation of the natural resource base |
| 4.1.6. |
Options for linking small farmers to markets along the value chain
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Theme 4.2. Livelihoods |
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Evaluation of agri-based pathways out of rural poverty through the characterization of livelihood strategies, social networks, institutions, and economic options.
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Sub-Themes |
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| 4.2.1. |
Quantification of the causes of rural poverty and determinants of rural livelihood strategies in the dry areas including interactions of agri-systems with other livelihood and socio-economic priorities |
| 4.2.2. |
Characterization of the role of women in rural livelihoods; assessing the impact of gender constraints (and empowerment of women) on livelihoods |
| 4.2.3. |
Analysis of impacts of intensification and diversification of production system options on livelihood, nutrition, and health
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Targets
Improved rural livelihoods through development of enabling policy and institutional options and priorities for public investment in dry areas. To achieve sustainable impact, policy and institutional options developed to enhance the uptake of technological options by end-users.
Livelihoods characterized, strategies identified, causes and determinants of poverty quantified, including interactions of agricultural options for better livelihood opportunities for rural communities in dry areas. Technological, institutional and policy options developed to improve rural livelihoods.
