FAONetherlands Partnership Programme Food Security Forestry Agrobiodiversity Background

FAO-Netherlands Partnership Programme • Food Security • Forestry • Agrobiodiversity

Background • First phase completed • assessment of utilized aquatic biodiversity in rice-based ecosystems: Cambodia, China, Laos, Vietnam • 2 nd phase – donor requested to focus on few countries • SE-Asia: Laos, S-Asia: India, East Africa: Kenya, West Africa: Mali

Mali • Development of national policies and strategies for integrated communitybased aquaculture and water resources management in floodplains in Mali

Background • Inland fisheries are stagnating or declining in • West Africa, which is a real concern for food security. Fish can be stocked in water managed areas and cultured communally during the flood season, increasing fish production significantly over the traditional catch and allowing the staggering of harvests over time.

Background • However, wild fish, composed of small • indigenous species, are also being captured in seasonal flooded rice fields and other hydroagricultural environments. These fish are important sources of protein and income for the rural poor proposed options for enhancing food production from fish in managed aquatic systems will equally ensure the preservation of this vital aquatic biodiversity during the culture season

Background • Activities on integrated aquaculture and water • resources management will take advantage of existing networks of Farmers Field Schools (FFS) proposed activities will create a real synergy between IPM and IIA, further encouraging farmers to reduce or eliminate toxic pesticide use for an increased protection of water resource quality and enhanced biodiversity

General objective • To contribute to enhanced agricultural and aquatic biodiversity in ricecum-fish production systems in the inner delta of the Niger River by 2007.

Specific objectives • • Improved knowledge on actual contribution of agricultural and aquatic biodiversity in support of human well-being and preservation of aquatic ecosystems in floodplains. Improved knowledge on water productivity in floodplains.

Specific objectives • • Capacity building on improved agriculture, aquaculture and irrigation practices for enhanced agricultural and aquatic biodiversity in floodplains at local and national levels. Legal and institutional frameworks strengthened for enhancing and accessing agricultural and aquatic biodiversity in floodplains.