DECEMBER

Stanley Wood joins a small group of international soil specialists at the Earth Institute, Columbia University, New York, in the preparation of a technical and funding proposal (submitted to the BMGF) for a new digital soil properties map of the world. Stanley makes a presentation to the group on Soil Maps and Food Security.

Program

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NOVEMBER

Stanley Wood makes a presentation to Ecoagriculture Partners in Washington, DC, on strategic research directions for enhancing both the food as well as the ecosystem service outcomes of agricultural production systems in the face of global change. This includes an introduction to the efforts of HarvestChoice in contributing to the nascent Agricultural Development agenda of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. 

Stanley Wood initiates dialogue about modalities for engaging HarvestChoice with the CAADP/RESKSS process (through Ousmane Badiane, IFPRI Africa Coordinator), and the IEHA/SAKSS process to which it is now linked (through Michael Johnson, IFPRI).

CAADP – Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Plan, RESKSS – Regional Knowledge Support System, IEHA – USAID's Initiative to End Hunger in Africa, SAKSS – Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support System.

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OCTOBER

Philip Pardey and Stanley Wood at Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, for exploratory discussions with Johann Kirsten and Frikkie Liebenberg (Agricultural Research Council, Pretoria) regarding possible HarvestChoice analytical alliance with the University of Pretoria. Philip Pardey and Stanley Wood give a presentation at the Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development on October 12 titled "New Views on the Global State of R&D for Agriculture."

Philip Pardey and Stanley Wood at ILRI, Nairobi, to gather information and explain details of the HarvestChoice project. Discussion held with Carlos Sere, John McDermott, Ade Freeman, Gabrielle Persley and Howard Elliott. Also meet with Mpoko Bokano (African Agricultural Technology Foundation, AATF) Joe DeVries (Program for African Seed Systems, AGRA/PASS) and John Lynam.

Philip Pardey and Stanley Wood at FAO, Rome, to discuss details of FAO sub-contract with HarvestChoice with Haluk Kasnakoglu (Director of Statistics Division, FAO) and colleagues including Kafkas Caprazli, Frank Schmitt, Edward Gilian and Naman Keita.

Meet with CGIAR Science Council personnel (including Ruben Echeverría, Tim Kelly and Beatriz Avalos Sartorio). Also make a joint presentation to FAO titled "New Views on the Global State of R&D for Agriculture" on October 6.

Project inception date.

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SEPTEMBER

Stanley Wood at University of Minnesota to discuss operational plans for HarvestChoice project. John Dixon (CIMMYT) also at University of Minnesota (September 24-25) to discuss possible CIMMYT Collaboration with HarvestChoice project.

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AUGUST

Formal approval of funding for HarvestChoice project.

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JANUARY

Discussion initiated with Gates Foundation regarding HarvestChoice Project.