USLF2014

USAID LInkage Funds 2014

Following the issuance of the call for proposals for USAID Linkage Funds in February 2014 and its subsequent amendment in March 2014, eight proposals were received and assessed for their fit to the stated criteria, as follows:

1) Sustainable Intensification of crop-livestock systems through improved forages; Birthe Paul, CIAT with Washington State University 2) Exploring spin-off technologies from 2nd generation biofuel research investments for up-grading ligno-cellulosic matter for feed; Michael Blummel, ILRI with Michigan State University 3) Smart marketing along the small ruminants value chains in Horro and Menz areas of Central Ethiopia; Girma Tesfahun Kassie, ICARDA and ILRI with Colorado State University 4) Piloting of Methods to Collect Epidemiological Intelligence for the Targeting PPR Control Interventions; Steve Kemp, ILRI with Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine 5) Collaboration on pig animal genetic resource use between the Livestock and Fish CGIAR research program and Iowa State University; Karen Marshal and Fred Unger, ILRI with Iowa State University 6) Use of Cell Phone Technology to Enhance Diseases Diagnosis in the Pig Value Chain in Uganda; Michel Dione, ILRI with College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia 7) Use of vaginal sponges for estrus synchronization in dairy cattle and sheep; Fidalis Mujibi, ILRI with Michigan State University 8) A way forward on alternative use of resources available to address genetic challenges in dairy production systems of Tanzania and Nicaragua; Julie Ojango ILRI, with Iowa State University

These were reviewed by four research leaders, one from each partner centre (ILRI, ICARDA, WorldFish and CIAT), namely - Aynalem Haile, (Small Ruminant Scientist, ICARDA), - Michael Peters (Program Leader, Tropical Forages, CIAT) - Jens Peters Tang Dalsgaard (Program Leader, Aquaculture & Genetic Improvement, WorldFish) - Iain Wright (Deputy Director General, Integrated Sciences, ILRI)

The review was conducted against the criteria, weighted to reflect the relative importance. The results are reflected in a review paper.

After consideration of overall scores and variation between scores, the comments made by reviewing scientists during individual and collected analysis, the Director for CRP Livestock and Fish awarded the full amount of $107,800 to the highest scoring proposal, submitted by Birthe Paul of CIAT - “ Sustainable Intensification of crop-livestock systems through improved forages” who has been requested to amend her proposal to use the full amount of the grant.

The Annual Report can be reviewed as follows: Report 1 - Sustainable Intensification of crop-livestock