Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Legume Systems Research

Global Grain Legume Researchers Meeting

 Improving Agriculture and Nutrition through Grain Legumes

 May 12 – 16, 2014, Radisson Blu Park Hotel, Athens, Greece

 Daily Agenda

Monday, May 12                        

Morning

USAID Feed the Future Strategy and Investments in Grain Legume Research and Institutional Capacity Building
Tracy Powell for Jennifer “Vern” Long, Office of Agriculture, Research and Policy, Bureau for Food Security, USAID

Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Grain Legumes: Technical Vision for 2013–2017
Cynthia Donovan for Irvin Widders, Director, Michigan State University

Thematic session: Agriculture for Nutrition; Session Moderator: Robert Mazur, Iowa State University

Achieving Concurrent Agricultural Productivity and Nutrition Goals Through Research
Patrick Webb, Tufts University, Director, Nutrition Innovation Lab

Nutrition Sensitive Value Chains: The Potential of Grain Legumes
Alan de Brauw, Leader for Research on Nutrition Sensitive Value Chains, CGIAR Agriculture for Nutrition and Health Program, IFPRI, Washington DC

Afternoon

Thematic Session. Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Legume Systems Research Projects: Strategic Objective 1.A. Genetic Enhancement of Grain Legume Productivity; Session Moderator: Issa Drabo, INERA, Burkina Faso

SO1.A1. Genetic Improvement of Middle American Climbing Beans for Efficient Production in the Guatemalan Highlands
Juan Osorno, Lead PI, North Dakota State University

SO1.A3 Improving Genetic Yield Potential of Andean Beans with Increased Resistances to Drought and Major Foliar Diseases and Enhanced Biological Nitrogen Fixation
James Kelly, Lead PI, Michigan State University

SO1.A4 Development and Implementation of Robust Molecular Markers and Genetic Improvement of Common and Tepary Beans to Increase Grain Legume Production in Central America and Haiti
James Beaver, Lead PI, University of Puerto Rico

Session Moderator: Phil McLean, North Dakota State University

SO1.A5 Genetic Improvement of Cowpea to Overcome Biotic Stress and Drought Constraints to Grain Productivity
Phil Roberts, Lead PI, University of California- Riverside

New Frontiers: Phenotyping for Photosynthetic Traits: A Strategy for Increasing Genetic Yield Potential in Grain Legumes
David Kramer, Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University

Tuesday, May 13                               

Morning

Thematic Session. Strategic Objectives: Transforming Legume Value Chains and Improving Nutrition; Session Moderator: Constance A. Gewa, George Mason University

SO2.2 Enhancing Pulse Value Chain Performance through Improved Understanding of Consumer Behavior and Decision Making
Vincent Amanor-Boadu, Lead PI, Kansas State University

SO3.1 Legumes and Growth
Indi Trehan for Mark Manary, Lead PI, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis

SO4.1 Impact Assessment of Dry Grain Pulses CRSP and Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Legume Systems Research Investments in Research, Institutional Capacity Building and Technology Dissemination for Improved Program Effectiveness
Mywish Maredia, Lead PI, Michigan State University

Thematic Session. Moderator: Johannes Lehmann, Cornell University

New Frontiers: Understanding Factors Influencing Smallholder Farmer Decision Making
Joshua Ramisch, University of Ottawa, Canada

SO1.B1. Scalable and Sustainable Biological Solutions for Pest Management of Insect Pests of Cowpea in West Africa
Barry Pittendrigh, Lead PI, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

SO2.1. Farmer Decision Making Strategies for Improved Soil Fertility Management in Maize-Bean Production Systems
Robert Mazur, Lead PI, Iowa State University

Wednesday, May 14                          

Morning

Thematic Session. Strategic Partnerships in Research and Capacity Building to Achieve Development Outcomes
Session Moderator: Doug Buhler, Senior Associate Dean for Research, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University

Board of International Food and Agriculture Development (BIFAD) Vision for USAID Innovation Labs and Strategic Partnerships to Achieve Feed the Future Goals
Dr. Brady Deaton, President Emeritus, University of Missouri, and Chair of BIFAD

CGIAR Grain Legume Program and Value of Strategic Partnership with Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Legume Systems Research
Steve Beebe, CIAT

Achieving Synergies among USAID Investments in Grain Legume Research
Tracy Powell, Office of Agriculture Research and Policy, BFS,
USAID-Washington

Concurrent Breakout Sessions A

• Pan Africa Bean Research Alliance. Steve Beebe, CIAT
• Pulse Health Initiative. Janice Rueda, American Pulse Alliance
• USAID Climate Resilient Cowpea Innovation Lab. Tim Close, UCR

Concurrent Breakout Session B

• McKnight Grain Legume Community of Practice. Charles Riches, MF
• Bean Technology Dissemination (BTD) Project. Luis Flores, MSU
• USAID Climate Resilient Bean Innovation Lab. Phil McClean, NDSU

Plenary Session: Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Legume Systems Research Technical Management Advisory Committee (TMAC): Responsibilities and Activities
Julia Kornegay, Chair, NCSU

Thursday, May 15                             

Morning

Thematic Session: Innovations in Sustainable Seed Systems for Grain Legumes
Moderator: Vincent Amanor-Boadu, Kansas State University

The Scaling Seed &Technologies Partnership of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa
Itai Makanda, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)

Seed Production Systems in Pulse Crops in India: Community-based Perspectives
Dr. J.S. Sandhu, Agriculture Commissioner, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India

Integrating Seed Systems for Enhancing Impact: Leverage Points for Action. Louise Sperling, Principle Scientist, CIAT

Bean Technology Dissemination Project Experience with Community Seed Banks in Central America
Juan Carlos Rosas, EAP-Zamorano, Honduras, and Luis Flores, Michigan State University

Characteristics of Sustainable Seed Systems for Grain Legumes
Byron Reyes and Mywish Maredia, Michigan State University

Session Moderator: Angelica Santos, Administrative Officer, MSU Management Office

Compliance with USAID Regulations and Policies on Equipment Procurement, Environment Mitigation and Monitoring Plans (EMMPs) and Participant Training
Tracy Powell for Jennifer “Vern” Long, Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR), USAID

Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Legume Systems Research Program Implementation Issues

• Feed the Future Performance Indicators (Cynthia Donovan)
• International Travel Approval (Cynthia Donovan)
• Project Financial Management and Reporting (Angelica Santos)
• Communications and Promotion (Marguerite Halversen)

Friday, May 16                                  

Morning

Session Moderator: Phil Miklas, USDA-ARS

Challenges to Strengthening of Grain Legume Value Chains in Developing Countries and Vision for Research on Grain Legumes by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Jeff Ehlers, BMGF

Scaling Up in Agriculture and Nutrition
Mywish Maredia and Cynthia Donovan, Michigan State University

2016 International Year of the Pulses
Janice Rueda, American Pulse Association