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PART I: PROGRAM IDENTIFICATIONProgram Title: PRC-GEF Partnership Program for Sustainable Agricultural DevelopmentCountry(ies): China GEF Program ID: 9768Lead GEF Agency: UNDP GEF Agency Program

ID:5820

Other GEF Agenc(ies): FAO, World Bank Submission Date:Resubmission Date:

2 March 201713 July 2017

Other Executing Partner(s):

Ministry of Agriculture; Ministry of Environmental Protection; General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine; Agriculture Department of Hainan Province; Agriculture Department of Hubei Province

Program Duration (Months)

60

GEF Focal Area (s): Biodiversity; Climate Change Mitigation

Program Agency Fee ($):

1,107,355(UNDP: 522,826;FAO: 245,312; WB: 339,217)

Integrated Approach Pilot

IAP-Cities IAP-Commodities IAP-Food Security

Program Commitment Deadline: June 2019

A. FOCAL AREA STRATEGY FRAMEWORK AND OTHER PROGRAM STRATEGIES:

Objectives/Programs (Focal Areas, Integrated Approach Pilot, Corporate Programs)

Expected Outcomes Trust Fund

Amount (in $)

GEF Program Financin

g

Co-financing

BD-2 Program 4 Improved management frameworks to prevent, control and manage invasive alien species (IAS)

GEFTF

2,789,908

18,900,000

BD-3 Program 7 Increased genetic diversity of globally significant cultivated plants and domesticated animals that are sustainably used within production systems

GEFTF

5,744,954

38,880,000

CCM-2 Program 4 Promote conservation and enhancement of carbon stocks in forest, and other landuse, and support climate-smart agriculture

GEFTF

3,769,083

25,500,000

Total Program Costs 12,303,945

83,280,000

B. INDICATIVE PROGRAM RESULTS FRAMEWORK

GEF-6 PFD Template-April2015

GEF-6 PROGRAM FRAMEWORK DOCUMENT (PFD) TYPE OF TRUST FUND: GEF TRUST FUND

1

https://www.thegef.org/gef/sites/thegef.org/files/documents/document/GEF6%20Results%20Framework%20for%20GEFTF%20and%20LDCF.SCCF_.pdf

Program Objective: Support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and China’s National Plan for Sustainable Development of Agriculture (2015-2030) by a) piloting and scaling up effective policy and investment measures to mainstream in-situ conservation and sustainable use of globally important genetic resources for food and agriculture (GRFA), b) improving the prevention, control and management of invasive alien species (IAS), c) conserving and enhancing carbon stock and promoting evidence-based and climate-smart conservation of grassland ecosystems, and d) collaborative innovation in climate change and biodiversity from the aspects of policy, mechanism, knowledge sharing and partnerships.

Program Components

Financing Type

Program OutcomesTrust Fund

(in $)GEF

Program Financing

Co-financing

1. Strengthened enabling environment

TA 1.1 Strengthened policy, regulatory and strategic frameworks at national and provincial levels support a) in-situ conservation and sustainable use of GRFA, and b) the control of threats posed by IAS to sustainable agricultural development, and c) evidence-based and climate-smart conservation and management of grassland ecosystems, as indicated by the development of a comprehensive framework of policies, regulations and strategies across sectors which have addressed barriers and gaps identified in baseline assessments.

1.2 Strengthened cross-sectoral cooperation results in more effective approaches for the conservation and sustainable use of GRFA and grasslands, including for improved control and management of IAS threats, as indicated by:i) The establishment of a strategic plan and coordination mechanism for IAS prevention, control and management at national and provincial level, leading to improved response times and increased engagement in IAS management by relevant sectors. ii) The establishment of inter-sectoral coordination mechanisms for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of GRFA in target provinces and their use by a range of sectoral agencies to support in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation.iii) The establishment of a cross-sectoral coordination mechanism for the management and sustainable use of grassland ecosystems and its use by a range of sectoral agencies to improve management efficiency, increasing the resilience of grassland ecosystems to climate change.

1.3 Increased government financing for in-situ conservation and sustainable use of GRFA and grassland ecosystems, including for the prevention, control and management of IAS threats, as indicated by national and

GEFTF 1,332,000 7,550,000


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provincial budget allocations.

Baseline & targets will be confirmed during PPG

2. Incentive mechanisms

TA 2.1 Sustainable conservation and management approaches established which improve the in-situ sustainable use and conservation of GRFA and sustainable management of grassland ecosystem to deliver social, financial and livelihood benefits to farmers and herders in parallel, as indicated by:i) 15% increase in income of farming and herder households in target agricultural and pastoral landscapes attributed to their engagement in conservation and use of GRFA and/or green livestock development and sustainable grassland management.ii) The establishment of at least three successful business partnerships between farmers and commercial marketing outlets in five target provinces which are based on the production, processing and sale of agrobiodiversity products. iii) Eco-compensation schemes established and providing financial and social recognition to farmers and herders of their contribution to the conservation of GRFA and the sustainable management of grassland ecosystems.iv) 40% increase in the coverage of traditional varieties (in hectares, or number per hectare) in target agricultural landscapes.v) Maintenance of the number of traditional varieties of crops, grasses and livestock in target agricultural and pastoral landscapes.

2.2 Effective participatory approaches for the prevention, control and management of IAS impacts on GRFA developed and tested in target agricultural landscapes, as indicated by:i) The involvement of at least 40% of farmers and all relevant extension agencies in the identification, monitoring and removal of IAS and in habitat restoration at target landscapes.ii) No new IAS establishments, at least 60% reduction in the area affected by IAS and demonstrated IAS threat reduction to target GRFA in target agricultural landscapes (indicators to be developed for impact of IAS threat reduction on target GRFA).

2.3 Community-based grassland management approach (including sound biodiversity and IAS management practices) and evidence-

GEFTF 5,916,911 41,750,000


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based payments for ecosystem services (PES) policy scheme with creditable monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) system tested in selected provinces and ready for national scale up, as indicated by:i) Avoided carbon emissions of 1.10 million CO2e from climate-smart grassland management practices in target landscapes through through increasing soil carbon, enhancing grassland productivity and reducing livestock GHG emissions.ii) Establishment of an optimal system for biodiversity conservation in target landscapes to facilitate the conservation and sustainable use of grassland ecosystems and associated biodiversity.


3. Institutional capacity strengthening

TA 3.1 Increased effectiveness of participatory approaches for the conservation and sustainable use of GRFA and sustainable management of grassland ecosystems, as indicated by:i) At least 40% of households led by women and 20% of teenagers actively engaged in the conservation and sustainable use of GRFA in target agricultural landscapes, and at least 50% of households led by women actively engaged in climate-smart grassland management in target pastoral landscapes. ii) Increase in the management and technical capacity of stakeholders related to conservation and sustainable use of GRFA and sustainable management of grassland ecosystems.iii) Effective prevention, early detection, rapid response and management of IAS in agroecosystems (measured by relevant items of the GEF IAS Tracking Tool).

3.2 Strengthened institutional capacity of relevant public sector agencies within target landscapes, and of lead national institutions, for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of GRFA, for the management of IAS impacts on agrobiodiversity, and for evidence-based and climate-smart grassland management and monitoring practices, as indicated by: i) Capacity assessments at the beginning, middle and end of the program.ii) Counties within target agricultural landscapes have established IAS management institutions.

GEFTF 2,688,000 17,890,000


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4. Program coordination and knowledge management

TA 4.1 Improved understanding among decision makers, the general public and key stakeholder groups on the value of GRFA and importance of in-situ conservation, and evidence-based policy making for climate-smart grassland management, and increased access by all groups to information, as indicated by Knowledge, Attitude and Practices surveys to be conducted at beginning, middle and end of projects.

4.2 Monitoring and evaluation demonstrates efficient use of program funds, rationalisation of national, provincial and local level inputs, and sharing of information, resources and expertise between projects, along with on-going exchange of lessons and best practice.

4.3 Effective coordination of program activities across national and provincial stakeholders and GEF agencies.


GEFTF 1,664,554 13,043,000

Subtotal 11,601,465 80,233,000

Program Management Cost (PMC) 702,480 3,047,000Total Program Cost 12,303,945 83,280,00

0

C. CO-FINANCING FOR THE PROGRAM BY SOURCE, BY NAME AND BY TYPE

Sources of Co-financing Name of Co-financier Type of Co-

financing Amount ($)

Recipient Government National Government including: Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Ministry of Finance, General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection & Quarantine

Grants 32,010,000

Recipient Government Provincial Governments of Fujian, Gansu, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Hubei, Liaoning, Qinghai, and Yunnan

Grants 40,760,000

County Governments County Governments of Hainan and Hubei Grants 2,270,000CSOs, farmers and local enterprises

CSOs, farmers and local enterprises in demonstration provinces

Grants/In-kind 8,240,000

(select) (select)(select) (select)Total Co-financing 83,280,000

D. GEF/LDCF/SCCF RESOURCES REQUESTED BY AGENCY, TRUST FUND, COUNTRY, FOCAL AREA AND THE PROGRAMMING OF FUNDS

GEF Type Country Focal Programmi (in $)


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http://www.thegef.org/gef/policy/co-financing

Agency

of Trust Fund

Regional/Global Area ng

of FundsProgram

Amount (a)

Agency Fee (b)

Total c=a+b

UNDP GEFTF

China Biodiversity

n/a5,809,174 522,826 6,332,000

FAO GEFTF

China Biodiversity

n/a2,725,688 245,312 2,971,000

WB GEFTF

China Climate Change

n/a 3,769,083 339,217 4,108,300

Total Grant Resources 12,303,945 1,107,355 13,411,300

E. PROGRAM’S TARGET CONTRIBUTIONS TO GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS Provide the expected Program targets as appropriate.

Corporate Results Replenishment Targets Indicative Program Targets

1. Maintain globally significant biodiversity and the ecosystem goods and services that it provides to society

Improved management of landscapes and seascapes covering 300 million hectares

3,449,027 ha1

2. Support to transformational shifts towards a low-emission and resilient development path

750 million tons of CO2e mitigated (include both direct and indirect)

1.10 million tons

PART II: PROGRAMMATIC JUSTIFICATION A) Global Environmental Problems, Root Causes and Barriers that need to be addressed

Context

Over the last fifty years, global agricultural production has expanded threefold to meet the increasing demands of rapid population growth and economic development (Wik et. al, 2007). Such sustained agricultural growth has contributed to poverty reduction in developing countries and enabled them to pursue more prosperous economic development pathways. However, driven largely by increases in the use of agricultural inputs and agricultural land areas, this rapid expansion has caused and/or contributed to a wide range of local and global environmental issues such as the destruction of natural habitats, loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services, eutrophication of coastal and marine ecosystems, accumulation of toxic and persistent organic pesticides in the food chain, and greenhouse gas (GHG) releases from the use of machinery, land use changes, soil disturbance, nitrogen fertilizers, irrigation, and livestock production (Tilman et. al, 2001). To meet "demand for food by a wealthier and 50% larger global population" in the next few decades, it is evident that agricultural development has emerged as a major driver of global environmental change (IPCC, 2014). Identifying how to achieve future agricultural expansion in a sustainable manner has become a global political and environmental challenge.

As the most populous developing country, China has strived in the last five decades to increase its agricultural outputs. With only about 9% of the world’s arable land, China's agricultural sector has been able to meet basic food demands of 22% of the global population. Similar to global trends, this was achieved through an output-oriented development strategy with a heavy reliance on high agricultural inputs with limited consideration of the sector's environmental footprint. As China recently officially acknowledged, its agricultural sector contributed to about 11.6% of its GHG emissions in 2005 (China's Second National Communication on Climate Change), become the main source of surface water pollution in 2007 (First National Pollution Source Survey, 2010), and degraded the diversity, composition, and functioning of China's natural and agricultural ecosystems. Among others, loss of agricultural biodiversity, invasion of alien species, decline of soil carbon and fertility, and increase in agricultural pollution are identified as key factors

1 Representing demonstration and replication agricultural landscapes across child projects 1-4 along with the benefits of national and provincial policy reform, institutional strengthening and mainstreaming for in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation and IAS management in agroecosystems, with benefits over an estimated 1,900,027 ha. Child project 5 will result in improved management of landscapes over a further 1,549,000 hectares of grassland agroecosystems. Further detail is provided in Section 1d).


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undermining the sustainability of China's agricultural development. China faces serious challenges to achieve sustainable development of this sector.

In response to these mounting evidences, China developed for the first time in 2015 a National Plan for Sustainable Development of Agriculture (NSADP, 2015-2030). Through this plan, the Ministry of Agriculture of China (MOA) calls for a new agricultural development path that is low carbon, resource efficient and environmentally friendly, and that supports ecological conservation. Among others, this plan calls for the conservation and sustainable utilization of agricultural biodiversity and the conservation and restoration of ecological functions and the carbon stock of agroecosystems including grasslands. These are not new actions but are for the first time presented as integral parts of a coherent strategy to promote sustainable agricultural expansion in China. In the 29th session of the Central Leading Group for Deepening Reform of 2016, President Xi Jinping emphasized that it is vital to fully carry out the major reform initiatives, particularly a series of green-led institutional reforms. Recently, MOF and MOA jointly issued the Plan for Institutional Reform of Green Ecology-Oriented Agricultural Subsidy to explore the establishment of the agricultural subsidies policy and incentive restraint mechanism for facilitating the rational use of agricultural resources and eco-environmental protection, and further improving the accuracy, direction and effectiveness of agricultural subsidy policy.

Recognizing the challenges of implementing these actions, MOA has developed this PRC-GEF Partnership Program on Sustainable Agricultural Development through extensive consultation with national and local government agencies with the support of three GEF agencies – UNDP, FAO and the World Bank. Design of the Partnership Program has taken full consideration of ongoing domestic programs of MOA and participating provinces, ongoing and planned cooperation between MOA and the three GEF agencies, and the implementation results of previous GEF supports to China on agricultural nonpoint pollution control, energy efficiency, climate-smart agriculture, biodiversity conservation, grassland development, and sustainable land management. With endorsement of all stakeholders, the proposed program will facilitate the establishment of China's green ecological subsidy policy system and incentive mechanism, and help MOA address identified gaps in its efforts to promote the sustainable use of China’s globally-important agricultural genetic resources, control invasive alien species (IAS) that threaten these resources, and sustainably manage significant grassland agroecosystems to achieve global environmental benefits. Specifically the Partnership Program will support MOA to: (a) pilot innovative approaches for the conservation and sustainable use of GRFA; (b) establish comprehensive frameworks to prevent, control and manage IAS; (c) pilot for the first time evidence-based policy and technical interventions to conserve and manage grassland ecosystems for sustainable uses including the adoption of climate-smart practices, such as green livestock production practices, which can enhance grassland productivity, improve soil carbon sequestration, and reduce livestock GHG emissions; and (d) progress collaborative innovation in climate change and biodiversity from the aspects of policy, mechanism, knowledge sharing and partnership.

Global environmental problems

China’s sustainable agricultural development is threatened by separate, yet interlinked, global environmental challenges related to loss of its globally significant agrobiodiversity, the ongoing spread of IAS and widespread degradation of its vast grassland agroecosystems, as outlined below.

(a) Sustainable use of plant and animal genetic resources (BD Objective 3 Program 7)

Agrobiodiversity is defined as ‘the variety and variability of animals, plants and micro-organisms that are used directly or indirectly for food and agriculture, including crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries. It comprises the diversity of genetic resources (e.g. varieties, breeds) and species used for food, fodder, fibre, fuel and pharmaceuticals. It also includes the diversity of non-harvested species that support production (e.g. soil micro-organisms, predators, pollinators) and those in the wider environment that support agroecosystems as well as the diversity of agroecosystems2. Agrobiodiversity is the result of natural selection processes as well as selection and culturing by farmers, herders and fishers over millennia. It supports food security at local, national and global levels, both as a direct food source and by increasing the diversity of pollinator and soil biodiversity and by maintaining healthy agroecosystems.

China is one of 15 ‘megadiverse’ countries due to its immense variety of ecosystems and the species diversity they contain. Notwithstanding the importance of its biodiversity, the global significance of China’s agricultural diversity is

2 FAO Agricultural Biodiversity, Multifunctional Character of Agriculture and Land Conference, Background Paper 1.GEF-6 PFD Template-April2015

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perhaps even greater. For centuries farmers in China have harvested and farmed a wide diversity of plant and animal species, selecting and enhancing the varieties and breeds they farm according to local environmental conditions and their needs. Many crop plants and domesticated animal breeds now found around the world originated from China. China is one of Vavilov’s eight ‘independent centres of crop origin’ and Vavilov himself described it as the earliest and largest centre of origin. A large number of crop species trace their origin to central and eastern China. It has been estimated that of 1,200 crop species harvested worldwide, 600 are found in China, and up to half of these originated in China – or in other words, that a quarter of the world’s crop species originated from China.

There are believed to be over 10,000 species closely associated with agriculture and human life in China. Most of the genetic variety is found in local varieties or landraces3 that have evolved through traditional husbandry and cropping practices across the diverse environmental and cultural contexts of China. Key agricultural genetic diversity in China includes 1,938 traditional varieties of livestock, over 70,000 varieties of cultivated rice and wild rice, 30,000 varieties of millet, 20,000 varieties of soybean, 6,000 varieties of buckwheat and more than 7,000 varieties of oats. China is the origin of wild litchi, kiwi, chestnuts, apples and a wealth of other edible plants and fruits. Around 85% of China’s plant genetic resources stem from local varieties – a statistic that highlights the importance of preserving local breeds and varieties to maintain a wide genetic resource base for future food security. Reflecting this, eastern China is considered a global priority for genetic reserve conservation, as highlighted in the GEF-6 biodiversity strategy.

Different provinces have evolved to have their own distinct and unique agrobiodiversity, built based on the environmental and geological conditions and on the traditional farming practices and cultural preferences that shaped the use of traditional crops and livestock to suit local needs and preferences. For example, China’s north and arid centre is known for its diversity of millet varieties; the north-east for its richness of soybean cultivars. The south is abundant in endemic tropical fruit species and many hundreds of endemic varieties. In accordance with the status of rice as a major cereal crop of China, unique and diverse traditional varieties of cultivated and wild rice are known from many regions, with in excess of 70,000 overall.

China’s agrobiodiversity is an important part of its heritage. In southern tropical regions such as Hainan tropical fruits are not surprisingly a local specialty. Unofficial records refer to litchi in China as far back as 2,000 BC. In the first century fresh litchi was so highly favoured at the Imperial Court that they were couriered fresh from southern China by horse. Local varieties of wild litchi remain in Hainan to this day, but this precious genetic diversity is quickly eroding.

Global agrobiodiversity is being lost at an alarming rate. FAO statistics show that since the 1900s, some 75% of plant genetic diversity has been lost as farmers worldwide have abandoned multiple local varieties and landraces to farm a narrow selection of high-yielding crops, most of which are better suited to mechanised production. Currently 75% of the world’s food is generated from only 12 plant and five animal species. An alarming 30% of livestock breeds are at risk of extinction. This is linked to the industrialization of agriculture, the introduction of genetically-modified varieties and a lack of economic incentives for farmers to continue to farm traditional varieties of crops and livestock.

These global patterns are mirrored in the ongoing loss of traditional varieties across China as farmers increasingly turn to modern breeds and cultivars. In the southern province of Hainan alone, over 150 crop varieties are known to be under stress and countless more have disappeared from on-farm production. Local endemic livestock – including Wuzhishan pig and Jiaji duck – are also decreasing in number as smallholder farmers shift to commercialized breeds. Traditional varieties of Shanlan rice have decreased from over 420 varieties actively used in the 1980s to only a handful now planted in remote areas. This genetic erosion is also observed in other provinces. In Yunnan, traditional varieties of wild rice are being progressively lost. Over the past 20 years, the number of sites in the wild of one of the three wild rice species of Yunnan has declined by over two thirds. In Hubei, significant genetic resources of wild kiwi and endemic livestock such as Matou goat are threatened, and their ongoing conservation has been further threatened through the loss of arable land to a large-scale water transfer project.

Beyond the global environmental consequences associated with this loss of China’s important genetic diversity, the incremental narrowing of the genetic resource base leaves farmers – and food production – vulnerable to pests and disease and to environmental and climatic shocks, all of which can devastate crops and livestock over large areas.

3 Varieties that have been bred to be well-adapted to local climate, soil, pests and geographical conditions as well as local tastes and uses. Also referred to as traditional varieties of crops and livestock.


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Conservation of agrobiodiversity is core to sustainable and resilient agricultural development and food security. China has achieved rapid development of agriculture in the past 40 years, allowing it to achieve food self-sufficiency in staple foods. However, China remains a net importer of agricultural products and the country’s food demand is only expected to grow further. Meeting this demand – and ensuring that China’s agricultural future is sustainable and resilient to environmental change – will require the ongoing on-farm use of the many hundreds of traditional crop and livestock varieties that have been forgotten and replaced by the small number of commercialized breeds favoured for production.

(b) Prevention, control and management of invasive alien species (BD Objective 2 Program 4)

Exacerbating the reduced on-farm use of traditional varieties, invasive alien species (IAS) are progressively invading agroecosystems across China, including remote areas where minority communities continue to farm ancient cultivars due to their suitability to local environments and their use in traditional foods and as products for cultural events. Agroecosystems, as areas of regular disturbance and frequent biological movements, are vulnerable to IAS invasion. Over 80% of China’s IAS have been recorded in agricultural landscapes. In these areas, IAS are causing severe environmental and economic damage, ranging from decline in the coverage of traditional varieties, to reduction in crop yields, to altered agroecosystem function. Importantly, IAS invasions are often associated with a reduction in genetic diversity and species richness, as native species and breeds are out-competed by the vigorous growth and prolific spread of the invaders. IAS are also a pervasive threat across pastoral agroecosystems and China’s grasslands, where they compete with local pasture species and varieties, increase land degradation and threaten the resilience of local herder livelihoods.

The agriculture sector is one of the priority pathways for introduction of IAS as new exotic species are introduced to agricultural systems, or are unintentionally introduced as insects or seeds carried in with agricultural products. Agroecosystems, as areas of regular disturbance and frequent biological movements, are vulnerable to IAS invasion. Globally, IAS are causing irreversible damage to ecological systems, threatening the survival of endemic species and traditional varieties. In areas where there is widespread invasion, the impact of IAS not only threatens GRFA but can also result in changes to agro-ecosystem function and services more broadly.

(c) Conservation and enhancement of carbon stock, climate-smart agriculture (CC Objective 2 Program 4)

Grasslands are the most widely distributed terrestrial ecosystem, accounting for one fourth of the terrestrial area of the earth and one third of the carbon sequestrated by global terrestrial ecosystems. They supply over 50% of the world’s dairy products and support the livelihoods of 600 million people. Grasslands play a crucial role in safeguarding the world’s food security, sequestrating atmospheric carbon dioxide, and maintaining global carbon and nitrogen cycles. However, economic development, climate change and over-exploitation have greatly degraded grasslands worldwide. It is estimated that over the past five decades, global grassland ecosystems have lost about 4 PgC of soil carbon and 20% of grassland areas of the north hemisphere. This comes with significant reduction in grassland biodiversity and carbon sequestration capacity, resulting in a large reduction in high-quality local grass species and significant invasion of toxic and alien grass species.

China’s grasslands spread over 400 million hectares, accounting for about 40% of the country’s terrestrial area. Geographically, about 78% of China's grasslands are located in the northern temperate zone with often fragile environmental conditions. These grasslands have provided important ecological services locally, nationally and globally, including supporting millions of herders engaged in pastoral production. Mismanagement (e.g. transition from endemic livestock species, overgrazing) and climatic changes have degraded China’s grasslands at a rate of 1.33 million ha annually with 90% of grasslands now at various levels of degradation, impairing ecological functions, productivity and resilience of local grassland ecosystems. Such degradation has also led to widespread pest and IAS infestation. More and more IAS are competing with endemic grass varieties. There are reports of toxic IAS threatening livestock production in some of China’s grassland areas. In terms of livestock production, many endemic species have been replaced by high productivity ones.

China's grassland have high potentials of carbon sequestration at the level of one third of China's annual GHG emissions. However, large areas of China’s grasslands have degraded from net carbon sinks to being a source of GHG emission contributing to climate change, and from being a protective cover for top soil to becoming a key driver of sand storms affecting the air quality of northern China and surrounding East Asian countries. Such degradation is further exacerbated


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by a changing climate, becoming warmer and drier for northern China with frequent extreme weather events. Without effective interventions, mismanagement of grassland production and ecological systems will undermine global efforts on climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation along with the livelihoods of millions of poor herders.

Root causes and drivers

The root cause of these interlinked environmental challenges is population growth and the economic development of China and its associated land use change and infrastructure development. China’s rising population places immense pressure on land resources, including pressure to intensify production of scarce arable land. It is estimated that 2.5 million ha of arable land are lost every year due to desertification and the conversion of land for infrastructure and urbanization. These changes result in the direct loss and degradation of agroecosystems . Song and Vernooy 4 describe a situation whereby there is ‘persistent and widespread rural poverty in most of the fragile agro-ecological regions, feminization and ageing of agriculture, severe environmental degradation, unsustainable intensification of agricultural production, and erosion of agricultural biodiversity’.

Economic development and poverty alleviation strategies favour productivity over sustainable agricultural development in rural areas. As part of this, farming communities have been encouraged to move away from traditional small-scale farming. This has favoured modernization of agricultural techniques, the use of high-yielding crop and livestock varieties, and widespread use of pesticides and herbicides. Land use patterns are changing rapidly and long-established agricultural methods and practices are increasingly abandoned for modern ones. Such practices have also threatened the sustainable use of local livestock varieties and led to overgrazing of grasslands. The lack of emphasis on sustainable agricultural development has led to policies that exacerbate agroecosystem degradation. Current grassland management policies in China, for instance, have entrusted herder households to well-defined pastures. For summer pastures and pastures without a clear definition of user rights, the ‘tragedy of commons’ has occurred as herders act independently to maximize their own self-interests in the absence of meaningful enforcement from the government or from within the community.

Large-scale intensive agricultural production is based on a narrow range of crops and varieties . The main cause of the genetic erosion of crops – as reported by almost all countries – is the replacement of local varieties by new high-yielding or exotic varieties and species5. There has been rapid, privatization of seed production in China leading to a focus on hybrids and other modern varieties. Many hybrid varieties are not well-adapted to the remote rural conditions including variable weather conditions, with associated risks related to climate change. Many of China’s traditional varieties and breeds are being pushed out of cultivation causing a drastic reduction in China’s agrobiodiversity. This erosion of the genetic base supporting agriculture in China carries threats to long-term food security and sustainable agricultural development.

A lack of economic development opportunities in rural areas have resulted in emigration to urban areas . In many rural areas young people are abandoning farming livelihoods to move to towns and cities. Increasing urbanisation across China also leads to changes in diets, consumption and purchasing patterns, whereby food products are bought in large stores, and diets move towards imported products. The changing nature of agricultural production and socio-economic change among rural farming communities in China increasingly threatens the continued use and conservation of traditional varieties within agroecosystems. Small-scale farming increasingly falls on female members of farming communities while men seek jobs in urban centres. Women in remote rural areas often lack knowledge and skills in farming and processing of traditional crops and livestock and have limited access to external markets. Increasing emigration to urban areas is exacerbating the loss of knowledge of traditional crops and livestock, and of associated farming practices and products.

Invasive alien species (IAS) are increasingly threatening agroecosystems. It is estimated that 15-20% of wild and higher plant habitats in China are threatened by IAS. Of the world's 100 most threatening IAS identified by IUCN, 51

4 Song, Y., Li, J., & Vernooy R (2012) ‘Designing policies and laws to ensure fair access and benefit sharing of genetic resources and participatory plant breeding products (2012) In M. Ruiz & R. Vernooy (Eds.), The custodians of biodiversity: sharing access to and benefits of genetic resources (pp. 94-120). Abingdon: Earthscan & Ottawa: International Development Research Centre.

5 FAO Agricultural Biodiversity, Multifunctional Character of Agriculture and Land Conference.GEF-6 PFD Template-April2015

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have been recorded in China where they have widely invaded forests, wetlands, grasslands and marine ecosystems causing significant damage within nature reserves, significant ecological function areas, and within agroecosystems, eroding genetic diversity and species richness in the process. According to estimates, environmental and economic losses every year from IAS account for 1.36% of China’s GDP. Noxious weeds such as alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) create high-density invasions that damage entire ecosystems as the plants inhabit water and land. Invasions of these weeds threaten populations of wild chestnut and wild rice among others, eroding genetic resources, degrading agroecosystems and damaging livelihoods. Golden apple snails (Family Ampullariidae) are serious pests in rice paddies across at least 14 provinces. Snail invasions decrease rise production by up to two thirds, alter the composition of agroecosystems and impair ecological function, and spread zoononotic diseases that pose a risk to human health. Other recorded IAS impacts include the large-scale death of wild fruit forest trees in Xinjiang through invasion of jewel beetles (Agrilus mali Mats.) and an invasion of coconut leaf beetle (Brontispa longissimi) in Hainan that damaged 3.3 million coconut trees and caused economic loss exceeding $24 million.

To date, there has been an over-reliance on ex-situ conservation of GRFA. Ex-situ and in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity are complementary approaches to conserving genetic resources important for global food security (GRFA). In-situ conservation involves the maintenance of viable populations of species in the surroundings where they have developed their distinctive properties. Ex-situ conservation refers to the conservation of germplasm away from its natural habitat, often in seed gene banks or in-vitro cultures. The Government of China recognises that securing long-term food security and sustainable, resilient agricultural production systems will require the conservation of its agricultural genetic resource base and has supported extensive ex-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity in gene banks. However, while ex-situ conservation is important, one of its disadvantages is that plants and animals are no longer exposed to evolutionary processes in their natural habitats where they could continue to adapt to changing climatic or other conditions. In-situ or on-farm conservation supports the continuation of these evolutionary processes that can generate new germplasm under conditions of natural and social selection, and in this context can serve as an ongoing source of germplasm for ex-situ conservation. In 2001, the government started to establish in-situ conservation sites for wild relatives of crops, mostly as distinct fenced conservation areas. However, to date little has been done to conserve agrobiodiversity within farming systems or as part of farming livelihoods, nor to establish incentives for farmers to continue to use endemic crops and livestock. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has given high priority to this conservation approach, including to ensure the protection of species in the wild, the sustainable use and conservation of landraces maintained by farmers, the preservation of knowledge of traditional farming practices and the conservation of agroecosystems.

Long-term vision and barriers to achieving it

The long-term vision is to ensure sustainable agricultural development in China through effective in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity and grassland ecosystems. In this vision, farmers and herders will have economic incentives to continue to use and conserve traditional crops and livestock, will adopt climate-smart practices to manage and conserve grassland ecosystems, and agroecosystems will not be critically affected by IAS.

A number of barriers are currently preventing China from achieving this vision:

Barrier 1: Weak and inconsistent regulatory, policy and inter-sectoral coordination frameworks for in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation, for the prevention, control and management of IAS threats to agroecosystems and for sustainable management and conservation of grassland ecosystems.

The roles and responsibilities of the various organizations which have influence over agrobiodiversity and agroecosystem conservation are not well-coordinated within an overall institutional, policy and regulatory framework, at either national or provincial levels. A range of public sector agencies have relevant mandates. Nationally, the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) has overall responsibility for safeguarding genetic resources important for food and agriculture, for the prevention and control of IAS, and for the sustainable management of grassland ecosystems. The Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) is responsible for biodiversity conservation and for the coordination of initiatives under China’s National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). It also has responsibilities for the management of IAS in protected areas. The State Forestry Administration (SFA) is responsible for forests, including for traditional crops found in forest areas. The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) is responsible for preventing and regulating the entry of IAS to China. The National Management Office of Rural


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Development and Poverty Alleviation influences provincial rural development and poverty alleviation strategies. These strategies have a significant impact on agricultural development, often prioritising short-term economic development over sustainable use and agrobiodiversity conservation objectives.

Policies and regulations relevant to agrobiodiversity conservation across sectors – and between national and provincial levels – are not streamlined. There are many inconsistencies in the laws related to the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity, including for the management of IAS impacts on agroecosystems. Some laws and policies are fragmented, while others overlap or conflict, both at the provincial level and between provincial and national levels. There are also weaknesses in the enforcement of laws and regulations. Finally, the fragmented nature of the regulatory framework is compounded by a lack of inter-sectoral coordination mechanisms at both national and provincial levels.

Song and Vernooy (2012)6 summarize the weaknesses in China’s legal, policy and institutional framework as ‘a lack of harmonization of institutional (governance) mechanisms (conflicts between sectoral authorities and territorial authorities), disjointed and sometimes conflicting regulations, weak public participation (poor information provision, absence of platforms for interactions and joint decision-making), lack of or sometimes perverse policy and regulatory incentives, and weak enforcement’. They add that ‘these gaps are compounded by a disjuncture between policies at national on the one hand and provincial and county levels on the other hand, including the absence of feedback mechanisms between these levels. National policies and international agreements could also be better harmonized’.

In addition to climate change, productivity-oriented grassland management policies have contributed to grassland degradation. Over-grazing has decreased the long-term productivity and biodiversity of grasslands, despite increase herder incomes in the short-term. Further, the conversion of natural grasslands to cropland and artificial grassland has decreased soil organic carbon and increased carbon emissions. These impacts call for new policies for the long-term sustainable management of grassland ecosystems.

Barrier 2: Lack of incentives for farmers to use traditional crops and livestock and to conserve agroecosystems and to restore grassland ecosystems using native species and varieties.

Farmers across China are increasingly turning away from the use of traditional crops and livestock. Many use support offered by government to modernize production methods, resulting in a shift towards monocultures and mechanized systems for intensified production. Others are moving out of the agricultural sector altogether. Agricultural development initiatives at the national and local level have in many cases created disincentives for farmers to engage in the sustainable use and management of agrobiodiversity and agroecosystems. The move away from traditional species and varieties is largely due to the lack of economic incentives, with limited markets for traditional varieties and therefore few opportunities for smallholders to generate income from their sustainable use.

Incentives can be market-based, where farmers earn money from the sale of traditional crops and livestock, or non-market-based where farmers receive payment for the services that they provide in conserving genetic resources important for food and agriculture. The latter is typically from government supported eco-compensation such as Payment for Ecosystem Service (PES) schemes. However, while eco-compensation legislation exists in China it cannot currently be applied to agrobiodiversity conservation, placing a significant barrier to the use of non-market-based incentive mechanisms. The potential to use eco-compensation to encourage farmer engagement in IAS management also needs to be explored. While a number of PES schemes are operational for grassland conservation, these are yet to achieve concrete results.

Large-scale agricultural companies are increasingly monopolizing markets for food products (OECD 2011). Small-scale farmers cannot compete and are restricted by limited access to niche markets that are more receptive to traditional products, such as markets linked to tourism, or targeting organic and ethical consumers. Few certification or branding schemes exist to add value to traditional crop and livestock products and farmers lack the knowledge of markets and the processing, packaging and marketing skills, to be able to develop these niche products. Business partnerships between farmers and private or public sector enterprises to establish niche products are rare. With few economic or social

6 Song, Y., Li, J., & Vernooy, R. (2012). China: designing policies and laws to ensure fair access and benefit sharing of genetic resources and participatory plant breeding products. In M. Ruiz & R. Vernooy (Eds.), The custodians of biodiversity: sharing access to and benefits of genetic resources (pp. 94-120). Abingdon: Earthscan & Ottawa: International Development Research Centre


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incentives to farm traditional crops and livestock, more and more farmers have ceased using indigenous species and varieties and exploited agroecosystems to an extent that has eventually led to degradation of agroecosystems. The low value and lack of public recognition of the importance of agrobiodiversity and agroecosystems means that farmers take little pride in traditional ways of farming. Alongside the declining genetic agricultural resource base, important traditional knowledge about the production and processing of traditional varieties and the wise management of agroecosystems is rapidly being lost.

In order to improve livestock productivity, herders were advised to raise alien livestock varieties of high productivity, which has resulted in a decrease in the herding of local animal species/varieties with high climatic adaptability. Moreover, the current incentive policy is productivity-oriented and has not considered the ecological services provided by grassland ecosystems, such as carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation. There is an urgent need to develop incentives that promote both productivity and the maintenance of ecological services, to ensure the sustainable management and conservation of these fragile ecosystems.

Barrier 3: Lack of evidence-based policy making.

Since 2003 China has implemented various payments for ecosystem services (PES) programs (e.g. Grazing Ban and Return to Grass Program from 2003-2010, Subsidy for Grassland Ecological Conservation from 2011-2015) to support grassland conservation. These programs focus heavily on the provision of technical and financial incentives to promote sustainable grassland uses. However, the design of such programs faced challenges in determining the level of subsidies and implementation modalities. Herders’ actual demands had not been well identified while levels of incentives were set with weak justifications and had no linkage with herders’ actual grassland management practices. In addition, although individual herders have the right to utilize grassland under the contractual responsibility system, they do not have land rights and grassland management responsibilities, which belong to all levels of government agencies. As such, herders often do not take into account the consequences of their short-term economic actions to manage their grasslands. They have limited incentives to invest in grassland restoration. Grassland contracted to the household greatly reduced the herd movements but increased the demand for hay, which has led to large-scale grassland conversion and destruction of grassland habitats, which in turn has caused serious soil erosion, declining grassland productivity and loss of ecosystem services and functions. As a result, actual impacts of these programs might have been seriously compromised while herders’ livestock production practices have yet to be changed towards the desired sustainable manners.

Barrier 4: Weak institutional capacity at all levels for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity, including for the reduction of IAS threats to and impacts on agroecosystems, and for evidence-based and climate-smart management of grassland ecosystems.

MOA has extensive experience and capacity in the ex-situ conservation of GRFA, and has supported the in-situ conservation of wild relatives of crops within conservation sites, and in some farming systems 7. However, there are no mainstreamed support mechanisms for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of traditional crops and livestock, and very little capacity at national, provincial or county levels to support the application of these.

Agricultural and rural development agencies, and research professionals, have limited experience in the assessment of socio-economic and cultural variables driving agricultural production systems. The focus of research and development in China has been on the science of conserving agricultural genetic resources ex-situ, rather than on social research into the role of farming systems and traditional knowledge in shaping and maintaining agrobiodiversity. As traditional farming systems are increasingly replaced by modern ones, the understanding of effective practices for farming and processing traditional crops and livestock is rapidly being lost, further challenging the establishment of effective in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation approaches.

Song and Vernooy (2012) stress the need for ‘more supportive institutional mechanisms and capacity to establish incentives for collaborative, community-based efforts to support the sustainable use of agrobiodiversity.’ In order to establish effective incentives, farmers need to be able to generate adequate revenue from those species. Public sector agricultural and rural development agencies can play an important role in facilitating the establishment of partnerships between farmers and commercial enterprises as well as in skills development to build production, processing and business

7 Through support from a GEF-financed, UNDP-implemented project for the Conservation of Wild Relatives of Crops.GEF-6 PFD Template-April2015

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skills among farmers. However, these agencies currently lack the knowledge, experience and tools to be able to work effectively as facilitators and trainers for the establishment of market- and non-market-based incentive mechanisms.

Although IAS management is a core part of the Ministry of Agriculture’s national work program, the reduction of IAS impacts on agrobiodiversity is not integrated within the work plans of provincial and county agricultural agencies. In 60% of counties IAS management agencies have not been established, leading to poor local implementation of national laws, regulations and policies. There is insufficient capacity among relevant provincial and county agencies to manage the significant threat that IAS pose to agroecosystems across China. Current frameworks for IAS management are outdated, poorly-coordinated and do not strategically target investment and effort on prevention, early warning, quarantine and monitoring activities, where it is most effective and cost-efficient to manage IAS risks and there is the highest chance of preventing pests from becoming established. Improved systems, engagement and capacity in prevention, control and management of IAS impacts is required along with a better analysis of potential pathways for the introduction of IAS to agroecosystems (including via the agricultural sector) and stricter control of priority pathways.

For the conservation and sustainable use of grasslands, MOA and its local DOAs have limited capacity to monitor and evaluate actual implementation of its grassland conservation PES schemes across vast grassland areas that are often remote. It is reported that there are actually very limited control over grazing over areas under grazing bans. The control of herd sizes is also minimal. It is clear that local DOA capacity needs to be strengthened to empower them to implement future grassland PES schemes effectively. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) as a new concept for sustainable agricultural development was introduced to MOA under a GEF supported Climate-smart Staple Production Project (GEF ID #5121). MOA for the first time is exploring ways to achieve triple wins – productivity, mitigation and resilience – in crop production. The Ministry and local DOAs will need access to strong technical support to expand CSA practices beyond crop production to sustainable management of grassland ecosystems and other agroecosystems.

Barrier 5: Low levels of awareness on the importance of in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation, of IAS impacts on the agriculture sector, of evidence-based policy making and climate-smart management of grassland ecosystems, and poor access to knowledge and information

There is limited awareness among public sector agencies, the general public, farmers and NGOs of the importance of in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation to long-term food security, poverty alleviation, climate change adaptation and China’s sustainable development. A recent project8 found that ‘most people neither understand the meaning of the word agrobiodiversity, nor why it is important to conserve it’.

There is little recognition of the ‘value’ of traditional crops and livestock and of healthy agroecosystems to long-term food security and sustainable development. The focus of agricultural development over the last decade or so on new varieties and technologies has led to widespread misunderstanding of the value of local varieties. These are perceived by most provincial and county agencies as having low productivity, slow growth and low economic value, and therefore of little importance to agricultural development. Farmers and local development support groups have little awareness of the importance and potential value of endemic crops and livestock, and therefore little interest in continuing to farm them.Enhanced strategic and budgetary support for agrobiodiversity conservation will require decision makers within key national and provincial agricultural and rural development institutions to have a clearer understanding of the importance of in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation and the threats that it currently faces. There is incomplete knowledge on the impacts of IAS on agroecosystems and inconclusive information on effective approaches for reducing IAS threats and impacts, impeding risk management approaches and tactical on-the-ground IAS management. Farming communities have a low level of awareness of IAS threats to livelihoods and agricultural production, and thus play a limited role in controlling the establishment and spread of IAS within agricultural production systems and agroecosystems. As noted above, concepts of evidence-based policy making and CSA are new to China. As such, there is a low awareness among stakeholders of methodologies, practices and actual application of both concepts and how such new concepts and approaches will contribute to China’s sustainable agricultural development agenda.

8 Sustainable Management of Agrobiodiversity in the Provinces of Hainan and Hunan was jointly implemented between 2005 and 2011 by MOA and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, development agency (GIZ).


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In summary, at national and provincial levels there is an urgent need for improved knowledge management so that public sector agencies and other parties can access information on agrobiodiversity, effective approaches for facilitating the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity and the management of IAS threats to agroecosystems, and the methodology and practices of evidence-based policy making and climate-smart grassland management practices.

b) The baseline scenario and associated baseline programs and projects

This program will focus at the national, provincial and county levels, strengthening national policy and legislative frameworks for the conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity and grassland ecosystems and effective IAS management in agroecosystems, and delivering targeted on-the-ground activities in that result in demonstrated environmental benefits for globally significant agrobiodiversity and agroecosystems and support the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in counties that depend upon agricultural production. The program has been designed to build off – and support – the strong foundations made by the Government of China.

Over recent decades the Chinese Government has established multiple policies, regulations and strategies to safeguard the country’s natural resource base to support sustainable agricultural development, including:

People's Republic of China Agriculture Law People's Republic of China Forest Law People's Republic of China Environmental Protection Law People's Republic of China Grassland Law People's Republic of China Land Management Law People's Republic of China Animal Husbandry Law People’s Republic of China Law on Prevention and Control of Desertification Regulation on Fire Protection of Grasslands Regulation on the Protection of Wild Plants (the State Council, 1996) Chinese Agricultural Agenda 21 (MOA, 1999), in the Chinese twenty-first Century agricultural agenda, the

rational utilization and protection of resources including the conservation of biodiversity are stated as core objective.

Action Plan for Chinese Genetic Resources (2001) Management Regulation for Agricultural Wild Plants (MOA, 2002) Crop Germplasm Resources Conservation Plan, which puts forward a strategy for integrating conservation with

sustainable use and promoting the former by the latter National Research and Development plan and National Medium and Long-term Plan for Science and Technology

Development (2006-2020) National Plan for Sustainable Development of Agriculture (2015-2030) which includes agrobiodiversity

conservation and the importance of conserving genetic resources within wild relatives of crops and livestock, IAS prevention and control, and the conservation and restoration of ecological function and carbon stock of agroecosystems including grasslands

Major Agricultural Pest and Invasive Species Emergency Contingency Plans Strategy for Controlling Invasive Species in the Agriculture and Forestry sectors , nine provinces have also

modified and improved their local agriculture and environment protection regulations and strengthened provisions for monitoring IAS

Resource Conservation and Utilization Plan for National Biological Species Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine Law of the People's Republic of China MOA Order 48 (May 2005): Management Rules for Livestock and Pasture Balance MOA Order 58 (January 2006): Management Rules for Review and Approval of Other Uses of Grasslands MOA Management Rule of Grass Seeds (January 2006).

The importance of integration environmental protection within China’s future growth is increasingly recognised within government policy. China’s most recent five-year National Development Plan (2016-2020, the 13th FYP) underlines the importance of environmental protection and the creation of China as an ‘ecological civilization’ with the aim of developing a ‘beautiful China’. Ministries are adjusting their priorities to match the overarching directions of this plan.


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China has obtained good experience from various eco-compensation schemes since the implementation of Returning Croplands to Forest Program in 1999. In 2010, the State Council launched the process of eco-compensation legislation, which is led by the National Development and Reform Commission. NDRC released the draft outline of the Eco-compensation Regulation in 2011 and set out the eco-compensation policy framework. In the present eco-compensation policy framework, both public financial transfers and market-based deals are encouraged. Ten fields are listed as being eligible for public financial transfers, i.e. for forest, grassland, wetland, wilderness, watershed, soil, mining, marine environment, development prohibited regions, and development restricted regions. The envisaged market based mechanisms include direct deals between upstream communities and downstream water users, water rights trading, permit trading, carbon trading, eco-labelling, and over-the-counter deals. The conservation of grassland ecosystems is a major focus of China’s eco-compensation schemes. However agrobiodiversity conservation is currently ineligible under the current eco-compensation policy framework.

Agrobiodiversity conservation

Responsibilities for agrobiodiversity conservation and the prevention, control and management of IAS in agroecosystems are shared across multiple agencies, at national, provincial and county levels. At a national level, two core institutions are responsible for the conservation of agrobiodiversity: the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP). Both Ministries also have core responsibilities for the management of IAS.

MOA has responsibility for agricultural development and for management of all agricultural land in China, including the ex-situ and in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity. MOA invests about $3.5 billion each year on agrobiodiversity conservation, with around $15 million used for crop genetic resources conservation. Efforts to date have emphasized ex-situ techniques, although there is an increasing interest and recognition of the need to invest in complementary in-situ approaches.

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Ministry of Finance (MOF), Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and MOA have supported extensive research to identify genetic resources important for food and agriculture, and have conserved the majority of those resources ex-situ in gene banks, ‘in vitro’ cultures, germplasm nurseries and in specific conservation sites. Over 400,000 crop genetic resources have been collected and stored, and China now houses the world’s second largest gene bank. In 2001 MOA started to establish in-situ conservation sites for wild relatives of crops, which were placed on the National Key Protected Wild Plant List. Almost 200 expert-identified conservation sites for 52 plant species have been established across 26 provinces.

MOA operates through Departments of Agriculture and Agricultural Bureaux in provinces and counties. There is a Department of Agriculture (DOA) in each province and an Agricultural Bureau in each county. Agricultural environmental monitoring is undertaken by the Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, MOA. Sub-stations have been established across China for monitoring in different regions. The provision of extension support falls under provincial DOA and activities take place at the county level, with variable capacity and extent.

MEP has overall responsibility for the coordination of biodiversity conservation in China and for oversight of implementation of China’s National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action plan (2011-2030). It funds research and development activities to support its regulatory role. MEP sits directly under the State Council and has responsibility for environmental policies, laws and regulations. It heads the national Coordinating Group for Implementation of the CBD and houses the CBD Implementation Office. MEP is also the secretariat for the National Committee on Biodiversity Conservation and is directly involved in developing access and benefit sharing (ABS) regulations. Environmental agencies tend to focus on conservation of biodiversity in protected areas and conservation zones and are not currently involved in supporting conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity within farming systems.

The State Forestry Administration (SFA) has responsibility for the management of forest resources in China, along with the responsibility for overseeing the protection and sustainable use of terrestrial wildlife resources. Agrobiodiversity often falls within forest areas, and where this is the case SFA has a role to play in its conservation and sustainable use. Provincial and county Forestry Bureaux often influence farm management, especially with the introduction of the national reforestation program, under which farmers are provided with seedlings for planting. A compensation fund for lost farm revenue is also administered, providing an incentive for farmers to return agricultural land to forests.


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In addition, NDRC, Ministry of Land and Resources, MOST and the National Management Office for Rural Development and Poverty Reduction play important roles in rural development and thus have relevance to the establishment of effective approaches for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity. At provincial and county levels the strategies and actions of relevant agencies directly influence agroecosystem conservation and the uptake of farming using traditional varieties. Provincial and county economic development and poverty alleviation strategies and rural development plans have a significant impact on prospects for in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation. Currently, the emphasis on poverty alleviation and economic development has led to local agricultural policies that promote short-term economic gain rather than long-term sustainability. This is particularly the case in poor, remote regions where populations of GRFA are typically located.

There are a number of scientific and research institutions which play an important role in supporting agricultural development. These institutions include the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) administered by the State Council of China and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS). CAAS undertakes agricultural research and oversees many different institutes. Each provincial government oversees agricultural science academies which focus on applied research tailored to the agro-ecological challenges of each province. Prefectures have their own agricultural research institutes, which similarly focus on applied research of local relevance. However, links between extension support to farmers and research institutes or universities are not well-developed (Fan, Qian, and Zhang 2006), and to date research has generally focussed on ex-situ techniques and approaches.

IAS prevention, control and management

Responsibilities for IAS management are also split across multiple agencies, most notably MOA, MEP and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ). In 2003, the Chinese Government authorized MOA to organize, lead and coordinate the prevention and control of IAS across China with the establishment of an IAS Management Office within MOA. In 2005, the IAS Management Office issued a set of major agricultural pests and IAS emergency plans. MOA has established a national, provincial, prefectural and county-level monitoring and warning network for IAS, which is led by the Rural Energy and Environment Agency. It involves agricultural environmental stations in 34 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities), with 276 ground-level stations and 1,572 county stations.

MEP is involved in IAS management within protected areas and in 2013 established a National Biosafety Management Office. MEP works with the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences and their subordinate departments from different provinces in China to investigate and intensively monitor IAS within national natural reserves and significant ecological function areas.

Regulation of the entry of IAS to China is the mandate of AQSIQ. This agency plays a key role in the interception of IAS at borders. Border inspection agencies assess a significant number of agricultural imports. There are 35 immediate Inspection and Quarantine Bureau which conduct inspection and quarantine of IAS at more than 400 ports nationwide. The Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine carries out risk assessment on IAS to support the work of AQSIQ.

SFA is directly involved in the management and control of IAS in forest areas.

The CAAS and Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences have completed significant research projects on the impact of IAS within national natural reserves and on significant ecological function areas. This research has provided useful information on the distribution and impact of IAS on some endangered species and protected ecosystems, and EP has used this research to develop prevention and control techniques in national natural reserves and significant ecological function areas.

Grassland restoration and conservation

MOA is the lead agency on the conservation and management of grassland ecosystems as well as pasture and livestock production. In addition, MOF, NDRC, Ministry of Land and Resources, MEP, MOST, the National Management Office for Rural Development and Poverty Reduction and the State Ethnic Affairs Commission play important roles in grassland


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management and livelihood development of herders and thus have high relevance to the establishment of effective approaches for sustainable management of such ecosystems. At provincial and county levels the strategies and actions of relevant agencies directly influence sustainable management and conservation of grassland ecosystems as well as the use and maintenance of traditional livestock varieties. Provincial and county economic development and poverty alleviation strategies and rural development plans have a significant impact on prospects for the conservation and management of grassland ecosystems in provinces with grasslands. In terms of technical issues, CAS, CAAS and a number of research universities have supported MOA to develop and implement grassland management and pasture production policies.

On the production side, MOA has invested annually $4 billion to support pasture and pasture-based livestock production. On the conservation side, it has long recognized the serious nature of grassland degradation and its negative impacts on ecosystem services, carbon releases and sequestration, and herders' livelihoods. To reverse the trend of grassland degradation, MOA with support of MOF and NDRC has implemented various policy and technical measures and payment for ecosystem service (PES) schemes. From 2003 to 2010, the national government implemented a Grazing Ban and Return to Grass Program with a total investment over $2.3 billion to restore grassland vegetation and ecosystem health through measures such as fencing, artificial seeding, grazing bans, and rotational grazing. These were followed by the Grassland Ecological Conservation Program from 2011 to 2015 which supported grazing bans, pasture and livestock balance PES schemes in eight key pastoral provinces and autonomous regions in northern China with a total investment of $15 billion. MOA reports that since 2003, a total of 96 million hectares of grassland has benefited from the grazing ban, and 39 million hectares from artificial seeding and variety improvement. Livestock-pasture balance management measures were introduced in 173 million hectares and a total of 87 million hectares has been fenced. However, as the Ministry acknowledges, the pace of China’s efforts to improve grassland management has been out-stripped by the rate of grassland degradation and desertification with key pastoral areas over-grazed by 20% in excess of their carrying capacity. Under the most recent five-year plan (2016-2020), MOA is investing annually $1.8 billion to combat grassland degradation and an additional $16.5 billion to promote sustainable pasture production.

In recent years, China has made significant progress in grassland restoration and protection by adopting a "top-down" approach, and it is evident that grassland productivity in target project areas has improved significantly. However, there are reported problems, such as insufficient participation of local farmers and herders, lack of true PES schemes, and poor grassland management technologies. The recovery of grassland ecosystem services, pasture re-establishment and biodiversity conservation remain very limited. Relevant departments have recognized that the top-down management of grassland conservation policy and its implementation have ignored local pastoral conditions and the needs of local herders – resulting in local grassland management practices that do not fit local contexts. Scholars believe that these plans, as short-term measures, do not explicitly consider the long-term sustainability of grassland ecosystems, and lack effective monitoring methods and techniques, thus hindering the assessment of the effectiveness of policies and technical measures.

Baselines in target provinces

Along with its attention on national policy reform for key environmental challenges related to sustainable agricultural development, this program will conduct activities in nine provinces9. Information on globally significant agroecosystems and traditional varieties, along with baseline initiatives, in the target provinces are summarised in Table 1. Further detail can be found in the child project concept notes.

Table 1: Summary of provincial agroecosystem significance and baseline initiatives (AgB = agrobiodiversity project; IAS = IAS project, GL = grassland project)

Province Agrobiodiversity significance Baseline initiatives

Fujian(IAS Fuzhou

Fujian has been selected as a demonstration site to pilot strengthened border control systems for IAS management

Fuzhou port has been identified as a priority for IAS control. Ongoing annual investment in quarantine and

9 Project provinces include five provinces with demonstration of in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation across landscapes, two provinces with demonstration of IAS threat reduction to agrobiodiversity across landscapes (Hainan will have demonstration of both in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation and IAS threat reduction), two provinces with systematic improvement of IAS systems at a major border port to reduce IAS threats to agrobiodiversity, and two provinces with demonstration of evidence-based PES and climate-smart management of grassland agroecosystems. Synergistic alignment of approaches and activities will also occur across all provinces.


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port; Child project 2)

Target variety: N/A, IAS priority pathway

at Fuzhou port.

Fuzhou port is a major point of entry for a wide range of goods to China, including agricultural products. In 2014, over three million tons of food was imported through the port. Over 10 million imported plants have been intercepted, resulting in 862 pest species quarantined.

Local agrobiodiversity at risk from introduced IAS through Fuzhou port includes traditional varieties of tropical fruits, including orange, litchi and longan. IAS also threatens provinces on regular shipping routes including Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi and Zhejiang.

inspection facilities is around $500,000.

The port has strengthened the quarantine supervision of imported live animals, seedling, fruits, waste materials, objects carried by passengers, entry containers and other key sensitive business.

Fuzhou port revised the risk analysis guide of 12 main exporting agricultural products and self-inspection guides to strengthen management, and become the first official designated port for import of grain.

A paperless permit management system for imported animals and plants and products has been introduced.

Gansu (GL; Child project 5)

Target: grasslands carbon and restoration

Gansu province has natural grassland area of 17.8 million hectares, mainly distributed in the Qinghai-Tibet plateau and the western desert and the loess plateau.

The main varieties of livestock are Gansu alpine fine-wool sheep and Tibet alpine yak. Gansu alpine fine-wool sheep is an important landrace with high quality meat and wool. The significance of Tibet alpine yak has been recognized on the ‘National Livestock Local Varieties Resources Map’.

Grassland ecological environment is harsh and difficult to restore if degraded. Climate change and over-grazing are the most critical factors influencing grassland biodiversity. An estimated 50% of Gansu grassland is under serious degradation, altering the composition of pastures. Native grass varieties with high pasture quality have significantly declined, while poisonous weeds, such as Ajania tenuifolia and Artemisia nanschanica have increased.

The provincial government attaches great importance to security of grassland ecological environments and sustainability, is coming up with a series of measures for grassland protection, while increasing the input of grassland restoration with an investment of $300 million per year.

Gansu provincial government implements projects including the restoration of natural grassland project, grass seed base development, and grassland monitoring system.

Guizhou(IAS; Child project 2)

Target variety: Herbal medicines, terraced field agroecosystem

IAS threat reduction: Alternanthera philoxeroides, Lissorphoptrus orzyophilus

The border mountains of Guizhou, Guangxi and Hunan have been identified as one of the eight plant diversity hotspots in China. Agrobiodiversity includes precious Chinese herbal medicines. Terraced fields of rice-fish-duck complex agroecosystem are recognised as globally significant agricultural heritage protection areas.

IAS are an increasing threat. There are 134 IAS in Guizhou, of which 13 cause serious agroecological damage including alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides). Outbreaks of rice water weevil (Lissorhoptrus orzyophilus) decrease rice yields by over 30%. Invasions of water cabbage and water hyacinth also threaten agrobiodiversity.

Guizhou prepared the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan to strengthen the operational guidance for the prevention and control of IAS. The government invests significant resources into preventing and controlling the spread of IAS by measures including eradication and biological replacement.

A number of national research programs are ongoing including for development of drought-resistant food crops and cultivation methods, and the development of biological and ecological IAS management techniques for invasive species that threaten native plants.

The terraced field agroecosystem in which IAS threat reduction will take place is a GIAHS project site.

Hainan(AgB, IAS; Child projects 2,3)

Target variety: Shanlan rice, wild litchi, Wuzhishan pig, Jiaji duck

Hainan Island has 4,200 endemic plant species, including important GRFA. Significant agrobiodiversity includes the famous Shanlan rice, of which there used to be 200 varieties in production (only a handful remain in use). Endemic species and varieties of tropical fruit also abound, including traditional varieties of wild litchi (Litchi chinensis).

There are 16 endemic livestock species and a wide range of varieties with unique characteristics. Famous local varieties include Wuzhishan pig (prized by local people for its meat) and Jiaji duck (a local specialty with a

Hainan has a strong commitment to sustainable development and has developed an Eco-Province Strategy. Under this strategy, the provincial government is undertaking initiatives relevant to in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation.

The Hainan government is also investing in initiatives to encourage farmers to engage in tourism-related activities and to showcase farming ecosystems and traditions.

The government of Hainan has supported extensive ex-situ conservation of GRFA throughout the province. Facilities include the mid-term genebank of crop genetic resources,


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IAS threat reduction: Mikania micrantha, Alternanthera philoxeroides, Eichhornia crassipes

IAS priority pathway

narrow agro-ecological niche).

This genetic diversity is threatened by IAS invasion, with 280 IAS recorded in Hainan. Weeds pose a particular threat to traditional wild varieties of rice, litchi and chestnut. The spread of the noxious creeper M. micrantha is particularly concerning due to its potential national environmental and economic impacts.

Hainan has been selected as a demonstration site to pilot strengthened border control systems for IAS management at Haikou port. Haikou port is an important port of goods entry, in 2016 the completion of the entry-exit inspection and quarantine of goods were up to $817 million. It has become the focus of prevention and control of IAS prevention and control. In recent years, 1865 batches of harmful plants were intercepted.

field genebanks for tropical crops and preservation farms for livestock.

Over 2016-2020, MOA and the Hainan government are investing $2.5 million in a project supporting extension skills and training of farmers in the control of key IAS.

Hebei(AgB; Child project 1)

Target variety: millet, oat

Hebei has 215 varieties of farming products in 12 main categories that can be listed as brand name and best products, or native and rare products. Hebei is particularly significant as a center of origin and diversity for millet and oat. China grows 80% of the world’s foxtail millet production. Oat has been cultivated in China for over 10,000 years.

Many ancient millet cultivars such as Laiwugu and Dabaigu remain popular among local farmers due to their adaptation to the local climate. However, on-farm use of these important varieties is steadily declining.

With 40% of the provincial population working in the agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry sectors, ensuring future ongoing agricultural production is important to the province. Current investment by the provincial Department of Agriculture into agrobiodiversity conservation is in the order of $645,000 per annum.

There are a number of related projects in Hebei that seek to maintain important agroecosystems and traditional ways of production. These include the GIAHS Xuanhua city traditional vineyard system which has potential for ‘leisure agriculture’, the NIAHS Kuancheng traditional chestnut cultivation system, and the NIAHS She county dry farming terrace system.

Hubei(AgB; Child project 4)

Target variety: Rouge rice, wild kiwi, Matou goat

Hubei is a key agricultural province in China. The Danjiangkou Reservoir Area in northwest Hubei is one of 35 prioritized biodiversity protection areas in China and is also a national ‘ecological development’ zone. Its diverse agrobiodiversity has led to it being known as the ‘cradle of Chinese agriculture’.

Significant local varieties include rouge meter/red rice (Oryza sp.) an ancient rice variety that has a long history of use in Hubei. Wild kiwi (Actinidia sp.) is listed as a wild plant under special state protection. There is a steady genetic erosion of wild kiwi resources across China. Matou goat (Capra sp.) is endemic to Hubei and recognized internationally for its meat production potential. Indigenous goat breeds in China are regarded as providing globally important genetic resources, and many are considered endangered breeds.

The conservation and use of traditional varieties has been significantly impeded by the loss of habitat caused by the development of the large-scale water transfer scheme.

Danjiangkou Reservoir Area is listed as a national ecological function zone and the national government is developing eco-compensation of the area. The roll-out of the eco-compensation scheme by the Development and Reform Commission and Financial Department will equate to a $134.5 million annual investment. Agricultural ecosystems are currently not included within the scheme, but this will be explored by this project.

‘Ecological agriculture’ is identified as a preferred option for the reservoir area. The government is funding demonstration activities with investment of $3 million per annum. Eco-construction, environmental protection and anti-pollution programs in the reservoir area invest over $50 million per year in the restoration of degraded land and rollout of renewable energy.

Trainer of farmers takes place through Farmers Field Schools, with investment of $1.23 million per year.

Hubei has established a habitat protection area for wild kiwifruit in Danjiangkou and a provincial natural conservation area for wild plants in Daliang of Yunxi is under construction. This is the first natural conservation area for agricultural wild plants in China. Total investment is around $1.5 million.

Liaoning(AgB; Child project 1)

Target variety:

The province’s rich agrobiodiversity includes globally significant soybean varieties. China is a major centre for soybean (Glycine max Merr.) and soybean cultivation can be traced back 1000 years. Northeast China is the main soybean-producing area in China.

Traditional soybean landraces in Liaoning are well-

Targeted investment into agrobiodiversity conservation by the provincial Department of Agriculture is currently around $600,000 per annum.

Agriculture is the main economy in Liaoning, with agricultural practices varying according to the diverse climates and terrain. There are multiple NIAHS projects


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soybeanadapted to the varied local environments and provide globally significant germplasm for breeding modern soybean cultivars. Chinese landraces have been introduced to the United States, Brazil and Japan, however due to a lack of breeding programs commercial cultivars from Japan and Taiwan are very popular.

underway in the province including to conserve column ginseng traditional culture systems in Kuandian, Jingzu rice cultivation systems in Huanren, and Nanguo pear cultivation system in Anshan.

Qinghai(GL; Child project 5)

Target: grasslands carbon and restoration

Qinghai province is one of the five major pastoral areas, with a total area of 42 million hectares of grassland, accounting for 55.79% of the total land area of the province.

Tibet sheep and Tibet alpine yak are important landraces with high quality meat and good adaptation to the high altitude environments.

Global warming and drought have induced serious degradation in Qinghai grassland which result in the reduction of productivity, biodiversity and resilience. Almost 90% of the total grassland is currently considered degraded to some extent. Diversity of native pasture grasses has decreased significantly. High quality Grass varieties have decreased, while poisonous weeds such as Gelsemium elegans and Oxytropis ochrocephala have increased in abundance. Ecosystem imbalance has also led to increased degradation by grassland rodents.

The provincial government places great importance on protection and restoration of grassland ecology with investment of $900 million annually for pasture restoration. In the ecological restoration of grassland, a series of ecological protection projects were implemented in Qinghai province, such as the ecological protection and construction project of "Three river sources", the ecological environment protection and comprehensive control project of Qinghai Lake Basin, Grazing Ban and Conversion to Grassland Program, to achieve the goal of reducing the grazing pressure of natural grassland and grassland sustainable development.

In order to protect the Tibetan antelope, wild yak, Tibetan gazelle, Tibetan wild ass and other rare wild animals, plants and their habitat, the provincial government established the Three river sources natural park and Hohxil nature reserve with investment of $500 million. National Wetland Park of Heihe source and the provincial Qilian Mountain Nature Reserve have been established, along with the ‘Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan of Qinghai Province (2016-2030)’.

Yunnan(AgB; Child project 1)

Target variety: rice

A wide diversity of endemic rice varieties (Oryza sp.) have evolved through the importance of rice in local diets and cultures, the range of farming systems and complex environmental conditions. Endemic varieties include Indica and Japonica, upland and lowland forms, and glutinous and non-glutinous varieties. These possess valuable traits for breeding such as disease resistance. Key varieties in local diets include Yunnan fragrant rice and black and purple rice varieties.

Many traditional varieties are no longer cultivated resulting in significant erosion of local gene pools.

The provincial government places a strong emphasis on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. It invests $60 million annually in biodiversity conservation, up to a third of which is used on agrobiodiversity.

The provincial government has supported extensive research to identify endemic crop and livestock species and varieties and to conserve genetic resources ex-situ in gene banks, in-vitro cultures and in reserve areas. The province has also conducted international and national research projects on genetic resource conservation.

Current and recent initiatives on which the program will build

Former and ongoing GEF and other donor-financed projects provide a strong foundation of knowledge, experience and lessons on which the current programmatic approach can build (as summarised in Table 2). These projects will be reviewed further during the PPG phase to ensure that project activities build on past achievements and lessons.

Between 2007 and 2013 GEF supported a project for the Conservation of and Sustainable Utilization of Wild Relatives of Crops (CWRC) in partnership with MOA and UNDP. This focused on identifying, establishing and demonstrating effective mechanisms for conserving wild relatives of crops (WRCs) by integrating the conservation of wild relatives of rice, soybean and wheat within agricultural production landscapes in eight provinces of China. The Farmer Field School (FFS)10 approach was used to develop livelihood-based incentives for the in-situ conservation of WRCs. In 2009, as a result of the project’s demonstrated success in using FFS, and the experience gained by MOA, the Ministry adopted the FFS approach as an important tool for agricultural extension and launched a national FFS Program (2009 to 2013) covering a total of 3,700 villages in 850 counties. The CWRC project demonstrated the importance of establishing incentive mechanisms for conservation using the pillars of policy, alternative livelihoods and financial support. It also

10 Originally developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Farmer Field Schools provide a useful approach to engage farmers in establishing incentive mechanisms.


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established a WRC monitoring and alert system providing local and national agencies with accurate, updated information on the status of wild relatives of crops, as part of WRC conservation planning, monitoring and evaluation.

An ongoing initiative which has important parallels with the proposed program is the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) initiative of the FAO. China has adopted the GIAHS philosophy within a national scheme, the Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (NIAHS). GIAHS/NIAHS objectives align closely with those of proposed program. The GIAHS initiative aims not only to protect traditional heritage systems, species and knowledge but also to stimulate local economic development and improve the lives of rural communities. The NIAHS experience in China provides a wealth of information, lessons and results on traditional farming systems, knowledge and traditional crops and livestock. The GIAHS initiative provides an important international resource base. During the PPG phase close attention will be paid to learning from NIAHS initiatives and maximizing the potential for synergy between the program and ongoing/planned NIAHS initiatives, including potential alignment of project sites to maximise learning and impacts.

Another initiative that has yielded important lessons for in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation was the project Sustainable Management of Agrobiodiversity in the Provinces of Hainan and Hunan jointly implemented by the MOA and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development’s Development Agency (GIZ) over 2005-2011. The project focussed on mountain agroecosystems in different agro-ecological zones and developed approaches for agrobiodiversity management through a tiered approach at county, provincial and national levels. The GIZ-MOA project used a participatory approach to support in-situ conservation, working with 26 pilot villages11. Traditional crops with economic potential were identified and value chains and markets assessed. The project demonstrated the potential to establish viable market-based incentives for farming communities to engage in the sustainable use of traditional crops. It facilitated the development of products, establishment of markets and market chains, thereby increasing revenues for farmers. Farmers’ production and marketing skills were strengthened and cooperatives for processing and marketing agrobiodiversity products established.

Key findings and lessons from the GIZ-MOA project include: The importance of facilitating the active involvement of the rural population, the vital role of women in the

sustainable use and conservation of agrobiodiversity (particularly in seed conservation) and the importance of adding economic value to products derived from agricultural genetic resources. The project coined the phrase “use it or lose it”.

The benefits of using participatory processes to assess the health of agroecosystems and the benefits of integrating social, economic and cultural influences into the assessment of existing biological resources. The project found that by including farmers, administrators and scientists in the research team simple resource assessments were transformed into a shared learning process that facilitated innovation and transformation of agricultural systems.

The value of Farmers Field Schools to provide training was demonstrated including for biodiversity-friendly farming techniques, small habitat protection, improved seed maintenance, the development of village-level codes of conduct for agrobiodiversity management and the establishment of cooperatives and business ventures.

The need for a clear focus on, and support for, gender equality – the project found that the active participation of women was often hindered by gender-based inequities.

For grasslands, the GEF has co-financed a World Bank financed Xinjiang-Gansu Pastoral Development Project. The development objective of the project was to improve the lives and livelihoods of herders and farmers in the project areas, through establishment of improved grassland management and livestock production and marketing systems, while sustaining the pastoral resources and improving the condition of natural grassland ecosystems and enhancing their global environmental benefits, including biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration and river basin management. Specifically, the GEF grant supported the pilot of community based grassland management plans in selected project areas of high global biodiversity values and provided incremental investments for implementing grassland management plans, and supported monitoring of grassland habitats in selected pilot sites. A major lesson of this project is the lack of evidence that is of good quality to verify the result chains to project attribution. As such, it has been difficult to elevate the results of pilot grassland management practices to effective, evidence-based policy. There is a need for a well-developed monitoring and evaluation system with a robust design and data collection arrangements to generate reputable and concrete results to influence local and national grassland policies.

11 The EU-China Biodiversity Programme (ECBP) supported an extension of project to Anhui and Hubei and Chongqing Municipality.GEF-6 PFD Template-April2015

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More broadly, ADB, the World Bank and IFAD has supported a PRC-GEF Land Degradation Partnership (led by ADB, GEF ID# 3482) since GEF IV. This partnership program has supported China to establish an effective system of integrated environmental management in its programs and policies influencing land and ecosystem quality in Western China and maximize the ecosystem benefits of investment projects in the program region. Knowledge gained over the long implementation period of this program will help inform the design of future operations of sustainable land management operations, including those related to grassland management, on soil carbon sequestration, sustainable land use and equitable benefit sharing to reduce poverty.

As noted above, MOA is implementing a Climate-smart Staple Production Project (GEF ID# 5121) with support of the World Bank since 2014. This project has enabled MOA to (a) identify and pilot climate-smart production technologies; and (b) design and implement a robust MRV system to measure project impacts on mitigation, adaptation and livelihood. This engagement has improved MOA’s awareness on CSA concepts and techniques and facilitated the Ministry’s decision to expand CSA adoption in the country. Design and implementation experience obtained from the GEF project will benefit the Ministry’s efforts to expand CSA practices and, more importantly, to develop robust MRV systems to collect robust and reliable field data to verify the results of policy implementation.

Table 2: Summary of how the program will build on relevant current and recent initiatives

Initiative Status Summary How program will build on baseline initiatives

MOA Project for Crop Germplasm Resources Protection and ongoing NDRC, MOF, MOST and MOA research on genetic resources of importance for agriculture in China

Ongoing The Project for Crop Germplasm Resources Protection is an initiative undertaken by MOA since 2001 supporting the collection, ex-situ conservation, identification and assessment of crop genetic diversity. The project has established an ex-situ crop gene diversity conservation system, including the identification and screening of genetic crop resources important for agricultural development

China houses the second largest gene bank in the world. In 2001 MOA started to establish in-situ conservation sites for wild relatives of crops, which were placed on the National Key Protected Wild Plant List.

The program will complement ongoing ex-situ conservation initiatives. It will demonstrate the importance of, and establish effective approaches for, conservation of GRFA in-situ, through the use of incentive based participatory approaches.

Program support will seek to secure policy, strategic and financial support from key national and provincial decision makers for increased investment in in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation to complement existing ex-situ efforts.

Yunnan Provincial government Department of Agriculture ex-situ agrobiodiversity conservation initiatives

Ongoing Yunnan supports ongoing assessment of endemic agricultural species and varieties and has a large ex-situ collection of those species.

The program will demonstrate and leverage additional support for in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation, to complement existing ex-situ conservation of GRFA.

MOA, CAS and CAAS long term research project on Protection and Use Technology of Agricultural Wild Plants

Ongoing The project is undertaking research on the potential uses of wild agricultural plants, to identify those plants that have a nutritional or market value, and the potential to incorporate use of these plants within conservation strategies.

The program is complementary to this research project on WRC and will build on research into the potential uses of wild agricultural plants.

Program results on incentive-based approaches for the sustainable use and conservation of traditional crops and livestock will be shared with MOA, CAS and CAAS and will contribute to national research on wild relatives of crops and approaches for their conservation.

Ministry of Agriculture IAS eradication initiatives in 22 provinces covering 573 hectares

Ongoing MOA has, and continues to, support a number of IAS eradication initiatives across China.

The program will build on and complement the work being undertaken by MOA to eradicate IAS and will strengthen national and provincial strategies and approaches for preventing, controlling and managing IAS impacts on GRFA. The program will add new tools and approaches, and strengthen capacity to enable MOA and partner institutions to reduce the


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threats posed by IAS to key agroecosystems.FAO supported Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) initiative and associated Chinese Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (NIAHS)

Ongoing China has adopted the GIAHS philosophy and goals within a national scheme: the Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (NIAHS). The NIAHS initiative aims to protect traditional heritage systems.

The NIAHS experience provides a wealth of information, lessons and results on traditional crops and livestock, farming systems and knowledge.

GIAHS/NIAHS objectives align closely with those of proposed Program. The Program will build on the knowledge and results of NIAHS, and align provincial level support closely with ongoing NIAHS initiatives.

The Program will complement the NIAHS initiative by demonstrating the potential for incentive-based mechanisms to support the sustainable use and conservation of agrobiodiversity, and thereby also sustain traditional farming systems.

Whereas NIAHS initiatives focus on conserving heritage systems, the proposed program will focus on mainstreaming use of GRFA as part of farmers’ livelihood strategies, to support species conservation and sustainable agricultural development.

Chinese Academy of Environmental Sciences and Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences research projects on IAS within national natural reserves and significant ecological function areas

Ongoing Research has provided information on the distribution and impact of IAS on a number of endangered species and ecosystems. The Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) have subsequently developed and demonstrated prevention and control techniques in national natural reserves and significant ecological function areas.

The Program will build on the research undertaken and provide additional information on the distribution and impact of IAS on agroecosystems. It will extend the base of knowledge and information available to IAS management agencies, strengthen tools and capacity and increase inter-sectoral coordination to support improved IAS management.

Research Project on the Conservation and Utilization of Crop Genetic Diversity for Disease & Pest Control to Promote Sustainable Development of Agriculture (UNDP and BIOVERSITY, with Yunnan Agricultural University)

2007-2011

Research was undertaken in 2006 to identify the ways in which agrobiodiversity can be used to control agricultural pests and diseases.

The program will build on the results of the research. Incorporating use of GRFA for pest and disease control within farming systems will further help to demonstrate to farmers the value of GRFA, benefits of farming and conserving them.

GEF/UNDP/ MOA project for the Conservation of and Sustainable Utilization of Wild Relatives of Crops (CWRC)

2007-2013

The project focused on identifying, establishing and demonstrating effective mechanisms for conserving wild relatives of crops (WRCs) by integrating the conservation of wild relatives of rice, soybean and wheat within agricultural production landscapes in eight provinces of China. It also established a WRC monitoring and alert system.

The project demonstrated the potential use of farmer field schools to support conservation and livelihood support initiatives.

The CWRC project demonstrated the importance of establishing incentive mechanisms for conservation using 3 pillars: policy, alternative livelihoods and financial support.

The proposed Program will build on this experience to extend livelihood based approaches for conservation of WRC, to the development of incentive based systems for the sustainable use and conservation of GRFA. Monitoring of GRFA will be linked in to the WRC monitoring and alert system.

The project for Sustainable Management of Agrobiodiversity in the Provinces of Hainan and Hunan jointly implemented by MOA and the German Government’s Development Agency (GIZ)

2005-2011

The GIZ-MOA project focussed on mountain agroecosystems in different agro-ecological zones and developed approaches for agrobiodiversity management through a multi-level approach at the county, provincial and national levels. It used a participatory approach to support in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation, working with 26 pilot villages. Traditional crops with economic potential were identified,

The GIZ-MOA project demonstrated the potential to establish viable market-based incentives for farming communities to engage in the sustainable use of traditional crops.

It emphasized the important role of women – including as guardians of seeds – that will inform the gender analysis used for child projects.

Market-based incentive mechanisms and market development will be explored further through the program, including specific targets to engage


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value chains and markets assessed and farmers supported to develop and market products using traditional crops.

women in marketing and product development.

The EU-China Biodiversity Programme (ECBP)

2009-2014

The ECBP supported an extension of the GIZ-MOA project to Anhui and Hubei Provinces and Chongqing Municipality.

The results and lessons learned from ECBP Programme extension activities in additional provinces will be key building blocks for the proposed GEF program.

MOA Grazing Ban and Conversion to Grassland Program

2003-2015

This program aimed to restore grassland vegetation and ecosystem health through measures such fencing, artificial seeding, grazing bans, and rotational grazing.

The proposed program will build on the results of increasing grassland biodiversity, productivity, and reasonable ways for degraded grassland restoration technology.

MOAGrassland Ecological Conservation Program

2011-2015

This program supported grazing bans, pasture and livestock balance PES schemes.

The results from Grassland Ecological Conservation Program will provide basic knowledge on management the balance of grassland productivity and livestock requirements, ecological conservation and the herds’ income increases.

MOAGrazing Ban and Conversion to Grassland Program; Grassland Ecological Conservation Program

2016-2020

These two programs will support grassland ecological conservation and pasture livestock production.

The program will build and incorporate on the continuous long-term projects undertaken, which can provide additional information on grassland healthy, biodiversity, productivity, and local economic development. It will extend the base knowledge of soil-plant-livestock-social economic systematic aspect for grassland conservation and support sustainable development.

MOA:Climate-smart Staple Crop Production ProjectGEF ID: 5121

2014-2020

This project supports China to pilot climate-smart and sustainable staple crop production practices.

The MRV system of this project will help inform the design of the MRV system of child project 5 of this program. In addition, the verified climate benefits of various crop production practices can inform the selection of climate-smart grassland management practices to be proposed for this child project.

Xinjiang-Gansu Pastoral Development ProjectGEF ID: 1621

2004-2010

With a Bank loan of $66.3 million, a GEF grant of $10.5 million, and domestic counterpart financing of CNY340 million, this project assisted the two provincial governments to improve the capacity of pastoral areas to support biodiversity and livestock and raise the living standards of the population living in those areas.

Build on the successful experience of the WB/GEF project on livestock production and marketing system as well as forage and feed production under an integrated grassland management scheme, child project 5 will pilot an evidence-based PES scheme with a robust MRV system to link government subsidies with actual results of grassland conservation. In addition, climate elements will be integrated into the tested integrated grassland management scheme.

PRC-GEF Land Degradation Partnership(ADB, WB, IFAD) GEF ID: 3482

2003- The program supports China to establish an effective system of integrated environmental management in is programs and policies influencing land and ecosystem quality in Western China and maximize the ecosystem benefits of investment projects in the program region.

Design of child project 5 will learn from the program’s experience on carbon capture, sustainable land use and equitable benefit sharing to reduce poverty.

c) Proposed alternative scenario, GEF focal area strategies, with a brief description of expected outcomes and program components

The proposed alternative scenario to be supported with GEF financing and national co-financing is an innovative programmatic approach supporting China’s sustainable agricultural development. Through its focus on the cross-cutting barriers to on-farm agrobiodiversity conservation and the sustainable conservation and management of grassland ecosystems, along with the reduction of a key threat to agrobiodiversity in the form of IAS, the program will support China to effectively conserve its unique agrobiodiversity and agroecosystems.


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The program will enable China to develop incentive mechanisms for conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity and grassland ecosystems, manage IAS threats to agroecosystems more effectively, and strengthen institutional capacity and policy and regulatory enabling environments to secure sustainable, long-term conservation outcomes for agrobiodiversity and grassland ecosystems. It directly contributes to many global Aichi biodiversity targets (as summarised in Annex B) and aligns to GEF-6 biodiversity programming directions as shown in Table 3. The implementation approach and outcomes also align with GEF’s strategic approach for sustainable agriculture, including the need to achieve socio-economic benefits as an integral part of sustaining global environmental benefits, and an emphasis on support for innovation within current agricultural production systems.

Table 3: Program contribution to GEF BD and CCM program outcomes

GEF Program GEF Outcome GEF Indicator Key program contribution

BD2 Program 4: Prevention, Control and Management of IAS

Outcome 4.1 Improved management frameworks to prevent, control, and manage IAS.

Outcome 4.2 Species extinction avoided as a result of IAS management (if applicable).

Indicator 4.1 IAS management framework operational score.

Indicator 4.2 Sustainable populations of critically threatened species.

Development of a national inter-sectoral IAS management strategy and provincial strategies, with implementation supported by national coordinating mechanisms and strengthened policy and regulatory enabling environment.

Strengthened comprehensive IAS management frameworks and enhanced institutional capacity of core IAS management agencies, including the development of standardized systems, tools, techniques and emergency response procedures.

Best practice in IAS prevention, quarantine and control demonstrated at two model ports that are a significant point of entry for agricultural products.

Best practice management of IAS threats to agrobiodiversity across 35,000 ha in agricultural landscapes (with replication across a further 60,000 ha), including for prevention of IAS introduction, improved monitoring and surveillance, strengthened emergency response, and the development of participatory control and management approaches with farming communities and NGOs.

Demonstrated IAS threat reduction (including improved prevention and control of nationally-significant weeds) on globally significant traditional varieties including populations of wild rice, wild litchi and Chinese herbal medicines, and a globally significant agricultural heritage landscape.

BD-3 Program 7: Securing Agriculture’s Future: Sustainable Use of Plant and Animal Genetic Resources

Outcome 7.1 Increased genetic diversity of globally significant cultivated plants and domesticated animals that are sustainably used within production systems.

Indicator 7. 1 Diversity status of target species.

Demonstration of incentive mechanisms for the sustainable use and in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity over 1,805,027 ha of target agricultural landscapes, improving the coverage and diversity status of target traditional varieties including significant germplasm of wild rice, wild litchi, oat, soybean and a number of livestock breeds.

Strengthened enabling environment and institutional capacity for the sustainable use and in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity, and increased knowledge and awareness, support scaling up of direct conservation impacts, including across further traditional varieties and agricultural landscapes.

CCM-2 Program 4: Promote conservation and enhancement of carbon stocks in forest, and other land use, and support

Outcome A Accelerated adoption of innovative technologies and management practices for GHG emission reduction and carbon sequestration.

Outcome B Policy, planning and regulatory frameworks foster accelerated low GHG

Indicator 4 Deployment of low GHG technologies and practices.

Indicator 5 Degree of support for low GHG development in the policy, planning and regulatory framework.

1.1 million tons of CO2e mitigated through emission reduction and carbon sequestration from improved and climate-smart grassland management practices, including increasing soil carbon, enhancing grassland productivity, and reducing livestock GHG emissions.

Proven community-based management approach (including sound GRFA and IAS management practices) and evidence-based PES scheme with creditable monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) system tested and ready for national scale up.


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climate-smart agriculture

development and emissions mitigation.

Program objective, outcomes and outputs and the key contributions of child projects:

The program objective is Support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and China’s National Plan for Sustainable Development of Agriculture (2015-2030) by a) piloting and scaling up effective policy and investment measures to mainstream in-situ conservation and sustainable use of globally important genetic resources for food and agriculture (GRFA), b) improving the prevention, control and management of invasive alien species (IAS), c) conserving and enhancing carbon stock and promoting evidence-based and climate-smart management of grassland ecosystems, and d) collaborative innovation in climate change and biodiversity from the aspects of policy, mechanism, knowledge sharing and partnerships.

The program will work at the national level and across nine provinces12, through five child projects, to address the identified barriers. Three child projects will establish incentive mechanisms for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity across agricultural landscapes, along with strengthening institutional capacity and regulatory and policy enabling environments. One project focuses on reducing IAS threats to agroecosystems through targeted demonstration of IAS threat reduction on at-risk traditional varieties, IAS systems improvement, institutional capacity strengthening and national policy reform. Finally, one project aims to conserve and enhance carbon stock and promote evidence-based policy making for climate-smart management of grassland ecosystems.

The program has four interconnected components across thematic areas of GRFA conservation, IAS control and climate-smart grassland management, as indicated in Figure 1 and detailed below.

Figure 1: Thematic areas of PRC-GEF Partnership Program for Sustainable Agricultural Development

12 Child projects 1 (national agrobiodiversity, FAO-implemented) and 2 (IAS, UNDP-implemented) focus on national outcomes but will also conduct activities in target provinces. Child projects 3 and 4 (Hainan and Hubei agrobiodiversity, UNDP-implemented) have a core focus on demonstrating impacts ‘on the ground’ at provincial and county levels. Child project 5 (grassland ecosystems, World Bank-implemented) will use pilots at provincial and county levels to influence the national policy development agenda. Target provinces across the five child projects are Fujian, Gansu, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Hubei, Liaoning, Qinghai and Yunnan.


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Component 1: Strengthened enabling environment

Component 1 will tackle the fundamental need for a supportive and comprehensive enabling environment to facilitate the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of GRFA, IAS prevention and control, and evidence-based and climate-smart grassland development. Component 1 will provide support for detailed review of policies, strategies and regulations across sectors to identify gaps and inconsistencies in the regulatory framework affecting the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity – including for managing IAS threats to agroecosystems – at both the national level and within target provinces, and evidence-based and climate-smart grassland development. Support will be provided to strengthen policy and regulatory frameworks to ensure that i) policies, regulations and strategies proactively support and facilitate the establishment of incentives for the sustainable use and in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity, including support for amending eco-compensation legislation to enable its application to agrobiodiversity conservation; ii) sectoral policies and regulations work together to support IAS prevention, control and management in agroecosystems; and iii) future grassland conservation policies and programs will promote climate-smart management practices of grassland ecosystems and provide PES payments based on on-the-ground evidence collected through a robust MRV system.

Component 1 will also strengthen inter-sectoral coordination through support to i) establish and/or strengthen inter-sectoral coordination mechanisms for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity, to increase the effectiveness of agrobiodiversity conservation approaches; and ii) develop national and provincial inter-sectoral IAS management strategies13, and associated monitoring and evaluation plans, to establish common objectives and targets to guide agencies involved in IAS prevention, control and management. Inter-sectoral coordination mechanisms, such as committees and monitoring groups, will also be established to support the many agencies responsible for strategy implementation.

Component 2: Incentive mechanisms

Component 2 will develop and establish market- and non-market-based incentive mechanisms for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity and agroecosystems across a series of target agricultural landscapes, aiming to rectify the lack of economic incentives to motivate smallholders to engage in the conservation and use of agrobiodiversity and grassland ecosystems. Approaches will be participatory and partnership-based, and will support innovation in the marketing of traditional varieties to increase their economic value to farmers. Component 2 will emphasise gender equality14, recognising the important role played by women in rural farming communities, including for seed preservation, harvesting, and in processing.

This component will support baseline data collection through participatory and collaborative approaches between communities, extension agencies, NGOs and research organisations. Assessments will record the diversity and coverage of endemic species and varieties, along with information about the health of agroecosystems. Socio-economic data on farming and grazing practices, local knowledge, skills and livelihood aspirations will also be collated and used to inform the development of gender-mainstreamed and sustainable incentive mechanisms. Baseline data will also be collected on the type and distribution of IAS as well as IAS impacts on GRFA and livelihoods. Sensitive and valuable information shared by communities will be safeguarded in line with international thinking on the fair and equitable sharing of genetic resources15.

Component 2 will provide support for market analysis and market development (demand) and to farmers and herders in target agricultural landscapes to strengthen production and processing (supply). This will ensure that supply-side innovations respond to market demands and inform the development of targeted marketing strategies such as certification schemes and branding. The development and testing of market-based incentive mechanisms will include support to farmers and herders to establish cooperatives and small business ventures, centred on traditional crops and livestock, and

13 Including the development of a national IAS management strategy for China.14 Gender assessments will be completed during the PPG phase of each child project.15 Including through ongoing collaboration with the GEF-financed, UNDP-implemented ABS project in China.


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to build skills in processing and marketing. Marketing partnerships with private and public sector companies will include new high-end markets, such as tourism, with value addition through processing, packaging and through branding and certification schemes. Training16 and support will be provided for product and business development, including basic marketing skills. Methodologies, tools and training materials will be developed based on lessons learned, tailored to the needs of different stakeholder groups.

Non-market-based incentive mechanisms will be established where assessments indicate limited prospects for establishing market-based approaches. Component 2 will demonstrate non-market-based incentive mechanisms for in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation including the application of eco-compensation schemes. This component will also support the pilot of an evidence-based PES scheme for grasslands management based on community inputs and a robust monitoring system, helping MOA learn how to design more relevant and effective PES strategies for other initiatives for sustainable agricultural development.

Component 2 will also develop and demonstrate participatory IAS management approaches within agroecosystems, again focusing on achieving livelihood benefits for farmers by demonstrating the economic benefit of IAS threat reduction, and by testing eco-compensation schemes to incentivise farmer engagement in IAS detection, monitoring and control.

The program will emphasise the promotion of biodiversity-friendly farming and climate-smart grassland management methods which encourage the preservation of local varieties and breeds, increase the diversity of crops and livestock, minimize climate impacts of livestock production, reduce farmers’ reliance on agrochemicals and improve the capacity of grassland ecosystems and herders to cope with climate variability. Biodiversity-friendly farming methods include physical and biological pest control, IAS control and management, soil testing and application of organic fertiliser, as well as the controlled use of pesticides and herbicides. Climate-smart grassland management practices include optimal herd size, rotational grazing, and green livestock production, as well as the conservation and sustainable use of endemic grass and livestock varieties. Farmers and herders will be encouraged to apply a holistic approach to farming, integrating crops, livestock and small wildlife habitats as part of farming systems – approaches that will deliver broad benefits for the conservation of biodiversity within agroecosystems.

Component 3: Strengthened institutional capacity

Component 3 addresses the barrier of low institutional capacity at all levels and will strengthen the capacity of key institutions to ensure they have the skills, tools and expertise to support in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity, IAS prevention and control, evidence based policy making, and climate-smart management of grassland ecosystems. This component will increase the effectiveness and efficiency of organisations to implement the strategic frameworks established under Component 1, support the institutionalisation of approaches and tools developed under Component 2, and will be supported by the foundational knowledge management systems established under Component 4.

Component 3 will support provincial, county and national agencies to mainstream tools and approaches for in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation, IAS monitoring and control, evidence-based policy making and climate-smart management of grassland ecosystems. Support will be provided to establish work plans with appropriate targets and budgets, and/or integrate agrobiodiversity conservation, IAS threat reduction and climate-smart grassland management within existing work plans of relevant sectors. This mainstreaming will be critical to the sustainability of program impacts and up-scaling across China following the end of the program. Within target provinces, the program will build the skill base of key provincial and county agencies, including as effective facilitators and trainers, and support them to facilitate the replication of approaches across new landscapes and traditional varieties. County extension agencies in particular have an important role in supporting farmers and herders to establish commercial ventures and forge partnerships with enterprises and marketing outlets.

Under Component 3, the program will establish strong provincial and county institutional capacity in i) understanding agronomic and pastoral practices, market potential, marketable varieties and ecosystem dynamics, ii) assessing opportunities and facilitating participatory processes for the design and implementation of new incentive mechanisms,

16 Farmer field schools (FFS) will be used for extension support as these have been successfully used in China and adopted by MOA.


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and iii) assessing and monitoring the impact of incentive mechanisms on the use of traditional varieties, agroecosystem health, ecological service of grassland ecosystems and livelihoods.

Component 3 will also build the capacity of IAS management agencies nationally and in target provinces to ensure that they have the skills and knowledge to i) assess and monitor the impact, distribution and spread of IAS that threaten traditional varieties, ii) identify, manage and monitor priority pathways for invasion, iii) detect and rapidly respond to IAS invasions, and iv) support the control and management of IAS impacts on agroecosystems and farming livelihoods.

Existing IAS management frameworks will be strengthened, with a focus on improving and standardizing systems that strategically target the prevention, early warning, monitoring and control of IAS before they become established, including through the application of a risk management approach to the highest risk IAS and the most-threatened agrobiodiversity. Component 3 will strengthen the national IAS monitoring and early warning network and establish GIS-based monitoring, develop new methodologies for risk assessment, detection and rapid response to IAS incursions in agroecosystems (including the engagement of farmers in these systems) and establish modern and standardized systems for IAS prevention, detection and quarantine at ports – a major point of entry for agricultural goods and associated IAS risks to China. Component 4: Program coordination and knowledge management

This cross-cutting component will directly address the barrier of low awareness but will also provide foundational knowledge management and coordination activities. Component 4 will strengthen knowledge management and information dissemination systems to increase the awareness and understanding of national and provincial decision makers, public sector organisations, NGOs, research organisations and the general public on the importance of in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation, and of preventing and controlling IAS threats to agroecosystems.

Component 4 will support a range of awareness-raising activities including campaigns across print, TV and radio media, targeted events, and the development of awareness-raising materials (e.g. brochures, posters), websites and education materials and curricula to engage the next generation. These activities will cut across different sectors and audiences, and encompass agrobiodiversity conservation, IAS threat reduction and climate-smart grassland management information, ideally combining the information in accordance with the programmatic approach.

The program will develop multi-sectoral information-sharing platforms and a national sustainable agricultural development database to record information on the distribution and health of GRFA populations, farming systems and in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation initiatives. A website and web-based information and communication platforms will also be established. These platforms will enable stakeholders to access tools and knowledge products developed under the program, and to exchange information related to in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation and sustainable use, the reduction of IAS threats to traditional varieties native grassland species conservation and the integrity of grassland ecosystems. The program will support institutionalisation of these platforms and tools within MOA and key provincial institutions.

Support for knowledge management will help achieve the program objective in the following ways:• Increased public awareness and understanding of agrobiodiversity, of IAS impacts on agroecosystems, and of

evidence-based policy making and climate-smart management of grassland ecosystems, will strengthen demand for green, ethical and sustainable products. It will make the general public more aware of IAS impacts, increasing public support for their control and management. This will support outcomes under components 2 and 3.

• Increased awareness and understanding among (a) farming communities will strengthen support for agrobiodiversity- friendly production methods, including the management and control of IAS; and (b) pastoral communities will strengthen support for climate-smart friendly production methods, including sustainable use of agrobiodiversity and the effective management and control of IAS. It will ensure communities are aware of opportunities to generate revenue from traditional crops and livestock, supporting components 2 and 3.

• Increased awareness and understanding of decision makers will strengthen strategic support for (a) in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation and sustainable use, (b) the prevention, control and management of IAS in agroecosystems, (c) evidence based policy making, and (d) climate-smart management of grassland ecosystems. This will lead to support for policy and regulatory reform, and increase budget allocations, supporting components 1 and 3.

• Increased awareness and understanding, and strengthened knowledge management, will increase the skill base of key institutions and their effectiveness and efficiency, supporting sustainable outcomes under components 2 and 3.


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Component 4 will also ensure effective program coordination and knowledge management as outlined in Section 7.

The key contributions of each child project to the program outcomes are summarized in Table 4.

Table 4: Program outcomes and key contributions of child projects

Program Outcome Child project contribution

COMPONENT 1

1.1 Strengthened policy, regulatory and strategic frameworks at national and provincial levels support a) in-situ conservation and sustainable use of GRFA, b) the control of threats posed by IAS to sustainable agricultural development, and c) evidence-based and climate-smart conservation and management of grassland ecosystems, as indicated by the development of a comprehensive framework of policies, regulations and strategies across sectors which have addressed barriers and gaps identified in baseline assessments.

Child project 1 (national agrobiodiversity)National policies, legislation and regulations establish an effective and comprehensive ‘enabling environment’ to support the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of GRFA.

Child project 2 (IAS)National policies, legislation and regulations are revised, support and encourage the control of threats posed by IAS to GRFA and to agroecosystems, creating an effective enabling environment in which IAS management is integrated, rationalised and coordinated across sectors. Provincial policies and regulations are revised to align with new national frameworks in target provinces.

Child projects 3 and 4 (Hainan, Hubei)Provincial level policies, legislation and regulations support and encourage the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of GRFA, including the use of incentive-based approaches.

Child project 5 (grassland)Evidence-based PES schemes and climate-smart practices for sustainable conservation and management of grassland ecosystems proposed to MOA and participating provinces.

1.2 Strengthened cross-sectoral coordination results in more effective approaches for the conservation and sustainable use of GRFA and grasslands, including for improved control and management of IAS threats, as indicated by:

i) The establishment of a strategic plan and coordination mechanism for IAS prevention, control and management at national and provincial level, leading to improved response times and increased engagement in IAS management by relevant sectors.

ii) The establishment of inter-sectoral coordination mechanisms for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of GRFA in target provinces and their use by a range of sectoral agencies to support in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation.

iii) The establishment of a cross-sectoral coordination mechanism for the management and sustainable use of grassland ecosystems and its use by a range of sectoral agencies to improve management efficiency, increasing the resilience of grassland ecosystems to climate change.

1.3 Increased government financing for in-situ conservation and sustainable use of GRFA and grassland ecosystems, including for the prevention, control and management of IAS threats, as indicated by national and provincial budget allocations.

Child project 1 (national agrobiodiversity)Improved inter-sectoral coordination resulting in more effective and efficient support for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity at the national level, and an overall increase in budget allocations from the range of agencies involved.

Child project 2 (IAS)National IAS management strategy developed, adopted and implemented, supporting integrated IAS across key agencies, and more effective monitoring and evaluation of IAS threats and impacts including on agroecosystems. Supporting IAS strategies developed in two target provinces.

International cooperation frameworks strengthened and bilateral and multilateral information exchange improved to reduce the threat of entry of IAS to China.

Child projects 3 and 4 (Hainan, Hubei)Improved inter-agency coordination resulting in integrated and coordinated support for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity at the provincial and county levels. Child project 5 (grassland)Improved inter-agency coordination and herder participation, resulting in green livestock production and sustainable management of grassland ecosystems.


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COMPONENT 2

2.1 Sustainable conservation and management approaches established which improve the in-situ sustainable use and conservation of GRFA and sustainable management of grassland ecosystem to deliver social, financial and livelihood benefits to farmers and herders in parallel, as indicated by:

i) 15% increase in income of farming and herder households in target agricultural and pastoral landscapes attributed to their engagement in conservation and use of GRFA, green livestock development and sustainable grassland management.

ii) The establishment of at least three successful business partnerships between farmers and commercial marketing outlets in five target provinces which are based on the production, processing and sale of agrobiodiversity products.

iii) Eco-compensation schemes established and providing financial and social recognition to farmers and herders of their contribution to the conservation of GRFA and sustainable management of grassland ecosystems.

iv) 40% increase in the coverage of traditional varieties (in hectares, or number per hectare) in target agricultural landscapes.

v) Maintenance of the number of traditional varieties of crops, grasses and livestock in target agricultural and pastoral landscapes.

Child projects 1, 3 and 4 (national agrobiodiversity, Hainan, Hubei)Development and testing of approaches for the establishment of market- and non-market-based incentive mechanisms for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity across five provinces, improving the coverage (in hectares or number per hectare) of globally significant traditional varieties of rice, millet, tropical fruits and livestock and the number of globally significant traditional varieties at target agricultural landscapes.

Incentive mechanisms achieve demonstrable economic returns for farming communities within target agricultural landscapes, with strong prospects for sustainability and up-scaling.

The involvement of a wide range of stakeholders in project initiatives, including private sector companies, the general public, NGOs and government agencies, results in increased recognition of the service provided by those engaged in the conservation and sustainable use of GRFA, in turn resulting in increased willingness of private sector companies and the general public in products made from traditional crops and livestock, and increased commitment by government to support eco-compensation for communities who engage in conservation activities.

Child project 5 (grassland)Green value chains developed to support herders to produce and market livestock product of agrobiodiversity significance.

2.2 Effective participatory approaches for the prevention, control and management of IAS impacts on GRFA developed and tested in target agricultural landscapes, as indicated by:

i) The involvement of at least 40% of farmers and all relevant extension agencies in the identification, monitoring and removal of IAS and in habitat restoration at target landscapes.

ii) No new IAS establishments, at least 60% reduction in the area affected by IAS and demonstrated IAS threat reduction to target GRFA in target agricultural landscapes (indicators to be developed for impact of IAS threat reduction on target GRFA).

Child project 2 (IAS)Participatory management-oriented assessment and analysis at agricultural landscapes with globally significant traditional varieties threatened by IAS leads to increased understanding by public sector agencies and research organizations of IAS presence and distribution, impacts on farming livelihoods and agroecosystems, and of pathways for invasion. Farmers generate increased understanding of the impacts of IAS on agroecosystems and farming livelihoods, and develop skills for the identification of IAS species, and identifying and securing pathways for invasion.

Implementation of IAS management plans to reduce impacts to agrobiodiversity across two agricultural landscapes. Demonstrated IAS threat reduction through delivery of participatory approaches benefiting traditional varieties of wild rice, wild litchi and traditional varieties used in Chinese herbal medicine.

Prevented IAS introduction and establishment, and reduced coverage of IAS threatening agrobiodiversity at two target landscapes, including of IAS under national key management, achieving improved conservation of target varieties.

Partnerships established between extension agencies, NGOs, research organisations and farming communities, which support the identification and monitoring of IAS populations at agricultural landscapes and a reduction in the number of new IAS introductions.

Testing of eco-compensation schemes to incentivise farmer engagement in IAS monitoring, removal and habitat restoration in target landscapes.

2.3 Community-based grassland management approach (including sound biodiversity and IAS management practices) and evidence-based

Child project 5 (grassland)Participatory community based grassland management practices adopted at the pilot provinces over an estimated 1,549,000 hectares to address the issue of


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payments for ecosystem services (PES) policy scheme with creditable monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) system tested in selected provinces and ready for national scale up, as indicated by:

i) Avoided carbon emissions of 1.10 million CO2e from climate-smart grassland management practices in target landscapes through increasing soil carbon, enhancing grassland productivity, and reducing livestock GHG emissions.

ii) Establishment of an optimal system for biodiversity conservation in target landscapes to facilitated the conservation and sustainable use of grassland biodiversity.

“tragedy of the commons”.

Climate-smart grassland management practices, including sound GRFA and IAS management practices, have been adopted to safeguard herders’ livelihoods, reduce GHG emissions, and improve resilience of grassland ecosystems.

An evidence based PES scheme piloted, with timely and reliable information generated by a robust MRV system and ready for national scale up.

COMPONENT 3

3.1 Increased effectiveness of participatory approaches for the conservation and sustainable use of GRFA and sustainable management of grassland ecosystems, as indicated by:

i) At least 40% of households led by women and 20% of teenagers actively engaged in the conservation and sustainable use of GRFA in target agricultural landscapes, and at least 50% of households led by women actively engaged in the climate smart grassland management in project pastoral landscapes.

ii) Increase in the management and technical capacity of stakeholders related to conservation and sustainable use of GRFA and sustainable management of grassland ecosystems.

iii) Effective prevention, early detection, rapid response and management of IAS in agroecosystems (measured by relevant items of the GEF IAS Tracking Tool).

Child project 1 (national agrobiodiversity)Core agencies in target provinces have ‘institutionalised’ tools, approaches, guidelines and lessons learned from target agricultural landscapes, and have incorporated targets and actions for the conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity within agency work plans, resulting in increased effectiveness of approaches.

Tools, approaches, guidelines and lessons learned from target provinces have been endorsed by national level agencies for up-scaling nationally.

Child project 2 (IAS)Strengthened comprehensive systems for IAS management, focused on prevention, early monitoring and rapid response, and institutionalization of systems through capacity building and engagement activities.

Child projects 3 and 4 (Hainan, Hubei)Core agencies in Hainan and Hubei have ‘institutionalised’ tools, approaches, guidelines and lessons learned from demonstration sites, and have incorporated targets and actions for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity within agency work plans, resulting in increased effectiveness of approaches and replication of approaches across further traditional varieties and landscapes.

Child project 5 (grassland)Core agencies in target provinces have tools, approaches, guidelines and lessons learned from target pastoral landscapes, and have incorporated targets and actions for the conservation and sustainable use of grassland ecosystem.

Tools, approaches, guidelines and lessons learned from target provinces have been endorsed by national level agencies for up-scaling nationally.

3.2 Strengthened institutional capacity of relevant public sector agencies within target provinces, and of lead national institutions, for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of GRFA, for the management of IAS impacts on agrobiodiversity, and for evidence-based policy making and climate-smart grassland management and monitoring practices, as indicated by:

i) Capacity assessments at the beginning, middle and end of the program.

ii) 100% of counties within target agricultural landscapes have established IAS management institutions.

Child project 1 (national agrobiodiversity)Capacity building of staff in MOA, and of relevant organisations in target provinces has increased the skill and knowledge base of those organisations and increased staff access to tools and information.

Relevant organisations at national level and within target provinces have allocated appropriate financial resources to maintain the human, financial and knowledge resource base, supporting the sustainability and up-scaling of approaches.

Child project 2 (IAS)The development of standardized systems, tools and techniques for IAS detection, quarantine, disposal, monitoring, early warning and rapid response and their adoption and use by MOA, MEP and AQSIQ and provincial agencies in target provinces and the target ports of Fuzhou and Haikou.

Training and the development of guidelines, tools and manuals for national institutions, departments and agencies in target provinces and port authorities at


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the target port, increases capacity for the effective prevention, control and management of IAS threats to agrobiodiversity and agroecosystems. The application of new skills and knowledge through the up-scaling of approaches further increases capacity, facilitates the establishment of county IAS management institutions, and helps mainstream approaches.

Child projects 3 and 4 (Hainan, Hubei)Capacity building of relevant staff in agricultural, rural development and environmental management organizations has increased the skill and knowledge base and increased staff access to tools and information.

Relevant organizations have allocated appropriate financial resources to maintain the human, financial and knowledge resource base, supporting the sustainability and up-scaling of approaches. Child project 5 (grassland)Capacity building for local government agencies and extension service providers has improved understanding of climate-smart management of grassland ecosystems, biodiversity conservation and green value chains and built capacity to work with private sector actors and herders to develop such value chains.

Capacity building for MOA and local government agencies on evidence-based policy making has improved capacity to design policy schemes, and monitor and evaluate implementation of such schemes.

COMPONENT 4

4.1 Improved understanding among decision makers, the general public and key stakeholder groups on the value of GRFA and importance of in-situ conservation, and of evidence-based policy making and climate-smart grassland management and increased access by all groups to information, indicated by Knowledge, Attitude and Practices surveys to be conducted at beginning, middle and end of projects.

Child project 1 (national agrobiodiversity)Knowledge management platforms are established at the national level and within target provinces, supporting the dissemination and exchange of information, tools, techniques and lessons learned between public sector agencies, and improving access to information by key stakeholders. A knowledge management platform for agrobiodiversity conservation is institutionalized within MOA.

National, provincial and local awareness-raising campaigns result in increased awareness of the importance of the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity and of effective approaches for achieving it among the public sector and NGOs.

Provincial campaigns increase public awareness of traditional crop and livestock species, with an associated increase in demand for agrobiodiversity products.

Child project 2 (IAS)An IAS knowledge management platform is established at the national level and within target provinces supporting the dissemination and exchange of information, best practice, tools, techniques and lessons learned between public sector agencies and improved access to information at all levels.

National, provincial and local awareness-raising campaigns result in an improved understanding among government institutions, NGOs, research organizations, farmers and the general public of IAS species in China and of the environmental and economic threat posed by IAS.

Decision makers within national institutions and departments/agencies in target provinces demonstrate an increased understanding of the importance of IAS prevention, control and management.

Child projects 3 and 4 (Hainan, Hubei)Knowledge management platforms established at the provincial level support the dissemination and exchange of information, tools, techniques and lessons learned between public sector agencies and improved stakeholder access to information.

Provincial and local awareness-raising campaigns result in increased awareness of the importance of in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity and of effective approaches for achieving it among public sector and NGOs.

Provincial awareness-raising campaigns increase public awareness of traditional crop and livestock species, with an associated increase in demand for


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agrobiodiversity products.

Child project 5 (grassland)Knowledge management platforms established at the MOA and provincial levels support the dissemination and exchange of information, tools, techniques and lessons learned between public sector agencies and improved stakeholder access to information.

National, provincial and local awareness-raising campaigns have resulted in increased awareness of the importance of evidence-based policy making and climate-smart grassland management.

4.2. Monitoring and evaluation of the program demonstrates efficient use of program funds, rationalisation of national, provincial and local inputs, and sharing of information, resources and expertise between projects, along with on-going exchange of lessons and best practice.

All five child projectsMonitoring and evaluation of projects demonstrates achievement of intended results as outlined in each Project Document and the efficient use of funds.

ProgramThe results of child project monitoring and evaluation processes are consolidated at the program level through an effective monitoring and evaluation plan, executed by MOA, with support from UNDP and oversight by the Program Steering Committee. Monitoring and evaluation demonstrates achievement of intended program outcomes and program objective and efficient use of funds.

A Program Knowledge Management Strategy is developed which supports efficient use of program funds, rationalization of national, provincial and local inputs, and sharing of information, resources and expertise between projects, along with on-going exchange of lessons and best practice.


Child project 2 (IAS)Program Steering Committee and Program Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation Secretariat (CMES) established and providing effective oversight for the program and interlinkages between child projects.

Child project 1 (national agrobiodiversity)Program website and information-sharing platform established and actively used by all child projects as an information resource and means for sharing and exchanging lessons learned and progress updates.

All five child projectsActive contributions to programmatic knowledge exchanges and coordination support synergies during project implementation and cross-fertilization of ideas between child projects.

d) Incremental cost reasoning and expected contributions from the baseline, the GEFTF and co-financing

The Government of China has recognised the importance of sustainable agricultural development. Specifically, it has been conserving its agrobiodiversity and grassland ecosystems and made a significant financial commitment to ex-situ conservation of its genetic resources as well as conservation of its grassland ecosystems. China has conserved over 400,000 genetic agricultural resources ex-situ in gene banks and within special conservation areas and implemented various PES schemes to slow down and revert the degradation of grassland ecosystems. However, there is rapidly decreasing on-farm use of agrobiodiversity by farming communities and a continued degradation of grassland ecosystems. The government recognises the importance of placing equal attention on the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity to arrest this degradation and to complement its existing ex-situ activities and of identify more effective measures to conserve its grassland ecosystems. The continued use of crop and livestock genetic resources within agroecosystems is considered critical to sustain a diverse agricultural resource base which can provide ‘insurance’ against external factors such as insects and other pests and plant diseases, along with supporting adaptation to climate change. The proposed GEF program is intended to accelerate the government’s broadened focus on sustainable agricultural development by (a) supporting agrobiodiversity conservation to achieve this diverse base for future agricultural development, (b) promoting effective prevention, control and management of IAS, and (c) adopting evidence-based policy making and climate-smart grassland management practices. The program will provide catalytic support to the government-led efforts across pivotal areas of policy reform, on-ground demonstration of in-situ


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agrobiodiversity conservation, IAS threat reduction to agroecosystems, evidence-based PES and climate-smart grassland management practices, and institutional and knowledge strengthening.

The global environmental benefits arising from the program will result from both the demonstration activities in 10 target provinces and the national policy reform that will provide better legal protection for China’s agrobiodiversity and agroecosystems. More significantly, the introduction of evidence-based policy making will transform how MOA designs and implements its policies and for the first time to enable the ministry to link effectively its policy design and implementation practices with the achievement of its intended policy objectives with robust and reliable field data. Global environmental benefits achieved by the program will encompass 3,449,027 ha of agricultural and pastoral landscapes across nine provinces, as outlined below.

The demonstration of sustainable and gender-mainstreamed incentive mechanisms for in-situ sustainable use and conservation of agrobiodiversity will provide benefits over 1,805,027 ha across five provinces. These activities will be targeted to crops and traditional varieties that are endemic, geographically-restricted, represent diverse germplasm and/or are thought to have originated from China. Program activities will take place within the Chinese centre of origin of crop diversity identified by Vavilov. Global environmental benefits will include the improved conservation of globally significant species, traditional varieties and germplasm such as local varieties of Shanlan rice (Hainan), rouge rice (Hubei) and wild rice (Yunnan); unique tropical fruits including wild kiwi (Hubei); ancient cultivars of millet and oat (Hebei); and locally-endemic livestock including Matou goat (Hubei), Wuzhishan pig, and Jiaji duck (Hainan). Enabling policy reform and capacity-building activities will apply across all traditional varieties of crops and livestock, supporting a broader mainstreaming of in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation and sustainable use into agency work programs and smallholder production systems.

Synergistic IAS threat reduction to globally significant agrobiodiversity will provide global environmental benefits over a further 95,000 ha focussed in two provinces. These efforts will focus on reducing IAS threats to significant traditional varieties including GRFA. Environmental benefits include reduced IAS threat reduction to populations of wild rice and wild litchi varieties, plants and fungi that provide important Chinese herbal medicines, and the restoration of agroecosystems in which these varieties are grown, including a globally significant terraced field listed on FAO’s agricultural heritage protection list. These efforts will target IAS that represent a significant threat to agroecosystems across China, including mile-a-minute (Mikania micrantha), water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides). These species are recognised as national priorities for IAS control and risk/threat reduction, being on the list of IAS under national key management. The enhanced control and containment of the spread of these IAS will provide indirect environmental benefits that will flow across the myriad varieties, species and ecosystems – including globally significant biodiversity – that are threatened by the spread of these weeds. This impact could be pivotal for the conservation of numerous species.

Finally, the piloting of evidence-based PES schemes and adoption of climate-smart practices will generate global environmental benefits from two additional provinces. Directly, climate-smart grassland management practices will help generate both climate mitigation and adaptation benefits by reducing GHG releases from degraded grasslands and livestock production, to an estimated 1.1 million tonnes of CO2e avoided emissions. As such practices will also promote in-situ conservation of traditional varieties of livestock, control and management of IAS, and conservation of grassland ecosystems, these efforts will also generate synergistic biodiversity benefits through improved management of an estimated 1,549,000 ha of grassland pastoral ecosystems in two provinces. Ultimately, the efforts to reduce grassland degradation will contribute to the global efforts to combat desertification and reduce the chance of local and regional sand storms and associated air pollution events.

The policy reform, institutional strengthening and mainstreaming achieved under the program’s focus on in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation, IAS prevention and control in agroecosystems, and evidence-based policy making and climate-smart grassland management will be vast and could reach across much of China’s 120 million ha of arable land and 400,000,000 ha of grasslands. These benefits will be provided through the improved legal protection of agrobiodiversity, increased government investment in both in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation and IAS management, improved grassland conservation PES schemes, and strengthened capacity, coordination and partnerships among public agencies, farmers/herders and the private sector. Further, securing a high risk invasion pathway through strengthened control of IAS at two key ports for agricultural trade (Fuzhou and Haikou), while difficult to quantify in hectares, will


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provide benefits to surrounding agroecosystems and those in neighbouring provinces located on common shipping routes for agricultural products. The benefits of strengthening China’s management of IAS threats will flow across both agroecosystems and ecosystems, including globally-significant biodiversity.

Baseline practices and an alternative scenario achieving global environmental benefits are summarised in Table 5.

Table 5: Summary of incremental benefits

Baseline practices Alternative supported by the program Global environmental benefits

Policies and legislation/regulations relating to the conservation of GRFA exist at both the national and provincial levels, however effective in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity is hampered by a number of policy and regulatory barriers.

Policies and regulations are not comprehensive or coordinated and fail to provide a cohesive framework to support in-situ conservation of GRFA and effective management of IAS threats to GRFA. Lack of knowledge of international best practice inhibits policy reform.

Cohesive and coordinated policy and regulatory framework strengthens the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of GRFA, including for reducing IAS threats to GRFA.

China’s approach reflects international best practice and combines modern techniques with traditional methods and approaches in an integrated and sustainable policy framework.

Legal protection of globally important GRFA, including to protect them from IAS threats.

Disjointed support from organisations and agencies at national and provincial levels decreases the effectiveness of cross-sectoral approaches for in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity and IAS prevention, control and management measures, with consequential negative impacts for GRFA.

Improved coordination and information-sharing leads to more effective approaches for the in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity and the control of IAS impacts on GRFA and biodiversity of global significance in China.

Counties in target agricultural landscapes have established and capacitated IAS management institutions.

Effective prevention, early detection, rapid response and management of IAS.

A lack of policies supporting incentive or compensation mechanisms for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of GRFA. Eco-compensation remains unavailable to support in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity in China.

A lack of effective approaches to establish market- and non-market-based incentive mechanisms provides little incentive for farmers to use traditional varieties and they remain drawn to modern cultivars.

Lack of markets for traditional products and markets don’t reflect the real value of GRFA.

Improved economic incentives lead to more effective in-situ conservation of globally important GRFA.

Increase in the economic value of traditional crops through improved access to markets, strengthened value chains and improved marketing of GRFA and/or traditional products

Demonstration of eco-compensation as a strategy for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of GRFA and to support the involvement of farming communities in IAS detection, monitoring and control.

Development of green supply chains for traditional livestock varieties.

Improved conservation of globally important genetic resources for agriculture and food security across 1,805,027 ha.

Lack of effective technical approaches and outdated and inconsistent systems fail to manage IAS effectively in China, and IAS introductions and establishments continue to threaten traditional varieties and degrade

Effective early warning and monitoring of IAS threats allows China to strategically and cost-effectively reduce and prevent IAS threats to agrobiodiversity. Sustainable participatory approaches engage farmers in the detection,

Reduction of IAS threats to target traditional varieties across 95,000 ha of agroecosystems.

Secured IAS invasion pathway via agricultural trade through Fuzhou


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ecosystem health.

Failure to adopt a risk management approach on identified IAS priority pathways, and targeting prevention, early warning and quarantine.

control and management of IAS, providing essential support to county agencies.

Demonstration of effective and efficient IAS prevention and control systems at ports including for inspection, detection, quarantine and disposal.

and Haikou ports reduces the risk of IAS entry over agricultural landscapes and ecosystems across southern China.

Increasing threats to agrobiodiversity linked to the expansion of modern agricultural techniques, and the introduction of new crop varieties.

Low technical capacity for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of GRFA, particularly at provincial and local levels.

Low technical capacity for management of IAS threats to agrobiodiversity and lack of effective and practical IAS prevention, management and control tools and techniques.

Lack of knowledge of effective approaches for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of GRFA, including a lack of knowledge and recognition of traditional practices.

Provincial and local agricultural organisations and farmer field schools in target provinces with the technical capacity and skills to facilitate the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity, including upscaling and replication of techniques across more traditional varieties and agroecosystems across China and engaging farmers in the prevention, control and management of IAS.

Increased knowledge of the distribution and health of populations of GRFA and IAS incursions and risks that threaten these resources in target provinces.

Development of innovative approaches for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of GRFA based on traditional knowledge, with farming communities at demonstration sites.

Improved conservation of globally important genetic resources for agriculture and food security across 1,805,027 ha.

Reduction of IAS threats to target traditional varieties across 95,000 ha of agroecosystems.

Generation of globally important lessons and models for the conservation and sustainable use of GRFA and IAS threat reduction to GRFA in a country with significant agricultural development and trade.

Lack of awareness of the value of agrobiodiversity, and in particular the value of maintaining viable agroecosystems to enable continued evolution of GRFA. Lack of awareness of the threat posed by IAS to GRFA.

Increased recognition of the importance of globally important genetic resources for agriculture and food security, leading to more informed approaches and stronger support from governments, farmers and the next generation.

Increased budgetary support for agrobiodiversity conservation and IAS management in agroecosystems supports up-scaling and replication.

Top down grassland conservation programs with limited inputs from herders unable to reverse the trend of grassland degradation.

Design and implementation of existing grassland conservation programs without scientifically collected evidence. Thus effectiveness of such programs cannot be evaluated.

Grassland management practices with no consideration of long-term impacts on GHG emission, climate resilience and herders’ livelihoods.

Community based grassland management practices promoted to ensure traditional herding knowledge and practices and herders’ interests be fully incorporated into grassland conservation programs

Sound MRV systems developed and deployed to showcases how evidence-based PES payments can be linked to actual conservation results.

Climate-smart grassland management practices identified and adopted.

Participatory grassland management mechanisms established to address the tragedy of the commons across 1,549,000 ha of grassland ecosystems.

Robust and reliable field data collected to verify policy implementation results.

Avoid carbon emissions of 1.1 million tons CO2e from reduced grassland degradation and oversized livestock population.

Restoration of ecologically important grassland ecosystems.

e) Innovation, Sustainability and Potential for Scaling Up

Innovation: The programmatic approach itself is innovative, bringing together national and provincial projects to address the cross-cutting barriers to three key challenges identified in the NSADP: in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity, IAS prevention, control and management, and climate-smart grassland management. These will be implemented synergistically through the coordinated programmatic approach, ensuring linkages and cross-fertilisation between child projects through the sharing of best practices, lessons and technical expertise. The establishment of market-based and non-market-based incentive mechanisms for in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation and evidence-based policy making and PES for grassland management are novel concepts in China. The program will develop and demonstrate


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innovative, participatory and partnership-based approaches which will ensure that incentive mechanisms are effectively targeted to meet livelihood needs and aspirations of farmers and herders. This will tie together the achievement of global environmental benefits and socio-economic benefits, including through the establishment of new partnerships between farmers, public sector agencies and the private sector. Market-based mechanisms will focus on the development and expansion of markets for products made from traditional crops and livestock including the identification of innovative products and experiences. Where it is not possible to establish markets projects will demonstrate the potential to use non-market-based mechanisms, including the adaptation of existing eco-compensation schemes to support agrobiodiversity conservation. These represent a novel broadening and deepening of this conservation tool in China. It is expected that the pilot of evidence-based PES schemes and climate-smart grassland management practices will have long-term impacts in terms of transforming MOA’s policy making and implementation practices and helping MOA integrate climate considerations into agricultural production.

Sustainability: Sustainability lies at the heart of the rationale for the development of incentive-based mechanisms for in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agroecosystems including agrobiodiversity. The inter-connection of all four program components supports the achievement of sustainable outcomes in a number of ways. Policy, regulatory and strategic reform will ensure that in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity and agroecosystems are secured as part of long-term national and provincial agricultural development, and strengthened cross-sectoral coordination will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of conservation efforts, in turn supporting sustainability. The development and demonstration of participatory, partnership-based incentive mechanisms for in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation and grassland management will ensure that conservation approaches meet livelihood needs and market demands and build skills and capacity, and that established incentive mechanisms are economically, environmentally and socially viable in the long-term. Institutional capacity building will ensure that approaches are mainstreamed to support effective and efficient implementation of policy, regulatory and strategic directives, the up-scaling of approaches and thus sustained impacts. Finally, awareness raising and strengthened knowledge management will ensure that there is broad understanding and information available to support effective conservation approaches and ownership beyond the end of the project.

Potential for Scaling-Up: Scaling up of approaches and results achieved under the program will support transformational change of agricultural practices in areas important for agrobiodiversity across China along with securing the sustainable management and conservation of critical grassland ecosystems. The results achieved, approaches developed and lessons learned at demonstration sites, will be scaled up at the provincial level under each child project. Project outcomes will also be consolidated within the framework of the program so that they can be applied to different geographic areas, institutions and farming communities, supporting widespread, long-term sustainable development and biodiversity conservation impact across China. The participatory, partnership based nature of approaches to be developed under the program will support flexibility and adaptation as required to support scaling up. This in turn will support a catalytic process demonstrating ever broadening relevance and applicability across different social and environmental contexts. Multiple pathways for up-scaling will be pursued through the program, including through adaptation, diffusion and replication, and by value addition across different contexts. The programmatic approach itself supports up-scaling of impacts through its dual focus on national policy reform and provincial demonstration and practical tools. The integration between the four program components has been developed to support the up-scaling of approaches – built upon a strong foundational enabling framework, through to sustainable partnerships and mainstreaming across government, along with awareness raising at all levels including the next generation.

2. Stakeholders. Will Program design include the participation of relevant stakeholders from civil society and indigenous people? (yes /no ) If yes, identify key stakeholders and briefly describe how they will be engaged in Program design/preparation:

Table 6 lists the stakeholders that have been identified. The PPG phase of the child projects will ensure full participation of the stakeholders in project preparation, and further define their roles and responsibilities.

Table 6: Stakeholders roles and responsibilities

Stakeholder Roles and Responsibilities

Ministry of Finance (MOF) Focal point of GEF project on behalf of Government of China. Review, approval and sign off of project


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http://www.thegef.org/gef/sites/thegef.org/files/publication/GEF%20IndigenousPeople_CRA_lores.pdf

http://www.thegef.org/gef/csos

documents. In each of the provinces where child projects will be implemented, provincial financial departments will have delegated responsibility to review and approve project design documents.

Ministry of Agriculture (MOA)

Lead National Executing Agency for the program with core responsibilities for agrobiodiversity conservation and IAS management and grassland management. The lead for the program will be MOA’s Department of Science, Technology and Education. MOA and provincial officers in each of the nine target provinces will provide core guidance and inputs to project design for all child projects, working with project design teams to ensure that projects address the key issues identified in the PFD and support provincial and national policy and institutional processes and structures. They will also clarify their inputs to the projects/program as part of baseline activities and as co-financing, and will provide advice on effective project/program coordination with relevant national and provincial agricultural initiatives.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Program Coordinating Agency (PCA) and GEF Agency for three of the child projects. UNDP will be responsible for overseeing the coordination of all aspects of program design and implementation, including oversight of the PPG process for three child projects.

UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)

FAO is the GEF Agency for the national-level agrobiodiversity project (child project 1) and will be responsible for leading the PPG process for design of that project.

World Bank The World Bank is the GEF Agency for the grassland project (child project 5) and will be responsible for leading the PPG process for design of that project.

Asian Development Bank (ADB)

ADB is leading the PRC-GEF partnership program on land degradation. ADB will be engaged to ensure knowledge can be exchanged between the ADB program and this program during child project preparation and implementation.

Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP)

The Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) is responsible for coordination of biodiversity conservation initiatives in China and for implementation of China’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). MEP will provide key guidance and inputs to design of all child projects, in particular as one of the core partners in the child project supporting Integrated Prevention Control and Management of IAS for conservation and sustainable use of globally significant agrobiodiversity. MEP and provincial offices will clarify their inputs to the projects/program as part of baseline activities and/or co-financing, and will provide advice on effective project/program coordination with relevant national and provincial environmental protection initiatives.

General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ)

AQSIQ is responsible for controlling the entry of IAS to China. They will provide key guidance and inputs to design as a core partner in the child project for reducing IAS threats to agrobiodiversity. Within project execution they will be Project Steering Committee members. In design AQSIQ will provide guidance on the current policy and regulatory framework for inspection and quarantine, capacity-building needs for strengthening control of entry of IAS at borders and specific inputs to guide the design of capacity-building support at the demonstration port.

The National Management Office of Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation

National and provincial representatives will provide guidance and inputs to design of child projects to ensure that proposed project support mechanisms and outputs reflect the strategic context for rural development and poverty alleviation in China, and that community support works to achieve these objectives. They will also clarify baseline activities and provide advice on effective program/project coordination with national and provincial community development and poverty alleviation initiatives.

State Ethnic Affairs Commission

National and Provincial Level representatives will provide guidance and inputs to design of child projects in particular to ensure that proposed projects support mechanisms and outputs effectively reflect the policy and strategic context for the development of ethnic minority communities. Similarly, they will also clarify their inputs to child projects as part of baseline activities, and will provide advice on effective program co-ordination with national and provincial initiatives for ethnic minorities whenever applicable.

State Forestry Administration (SFA)

SFA and provincial Forestry Departments in all relevant Provinces under the Program will provide inputs to the PPG process for child projects to guide project design relative to the conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity in forest areas and the development and management of laws and regulations on forest invasive species prevention and control. They will also clarify their inputs to the projects/program as part of baseline activities and/or co-financing, and will provide advice on effective program/project coordination with relevant national and provincial forestry initiatives.

Women’s Federation at national and provincial levels in all relevant provinces under the project.

Provide core inputs to the PPG process to guide and inform project design and ensure that it effectively involves women, addresses women’s needs and that the resulting child projects incorporate the active participation of women and work to achieve livelihood benefits for women, recognizing their core role in the sustainable use of agrobiodiversity in rural farming communities. They will also clarify their inputs to the projects/program as part of baseline activities and/or co-financing, and will provide advice on effective program/project coordination with relevant national and provincial level initiatives supporting rural women, and with relevant local women’s groups and organizations.

Ministry of Land and Resources (MLR)

Provide inputs to project design for all child projects to clarify linkages between areas of support under the projects and areas of MLR responsibility.

Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST)

Provide inputs to design of all child projects to clarify linkages between areas of support under the projects and areas of MOST responsibility, particularly research, information and technology to support in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation and IAS prevention, control and management, and climate-smart management practices of grassland ecosystems.


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The National Committee of Crop Germplasm

Provide inputs to design of all child projects to ensure the projects build on and reflect current and planned initiatives for the management of national germplasm and to provide guidance on the current baseline strategic and policy situation and policy and strategic gaps and barriers for achieving effective in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity.

China’s Communist Youth League

Provide guidance and inputs to design of all child projects to ensure that they involve the youth and increase the awareness of young people for improved conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity and the reduction of IAS threats to agrobiodiversity. They will also clarify their baseline activities and will provide advice on effective program/project coordination with relevant national and provincial initiatives and youth groups.

Port Authorities of Fuzhou (Fujian) and Haikou (Hainan)

Provide inputs to design of the IAS child project. The Port Authorities will ensure that project design addresses key barriers and constraints at points of entry at sea ports so that project outputs increase the capacity and effectiveness of border control and port authorities for the prevention, control and management of IAS threats to agrobiodiversity.

Relevant scientific and research institutions including CAAS, CAS CAU, Beijing Forestry University, CAIQ, Chinese Research Academy of Environment Sciences

Provide advice and inputs to ensure that project design effectively incorporates, reflects and builds on national scientific knowledge and research on agrobiodiversity and IAS prevention, control and management. National and provincial scientific and research institutions will also clarify the current baseline of knowledge, how they can contribute to and support project implementation, and how the program/projects can effectively coordinate with relevant national and provincial research initiatives.

Farming and pastoral communities

Farming and pastoral communities lie at the heart of the program. Establishing effective incentive mechanisms for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity and grassland ecosystems will require the guidance and active participation of farming and pastoral communities. The PPG process will involve extensive consultation and participatory design with these communities to ensure that the approaches developed, and activities, outputs and results established through the program reflect the livelihood aspirations of both men and women and reflect local conditions. The participatory design process will also be essential to establish support for the project at the community level and strong ownership of project objectives, approaches and outcomes within farming and pastoral communities at each target agricultural landscape. An extensive consultative design process will also provide important information for establishing a clear project baseline, clarifying community contributions as co-financing, and for setting realistic targets and indicators within project monitoring and evaluation frameworks.

Ethnic minorities Ethnic minorities present in project sites will be engaged in project design consultations to identify risks and maximise opportunities for socio-economic benefits. The social and environmental safeguard procedures of the relevant GEF Agencies will be adhered to during project design phase and implementation, to ensure that potential project impacts on livelihoods and/or on ethnic minorities are identified and avoided/mitigated through project design, with adequate safeguards put in place to manage any risks to ethnic minorities and/or local communities.

Businesses and private sector organisations

The establishment of market-based incentive mechanisms for the sustainable use and conservation of agrobiodiversity and grassland ecosystems will rely on developing effective markets and value chains for traditional crops and livestock and/or products made from them. It will be essential to involve businesses and private sector organisations in project design to ensure that project support is based on a clear understanding of current markets for traditional crops and livestock and opportunities to strengthen them. The design team will work with private sector organisations to identify new markets for traditional crops and livestock and opportunities to strengthen value chains so that farmers receive more and/or sustained benefits. The consultative design process will explore opportunities to involve private sector organisations in the project and assess potential co-financing inputs and the way in which the private sector can work to support scaling up and sustainability of project and program outcomes.

NGOs The consultative design process will involve NGOs at the national, provincial and local levels to ensure that the projects build on and effectively coordinate with relevant NGO-led activities and initiatives. Project design will also clarify and confirm co-financing contributions from NGOs, including community-based organisations and clarify the way in which local organisations can work to support sustainability and scaling up of project and program outcomes.

Provincial Agricultural Departments and County Agricultural Bureaux

As core project executing agencies for two of the child projects (Hainan and Hubei agrobiodiversity projects) and key executing partners in the remaining three child projects, provincial agricultural departments will be directly involved in project design, providing technical input, guidance and logistical support, as will county level agriculture bureau. In project execution, provincial DOA will be responsible for overseeing work at provincial and county levels, including technical support, monitoring, co-financing, coordination with partners and capacity building.

3. Gender Consideration. Are gender considerations taken into account? (yes /no ). If yes, briefly describe how gender considerations will be mainstreamed into Program preparation, taking into account the differences, needs, roles and priorities of men and women.


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http://www.thegef.org/gef/policy/gender

In China women in rural communities play an important role as custodians of genetic animal and plant resources, incluing in seed collection and storage, home gardens, gathering of ‘wild crops’ alongside a range of other aspects of agrobiodiversity conservation and sustainable use. Socio-economic surveys17 indicate that: - Women account for 41.2% of the rural agricultural labour force - 32% of women aged 25 years of older are illiterate or semi-illiterate compared to 13% of men- Women in rural areas have extensive workloads with dual responsibilities for farm and household - In sparsely-populated regions where agrobiodiversity is most often found, more women work on farms than men, especially with increasing emigration of men to towns and cities- Women make a considerable contribution to household income through farm and non-farm activities, however their contribution to household food security and income generation in rural areas is often underestimated and undervalued.

To support gender mainstreaming, child project PPGs will support equal participation of men and women so as to fully take into account the different perspectives, priorities and socio-economic realities that men and women face. This may mean holding community-level consultations separately with men and women. UNDP, FAO and the World Bank all require a full gender analysis during PPG and these will therefore be conducted for all child projects. The results of these analyses will be used to integrate the differences, needs, roles and priorities of women and men into activities within child projects, particularly to identify opportunities to proactively engage women in implementation. Gender-disaggregated targets will be developed as indicators of project and program success. All UNDP-implemented projects will be assigned a ‘gender marker’ rating, on a scale of GEN-0 to GEN-3 in accordance with the expected contributions of investment to gender mainstreaming along with the targeted interventions for gender equality and women’s empowerment. The three UNDP-implemented child projects will have a gender marker of at least GEN-2 indicating that gender equality will be incorporated as a ‘significant objective’ during project design and implementation.

During the PPG phase, and in the implementation of child projects, the program will build on the gender lessons learned and results of past and ongoing initiatives in China, including the GIZ project learnings that women play a central role in the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity. Women’s role as traditional custodians of genetic animal and plant resources makes them especially important to agrobiodiversity conservation. In many agricultural landscapes, women play a lead role in agricultural production, particularly in communities where there is significant emigration of men to urban areas. The ways in which the child projects will support women’s participation and achieve direct benefits for women will be determined in detail during the PPG phase of each project. However they will include:- Detailed consultation with women to ensure their knowledge and perspectives are incorporated as part of the surveys and research conducted for project baseline assessments- Dedicated consultation with women during the identification and design of incentive mechanisms to ensure women’s perspectives help shape the mechanisms developed and ensure that they reflect women’s livelihood priorities.- The identification and recognition of areas where women play a key role in the cultivation, processing and marketing of traditional crops and livestock, and identification of areas where roles could be further developed- Dedicated training and technical assistance to women during project implementation. The program will ensure that 50% of those trained under child projects are women and that training supports them to achieve livelihood objectives- The establishment of business ventures in each province that are either solely run by women or have a majority participation by women. Opportunities to establish women’s cooperatives will also be explored during the PPG phase.- The development and deployment of compensations schemes targeted to women and the provision of priority credit, market or transportation assistance to women who market and use traditional varieties.

4. Benefits. Describe the socioeconomic benefits to be delivered by the Program at the national and local levels. Do any of these benefits support the achievement of global environmental benefits (for GEF Trust Fund), and/or adaptation to climate change?

The program will have significant socioeconomic benefits at both national and local levels. The program will support agrobiodiversity conservation, IAS threat reduction and sustainable management of grassland ecosystems through national policy reform and on-ground activities across nine provinces, developing incentive mechanisms that provide

17 Surveys conducted in 2007 by the project for ‘Sustainable Management of Agrobiodiversity in the Provinces of Hainan and Hunan’ jointly implemented between 2005 and 2011 by the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and the German Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).


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farmers and herders with economic and social motives to farm traditional crops and livestock. These will secure increased income for poor rural farming households and build partnerships and skills that will enable farming communities to strengthen livelihoods. Support will be provided to strengthen opportunities and socio-economic benefits for women. The program will generate pride among farming and pastoral communities in their traditional farming and herding practices, and as custodians of globally significant agricultural species, and will increase social recognition of the importance of agrobiodiversity. The preservation of important traditional varieties will ensure that local communities maintain the genetic diversity of crops and livestock needed to support traditional customs and cultures, and the genetic resource base to support long-term food security at household and national level.

Project support at demonstration and replication landscapes will achieve direct socio-economic benefits and strengthened livelihood opportunities for farmers and herders. These socio-economic benefits achieved by the program will be tied to selected globally significant varieties and GRFA and important grassland ecosystems for incentive mechanisms and on-ground activities (as summarized by the global environmental benefits detailed in Section 1d) – resulting in the parallel achievement of socio-economic benefits and global environmental benefits by the program.

Across the five child projects, the program is expected to directly reach many thousand beneficiaries, with a preliminary estimate that the program will involve over 40,000 people in capacity building, skills development and partnerships. This will include the engagement and training of members of farming and pastoral communities18 – including engagement of an estimated 15,000 herders in grassland ecosystems – and the participation of many of these in market-based partnerships and enterprises, and the capacity building of officers of national, county and provincial extension and agricultural/rural development agencies. This will include the training of an estimated 12,000 staff of relevant authorities in strengthened IAS management systems to better prevent IAS risks to agroecosystems. Measures such as awareness-raising programmes will reach many more thousand beneficiaries, including decision makers, the next generation and the lay public alike. The number and type of beneficiaries of each child project will be further defined during the PPG phase.

5. Risks. Indicate risks, including climate change risks, potential social and environmental future risks that might prevent the Program objectives from being achieved, and if possible, propose measures that address these risks to be further developed during the Program design.

Table 7: Risks and risk managementRisks Rating Preventive Measures

Lack of national, provincial and local level support for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of GRFA if, due to economic or poverty alleviation objectives, national, or provincial authorities and/or farmers judge that it is more important to use land on which GRFA grow for mainstream commercial production, using non GRFA crops.

Medium The Program will support increased policy and regulatory protection for GRFA.

Ongoing awareness raising and advocacy at all levels will demonstrate the existence value and economic importance of GRFA.

The program will increase market and other incentives for farmers to gain economic benefits from traditional crops. This in turn will help to demonstrate to farmers and government agencies the economic and nutritional value of GRFA.

Target GRFA at demonstration sites are the traditional local varieties of millet, rice, soybean and oats. The lands on which these plants grow are generally not suitable for the cultivation of some commercial crops.

Incentive mechanisms do not bring adequate financial and livelihood benefits to farmers making it hard to engage farming communities and/or to sustain impacts following the end of the program.

Difficulty in establishing private sector engagement due to limited markets for GRFA.

Medium The sustainability of incentive mechanisms relies on the assumption that the program and component child projects will be able to demonstrate to key stakeholder groups the potential of integrated, incentive based approaches for in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation and climate-smart grassland management to improve livelihoods, increase food security and support sustainable development at local, provincial and national levels.

The program will pursue a participatory approach that ensures that incentive mechanisms are established which meet local contexts and needs, and which enables risks and expectations to be effectively managed. Both market- and non-market-based incentive mechanisms will be established, optimising the potential to establish viable and sustainable incentives.

Program design to date has already identified significant market opportunities for GRFA. The program will build on successful national initiatives that have already

18 Of which the program will ensure that at least 50% are women.GEF-6 PFD Template-April2015

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demonstrated the potential for incentive mechanisms to bring financial and livelihood benefits to farming communities. Relevant initiatives include the Conservation of Wild Relatives of Crops Project and FAO/MOA supported GHIAS/NIAHS initiatives. The program will also build on international best practice, identifying opportunities and applying relevant approaches at demonstration sites.

Wherever possible project activities at demonstration sites will also be undertaken alongside other livelihood support provided by MOA, helping to integrate support for in-situ conservation and sustainable use of GRFA and grassland ecosystems into on-going livelihood support for farmers and herders.

Awareness-raising activities under component 4 will further help to increase understanding amongst government officials, farmers and the private sector of the long term economic and social benefits of in-situ conservation and sustainable use of GRFA.

During the 5-year lifetime of the program, it may be difficult to demonstrate the positive impacts of improvements in IAS prevention, control and management, for in-situ conservation and sustainable use of GRFA.

Low The detailed baseline to be developed during the PPG phase will include assessment of IAS threats to the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of GRFA. Effective project and program monitoring, against clear baselines, using SMART indicators, will demonstrate the impact of the program in reducing IAS threats to the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of GRFA.

It may be difficult during the life of the program to establish effective inter-sectoral coordination mechanisms at national and provincial levels.

Low The responsibilities of multiple agencies in China for IAS prevention, control and management, and for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of GRFA are reflected in program and project design. MOA is the lead national executing agency, reflecting its national responsibility for both agrobiodiversity conservation and IAS management in China. All key sectors and partners in program implementation will be program steering committee (PSC) members.

Climate change may increase the occurrence of natural disasters or climatic impacts that reduce harvests at demonstration sites.

Low Child projects will seek to demonstrate the resilience of traditional crop and livestock varieties to a range of climatic conditions through direct comparison with commercial varieties grown at demonstration sites.

Child projects will undertake assessment and monitoring of current and potential climate change impacts on GRFA and grassland ecosystems, including assessment of the implications of climate change for IAS impacts.

The program/projects will adopt an adaptive management approach, supported by effective monitoring and reporting systems. This will enable assessment and adjustment to changing conditions, including climatic conditions, as required.

6. Coordination. Outline the institutional structure of the Program including monitoring and evaluation coordination at the Program level. Describe possible coordination with other relevant GEF-financed projects and other initiatives.

Institutional Structure of the Program and Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation Arrangements

UNDP will be the overall Program Coordinating Agency (PCA), as such it will be responsible for overseeing the coordination of program implementation and will report back to the GEF on the program through the Annual Monitoring Review (AMR). Five child projects are incorporated under the program as shown in Table 8.

The five child projects (Table 8) will be executed individually under national and provincial executing agencies. MOA is the executing agency of the three national level projects (focussed on agrobiodiversity, IAS and grassland management). The two provincial projects will be executed by provincial departments of MOA. UNDP will be the GEF Agency for three child projects, and FAO and the World Bank the GEF Agency for one child project each.

Table 8: Child project details and financesProject Title GEF

AgencyGEF STAR

Allocation PPG PPG Fee Project Project Fee

(1) On-farm conservation and sustainable use of genetic diversity of crops originated in China

FAO 3,080,000 100,000 9,000 2,725,688 245,312

(2) Strengthening coordinated approaches to reduce UNDP 3,150,000 100,000 9,000 2,789,908 251,092


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invasive alien species (IAS) threats to globally significant agrobiodiversity and agroecosystems in China(3) Participatory in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity in Hainan

UNDP 1,700,000 50,000 4,500 1,509,633 135,867

(4) Conservation and sustainable use of indigenous agricultural genetic diversity in Hubei

UNDP 1,700,000 50,000 4,500 1,509,633 135,867

(5) Climate-smart management of grassland ecosystems

World Bank

4,250,000 130,000 11,700 3,769,083 339,217

Total 13,880,000 430,000 38,700 12,303,945 1,107,355

MOA will play a key role in program coordination, monitoring and evaluation as national executing agency of the program, as well as for the up-scaling of results from child projects during and following program implementation. UNDP, FAO and the World Bank will support MOA to ensure that child projects are efficiently implemented and that all projects work together to achieve program-level outcomes and global environmental benefits, as outlined in this PFD. Program coordination responsibilities will be shared between the three national child projects executed by MOA. The IAS project (child project 2, UNDP-implemented) will have overall responsibility for coordination, monitoring and evaluation of the program. The national agrobiodiversity project (child project 1, FAO-implemented) and grasslands project (child project 5, WB-implemented) will both provide a supporting role with responsibility for knowledge management at the programmatic level.

Close coordination between the three GEF Agencies will be ensured through regular meetings and communication. A Program Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation Plan will be developed at the program inception workshop. This will outline the roles and responsibilities of the various partners in the program, and specify processes and timeframes for achieving key deliverables, including exchange of information between projects, monitoring and evaluation of projects and the overall program, resolution of any implementation issues, assessment of program risks and establishment of knowledge management platforms. A preliminary outline of tasks, responsibilities and budget are given in Table 9. The program’s approach to knowledge management (to be implemented through child project 1) is described in Section 7.

The IAS child project will house the overall Program Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation Secretariat (CMES) within its PMU. The IAS project will be executed by MOA, in partnership with MEP and AQSIQ, supported by UNDP. The CMES will assume overall responsibility for monitoring and evaluation of the extent to which child projects are working to achieve program outcomes.

The CMES will also play a key role in facilitating effective communication and coordination between child projects. This will be important to ensure that the synergistic impact of all child projects working together leads to the achievement of program outcomes. The implementation of child projects will be synchronised in order to support program cohesion, such that the timing and modality of the inception workshop, mid-term reviews and terminal evaluations of each project – and of the program as a whole – will occur at a similar time through a coordinated process.

The CMES will house a Program Coordination Expert (PCE) and part-time input by evaluation and technical experts of the IAS project PMU. The CMES will receive technical advice and support from UNDP as overall Program Coordination Agency. The PCE will ensure effective and timely implementation of the Program Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation Plan. As part of program communication and coordination, the PCE will provide logistical support for exchange visits between child project stakeholders to enable them to exchange experiences and results first-hand. The grasslands project PMU (child project 5; WB-implemented) will also support and provide a financial contribution for programmatic exchange of lessons learned including on-site visits and workshops. GEF Agencies will also be supported to conduct monitoring visits to project sites.

A Program Steering Committee will be established to supervise and guide implementation, composed of key ministries and provincial authorities as well as the three GEF Agencies. It will be chaired by MOA. The PSC is the highest policy-level meeting of the parties directly involved in program implementation. PSC meetings will be held at least twice a


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year with the first meeting to be held within six months of program inception. Each child project will also establish a Project Steering Committee.

During the PPG phase, project-level monitoring and evaluation activities and budget plans will be developed for each child project. During inception, each child project will develop a detailed Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan which will outline the project monitoring and evaluation process, timeframe, key reports and responsibilities. This will build on the Logical Framework Analysis (LFA) Matrix developed during the PPG process. The LFA will provide detail of baselines, targets and SMART indicators for project outcomes and outputs, along with their corresponding means of verification. Each project will maintain an Issues Log to capture and track the status of all project issues throughout the implementation, a Risk Log to capture potential risks to the project and associated measures to manage risks and a Lessons Learned Log to capture insights and lessons based on good and bad experiences and behaviours.

Key monitoring and evaluation reports for each project include: the Project Inception Report, Annual Project Implementation Reviews (PIR), Quarterly Progress Reports (QPR), Combined Delivery Report (CDR), Mid Term Monitoring and Evaluation Review (MTR), and Terminal Evaluation Report. Mid-term reviews and terminal evaluations will be undertaken by independent experts, with terms of reference prepared by the respective GEF Agency. The results of annual monitoring of each child project will be presented by that project’s PMU to the Project Steering Committee. Annual reports will be sent to the CMES which will share them with Program Steering Committee members.

The CMES and UNDP will monitor progress towards the achievement of program outcomes annually within the Annual Monitoring Review. Key program monitoring and evaluation processes will be completed at mid-term and the end of the program, and synchronised to follow the mid-term reviews and terminal evaluations of the child projects. UNDP will provide support for the program mid-term review and terminal evaluation with input from the other GEF Agencies.

The budget for project coordination activities will be allocated within component 4 of the IAS project (child project 2), component 4 of the national agrobiodiversity project (child project 1; knowledge management) and component 3 of the grassland project (child project 5, knowledge management for ongoing exchange of lessons learned).

Table 9: Program coordination, monitoring and evaluation activities and budget

Activity Responsible partiesIndicative budget (US$, excl. project

team staff time)Timeframe

Program Inception Workshop IAS project CMES, MOA, UNDP 8,000 Within first three months of program start up

Inception Report IAS project CMES, MOA (included in workshop budget)

Immediately following the inception workshop

Development of detailed Program Coordination Monitoring and Evaluation Plan

IAS project CMES, MOA with support of a monitoring specialist and UNDP, and with input and sign off by all child project PMUs and GEF Agencies

None Immediately following the inception workshop

Development of a Program Knowledge Management Strategy

National agrobiodiversity project with support from FAO, and with input and sign off by all child project PMUs and GEF Agencies

None Immediately following the inception workshop

Program Steering Committee meetings IAS project CMES, MOA, UNDP None Following inception workshop and at least annually, with additional meetings as required

Monitoring of progress toward achieving Program outcomes, including monitoring of effectiveness and efficiency of program delivery - contributing to AMR process

IAS project CMES, MOA, UNDP with input from child project PMU monitoring teams and GEF Agencies

4,000 Annually as part of the AMR process


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Periodic status reports IAS project CMES, MOA, with input and review from all child project PMUs

2,000 To be determined

Ongoing exchange of experiences and lessons between child project stakeholders (including allowance for visits and workshops)

IAS project CMES, child project PMU particularly WB grasslands project (including financial contributions)

14,000 Throughout implementation

Lessons learned reports, including publication to online fora

IAS project CMES, with input and review from all child project PMU

2,000 Middle and end of program

Knowledge management including program website, sustainable agricultural development database dedicated to in-situ agrobiodiversity data and related initiatives, national information and communication platform

National agrobiodiversity project PMU, with support from FAO

20,000 Following Inception Workshop and throughout program implementation

Mid-term review IAS project CMES, independent monitoring consultants,support from UNDP

10,000 Two years after program implementation

Terminal evaluation IAS project CMES, independent monitoring consultants,support from UNDP

10,000 At the end of program implementation

Terminal report IAS project CMES, input from UNDP

5,000 At least one month before the end of the program

Audit UNDPIAS project CMES

None Annual financial audit of the program

Visits to field sites by PCA and National Executing Agencies

UNDP Country Office UNDP-GEF Regional Technical Advisor (as appropriate)IAS project CMES, National Executing Agencies

None As and when necessary, co-financed by UNDP as PCA

TOTAL INDICATIVE COST Excluding child project PMU staff time and GEF Agency staff and travel expenses

75,000

Coordination with other GEF/non-GEF financed projects

As the lead national implementing agency, MOA will work with other national and provincial agencies to ensure a close coordination between the design and implementation of this program with NSADP and donor supported activities on agrobiodiversity conservation, IAS management and grassland conservation. Specifically, coordination with other projects will be facilitated through MOA, supported by UNDP, FAO and the World Bank, with input from all PSC members. Coordination mechanisms and objectives will be incorporated within the Program Coordination Monitoring and Evaluation Plan and the Knowledge Management Strategy developed during the program inception workshop. Key objectives will be to ensure the sharing of lessons learned, that child projects build on and work with evolving baseline initiatives and that there is no duplication of effort or conflicting activities. Relevant coordination activities for each child project are detailed in the respective concept notes. These opportunities will be explored further in the PPG process for each child project. Key coordination opportunities for the program are outlined below.

The Chinese Biodiversity Cooperation Framework (CBPF) 2007-2017 is an important national initiative, supporting coordination between key GEF-supported biodiversity conservation initiatives in China. With oversight by UNDP, the CBPF is executed by the Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection, and implemented jointly by a range of relevant Ministries. The CBPF provides a platform for mutual exchange between international organizations, national decision makers and technical experts, and an overarching framework for coordination, enhancing the potential for scaling up of impacts. The role of UNDP as both the key implementing agency for the CBPF and the PCA for this proposed program will ensure close alignment between the two initiatives.

A key GEF-funded, UNDP-implemented project which will be implemented in parallel to this program is Developing and Implementing the National Framework on Access and Benefit Sharing of Genetic Resources and Associated


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Traditional Knowledge. There are obvious linkages between ABS and in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity, and indeed a number of the child projects intend to incorporate ABS. It will be essential for these initiatives to be closely coordinated so that results and lessons are shared between the ABS project and relevant child projects. This will be particularly important for the Hainan project (child project 3) which will include an ABS focus, and the PPG of this project will liaise closely with the PMU of the ABS project.

The Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) initiative of the FAO is supporting a number of initiatives in China. China has adopted the GIAHS philosophy and goals within a national scheme, the Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (NIAHS). GIAHS/NIAHS objectives align closely with those of this proposed program. During the PPG process, child project design teams will liaise with the GIAHS/NIAHS team to identify opportunities for collaboration and synergy. The international GIAHS initiative also provides a wealth of knowledge from other provinces and countries that can be used to support effective project design and implementation.

The program will be coordinated with the full range of baseline initiatives being funded by MOA, including a long-term Project for Crop Germplasm Resources Protection which has been financed since 2001 for the collection, ex-situ conservation, identification and assessment of crop genetic diversity. Coordination with MOA initiatives will be implicit, given that MOA is the lead executing agency for the program. Coordination with other ongoing baseline initiatives supported by other program partners including MEP and AQSIQ projects on IAS management will be achieved through the program PSC and the lead role of the IAS child project in program coordination, monitoring and evaluation.

The program’s activities on climate-smart grassland management will be closely coordinated with FAO and the World Bank’s overall CSA cooperation with MOA. It will build on existing policy and project activities, including the GEF- financed Climate-smart Staple Crop Production Project, to explore climate-smart livestock production and grassland management techniques and based on actual field implementation results propose policy recommendations to promote the adoption and scaling up of such practices at the national level.

As noted above, the program’s intervention on grassland management will also be closely coordinated with the ADB-led, the World Bank and IFAD-supported PRC-GEF Land Degradation Partnership Program. Knowledge learned on sustainable land management and livelihood development will be incorporated into the design and implementation of this program, in particular child project 5. Similarly, experience learned from this program on agrobiodiversity conservation and sustainable use, IAS management and climate-smart grassland management will also be shared with the Land Degradation Partnership Program. Finally, due to the focus of child project 5’s activities in Gansu and Qinghai, it will also coordinate with existing and proposed GEF projects in these provinces, including the UNDP-implemented GEF-4 project Strengthening the effectiveness of the protected area system in Qinghai Province, China, to conserve globally important biodiversity and UNDP-implemented GEF-6 child projects in the China’s Protected Area System Reform (C-PAR) Program in both provinces currently undergoing their project preparation phase. Potential synergies and lessons learned in grassland ecosystem conservation between the projects will be identified and shared during project development and implementation.

7. Knowledge Management. Outline the knowledge management approach for the Program, including plans for the Program to learn from other relevant initiatives, and to assess and document in a user-friendly form, and share these experiences and expertise with relevant stakeholders.

Child project 1, implemented by FAO, will play a lead role in program knowledge management, working in direct partnership with MOA, and in consultation with other child projects. It will develop a Knowledge Management Strategy for the program to guide and facilitate the exchange of information and knowledge between projects and between the program and other national, regional and international initiatives. The Knowledge Management Strategy will encourage innovation, the development and use of different types of information and knowledge, and sharing of information and lessons at local, provincial and national levels. It will establish the framework and processes necessary to ensure that all stakeholder groups within the program are able to access information in a form that is useful to them. To ensure continuous improvement in the standard of information generated and shared under the program, progress towards the achievement of key targets under the Knowledge Management Strategy will be reviewed by all program partners annually.


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Program knowledge management tools will include a sustainable agricultural development website (initially a program website), a CSA website (expansion of the existing website of the Climate-smart Staple Crops Production Project) and a web-based agrobiodiversity information and communication platform (developed under child project 1 and institutionalised within MOA). The platform will enable stakeholders across China to access tools and information products developed under all child projects, and to exchange information related to in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation and sustainable use, IAS control and management, grassland management, and more generally sustainable agricultural development. Each child project will be responsible for recording the lessons learned and results achieved though project activities. These will include case studies, research papers, lessons learned reports, guidelines and monitoring and evaluation reports. Support for ongoing programmatic exchange of lessons learned including on-site visits and workshops will be provided by the grasslands project PMU (child project 5; WB-implemented). As part of national institutional capacity strengthening, a database will be developed to provide information on the distribution and health of GRFA and agroecosystems, socio-economic data on farming systems and GRFA use, and information on the results of in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation initiatives and pilots of climate-smart grassland management practices. This will be coordinated through child project 1, which will also strengthen GRFA monitoring systems at the national level.

8. National Priorities. Is the Program consistent with the National strategies and plans or reports and assessments under relevant conventions? (yes /no ). If yes, which ones and how: NAPAs, NAPs, NBSAPs, ASGM NAPs, MIAs, NCs, TNAs, NCSA, NIPs, PRSPs, NPFE, BURs, etc.

This program is designed to support MOA to pilot and scale up effective policy and investment measures to address key actions highlighted under MOA’s NSADP (2015-2030): conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity, IAS control and management, climate-smart agriculture, and grassland conservation. In doing so, the project is well-aligned to international targets for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. It will contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, most notably via targets 2.4 to achieve sustainable and resilient food production systems, 2.5 to maintain the genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and their related wild species, 13.2 to integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning, and target 15.8 to reduce the impact of IAS on ecosystems and prevent further introductions. It will also support the achievement of targets 5.5 (women’s full and effective participation in decision making), 12.2 (sustainable management and effective use of natural resources), 15.5 (prevent biodiversity loss) and 15.6 (fair and equitable benefit sharing of genetic resources). The project will support multiple Aichi biodiversity targets, including targets 1 (awareness), 7 (sustainable agriculture), 9 (IAS), 12 (threatened species), 13 (maintenance of genetic diversity) and 18 (traditional ecological knowledge). A detailed assessment of the program contributions towards the Aichi targets is shown in Annex B.

China signed the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1992. China has established a Coordinating Group for the Implementation of CBD and an Inter-ministerial Joint Meeting for Protection of Biological Resources. Achievement of key CBD targets is to be achieved through the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP, 2011-2030). The erosion and loss of genetic resources is identified as one of three major threats to biodiversity conservation in China within the NBSAP. China is not currently a member of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the standard material transfer agreement, but is in the process of becoming a member.

The program reflects all four basic principles of China’s NBSAP namely achieving biodiversity conservation while advancing socio-economic development, the promotion of sustainable use, strengthened public participation and equitable sharing of benefits. The contribution of the program to NBSAP priority areas is shown in Table 10.

The program’s efforts on climate-smart grassland management contribute to China’s efforts on climate mitigation and adaptation under UNFCCC, including China’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution: Enhanced Actions on Climate Change (INDC, 2015).

Table 10: Program contribution to NBSAP priority areas


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NBSAP Priority Area NBSAP Action Program contributions

2: To incorporate biodiversity conservation into sectoral and regional planning and promote sustainable use

Action 4 Incorporate biodiversity conservation into relevant sectoral and regional planning and Programmes

Develop sectoral strategies and action plans for biodiversity conservation in the field of agriculture(Program component 1)

Action 5 Ensure sustainable use of biodiversity

Promote consumption patterns and food culture favourable to biodiversity conservation. (Program component 2, 3 and 4)

3: Carry out identification, evaluation and monitoring of biodiversity

Action 7 Carry out baseline surveys on biological resources and ecosystems

Carry out surveys on key species and in key areas. (Program component 2 and 3)

Action 8 Survey and catalogue genetic resources and related traditional knowledge

Survey, collect and classify local crops, domesticated animals, wild edible and medical plants and animals and fungi with focus on remote and minority- inhabited regions and store the accessions in the national germplasm resource bank. Survey traditional knowledge, innovation and practices related to genetic resources in the minority-inhabited areas and establish databases and undertake studies and demonstration projects concerning benefit sharing. (Program component 2 and 3)

4: To strengthen in-situ biodiversity conservation

Action 16 Improve establishment of farms and reserves for conservation of genetic resources of domesticated animals

Improve existing farms and reserves for conservation of genetic resources of domesticated animals. Establish more farms and reserves for conservation of genetic resources of domesticated animals and further strengthen conservation of good quality genetic resources of domesticated animals. Further improve the conservation system of genetic resources of domesticated animals and assess the effectiveness of conservation of genetic resources of domesticated animals.(Program component 2 and 3)

7: To strengthen biosafety management of invasive alien species and genetically modified organisms

Action 23 Improve capacity of early warning, emergency response and monitoring of invasive alien species

Develop techniques for and establish a system for environment risk assessment of IAS. Establish and improve port quarantine facilities and isolated quarantine nurseries and bases for introduced species, isolated experiment sites and quarantine centres in accordance with various needs of regions and sectoral departments. Improve techniques and methods such as IAS rapid inspection methods and establish IAS monitoring and warning system, and undertake long-term monitoring. Track emerging, potentially harmful IAS and develop emergency response plan, and develop sustainable control and elimination technologies and organize elimination of IAS that have caused serious damage. Strengthen monitoring and warning system of harmful pathogens and animal epidemic sources and diseases, and prevent epidemics from the sources and control the spreading. Strengthen capacity building of import and export management of microorganisms used in the environmental protection and implement standardized management and long-term tracking on microorganisms used in aquaculture.


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(Program component 2)

10: To establish public participatory mechanisms and partnerships for biodiversity conservation

Action 29 Establish mechanisms of public participation

Improve public participatory mechanisms for biodiversity conservation and establish a system that allows public participation of various forms such as reporting, hearing and discussion. (Program component 2, 3 and 4)

Action 30 Promote the establishment of biodiversity conservation partnerships

Establish inter-departmental collaborative partnerships on biodiversity conservation. Establish biodiversity partnerships involving local governments, local communities and domestic NGOs. (Program component 1, 2, 3 and 4)

9. Child Selection Criteria. Outline the criteria used or to be used for child project selection and the contribution of each Child projects to Program impact.

The five child projects have been selected using the following criteria which reflect GEF requirements and priorities, so that each child project:

1. Addresses at least one of three priority sustainable agricultural development issues for China supported by the Partnership Program

2. For agrobiodiversity child projects, addresses priority agrobiodiversity conservation issues within China that are of global significance

3. Is a nationally or provincially-executed project with substantial commitments from key stakeholder groups, including co-financing commitments

4. Directly contributes to achieving program outcomes and indicators, with strong emphasis placed on monitoring, results-based management and knowledge transfer

5. Builds on a sound baseline and presents opportunities to add value to existing approaches and initiatives 6. Takes into account the different needs and aspirations of women farmers and the role of women within farming

communities7. Has a strong potential for catalytic impact, to scale up lessons and results during and following the end of the

project, and seeks to balance tangible results within the project timeframe with longer-term sustainable impacts8. Develops innovative, participatory, partnership-based approaches that support the achievement of long-term

biodiversity conservation and sustainable development outcomes, including sustainable livelihood impacts for poor farming communities

9. Requests GEF financing for agreed incremental costs in order to achieve global environmental benefits.

Alignment of child projects with selection criteriaChild project 1: On-farm conservation and sustainable use of genetic diversity of crops originated in China The project strengthens the national level enabling environment, knowledge management systems and capacity of key institutions to support the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity. It addresses a range of barriers currently preventing effective in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity at the national level and across target provinces. The project will develop participatory, partnership-based approaches to establish incentive mechanisms for the conservation and sustainable use of a range of target species. Demonstration sites will be selected where farming communities continue to use traditional crops and where opportunities have been identified to establish viable market and non-market based incentives for in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation. As with all projects under the program a strong emphasis will be placed on securing equal benefits for women, and their equal participation in project activities, recognising their different needs and perspectives. The project builds on a sound national and provincial baseline as outlined in the child project concept note. National-level outputs will provide the enabling environment, institutional capacity, knowledge management systems and awareness essential for up-scaling of program results and lessons across China. Financing from GEF is requested for the incremental costs associated with achieving important global environmental benefits encompassed in the in-situ conservation of GRFA in China.


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Child project 2: Strengthening coordinated approaches to reduce IAS threats to globally significant agrobiodiversity and agroecosystems in China IAS have been identified by MOA as one of the key threats to agroecosystems across China, and the IAS project addresses this priority issue. The project has strong commitment from the range of national agencies involved in IAS prevention, control and management in China, as well as commitments from relevant stakeholder groups within target provinces (including substantial co-financing). The project will be nationally executed, with provincial departments of agriculture also playing a lead role in coordinating and executing project activities at the provincial level. As outlined in the child project concept note, the project builds on a strong baseline of IAS prevention, management and control initiatives in China, including within the agriculture sector, in order to reduce IAS threats to agroecosystems. The IAS project places a strong emphasis on strengthening partnerships between key agencies involved in IAS management, addressing current weaknesses in the institutional structure of IAS management in China. Components strengthen the policy, regulatory and strategic enabling environment, build institutional capacity, and improve knowledge management systems and awareness, supporting the up-scaling of results and lessons and the sustainability of project outcomes. At the local level the project works to develop innovative, participatory, partnership-based approaches to IAS prevention, control and management, increasing the awareness of farming communities on IAS impacts to livelihoods and ecosystems, and establishing approaches which involve farming communities in local area prevention, monitoring and control, including for the restoration of damaged agroecosystems. Innovative approaches include the testing of eco-compensation as an incentive mechanism for the engagement of farming communities in IAS management to support in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation. The project approach takes into account the differences in needs and practices of women within farming communities. GEF funding is requested to support the incremental costs associated with achieving global environmental benefits in the establishment of effective and efficient IAS management systems, emphasising a risk management approach and a focus on prevention, monitoring, early warning and rapid response, which will strengthen the conservation and sustainable use of GRFA across China.

Child projects 3 and 4: Hainan and Hubei in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation and sustainable use projects The two provincial-level child projects in Hainan and Hubei strongly adhere to the selection criteria. Both house a significant number of traditional species and varieties of global significance as GRFA and have been identified by MOA as priority areas for agrobiodiversity conservation. The provinces retain many farming communities who continue to use traditional crops and livestock as part of farming systems and have knowledge of traditional farming practices and associated traditions. In both provinces these farming systems are rapidly declining due to a lack of incentives for farmers to continue using traditional varieties and farming systems. Associated with this, the maintenance of GRFA populations and agroecosystems is under threat including by the impacts of IAS invasions. The proposed projects build on strong baselines and long-term commitments from provincial governments to support sustainable development. Opportunities have been identified to establish sustainable incentive mechanisms for farmers to expand the use of traditional crops and livestock in both Hainan and Hubei, and opportunities exist for both market- and non-market-based incentives (including the roll-out of eco-compensation in the Danjiangkou Reservoir Area in Hubei). A core outcome of both projects is the achievement of innovative, participatory, partnership-based approaches that support the achievement of long-term agrobiodiversity conservation and sustainable development outcomes, including sustainable livelihood impacts for poor farming communities. The projects have strong potential for catalytic impact, supporting institutional capacity building, strengthened enabling environments, and the establishment of long-term partnerships between farmers, private and public sector agencies and the creation of marketing networks, certification schemes and new markets. Both projects are requesting GEF financing for incremental costs to achieve global environmental benefits associated with conserving target species and the mainstreaming of incentive-based approaches for the in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity.

Child project 5: Climate-smart management of grassland ecosystemsThis child project is proposed to support China to rethink its grassland conservation programs and how PES schemes under such programs be reformed to ensure concrete grassland conservation and carbon sequestration results are achieved as planned. It address the lack of knowledge of evidence-based policy making and implementation in China as well as the limited knowledge of MOA on climate-smart agriculture that emphasizes triple wins on climate adaptation, mitigation and productivity. It intends to first support the two selected provinces with serious grassland degradation to develop its institutional capacity for the adoption of climate-smart and participatory grassland management practices and the implementation of a robust MRV system. Such practices will cover in-situ conservation and sustainable uses of


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GRFA and sound IAS management. Green value chains based on endemic GRFA will be developed. With the improved capacity, pilot sites will be financed to adjust the payment level and conditions of the existing grassland conservation PES schemes from area- and herd size-based to results-based. Key results to be measured include changes in (a) grassland management practices of beneficiary herders; (b) grassland productivity and herders’ incomes; and (c) vegetation coverage and soil carbon contents of concerned grasslands. A robust MRV system will be established to verify the achievements of agreed results. A ground-truthed, scalable ICT-based monitoring framework to track the herding practices of beneficiary communities. Biological and soil samples will be routinely collected along with social and economic information of beneficiary herders to measures project impacts on climate mitigation, adaptation, and grassland productivities. Based on implementation results of the pilot of this participatory, evidence-based and climate-smart PES scheme, policy recommendations will be proposed to MOA for the review and revision of the design and implementation of its existing grassland conservation programs. Financing from GEF is requested for the incremental costs associated with achieving important global environmental benefits encompassed in evidence-based and climate-smart grassland management practices to be promoted by the project.


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PART III: APPROVAL/ENDORSEMENT BY GEF OPERATIONAL FOCAL POINT(S) AND GEF AGENCY(IES)

A. RECORD OF ENDORSEMENT OF GEF OPERATIONAL FOCAL POINT (S) ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT(S): (Please attach the Operational Focal Point endorsement letter with this template).

NAME POSITION MINISTRY DATE (MM/dd/yyyy)Wensong GuoGEF Operational Focal Point

Director, International Financial Institution Division III, International Department

Ministry of Finance

03/02/2017

B. GEF AGENCY(IES) CERTIFICATION This request has been prepared in accordance with GEF policies and procedures and meets the GEF criteria for Program identification and preparation.

Agency Coordinator, Agency name

SignatureDATE

(mm/dd/yyyy)Program Person Telephone

Email Address

Adriana DinuUNDP-GEF Executive

Coordinator

03/02/2017 Lisa Farroway, Regional Technical Advisor,

Biodiversity

+66 98 286 9626

[email protected]

Daniel GustafsonDeputy Director

General (Programmes) and Officer-in-Charge, TCI and TC FAO

02/20/2017Dai Weidong,Programme Coordinator,FAO China;

Kentaro Aoki,Technical

Officer, FAO GEF

Coordination Unit

Investment Centre

Division FAO

+39 0 6570 56202

[email protected] [email protected]

Karin Shepardson,GEF Agency

Executive Coordinator

02/02/2017 Jiang RuSenior

Environmental Specialist

+202 473-8677

[email protected]


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mailto:[email protected]




ANNEX A

LIST OF CHILD PROJECTS UNDER THE PROGRAM FRAMEWORK

Project Title GEF Agency

GEF Amount ($)Agency Fee

($) Total ($)Focal Area 1 Focal Area 2 TOTALProject Project Project

FSPsOn-farm conservation and sustainable use of genetic diversity of crops originated in China

FAO BD-3 Program 7 2,725,688 245,312 2,971,000

Strengthening coordinated approaches to reduce invasive alien species (IAS) threats to globally significant agrobiodiversity and agroecosystems in China

UNDP BD-2 Program 4 2,789,908 251,092 3,041,000

Participatory in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity in Hainan

UNDP BD-3 Program 7 1,509,633 135,867 1,645,500

Conservation and sustainable use of indigenous agricultural genetic diversity in Hubei

UNDP BD-3 Program 7 1,509,633 135,867 1,645,500

Climate-smart management of grassland ecosystems

WB CCM-2 Program 4 3,769,083 339,217 4,108,300

Total 12,303,945 1,107,355 13,411,300

GEF-6 Child Project Concept Note-March2015

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ANNEX B Program Contribution to Global Aichi Targets of the CBD Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020

Aichi Biodiversity Target Headline indicators / relevant operational indicators Program contribution

Strategic Goal A: Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across government and society

Target 1 - By 2020, at the latest, people are aware of the values of biodiversity and the steps they can take to conserve and use it sustainably.

Trends in awareness, attitudes and public engagement in support of biological diversity and ecosystem services Trends in awareness and attitudes to biodiversity (C) Trends in public engagement with biodiversity (C) Trends in communication Programmes and actions promoting social

corporate responsibility (C)

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Surveys undertaken at the start, middle and end of the program indicate at least 60% increase in public and institutional awareness of the importance of in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation and sustainable use by end of program.

Target 2 - By 2020, at the latest, biodiversity values have been integrated into national and local development and poverty reduction strategies and planning processes and are being incorporated into national accounting, as appropriate, and reporting systems.

Trends in integration of biodiversity, ecosystem services and benefits sharing into planning, policy formulation and implementation and incentives Trends in number of countries incorporating natural resource,

biodiversity, and ecosystem service values into national accounting systems (B)

Trends in number of countries that have assessed values of biodiversity, in accordance with the Convention (C)

Trends in guidelines and applications of economic appraisal tools (C) Trends in integration of biodiversity and ecosystem service values into

sectoral and development policies (C) Trends in policies considering biodiversity and ecosystem service in

environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment (C)

By program end: Policies, strategies, regulations and plans in target provinces support the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity through:- the establishment of economic incentives for farmers to sustain healthy populations of traditional varieties - the reduction of IAS impacts on agroecosystems-the establishment of coordinated, inter-sectoral approaches for in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation and IAS management.National level strategies, policies and planning processes are coordinated between sectors, supporting proactive measures to establish the conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity in-situ.

Target 3 - By 2020, at the latest, incentives, including subsidies, harmful to biodiversity are eliminated, phased out or reformed in order to minimize or avoid negative impacts, and positive incentives for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity are developed and applied, consistent and in harmony with the Convention and other relevant international obligations,

Trends in integration of biodiversity, ecosystem services and benefits sharing into planning, policy formulation and implementation and incentives Trends in the number and value of incentives, including subsidies,

harmful to biodiversity, removed, reformed or phased out (B) Trends in identification, assessment and establishment and strengthening

of incentives that reward positive contribution to biodiversity and ecosystem services and penalize adverse impacts (C)

Payment for Ecosystem Service (PES) schemes have been trialled in target provinces and have demonstrated positive results of PES suitable for scaling up at the national level.Approaches have been developed and results demonstrated which establish economic incentives for farming communities to sustainably use traditional varieties at target landscapes. Incentive mechanisms for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity have been mainstreamed into the work programs of relevant agencies across target provinces, with appropriate budget allocations, and monitoring systems, and the effectiveness of incentive


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taking into account national socio economic conditions.

mechanisms is regularly assessed against pre-defined targets.

Target 4 - By 2020, at the latest, Governments, business and stakeholders at all levels have taken steps to achieve or have implemented plans for sustainable production and consumption and have kept the impacts of use of natural resources well within safe ecological limits.

Trends in pressures from unsustainable agriculture, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture Trends in population and extinction risk of utilized species, including

species in trade (A) (also used by CITES) Trends in ecological footprint and/or related concepts (C) (decision

VIII/15) Ecological limits assessed in terms of sustainable production and

consumption (C)

All target provinces incorporate in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity as part of strategies for sustainable agricultural development. Strategies directly involve the private sector and farming communities as part of approaches to establish incentive mechanisms for sustainable use and in-situ conservation of traditional varieties.Extinction risk of endemic crop and livestock varieties has been reduced as a result of increased support for the sustainable use and in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity in target provinces.

Trends in pressures from habitat conversion, pollution, invasive species, climate change, overexploitation and underlying drivers Trends in biodiversity of cities (C) (decision X/22)

Trends in integration of biodiversity, ecosystem services and benefits sharing into planning, policy formulation and implementation and incentives Trends in extent to which biodiversity and ecosystem service values are

incorporated into organizational accounting and reporting (B)

Strategic Goal B: Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote sustainable use

Target 7 - By 2020 areas under agriculture, aquaculture and forestry are managed sustainably, ensuring conservation of biodiversity.

Trends in pressures from unsustainable agriculture, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture Trends in population of forest and agriculture dependent species in

production systems (B) Trends in production per input (B) Trends in proportion of products derived from sustainable sources (C)

(decision VII/30 and VIII/15)

The coverage in hectares / density of populations of traditional varieties at target landscapes remain stable or increases.Number of products derived from sustainable use of traditional varieties has increased in target provinces.

Trends in integration of biodiversity, ecosystem services and benefits sharing into planning, policy formulation and implementation and incentives Trends in area of forest, agricultural and aquaculture ecosystems under

sustainable management (B) (decision VII/30 and VIII/15)

Viable and sustainable incentive systems have been established and demonstrated for the sustainable use and conservation of agrobiodiversity in each of the target provinces.National policy, regulatory and strategic ‘enabling


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environment’ supports sustainable management of agroecosystems and the maintenance of viable populations of endemic crops and livestock ‘in-situ’.

Target 9 - By 2020, invasive alien species and pathways are identified and prioritized, priority species are controlled or eradicated, and measures are in place to manage pathways to prevent their introduction and establishment.

Trends in pressures from habitat conversion, pollution, invasive species, climate change, overexploitation and underlying drivers Trends in the impact of invasive alien species on extinction risk trends

(A) Trends in the economic impacts of selected invasive alien species (B) Trends in number of invasive alien species (B) (decision VII/30 and

VIII/15) Trends in incidence of wildlife diseases caused by invasive alien species

(C)

Economic impacts of IAS on farming communities at target landscapes have decreased. The number and area of traditional varieties affected by IAS has decreased at target landscapes.

Trends in integration of biodiversity, ecosystem services and benefits sharing into planning, policy formulation and implementation and incentives Trends in policy responses, legislation and management plans to control

and prevent spread of invasive alien species (B) Trends in invasive alien species pathways management (C)

Strengthened policy and strategic enabling environment for IAS prevention, control and management supports integrated, multi-sectoral responses to IAS threats at the national level and within target provinces.Pathways for introduction of IAS to agricultural areas, and specifically to areas important for traditional varieties, have been identified and measures have been taken to reduce introduction and establishment of IAS, including awareness raising and monitoring. Systems have been established to strengthen border control at ports, and the number of interceptions of IAS which are damaging to agrobiodiversity has increased.

Strategic Goal C: To improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity

Target 12 - By 2020 the extinction of known threatened species has been prevented and their conservation status, particularly of those most in decline, has been improved and sustained.

Trends in abundance, distribution and extinction risk of species Trends in abundance of selected species (A) (decision VII/30 and

VIII/15) (UNCCD indicator) Trends in extinction risk of species (A) (decision VII/30 and VIII/15)

(MDG indicator 7.7) (also used by CMS) Trends in distribution of selected species (B) (decision VII/30 and

VIII/15) (also used by UNCCD)

Traditional varieties known to be threatened with extinction in their natural habitats are being conserved or sustainably used, improving their conservation status.


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Target 13 - By 2020, the genetic diversity of cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and of wild relatives, including other socio-economically as well as culturally valuable species, is maintained, and strategies have been developed and implemented for minimizing genetic erosion and safeguarding their genetic diversity.

Trends in genetic diversity of species Trends in genetic diversity of cultivated plants, and farmed and

domesticated animals and their wild relatives (B) (decision VII/30 and VIII/15)

Trends in genetic diversity of selected species (C)

Genetic diversity of cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals is maintained at target landscapes, with strong indication of scaling up to other areas.

Trends in integration of biodiversity, ecosystem services and benefits sharing into planning, policy formulation and implementation and incentives Trends in number of effective policy mechanisms implemented to reduce

genetic erosion and safeguard genetic diversity related to plant and animal genetic resources (B)

A comprehensive national framework of policies, legislation and regulations has been developed and is adopted across sectors, supporting the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources for food and agriculture (GRFA).

Inter-sectoral coordination mechanisms for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of GRFA have been established in all target provinces and are demonstrated to be actively supporting the sustainable use and in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity.

Strategic Goal E: Enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge management and capacity building

Target 18 - By 2020, the traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and their customary use of biological resources, are respected, subject to national legislation and relevant international obligations, and fully integrated and reflected in the implementation of the Convention with the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities, at all relevant levels.

Trends in integration of biodiversity, ecosystem services and benefit-sharing into planning, policy formulation and implementation and incentives Trends in land-use change and land tenure in the traditional territories of

indigenous and local communities (B) (decision X/43) Trends in the practice of traditional occupations (B) (decision X/43)

Sustainable, gender-mainstreamed incentive mechanisms for in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation are demonstrated at target landscapes.Farming communities have participated in the development and establishment of products and new marketing opportunities for endemic crops and livestock at target landscapes, resulting in the establishment of incentives and widespread support for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agroecosystems.Farming communities at target landscapes are maintaining traditional systems of cultivating or husbandry of traditional varieties.

Trends in accessibility of scientific/technical/traditional knowledge and its application Trends in which traditional knowledge and practices are respected through

their full integration, safeguards and the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities in the national implementation of the Strategic Plan (B)

Traditional knowledge on traditional varieties of crops and livestock has been integrated within approaches for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity. Project approaches and outputs lead to greater respect for and understanding of traditional knowledge of endemic crops and livestock and agroecosystems.


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ANNEX C: Program Contributions to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals

2030 Sustainable Development Goals - Targets Program Outcomes

1.5 - By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters.

2.1 Sustainable conservation and management approaches established which improve the in-situ sustainable use and conservation of GRFA and deliver social, financial and livelihood benefits to farmers in parallel.

3.1 Increased effectiveness of approaches for the conservation and sustainable use of GRFA.

3.2 Strengthened institutional capacity of relevant public sector agencies within target sites, and of lead national institutions, for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of GRFA, for the management of IAS impacts on agrobiodiversity, and for evidence-based and climate-smart grassland management practices.

2.3 - By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.


2.4 - By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality.




2.5- By 2020, maintain the genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and their related wild species, including through soundly managed and diversified seed and plant banks at the national, regional and international levels, and promote access to and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge, as internationally agreed.

1.1 Strengthened policy, regulatory and strategic frameworks and cross-sectoral coordination at national and provincial levels.

1.2 Strengthened cross-sectoral coordination results in more effective approaches for the conservation and sustainable use of GRFA and grasslands, including for improved control and management of IAS threats.


13.1- Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.


13.2- Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.



1.3 Increased government financing for in-situ conservation and sustainable use of GRFA and grassland ecosystem, including for the prevention, control and management of IAS threats, as indicated by


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national and provincial budget allocations.

13.3- Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.



15.3- By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.


15.6- Promote fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and promote appropriate access to such resources, as internationally agreed


4.1 Improved understanding among decision makers, the general public and key stakeholder groups on the value of GRFA and importance of in-situ conservation, and evidence-based policy making for climate-smart grassland management, and increased access by all groups to information, as indicated by Knowledge, Attitude and Practices surveys to be conducted at beginning, middle and end of projects.

15.8- By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species



2.2 Effective participatory approaches for the prevention, control and management of IAS impacts on GRFA developed and tested in target agricultural landscapes.

15.9- By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts



1.3 Increased government financing for in-situ conservation and sustainable use of GRFA and grassland ecosystem, including for the prevention, control and management of IAS threats, as indicated by national and provincial budget allocations.

17.14- Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development



4.2 Monitoring and evaluation demonstrates efficient use of program funds, rationalization of national, provincial and local level inputs, and sharing of information, resources and expertise between projects, along with on-going exchange of lessons and best practices.



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17.6- Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation and enhance knowledge sharing on mutually agreed terms, including through improved coordination among existing mechanisms, in particular at the United Nations level, and through a global technology facilitation mechanism.

4.1 Improved understanding among decision makers, the general public and key stakeholder groups on the value of GRFA and importance of in-situ conservation, and evidence-based policy making for climate-smart grassland management, and increased access by all groups to information, as indicated by Knowledge, Attitude and Practices surveys to be conducted at beginning, middle and end of projects.

4.2 Monitoring and evaluation demonstrates efficient use of program funds, rationalization of national, provincial and local level inputs, and sharing of information, resources and expertise between projects, along with on-going exchange of lessons and best practices.



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ANNEX D Child Project Concept Notes.

Child Project Concept Note 1: FAO Project Title: On-farm conservation and sustainable use of genetic diversity of crops originated in China

Child Project Concept Note 2: UNDP Project Title: Strengthening coordinated approaches to reduce invasive alien species (IAS) threats to globally significant agrobiodiversity and agroecosystems in China

Child Project Concept Note 3: UNDP Project Title: Participatory in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity in Hainan

Child Project Concept Note 4: UNDP Project Title: Conservation and sustainable use of indigenous agricultural genetic diversity in Hubei

Child Project Concept Note 5: WB Project Title: Climate smart management of grassland ecosystems


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PART I: PROJECT INFORMATION 19 Project Title: On-farm Conservation and Sustainable Use of Genetic Diversity of Crops

originated in ChinaCountry(ies): ChinaGEF Agency(ies): FAOOther Executing Partner(s): Ministry of AgricultureGEF Focal Area(s): Biodiversity

A. FOCAL AREA STRATEGYFRAMEWORK AND OTHER PROGRAM STRATEGIES 20:


Trust Fund

(in $)GEF Project

FinancingCo-financing

BD-3, Programme 7 GEFTF 2,725,688 18,480,000Total Project Cost 2,725,688 18,480,000

B. CHILD PROJECT DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

Project Objective: Mainstream the on-farm conservation and sustainable use of globally important local varieties of crops originated in China for food and agriculture, through a strengthened enabling environment, and the development and demonstration of long-term incentive mechanisms.Project Components Financin

g Type21 Project Outcomes(in $)

GEF Project Financing

Co-financing

1. Strengthen the enabling environment to promote mainstreaming of on-farm conservation and sustainable use of the genetic diversity of important indigenous local crops and varieties

TA Outcome1.1 In-situ conservation and sustainable use of genetic diversity of significant indigenous local crops and varieties mainstreamed into policies or plans at different levels, and also in three targeted provinces, to support the development of national strategies that protect agro-biodiversity.

Indicator: GEF tracking tool score improvement indicating policies and regulations governing agricultural activities to integrate biodiversity conservation at both national and

369,000 1,880,000

19This Concept Note is intended to convey whatever preliminary information exists at this stage on a child project and that is indicative of how it will contribute to the overall Program.20 When completing Table A, refer to the Program Results Framework, which is already mapped to the relevant Focal in theGEF-6

Programming Directions.21 Financing type can be either investment or technical assistance.


NAME OF PROGRAM:PRC-GEF PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL

DEVELOPMENT

Child Project Concept Note

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http://www.thegef.org/gef/node/10412


http://www.thegef.org/gef/sites/thegef.org/files/documents/document/GEF5-Template%20Reference%20Guide%209-14-10rev11-18-2010.doc

provincial levels.

Outputs1.1.1 Social, cultural and economic evaluation of local varieties (e.g. nutrition and food security, public health, environmental benefits among others) conducted to serve as the basis for policy and legislation development.

1.1.2 One national strategy or policy for conservation and sustainable use of the genetic diversity of important indigenous local crop and variety prepared and submitted to MoA; three provincial strategies/policies prepared for each targeted province respectively.

1.1.3 Recommendations developed for revision / reform of national legislations (i.e. eco-compensation legislation) that incorporates valuing the roles of the traditional farmers, including women and young people to support on-farm conservation and sustainable use of crop genetic diversity, promoting sustainable agrobiodiversity systems.

1.1.4. A national and three provincial inter-institutional cooperation mechanisms established to streamline cross-sectoral approaches to agro-biodiversity conservation.

2. Capacity building to promote adaptive management and improved conservation and sustainable use of crop diversity for resilient agriculture and sustainable production

TA Outcome2.1 Capacities strengthened to support long-term plans and up-scaling of incentive based approaches for on-farm conservation and sustainable use of crop diversity for resilient agriculture and sustainable production.

Target stakeholders: Local minority communities, local farmer communities, research and development institutions, provincial organizations at each targeted provinces; staffs in central governmental sectors and

739,000 4,680,000


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research/management agencies.

Target species and sites: Rice (Yunnan Province), millets and oat (Hebei Province), and soybeans(Liaoning Province)

Target gender: 40% of female-led households and 20% of youth participants

Target: Organizational, management and technical capacity, awareness improvement.

Indicator BD 7.1: Diversity status of target species

Outputs2.1.1 Development/ implementation of management mechanisms that carry out self-sustained planning, management and evaluation for on-farm conservation and use of local varieties by empowering and improving farmers’ capacities and promoting information sharing among farmers.

2.1.2 Stakeholders trained and priorities set (based on needs identified by the communities and coordination with research groups dedicated to agricultural development) in participatory training/education services for on-farm conservation and use of local crop varieties.

2.1.3 Dissemination to the wider public through media, such as TV, radio, programs, internet, publications, etc. to improve public awareness of on-farm conservation and sustainable use of local varieties.

3. Mainstreaming diversity of local varieties through biological, socio-cultural and economic evaluation and the development of market/non-market incentives and linkages in

TA Outcome3.1 Improved marketing of products made from local varieties, including through the use of both traditional knowledge and modern technologies, taking into account market /non-market incentives to increase local crop

1,105,000 8,850,000


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target sites diversity production and availability.

Target species and sites: Rice (Yunnan Province), millets and Oat (Hebei Province), soybeans (Liaoning Province) Target markets: self-consumption and markets

Target income increase: at least 15 % increase of farmers’ income from improved marketing schemes


Outputs 3.1.1 Evaluation of local varieties through traditional knowledge, socio-cultural assessment and economic issues.

3.1.2 Development of on-farm conservation approaches and technologies to ensure long term, demand-driven conservation of local varieties.

3.1.3. Business and marketing plans developed in pilot communities to maximize opportunities for product development and revenue creation based on strengthening market linkages among breeders, small-scale farmers and local and provincial markets to mainstream local crop diversity.

4. Strengthened knowledge management

TA Outcome4.1 Information and knowledge of social, cultural, economic, research and marketing aspects related to crops and their local varieties will be collected, documented and published for providing basic support for further conservation and sustainable utilization.

Target stakeholders: Local minority communities, local farmer communities, research and development institutions,

385,688 2,680,000


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provincial organizations at each targeted provinces; staffs in central governmental sectors and management agencies.

Indicated by: databases, information platform, and websites.

Outputs4.1.1 Traditional and new knowledge, generated through participatory research for on-farm conservation and sustainable use of local varieties, documented together with best practices/lessons learnt from pilot sites to applicability to other local crops and varieties in China.

4.1.2 Establishing information and communication platforms (web-based information platform and inter-sector working groups), dedicated to on-farm conservation.

4.1.3 Databases of species, varieties, traditional research and development practices for conservation and sustainable use of local varieties created.

4.1.4 Support provided for exchange of experiences and lessons between child projects, inter-institutions, national/ international organizations for effective scaling-up of project impacts.

Subtotal 2,598,688 18,090,000Project Management Cost (PMC)22 127,000 390,000

Total Project Cost 2,725,688 18,480,000For multi-trust fund projects, provide the total amount of PMC in Table B, and indicate the split of PMC among the different trust

C. CO-FINANCING FOR THE PROJECT BY SOURCE, BY TYPE AND BY NAME

Sources of Co-financing Name of Co-financier Type of Co-financing Amount ($)

National Government Ministry of Agriculture Grants 3,080,000Local Government People's Government of Hebei

ProvinceGrants 4,620,000

Local Government People's Government of Yunnan Province

Grants 4,620,000

22 For GEF Project Financing up to $2 million, PMC could be up to10% of the subtotal; above $2 million, PMC could be up to 5% of the subtotal. PMC should be charged proportionately to focal areas based on focal area project financing amount in Table D below.


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Local Government People's Government of Liaoning Province

Grants 4,620,000

CSO CSO In-kind 1,155,000Enterprises or CSOs Enterprises or CSOs In-kind 385,000(select) (select)(select) (select)Total Co-financing 18,480,000

D. TRUST FUND RESOURCES REQUESTED BY AGENCY(IES), COUNTRY(IES) AND THE PROGRAMMING OF FUNDSa)

a) No need to fill this table if it is a single Agency, single Trust Fund, single focal area and single country project.b) Refer to the Fee Policy for GEF Partner Agencies.c) If Multi-Trust Fund project :PMC in this table should be the total amount; enter trust fund PMC breakdown here

( )

E. Trust Fund Resources Requested by Agency(ies), Country(ies) and the Programming of Funds a) N/A

PART II: PROJECT JUSTIFICATION

Project OverviewA.1. Project Description. Briefly describe: 1) the global environmental and/or adaptation problems, root causes and barriers that need to be addressed; 2) the baseline scenario or any associated baseline projects, 3) the proposed alternative scenario, with a brief description of expected outcomes and components of the project, 4) incremental/additional cost reasoning and expected contributions from the baseline, the GEFTF, LDCF, SCCF, and co-financing; 5) global environmental benefits (GEFTF) and/or adaptation benefits (LDCF/SCCF); and 6) innovation, sustainability and potential for scaling up.

1) The global environmental problems, root causes and barriers that need to be addressed

1.1 Project Background

The overall development goal of the project is to strengthen sustainable livelihoods through improved management and utilization of crop genetic diversity. The project objective is to improve the conservation and use of globally important genetic diversity of crops originated in China by strengthening the policy environment, the market value, and the capacity of farmers, local communities and institutions. The project will build on methodologies and practices proven effective for conservation of crop genetic diversity, and test their relevance with farmers, local communities and user groups. The project design considers several factors relevant to on-farm conservation of indigenous local crop diversity, including the underutilization of some species and varieties due to market forces. It will also look at what varieties, genotypes, or characters are unique and how such information can be translated into development efforts. The project will contribute by developing policy and regulatory frameworks that allow for an enabling environment for local and national agencies to move away from recommending that farmers yield to economic pressures of cultivating only a few varieties, towards recommending a diversification of varieties to support agricultural ecosystems with unpredictable temperature and precipitation conditions. The project will mainstream the sustainable use and management of local varieties in the existing agricultural production landscapes of China. This will be done through mainstreaming community-based breeding activities and technologies that enable farmers to benefit from diversity rich solutions. It will also be done through improving policy making and raising awareness in China, for the maintenance of local varieties in agricultural production systems, and its


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relevance for maintaining to ecosystem services, including the maintenance of associated agricultural biodiversity (e.g. pollinators), low input farming and resilience to climate change. The work will support the certification of geographically identifiable agriculture products that contain a diversity genetic base. This will include the certification of production landscapes that supply diversity rich products from local communities, and the certification of environmentally friendly practices that demonstrate the functional benefits of local varieties in supporting and improving specific ecosystem services. This project will have a national project coordination component to support conservation and sustainable use of crop genetic resources in Yunnan, Hebei and Liaoning Provinces. The project will select crops from each of the selected provinces: rice in Yunnan, millets and oats in Hebei, and soybeans in Liaoning. These crops are site-specific and globally significant that are said to have originated from China. Mainstreaming crop diversity through on-farm conservation and sustainable use of these indigenous local varieties will promote improved food security and nutrition, increase farmers’ income through value addition in markets to promote better livelihoods, as well as increase resilience and adaptation to environmental changes.

These three provinces are representative for different zones of Southwest, North, and Northeast of China and have diverse climates, geography, minority groups and cultures. This approach will allow best practices and lessons learnt from each province, to be up-scaled and legislation and policy recommendations provided at the national level, for institutionalizing the conservation and sustainable use of local crop diversity.

Agricultural Diversity in China

With its vast territory, China stretches across tropical, subtropical, temperate and frigid zones, with most of the area located in the north temperate zones and subtropical zones and controlled by the monsoon climate of East Asia. Due to the varied topography, China has varied climates, and annual rainfall ranging from 1500mm in coastal areas of southeast China, to under 50mmin the northwest.

China’s agricultural development in recent decades has been very successful when considering its contributions to achieving national food security and reducing national poverty. However, despite these successes, the country faces several challenges: persistent and widespread rural poverty in most of the fragile agro-ecological regions, feminization and ageing of agriculture, severe environmental degradation, unsustainable intensification of agricultural production, and erosion of agricultural biodiversity.

Since its political reform and opening-up policies in 1978, China has achieved rapid development of agriculture evidenced by twelve consecutive bumper harvests since 2004, and thus basically achieving food self-sufficiency in staple foods for the country. Agriculture is the basis of China’s national economy. At present, China’s grain, meat, cotton, peanut, rapeseed, tea and fruit outputs are ranked first in the world, while the outputs of soybeans, sugar cane, and other crops also rank among the highest in the world. In the past two decades, China’s grain production increased by 22.46%, of which, China realized basic self-sufficiency of grain. Nevertheless, due to growing population and increasing consumer spending power, China has transformed from a net exporter of agricultural products to a net importer since 2004. In the foreseeable future, China’s food demand is likely to grow further, with increasingly high dependency on international markets for food imports.

According to preliminary statistics that about 10000 species are closely associated with the agriculture and human life in China. At present, more than 661 species (excluding forest) are cultivated in China, of which, grain crops are about 35, 74 for cash crops, about 64 for fruit trees, over 163 for vegetable crops, 78 for feeding crops and green manure crops, 114 for ornamental plants (flowers) and 133 for medical crops. These cultivated crops contain 1356 cultivated species and 2172 wild relatives, of which food crops include 103 cultivated species and 311wild relatives, cash crops include 98 cultivated species and 454 wild relatives, fruit trees include 149 cultivated species and 420 wild relatives, vegetable crops include 222


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cultivated species and 150 wild relatives, feeding crops and green manure crops include 196 cultivated species and 353 wild relatives, ornamental plants include 588 cultivated species and 484 wild relatives23.

An adaptive, diversified agriculture will need to make use of many hundreds of crops that have become neglected by modern agriculture; crops that have been used for millennia but which have been increasingly forgotten as a few crops have become commercially dominant in food production. The use of a wider range of crops and species can play a central role in combating hunger, malnutrition and poverty, in helping to secure sustainability and in building resilience, thus making a durable contribution to the Right to Food and the Right to Health embedded in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These crops provide a key part of the diversity needed to ensure adaptability to change, particularly climate change. They will also be essential to achieve the post-2015 sustainable development goals. Some of the more notable underutilized crops in China include millet (mainly planted in the northern provinces and autonomous regions), oat and proso millet (mainly grown in the North), barley (mainly grown in the Northwest and the Southwest), buckwheat mainly grown in Shanxi and the southwest, as well as oats, triticale, rye, mung bean, pea, lentil, etc.

The main reasons for farmers to keep growing local varieties are: (i) improved varieties are often not adapted to local ecological conditions, especially to areas with cold climate, dry or flooded areas and the areas with saline alkali soil, poor soil or acid soil; (ii) some local varieties possess excellent stress resistance or disease resistance or high quality, and some have special utility values. Additionally, the narrow genetic base of improved varieties is the fundamental cause for genetic vulnerability. Therefore, the genetic diversity of crops is not only conductive for food security in China, but also has great significance to meet the growing global demand for food and human diet balance. If there were no action to conserve these landraces, they would be lost in the near future, resulting in some superior genes within them lost as well.

Sustainable on-farm conservation is possible only when farmers, communities and national institutions perceive benefits in terms of genetic, economic, social and ecological aspects. These benefits accrue in terms of private utility benefits (to the individual farmer or user) and/or public benefits (to society). Another important element to improved sustainable use is market access and value addition. While it is true that, in general, the market forces tend to "homogenize" or reduce diversity due to preference for certain products which is of economic value and, therefore, favors the growing of those species and varieties that are producing these products, there is increasing evidence from previous work that these same market forces can be used to conserve agro-biodiversity.

An optimal organizational set-up combines small-scale farmers as producers, the private sector as processors and marketing channels, and the scientists to determine the right genetic materials for the right kinds of purpose and public sector agricultural agencies in providing capacity building support, and an overall strategic/policy environment conducive to agro-biodiversity conservation. The work is coordinated and facilitated by the Ministry of Agriculture, with the aim of improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. This combination of the private sector production and marketing arms and the research/scientist public sector have enhanced linkages which promoted value addition and income but at the same time the promotion and growing of a diversity of landraces by the local farmers.

China is an agricultural country with a large population, among of which, about 50% work on agricultural production. Most farmers are living on plantation and livestock feeding. Because China has a lot of mountains and deserts, the arable land per capita is only about 0.07 ha. And farmers mainly earn their living in the way of house-led production, therefore each family plants many kinds of crops with only a few varieties for self-sufficiency. However, farmers in one community generally grow a lot of varieties of each crop, among of which, different local varieties that adapt to typical geographic conditions, climates and ethnic habits are maintained. These ancient local varieties not only meet the nutritional needs of local farmers, but also form the complex agricultural biodiversity.

Due to China’s vast territory, diversified ecological environment, diverse social economic conditions and cultures, the diversities of crops and local varieties are very abundant with geographic characteristics. The

23FAO. 2008. China Country Report on the State of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.


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sites and species selected in this project represent provinces with high levels of crop varietal diversity from Southeast, North, Northeast and Northwest of China (see map in Annex I).

Rice, Yunnan

Yunnan is the most southwestern province in China, with the Tropic of Cancer running through its southern part. The province is mostly mountainous with numerous valleys. More than 18,000 plant species can be found in the province among 35,000 species in China. The combination of diverse topography, diverse climatic conditions and diverse ethnicities has led to the province harboring a diversity of genetic resources of rice important for food and agriculture.

Rice (Oryza sativa) is an important cereal crop in China and particularly in Yunnan province.24High levels of diversity in rice varieties are found in Yunnan, with different types, such as Indica and Japonica, upland and lowland, and glutinous and non-glutinous rice varieties. The complex geographic and climate conditions, in addition to diverse traditional culture in rice management and consumption, have significantly promoted genetic diversity of the rice germplasm. Due to the extensive cultivation of modern improved rice varieties, however, many traditional varieties (including landraces) have been replaced, resulting in significant ‘genetic erosion’ of the local rice gene pool. Some of Yunnan wild rice species have become extinct in the past few years due in particular to habitat loss. For example, over the past 20 years, the number of sites in the wild of one of the three wild rice (O. granulata, O. rufipogon and O. officinalis) of Yunnan granulates, declined from approximately 110 to 37. This is all the more relevant as studies have found that Yunnan wild rice species possess valuable traits for breeding, such as resistance to pest and disease, nutritional quality and tolerance to abiotic stresses, especially to cold and drought .25

Rice is cultivated across a wide vertical range from areas with a few meters up to 2,500 m. 26 It is well recognized that indica rice is generally grown in tropical rice planting area at low latitudes and altitudes, adapted to a warm climate condition, whereas japonica rice is exclusively grown in temperate rice regions at high latitudes and altitudes, adapted to a cooler climate condition. According to the experiences of local farmers and rice breeders in Yunnan, different types of rice varieties are preferentially cultivated at different altitudes. They have artificially categorized rice cultivation regions into three zones: (1) indica planting zone with the altitudes below 1,200 m; (2) indica and japonica mixed planting zone with the altitudes between 1,200 and 1,600 m; and (3) japonica planting zone with the altitudes above 1,600 m. The significant differentiation of rice varieties into typical indica and japonica types provide opportunities in rice breeding. In addition, the diverse and specialized demands by different ethnic groups for rice products (e.g., rice noodles, rice cakes, and rice wines) among regions also contributed to the differentiation of rice varieties.

Yunnan province is particularly vulnerable to rice blast epidemics because of its cool, wet climate. 27 Farmers commonly apply multiple foliar fungicides to control blast. Glutinous or 'sticky' rice varieties are used for confections and other specialty dishes and have higher market value than other rice types, but have lower yields and are highly susceptible to blast. Prior to 1998, 98% of rice fields in the study area were sown with monocultures of the hybrid rice varieties. Farmers now grow single rows of glutinous rice between groups of four rows of hybrid rice at a rate sufficient to meet local demand for glutinous rice. Studies have shown that disease-susceptible rice varieties planted in mixtures with resistant varieties had 89% greater yield and blast was 94% less severe than when they were grown in monoculture. This supports

24 Tu, M., Lu, B. R., Zhu, Y., & Wang, Y. (2007). Abundant within-varietal genetic diversity in rice germplasm from Yunnan Province of China revealed by SSR fingerprints. Biochemical genetics, 45(11-12), 789-801.25CHENG, Z. Q., HUANG, X. Q., ZHANG, Y. Z., QIAN, J., YANG, M. Z., WU, C. J., & LIU, J. F. (2005). Diversity in the content of some nutritional components in husked seeds of three wild rice species and rice varieties in Yunnan Province of China. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, 47(10), 1260-1270.26 Dai, L., Lin, X., Ye, C., Ise, K., Saito, K., Kato, A., ... & Zhang, D. (2004).Identification of quantitative trait loci controlling cold tolerance at the reproductive stage in Yunnan landrace of rice, Kunmingxiaobaigu. Breeding Science, 54(3), 253-258.27Zhu, Y., Wang, Y., Chen, H., & Lu, B. R. (2003).Conserving traditional rice varieties through management for crop diversity. Bioscience, 53(2), 158-162.


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the need for the sustainable use of intraspecific crop diversity, providing an ecological approach to disease control highly effective over a large area.

Local varieties of rice play important role in local areas, as is the case for the local fragrant rice varieties or the purple rice from Yunnan, Soft rice is a peculiar to Yunnan Province, as its quality is between the glutinous rice and non-glutinous rice28. Local varieties planted in production have played an important role in food supply at local areas. For example, local fragrant rice varieties are considered appetizing include Yunnan fragrant rice, and the black and purple rice varieties.

Millets and Oat, Hebei

Hebei Province is located in the northern part of the North China Plain extending into the Inner Mongolian Plateau. Beijing, the capital of China, and Tianjin, the important trading port in north China, are situated at the center of the province, although are not part of it. It adjoins Liaoning and Inner Mongolia in the north, Shanxi in the west and Henan and Shandong in the south. The Bohai Sea lies to the east of Hebei. Its coastline extends 487 km, and the total area of the province is 19,000,000 ha. The province has more than 3,000 species of plants, of which more than 140 are fiber plants, more than 1,000 are medicinal herbs and plants, and more than 100 are timbers. There are 300 or more kinds of forage grass, 140 kinds of oil plants, and more than 450 varieties of cultivated plants. Of them, the output of cotton makes up one-seventh of the nation's total and that of maize and fruits makes one-tenth of the nation's total respectively. There are 215 varieties of farming products in 12 major categories that can be listed as brand name and best products, or native or rare products.

Foxtail millet (Setariaitalica) and oat are both cultivated in Hebei, which is a centre of origin and diversity for both crops.

China grows 80% of the world’s foxtail millet production. Many ancient millet cultivars are still popular among local farmers. For example, in the Taihang Mountain area in She County, Hebei Province, ancient cultivars such as Laiwugu and Dabaigu are still grown because of their unique adaptation to the local climate. However, the cropping areas for foxtail millet in Hebei, Shanxi, and Inner Mongolia, located in the arid center of northern China, accounted for 36.1% of the total area in 1949, 42.4% in 1981, and up to 58.2% in 2001, whereas the area in the three northeastern provinces shrank from 29.0% in 1949 to 19.6% in 200129.

Foxtail millet possesses important traits of drought resistance, as seed germination requires a water content of only 26% by weight, whereas sorghum, wheat, and maize need 40%, 45%, and 48%, respectively. In addition, it tolerates low soil fertility conditions and can achieve satisfactory yields in soils with mineral levels as low as 0.04-0.07% nitrogen, 8 ppm of organic phosphorus, and 0.04% carbon. Foxtail millet can also be used as fodder. Its straw is ideal for livestock because of its high nutritional value (protein content: 6.0%; pentosans: 26.0%; xylogen: 24.2%; fibrin: 42.2%), which is much higher than that of many other crops. In addition, millet straw is relatively soft and easily digested by livestock.

Oat is a seed crop that has been cultivated in China for more than 10,000 years. This species grows at a wide range of altitudes with a short growth cycle of 10–12 weeks and requires little water for growth and development. Oat is considered a health-food crop, owing to its unique nutritional value, including higher grain alkaline protein content than wheat and rice. Oat is more tolerant to salt stress than maize ( Zea mays L.), wheat, rice, or foxtail millet. There is large genetic variation in salt tolerance in oat, suggesting that it possesses rich genetic resources for improving productivity in saline soil. However, the evaluation and identification of salt-tolerant genotypes lag behind efforts in other crops, and very few genes associated with salt tolerance have been found in oat. It also has the lowest water requirement and shortest growing season of any cereal, reaching maturity in 60–90 days after sowing, and a low nutrient requirement, so can be cultivated in marginal agricultural land where other cereals do not succeed.

Soybean, Liaoning28FAO. 2008. China Country Report on the State of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

29Zhonghu, H., & Bonjean, A. P. (2010). Cereals in China. CIMMYT.


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Liaoning Province is located in the south of the Northeast of China, with the Liaohe River flowing through it, its northern and central parts are plains; the eastern and western parts are hilly areas; and the southern part covers the Liaodong Peninsula which borders on the Bohai Sea in the west and Yellow Sea in the east. The topography of Liaoning Province is composed of three major geomorphic regions. It lies in the temperate zone, with a continental monsoon climate. Agriculture is the main economy in Liaoning Province according to the diverse climates and geographies with rich agro-biodiversity. In the west and north part, low mountains, hills are the main terrain features with semi-humid or semi-arid climate. Liaoning Province has a temperate, continental-type monsoon climate, and its frost-free period lasts 130 to 180 days on average. The annual rainfall in Liaoning ranges from 400mm to 1000mm.

China is a major centre for soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] production and the history of soybean cultivation in China can be traced back 1000 years30. China is the biggest producer of soybean in the world. About 300,000 hm2 of soybeans are produced and around 1,600,000 tons of products are harvested each year. Northeast China is the main soybean producing area in China, where the average soybean yield per hectare in 1990s increased by 71.4%, compared with that of 1950s, and the annual yield increase averaged 13.4 kg ha-1.

Soybean is cultivated globally, in part because it produces among the highest gross oil output – with the highest protein content – of any crop. However, because of a lack of local breeding programs, commercial cultivars used in production have been introduced from Japan and Taiwan. Soybean landraces are adapted to various environments, from cold to hot, humid to drought, and fertile plains to elevated mountains. Some soybean landraces are still being used as local cultivars in southern provinces such as Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, and Guizhou, although the vast majority of the production areas are planted with modern commercial varieties. These landraces have emerged as valuable germplasm for breeding modern soybean cultivars. The Chinese landraces have also been introduced into other major soybean-producing countries including the United States, Brazil, and Japan.

Soybean cultivars can be divided into 480 groups of seven types in China. According to the sowing season, they could be divided into spring soybean in the North, summer soybean in Yellow River and Huaihe River areas, spring soybean in Yellow River and Huaihe River areas, summer soybean in Yangtze River area, spring soybean in Yangtze River area, spring soybean in the South, autumn soybean in the South and winter soybean in the South.

1.2 Global Environmental Problems

China has 23% of the world’s population, but only 7% of the world’s arable land. Consequently, there is immense pressure to intensify productivity of the scarce arable land, and yet the availability of such land is declining rapidly, due to desertification and the rapid pace of economic development and its attendant demands for increased infrastructure and urbanization. It is estimated that 2.5 million ha of arable land are lost every year.

Local genetic diversity is increasingly under threat from national and international pressures to produce genetically homogenous, cropping for industrial purposes. Local genetic diversity has been put further at risk to new and exotic pests and pathogens through increased trans-boundary movements of living organisms brought about from globalization of trade, and this is being exacerbated by climate change. No relevant genes may be available in local gene pools to provide protection to these new threats and lead to increased vulnerability of these genetically diverse systems.

Large areas are still planted to popular resistant cultivars, which facilitates rapid pathogen evolution and migration to overcome resistance, leading to the so-called “Boom and Bust” phenomenon in agriculture. This has caused the loss of local cultivars with different resistance properties and mechanisms, and ultimately, loss of genetic diversity in production systems. Breeding programs rely heavily on ex-situ

30Zhang, G.W., Xu, S.C., Mao, W.H., Hu, Q.Z. and Gong, Y.M., 2013.Determination of the genetic diversity of vegetable soybean [Glycine max (L.)Merr.]using EST-SSR markers. Journal of Zhejiang University Science B, 14(4), pp.279-288.


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collection for new genes. Yet ex-situ collections are snapshots frozen in time, away from the dynamic evolution of the crop and coevolution of pathogens. Farmers who maintain diversity are the custodians of relevant genes for the future, and less so the keepers of ex situ collections of seed that no longer is coevolving. Without the maintenance of viable economic systems that promote the maintenance and continuing evolution of a broad dynamic genetic pool, sustainability of not only ‘traditional agriculture’ but also industrial agriculture is at risk.

Over the past decades, the genetic diversity of rice, millets, soy bean and fruit trees which are recognized to originate from China have decreased significantly. With financial resources for public sector research as a whole decreasing, and low levels of awareness of the potential contribution of intra-specific diversity to minimize abiotic and biotic pressures on-farm, little public investment is made in understanding the potential of local crop diversity still existing in farmers’ fields. The current number of trained personnel able to take part in and lead the development of activities to support the conservation and use of local crop diversity to minimize biotic and abiotic stresses on-farm is also not sufficient.

China has issued a series of laws concerning agro-biodiversity conservation, including a Seed Law and Law on the Quarantine of Import and Export of Animals and Plants. China has also issued a series of administrative regulations in this regard, Regulation on Protection of Wild Plants, Regulation on Biosafety Management of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms, Regulation on the Management of Trade in Endangered Wild Animals and Plants, and Regulation on the Protection of Wild Medicine Resources. Related sectoral departments and some provincial governments have also adopted corresponding rules, local regulations and codes of conduct. However, there are still gaps in the legal and policy system. Baseline data on biological resources is far from adequate, therefore work in identification and cataloguing of biodiversity, including agricultural diversity, and is still a major gap. China also has such problems as insufficient investment in agro-biodiversity, inadequate capacities of management, protection and fundamental scientific research, and insufficient capacities to cope with new problems facing biodiversity conservation. Moreover, the awareness of conservation and sustainable use agricultural diversity of the whole country or society is yet to be raised.

As the development of economy worldwide especially industrialization in developing countries, the increasing emission of greenhouse gas results in climate change seriously at the global level. Severe drought, floods, extraordinary hot weather, unexpected diseases and pests etc. happen in the world at any time in everywhere. Climate change has already threatened food security in many countries especially developing countries. Whenever above disasters happened, improved varieties which mainly focus on high yield could not maintain the expected yield, and therefore result in serious decrease of food production. On the other hand, some local varieties which maintained by local farmers generation by generation might keep stable yield and reduce the risks for food security.

Although China has made significant achievements in conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources, there are still a number of challenges to be addressed, such as: (i) systematic identification and evaluation of plant genetic resources already conserved and promote access by breeders and farmers; (ii) expanding the genetic base of breeding materials; (iii) establishing and improving incentives for on-farm conservation for plant genetic resources.

1.3 Root Causes

Factors leading to reduction of the number of crop genetic diversity in agricultural production systems, such as political, economic, social, technological, cultural factors and other factors are intertwined, which make the constituting the roots causes integrate and complex.

Underlying causes of agrobiodiversity loss in China Modern agricultural production is based on a limited range of crops: In China, the large-scale intensive agricultural production, characterized by a very narrow range of crops and varieties, has grown exponentially thereby displacing unique crop landraces in the last decades. Consequently, genetic erosion is a major threat as there are many species and varieties at risk of extinction. The uniform and large-scale agricultural production, with growing food demand pressures and climate change effects, is


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reducing agricultural biodiversity. Genetic resources constitute the raw material for plant breeders to develop new varieties, are key to meet food demand from a growing population, and are fundamental to face the pressure of pests, diseases and changing environmental conditions as a result of climate change. Plant genetic resources are being lost in China due to the spread of monoculture systems, excessive use of external inputs, and loss of traditional management systems and knowledge due to migration of young community members. Lack of inclusiveness of modern value chains: With globalization, food systems in China are increasingly influenced by highly concentrated agro-industrial firms and retailers, and this trend is set to increase (OECD, 2011). As recognized by the 2014 International Year of Family Farming (IYFF) 31, inclusiveness of smallholders is a key element for sustainability, and has big consequences on agricultural biodiversity, food security and social sustainability. More importantly, production of high-quality agricultural products with obvious regional characteristics is difficult to achieve, when compared with large scale production of hybrid varieties, and farmers have gradually stopped cultivating these local varieties. Urbanization and changes in diets: Urbanization is a trend that transforms drastically food systems. Today, half the world’s population lives in urban areas and that number is increasing rapidly (FAO, 2012). By 2050, about 70 percent of the global population of 9 billion is expected to live in cities, which will have important consequences on consumption patterns and food chains. Indeed, urban consumers usually purchase everything they eat: this deeply influences local food systems, orientating them on new diet patterns or lead access to richer products, often imported, which replace traditional foods. In China, too, there are high migration rates from rural areas to cities, with about 56.1 % of the population currently living in urban areas32. China has a history of 5,000 years of civilization, different nationalities, different regions with unique food cultures and traditional knowledge in agricultural production practices. In recent years, due farmer migration into cities, traditional knowledge with national and regional characteristics is being lost. For example, the specialty foods which play an important role in local customs are being replaced, the related traditional knowledge has been forgotten, and the associated crop varieties are no longer planted. The species representation in the ex situ conservation modality is too limited: A storage of approximately 7.4 million accessions was recorded in the germplasm banks worldwide in 2010 (FAO, 2011). However, these belong to a very limited number of plant species, meaning: i) only 1/3 corresponds to traditional farmers and/or obsolete varieties; ii) only 15% corresponds to wild taxa and plants related to the cultivated crops; iii) samples stored worldwide belong to around 100 plant species of the approximately 7000 utilized by man for food and agriculture. This means that only 1.4% of the commonly utilized species are safeguarded in germplasm banks. Among the species considered for ex situ conservation, there are important gaps in terms of primitive cultivars and wild relatives that are related to the centers of origin and of genetic diversity. It is unknown how many crop species and varieties exist in China: Underutilized species receive little assistance in terms of research, plant breeding and/or development and are being increasingly marginalized by the farmers. These species offer great potential in the face of climate change, for eco-agriculture, food regime diversity and the sustainability of agricultural production systems (FAO, 2011). There has been an increase in the hybrid varieties of crops cultivated with a consequent decrease in the cultivation of local varieties. For example, in the 1980s, a typical smallholder farm would grow a range of crops with numerous varieties, while today, there is a tendency to grow a single varieties of a crop. In China, the lack of funds and long-term financing from public and private sources, as well as the great variety of species present in the country have limited the creation of a standardized database and knowledge management system. Policies are not informed and the status of agrobiodiversity conservation in centres of origin and diversification is not duly monitored. Few agrodiversity species have been studied and even the most studied species need extra and intensive research. The Chinese government has introduced various laws, regulations and policies to improve crop yield and quality. Farmers are encouraged to

31 http://www.fao.org/family-farming-2014/home/what-is-family-farming/en/ 32 Urban areas are those with more than 2500 inhabitants according to INEGI.


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plant new varieties, apply new technologies, and heavily use chemical fertilizers and pesticides. These laws, regulations and policies played a positive role in poverty reduction, but accelerated the ancient local varieties of traditional crops to disappear. Institutions poorly coordinate their efforts creating an information and policy gap: Despite the large number of institutions, researchers and technicians that participate in work related to phytogenetic resources, and the high educational level, there is a lack of knowledge in the actual conservation, use and access to plant genetic resources in the country. This is linked to limited coordination and harmonization between their strategies, work plans and research objectives. Decision-makers are not fully aware of the importance of agrobiodiversity and have adopted contradictory policies that affect conservation. This lack of awareness has induced major risks and negative pressures through the design of public policies that were contradictory or had undesired effects. The promotion of modern agricultural practices to feed global and national markets have created serious challenges to conserve traditional species and agroecosystems in rural areas. In addition, rural poverty and migration towards urban zones and abroad have deepened the effects of inter-generational loss of traditional knowledge and varieties management.

1.4 Barriers

The reasons causing loss of important crop genetic diversity is multifaceted, which can be summarized as follows:

Barrier # 1: Disjointed policy and regulatory framework and deficient inter-institutional coordination affect the conservation and utilization. There are significant efforts ongoing in China targeting the conservation and use of crop genetic resources; however, coordination and communication among government sectors, management agencies and research institutions is weak, limiting the efficiency of work in this area. Better organization of this work is required, with clear, transversal and well-defined policies that can drive effective actions directed towards the conservation and utilization in China. Unless the existing capacities in China work together towards a common objective, i.e. understanding and sustainably using the genetic resources, particularly local varieties, and the necessary instruments are provided the coming challenges will not be addressed. Existing laws and regulations and the policies of China encourage farmers to plant new varieties, use new technologies, and promotes intensive, large-scale, mechanized farming. Due to the lag of the biodiversity conservation, China has not formulated related laws and regulations, even if some departments issued relevant policies, they are only targeted to some parts of biodiversity with almost no aspects covering on service functions provided by agricultural ecological system, and on conservation and use of species diversity and genetic diversity. Imperfect and even damaging laws, regulations and the policies for biodiversity conservation hinder the conservation and sustainable use of local varieties to a certain extent. Despite current initiatives, public policies are not harmonized and still generate perverse incentives. Some policies still promote “modern” technological packages, the use of improved seeds, agrochemicals, monoculture, generating incentives to abandon traditional agricultural production. The aim is to increase yields per hectare, causing landraces and varieties remain disused, increasing the risk of genetic erosion and even loss.

Barrier # 2: Lack of awareness and knowledge on, and capacity for, approaches to support the on-farm conservation and sustainable use of local varieties in China. All stakeholders including decision-makers and farmers are not aware of the importance of local varieties and have adopted contradictory policies that affect conservation. This lack of awareness has induced major risks and negative pressures through the design and implementation of public policies that were contradictory or had undesired effects. The promotion of modern agricultural practices to feed global and national markets has created serious challenges to conserve traditional species and local varieties and agro-ecosystems in rural areas. In addition, rural poverty and migration towards urban zones and abroad have deepened the effects of inter-generational loss of traditional knowledge and varieties management. Affected by national policies and the capital investment-orientation, few agricultural scientific and technical personnel engaged in genetic diversity conservation. Even a few experts work on genetic diversity, they mainly carry out projects to collect and


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preserve genetic diversity of crops and to identify excellent genes possessed by these crops, just for the purpose of breeding or as reserve genes for future agricultural development. Because local varieties has no significant profit, and is not closely linked to poverty alleviation of farmers, local governments and even experts rarely take efforts on on-farm conservation or comprehensive use of genetic diversity of ancient local crop varieties. As the results, almost no scientific and technical innovation was made by experts. The current technologies cannot support the on-farm conservation and use of genetic diversity.

Barrier# 3: The persistence of unsustainable agriculture practices and lack of market/non-market incentive mechanisms. At farm level, many areas have been incorporated in large-scale production systems using farming practices and technologies that deplete natural resources and affect loss of local varieties. As a consequence, food security is threatened given that important species are being lost or disused. Limited research or action has been taken to rescue them.

Chinese market economy is still at an early stage, and the main crops are still subject to government guidance prices. Although in recent years the prices for the quality and special agricultural products and the common agricultural products has formed a certain price difference, lack of market consciousness and ability to open up the market of the farmers, along with the market operation mode which limit the market competitiveness of products from local varieties. There are also a lack of non-market based incentive mechanisms for the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources important for food and agriculture in China.

Barrier # 4: Limited systematization of scientific information and lack of reliable databases. Despite the long-standing knowledge present in local areas of China, the scientific studies about those on-going processes have been scattered. The relationships among the domesticated diversity, wild or only semi-domesticated varieties, and human practices/uses that add value to these species have not been sufficiently analyzed until present. Therefore, information is fragmented and unsystematized. Large groups of native species of local interest or used by rural communities are not recorded. This lack of standardized information has prevented these species from being protected through public policies. Decision-making has not always been adequately informed. Understanding is key to maintain these species, local varieties and associated traditional systems valid over time. There is a considerable information gap in China, and therefore, at global level.

2) Baseline scenario and any associated baseline projects

The Government of China has been emphasizing the importance of conservation and use of crop diversity since the 1950s, supported by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Ministry of Finance (MOF), Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and Ministry of Agriculture (MOA). For example, national investigation and collection of genetic resources, national gene bank and germplasm nursery for conservation establishment, in-situ conservation sites for agricultural wild plants establishment, the seed program, species conservation program, and projects of excellent characteristics identification and evaluation of gene resources have been developed, having made a significant contribution to the genetic resources conservation of the crops of global importance.

While addressing short-term food security issues, China, as a centre of diversity for many crops, must also conserve its agricultural genetic resources with a long-term vision to ensure national and global food security. The genetic diversity of crop has an increasing role to play in climate change adaptation and other environmental changes as well as responding to the emerging socio-economic demands.

National priorities for strategic tasks on biodiversity conservation: The Government of China indicates priorities for strategic tasks on biodiversity conservation such as improving policies, legislations, regulations and coordination agencies, promoting mainstreaming into planning processes, and strengthening capacities for biodiversity conservation to cope with new threats and challenges.

Legislations and regulations


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·The Seed Law (2015, in Chapter 2) required that the governmental sectors at both national and provincial level establish genebanks, protected areas and conservation fields to conserve genetic resources of seed crops.

·The Agriculture Law (2013, Chapter 8) stressed that the government should conserve biodiversity including biological species and their varieties of rare, endemic and treasure plants and animals with ex-situ and in-situ approaches. The Management Approaches for Crop Germplasm Resources issued by MOA in 2003 is a regulation which specifically focused on the conservation and sustainable utilization of genetic diversity of crops. It encouraged governments in agriculture sector to conserve genetic resources with different measures including ex-situ, in-situ and also on-farm approaches.

·The Grassland Law (2002, Chapter 6) required the governments above county lever to take actions to conserve biological species in grasslands at ecosystem, species and genetic levels.

·The Management Approaches for Agricultural Wild Plants issued by MOA in 2002 listed the responsibilities of the governments at all levels to protect agricultural wild plants from disappearing in nature. It stressed the importance of field survey, collection, ex-situ conservation and in-situ conservation for genetic diversity of wild relatives of crops.

·The Regulation on Wild Plant Protection (1996, Chapter 2) required all level governments to ensure wild plants including wild relatives of crops to be conserved with both ex-situ and in-situ conservation approaches. In the attached list for priority conserving species, the most important wild relatives of crops such as wild rice, wild soybean, wild fruit trees etc. were included in and MOA have taken actions on the conservation of these species since then.

Plans

·Chinese Agricultural Biodiversity Action Plan (MOA, 1993) was the first action plan on agrobiodiversity conservation in China. It was to strengthen the in-situ conservation of main ecosystem and species. MOA is currently preparing to update the action plan.

·Chinese Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan (BCAP, 1994), target four of which the focus on conservation of genetic resources of crops. There were several actions related to conservation of genetic diversity of crops.

·Chinese Twenty-first Century Agricultural Agenda (MOA, 1999) was the development strategy for agriculture in the new century. One of its five primary goals was the rational utilization and environmental protection of the resources including conservation of agricultural biodiversity, and the sixth aspect of the priority fields in the plan framework of priority project was the sustainable agriculture development.

·Chinese Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP, 2010) issued by the State Council is the updated version of BCAP. One of the ten priority areas of the NBSAP is the establishment of the policy, the laws and the regulations system for conservation and sustainable utilization of biodiversity, while another is priority area the enhancement of biodiversity conservation in-situ. The proposed project is consistent with these priority areas.

·Planning of Crop Germplasm Resources Conservation developed in 2013, is the strategic concept of combining conservation and sustainable utilization and to promote conservation of genetic diversity of crops. It was issued coordinately by Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), National Development and Reform Committee (NDRC), Ministry of Finance (MOF) and Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST). Its main purpose was to give the development direction for all sectors, related insititutions and scientists to work on genetic diversity of crops. It included several priority programmes which mainly focus on surveys, collections, ex-situ conservation, in-situ conservation and sustainable utilization. It strongly suggested that farmers should participate in the conservation of genetic resources of crops, which is similar with on-farm approach.

Coordination agencies


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·National Committee for the conservation of biodiversity in China

· The inter-ministerial Joint Conference on Conservation of Biological Species Resources

· National Crop Germplasm Resources Committee

·Leading Group of Agricultural Wild Plants Conservation

National in-situ conservation programme: In the 1950s, approximately 240,000 accessions of local varieties have been preserved through a nationwide investigation and collection of crop germplasm resources that led to a selection of a group of superior local varieties for large area planting. As the economy grew rapidly, an increase and demand for large scale farming of improved varieties resulted in a sharp decline of local varieties. In responding to the decreasing indigenous local varieties, the Government of China succeeded in collecting over 400,000 crop genetic resources, mainly through ex-situ conservation. Acknowledging that in-situ conservation also plays a crucial role in conserving the genetic resources; MOA invests about $3.5 billion each year on agro-biodiversity conservation, of which about $15 million is used for crop genetic resources conservation. MOA has also launched an in-situ conservation programme in 2001, mainly targeting crop wild relatives and established 189 conservation sites for 52 plant species in 26 provinces.

Conservation projects in China: Since the ratification of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), some international organizations and developed countries carried out lots of programs and projects on in-situ conservation for genetic resources of crops and obtained valuable experiences. To apply those international experiences and best practices for the conservation of genetic resources in China, the government cooperated with institutions such as UNDP, EU, GEF and GIZ to carry out conservation projects in China. For example, sponsored by the GEF, MOA and UNDP implemented the project, “Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Wild Relatives of Crops”(CWRC) from 2006 to 2013, which was demonstrated in 8 provinces focusing on wild rice, wild soybeans and wild relatives of wheat and extended to 15 provinces covering 39 wild plant species. The project has introduced the advanced international concepts and technologies of in-situ conservation including establishment of market based incentive mechanisms. Furthermore, MOA implemented another cooperation project with UNDP and GIZ (Germany) titled “Sustainable Management of Agro-biodiversity in the Mountain Area of Southern China” (MAMSC) from 2005 to 2011.It introduced innovative strategies and methods in the model villages for agro-biodiversity in Wuzhi mountain area in Hainan province and Wuling mountain area in Hunan province to promote farming methods that are friendly to agricultural biodiversity. The project has made achievements in many aspects after its implementation with favorable results, serving as a wakeup call in raising the awareness of people about agriculture biodiversity by calling attention to the rich agricultural biodiversity in mountain areas.

Projects of Important Agricultural Heritage Systems. Eleven Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) and 62 China Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (CIAHS) have been established. The GIAHS and CIAHS projects aim not only to conserve genetic diversity and traditional production systems, but also aim to promote local economic development and improve livelihoods in a sustainable manner. For instance, in the GIAHS project of Hani rice terraces system in Honghe of Yunnan, an FAO-MOA collaborative initiative. Activities were undertaken to maintain the unique irrigation system and traditional methods of agricultural production. It was found that many local varieties, such as the red rice cultivated by Hani people, can survive at more than 1400 meters above the sea level, is a variety resilient to environmental change. They were not only conserved on-farm but also brought benefits for farmers with stable genetic characteristics.

Conservation projects in target provinces: At the provincial level, the government also implements projects on conservation of crop genetic resources. Among the selected provinces (Yunnan, Hebei, Liaoning), Yunnan Province has the most projects on conservation, as it has the richest biodiversity in China. It funds about $60 million every year for biodiversity conservation, one third of which (about 20 million) are used on agro-biodiversity conservation. For example, in 1960s, 1980s and 2000s, it has collected their crop and livestock genetic resources and conserving them ex-situ. The province also carried


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out activities on genetic resource conservation by implementing national and international projects. The Province also supported Yunnan Agricultural University to successfully apply for the National Basic Research Program “Principles and Methods of Pest and Disease Control and Germplasm Conservation Using Agricultural Biodiversity” (PMCCAB) in 2006, which aimed to achieve the goal of the conservation of agro-biodiversity and control of the pest and disease to lay a foundation for the harmonious development of food production and agricultural biodiversity conservation. All targeted provinces have also implemented national projects under MOA including agro-biodiversity conservation and control of invasive alien species.

The current child project being proposed to GEF for the ‘On-farm Conservation and Sustainable Use of Genetic Diversity of Crops originated in China’ will build on the results, lessons learnt and recommendations (summaries of achievements of representative projects listed in Table 1) of the various national and international projects as well as other relevant agricultural development and environmental conservation projects, in order to secure sustainable, effective and efficient outcomes for the mainstreaming of the on-farm conservation crop diversity in China.

Table 1 The Achievement & Lessons Learnt of The Relevant National & International Projects

P Project Implementingagency

Finance source A Achievement & lesson learnt Impact on government decision

CWRC UNDP, MOA GEF Livelihood substitution;Farmers’ field schools;

Micro-credit for participated farmers;

Farmers’ cooperatives

MOA invests approx. 10 million USD per year into the conservation and

sustainable utilization of wild relatives of crops.

MAMSC GIZ, UNDP, MOA EU, GIZ Seed exchange markets in rural areas;

Farmers’ field schools;Village-level planning;

Marketing of special resources

MOA integrated the conservation and sustainable utilization of agro-biodiversity

into both 12th and 13th Five Year Plan.

PMCCAB Yunnan agricultural university, etc.

National Basic Research Program (MOST)

Pesticide and fertilizer reduction;

Combination between agro-biodiversity conservation and

control of pest and disease

MOA and MOST applied the approach in conservation and pest and disease control of

other crops and local varieties.

GHIAS/ CIAHS

FAO, MOA GEF Ecosystem services;Farmers’ income increasing

The international exchange service center of MOA takes responsibility for

local varieties conservation.

3) The proposed alternative scenario, with a brief description of expected outcomes and components of the project

The objective of this project is to mainstream the on-farm conservation and sustainable use of globally important local varieties of crops originated in China for food and agriculture, through a strengthened enabling environment, and the development and demonstration of long-term incentive mechanisms.

The project will contribute to Program 7 under Objective 3 of the GEF 6 Biodiversity Focal Area by promoting biodiversity mainstreaming in agriculture while increasing the genetic diversity of globally significant crops in China. The project will support on-farm conservation of local and indigenous agro-biodiversity that allow continued evolution, and adaptation, improve food security of local communities by supporting self-consumption of landrace-based products, promote policies that shift the balance in agricultural production in favor of local varieties, strengthen the capacities of all stakeholders for on-farm conservation, support sustainable utilization local varieties to improve farmers’ livelihoods.

Through a set of closely coordinated interventions, the GEF project will leverage the opportunities of the baseline scenario to mainstream agro-biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of local crop varieties. The interlinked levers for achieving this objective directly relate to the identified barriers.


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The project will select crops from each of the selected provinces: rice in Yunnan, millets and oats in Hebei, and soybeans in Liaoning. These crops are site-specific and globally relevant that is proved to be originated from China. Mainstreaming crop diversity through on-farm conservation and sustainable use of these local varieties will promote improved food security and nutrition, increase farmers’ income through value addition in markets to promote better livelihoods, as well as increase resilience and adaptation to environmental changes. Based on the results of the project, experiences and lessons learnt will be extended to scaling-up sites.

In order to remove the barriers detailed under section 1 and achieve global environmental benefits, the financial resources of GEF will be invested to work with and alongside the aforementioned baseline initiatives as detailed below:

Component 1: Strengthen the enabling environment to promote mainstreaming of on-farm conservation and sustainable use of the genetic diversity of important indigenous local crops and varieties.

Component 1 aims to promote sustainable development through the improvement of national/provincial strategies/policies on mainstreaming on-farm conservation and sustainable use of local varieties by addressing barrier #1.

The project will support the mainstreaming conservation and sustainable use of local varieties as indicated as priority areas in the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP) for 2011-2030 as submitted to the Convention and Biological Diversity Secretariat (CBDS), as well as other national development plans such the13th Five Year Plan (2016 -2020) which underlines the importance of environmental protection and the creation of China as an ‘ecological civilization’ with the aim to develop a ‘Beautiful China’.

This component will lend support to the strengthening of conservation and sustainable utilization of local varieties into strategies/policies at national/provincial levels; to make recommendations for streamlining into the national legislation framework. The efforts under this component will directly benefit the activities under component 2 and 3. Beyond establishing conservation and sustainable utilization of local varieties as a political priority, this component is also envisioned to create the necessary policy and legal conditions for premium market development for the activities under component 2 and 3.

Outcome:1.1 On-farm conservation and sustainable use of genetic diversity of significant indigenous local crops and varieties mainstreamed into policies or plans at different levels, and also in three targeted provinces, to support the development of national strategies that protect agro-biodiversity.

Indicator: GEF tracking tool score improvement indicating policies and regulations governing agricultural activities to integrate biodiversity conservation at both national and provincial levels.

Outputs:1.1.1 Social, cultural and economic evaluation of local varieties (e.g. nutrition and food security, public health, environmental benefits among others) conducted to serve as the basis for policy and legislation development.

1.1.2 One national strategy or policy for conservation and sustainable use of the genetic diversity of important indigenous local crop and variety prepared and submitted to MoA; three provincial strategies/policies prepared for each targeted province respectively.

1.1.3 Recommendations developed for revision/reform of national legislations (i.e. eco-compensation legislation) that incorporates valuing the roles of the traditional farmers, including women and young people to support on-farm conservation and sustainable use of crop genetic diversity, promoting sustainable agro-biodiversity systems.


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1.1.4. A national and three provincial inter-institutional cooperation mechanisms established to streamline cross-sectoral approaches to agro-biodiversity conservation.

Component 2: Capacity building to promote adaptive management and improved conservation and sustainable use of crop diversity for resilient agriculture and sustainable production

Component 2 is aimed at capacity development for stakeholders such as government sectors, management agencies, research institutions, local communities and farmers. Through series of public dissemination such as TV, radio, programs, internet, publications, etc. to improve public awareness of on-farm conservation and sustainable utilization of local varieties for all stakeholders by addressing barrier #2. With different kinds of trainings and education programs, to improve stakeholders especially research groups dedicated to agricultural development in participatory training/education services for on-farm conservation and use of local varieties. Farmers will also be encouraged to put social value to their own roles in the society for empowerment by creating a management mechanism that carry out self-sustained planning, management and evaluation for the on-farm conservation and use of local varieties. Organization of cross visits will promote information sharing among farmers to learn from other successful experiences. The outputs from component 2 are envisioned to provide a base for the activities in component 3.

With implementation of component 2, it is expected that by the end of the project, at least 50% increase in awareness of the importance of crop genetic diversity amongst all stakeholders, compared to baseline established at year 1 of the project and no less than 15% of new households (men and women) involved in the on-farm conservation and sustainable use of local varieties will have increased significantly.

Outcome:2.1 Capacities strengthened to support long-term plans and up-scaling of incentive based approaches for on-farm conservation and sustainable use of crop diversity for resilient agriculture and sustainable production.

Target stakeholders: Local minority communities, local farmer communities, research and development institutions, provincial organizations at each targeted provinces; staffs in central governmental sectors and research/management agencies.

Target species and sites: Rice (Yunnan Province), millets and oats (Hebei Province), and soybeans (Liaoning Province)

Target gender: 40% of female-led households and 20% of youth participants

Target: Organisational management and technical capacity, awareness improvement.


Outputs:2.1.1 Development/Implementation of management mechanisms that carry out self-sustained planning, management and evaluation for on-farm conservation and use of local varieties by empowering and improving farmers’ capacities and promoting information sharing among farmers.

2.1.2 Stakeholders trained and priorities set (based on needs identified by the communities and coordination with research groups dedicated to agricultural development) in participatory training/education services for on-farm conservation and use of local crop varieties.

2.1.3 Dissemination to the wider public through media, such as TV, radio, programs, internet, publications, etc. to improve public awareness of on-farm conservation and sustainable use of local varieties

Component 3: Pilot activities to enhance and expand dynamic conservation practices for local varieties through evaluation and development of market/non-market incentives and linkages


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This component will support farmers and farmers’ cooperatives and demonstrate the effectiveness of a market/non-market based incentive mechanism to make agro-biodiversity conservation economically profitable for local communities by addressing barrier #3. Such incentives will derive from providing special recognition to farmers who maintain local diversity (“custodian” or “heritage farmers”), improving market access and prices for products that follow good practices. When market mechanisms alone are not adequately effective, incentives through non-market such as “eco-compensation” will enable complementarity. Involvement of farmers’ cooperatives and companies that use local crop diversity will be encouraged to participate in detailing the market incentive schemes. The market demand and future potential for products like local varieties and species that contribute to the conservation of local varieties is an important aspect of the proposed project.

This project will also support the combination of traditional and modern technologies, as well as conservation and sustainable technologies, comprehensively integrate the existing technologies adapting to the farmers’ needs by enhancing researchers’ ability to understand what processes underlie the generation and maintenance of local varieties. They would be able to acquire knowledge on the appropriate methodologies such as culture of seedlings, cultivation, irrigation, fertilization, insects and disease control, and sustainable harvesting.

With implementation of component 3, farmers could create marketing and business plans, secure market access, identify and benefit from market opportunities, and develop products in accordance with location-specific comparative advantages and market situation. These activities will maximize farmers’ economic benefits from conservation, providing not only incentives to expand corresponding practices, but also sustainable financing to maintain, replicate and scale up dynamic conservation beyond the project itself. At the end of the project, pilot communities have the necessary knowledge and means to derive maximum economic benefits from activities in component 3.

Outcome:3.1 Improved marketing of products made from local varieties’, including through the use of both traditional knowledge and modern technologies, taking into account market /non-market incentives to increase local crop diversity production and availability.

Target species and sites: Rice (Yunnan Province), millets and oats (Hebei Province), and soybeans (Liaoning Province); other species in more sites depending on scaling- up.

Target markets: self-consumption, and markets

Target income increase: at least 15 % increase of farmers’ income from improved marketing schemes


Outputs:3.1.1 Evaluation of local varieties with traditional knowledge as well as social, cultural and economic issues in targeted sites for developing conservation and sustainable use strategies and plans.

3.1.2 Development of on-farm conservation approaches and technologies with incentive mechanisms to ensure long term conservation of local varieties.

3.1.3 Business and marketing plans developed in pilot communities to maximize opportunities for product development and revenue creation based on strengthening market linkages between small-scale farmers and local and provincial markets to support conservation and innovative market incentives.

Component 4: Strengthened knowledge management

Component 4 will support strengthen the linkages between the critical stakeholders, identifying, validating, documenting and promoting the knowledge base that underpin traditional agro-ecosystems and the traditional practices and research that maintain local varieties by addressing barrier #4. There is little


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recognition of the important role of traditional crops in sustainable agricultural development in China and little recognition of the importance of on-farm conservation of local varieties for long term food security, and thus for poverty alleviation and sustainable development.

This component will improve the accessibility of information on agro-biodiversity including local varieties, effective approaches for on-farm conservation and sustainable use of local varieties and tools and guidelines, in order to support up-scaling of approaches and impacts across China. Multi-sectoral information sharing networks, databases, monitoring networks and web based information platforms for conservation of local varieties will be developed. These will be institutionalized within MOA and within provincial level departments of agriculture in target provinces to enable the exchange of knowledge and information between Child Projects, the exchange of information with other initiatives outside the program, and will ensure that resources and experiences developed within Child Projects are captured, stored and shared, to support scaling up of program results. Independent evaluations and regular feedback from stakeholders will be used to ensure that the project undergoes adaptive management and can provide support to the real-time dynamic platform for decision making.

Outcome:4.1 Information and knowledge of social, cultural, economic, research and marketing aspects related to crops and their local varieties will be collected, documented and published for providing basic support for further conservation and sustainable utilization.

Target stakeholders: Local minority communities, local farmer communities, research and development institutions, provincial organizations at each targeted provinces; staffs in central governmental sectors and management agencies.

Indicated by: databases, information platform, websites.

Outputs :

4.1.1 Traditional and new knowledge, generated through participatory research for on-farm conservation and sustainable use of local varieties, documented together with best practices/lessons learnt from pilot sites to applicability to other local crops and varieties in China.

4.1.2 Establishing information and communication platforms (web-based information platform and inter-sectoral working groups), dedicated to on-farm conservation.

4.1.3 Databases of species, varieties, traditional research and development practices for conservation and sustainable use of agro-biodiversity created.


4) Incremental Cost Reasoning and Expected Contributions from the Baseline, the GEFTF, LDCF/SCCF and Co-financing

The project objective is to mainstream on-farm conservation and sustainable use of globally important genetic resources for food and agriculture in China, through a strengthened enabling environment, and the development and demonstration of long-term incentive mechanisms.

The project will contribute to Program 7, Objective 3 of the GEF Biodiversity Focal Area by promoting biodiversity mainstreaming in agriculture while increasing the genetic diversity of globally significant cultivated plants in a Vavilov Centre of diversity as China. The project will support on-farm conservation, agriculture practices based on local and traditional knowledge that allow continued evolution, and


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adaptation, will improve food security of local communities by promoting products, will promote policies that shift the balance in agricultural production in favor of agro-biodiversity, will strengthen the capacities of extension and research agencies and institutions for in-situ conservation, will support climate change adaptation through sustainable agriculture and traditional knowledge, and will strengthen the capacities of community and family farmers to participate in the identification, development and implementation of plant breeding and other solutions to face genetic erosion. The crops selected by the project are originated from China which is also very important for global agricultural biodiversity with potential value in world agricultural system.

The Chinese government has attached great importance to the conservation and sustainable utilization of crop genetic diversity. Many related projects have been supported by the National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of finance, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture (relevant projects provided in baseline section). However, Chinese government funds are mainly used for conservation and breeding, in-situ conservation only focuses on research and primary use. The shortcomings of these projects are: (1) compared with the huge demand, the amount of fund is extremely limited; (2) the projects are mainly implemented by science and technology staff, government, companies, farmer organizations, especially farmers are not playing the due role; (3) the focus is either on conservation or on utilization, and conservation and utilization are almost separated instead of integrated; (4) the government and the farmers lack of knowledge and awareness of in-situ conservation on-farm and sustainable use.

The expected contribution of baseline, GEF grants and matching funds are mainly manifested in the following aspects:

(1) With the support of GEF funds, international concepts of conservation and sustainable utilization of crop genetic diversity will be introduced. Governments of all levels will review the current laws and policies on biodiversity conservation. Targeted on the weak link and actual requirement of conservation and utilization of crop genetic diversity in China, suitable work mechanism will be established. Relevant policies will be improved and the barriers of laws, regulations and policy will be eliminated;

(2) Adjust the orientation of government investment to the eco-service function of crop genetic diversity;

(3) Through international exchanges in various forms and the exchange with a large number of foreign experts, the advanced experience and technology of foreign countries will be integrated with traditional technology and methods in China, which will change the traditional concepts of science and technology staff. As for the research and development in technology, conservation and utilization of the crop genetic diversity will be organic integrated. Governments, enterprises, farmers’ organizations and farmers will be encouraged to participate in technical research and develop initiative and creativity;

(4) Through acquisition of tangible benefits of farmers brought by the project, the farmers’ understanding on local varieties will be improved, e.g. the genetic diversity of local crops are poor varieties with low efficiency, low benefit, little utilization and difficult growing technologies. Gradually, the farmers will realized the value of crop genetic diversity and become the protector of genetic resources and the beneficiaries of genetic resources utilization. Under certain conditions, they may adjust the current activities to avoid long-term damage to biodiversity. In addition, the local community will participate in the genetic diversity management plan and benefit from conservation activities, and also deepen the understanding to conservation area and gene bank, as well as strengthen the ex-situ conservation of species;

(5) Increase the investment on the conservation and utilization of crop genetic diversity from the government, enterprises, farmers’ organizations and farmers to get more benefit;

(6) The policy system, technology system and standard system developed by the project will be promoted national wide. The conservation and sustainable use of crop genetic diversity will be mainstreamed. A good atmosphere for the whole society to pay close attention to crop genetic diversity, and conservation and sustainable utilization of crop genetic diversity will be formed.


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(7) The crops originated in any country or region are not only essential to the local agriculture development, but also cause a profound impact on global agricultural production. For example, soybean originated from China, but currently the soybean production of the United States, Brazil, Argentina and other American countries has accounted for more than 90% of the world soybean market; corn originated in South America, however it has been widely planted all over the world, and become one of the most important food crops in the world. This project is to reserve or provide long-term and timely genetic resources for the global development of these crops through the genetic diversity conservation of the crops originated from China. Because the drought, flood, frost, pests and diseases caused by climate change in some areas have become more and more frequent, these genetic resources will probably play an important role in controlling the global natural disasters, and ensuring food security, alleviating the poverty and hunger as well.

5) Global Environmental Benefits

The national, provincial and local governmental agencies, the local communities, farmers (especially women and young people), the academia and FAO will help deliver the following Global Environmental Benefits (GEBs) through this project: i) Securing species and varieties that constitute a reservoir of genetic resources and knowledge for the whole mankind, both for global future security and future agricultural research; ii) Ensuring the conservation of local varieties (through ensuring the continuity of the diversification process), and reducing the uniformity of global crops and their vulnerability to extreme situations; iii) Conserving genetic diversity which is fundamental to face future challenges - like food supply and adaptation of crops to upcoming social and environmental pressures (i.e. increase of global population and climate change); iv) Reintroducing and improving traditional landrace cultivars with potential for food use, which can broaden the range of products arising from agro-biodiversity; v) providing tested methodologies, innovative mechanisms and lessons learned that can be scaled up in China, and adapted to other centers of origin around the world, through South-South Cooperation, the FAO network and the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and Biodiversity33; vi) Generating systematized documentation on species and varieties that are poorly known or threatened to be disused at present due to their invisibility; vii) Generating agro-ecological knowledge of these species, including their ranges, the environmental conditions under which they thrive and resistance to pests, diseases or drought. This may support species exchange or promotion in appropriate zones, and eventually in plant breeding programs; viii) Increasing the valuation of agro-BD products and incentivizing the access of poor farmers to local and regional markets in China to reduce the abandonment of traditional systems and migration; ix) Through knowledge management, gene resources can be provided timely and purposefully in any area of the world where drought, flood, frost, pests and other natural disasters happen, and the problems mentioned above can also be solved by breeding and other approaches, so as to ensure farmers in stricken areas to avoid the hunger or poverty threat; x) Increasing the status of conservation of targeted species: improved knowledge, conservation and monitoring of diverse crops species (to be measured through the BD tracking tool).

This proposed project will also generate GEBs by contributing to Aichi Targets #1, 2, 13, 18 & 19 and targets #1.5, 2.4, 2.5, 15.6, 17.6, and 17.14 of 2030 Sustainable Development through the following outputs:

Aichi Biodiversity Target Project OutputsTarget 1 - By 2020, at the latest, people are aware of the values of biodiversity and the steps they can take to conserve and use it sustainably.

2.1.1 Development of management mechanism that carry out self-sustained planning, management and evaluation for the on-farm conservation and use of local varieties by

33http://www.fao.org/nr/cgrfa/cgrfa-home/en/


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http://www.fao.org/nr/cgrfa/cgrfa-home/en/

empowering and improving farmers’ capacities and promoting information sharing among farmers.

2.1.3 Series of public dissemination such as TV, radio, programs, internet, publications, etc. to improve public awareness of on-farm conservation and sustainable utilization of local varieties.

Target 2- By 2020, at the latest, biodiversity values have been integrated into national and local development and poverty reduction strategies and planning processes and are being incorporated into national accounting, as appropriate, and reporting systems.

1.1.2 One national strategy or policy for conservation and sustainable use of the genetic diversity of important indigenous local crop and variety developed, issued by MOA; three provincial strategies/policies issued by each targeted province respectively.

3.1.2 Development of on-farm conservation approaches, technologies, strategies and plans with incentive mechanisms to ensure long term conservation of local varieties.

Target 13 By 2020, the genetic diversity of cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and of wild relatives, including other socio-economically as well as culturally valuable species, is maintained, and strategies have been developed and implemented for minimizing genetic erosion and safeguarding their genetic diversity.

1.1.2 One national strategy or policy for conservation and sustainable use of the genetic diversity of important indigenous local crop and variety developed, issued by MOA; three provincial strategies/policies issued by each targeted province respectively.

Target 18 By 2020, the traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and their customary use of biological resources, are respected, subject to national legislation and relevant international obligations, and fully integrated and reflected in the implementation of the Convention with the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities, at all relevant levels.

1.1.1 Social, cultural and economic evaluation of local varieties (e.g. nutrition and food security, public health, environmental benefits among others) conducted to serve as the basis for policy and legislation development.

3.1.1 Evaluation of local varieties with traditional knowledge as well as social, cultural and economic issues in targeted sites for developing conservation and sustainable use strategies and plans.


4.1.1 Traditional and new knowledge generated through participatory research for on-farm conservation and sustainable use of agro-biodiversity.

Target 19By 2020, knowledge, the science base and technologies relating to biodiversity, its values, functioning, status and trends, and the consequences of its loss, are improved, widely shared and transferred, and applied.

2.1.2 Stakeholders trained and priorities set (based on needs identified by the communities and coordination with research groups dedicated to agricultural development) in participatory training/education services for on-farm conservation and use of crop agro-biodiversity.

4.1.1 Traditional and new knowledge generated through participatory research for on-farm conservation and sustainable use of agro-biodiversity.

4.1.3 Databases of species, varieties, traditional research and development practices for conservation and sustainable


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use of agro-biodiversity created.

2030 Sustainable Development Goals-Targets Project Outputs1.5 By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters

2.1.1 Development of management mechanism that carry out self-sustained planning, management and evaluation for on-farm conservation and use of local varieties by empowering and improving farmers’ capacities and promoting information sharing among farmers.3.1.3. Business and marketing plans developed in pilot communities to maximize opportunities for product development and revenue creation based on strengthening market linkages between small-scale farmers and local and provincial markets to support conservation and innovative market incentives.

2.4 By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality.

2.1.1 Development of management mechanism that carry out self-sustained planning, management and evaluation for on-farm conservation and use of local varieties by empowering and improving farmers’ capacities and promoting information sharing among farmers.3.1.2 Development of on-farm conservation approaches, technologies, strategies and plans with incentive mechanisms to ensure long term conservation of local varieties.

2.5 By 2020, maintain the genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and their related wild species, including through soundly managed and diversified seed and plant banks at the national, regional and international levels, and promote access to and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge, as internationally agreed.

1.1.2 One national strategy or policy for conservation and sustainable use of the genetic diversity of important indigenous local crop and variety developed, issued by MOA; three provincial strategies/policies issued by each targeted province respectively.3.1.2 Development of on-farm conservation approaches, technologies, strategies and plans with incentive mechanisms to ensure long term conservation of local varieties.

15.6 Promote fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and promote appropriate access to such resources, as internationally agreed.


3.1.3. Business and marketing plans developed in pilot communities to maximize opportunities for product development and revenue creation based on strengthening market linkages between small-scale farmers and local and provincial markets to support conservation and innovative market incentives.

17.6 Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation and enhance knowledge sharing on mutually agreed terms, including through improved.

4.1.2 National monitoring system of local varieties strengthened by establishing national level information and communication platforms (web-based information platform and inter-sector working groups), dedicated to on-farm conservation.

4.1.3 Databases of species, varieties, traditional research and development practices for conservation and sustainable


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use of local varieties created.


17.14 Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development.

1.1 On-farm conservation and sustainable use of genetic diversity of significant indigenous local crops and varieties mainstreamed into national policies and plans, and also in three targeted provinces, to support the development of national strategies that protect agro-biodiversity.

6) The technical strategy of this project (shown below)

7) Innovativeness, Sustainability and Potential for Scaling up

Innovation: The novelty of this proposal is that it is based mainly on the knowledge and use of the abundant agro-biodiversity present in China. The project strategy is to address the problems of feeding the most vulnerable social groups in the country, while acquiring knowledge of the species, their features, plasticity, ranges of resistance and tolerance to drought and other problems, as well as their food quality and potential for cultivation.

This project is especially innovative in three dimensions: i) knowledge generation; ii) at species and genetic diversity levels; iii) at legislation/policy level. The project is based upon holistic approach that includes conservation, legislation/policy frameworks, value chains, capacity building and information sharing. Agro-biodiversity received much attention in China, but most past projects neglected the consideration of agro-biodiversity in an integral manner.

At the same time, agro-biodiversity is inserted in institutional frameworks and environments that in China may not be “enabling” and generate perverse incentives for conservation of local varieties by farmers. In addition, the proposal to develop complementary legislation/policy instruments to serve as enabling


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environments to sustain project outputs is innovative. The project aims to use the catalytic action of GEF resources and FAO’s role as neutral forum, to bring together different institutions and disciplines with a long-term strategic vision.

The project will also apply market/non-market incentives to help generate sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable communities and farmers that are the custodians of agro-biodiversity in China. These incentives have been piloted with FAO technical assistance in many centers of origin worldwide 34 and also in some projects in China, but not on conservation of local varieties with on-farm approach. This project will help China generate good practices to be shared through the FAO network as well as through Chinese South-South cooperation mechanisms.

Sustainability: this project is designed in line with the three pillars of sustainability: i) Social sustainability: the project approach is people-centered and focuses on the management of crop genetic resources in a participatory manner. Project sites will be selected in consultation with the local stakeholders. Gender mainstreaming is part of the project design, given the key role of women in sites where men have migrated and the extensively documented role of women in the implementation of agro-ecological practices in local communities; Project methodologies and lessons learnt could serve as a reference for other countries that are also centers of origin, diversification and domestication of plant species and that have an associated cultural background. ii) Environmental sustainability: the project is aimed at supporting the natural potential of elements of the agro-biodiversity that are now being lost or pressured by production models that are unsustainable. The project will protect and recover species and varieties that are currently being abandoned and disused, facing a risk of erosion or disappearance. A social and environmental risk analysis will be conducted during full project preparation, in line with FAO Environmental and Social Management Guidelines; iii) Economic sustainability: the project will promote the generation of incentives, market linkages and organizational support to allow farmers to reinforce their livelihoods through the valuation of agriculturally diverse products. An economic analysis will be conducted during full project preparation once the local intervention sites will be defined in a participatory way. The type of production system and geographical location will be included as variables of the analysis.

Scaling-up: The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, with its scientific research institutions of international standards, as well as its management of extension system for provincial, county and township levels. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture can upscale results from the project, the best practices and lessons learnt generated from the three regions, to other regions and to the national level. The project can comprehensively improve the awareness, knowledge and ability of various stakeholders, through the joint participation of the government, enterprises and farmers. Emphasise will be put on popularization of science, broadcasting, training and education, starting from the cultivation of youth, to ensure the capability of protection and sustainable utilization is transmitted across generations. This project will collect and document data and information for traditional knowledge of local varieties from local communities or minority communities. China has many minorities distributed in different areas, the experience and lessons learnt from pilot sites could be extended to other sites with similar conditions.

A.2. Stakeholders. Will project design include the participation of relevant stakeholders from civil society and indigenous people? (yes /no ) If yes, identify key stakeholders and briefly describe how they will be engaged in project design/preparation:

Stakeholder Roles/Responsibilities

MOFAs the GEF focal point MOF have a core role in providing high level strategic guidance and will provide comments on and sign off the project design document. They will be a core member of the overall Program Steering Committee.

FAO As the GEF Implementing Agency for this project, FAO will be responsible for coordination of all aspects of project design and implementation, helping to steer and

34 See as example: http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5398e.pdf


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http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5398e.pdf

Stakeholder Roles/Responsibilitiesensure quality control throughout design and implementation, in order to meet FAO, GOC and GEF standards and strategic objectives.

MOA

Will be directly involved in and will steer project design as the project executing agency. MOA will also have lead responsibility for overall communication with UNDP and with relevant government agencies involved in the project at both national and local levels. They will provide comments on the draft project design and will sign off on the final project document.

MEP Develop the biodiversity conservation plans and to monitor the implementation of the plans, laws and regulations.

MLR Be responsible for the plan, management, conservation and reasonable utilization of natural resources, such as land resource

MOST Be responsible for the project approval related to the conservation and utilization of crop genetic diversity

The National Management Office

of Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation

In line with national objectives, to reduce the rural population in poverty and improve the rural living standard

Women's FederationWF will provide guidance to project design to ensure that issues and needs related to women are fully considered and that women are given equal opportunities to participate in the project. They will be Project Steering Committee members.

The National Committee of Crop Germplasm

Be responsible for the management of national germplasm and to develop national strategies and policies of crop germplasm

Relevant Scientific and Research Institutions

Support project design and implementation through technical advice and identify opportunities for the scientific community to support project implementation. Provide information on current and planned research and development initiatives and opportunities to target research towards local varieties conservation.

Local government and agricultural environmental

protection agencies

Assist the national agencies with investigation, demonstration, capacity building, extension, etc.

Enterprises involved in demonstration

Participate in the activities of agrobiodiversity conservation and sustainable utilization, and market development in the area

Relevant societies Including NGOs and government organizations, will assist the project with research and workshops

Farmers organizations and farmers

Participate in project activities, especially the exploration of traditional knowledge and methods related to agrobiodiversity, and provide suggestions on agrobiodiversity conservation while ensuring farmers' interest

A.3Risk.Indicate risks, including climate change, potential social and environmental risks that might prevent the project objectives from being achieved, and, if possible, propose measures that address these risks to be further developed during the project design (table format acceptable):

In this project, the risks that hinder realization of the project objectives may include the following several aspects:

Risks Risk rating Mitigation measuresPolicy risks: The project involves rice, millet, and soybean. Compared the improved varieties of staple crops, the government attaches less importance to the traditional local varieties. At present the country has witnessed bumper harvest for ten consecutive years, as such, it is easier to gain government support to carry out conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources, and relevant policy recommendations are also easy to be implemented. However, because ensuring food

Low The lead executing unit of the project is the Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China. The Ministry of Agriculture is the country's major players in the development of agricultural policy. Before the formulation of any policy, research must be carried out in the agricultural systems, thus project officials including the National Project Director, are the first ones to obtain information related to the policy development. The project can develop response plans before the new policy is issued,


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security is an important strategy for the Chinese government, if the grain yield decreases, the government may spare no effort to increase production by expanding the planting area of the main grain crop and promoting new varieties, so the policy tends to focus on improved varieties of staple crops, which may have a serious impact on the crops production of the traditional local varieties;

and to avoid the policy risk. In addition, the main distribution areas of the local varieties are generally not suitable for the cultivation of the improved varieties of staple crops. As a result, even if China developed policies to encourage the cultivation of the improved varieties, the impact on the project will be very limited.

Natural risks: because the targeted local varieties are mainly distributed in the local and special ecosystem, which are prone to natural disasters such as drought, there may be great natural disasters during project implementation, resulting in loss of production, on this occasion, stakeholders cannot tell whether the reduced production is due to the impact of natural disasters or the project itself, they may cast doubt on the project design, discouraging the active participation of all stakeholders of the project;

Low

During the project implementation, new commercial varieties will be selected as reference. In case of natural disasters, the advantage of the local variety will be proved by the performance of the new variety and the selected local variety, thus to eliminate the doubt stakeholders, so they will continue to implement the project and achieve the expected objectives.

Market risk: One important aspect of this project is to reflect the market value of the genetic diversity of local varieties through market means, providing the farmers with relatively large benefit while at the same time protecting the genetic diversity, however, since China is still in the primary stage of socialist market economy, If the market is fluctuating or even falling back under the impacts of the external environment, it may affect the market outlook for the local varieties;

Moderate

The commercialization of the genetic diversity of local varieties is only one way for sustainable utilization; the project will enable farmers to benefits from the conservation and utilization of agricultural diversity.

Co-finance risks: Since the Chinese economy is in the stage of slowing down of the growth rate, whether the committed co-finance can be in full or in time is subject to the influences of many factors including China's economic development. Due to the high proportion of project co-finance, the governments would be in difficulties if the economy were not good enough during the project implementation.

Low

Before the inception of the project, financial security will be guaranteed clearly by all levels of government, on the one hand, the capital investment by governments at all levels will be strictly supervised, on the other hand, timely and full use of the matching funds in the project work will be ensured, by levering the related project investment of the government at all levels. In addition, with the adjustment of the agricultural industry policy by the Chinese government, more and more private investment will be involved in the project, so as to ensure that the project has adequate funding sources.

Climate change risks: As the development of the whole World, climate change is severely impacting on human’s activities. The three pilot provinces are in wide area in China, bad weathers happened in the provinces are often. Because of global climate change, the bad weathers may happen more and more, which might impact the project implementation.

Low This child project is focusing on conservation and sustainable use of local varieties of crops in three provinces in a long history. They have been suitable for different weather in the local areas and are tolerant to the bad weathers. Even more severely bad weather happened in the future, they could somehow adapt to the changed weather.The selected four kinds of crops are planted in different areas. Even some bad weather occurred in one or two provinces, the other crops in other provinces could get favor climate to have good


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harvest. Based on previous statistic, very few chances happened in China when all three pilot provinces meet bad weathers at the same time.Chinese government is now paying more and more attention on climate change by taking actions to reduce emission. In the near future, the ecosystems and environments will be changed better and better, and therefore may contribute to mitigate climate change in the World and the conservation and sustainable use of local varieties of crops and livestock will become easier.

A.4. Coordination. Outline the coordination with other relevant GEF-financed and other initiatives:

The urgent need to conserve, characterize and evaluate the threatened agro-biodiversity, promote its sustainable use and address the future needs for providing food for the world population has led to a marked change in the legislative environment over the last 15 years, especially with the coming into force of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture which is hosted by FAO. Also, FAO will support the coordination of the present project and link it with other agro-biodiversity initiatives worldwide, hosts the Commission. Established in 1983 to deal with PGRFA has since 1995, the Commission had its mandates broadened to encompass all components of biodiversity of relevance to food and agriculture, namely Animal, Forest and Aquatic genetic resources.

Since its establishment, the Commission has overseen global assessments of the state of the world’s forest, plant and animal genetic resources for food and agriculture and negotiated major international instruments, including the International Treaty. The Second Report on the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture35 for instance, was published under the auspices of the Commission in 2010. The monitoring of the implementation of the Second Global Plan of Action for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture36 also agreed under the auspices of the Commission in 2011 is yielding data that are being collated towards the publication of the Third Report. FAO also hosts the Secretariat of the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)37; its mandates are also critically important for the current project and, like the Commission and the International Treaty, lessons that have been learned therefrom will be fed into the implementations of the activities being proposed under this project. FAO has also developed a track record of success leveraging its South-South Cooperation platform to share information, leverage expertise and pool resources for supporting activities in its member countries.

The design of the proposed project was made with full consideration of the coordination with other projects implemented in China. The coordination with projects is as following:

(1) Coordination with other child projects of the program. This project was agreed to be one of the coordinating projects of the program. It will focus on the consistence of legislation/ policy, inter-sectoral coordination mechanism, incentives (e.g. eco-compensation), capacity building. This project will establish a comprehensive project steering committee to guide the direction and strategy of the projects’ implementation. It will also organize national/international conferences/workshops to exchange achievements and lesson learnt during the projects’ implementation. A series of training/dissertation program will be also held for all child projects.

(2) Collaboration with Chinese Biodiversity Cooperation Framework (CBPF). CBPF is a project funded by GEF, executed by UNDP, led by the Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection, and implemented jointly by the relevant ministries, in order to develop a set of effective support methods and active plans to

35http://www.fao.org/agriculture/crops/core-themes/theme/seeds-pgr/sow/sow2/en/ 36http://www.fao.org/docrep/015/i2624e/i2624e00.htm 37http://www.fao.org/giahs/en/


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eliminate biodiversity loss in China, to provide a platform for mutual exchange between international organizations, the central decision makers and technical experts, to support the coordination among all the participants and to act in the framework of a single and consistent framework. This project belongs to the content of the framework of the CBPF, in conformity with the requirements of the fourth theme of CBPF, i.e. conservation and sustainable utilization of resources of biological diversity outside the protection area.

(3) Collaboration with the GEF project on ABS. The project of “Developing and Implementing the National Framework on Access and Benefit Sharing of Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge” has developed a PPG led by MEP with several government sectors. It is to make national ABS schemes by creating the legal, administrative and practical capacity to authorize and enable providers of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge to share in the benefits from the utilization of those resources, in a manner that promotes improvement of the providers’ social welfare and provides a motivation for conservation and efforts to maintain the sustainability of those resources. In this project, establishment of effective market and non-market based incentive mechanisms for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of traditional crop species at target sites is one of the outcomes of this project.

(4) Collaboration with the national project of Crop Germplasm Resources Conservation (CGRC). CGRC is initiated by MOA to protect the crop genetic diversity. Since 2001, an annual investment of 5 million USD has been spent to the collection, ex-situ conservation and evaluation of crop genes diversity. After 10 years of continuous implementation, the project has established a preliminary conservation system for crop genetic diversity in China, and identified and selected a number of genetic resources with great prospect of utilization. This project will work with CGRC and learn the technologies of gene resource conservation to further expand the conservation concept and promote the in-situ conservation of crop genetic diversity.

(5) Collaboration with the agricultural science and technology project of the Research and Demonstration of Conservation and Utilization Technologies of Agricultural Wild Plant, which was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and jointly implemented by China Agricultural University and Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in 2010..It aimed to integrate conservation and utilization of Agricultural Wild Plant. Based on the research and demonstration of the conservation technologies, focus on the technology research of sustainable utilization, thus to achieve the goal of conservation. Though the study objects of the proposed project are different from it, the objects are all important gene resources in China. With some adjustment and improvement, the concepts and technologies of that project on conservation and sustainable utilization are also applicable to the proposed project. Though this project has finished in 2015, the activities are still carried out by participants with continuous extension based on the experiences obtained in the project.

(6) Collaboration with Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. The GIAHS project aims not only to conserve the genetic resources such as the traditional mode of production and the traditional species, but also to stimulate the local economic development and improve the lives of the people, during the conservation process. This project and GIAHS project have basically the same purpose and philosophy, therefore, in the project implementation process; the global project implementation situation of GIAHS will be fully monitored, to summarize the experiences of the GIAHS project to be used in the practice of this project.

Since 1992, when the Chinese government signed the "Convention on Biological Diversity" , China has listed both the conservation and sustainable utilization of agriculture biodiversity as its important goals in the relevant promulgated policies and regulations, such as "Chinese biodiversity conservation action plan" (BCAP 1994), of which the target four points that genetic resources of crops and livestock should be conserved in-situ; In the ten priority areas of "Chinese biodiversity conservation strategy and action plan" (2010), one of which is the establishment of the policy, the laws and the regulations system for conservation and sustainable utilization of biodiversity, and the third priority area is to enhance the biodiversity


Description of the consistency of the project with:B.1 Is the project consistent with the National strategies and plans or reports and assessments under relevant conventions?(yes

/no ). If yes, which ones and how: NAPAs, NAPs, ASGM NAPs, MIAs, NBSAPs, NCs, TNAs, NCSAs, NIPs, PRSPs, NPFE, BURs, etc.:

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conservation on the site, which are consistent with the goals of this project. One of the five primary goals of "Chinese Agricultural Biodiversity Action Plan" (1993) is to strengthen in-situ conservation of main ecosystem and species. Recently, MOA is preparing to update the action plan to meet new requirements for Agricultural Biodiversity; In the "Chinese twenty-first Century agricultural agenda"(1999), the rational utilization and environmental protection of the resources including conservation of biodiversity are stated as the main content, and the sixth aspect of the priority filed in the plan framework of priority project is the sustainable agriculture development. In the "CBD report" (first to fifth version), the conservation and sustainable utilization of biodiversity in China are stated as an important strategic target with systematic descriptions in all the versions; in the National Report on Genetic Resources of Food and Agricultural Plants submitted to FAO by the Chinese government (first, second), the progress of the conservation of crop genetic diversity was summarized, and the outstanding achievements of the sustainable utilization was described. In addition, NDRC issued “Medium and Long Term Developing Plan for the Conservation and Utilization of Crop Germplasm Resources in China (2015-2030) in 2015. It is aimed to overcome the significant scientific and technical issues of conservation and sustainable utilization of germplasm resources, further increase the quantity and diversity of conserved germplasm resources, discover and create excellent germplasm and gene resources to provide basic support for the breeding of new crop varieties, developing seed industry and ensuring food security.

Biodiversity conservation and climate change are becoming the country’s “Hot Point” by both the top government leaders and ordinary people. Since 2012, “Ecological Civilization of China” has been recognized by every person everywhere. To promote the new concept, the top leaders in China strengthen the importance of conservation of ecosystems and environments. For instance, China organized celebration activities for International Biodiversity Day (May 22) every year, whenever the premier or vice premier gave speeches to promote biodiversity conservation. China established one national committee on biodiversity conservation which is chaired by a Vice Premier. In 2014’s committee meeting, Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli strengthen to make more efforts to manage, collect, conserve, research, share, utilize and exchange genetic resources to stop genetic resources from damage.

In addition, since the Sixth Five-year Plan, the Ministry of Agriculture has started to include the conservation and sustainable utilization of plant genetic diversity into each of the five-year plans. Special projects have been implemented, which have kept the crop genetic diversity conservation work in China in the forefront of the world. In the Plan of Crop Germplasm Resources Conservation recently developed by MoA (2013), the strategic concept of combining conservation and sustainable utilization and to promote conservation via utilization was proposed.


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PART I: PROJECT INFORMATIONProject Title: Strengthening coordinated approaches to reduce invasive alien species (IAS)

threats to globally significant agrobiodiversity and agroecosystems in China Country(ies): ChinaGEF Agency(ies): UNDP Other Executing Partner(s): Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Environmental Protection, General

Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and QuarantineGEF Focal Area(s): Biodiversity

A. FOCAL AREA STRATEGY F RAMEWORK AND OTHER PROGRAM STRATEGIES :


Trust Fund

(in $)GEF Project Financing

Co-financing

BD-2 Program 4 GEFTF 2,789,908 18,900,000Total Project Cost 2,789,908 18,900,000

B. CHILD PROJECT DESCRIPTION SUMMARY Project Objective: To strengthen intersectoral coordination mechanisms, approaches and technical capacity for more effective prevention, control and management of IAS threats to agrobiodiversity in China.

Project Components

Type

Project Outcomes Project Outputs Trust Fund

(in $)GEF

Project Financing

Co-financing

1. Strengthened enabling environment

TA 1a) Strengthened policy and regulatory framework for the prevention, control and management of IAS, as indicated by approved policies and regulations which address the gaps and weaknesses identified in project baselines.

1b) IAS-related strategies of MoA, MEP and AQSIQ strengthened to incorporate inter-sectoral response mechanisms for reduction of IAS threats to agrobiodiversity at the national level and within target provinces, as indicated by the incorporation of actions, targets and indicators to reduce IAS threats to agrobiodiversity, established and used inter-agency coordination mechanisms, and increased financial

1.1. Policies influencing management of IAS impacts on agrobiodiversity are reviewed and revised/ developed at the national level and in target provinces.

1.2 An effective regulatory framework for ‘key ecological function areas’ is established to prevent the introduction of IAS to areas of significance for agrobiodiversity.

1.3 Regulatory framework for preventing IAS introduction at ports is revised and revised, including inspection, assessment, approval, disposal and quarantine requirements.

1.4 Strategic plans for IAS are developed at national and provincial level defining common targets and actions, and clarifying the responsibilities of agencies involved in IAS management,

GEFTF 425,000 2,160,000


NAME OF PROGRAM:PRC-GEF PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT


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commitments to IAS management in agroecosystems.

1c) Strengthened international cooperation reduces the threat of entry of IAS to China and potential impacts on agrobiodiversity, as indicated by IAS integrated into international agreements and improved bilateral and multilateral information exchange.

Baseline and targets will be confirmed during PPG.

including roles related to agrobiodiversity conservation. 1.5 Inter-agency coordination mechanisms are established supporting IAS strategic plan implementation and improving the management of IAS threats to agrobiodiversity.

1.6 Sectoral strategies are revised to align with the national IAS strategic plan, mainstreaming relevant actions, indicators and targets to address IAS threats to agroecosystems.

1.7 IAS is integrated into multilateral or bilateral agreements to strengthen international cooperation on the prevention, control and management of IAS impacts on agrobiodiversity.

2. Comprehensive IAS management frameworks and strengthened institutional capacity

TA 2. Strengthened institutional capacities and interagency response mechanisms for IAS detection, quarantine, disposal, monitoring, early warning and rapid response, as indicated by the UNDP capacity scorecard and relevant parts of the GEF IAS TT.


2.1 National IAS monitoring and evaluation system is enhanced and a database and evaluation tool is developed and used by agencies, providing an integrated system to detect and track IAS and reduce threats to biodiversity including agrobiodiversity.

2.2 Methodologies for risk assessment, early warning and rapid response to IAS incursions in agroecosystems are developed and used.

2.3 Strengthened IAS prevention, detection, inspection, quarantine and disposal systems are developed for ports, and demonstrated at Fuzhou and Haikou ports, reducing the threat of entry of IAS through a high-risk invasion pathway.

2.4 Skills base of core IAS management agencies is strengthened through training and the development of guidelines and the integration of R&D supporting upscaling of IAS prevention, control and management systems.

840,000 5,260,000

3. Demonstration of IAS threat reduction in agroecosystems

TA 3a) Increased effectiveness of approaches to prevent, control and manage IAS impacts on

3.1 Participatory approaches for preventing, controlling and managing IAS are demonstrated over 60 ha within two target agricultural

857,908 7,400,000


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agroecosystems in target provinces, as indicated by i) a 50% increase in the number of inter-sectoral IAS prevention, control and management actions; ii) faster response times; iii) demonstrated impact in reducing IAS threats to agrobiodiversity in two target landscapes of 35,000 ha including no new introductions of IAS, a 60% reduction in IAS coverage, and recovery of agroecosystems as IAS threats are reduced (indicators to be developed for impact of IAS threat reduction on target GRFA).

3b) Capacities of county-level agricultural support agencies, agricultural enterprises and farming communities strengthened for reduction of IAS impacts on agrobiodiversity, as indicated by the results of UNDP capacity scorecard.


landscapes, providing viable and cost-effective techniques to reduce IAS threats and impacts.

3.2 Improved understanding of IAS distribution and impacts on agrobiodiversity at two target landscapes through targeted and management-oriented surveys and assessments.

3.3 Operational IAS management plans are developed for two target landscapes and implemented over 35,000 ha demonstrably reducing IAS threats on target varieties and species.

3.4 Farming communities, agricultural enterprises, NGOs and extension agencies are capacitated through training and the development of technical guidelines that build the knowledge and skills base of all groups to work together to address IAS threats to agroecosystems.

4. Awareness raising, knowledge management and coordination

TA 4a) Increased awareness of IAS in China, their impact on agroecosystems and increased support for IAS management, as indicated by knowledge and awareness surveys of public, NGOs, relevant agencies and government decision makers.

4b) Improved knowledge management systems support up-scaling, as indicated by key stakeholder groups having access to knowledge products and tools developed by the project.

4c) Effective program coordination, monitoring and evaluation, as indicated by:i) program M&E system established; ii) consolidation of child project outcomes at the program level; iii) results-

4.1 Awareness-raising materials and educational curricula are developed and used by a range of national, provincial and local organizations.

4.2 A national web-based IAS information and communication platform is established providing a forum for information-sharing and communication on prevention, control and management of IAS in agroecosystems.

4.3 A Program Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation Plan is developed, adopted and effectively implemented.

GEFTF 535,000 3,690,000


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based program management and regular communication between child projects.


Subtotal 2,657,908 18,510,000Project Management Cost (PMC) 132,000 390,000

Total Project Cost 2,789,908 18,900,000

C. CO-FINANCING FOR THE PROJECT BY SOURCE, BY TYPE AND BY NAME Sources of Co-financing Name of Co-financier Type of Co-financing Amount ($)Recipient Government Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of

Environmental Protection, General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) and relevant sectors

Grants 10,710,000

Recipient Government Project provinces and counties Grants 6,300,000Private Sector Enterprises and NGOs Grants/in-kind 1,890,000(select) (select)(select) (select)Total Co-financing 18,900,000

D.TRUST FUND RESOURCES REQUESTED BY AGENCY(IES), COUNTRY(IES) AND THE PROGRAMMING OF FUNDS A) N/A

PART II: PROJECT JUSTIFICATIONProject OverviewA.1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION. BRIEFLY DESCRIBE: i) The global environmental and/or adaptation problems, root causes and barriers that need to be addressed

China is one of the world’s 15 mega-diverse countries. It is extremely rich in biodiversity, with 34,984 species of higher plants and 6,445 species of vertebrates. It is one of the origins of rice, soybean, many fruit trees and other important crops, and is recognized as one of Vavilov’s original centers of genetic diversity. It also has an extremely rich genetic diversity of livestock species. Many important local varieties are found across China’s diverse habitats and socio-ecological contexts.

Invasive alien species (IAS) are a significant driver of biodiversity loss worldwide. The IUCN Red List notes that an alarming 30% of species extinctions are caused by IAS. These non-native species have the potential to alter the ecosystems they invade, cause severe environmental and economic damage, and reduce genetic diversity and species richness. China’s rich biodiversity makes it especially vulnerable to the impacts of IAS.

The effects of IAS on native species and ecosystems – and particularly agroecosystems – in China are not comprehensively understood, and more data is required to assess their true impact. However, i t is estimated that 15-20% of wild and higher plant habitats in China are threatened by IAS. There are 529 IAS that have been recorded in China, with 120 of these species known to have caused large-scale ecosystem and/or economic damage. Of the world's 100 most threatening IAS identified by IUCN, over half have been recorded in China where they have widely invaded forests, wetlands, grasslands and marine ecosystems and caused significant damage to nature reserves, ecological function areas and agroecosystems. It is estimated that annual environmental and economic losses from IAS amount to $14.7 billion, or about 1.36% of GDP.

IAS widely invade habitats greatly reducing species and genetic diversity. IAS pose a particular risk to China’s


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agrobiodiversity including rare traditional varieties that are already threatened by the widespread shift of farmers towards new breeds and modern production techniques. The agriculture sector is a high-risk invasion pathway for the introduction of IAS, with exotic species deliberately brought into agricultural systems or unintentionally introduced as insects or seeds carried in with agricultural goods. Over 80% of China’s IAS have been recorded in agricultural ecosystems. Once established in agroecosystems, IAS risk spread and further establishment in surrounding ecosystems. Importantly, many of the IAS that threaten agroecosystems in China are similarly invasive in natural forest and wetland ecosystems.

The establishment of the noxious weed Mikania micrantha (mile-a-minute) in Hainan provides an example of the rapid nature in which IAS are spreading. This perennial creeper with vigorous and rampant growth has invaded 84 counties across Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan and Yunnan, causing direct economic losses of over $33,000,000. Since its discovery in Hainan in 2003, M. micrantha has spread to multiple counties and cities, favouring disturbed habitats such as farmland, orchards, plantation forests and roadsides. Localized invasions now threaten many traditional varieties of fruit trees including broad-leaved wild kiwi, longan and litchi. The wide-ranging M. micrantha has the potential to spread across the whole of Hainan Island posing a large risk to the conservation of its globally significant biodiversity and agrobiodiversity should it be allowed to become widely established. M. micrantha is just one of 280 IAS recorded in Hainan, that combined threaten a significant proportion of the province’s biodiversity including its rich agrobiodiversity. For example, Hainan has 16 endemic livestock species, 142 species of tropical fruit and 170 local varieties, and 400 varieties of Shanlan rice. Traditional varieties of wild rice, wild litchi, and wild water chestnut are all threatened by IAS.

In the major agricultural province of Guizhou over 130 IAS have been recorded, of which 13 species are known to cause significant agricultural damage and threaten agrobiodiversity. The border mountains of Guizhou have been identified as one of eight plant diversity hotspots in China, while the province’s rich traditional agricultural history has led to the evolution of significant traditional varieties, including precious Chinese herbal medicines. This diversity is threatened by an expanding threat of IAS in Guizhou. In recent years, IAS impacts have included a 30% decline in rice yield across 28 counties due to an outbreak of rice water weevil (Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus) and the degradation of 40,000 ha of grassland in Qianxinan Prefecture due to the choking spread of croftonweed (Eupatorium adenophurum). Traditional varieties used for herbal medicine – including Chinese gall (Rhus chinensis), hardy rubber tree (Eucommia ulmoides) and Phellodendron chinense – are particularly threatened by IAS, as is a globally important agricultural heritage area containing traditional wild rice varieties.

In the mountainous southern province of Fujian, IAS pose an increasing threat to forest, river, coastal and agricultural areas. Fujian is of great significance for biodiversity. It houses the Wuyishan Biosphere Reserve which contains the largest, most representative example of a largely intact forest ecosystem in China, protecting globally significant species including Magnolia amoena38. The Wuyi mountains also have a long history of tea cultivation and are one of the major centres of global tea production and the origin of both black tea and oolong tea. Highly-prized teas, including Lapsang souchong and Da Hong Pao, are known from the region. The border port in the capital, Fuzhou, is a point of heavy trade and a high risk invasion pathway for IAS. Hundreds of pest species have been intercepted in shipments, including the European olive psyllid detected in imported Italian olive seedlings, Brinell snail in imported waste plastics, and krill in illegal mailing.

The above example of M. micrantha is not unique. Many other IAS across China carry a similar risk of potential spread to natural ecosystems from agroecosystems. Once established, there would be little that could be done to eradicate these IAS and efforts would shift to damage control of impacts and the targeted protection of critical habitats, with significant degradation of China’s biodiversity likely. While information on the distribution and impacts of IAS on agroecosystems in China remains incomplete, it is known that in areas with widespread invasion, IAS threatens genetic resources of importance for food and agriculture (GRFA) and degrades species richness. In some agroecosystems IAS currently exist in scattered invasions in disturbed habitats and are not yet broadly established. This provides a window of opportunity to strengthen

38 A southeast China endemic listed as ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List.


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comprehensive IAS management frameworks, focus on the highest risk IAS and agroecosystems most threatened by IAS invasion, and prevent the entry and further establishment of IAS by securing priority invasion pathways.

The root causes and drivers of IAS invasion are linked to the rapid economic development of China. Recent years have seen an explosive growth in domestic and international trade and tourism, which greatly increases the potential for new introductions of exotic species, either deliberately or accidentally.

The dependence of agricultural production on new varieties and breeds has led to the introduction of pests and diseases that threaten local species and varieties. Modern agricultural production and processing systems, including greater transport of seed stock and products to markets, increases the potential risk of spread of IAS.

Development-related impacts such as construction of roads and irrigation schemes, intensified agriculture and urban development facilitate the establishment and spread of IAS. Many incursions of IAS are found in disturbed habitats where it is easier for IAS to become established and out-compete other species. Degraded health of ecosystems – brought about by diverse factors including habitat loss and fragmentation, altered species composition and impaired ecological processes – also facilitates the establishment of IAS.

Long-term vision and barriers that need to be addressed to achieve it.

The long-term vision is to ensure that the conservation of China’s agrobiodiversity and the sustainable development of China’s agricultural sector using local varieties are not threatened by IAS, due to effective prevention, detection, control and management of IAS in China.

The key barriers to the achievement of this vision are outlined below:

Barrier 1: Policies, regulations and management frameworks are piecemeal and are not integrated between sectors or between national, provincial and county levels.

At the national level, IAS management laws and regulations are fragmented. A number of national laws and regulations incorporate clauses that relate to the prevention, control and management of IAS, including entry and exit animal and plant quarantine law, agriculture law, fisheries law, forest law and environmental protection law, but there is no overarching strategic framework to guide the application of these laws. In China, IAS management involves many sectors such as agriculture, environmental protection, forestry, border control, inspection and quarantine, with multiple and complicated procedures. Overlapping management responsibilities, fragmentation, duplication, gaps in overall prevention, control and management responsibilities, and a lack of integration and coordination exist between different sectors at all levels. At the local level, IAS management agencies are not well organized, responsibilities and duties are unclear and there is weak capacity for effective implementation. In 60% of counties IAS management agencies have not been established, leading to poor implementation of relevant national laws, regulations and policies.

Barrier 2: Lack of comprehensive and effective tools, techniques and systems for risk assessment, prevention, monitoring, early warning and rapid response, and lack of institutional capacity to implement them.

Current efforts to control IAS are hampered by low capacity and a lack of comprehensive and integrated frameworks and systems for prediction, monitoring, early warning and rapid response. IAS control is most effective if invasions are caught before IAS have had the opportunity to establish. Without effective monitoring, early warning and rapid response systems Chinese authorities often miss the most effective opportunity for prevention and control of new incursions. The agriculture sector is a high-risk invasion pathway for IAS and there is an increasing use of exotic species and internationally-imported varieties within farming systems.

There is inadequate inspection and supervision capacity to oversee the extensive entry and exit pathways for


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IAS, and further knowledge and control of priority pathways is required. There is inadequate attention placed on prevention, early detection and control. There are monitoring ‘blind spots’ and a lack of professionally trained staff and outdated quarantine and monitoring equipment, including at key border entry points (e.g. seaports that process significant volumes of agricultural products) for IAS threats to agroecosystems. With the emergence of e-commerce, traditional IAS inspection modes and monitoring systems are further challenged and need to be adapted to respond to modern trade and Customs procedures. Technological limitations include a lack of efficient large-scale monitoring and remote sensing analysis techniques to assess IAS coverage and damage.

Barrier 3: Lack of effective and adopted approaches for controlling IAS impacts on agrobiodiversity.

There is a lack of effective mechanisms, approaches and frameworks for achieving integrated management of IAS in agroecosystems. The potential application of effective international and domestic approaches to the different eco-regions and agroecological contexts in China has not been assessed. There is a need to identify the most effective approaches (e.g. biological control, chemical control, ecological control, manual control etc.) for the management and control of IAS impacts on different agroecosystems and species including globally significant agricultural genetic resources. There is a dearth of information on effective approaches for reducing IAS threats and impacts to traditional varieties across different eco-regions, along with limited information on safe and effective approaches for controlling IAS in agricultural landscapes (e.g. safe spraying, biological control, isolation). Knowledge on the impacts of IAS on different agroecosystems is also incomplete.

Farming communities have a low level of awareness of IAS and are not currently involved in supporting agricultural and environmental agencies to control and manage IAS impacts across agricultural landscapes and on significant agrobiodiversity. This low awareness is compounded by the limited understanding of the intrinsic value and economic benefits of local agricultural varieties – awareness that would facilitate a greater involvement of farming communities in controlling IAS impacts on agrobiodiversity.

Barrier 4: Weak public and institutional awareness of the threats posed by IAS to agrobiodiversity and agricultural development and of appropriate prevention, control and management measures.

Despite recent government awareness-raising efforts, the general public, particularly in rural areas, lack awareness of IAS threats, species and the impacts and damage that they can cause to agricultural landscapes, genetic diversity, economies and livelihoods. Many people, including within farming communities, casually introduce or illegally carry and release new international varieties for agriculture or ornamental plants, fish, pets and other exotic species, increasing the risk of new incursions or spread of existing IAS to new areas. Provincial governments have a strong focus on economic development and poverty alleviation, particularly in remote areas which often house rich biodiversity and unique local varieties within agricultural landscapes. Current community education and training capacity related to IAS – including the risks that they pose and priority responses to prevent and control incursions – is restricted. There is limited investment in public education on IAS which is not included in the government's public training programs.

ii) The baseline scenario and any associated baseline projects

In 2003 the Chinese Government authorized the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) to organize, lead and coordinate the prevention and control of IAS across the country, establishing an IAS Management Office. The office is responsible for day-to-day management of IAS and also conducts activities to support investigation, monitoring and capacity building. In 2005, the IAS Management Office issued a set of major agricultural pests and invasive alien species emergency plans, followed by a National Key Management List of IAS in 2013. Since 2003, MoA has also carried out intensive eradication of about 20 IAS, including ragweed and alligator weed, in 22 provinces and more than 600 cities and counties. Eradication efforts covered an area of over 573 hectares. During 2016-2010, $3 million will be invested per annum into the operation of this office.


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The agricultural sector has formed a national, provincial, prefectural and county-level monitoring and warning network for IAS, which is led by MoA’s Rural Energy & Environment Agency. It involves agricultural environmental station in 34 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities), 276 ground-level stations and 1,572 county stations. MoA investment into the early warning and monitoring equates to around $1.8 million per annum over 2016-2020.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection organized the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences and their subordinate departments from different provinces in China to investigate and intensively monitor IAS within national natural reserves and significant ecological function areas. This has yielded initial findings on the distribution and impact of IAS on some endangered species and protected ecosystems. The Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) investigated 35 of the IAS known to have a significant detrimental effect on biodiversity, and have developed and demonstrated prevention and control techniques in national natural reserves and significant ecological function areas. In 2003, 2010, 2014 and 2016, the Ministry of Environmental Protection has released lists of IAS in China, covering 71 species in total across the four lists. It also published a series of books such as Invasive Species in the Natural Environment of China. Annual investment into IAS-related matters by MEP is around $7.3 million.

Under the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) there are currently 35 immediate Inspection and Quarantine Bureaus which conduct inspection and quarantine of IAS at more than 400 ports nationwide. Supporting this, the Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine carries out risk assessment on IAS. In addition to carrying out inspection and quarantine for general cargo, the port inspection and quarantine departments undertake inspection of passengers and mail, focusing on high-risk items such as seedlings, plants and animals being introduced to China. AQSIQ capacity has been greatly increased through the use of x-ray technology and sniffer dogs. As a result, the number of intercepted exotic pest species has been increasing. This could indicate the increased effectiveness of inspection and control processes, but may also reflect greater numbers of IAS being brought into China as both travel and trade increases. AQSIQ has also developed a series of regulations related to IAS supervision at ports, such as the “regulations for inspection and quarantine of aquatic animals” and “regulations for quarantine of plant propagation material”.

Chemical, biological, and alternative control technologies for IAS have been developed and demonstrated including the development of efficient spraying techniques like low-volume spraying and electrostatic ultra-low volume spraying. Ecological management techniques using grass, shrubs and crops to out-compete invasive plants have been developed. A coconut leaf beetle predator factory has been established and over 2.8 billion ‘natural enemies’ have been produced. The area treated by ‘natural enemies’ is now around 100,000 hectares.

An information database comprising 544 IAS has been established and rapid molecular detection techniques for more than 70 dangerous IAS have been developed. Technical guidelines for emergency prevention and control of 52 IAS of agricultural significance have been developed and technical specifications for monitoring, assessment, prevention and control of 21 IAS have been released. Documents have been published to support agencies in the prevention, management and control of IAS including an Integrated Prevention and Control Handbook for Major National Invasive Alien Species, a publication on Invasive Species in the Natural Environment in China and a publication outlining 100 Issues relating to IAS in Agriculture. National IAS emergency and management and training has also been supported for a range of agencies.

Nine provinces have also modified and improved their local agriculture and environment protection regulations and strengthened provisions for monitoring IAS, but investment and success in IAS management is variable.

Provincial baselines

This project will conduct activities in three provinces. The control and reduction of IAS impacts on agroecosystems will be demonstrated in Guizhou and Hainan. Management systems to secure the potential GEF-6 Child Project Concept Note-March2015

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Stakeholder Roles and ResponsibilitiesMinistry of Finance (MoF) As the GEF focal point MOF have a core role in providing high level strategic guidance and will

provide comments on and sign off the project design document. They will be a core member of the overall Program Steering Committee.


As the GEF Agency for this project, and also the overall Program Coordinating Agency (PCA), UNDP will be responsible for coordination of all aspects of project design and implementation, helping to steer and ensure quality control throughout design and implementation, in order to meet UNDP, GOC and GEF standards and strategic objectives.

Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) Will be directly involved in and will steer project design as the project executing agency. MoA will also have lead responsibility for overall communication with UNDP and with with relevant government agencies involved in the project at both national and local levels. They will provide comments on the draft project design and will sign off on the final document. MOA as the leading agency will be responsible for developing relevant policies and regulations for the prevention and control of IAS, establishing a database and information exchange platform, promoting the establishment of multi-sectoral coordination mechanism, conducting demonstration of IAS prevention and control and carrying out awareness raising activities.

Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP)

MEP will provide key guidance and inputs to design as one of the core partners in this project. In particular MEP will provide guidance to the PPG on: relevant regulations and laws for control of IAS impacts on biodiversity and in protected areas, prompting the establishment of an IAS prevention and control multi-sectoral coordination mechanism, incorporation of environmental impact assessment of IAS within the national environmental impact assessment system, and training needs and approaches for significant ecological areas and nature reserves. MEP will participate in the implementation of the project, and be responsible for the R&D of IAS-related laws and regulations, promoting the establishment of an IAS prevention and control multi-sectorial coordination mechanism and monitoring and assessment of IAS in natural ecosystems.

General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ)

AQSIQ is the vital partner of this project. AQSIQ will provide key guidance and inputs to design. Within project execution they will be Project Steering Committee members. In design AQSIQ will provide guidance to the PPG on the current policy and regulatory framework for inspection and quarantine to guide project component 1; Capacity building needs for strengthening control of entry of IAS at borders under component 2 and specific inputs to guide the design of capacity building support at demonstration ports.

All-China Women’s Federation (WF)

The Women’s Federation will provide guidance to project design to ensure that issues and needs related to women are fully considered and that women are given equal opportunities to participate in the project. They will be Project Steering Committee members.


The Communist Youth League will provide guidance to project design to ensure that issues and needs of young people are considered in the development of project activities. The League will be Project Steering Committee members.

The port authority The port authorities at Fuzhou and Haikou will provide key inputs to design to ensure that design of capacity building activities and of upgraded systems, tools and techniques address core issues and are well adapted to the operational and institutional context at each port.

Local government Local government decision making bodies and local sectoral departments and agencies will provide key inputs to design of project activities in target provinces and counties. They will provide comments on the draft project document and will approve activities and support structures at the provincial and county levels.

Scientific research institutions Support project design and implementation through technical advice and identify opportunities for the scientific community to support project implementation. Provide information on current and planned research and development initiatives and opportunities to target research towards IAS prevention, management and control needs.

The enterprises involved in project demonstration and

Participate in project design to scope the involvement of the private sector in project implementation and to enable identification of IAS risks inherent in current private sector

39 Impact on South sea ecosystem by invasive alien species in Southern breeding and the research and service platform construction of ecological security defense system in Southern breeding, specifically for the development of invasion ecology and control technology research products of Mikania micrantha, Alternanthera philoxeroides and Brontispa longissimi.


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replication activities, levels of awareness and opportunities to reduce threats through the project.

Civil society groups and NGOs Provide advice and inputs to project design to clarify the involvement of civil society groups and NGOs in project implementation, to support assessment of current issues, needs and aspirations and to ensure project approaches involve communities meet social needs.

Farming communities Provide key inputs to design to ensure that project approaches and activities address the needs and aspirations of farming communities and support livelihoods. During implementation farming communities at demonstration landscapes will be key partners, helping to identify IAS impacts and distribution, to clarify pathways for introduction of IAS to agroecosystems, clarifying levels of knowledge and awareness, and supporting the development of IAS control and management strategies at the local level that can be replicated elsewhere.

A.3 Risk. Indicate risks, including climate change, potential social and environmental risks that might prevent the project objectives from being achieved, and, if possible, propose measures that address these risks to be further developed during the project design.

Risk Rating

Preventative measures

There may be resistance from agencies to institutional reform and changed roles and responsibilities proposed under the project, particularly if there are budgetary implications.

Low Streamlining of sectoral agencies functions is currently an issue being considered by the Government at a number of levels and there is likely to be high level support for rationalization of IAS prevention, control and management to achieve greater effectiveness and efficiency. The government recognizes the negative impact of IAS on China’s economy and the key threat posed by IAS to China’s natural resource base, and will therefore give due priority to recommendations emerging from the project.

The proposed project implementing structure recognizes and reflects the different roles of MoA, MEP and AQSIQ in IAS management and the importance of involving all in project design and in the project steering committee. This will ensure that project activities, outputs and outcomes have the support and backing of the key agencies and that the project is able to establish a more coordinated, cohesive, effective and efficient system for IAS prevention, control and management. The direct involvement of decision makers within the core agencies within the project steering committee is also likely to support rationalization of budgetary allocations for IAS prevention, control and management even if increased expenditure is required in some areas.

Regional differences in the priority given to IAS management.

Low Awareness of IAS impacts and the priority given to IAS prevention, control and management varies significantly between regions. In areas where poverty alleviation and economic development are the key provincial priority there may be resistance to increasing the strategic and budgetary focus on IAS prevention, control and management.

A number of core national strategies and plans require provincial governments to address IAS threats. This along with the high-level support for the project among key sectoral agencies will help to increase the priority given to IAS management at all levels.

Under Component 3, the project will support widespread awareness raising of the economic and environmental impacts of IAS again helping to increase understanding of and support for IAS prevention, control and management.

Natural disasters may negatively impact on demonstration landscapes reducing the effectiveness of IAS management and control approaches under the project.

Medium

Disaster risk management strategies will be incorporated in to project design during the PPG, as part of adaptive management. Regular monitoring and evaluation will also help to ensure the project can rapidly adapt to changing situations and that impacts are clearly visible and recorded in the face of natural disasters.

The Government of China has established a National Climate Change Adapting Strategy, National Natural Disaster Rescue Plan, National Meteorological Disaster Preparedness and Major Natural Disaster Emergency Contingency Plans. The project will align disaster risk management closely with these plans and involves key agencies response agencies within the project steering committee including MoA and MEP.



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The following are core initiatives with which the project will coordinate its activities, outputs and outcomes:

(1) The Chinese Biodiversity Cooperation Framework (CBPF) is an initiative funded by GEF, implemented by UNDP, led by the Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection, and implemented jointly by relevant Ministries, to develop a set of effective support methods and plans to reduce biodiversity loss across China. It provides a platform for mutual exchange between international organizations, the central decision makers and technical experts, and an overarching framework for coordination, enhancing the potential for scaling up of impacts.

(2) The Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) initiative of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is supporting a number of initiatives in China. China has adopted the GIAHS philosophy and goals within a national scheme: the Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage System (NIAHS). GIAHS/NIAHS objectives align very closely with those of the program for Agrobiodiversity Conservation for Food Security (ABC-FS) in China. During the PPG process, the project design team will liaise with the GIAHS/NIAHS to identify opportunities for collaboration and synergy in reducing the threats posed by IAS to NIAHS. The international GIAHS initiative also provides a wealth of knowledge from other countries and other provinces in China that can be used to support effective design of this project.

(3) The project for sustainable management of biodiversity in the mountain areas of southern China aims to implement innovative strategies and methods for the sustainable management of biodiversity in model villages in the mountain area of southern China. The project promotes farming methods that are will not damage agricultural biodiversity. It is being implemented by a technology company from Germany, with the partnership of the Ministry of Agriculture. The PPG process will explore the potential coordination and will build on lessons learned and results achieved through the core role of the MoA in execution of both initiatives.

(4) This project is integrated within the proposed GEF-PRC Partnership Program for Sustainable Agriculture Development. All child projects will be designed to complement each other (see Table 4 in the Program Framework Document) and effective coordination will be achieved through program Component 4 (with this project having a major role in its delivery). This project will seek to facilitate the inclusion of IAS knowledge, techniques and approaches within the demonstration activities of the other child projects.

The project is well-aligned to international targets for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. It will contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, most notably via target 15.8 to reduce the impacts of IAS on land and water ecosystems, target 2.5 to maintain the genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and their related wild species, target 2.4 to ensure sustainable and resilient food production systems and target 15.5 to stem the rate of biodiversity loss. The project will support multiple Aichi biodiversity targets, primarily 7 (sustainable agriculture), 9 (IAS management), 12 (threatened species) and 13 (genetic diversity of cultivated plants and animals and their wild relatives).

China signed the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992. The project is consistent with China’s National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (NPSAP; 2011-2030). In particular it supports China in achieving Priority Area 7: ‘To strengthen biosafety management of IAS and genetically modified organisms’. Under Priority Area 7 China’s NBSAP lists the following objectives to:

Improve research on the invasion mechanism, diffusion path, control measures as well as means of use of invasive alien species.

Establish a system of monitoring, warning and risk management of invasive alien species.


3. DESCRIPTION OF THE CONSISTENCY OF THE PROJECT WITH:4. B.1 Is the project consistent with the National strategies and plans or reports and assessements under relevant conventions? (yes

/no ). If yes, which ones and how: NAPAs, NAPs, ASGM NAPs, MIAs, NBSAPs, NCs, TNAs, NCSAs, NIPs, PRSPs, NPFE, BURs, etc.:

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Improve research on environmental release, risk assessment and environmental impact assessment of genetically modified organisms by improving related technical standards and regulations to ensure the safety of the environmental release of GMOs.

Improve research on technologies for biodiversity conservation to cope with climate change and explore related management measures to mitigate impacts.

Establish a monitoring and warning system of pathogenic and epidemic microorganisms and improve emergency response capabilities to protect the health of human beings and domesticated animals.

The project also contributes to a number of national development and management plans including the national: Plan for Sustainable Development of Agriculture (2015-2030) Major Agricultural Pest and Invasive Species Emergency Contingency Plans and the Strategy for

Controlling Invasive Species in the Agriculture and Forestry sectors Resource Conservation and Utilization Plan for National Biological Species Aquatic Biological Resources Conservation Action Program National Research and Development plan and National Medium and Long-term Plan for Science and

Technology Development (2006-2020).

Annex 1: Selection criteria for target agricultural landscapes

All agricultural landscapes will be areas: with globally important agrobiodiversity, where IAS are having a negative impact on

agroecosystems where communities / farmers are willing to be involved in conservation and sustainable use

initiatives, including women where there is significant co-financing available where agricultural and rural development extension networks are available to support community

based initiatives where implementing agencies and partners are willing to prioritise gender sensitive, participatory

design and implementation where risks have been evaluated and preventative measures identified so that risks do not threaten

the viability of achieving intended impacts where there is the potential to scale up approaches and impacts following the end of the project where there is the potential to align with the activities delivered by other child projects under the

PRC-GEF Partnership Program for Sustainable Agricultural Development.


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PART I: PROJECT INFORMATIONProject Title: Participatory in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity in

HainanCountry(ies): ChinaGEF Agency(ies): UNDP Other Executing Partner(s): Agriculture Department of Hainan ProvinceGEF Focal Area(s): Biodiversity

A. FOCAL AREA STRATEGY F RAMEWORK AND OTHER PROGRAM STRATEGIES :Objectives/Programs (Focal Areas, Integrated Approach Pilot, Corporate Programs)

Trust Fund


Co-financing


NAME OF PROGRAM:PRC-GEF PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM ON SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT


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B. CHILD PROJECT DESCRIPTION SUMMARY Project Objective: Strengthen the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of globally significant agrobiodiversity in Hainan through the development of incentive mechanisms for farmers to sustain populations of endemic crops and livestock, the establishment of a supportive ‘enabling environment’ and strengthened institutional capacity.

Project Components

Type

Project Outcomes Project Outputs Trust Fund

(in $)GEF

Project Financing

Co-financing

1. Strengthened provincial framework

TA 1. Provincial policy and regulatory framework for in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity enhanced, as indicated by: i) a cohesive and gender-mainstreamed provincial policy and regulatory framework which incorporates and actively supports in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversityii) the active use of agrobiodiversity inter-sectoral coordination mechanisms and platforms by key sectors.


1.1. Policies, strategies and regulations are revised and developed to support in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation and are integrated across sectors and provincial-to-county level within the frame of Hainan’s Eco-province Strategy.

1.2 Regulations and implementation frameworks are developed for the use of eco-compensation schemes for in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation.

1.3 Opportunities to establish Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanisms for in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity are demonstrated and supporting mechanisms developed.

1.4 Inter-sectoral coordination mechanisms and information-sharing platforms are established and being used by all relevant sectors.

GEFTF 128,000 700,000

2.Demonstration of sustainable incentive mechanisms for in-situ conservation and use of agrobiodiversity

TA & Inv

2a) Market- and non-market-based sustainable incentive mechanisms established for in-situ conservation and use of agrobiodiversity enable rural farming communities to have viable, long-term income-generating opportunities, as indicated by the number of mechanisms with adequate budget and institutional support established and the household income they generate.

2b) Endemic species and varieties of crops and livestock of global significance for food and

2.1 Market- and non-market-based incentive mechanisms are established and operationalized for at least four indigenous varieties across four target agricultural landscapes of 757 ha, securing sustained livelihood benefits for farmers and improved conservation of target varieties.

2.2 Understanding of agrobiodiversity in Hainan is improved through participatory landscape assessments by farming communities and extension agencies, generating data on the diversity and coverage of crop and livestock species/varieties and use of farming practices.

GEFTF 600,000 5,000,000


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agriculture are being conserved through incentive-based mechanisms, securing sustained livelihood benefits for farmers and in-situ conservation of target species, as indicated by the coverage of target traditional varieties (in has or number per ha) in target agricultural landscapes of 757 ha and the number of traditional varieties and livestock breeds.


2.3 Local agrobiodiversity markets are enhanced through the establishment of at least four unique local product offerings and ‘agro-ecotourism’ experiences link to the growing tourism industry.

2.4 Farmers, farmers’ cooperatives, extension agencies and private sector groups within target agricultural landscapes are capacitated through training and partnership development, supporting the establishment of successful enterprises focused on in-situ use of agrobiodiversity.

3. Mainstreaming and institutional capacity strengthening

TA & Inv

3a) Incentive-based approaches for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity have been mainstreamed within core agencies, as indicated by the existence and implementation of gender-mainstreamed work plans which incorporate in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation with appropriate finances allocated, the establishment of additional replication sites, increased coverage (in ha or number per ha) of traditional crops and livestock, and the number of traditional varieties under in-situ use.

3b) Capacity of agricultural and environmental agencies, research organizations, NGOs and farmers’ organizations strengthened, enabling them to effectively facilitate incentive-based approaches for the in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity, as indicated by the UNDP capacity scorecard and the use of guidelines, manuals and lessons learned to support replication.

Baseline and targets will

3.1 Agricultural and environmental agencies, research organizations, NGOs and farmers organizations are capacitated through training and guidelines, manuals and case studies are developed providing tools for stakeholders to establish incentive based mechanisms for in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity.

3.2 Multi-year work plans of key provincial and county agencies are amended to include the establishment of incentive mechanisms for in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity, including the development of targets and indicators and appropriation of required resources.

3.3 Approaches developed under the project are extended to at least four additional agricultural landscapes covering four additional indigenous varieties over 2,200 ha, generating expertise and support for scaling up across the province.

GEFTF 450,000 3,000,000


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be confirmed during PPG.

4. Awareness raising and knowledge management

TA 4a) Farmers organizations, private sector organizations and the general public have an increased awareness of the value of agrobiodiversity, as indicated by Knowledge, Attitude and Practices surveys.

b) Knowledge management platforms established at the provincial and local levels support results-based management and improved access to information, as indicated by the sharing of products, information and lessons developed under the project.


4.1 An awareness-raising campaign and associated materials are deployed resulting in improved knowledge and understanding of farmers, public and private sector agencies, research organizations and the general public, including young people, on the importance of agrobiodiversity conservation and the value of endemic crops and livestock.

4.2 A provincial agrobiodiversity database is established to support ongoing monitoring of agroecosystems health and to collate information on indigenous varieties, coverage, farming practices and the impact of incentive mechanisms.

4.3 A knowledge and communication platform is established to support sharing of information and coordination across landscapes and partners.

GEFTF 199,633 573,000



C. CO-FINANCING FOR THE PROJECT BY SOURCE, BY TYPE AND BY NAME Sources of Co-financing Name of Co-financier Type of Co-financing Amount ($)Recipient Government MoF Grants 1,140,000Recipient Government Hainan Provincial Government Grants 8,500,000

Recipient Government Demonstration and Extension county government of Hainan Grants 280,000

Private Sector Enterprises and NGOs Grants 110,000Private Sector Farmers' organizations and farmers In-kind 170,000Total Co-financing 10,200,000



Project OverviewA.1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION. BRIEFLY DESCRIBE:

i) The global environmental and/or adaptation problems, root causes and barriers that need to be addressed

China is one of the world’s richest countries in terms of its agrobiodiversity, being one of Vavilov’s original eight independent centres of origin for the domestication of plants. Hainan, the southernmost province, is the


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only island province in China. It covers an area of 33,920 km2 comprising two hundred islands among three archipelagos. It contains a diverse range of tropical and sub-tropical ecosystems and abundant biodiversity. For example, Hainan Island alone has more than 4,200 plant species.

The province also contains globally important agrobiodiversity that is unique across China. There are many locally-distinct varieties of livestock, tropical fruits and rice. Important genetic diversity includes varieties such as Shanlan rice, an upland rice variety well-suited to mountainous areas and very popular in Hainan. Over 400 Shanlan rice varieties are known from Hainan, including black-kerneled varieties. The local varieties of Shanlan rice are still used by farmers in rural areas for their own food.

A wide range of endemic tropical fruits only grow in Hainan. There are 142 species of tropical fruit, among which 66 are cultivated species with over 170 local varieties. There are important local varieties of mango, banana, seedless litchi, rambutan, longan, shaddock, orange and lemon. China has endemic wild mango species and has cultivated mango in Hainan for over 400 years. Some local varieties such as Hongyu and Xiantao mango are famous in China and with consumers across the globe. There are various sweet potato varieties with high yields and quality, in a variety of colours that are used by minority groups to make festival desserts.

The specific geographical and climatic conditions and farming practices in Hainan have also supported the development of a range of globally-important livestock varieties with unique characteristics and traits, and which are extremely popular in China. There are 16 endemic livestock species in Hainan, representing 10% of the local livestock varieties that exist in China. Endemic pig varieties include the Tunchang, Lingao, Wenchang, Anding, Wuzhishan and the Duntou. The Wuzhishan pig is small, hardy, early maturing and easy to graze, and its meat has a unique and popular taste. Hainan cattle, Xinglong buffalo and Hainan black goat have also been bred by local communities to adapt to local conditions and tastes. The Wenchang chicken, Jiaji duck, Dingan goose and Bailian goose are endemic poultry species that are renowned in China and internationally.

Minority groups, such as the Li and Miao, have been farming highland and lowland areas in Hainan for many centuries and have an in-depth knowledge of the land, traditional species and farming practices suited to the range of conditions found in Hainan. In the province’s long history of agricultural development they have bred and cultivated many crop and livestock species that are well-adapted to local environmental conditions and that meet the needs of farming communities. These communities have a wealth of knowledge on traditional crops and livestock and the farming practices suited to them. Hainan’s rich genetic agricultural resource base has been adapted by these local farming practices to suit local tropical ecosystems and to suit local needs and tastes.

However, these traditional farming techniques and indigenous varieties are threatened by modern agricultural production. Over 150 crops in Hainan are known to be under stress and countless local varieties have disappeared. Local livestock such as Wuzhishan pig and Hainan black goat are rapidly decreasing due to the increasing use of commercialized species. Local varieties of Shanlan rice have decreased from over 200 varieties planted in the 1980s to only a handful of varieties now planted in the central mountain areas. Although many indigenous species have been conserved ex-situ in seed banks or in-vitro cultures, some have been lost. Further, even if genetic resources are preserved ex-situ they are then ‘frozen in time’ and cannot continually adapt to changing climatic conditions. There is very little in-situ conservation and an ever-decreasing on-farm use of traditional crops and livestock, and a corresponding decline in the rich and unique genetic resource base of indigenous varieties.Threats and root causes of agrobiodiversity loss

Until the late 20th century, Hainan’s economy was predominantly agricultural, with agricultural products accounting for most of the island’s exports. The central government encouraged rapid development of the island designating it as China’s largest special economic zone. Economic development, including urbanization, industrialization, commercialization of the agriculture sector, an expanding tourism sector, and a growing population have put significant pressure on Hainan’s natural resource base, through increasing demand for food, land and water. These development-related impacts have included widespread deforestation, reclamation of


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land for construction and farming, over-grazing of pastoral lands and ongoing expansion of the built environment. These mounting development pressures are reducing the habitats important to Hainan’s agrobiodiversity, resulting in a continual decline of the genetic diversity of plant and animal species in Hainan.

The influx of people has led to the introduction of invasive species which are a major threat to agrobiodiversity. The spread of IAS is a particular threat to the island ecosystems of Hainan. There are 280 species of IAS recorded in Hainan, that combined threaten up to 40% of the province’s significant indigenous biological resources. The establishment of IAS results in a loss of habitat for crops, the introduction and spread of livestock diseases, and insect pests that damage crops and fruit orchards. For example, an invasion of the coconut hispid beetle Brontispa longissima resulted in the death of some 3.3 million coconut trees in 2015. Since its arrival in Hainan in 2003, the noxious weed Mikania micrantha has spread to spread to multiple counties and cities, with invasions threatening many endemic and rare fruit varieties including broad-leaved kiwifruit, pineapple, longan and lychee. These IAS have the potential to establish widely across acroecosystems and natural ecosystems, risking agricultural production and agrobiodiversity, and more broadly the conservation of Hainan’s globally significant biodiversity.

Modernization of the agricultural sector has been central to Hainan’s economic development strategy. The Provincial government has issued numerous laws, regulations and policies to encourage farmers to cultivate and breed new crop and livestock varieties and to adopt modern production techniques. These have supported poverty reduction among farming communities but have resulted in an ever-decreasing use of local crop and livestock varieties. Farmers are drawn towards commercialized crops which are seen to offer greater potential for economic gain than traditional varieties. However, these modern commercial varieties tend to have a narrow genetic base and are vulnerable to environmental shocks and stresses.

New cultivation techniques have been readily accepted by farmers due to the potential for greater economic gain as well as the incentives and support offered by the agricultural sector to modernize production, increasingly replacing traditional approaches and techniques. Ancient crop varieties are often not suitable for mechanized operation and local livestock varieties are not suitable for large-scale intensive breeding. The increasing use of pesticides and fertilizers is resulting in pollution of agricultural ecosystems and there has also been genetic erosion of local varieties due to cross-fertilization with commercial species.

Long-term vision and barriers that need to be addressed to achieve it

The long-term vision is to ensure that sustainable development of Hainan’s agricultural sector incorporates effective in-situ conservation and sustainable use of the province’s unique and rich genetic agrobiodiversity. This will ensure that the genetic diversity of endemic crops and livestock, along with the farming systems and agroecosystems in which they thrive, will continue to evolve and provide Hainan, China, and the world with a broad genetic base to support food security and sustainable development.

Four main barriers are currently impeding the achievement of this vision:

Barrier 1: The absence of a cohesive policy and regulatory framework to support the in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity and a lack of inter-sectoral coordination mechanisms.

The overall provincial policy, regulatory and strategic framework for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity is disjointed and does not currently provide an effective enabling framework for conservation of Hainan’s diverse genetic agricultural resource base. In 2014 the provincial government issued the Management of Crop Germplasm Resources and the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (2014-2030) reflecting its recognition of the value of crop germplasm resources for sustainable development. However these do not include plans or intersectoral responsibilities for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of local crop varieties.

Further, while some counties have developed township-level policies focused on in-situ conservation40, these do


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not sit within an overall provincial framework, risking disjointed and inconsistent policy implementation across Hainan. There are also no regulations guiding Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) arrangements, eco-compensation and payment for ecosystem service (PES) schemes in Hainan, hampering efforts to ensure that farming communities benefit from the application of their traditional knowledge and the continued conservation and sustainable use of traditional crops, livestock and agroecosystems.

Several provincial government agencies have responsibility for the conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity in Hainan, including the Department of Environment (biodiversity conservation especially at the ecosystem level), the Department of Agriculture (collection, ex-situ and in-situ conservation of local varieties and wild species of crops and livestock) and the Marine and Fishery Department (conservation of genetic resources of fish stocks and marine agrobiodiversity). Yet the lack of policies, regulations and strategies for in-situ conservation of local varieties at the provincial level means that there is little guidance for the activities delivered by these agencies to ensure they work in an integrated and strategic fashion. Agency efforts are fragmented and do not capitalize on areas where mandates and responsibilities overlap. There are also no clear coordination mechanisms to guide the involvement of the range of agencies with responsibility for agrobiodiversity conservation and ensure that a consistent and cooperative approach is taken.

Barrier 2: A lack of incentives for farmers to conserve and sustainably use traditional crops and livestock, and the absence of public sector support structures and market-based mechanisms to establish these incentives.

Farmers in Hainan are increasingly losing interest in local varieties due to a lack of economic incentives to farm or harvest traditional crops and livestock. Currently, the sale of local crops and livestock tends to be in limited markets at a low price. Prior work6 in Hainan has indicated that there is significant potential to establish market-based incentives for agrobiodiversity linked to the growing tourism industry, providing farmers with the economic rationale for sustainably using endemic agrobiodiversity. However, viable markets and marketing networks for traditional crops and livestock that would allow for the exploitation of these opportunities have yet to be established and there is an absence of support for farmers and the private sector to develop value-added products, identify markets and ensure that value chains deliver benefits to farming communities. There are also no non-market-based incentive mechanisms to support in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation in Hainan. While payment for ecosystem services (PES) and similar schemes are used for other conservation objectives (e.g. wetland and forest conservation) these have not yet been applied to agrobiodiversity.

Barrier 3: Limited capacity and a lack of mainstreamed institutional support for the in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity at all levels.

Farmers in Hainan increasingly favour new commercial varieties of crops and livestock. This shift away from traditional farming practices is influenced by the support and incentives given by agricultural agencies to encourage farmers to modernize agricultural production. There is little recognition of the potential for traditional crops and livestock to strengthen economic opportunities for rural farming communities or of the importance of in-situ agrobiodiversity to food security, poverty alleviation and sustainable agricultural development of Hainan. Consequently in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity does not form part of the current strategies and work plans of relevant agencies. For example, environmental agencies focus on the conservation of biodiversity in protected areas and are not currently involved in supporting conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity within farming systems. Similarly, NGOs and farmers’ organizations do not incorporate traditional crops and livestock within community and livelihood development plans. There are no mainstreamed support mechanisms for the in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity within government agencies or NGOs, and little understanding of traditional farming systems or of international best practice for in-situ conservation.

Research institutes and universities in Hainan conduct research on agrobiodiversity, however they are not actively involved in supporting the in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity and there is a lack of applied research on approaches for in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation. Relevant support organizations – including

40 Sustainable Management of Agrobiodiversity in the Provinces of Hainan and Hunan jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (GIZ) between 2005 and 2011.


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agricultural support agencies, rural development agencies, women groups and NGOs – have limited knowledge of traditional farming practices and of effective approaches to establish markets for local agrobiodiversity, and limited technical capacity to promote these techniques to farming communities.

Barrier 4: Low levels of awareness on the importance of agrobiodiversity and of opportunities to conserve it and poor access to knowledge and information.

There is a low level of awareness of the importance of in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation to long-term food security, poverty alleviation, climate change adaptation and the sustainable development of Hainan among public sector agencies, the general public, farmers and NGOs. There is also very little social recognition of the importance of local agrobiodiversity. The over-riding focus of agricultural development in Hainan on new varieties and modern agricultural technologies has led to widespread misunderstanding of local varieties, which are perceived by farmers and agricultural agencies as having low productivity, slow growth and low economic value, and therefore of little importance to agricultural development. There is an associated lack of understanding of the importance of safeguarding agrobiodiversity in-situ and of opportunities and approaches to incorporate conservation and sustainable use of endemic crops and livestock into agricultural development. There is a dearth of information on traditional farming systems and approaches for supporting the in-situ conservation of endemic crops and livestock, and what does exist is not collated or made easily accessible to practitioners.

The baseline scenario and any associated baseline projects

A number of initiatives in Hainan are aligned with or will support the implementation of this proposed project. In 1999 the provincial government developed an Eco-province Strategy with the aim of outlining a more sustainable development path for Hainan. The provincial government has also issued a number of specific policies and strategies of relevance to agrobiodiversity conservation including The management of germplasm resources in Hainan, Regulation on protected areas in Hainan and the Hainan biodiversity conservation strategy and action plan. Under the Eco-province Strategy, the provincial government is undertaking a number of initiatives relevant to the development of incentive mechanisms for in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation, particularly to exploit linkages with the increasing focus on growing domestic and international tourism to Hainan.

The Department of Agriculture and Bureau of Tourism of Hainan are implementing initiatives through the Leisure Agriculture Development Fund including provincial agriculture and tourism activities with annual investment around $500,000. The development of ‘demonstration beautiful countryside villages’ will involve a further $225,000 investment from the provincial DoA. These initiatives encourage and support farmers to engage in tourism-related activities and to showcase farming ecosystems and traditions – including traditional crops, livestock and products – as part of rural environment experience tours. The provincial government is also supporting the Farmers' Increasing Income in Central Hainan initiative. Although its core focus is on income generation, one of its objectives is to support ecosystem conservation and environmental sustainability. Further, the Fund for Returning Farmland to Forest provides eco-compensation to support restoration of agricultural areas.

The Hainan Nature Reserve Construction Fund supports the in-situ conservation of ecosystems, species and genetic resources within nature reserves. It is led by the Department of Environment Protection, with initiatives also implemented by the DoA and the Administration Bureau of Forests.

The government of Hainan has supported extensive ex-situ conservation and the identification, evaluation and recording of animal and plant genetic resources important for food and agriculture throughout the province. Facilities have been established for conserving genetic resources such as the mid-term genebank of crop genetic resources, field genebanks for tropical crops and preservation farms for livestock. There are number of research institutions including the Sustainable Agrobiodiversity Management Center at the Southern China University for


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Tropical Agriculture, and the Research Center on Biodiversity and Climate Change at Hainan University.

The national and provincial governments are also investing in the control of IAS that threaten agrobiodiversity. Over 2016-2020, MoA and the Hainan government are investing $2.5 million through the project Prevention and control of alien invasive species in building extension skills and training of farmers in the control of key IAS. Relevant IAS research and demonstration activities are underway by the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Resources. This includes the $2.5 million Research and demonstration of the key technology of biosafety monitoring, early warning and control in south area project and $150,000 investment via projects41 on the impact of IAS on South sea ecosystems and the development of control technology research products.

Related recent initiatives on which this project will build

Two internationally-supported projects are have generated important lessons on which this project will build. The project Sustainable Management of Agrobiodiversity in the Provinces of Hainan and Hunan was implemented between 2005 and 2011 by MoA and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (GIZ). It focused on mountain agroecosystems in different agro-ecological zones and developed approaches for agrobiodiversity management through a multi-level approach at county, provincial and national levels. The project demonstrated the importance of actively involving farming communities in the development of sustainable use approaches and the vital role of women in implementing these, particularly as custodians of seeds. The benefit of using farmer field schools to deliver product processing and marketing training was demonstrated. The project trailed local planning for in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity. This project will build on these efforts through legislative and policy development from provincial to township level.

The project found that a key driver of the motivation of smallholders to support the conservation of agrobiodiversity was the need for demonstrated economic returns. The project identified that there is significant potential to establish market-based incentives for local varieties linked to Hainan’s growing tourism industry that can be scaled up across the province – opportunities that will be explored by this proposed project. The project also concluded that sustainable use of agrobiodiversity cannot always be an income-generating activity and that other forms of support are required to incentivize farmers to use local varieties and cultivars. Consequently, the identification and development of non-market-based incentives will also be explored by this proposed project. A summary of the two projects is shown in Table 1.

Table 1: How the proposed project will build on the GIZ-MoA agrobiodiversity project

Characteristic GIZ project This project

Pilot counties 3 counties: Sanya, Baoting and Wuzhishan.

4 counties: Baisha, Qiongzhong, Qionghai, and Haikou. Four target species to be covered across the counties. Four target agricultural landscapes to be selected.

Legislation Not covered. Provincial legislation will be developed.Policies Only at township level. At provincial, county and township levels.Participation of farming communities

Active participation of communities. Will continue participatory approach and more activities will be focused on farmers’ (and farming communities’) participation.

Gender consideration Encouraged women to participate in project activities. Identified specific roles of women relevant to agrobiodiversity conservation.

The experiences will be applied in the target agricultural landscapes and used to inform innovative approaches to address gender-based issues and involve women in project activities. The engagement and involvement of women will also be informed by a gender analysis conducted during the PPG phase.

Farmers’ field school Farmers’ field schools were established in each pilot site.

Farmers’ field schools will be established in target agricultural landscapes

Eco-compensation No. Will be piloted in the target agricultural landscapes.

41 Impact on South sea ecosystem by invasive alien species in Southern breeding and the research and service platform construction of ecological security defense system in Southern breeding, specifically for the development of invasion ecology and control technology research products of Mikania micrantha, Alternanthera philoxeroides and Brontispa longissimi.


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Marketing Some efforts to encourage marketing for agrobiodiversity products.

Marketing efforts will be piloted on four crop and livestock varieties and will extended to another four varieties through replication.

This project will also build on the 2007-2013 GEF-financed, UNDP-implemented project Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Wild Relatives of Crops which helped demonstrate effective mechanisms for conserving wild relatives of crops (WRCs) by integrating the conservation of wild relatives of rice, soybean and wheat within agricultural production landscapes in eight provinces of China. The project demonstrated the importance of establishing incentive mechanisms for conservation through enabling policy, alternative livelihoods and financial support. It also established a WRC monitoring and alert system providing local and central agencies with accurate information on the status of WRCs to inform conservation planning, monitoring and evaluation. The project included a demonstration site in Hainan for the conservation of a wild relative of rice. In Hainan the project increased farming communities’ awareness of the importance of wild rice and established local regulations to support the conservation of WRCs. It also helped to build capacity among farmers and at provincial and county levels for mainstreaming conservation within production systems. The policy experience, and strong foundation of local capacity and awareness of WRCs, will support the implementation of this proposed project.

The framework of the child project is shown below:

iii) The proposed alternative scenario, GEF focal area strategies, with a brief description of expected outcomes and components of the project

The proposed project is part of an innovative programmatic approach to mainstream the in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity across China and reduce key threats to genetic resources important for food and agriculture.


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This project will address policy, incentive and capacity barriers to enable Hainan to establish a sustainable agricultural sector that incorporates the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity as a core component of its strategy for food security and sustainable development.

The objective of the project is to Strengthen long-term conservation of globally significant agrobiodiversity in Hainan, through the development of an enabling policy and regulatory environment and the establishment of effective incentive mechanisms and support structures for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of endemic crops and livestock. This objective will be achieved through four integrated components:

Component 1: Strengthened provincial framework for in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation

Component 1 will establish an enabling policy and regulatory environment for agrobiodiversity conservation. Relevant policies and strategies will be revised or developed to ensure that conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity is supported within long-term sustainable development strategies at provincial, sector and county levels within the frame of the Eco-province Strategy (Output 1.1). This will include the revision of economic development strategies to support the establishment of markets and value chains that create economic incentives for farmers to conserve and sustainably use agrobiodiversity. The provincial framework will be supported by the establishment of county-level policies to facilitate the conservation of globally significant local varieties.

A review of existing regulations and policies will be completed to identify current barriers to the use of Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) and eco-compensation schemes for the conservation of agrobiodiversity. Support will be provided for amending existing regulations and policies and for drafting new laws (Output 1.2).

Component 1 will also review the policy framework for Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) and support the drafting of new ABS regulations and policies (Output 1.3) to ensure that farming communities are able to benefit from traditional knowledge and resources related to agrobiodiversity and support their adequate protection.

A provincial intersectoral coordination mechanism will be established to bring together the government agencies and research organizations with responsibilities relevant to the in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity, and provide them with a platform for improved collaboration (Output 1.4). This intersectoral committee will engage in the reform of the provincial framework and the coordinated implementation of policy directions. A communication and information-sharing platform will be developed to further support agencies to work together within the agreed strategic approach for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity. The exact coordination mechanisms, including ways to engage county-level input into provincial committees and information-sharing platforms, will be further defined during the PPG phase.

Component 2: Demonstration of incentive mechanisms for in-situ conservation and use of agrobiodiversity

Component 2 will demonstrate the establishment of effective and sustainable incentive mechanisms for farmers to conserve, use and market traditional crops and livestock. It will establish both market- and non-market-based incentive mechanisms to support the in-situ conservation of four important traditional varieties across four working agricultural landscapes of 757 ha (Output 2.1).

Four globally significant local varieties for food and agriculture have been identified based on the selection criteria indicated in Annex 1. Two traditional varieties of crops (Shanlan rice, wild litchi) and two varieties of livestock (Wuzhishan pig, Jiaji duck) are initially proposed as detailed in Table 2. Indigenous varieties threatened by IAS have been included to maximize the potential for synergies between this project and the IAS child project which will also implement demonstration activities in Hainan. The final selection of target varieties and landscapes will be confirmed during discussions with stakeholders in the PPG phase.

At each target landscape, extension agencies will work with farming communities, and relevant local NGOs, to assess the health of agroecosystems, the presence and distribution of endemic crops and livestock, and to collate


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information on traditional farming practices, knowledge and livelihoods (Output 2.2). A gender-sensitive approach will be used which reflects gender-based differences in knowledge, roles and perspectives. Women will be actively encouraged and supported to participate in surveys and assessments. Knowledge generated from landscape assessments will be recorded within the institutional information platforms established under Component 4.

Table 2: Preliminary information on target indigenous varieties and demonstration agricultural landscapes

Target indigenous

variety Significance of target variety

Agricultural landscape

(approx. size of core area - TBC)

Shanlan rice There are three local varieties of the famous Shanlan rice, each of which suits different environmental conditions. All local varieties are significant to local people and used in traditional food. Beyond the listed barriers for the project, Shanlan rice varieties are threatened by IAS, namely Mikania micrantha (mile-a-minute), which invades the habitats preferred by Shanlan rice and poses a direct risk to its conservation.

Yinggen township in Qiongzhong County (145 ha)

Wild and cultivated litchi

Wild litchi is distributed in volcanic sites. Chinese farmers have cultivated wild litchi for thousands of years and there remain many domesticated varieties. Local varieties of wild litchi have good taste. Special characteristics of local varieties include good resistence to pests and disease and abiotic stress – important genetic resources to preserve for future food security.Specific threats to litchi include the chopping down and removal of litchi trees (both wild and cultivated). The IAS Mikania micrantha is also a threat as it can smother and choke litchi habitats.

Yongxing township in Haikou County (126 ha)

Wuzhishan pig

Wuzhishan pig is a famous variety of pig unique to Hainan. Rare local varieties are reared by farmers in the central area around the mountain called Wuzhishan. In particular, pigs reared in Xishui Township in Baisha County are prized by local people as they will feed in rural mountainous areas and the meat has a special and distinct taste. Rearing of local Wuzhishan pig has declined drastically due to the quick introduction of foreign pig breeds.

Xiangshui township in Baisha County (413 ha)

Jiaji duckJiaji duck is the only local poultry variety with tender meat that cannot be found in other places. The restricted production of Jiaji duck is due to its narrow environmental niche – it has not been able to be reared to good health in other places. It is a well-recognised local specialty.

Shibi Township in Qionghai County (73 ha)

Agricultural extension agencies will work with farming communities through a participatory approach to identify and develop products that match market demands and meet the livelihood aspirations of farmers. Market assessments will be completed at provincial and county levels to identify opportunities to establish viable markets for traditional crops and livestock – including niche markets and ‘agro-ecotourism’ experiences – and instruments to add value such as branding and certification schemes (Output 2.3). It is anticipated that four unique product offerings and experiences based on endemic agrobiodiversity will be established. Opportunities to tap into the expanding tourism industry will be assessed, including potential linkages to ongoing government schemes such as the ‘beautiful countryside’ villages which are part of the drive to develop sustainable tourism on Hainan Island.

For endemic varieties where no viable markets can be identified, the project will work with provincial and county authorities to apply non-market-based incentive mechanisms for the in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity. Component 2 will support the demonstration of innovative ecological compensation mechanisms for agrobiodiversity conservation, including through existing government funds such as the Fund for Returning Farmland to Forest. This demonstration will be explored further during the PPG phase.

Farmers Field Schools will be used as a vehicle for delivering training and support (Output 2.3). Innovative


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partnerships will be established between private sector groups, farmers and agricultural extension support groups to ensure that farmers develop appropriate business, processing and packaging skills, and that value chains are established to generate profits for farmers. The project will ensure the active participation of women, aiming for at least 50% of community stakeholders trained under the project to be women along with the establishment of specific business ventures by women’s groups. It is anticipated that at least 500 farmers will be trained and 8-10 agencies engaged in partnerships to be established in each of the four counties. This support will ensure that farming communities gain skills and experience that they can use to sustain benefits from the use and marketing of identified target varieties and also apply to other traditional varieties, scaling up project impacts and results.

Component 3: Mainstreaming and institutional capacity strengthening

Component 3 will build the capacity of public sector agencies, research organizations, NGOs and farmers organizations to mainstream and scale-up effective in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity across the province. Relevant agencies, research organizations, NGOs and farmers groups will be capacited through training and the development of capacity-building materials (Output 3.1). A series of tools on in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity will be developed – using the lessons learned in Component 2 – including guidelines, methodologies and training manuals tailored to suit the needs of different organizations and contexts. Training in the use of these tools will be provided to a range of groups and organizations.

Practical support will be provided to provincial public sector organizations to incorporate in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation in annual work plans and multi-year strategies, supporting mainstreaming across government (Output 3.2). The deployment of targeted training and tools will help sustain this support across relevant agencies.

Component 3 will support the replication and up-scaling of market- and non-market-based incentive mechanisms to new agricultural landscapes and new traditional varieties (Output 3.3). The project will aim to replicate approaches to four additional landscapes and four additional crop and livestock varieties across Hainan. County and provincial organizations will be supported to apply the developed tools and incentive mechanisms in these new areas generating further expertise and interest in scaling up across Hainan. The selection of new varieties and landscapes will be based on the selection criteria outlined in Annex 1 and the results of market assessments completed under Component 2.

Component 4: Awareness raising and knowledge management

Component 4 will help increase recognition of the importance of in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation at all levels. A broad awareness-raising campaign and a wide range of awareness-raising materials will be produced and disseminated (Output 4.1). These will target farming communities, farmers organizations, research institutions and private sector organizations. Awareness-raising materials for the general public will also be developed to continue to build widespread support for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity and market demand for products made from traditional varieties. Targeted events on agrobiodiversity conservation will be held for young people to build awareness and encourage interest in traditional crop and livestock varieties among the next generation, along with knowledge of the traditional husbandry techniques suited to indigenous agrobiodiversity.

Component 4 will strengthen knowledge management to support in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation in Hainan. An agrobiodiversity database will be established within DoA (Output 4.2) to support effective monitoring of agroecosystem health and of the diversity and coverage of local agrobiodiversity varieties, and to collate the information collected in the participatory landscape assessments under Component 1.

Knowledge management activities will also cover the sharing of project outcomes, best practices and lessons learned between stakeholders within the project and across the broader program. A knowledge platform will be created (Output 4.3) to collate information generated through demonstrations at target landscapes, with inputs provided to national information platforms as relevant. A communication and coordination mechanism and a Project Steering Committee will be established to build networks and relationships between the different demonstration landscapes and with relevant stakeholders.


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PART I: PROJECT INFORMATIONProject Title: Conservation and sustainable use of indigenous agricultural genetic diversity in

HubeiCountry(ies): ChinaGEF Agency(ies): UNDP Other Executing Partner(s): Agriculture Department of Hubei ProvinceGEF Focal Area(s): Biodiversity

A. FOCAL AREA STRATEGY F RAMEWORK AND OTHER PROGRAM STRATEGIES :


Trust Fund


Co-financing


B. CHILD PROJECT DESCRIPTION SUMMARY Project Objective: Strengthen long-term conservation of Hubei’s globally significant agrobiodiversity, through enhanced provincial policy framework and institutional capacity, and the establishment of innovative incentive mechanisms and technical approaches to support in-situ conservation of indigenous agricultural varieties.

Project Components

Type Project Outcomes Project Outputs Trust

Fund

(in $)GEF

Project Financin

g

Co-financing

1. Enhanced policy, regulatory and strategic framework in-situ conservation of indigenous agricultural varieties

TA 1. Provincial framework for in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation enhanced by strengthened enabling policies, regulations and strategies and improved inter-sectoral coordination, as indicated by a cohesive

1.1 Policies, regulations and strategies related to in-situ protection and use of agrobiodiversity are revised and developed including the Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan of Hubei and the Hubei Provincial Agricultural Eco-

GEFTF 145,000 660,000

42 The preliminary estimate represents the extent of arable land in the four target counties where project activities will be focussed. However, the supportive policy and legislative reform and mainstreaming efforts progressed by the project will apply across Hainan and benefits will be likely to flow across the province. Estimates of global environmental benefits will be confirmed during the PPG phase.


NAME OF PROGRAM:PRC-GEF PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM ON SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT


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regulatory framework that supports in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity and active use of inter-sectoral coordination mechanisms by relevant agencies.


environment Protection Regulation (2006).

1.2 Eco-compensation regulations and policies are revised to support the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity and an eco-compensation plan is developed for protection of indigenous agricultural varieties in Danjiangkou Reservoir area.

1.3 Intersectoral coordination mechanisms, including joint planning and monitoring groups, are established and being used to facilitate the planning and implementation of approaches for the sustainable use and conservation of indigenous varieties.

2. Demonstration of sustainable incentive mechanisms for in-situ conservation and use of agrobiodiversity

TA & Inv

2a) Viable, long-term and gender-mainstreamed (market based or non-market based) incentive mechanisms established for rural farming communities in Danjiangkou Reservoir Area, as indicated by increased household income generated from the use and conservation of indigenous crops and livestock, increased coverage of target traditional varieties (in ha or number per ha) within 3 target agricultural landscapes of 11,000 ha, and the number of traditional varieties of crops and livestock.

2b) The market competitiveness of agrobiodiversity products from Danjiangkou Reservoir Area is improved, as indicated by an increased number of agrobiodiversity products being marketed, increased market size and increased demand for products.


2.1 Gender-mainstreamed market- and non-market-based incentive mechanisms for in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation are demonstrated in Danjiangkou Reservoir Area at 3 target agricultural landscapes covering 11,000 ha, securing sustained livelihood benefits for farmers and improved conservation of target varieties.

2.2 Local agrobiodiversity markets and products are identified and developed including two applications of Agricultural Products of Geographical Indication for 2 local varieties and registration of 1-2 brands of indigenous agricultural products.

2.3 Five farmers cooperatives are established and trainings are delivered in product development, small business management and marketing to strengthen skill bases to support successful enterprises focused on sustainable use of agrobiodiversity.

2.4 Private-public partnerships are established to support three processing and marketing companies on processing and marketing indigenous agrobiodiversity products.

GEFTF 734,000 4,500,000

3. Mainstreaming of approaches and strengthened provincial capacity

TA 3a) Improved conservation of indigenous varieties of crops and livestock in Hubei, as indicated by the

3.1 Provincial agricultural, environmental and rural development institutions have incorporated incentive

GEFTF 394,000 2,800,000


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establishment of replication sites over 10,000 ha of agricultural landscape, increased coverage (in ha or number per ha) of traditional crops and livestock, and the number of traditional varieties under in-situ use.

3b) Improved capacity of agricultural and environmental agencies, research organizations, NGOs, private sector organizations and farmers, and partnerships between them strengthened, enabling them to facilitate and engage in incentive-based approaches for the in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity, as indicated by the UNDP capacity scorecard.


mechanisms for in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation and sustainable use as part of agency workplans, with appropriate budgets for implementation.

3.2 Technical manuals for in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity are developed and 150 local staff and 350 farmers are trained in their application, building capacity and skill bases.

3.3 Market- and non-market-based incentive mechanisms are scaled up to at least five further agricultural landscapes covering 10,000 ha, generating expertise and support for scaling up.

3.4 A provincial marketing network is developed and public-private marketing and development partnerships are extend across Hubei, strengthening market chains for products made from indigenous crops and livestock.

4. Awareness raising and knowledge management

TA 4a) Farmers organizations, private sector organizations and the general public have an increased awareness of the value of agrobiodiversity, as indicated by Knowledge, Attitude and Practices surveys.

b) Knowledge management platforms established at the provincial and local levels support results-based management and improved access to information, as indicated by the sharing of products, information and lessons developed under the project.


4.1 Public awareness campaigns are delivered, including via pamphlets, radio and TV broadcasting and newspapers, increasing knowledge and understanding of in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity.

4.2 Two science and education ‘bases’ are established building knowledge and support among the next generation.

4.4 A database on indigenous agricultural varieties in Danjiangkou Reservoir Area is established, supporting the monitoring of agroecosystem health, the coverage of indigenous agrobiodiversity and the effectiveness of incentive-based mechanisms.

4.3 Local and provincial information-sharing platforms are established on indigenous agricultural varieties and in-situ conservation tools, facilitating sharing of approaches and the guidelines and best practices learnt under the project.

GEFTF 104,633 1,900,000



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C. CO-FINANCING FOR THE PROJECT BY SOURCE, BY TYPE AND BY NAME Sources of Co-financing Name of Co-financier Type of Co-financing Amount ($)Recipient government Ministry of Finance Grants 1,130,000Recipient government Hubei Provincial Government Grants 6,800,000Recipient government Demonstration and Extension county

governmentsGrants 1,990,000

Private sector Enterprises and NGOs Grants 110,000Private sector Farmers’ organizations and farmers In-kind 170,000(select) (select)(select) (select)Total Co-financing 10,200,000


PART II: PROJECT JUSTIFICATIONA.1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION. BRIEFLY DESCRIBE:

vii) The global environmental and/or adaptation problems, root causes and barriers that need to be addressed

China is one of the world’s top 15 biodiverse countries. Its vast territory, variable climate and landforms has resulted in a magnificent array of agrobiodiversity and genetic resources of global significance for food and agriculture.

Hubei is one of the major agricultural provinces in middle China, located in the middle and downstream area of Chang River. It has diverse mountain habitats, rich soils and a high plant species diversity. Agricultural products include grain, cotton, oil, fruit, tea, flax, mulberry, medical herbs, green manure, livestock, poultry and forage grass.The agrobiodiversity of Hubei is diverse and contains many locally-unique varieties. Almost 6,200 crop species have been recorded along with nearly 600 species of fruit, tea, flax and mulberry. There are over 2,000 species of medicinal herbs, 300 species of green manure and over 500 species of forage grass. There are many varieties of rice, wheat, corn, soybean, bean, fruit, vegetable and tea tree, and 23 species of livestock and poultry with numerous varieties. Famous local varieties include Dao tea and sweet orange of Wudang, Longfeng tea of Zhuxi, Yuhuang plum, black pig of Exi, Yunba cattle, horse-head goat of Yunxi, flat-horn goat of Zhuxi, and the white-feather black-bone chicken.

The Danjiangkou Reservoir Area in the northwest of Hubei is a particularly significant reservoir of agricultural genetic diversity. This area near the boundary of Hubei, Henan and Shanxi Provinces covers 24,000 km 2 and eight counties. With 60% forest cover, the area is important ecologically and is one of 35 prioritized biodiversity protection areas in the Protection Strategy and Action Plan on Ecological Biodiversity of China (2011-2030). It has also been identified as an ecological development zone in the National Plan for Regional Functioning by national environmental protection authorities. Around 70% of its 3.5 million population are farmers and many varieties of traditional crops and livestock are grown within the reservoir area. Such is its diverse agrobiodiversity that the Danjiangkou Reservoir Area is known as ‘the cradle of Chinese agriculture.’

In recent decades, Hubei’s agricultural policy has focused on grain production and economic development. Farmers have been encouraged to move away from traditional farming practices and towards modern techniques and high-yielding varieties, at the expense of crop diversity. The Danjiangkou Reservoir Area is also the water source for the middle route of the South-to-North Water Transfer Project, which has resulted in the flooding of a


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large area of land, destroying important agroecosystems and reducing the amount of arable land suitable for cultivation or herding with traditional varieties. In the 1980s, tens of crops and hundreds of varieties were used by farming communities in Hubei, but now the diversity of crops and varieties in production has been greatly reduced.

For example, wild kiwi resources in Hubei are particularly significant in genetic terms, and also an important resource for local communities as wild kiwi leaves are the main source of fodder for pigs. There has been a steady genetic erosion of the wild genetic resources of kiwi across China in the past 20 years, and many species of kiwi (Actidinia sp.) are considered endangered43. Within Hubei, declining farmer interest in the smaller-fruited traditional varieties of kiwi and loss of habitat have concentrated the remaining wild kiwi resources around Wudang Mountain City – preserving this localized genetic diversity through ongoing on-farm use is important to maintain the diversity of wild kiwi across China. Wild kiwi is listed as an Agricultural Wild Plant under Special State Protection.

Agricultural development of the reservoir area is essential to poverty alleviation, but agricultural livelihoods are increasingly being impacted by decreasing farmland availability and degradation of land. Farming systems for traditional crops and livestock are small-scale and revenue generation for farmers is limited by their restricted access to markets, leading to ever-declining production with traditional varieties of crops and livestock. The reduced genetic diversity has reduced the resilience of agroecosystems, decreasing their resistance to pests, weeds and climatic extremes, with associated risks to agricultural production and farming livelihoods.

Threats and root causes

The root cause of agrobiodiversity loss in Hubei lies in China’s economic development. Associated development activities such as road and dam construction, mining, deforestation, over-grazing, and intensive agricultural development, as well as environmental factors such as climate change and natural disasters, have destroyed or degraded the habitats of many indigenous species of crops and livestock, leading to sharp reductions in species distribution, a loss of genetic resources and damage to agroecosystems. As the water source of the Water Transfer Project, the higher dams in the Danjiangkou Reservoir Area have required the flooding of farmland and the consequent destruction of large areas of habitat important for indigenous agricultural varieties.

As a country with a very large population, China has made food security a national priority and accordingly agricultural policies have long focused on increasing food production. This focus, and subsequent government support for commercialized species, has led to the widespread adoption of commercial crop and livestock varieties in place of local traditional varieties and small-scale farming systems. In Hubei this pattern of agricultural development has been particularly acute with increased grain production rapidly replacing traditional farming systems – with associated losses in agrobiodiversity.

Farmers across the province have been supported and encouraged by agricultural and rural development agencies to adopt new varieties and technologies and to replace traditional farming practices with mechanized production. Local farmers are increasingly losing interest in planting indigenous varieties as they are drawn towards the cultivation of new commercialized varieties with higher yields and the potential to achieve more immediate earnings. As indigenous varieties go out of production, so too is the knowledge of traditional farming practices lost. Moreover, the widespread use of commercial crop and livestock varieties has replaced local traditional varieties, and the overuse of fertilizer and pesticides has caused non-point pollution and damaged agroecosystems. The status of the reservoir area as the sustainable water source for the Water Transfer Project has restricted agricultural development and many communities suffer from poverty and lack access to markets and income-generating opportunities. Many men have left rural areas to work in the cities, increasing the role of women as the labor force in agricultural production. Women in these communities often have poor knowledge of local agrobiodiversity varieties and production techniques along with little incentive to cultivate or market them.

43 H. Huang & A. R. Ferguson (2001). Review: Kiwifruit in China, New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science, 29:1, 1-14.


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The fragmentation and degradation of habitats, along with increasing trade and movement of people and goods, has led to the establishment of invasive alien species (IAS) within agroecosystems and subsequent environmental and economic impacts on agrobiodiversity. Due to its favorable climatic and environmental conditions, Hubei is somewhat of a ‘paradise’ for IAS. The most damaging IAS are ragweed, water hyacinth, alligator weed and channeled applesnail, and some of these species are spreading aggressively across Hubei. The impacts on these species, particularly on disturbed habitats such as agricultural lands, are increasing. Within the Dangjiangkou Reservoir Area, IAS that threaten local agrobiodiversity include ragweed, water hyacinth and alligator weed. These species are at risk of becoming broadly established across the reservoir area. While they remain scattered in distribution, preventing the further spread and establishment of IAS is a priority to maintain agroecosystem health and populations of traditional varieties before they are irrepairably degraded. This will also help limit the spread of these IAS to natural ecosystems across the reservoir area, reducing the threat of IAS to Hubei’s biodiversity, including globally significant biodiversity.

Long-term vision and barriers that need to be addressed

The long-term vision is for Hubei to follow a sustainable development path that includes the effective in-situ conservation and sustainable use of its unique and globally significant agrobiodiversity, shifting current mindsets from a narrow focus on economic growth towards a focus on sustainable agricultural development based on the maintenance of a diverse agricultural genetic resource base.

Four barriers are currently impeding the achievement of this vision:

Barrier 1: Fractured policy and regulatory framework which does not provide effective support for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity.

Relevant provincial and county-level policies and regulations are fractured between sectors and do not effectively facilitate the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity. Although Hubei has regulations that encompass the protection of rare agricultural species and genetic diversity, these do not specifically address the protection and use of indigenous agricultural varieties nor establish clear protection mechanisms for them.

The Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan of Hubei Province (2012) contains articles on the protection of local ‘special varieties’, however specific regulations, policies and plans supporting the protection of indigenous agriculture varieties in Hubei have not yet been established. The recently-developed Eco-agriculture Plan of Han River Eco-economy Zone in Hubei Province will incorporate provisions for sustainable agricultural development in the Han River eco-economy zone, but again does not currently incorporate targets and activities focused on developing incentive-based mechanisms for in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation. The Hubei Provincial Agricultural Eco-environment Protection Regulation provides legally-binding requirements for the protection of wild agricultural species, yet this only includes species covered by the National Protection List and does not cover indigenous agricultural species. Moreover, despite the global agrobiodiversity significance of the Danjiangkou Reservoir Area, there are currently no policies or regulations supporting the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of its agrobiodiversity. The efforts of agencies with responsibilities related to the in-situ use of traditional crops and livestock are disjointed and not aligned around uniform provincial directions or processes.

Barrier 2: A lack of financial incentives for farmers to engage in the sustainable use and conservation of local agricultural varieties and consequent rapid decline in their cultivation and the conservation of agroecosystems.

Farmers have few financial incentives to use indigenous crop and livestock species, even within the Danjiangkou Reservoir Area with its internationally-significant agrobiodiversity. Modern varieties are often easier to cultivate and market. Farmers and private sector companies do not view Hubei’s rich indigenous agrobiodiversity as a resource of potential economic value. Local varieties are viewed as having low productivity, a long life cycle and as only being suitable for small-scale production, with low market demand and poor competitiveness in existing markets. There are few markets for products made from indigenous agricultural varieties and those that exist tend to be low value and local in nature.


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A few farmers have initiated cooperatives and started to market products made from traditional varieties with promising results. Local varieties such as wild grape and horse-head goat have been identified as having great potential economic value. However, while some producers and agricultural agencies are aware of their potential value, there are currently no support structures or incentives to encourage farmers – whether men or women – to conserve or farm traditional crops and livestock and farmers subsequently do not prioritise habitat protection or the use of these varieties. Production, processing and marketing of most indigenous agricultural varieties has not yet been explored, including the potential to use eco-tourism as part of market-based incentive mechanisms.

Barrier 3: Low capacity for in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity and a lack of mainstreamed institutional support structures.

Agricultural support and extension agencies have limited experience in the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity, and consequently limited knowledge and capacity to support these approaches. Government agricultural surveys and protection measures are restricted to staple crops and rare wild species, while agrobiodiversity conservation approaches have not to date involved incentive-based approaches for the sustainable use of traditional crops and livestock. Investments in baseline surveys, protection and sustainable use of indigenous agriculture varieties are insufficient. In-situ agrobiodiversity conservation is not currently included within the annual workplans and multi-year strategies of agricultural departments or agencies across the province and they have little access to tools and information. There has been limited interest by government agencies, businesses, farmers and local communities in developing approaches for the in-situ protection and sustained use of agrobiodiversity, and low levels of capacity exist at all levels. Local farmers enterprises and cooperatives have recognized indigenous agricultural varieties and developed them into marketable products. However, efforts to date have been based on farmers own initiatives with little support by government provided.

Barrier 4: Lack of awareness on the importance of indigenous crops and livestock and a lack of access to knowledge and information.

There is little awareness or understanding among government agencies, farmers or the general public of the importance of maintaining a diverse agricultural resource base for food security and sustainable development. There is insufficient government investment in the protection and sustainable use of indigenous agricultural species and varieties, low levels of support for its protection and limited knowledge of traditional farming techniques and varieties. Agricultural support agencies are not aware of effective approaches for establishing incentive-based approaches for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of traditional varieties, whether they be market- or non-market-based. No information of knowledge-sharing platforms currently exist within Hubei to provide them with ready access to that information. There is very little understanding of the potential to establish niche markets and value-added products that could generate significant revenues for farmers and provide viable incentives for the continued use and conservation of traditional crops and livestock.

viii)ix) The baseline scenario and any associated baseline projects

The Chinese government has made a strong commitment to the conservation of crop genetic diversity through ex-situ conservation. For example the Project of Crop Germplasm Resources Protection run by the Ministry of Agriculture has invested $4.5 million annually since 2001 into activities to protect crop genetic diversity, including collection, ex-situ conservation, identification and assessment of crop genetic diversity.

The Provincial government recognizes the importance of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development and has developed the Hubei Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, although this does not explicitly cover in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity. The recently-developed Eco-agriculture Plan of Han River Eco-economy Zone in Hubei Province incorporates provisions for sustainable agricultural development, but does not currently incorporate targets or activities to develop incentive-based mechanisms for in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation.

Relevant strategies identify the development of ‘ecological agriculture’ as a preferred option for the Danjiangkou Reservoir Area to support the integration of ecological protection and sustainable livelihood objectives. The Department of Agriculture and Development and Reform Commission are funding ecological agriculture


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demonstration activities to support an uptake of these approaches, with an annual investment of around $3 million.

The Department of Agriculture has been working to raise awareness of the need to protect agrobiodiversity. In 2015, the Protection and Investigation of Key Agricultural Wild Plants in Hubei was published and distributed to county technical staff. Training sessions on agriculture technologies, beautiful countryside and biodiversity have been held for farmers, technical and management staff, women and children through Farmers’ Field Schools and the Sunshine Projects national program for farmers training. Ongoing investment in training amounts to an estimated $1.23 million per annum.

Danjiangkou Reservoir Area has been listed as a national ecological function zone and the national government is developing eco-compensation of the area. The development and roll-out of the eco-compensation scheme by the Development and Reform Commission and Financial Department will equate to a $134.5 million annual investment over the life of this project. Agricultural ecosystems are currently not included within the eco-compensation system, however the potential to include in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation will be explored by this project.

Because of its special location and status, Danjiangkou Reservoir Area has been listed as a key investment area for eco-construction programmes, such as the Converting Farmlands to Forest or Grassland, Fish Breeding and Releasing and Non-point Pollution Control programmes. These initiatives, overseen by the Department of Agriculture and Department of Forestry, invest around $16.4 million per year.

Some environmental protection and ecosystem restoration work has been carried out in the Danjiangkou Reservoir Area, including erosion control activities on 2,520 km2 of degraded land. The Construction of Beautiful Countryside project (Department of Environmental Protection), through investment of $25.4 million per annum, has resulted in 20% of households using renewable energy in the form of biogas and the construction of 162,000 toilets and 150,000 drinking water systems. The Non-point Resource Pollution Treatment Project, led by the Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Agriculture is investing a further $10.2 million over 2015-2018.

There are 160 wild plant species listed as key national protected wild plants. The province has established two natural protection areas, 23 original habitat protection areas and an ex-situ conservation garden to support the conservation of these species. In comparison, there has been limited attention on agrobiodiversity. Hubei has established a habitat protection area for wild kiwifruit in Danjiangkou and a provincial natural conservation area for wild plants in Daliang of Yunxi is under construction. This will be the first natural conservation area for agricultural wild plants in China. Total investment in these activities is estimated at $1.5 million.

Two recent initiatives on which this project will build are the GEF-financed projects Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Wild Relatives of Crops in China (UNDP and MoA) and Conservation and Utilization of Genetic Diversity of Crops for Diseases Control and Pests Control to Promote Sustainable Development of Agriculture (UNDP and BIOVERSITY with Yunnan Agricultural University). The projects introduced advanced international concepts and technologies for protection and sustainable use, experience that will inform design of this project.

The framework of this project is shown below:


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x) The proposed alternative scenario, GEF focal area strategies, with a brief description of expected outcomes and components of the project

The proposed project is part of an innovative programmatic approach to mainstream the in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity across China and reduce key threats to globally significant genetic resources for food and agriculture (GRFA). This project will remove barriers currently restricting the protection and sustainable use of indigenous agricultural genetic diversity in Hubei. It will help achieve the long-term objective of strengthening conservation of Hubei’s globally significant agrobiodiversity, through an enhanced provincial policy framework, strengthened institutional capacity, the establishment of innovative incentive mechanisms, and improved knowledge and understanding of the economic and environmental value of indigenous agricultural varieties.

The project has four integrated components:

Component 1: Enhanced provincial policy and regulatory framework

Component 1 will strengthen the policy, regulatory and strategic framework for in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation and sustainable use in Hubei province. The project has a core focus on Danjiangkou Reservoir Area, given its international agrobiodiversity significance, however Component 1 will strengthen policies and strategies specific to the Danjiangkou Reservoir Area and also help establish a provincial enabling environment that will support scaling up of project results across Hubei. Existing laws, regulations and policies related to the management and conservation of indigenous agricultural varieties will be reviewed to identify gaps, recommendations for improvement developed and the necessary reform progressed (Output 1.1). Legislative reform will include the drafting of new Management Regulations on Indigenous Agriculture Resource Protection in Danjiangkou Reservoir Area and a review of the Hubei Provincial Agricultural Eco-environment Protection Regulation (2006) to include in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity.

Policy reform will include a review of the Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan of Hubei Province to incorporate targets and approaches for the in-situ sustainable use and conservation of agrobiodiversity. Policy revision will also establish enabling policy for the use of incentive mechanisms for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity. An eco-compensation policy for the protection and sustainable use of indigenous agricultural varieties in Danjiangkou Reservoir Area will be developed in collaboration with county governments (Output 1.2). The development of this policy (and its implementation under Components 2 and 3) will facilitate farmers’


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access to financial support available through eco-compensation programmes that do not currently include indigenous agrobiodiversity. Further detail on policy and legislative gaps will be identified during the PPG phase.

Component 1 will also strengthen cooperation between the agencies involved in agricultural/rural development and biodiversity conservation, both at the provincial level and with specific coordination mechanisms established for the Danjiangkou Reservoir Area (Output 1.3). It is proposed that the project will establish inter-sectoral committees and monitoring groups, and support policy integration and coordination between relevant plans, strategies and monitoring systems. Further detail on the exact coordination approaches will be defined during the PPG phase.

Component 2: Demonstration of sustainable incentive mechanisms for in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity

Component 2 will focus on the establishment of viable incentive mechanisms that will motivate farmers to engage in the conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity within Danjiangkou Reservoir Area. These mechanisms will be demonstrated across four agricultural landscapes with an estimated area of 11,000 ha (Output 2.1).

Across these agricultural landscapes, the project will support agencies to work with farmers and private sector enterprises to identify appropriate market- and non-market-based incentive mechanisms for the sustainable use and conservation of indigenous crop and livestock species which align with livelihood needs and aspirations. Separate consultations will be held with men and women to ensure that any gender-based differences in knowledge, skills and aspirations are captured and inform the development of gender-mainstreamed incentive mechanisms. The project will assess how modern and traditional cultivation, husbandry and processing techniques can be brought together to increase the efficiency of farming and processing techniques. Participatory approaches will be used to identify the diversity of indigenous crops and livestock currently under production, products and potential markets and marketing processes. Where viable markets cannot be identified, county governments will be supported to implement eco-compensation schemes (for which enabling policy will be developed in Component 1) for the conservation of endangered crop and livestock and/or agroecosystems.

Local agricultural varieties that are known to offer market potential include rouge rice, wild kiwi and Matou goat. These three varieties are likely to be the focus of the target agricultural landscapes. Along with their unique qualities and value (see Table 1), the in-situ conservation of all target varieties is threatened including by the impacts of IAS incursions. The final selection of varieties and landscapes will be confirmed following consultation with stakeholders during the PPG process and in accordance with the criteria set out in Annex 1.

Table 1: Proposed target varieties and agricultural landscapes for demonstration of incentive mechanisms

Target indigenous

varietySignificance of target variety

Target agricultural landscape (each will be

approx. 3,500 – 4,000 ha)

Rouge rice Rouge meter or red rice is a variety of ancient rice grown in the alpine environment without improvement. There is a rich genetic diversity of local varieties and long heritage of use within Hubei.Rouge rice is now planted over a restricted area due to habitat loss.

Yunyan County

Wild kiwi Wild kiwi (Actinidia sp.) was listed on the Agricultural Wild Plants under Special State Protection List in 1999. Hubei contains the most abundant genetic resources of wild kiwi. Local genetic resources of wild kiwi have been degraded by agroecosystem loss associated with the construction of large-scale water transfer projects. There has also been a steady erosion of wild genetic resources of kiwi across China. Combined with climatic changes and growing threats including IAS, and a preference for commercial cultivated varieties, traditional varieties of wild kiwi face the threat of

Wudang Mountain City


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disappearance unless their in-situ conservation can be secured.

Matou goat Goat (Capra sp.) is one of the ancient livestock. There are many Chinese indigenous goat breeds that are considered to provide significant global genetic resources. Matou goat is endemic to Hubei. Its features include high fecundity, good meat quality and high nutritional value. The species is recognized internationally for its high meat production potential.Many Chinese indigenous goat breeds are verging on extinction due to habitat loss (such as in reservoir areas) and increasing preference for commercial goat breeds. Ongoing production with Matou goat is threatened by its restricted habitat range. As numbers decline, artificial breeding has been required.

Yunxi County

Activities under Component 2 will strengthen markets and market demand for indigenous products. Assessments of opportunities to establish new markets and products will be completed including the potential to link these to eco-tourism initiatives. Branding and certification scheme – such as geographical origin, green and organic branding – will be used to add value to indigenous crop and livestock products. It is envisaged that up to two applications for Agriculture Products of Geographical Indication will be developed, along with the registration of up to two brands of indigenous agricultural products (Output 2.2). Further detail will be confirmed during the PPG phase.

The project will support agricultural and rural development agencies to establish five farmers cooperatives (aiming for at least 50% of members to be women) (Output 2.3). Small business skills training will be provided to cooperatives through farmer field schools to ensure that improved product development and marketing result in sustained economic benefits to farming communities. The potential to link skills development to the existing Sunshine Projects national farmers training will be explored during the PPG phase.

The project will also establish public-private partnerships to support up to two processing and marketing companies (Output 2.4) to standardize the production of indigenous agricultural products, including through the development of an indigenous agricultural product brand establishing unified quality standards, logo, packaging and branding.

Component 3: Mainstreaming of approaches and strengthened institutional capacity

Component 3 will mainstream incentive-based approaches for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity within key provincial agencies. It will support relevant public sector agencies and NGOs to incorporate in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation approaches in annual workplans and multi-year strategies, along with appropriate targets and monitoring processes and associated agency budgets (Output 3.1).

The experiences learned at target landscapes in Component 2 will be translated into manuals and guidelines that will be mainstreamed as part of the ‘toolkit’ available to agricultural, environmental and rural development agencies at provincial and county levels (Output 3.2). Targeted capacity building will facilitate the application of these tools, with an estimated 150 local management and technical staff and 350 farmers to receive training, greatly improving local capacity to promote and demonstrate technical approaches and establish appropriate incentive mechanisms.

The techniques demonstrated within the Danjiangkou Reservoir Area will be scaled up and replicated to at least five additional agricultural landscapes across Hubei, covering an estimated 10,000 ha (Output 3.3). The project will support agricultural and rural development agencies, research organizations and NGOs to lead this process.

Support will also be provided for the further establishment of public-private sector business partnerships (building on the foundations established for the reservoir area in Component 2) and for the development of community enterprises and cooperatives (Output 3.4). A provincial marketing network will be established so that brands and products from indigenous agrobiodiversity are recognized and available province-wide. This will identify further opportunities for scaling up products and markets across Hubei.


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Component 4: Awareness raising and knowledge management

Component 4 will raise awareness of the value of agrobiodiversity for food security and sustainable development, as well as the potential economic value of traditional crops and livestock. A targeted awareness-raising campaign will be delivered, involving the dissemination of 20,000 pamphlets on agrobiodiversity and its in-situ conservation and sustainable use (Output 4.1). Information will also be broadcast through mass media, including TV, radio, print and on-line. Local documentaries will be compiled for local TV and online broadcasting. In addition, two science and education ‘bases’ will be established to promote in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity among the next generation (Output 4.2).

Standardized mechanisms will be developed for the sharing and use of information among public sector agencies and research institutions. This will include a database on indigenous agricultural varieties in Danjiangkou Reservoir Area (Output 4.3), that will enable monitoring of agroecosystem health, the coverage and diversity of indigenous crops and livestock and the effectiveness of incentive-based mechanisms.

Local information platforms will be established within the Danjiangkou Reservoir Area, through information centres, NGOs, community centres and farmer field schools (Output 4.4). These will house information on opportunities for farmers to generate revenue from traditional crops and livestock and promote the support available through extension agencies and farmer field schools. Provincial-level knowledge management platforms will be established to support exchange of information between public sector agencies, NGOs, private sector organizations and research groups. This will include the establishment of a web-based information platform where members can access tools and information, such as the guidelines, manuals and case studies developed under the project.

Component 4 will also ensure that the lessons learned under the project are captured to support results-based management and shared with other projects under the PRC-GEF Partnership Program for Sustainable Agriculture Development. A communication and information exchange strategy will be established to support this and its delivery overseen by the Project Steering Committee.

xi) Incremental/additional cost reasoning and expected contributions from the baseline, the GEFTF and co-financing

In the baseline scenario, the current lack of understanding of concepts and technical approaches for the sustainable use and conservation of agrobiodiversity will limit the use of local agricultural species and varieties by farmers, as the perception will remain that they are complicated to farm and offer few opportunities for income generation. Potential market opportunities for product development will not be exploited, and the in-situ sustainable use of agrobiodiversity will not contribute to poverty alleviation of farmers in Danjiangkou Reservoir Area or the sustainable agricultural development of the area. Farmers will continue to be drawn to high-yielding cultivars and the indigenous agriculture genetic diversity of Hubei will continue to disappear. While ex-situ conservation might protect some species, there will be limited opportunities for new genes to form as the environment changes.

The alternative scenario enabled by GEF will allow for critical policy, technical, market and capacity constraints to be addressed. The GEF funding will be used to reform local policies and regulations on indigenous agricultural varieties, identify the ecological and cultural values of the genetic diversity, demonstrate and deploy eco-friendly, practical and easy to use technologies, integrate appropriate technical models for the protection and sustainable use of indigenous agricultural varieties, establish market- and non-market-based incentive mechanisms and enhance the awareness and capacity of all stakeholders. This will include the awareness of key decision-makers, stimulating enhanced investment by government in the in-situ protection of agrobiodiversity.

Co-financing will be used to conduct a survey on indigenous agriculture genetic diversity in Danjiangkou Reservoir Area, collect genes for the gene bank and ex-situ conservation, establish protection stations in the


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original habitats of the varieties, implement eco-compensation schemes at a county level, establish agricultural products certification and to assess and identify outstanding germplasms which will contribute to protection of crop and livestock genes of global significance.

xii) Global environmental benefits (GEFTF)

By implementing the above-mentioned components, the GEF investment will significantly contribute to the conservation of GRFA within Hubei. This will include the preservation of significant crop genetic diversity within one of the original eight centres of origin established by Vavilov.

The demonstration activities of this project will focus on the Danjiangkou Reservoir Area, the ‘cradle of Chinese agriculture’ and an ecologically vulnerable area that is one of 35 national prioritized protection areas. The area has extremely rich agrobiodiversity. The project will directly improve in-situ conservation and sustainable management of agrobiodiversity across 11,000 ha of agricultural landscapes within the reservoir area. These activities will help maintain sustainable populations and on-farm genetic diversity of important local varieties rouge rice, Matou goat and wild kiwi. This latter variety is listed on the Agricultural Wild Plants under Special State Protection List, as there are particularly significant genetic resources of wild kiwi in Hubei. Replication of approaches are anticipated to enhance the conservation of traditional crops and livestock across a further 10,000 ha, and again these approaches will focus on important endemic varieties or those with significant genetic diversity in Hubei, and that have suffered significant genetic erosion as farmer interest in these varieties has declined.

Through provincial policy reform and mainstreaming, the project will have a broad indirect impact on the sustainable use of agrobiodiversity and the uptake of favorable sustainable land management approaches and techniques, particularly across the three demonstration counties. These will benefit Hubei’s agrobiodiversity – including globally significant local varieties such as Dao tea, sweet orange of Wudang, Yuhuang plum, Yunba cattle and horse-head goat of Yunxi – over an estimated area of 756,200 ha in total44.

Innovation, sustainability and potential for scaling up

Innovation: The project will establish innovative systems, tools and approaches for the protection of indigenous agricultural species varieties in Hubei, including the mainstreaming of participatory approaches for in-situ conservation and the establishment of incentive-based mechanisms for sustainable use and conservation. This will include through value-added market development and associated development of new products, innovative certification and branding schemes and the establishment of new marketing networks and partnerships. These market-based measures have not yet been explored within Hubei. The project will also demonstrate the application of non-market-based measures to conservation such as eco-compensation schemes in Danjiangkou Reservoir Area. While these schemes are actively used in China to address other environmental challenges, they have not yet been applied to the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of indigenous agricultural varieties. The project will facilitate transformation of the agricultural sector and mindsets, supporting farmers to be innovative in their decision-making and crop selection and encouraging public-private partnerships to explore new markets and product opportunities.Sustainability: The policy reform supported by the project including integration of agrobiodiversity conservation into the Eco-agriculture Plan of Han River Eco-economy Zone in Hubei Province will ensure that the protection and sustainable use of indigenous genetic diversity will continue as a routine part of government planning and policy. The modern and traditional farming practices integrated through the project will be verified by the target agricultural landscapes and translated into mainstreamed best practice guidelines and models. These tools will support replication of the approaches at further sites and on further local varieties, strengthening the likelihood of sustainable results. The partnerships established between farmers, private sector enterprises, public sector and

44 The preliminary estimate represents the size of the three target counties as this is where project activities will focus. However, the supportive policy and legislative reform and mainstreaming progressed by the project will also apply across Hubei. The estimate of global environmental benefits will be confirmed during the PPG phase.


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research institutions will build a secure base from which to expand incentive mechanisms across Hubei. The incentive mechanisms, markets and products developed by the project will provide tangible economic benefits for farmers, helping ensure that farmers choose local varieties of crops and livestock for production over the long-term. The project will also incorporate agrobiodiversity into science education curricula to build awareness and support for agrobiodiversity protection and sustainable use in the next generation.

Potential for scaling-up: Scaling up of project approaches and results will be supported through the development of provincial policies, regulations and plans that establish an effective enabling environment for the in-situ conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity. Approaches will be mainstreamed within key government agencies and the in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity incorporated in workplans and associated budgets. The awareness and capacity of government at all levels will be strengthened building support for on-going efforts to conserve agrobiodiversity in-situ. The project will support scaling up across the province through demonstration of technical approaches and incentive mechanisms alongside the expansion of markets and private sector involvement. These demonstration landscapes will provide tangible on-the-ground conservation outcomes and also provide models, capacity and training materials to support replication to further sites and indigenous varieties. The project is being implemented as part of a national program supporting sustainable agricultural development in China. Approaches, knowledge and results achieved will be shared with national partners under the Program to support exchange of knowledge and encourage scaling up of best practice initiatives beyond Hubei.


Stakeholder Role and responsibilities

Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China

As GEF focal point, MoF is responsible for high-level strategic guidance and overall oversight of the project and its implementation.


As the GEF Agency, and also the overall Program Coordinating Agency, UNDP will be responsible for coordination of all aspects of project design and implementation, helping to steer and ensure quality control throughout design and implementation, to meet UNDP, Government of China and GEF standards and strategic objectives.

Department of Agriculture of Hubei Province

Local executing agency for the project, responsible for organizing project design and implementation, communicating and coordinating with UNDP, Ministry of Finance, as well as relevant national and local government agencies. Will be responsible for the effective monitoring and management of risks, supported by project risk monitoring and management tools.

Department of Finance of Hubei Province

Responsible for coordination and financial auditing of the GEF project and supervision of its implementation.

Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences

Provide technical support to the Department of Agriculture of Hubei Province, and carry out studies, monitoring and evaluation, demonstration, deployment, capacity building and experience dissemination.

Zhongnan University of Economics and Law

Provide technical support to Department of Agriculture of Hubei Province in the study and research on policies of protection and sustainable use of indigenous agricultural varieties.

Rural Energy & Environment Agency, Ministry of Agriculture Coordinate the technical guidance and implementation of the project.

Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation Management Office of Hubei Province

Provide advice and technical support on opportunities to reduce the number of rural population living in poverty and improve farmers' living standards according to the goals of Danjiangkou in poverty alleviation and regional development.

Local Government and Competent Authorities for agricultural environmental protection

Support project implementation agencies in legislation, study, demonstration, capacity building and project deployment, etc.

Research institutions related to biodiversity protection and in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity

Provide technical support to the Department of Agriculture of Hubei Province in the design of the project, and carry out studies, monitoring & evaluation, demonstration, capacity building during implementation.

Enterprises Participate in the sustainable utilization of indigenous genetic diversity and the design


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and implementation at target landscapes, and related market development and upscaling activities.

Relevant social organizations

Including women’s federations, national NGOs and public institutions, which will provide guidance to project design to ensure that the interests and needs of stakeholders are fully considered and that equal opportunities are given to them to participate in the project.

Farmer cooperatives and growers.Participate in various project activities, especially to explore the traditional knowledge and practice of crop indigenous varieties and propose recommendations which will benefit both genetic diversity protection and farmers.

A.3 Risk. Indicate risks, including climate change, potential social and environmental risks that might prevent the project objectives from being achieved, and, if possible, propose measures that address these risks to be further developed during the project design.

Risk Rating Preventative measures

Conflicting policy directions of the Chinese Government that encourage the extension of the growing areas of staple crops or the promotion of new varieties to support food security.

Low The project will be implemented by the Department of Agriculture of Hubei – as a major provincial policymaker in agriculture and the implementer of national policies DoA will be able to integrate the directions of this project within broader policy directions and work plans. DoA will also be aware of any new policy directions that could impact the success of this project and take countermeasures to avoid the policy risks or any conflicting messages. The project will also raise awareness of provincial decision makers on the importance of in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation to food security.

As the water source of the Middle Route of South-to-North Water Transfer Project, Danjiangkou Reservoir Area has been listed as a national ecological function zone and the national government is developing eco-compensation of the area. The project will broaden this program to cover agro-ecological compensation in the national program, to build support for in-situ conservation of agrobiodiversity.

Limited farmer interest as they do not see the value of production using indigenous agricultural biodiversity.

Low The project will implement a range of mechanisms to generate farmer interest and awareness of the values of agrobiodiversity, including financial incentives, awareness-raising events and the provision of technical support. The participatory-based project design will ensure that project support reflects farmer needs and aspirations along with any gender-based differences in these.

Inability to establish strong market drivers that provide effective economic incentives and/or market fluctuations affect the business prospects of indigenous agrobiodiversity products.

Low Viable market opportunities for indigenous agrobiodiversity products have already been identified and there is strong potential to establish new markets linked to eco-tourism and through certification and branding schemes. The project will focus on developing these identified opportunities. Market risks will be assessed as part of project design and market-based incentive mechanisms will only be established for varieties and agricultural landscapes where market risks are assessed to be low.

The project will also take a broad approach to the development of incentive mechanisms and incorporate non-market-based incentive mechanisms where there are no or limited markets or where market risks are assessed to be high.

Project implementation could be challenged by natural disasters, resulting in damage to target agricultural landscapes, challenging project implementation timeframes and damaging crops.

Low Risk assessments will be completed for all target agricultural landscapes and considered as a part of landscape selection. Site-specific risk management measures will be developed. Geographic dispersion of landscapes will be considered to ensure that they are not all located in the one area prone to natural disasters. Ongoing risk monitoring and management will form part of project management, and the project will maintain a risk log. The project will align with relevant national strategies to support disaster risk assessment and mitigation, including the National Strategy of Climate Change Adaptation, National Natural Disaster Relief Plan, National Meteorological Disaster Plan and Emergency Plan for Major Agricultural Natural Disaster.


The project will coordinate with other relevant projects being implemented in China as follows: 1) Coordination with other child projects being delivered under the GEF-6 program PRC-GEF Partnership Program on Sustainable Agriculture Development. This will be supported through the knowledge management platforms to be established under Component 4 and though ongoing coordination between DoA as Project


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Executing Agency and MoA as Program Executing Agency. The design of each child project will be coordinated to provide synergistic inputs towards the achievement of the program outcomes, as detailed in Table 4 of the Program Framework Document. The role of UNDP as GEF Agency for both project and program implementation will also support coordination between project and program levels.

2) Coordination with China Biodiversity Partnership and Framework for Action (CBPF), funded by GEF, implemented by UNDP, led by Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People's Republic of China and jointly implemented by relevant ministries. The framework develops a set of effective supporting methods and programs of activities to stop the loss of biodiversity in China, provide a platform for exchange among international organizations, national decision-makers and technical experts and support Chinese participating institutions to coordinate and synergize their activities in a single, unified framework. The proposed project is in line with Theme 4 of CBPF, i.e. “Investing effectively in reducing biodiversity loss outside protected areas”.

3 ） Coordination with the Project of Crop Germplasm Resources Protection financed by the Chinese government and run by the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) to protect crop genetic diversity. The project has established a preliminary crop gene conservation system and identified and screened many genetic resources. The proposed project will coordinate with this initiative, drawing on available information on agricultural genetic resources in Hubei, building on research and survey techniques, and expanding conservation concepts to include in-situ agrobiodiversity conservation and participatory incentive-based approaches.

4）Coordination with Study and Demonstration Project on Protection and Use of Technology of Agricultural Wild Plants, a long-term scientific research project organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and jointly implemented by China Agricultural University and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS). The project aims to achieve the conservation of agricultural wild plants through sustainable use. The proposed project will work closely with this project, facilitated by the involvement of MoA and CAAS in both initiatives. The project will build on the research undertaken to date and will share lessons learnt, approaches and results from target agricultural landscapes to support the research of the wild plants project.

5）Coordination with the project of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The objective of GIAHS to integrate the protection of traditional production approaches and genetic resources with local economic development and improvement in people’s living standards. The proposed project will build on existing GIAHS/NIAHS experiences in China and will assist local agricultural departments in Hubei to apply for support under NIAHS.

The project is well-aligned to international targets for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. It will contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, most notably via target 2.5 to maintain the genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and their related wild species. It will also support the achievement of SDG targets 2.4 (sustainable and resilient food production systems), 15.5 (biodiversity loss) and 15.6 (fair and equitable benefit sharing of genetic resources),. The project will support multiple Aichi targets, primarily target 13 to maintain the genetic diversity of cultivated plants and animals and their wild relatives, and also targets 1 (awareness), 7 (sustainable agriculture), 12 (threatened species conservation) and 18 (traditional ecological knowledge).

The project is aligned with the three goals of the Convention on Biological Diversity and correspondingly to key objectives within China’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). It works to directly conserve both plant and animal genetic diversity, as well to establish and encourage sustainable use through traditional and modern methods and systems. The participation of key stakeholders will ensure that conservation


5. DESCRIPTION OF THE CONSISTENCY OF THE PROJECT WITH:6. B.1 Is the project consistent with the National strategies and plans or reports and assessements under relevant

conventions? (yes /no ). If yes, which ones and how: NAPAs, NAPs, ASGM NAPs, MIAs, NBSAPs, NCs, TNAs, NCSAs, NIPs, PRSPs, NPFE, BURs, etc.:

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approaches reflect local conditions and the aspirations of stakeholder groups, with due consideration to gender differences.

The Chinese government signed the CBD in 1992. China has taken steps to incorporate the protection and sustainable use of agricultural genetic diversity within national policy, regulations and strategies, including:

National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan 2011-2030 (NBSAP) . Project relevance is in particular to Priority Area 2, Actions 4 and 5; Priority Area 3, Actions 7 and 8; Priority Area 4, Action 16; Priority Area 10, Action 29 and 30.

China’s Agenda 21 (1999) proposes to integrate the conservation of crop genetic diversity with sustainable use.

All five China CBD National Reports refer to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, including crop genetic diversity, as an important strategic goal.

Chinese Agricultural Biodiversity Action Plan (1993). One of the five primary goals of this plan is to strengthen the in-situ conservation of ecosystems and species.

Action Plan for Chinese Genetic Resources (2001) action one and five incorporate in-situ conservation of crop and livestock genetic resources respectively.

The National Plan for Sustainable Development of Agriculture 2015-2030 includes the conservation of agrobiodiversity and highlights the importance of conserving genetic resources within wild relatives of crops and livestock.

The Crop Germplasm Resources Conservation Plan (Draft for Approval, 2013) proposes the strategy of integrating conservation with sustainable use, including to promote the conservation of genetic diversity.

Annex 1: Selection criteria for target traditional varieties and agricultural landscapes

All target traditional varieties will be:- of global importance- endemic to or primarily located within Hubei - well-known and recognized within China- have experienced a marked or drastic reduction in genetic resources and the number of available

local varieties- those which farmers have retained local varieties of due to special purposes or uses- offer potential economic values for marketing.

All target agricultural landscapes will be areas:

with globally important agrobiodiversity (areas where endemic species and varieties are threatened will be prioritized)


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where there is the potential to generate socio-economic and environmental benefits from the conservation and sustainable use of endemic agricultural plant or animal species

where communities / farmers are willing to be involved in conservation and sustainable use initiatives, including women

where there is significant co-financing available where agricultural and rural development extension networks are available to support community-

based initiatives. where implementing agencies and partners are willing to prioritise gender sensitive, participatory

design and implementation. where risks have been evaluated and preventative measures identified so that risks do not threaten

the viability of achieving intended impacts where there is the potential to scale up approaches and impacts following the end of the project.

PART I: PROJECT INFORMATION 45 Project Title: Climate smart management of grassland ecosystemsCountry(ies): ChinaGEF Agency(ies): WBOther Executing Partner(s):

Ministry of Agriculture

GEF Focal Area(s): Climate Change

A. FOCAL AREA STRATEGY FRAMEWORK AND OTHER PROGRAM STRATEGIES46:

45 This Concept Note is intended to convey whatever preliminary information exists at this stage on a child project and that is indicative of how it will contribute to the overall Program.46 When completing Table A, refer to the Program Results Framework, which is already mapped to the relevant Focal Area Results

Framework in the GEF-6 Programming Directions.


NAME OF PROGRAM:PRC-GEF PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL

DEVELOPMENT Child Project Concept Note

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http://spapps.worldbank.org/apps/gef/teams/obs/Shared%20Documents/GEF%20OPERATIONS/Template/Docs%20linked%20to%20templates/GEF6%20Focal%20Area%20Results%20Framework.docx

http://spapps.worldbank.org/apps/gef/teams/obs/Shared%20Documents/GEF%20OPERATIONS/Template/Docs%20linked%20to%20templates/GEF6%20Focal%20Area%20Results%20Framework.docx



Trust Fund

(in $)GEF

Project Financing

Co-financing

CCM-2 Program 4 GEFTF 3,769,083 25,500,000Total Project Cost 3,769,083 25,500,000

B. CHILD PROJECT DESCRIPTION SUMMARYProject Objective: To achieve climate smart management of grassland ecosystems through community participation and evidence-based implementation of grassland conservation policies. Project Components Financin

g Type47 Project Outcomes(in $)

GEF Project Financing

Co-financing

1. Strengthened enabling policy, regulation and strategic frameworks on grassland management

TA 1.1 Strengthened policy, regulatory and strategic frameworks at national and provincial levels to support evidence-based and climate-smart grassland development1.2 Strengthened institutional capacity on evidence-based policy making and implementation, and participatory and climate-smart grassland management practices1.3 Improved policies and regulations on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development at regional level, and formed a supporting system and ecological assessment system1.4 Established a public participation and information sharing platform under the multi - department contact and proposed the incentive mechanism;1.5 Developed green value chains of livestock products

530,000 4,300,000

2. Demonstration of an evidence-based payment for ecosystem services (PES) scheme and climate smart management of grassland ecosystems

INV 2.1 Community-based management approach (including sound GRFA and IAS management practices) and evidence-based payments for ecosystem services (PES) policy scheme with credible monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) system tested in selected provinces 2.2 Avoided carbon emission (1.10 million tons CO2e) from climate-smart grassland management practices.

2,620,000 16,000,000

47 Financing type can be either investment or technical assistance.


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2.3 Through the policy and mechanism assessment, GAP analysis was used to construct the optimized pattern of biodiversity conservation in the project area to facilitate the conservation and sustainable utilization of grassland biodiversity2.4 Conservation of biodiversity and improved grassland productivity and herder incomes 15% increase in income of

herder households in target pastoral landscapes attributed to their engagement in conservation and use of GRFA and green livestock production practices.

Maintenance of the number of traditional varieties of grass and livestock in target pastoral landscapes

3. Knowledge management TA 3.1 Effective coordination with activities under the Partnership Program3.2 Timely generation and sharing of good practices and experience learned from project implementation3.3 Strengthened policy makers, pastoral communities, the public and key stakeholders understanding of evidence-based ecological compensation mechanisms and climate smart management of grassland ecosystems and biodiversity conservation through regular surveys of knowledge, ideas and practices.

439,603 4,200,000

Subtotal 3,589,603 24,500,000Project Management Cost (PMC)48 (select) 179,480 1,000,000

Total Project Cost 3,769,083 25,500,000For multi-trust fund projects, provide the total amount of PMC in Table B, and indicate the split of PMC among the different trust

C. CO-FINANCING FOR THE PROJECT BY SOURCE, BY TYPE AND BY NAME

Sources of Co-financing Name of Co-financier Type of Co-financing Amount ($)

Recipient Government Ministry of Agriculture Grant 15,950,000

48 For GEF Project Financing up to $2 million, PMC could be up to10% of the subtotal; above $2 million, PMC could be up to 5% of the subtotal. PMC should be charged proportionately to focal areas based on focal area project financing amount in Table D below.


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Recipient Government Provincial Government Gansu and Qinghai

Grant 5,300,000

Private Sector To be identified Grant/In-kind 4,250,000(select) (select)(select) (select)Total Co-financing 25,500,000

D. TRUST FUND RESOURCES REQUESTED BY AGENCY(IES), COUNTRY(IES) AND THE PROGRAMMING OF FUNDS a)

N/A


PROJECT OVERVIEWA.1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION. BRIEFLY DESCRIBE: : 1) the global environmental and/or adaptation problems, root causes and barriers that need to be addressed; 2) the baseline scenario or any associated baseline projects, 3) the proposed alternative scenario, with a brief description of expected outcomes and components of the project, 4) incremental/additional cost reasoning and expected contributions from the baseline, the GEFTF, LDCF, SCCF, and co-financing; 5) global environmental benefits (GEFTF) and/or adaptation benefits (LDCF/SCCF); and 6) innovation, sustainability and potential for scaling up.

i) i) The global environmental and/or adaptation problems, root causes and barriers that need to be addressed

Global Environmental Problems

Grasslands is the most widely distributed terrestrial ecosystems accounting one fourth of the terrestrial areas of the earth and one third of carbon sequestrated by the global terrestrial ecosystems. It supplies more than 50% of the world’s dairy products and supports the livelihood of 600 million people. It plays a crucial role in safeguarding the world’s food security, sequestrating atmospheric carbon dioxide, and maintaining the global carbon and nitrogen cycles. However, economic development, climate change and over-exploitation have greatly degraded grasslands worldwide. It is estimated that over the past five decades, global grassland ecosystems have lost about 4 pg. of soil carbon and 20% of grassland areas in the north hemisphere. This comes with significant reduction in grassland biodiversity and carbon sequestration capacity.

China’s grasslands spread over 400 million hectares, accounting for about 40% of the country’s terrestrial area. Geographically, about 78% of China's grasslands are located in the northern temperate zone, often with fragile environmental conditions. These grasslands have provided important ecological services - locally, nationally and globally - including supporting millions of herders engaged in pastoral production. Mismanagement (transition from endemic livestock species, overgrazing etc.) and climate changes have degraded China’s grasslands at a rate of 1.33 million ha annually with 90% of grasslands at various levels of degradation, impairing ecological functions, productivity and resilience of local grassland ecosystems. Such degradation has also led to widespread pest and IAS infestation. IAS are increasingly competing with endemic grass varieties. There are reports of toxic IAS threatening livestock production in some of China’s grassland areas. Further exacerbating the problem, many endemic livestock species have been replaced by high productivity ones.


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China's grassland has the carbon sequestration potential to absorb one third of China's annual GHG emission. However, large areas of China’s grasslands have degraded from net carbon sinks into a source of GHG emission contributing to climate change, and from being a protective cover for top soil to becoming a key driver of sand storms affecting air quality of northern China and surrounding East Asian countries. Such a degradation is further exacerbated by a changing climate - warmer and drier for northern China with frequent extreme weather events. Without effective interventions, mismanagement of grassland production and ecological systems will undermine global efforts on climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation, undermine livelihoods of millions of poor herders and affect local and regional climate events.

Biodiversity is a condition for human survival and the basis of sustainable economic and social development. Human activities have led to deterioration of regional ecological environment, reduction of forest resources, degradation of grassland, land desertification, habitat shrinkage and destruction, which in turn threaten habitats of a large number of animal and plant species; The extinction rate of species today is unprecedented and more than 17,000 kinds of animal and plant endangered. The proposed project area is not only the production base of animal husbandry, but also the distribution center of rare and endangered wild animals such as Elymus nutans, Elymus sibiricus, Poa crymophila Keng, Festuca sinensis Keng, Astragalus adsurgens Agropyron cristatum, Avena sativa, Medicago sativa and indigenous livestock breeds such as Qilian Mountain yak, Tibetan Antelope, white yak, white Tibetan Antelope, Shandan horse, Cervus elaphus. These local varieties are important for sustaining the resilience of local grassland ecosystems. On one hand, resilient native grass varieties can provide superior germplasm resources for the restoration of degraded grassland ecosystems; on the other hand, local livestock varieties have features such as high fecundity, resistance to coarse feeding, strong disease resistance, and good quality. These livestock varieties are important parts of grassland biodiversity and the basis for the survival and development of local communities. As such, grassland ecosystems serve as also an important gene bank to meet production needs and respond to climate change. Many livestock breed varieties developed to improve performance of livestock are based on local livestock resources after years of breeding. Therefore, the conservation of existing livestock resources in the project area can lay the foundation for future livestock breeding.

Root Causes

Economic Development and Poverty Alleviation Policies and Strategies across China favour Productivity over Sustainable Agricultural Development. Over the past few decades, there has been a drive amongst agricultural and rural development agencies across China to support economic growth and poverty alleviation in rural areas. As part of this, pastoral communities have been encouraged to move away from traditional and community-managed pastoralism to fenced and family-led grassland management practices. Land use patterns are changing rapidly and long-established pastoral methods and practices are increasingly phased out. Such practices have threatened the sustainable use of local livestock varieties and led to overgrazing of grasslands.

Tragedy of Commons. The current grassland management policies in China has basically entrusted herder households to well-defined pastures. The winter pastures are often fenced while the summer pastures are in high elevation areas without fences. For summer pastures and pastures without a clear definition of user rights, the tragedy of commons occurs naturally when herders act independently to maximize their own self-interests and there is no meaningful enforcement either from the government or from the community.

Lack of Effective Production Technology. Lack of effective production technology has caused a low productivity of pastoral production and thus limited herders’ willingness to comply with current grassland conservation policies. For herders, there is a strong demand for the on-the-ground demonstration of effective production technologies and practices for grassland management and production enhancement to enable them to understand environmental, technical and financial


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implications of such technologies and practices.

Poor grassland management practice and a changing climate have accelerated the degradation of grassland ecosystem function. In recent decades, the climate of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its surrounding areas become warm and humid with a reduced temperature difference during the day. These changes seriously affect the ecological processes of grassland ecosystems, and thus require the adoption of appropriate grassland management practices to cope with the changing climate.

Barriers

A number of barriers are currently preventing relevant departments at all levels from achieving the goals of its grassland conservation programs.

Barrier 1: Policy on grassland management has not met the expected target

Since 2003 China has implemented various payments for ecosystem services (PES) programs (e.g. Grazing Ban and Return to Grass Program from 2003-2010, Subsidy for Grassland Ecological Conservation from 2011-2015) to support grassland conservation. These programs focus heavily on the provision of technical and financial incentives to promote sustainable grassland uses. However, the design of such programs faced challenges in determining the level of subsidies and implementation modalities. Herders’ actual demands could not be well identified, levels of incentives were set with weak justifications. In addition, although the individual herder household has the right to utilize grassland under the contractual responsibility system, land rights and grassland management responsibilities belong to all levels of governments. Herders have no incentives to consider consequences of their short-term economic actions in managing their livestock production and have no incentives to invest in grassland restoration. Grassland contracted to the household greatly reduced herd movements but increased the demand for hay. Consequently, there are large-scale grassland conversion which has destroyed grassland habitats and caused serious soil erosion and declined grassland productivity and ecosystem services. These might have seriously compromised the actual impacts of these program might have been seriously compromised while herders’ livestock production practices have yet to be changed towards the desired sustainable manners.

Barrier 2: Weak supervision on grassland management at all levels

China still faces great capacity challenges to enforce its grassland conservation policies and regulations. As a result, the control of herd sizes and grazing practices has been loose. It is reported thatMOA and its local DOAs have limited capacity to monitor and evaluate actual implementation of its grassland conservation PES schemes. Due to remoteness of grasslands, local DOAs often have no capacity to track and monitor the actual herd sizes and their grazing practices and thus have not been to enforce the grazing ban and the livestock-grassland balance policy. Grassland supervision departments at all levels have poor capacity with each grassland supervision personnel covering law enforcement tasks at average of tens of thousands of hectares of grasslands. Often times, these departments have few vehicles, communications equipment, and operating funds to carry out timely and effective supervision and investigations of illegal cases. In particular, rampant and indiscriminate collection of wild herbs, and assaults to of grassland supervisors are often reported.

In addition, supported by the GEF, China is developing an effective MRV system to monitor and evaluate climate impacts of major crop production activities. In comparison, China has yet to develop such a MRV system to measure climate impacts of its production activities in grassland ecosystems. At present, there are only 1,000 grassland monitoring points with a long-term focus on grassland productivity. Data from these sites are far from enough to support a robust MRV system..

It is clear that local DOA’s capacity needs to be strengthened to empower them to implement future grassland PES schemes and conserve grassland ecosystems effectively. Without consistent and


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credible monitoring and enforcement, incentives and penalties are not able to shift incentives enough to avoid the tragedy of commons leading to the degradation of grasslands.

Barrier 3: Lack of Understanding of Grassland Ecosystem ServicesChina has been actively evaluating climate impacts of its economic activities and developing its climate change strategies. However, such exercises have been very challenging in the context of grassland production due to the complex nature of grassland production systems and interactions among different components of its associated grassland ecosystems. To maintain the functional health of grassland ecosystems, the relevant stakeholders must take measures from ecological, social, environmental, technical and economic perspectives. Existing monitoring focuses on grassland yields and livestock stocking rates, but has not been able to measure ecosystem services, such as water conservation, windproof and sand-fixing, soil conservation, biodiversity, provided by grassland ecosystems..

ii) The baseline scenario and any associated baseline projects

The Government of China has long recognized the seriousness of grassland degradation and its negative impacts on ecosystem services, carbon release and sequestration, and herders' livelihood. To reverse the trend, China has implemented various policies and technical measures. From 2003 to 2010, the national government implemented a Grazing Ban and Return to Grass Program with a total investment over RMB 13.6 billion to restore grassland vegetation and ecosystem health through measures such as fencing, artificial seeding, grazing bans, and rotational grazing. These were followed by the Grassland Ecological Conservation Program from 2011 to 2015 to support grazing bans, pasture and livestock balance, as well as offering payment for ecosystem service (PES) schemes in eight key pastoral provinces and autonomous regions in northern China. MOA reports that since 2003, a total of 96 million hectares of grassland has benefited from the grazing ban, and 39 million hectares from artificial seeding and variety improvement. Livestock-pasture balance management measures were introduced in 173 million hectares and a total of 87 million hectares was fenced. However, as the ministry acknowledges, the pace of China’s efforts to improve grassland management has been out-stripped by the rate of grassland degradation and desertification with key pastoral areas overgrazed by 20% in excess of their carrying capacity.

In recent years, China has made significant progress in grassland restoration and protection by adopting "top-down" approach. It is evident that grassland productivity in target project areas have improved significantly. However, such efforts are problematic in terms of having limited participation of local herders, lack of evidence-based PES scheme, poor grassland management technology. It is well recognized that the design and implementation of current grassland conservation policies need to be revised and improved.

Examples of how three key policies have been implemented illustrate the baseline scenario further. First, the grazing ban policy was set up in China around early 2000s with an objective of restoring degraded grassland by reducing grazing pressure. Herders were compensated based on affected areas of their grasslands. The policy was implemented with no indications of the ban term and the termination time. The policy for non-grazing for a long time has not considered that grazing is necessary to maintain grassland ecosystem vigor and ecosystem service. Lots of evidence turned up such as unfavorable vegetation succession, reduced plant biodiversity, increased rodent activities and further grasslands degradation after long term grazing ban. Second, the fencing policy, implemented around the same time, intended to help herders better manage grasslands allocated to them. An increasing number of studies have noted that fencing without proper grazing rotation and effective control of herd sizes has increased grazing intensity and reduced the availability of grass varieties for quality livestock production. It is also reported that fencing has limited wildlife movements and elevated their risks of being trapped by fences and captured by poachers. Third, the recent implemented PES schemes under the Grassland Ecological Conservation Program intended to use subsidies to incentivize herders to manage their livestock production at a sustainable level. However, the PES subsidy level was been determined without a clear linkage to financial impacts of grassland


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conservation measures on herders' livelihood. As a result, herders often see the PES subsidy as a livelihood subsidy with no impacts on their herd sizes.

It is also well recognized that these schemes have limited impacts on the recovery of grassland ecosystem services, pasture establishment and biodiversity conservation. Relevant departments have recognized the top-down approach of policy development and implementation has failed to consider local pastoral conditions and the actual situation of herders, causing some promoted grassland management practice go against the actual situation. Scholars believe that these schemes, as short-term measures, do not explicitly consider the long-term sustainability of grassland ecosystems, and lack of effective monitoring methods and techniques, and thus hinder the correct assessment of the effectiveness of various policies and technical measures.

Target project sites locate at the both sides of Qilian Mountain (Qilian County of Qinghai Province and Shandan County of Gansu Province). The areas are located at the northeast border of Tibetan Plateau, the upper and middle reaches of Heihe River Basin, and are water sources of Heihe River Basin. Heihe River is originated from the north foot of Qilian Mountain, and is the second longest inland river in northwest China. Its mainstream is 821 kilometers long. It has a watershed of 143,000 km2. The majority of its flow (95%) is supplied by mountain rainfall and snowmelt. Qilian County holds the source water areas of Heihe River and is crucial to social-economic development in the Heihe River basin. Shandan County is located in the middle reach of Heihe River. The target project sites cover a total of 1,549,000 ha grassland, mainly alpine grassland and meadow. Of which, 80% grasslands are degraded at various degrees in the project area due to years of overgazing, mismanagement, and a climate changing climate. The degradation is reflected on the declining of grassland productivity, loss of biodiversity, desertification, and soil erosion. All these affect directly local livestock production and livelihoods, and even threaten the stability of local ecological environment. For example, the number of high productivity grass varieties have decreased rapidly, while poisonous weeds such as Gelsemium elegans and Oxytropis ochrocephala have increased in abundance. Ecosystem imbalance has also led to increased degradation by grassland rodents . Governments and departments at all levels of China have put more efforts on grassland conservation in the region, but have not changed the situation of grassland ecosystem degradation due to little consideration of climate change and local participation. As such, targeted support on adaptive management of grassland ecosystems under the context of a changing climate is urgently needed.

In the past 30 years, with the increasing intensity of human activities and a changing climate, the structure of grassland ecosystems is changing, the energy and material flows become imbalance, while ecosystem degradation continues. Driven by economic interests, local government and farmers have worked hard to improve the productivities of grass and livestock species for many years but ignored largely the conservation needs of native species. In the project area, there is an increasing trend of using mono-varieties or relatively few species, which has resulted in a shrinking distribution area of plant species and populations, reduced species diversity and richness, and increasing threatens to endangered species. Compared to breeding forage and livestock varieties, native species in the project area have low productivity and economic returns even though native species are more adaptive to the changing climate. For most forage varieties, the lack of seed production has restricted their utilization in the grassland restoration. All these pose risks to the sustainable management of grassland ecosystems in the project area.

The proposed project framework is outlined below:


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iii) The proposed alternative scenario, GEF focal area strategies, with a brief description of expected outcomes and components of the project

The proposed project will have four components: (a) Strengthened enabling policy and capacity building on sustainable management of grassland ecosystems; (b) demonstration of an evidence-based PES scheme; (c) knowledge management; and (d) project management.

Component 1: Strengthened enabling policy and capacity building on sustainable management of grassland ecosystems. This component will support MOA and project provinces to strengthen their policy, regulatory and strategic frameworks to support evidence-based and climate-smart grassland management practices. A “learning-by-doing” approach will be employed, whereby the activities described in component 2 will be used as a case learning exercise to test and strengthen monitoring activities designed to help real-time course corrections of the PES activities specifically, and the MOA program of work more broadly. Key stakeholders at the national and provincial levels will be trained on the methodologies of evidence-based policy making and implementation, participatory and climate-smart grassland management practices (including the conservation and sustainable use of local grass and livestock varieties) with a focus on applying the learning directly to flagship projects beyond the PES. The overall objective is to help the MOA design more versatile development instruments that are able to incorporate structured evidence generation throughout the project cycle to inform both micro and macro program elements. By building real-time monitoring systems into projects, this will allow teams to be able to make micro program decisions related to the specific targeting, rollout and packaging of projects. By embedding more structured impact evaluation frameworks to the projects from the start, teams will learn how to use more rigorous evidence to make informed decisions for mid-course correction of major program elements based on reliable and timely information. Finally, the component will support local government agencies and extension service providers to improve their understanding of green value chains and to improve their capacity to work with private sector actors and herders to develop such value chains.

Component 2: Demonstration of Evidence-Based PES Scheme and Climate Smart Management of Grassland Ecosystems. This component will support (a) development and implementation of an evidence based MRV system; (b) community participatory management of grassland ecosystems; (c) demonstration of climate smart grassland management technologies and practices; and (d) strengthen regional biodiversity conservation and build support information system.


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For (a), it will facilitate the development of sustainable management strategies, including the implementation arrangements for the current and potential PES schemes, through participatory decision-making between the government and local herders. Effective management practices in GRFA and IAS will also be incorporated into such strategies. The component will support 3 elements designed to overcome the two major causes for previous inefficiencies in the current government-implemented PES subsidy – namely, (i) a lack of evidence to inform decisions and (ii) inadequate incentive systems due to a lack of consistent monitoring and enforcement. The 3 elements include (1) support to design PES design elements that are responsive to local needs; (2) developing and testing innovative ICT monitoring solutions provide information for evidence-based MRV system and verify outputs related to ecosystem services; (3) measurement of the overall impacts of different PES delivery options to inform policy design and scale up.

Piloting ICT monitoring systems: This component will support sound MRV activities to collect concrete and reliable evidence. As project areas are in remote areas, ICT tools will be utilized to collect such evidence. To meet the objective of identifying a cost-effective ICT-based monitoring approach for scale up for widespread program use, the project will support the testing of various novel remote sensing techniques aimed at providing real-time high-frequency data on which to track household grazing behaviors and, consequently, intervention progress. Since accuracy, granularity, ease-of-use, and per-unit costs will be important determinants of the value of scaling up a comprehensive monitoring system, the project will support the MOA in following a three-phased approach: (i) engage with local and international researchers to identify a set of promising remote sensing tools and methods for testing; (ii) ground-truth these approaches with herders in the pilot intervention sites by rolling out the remote sensing tools and conducting in-depth field surveys and in-person observations for comparison, and (iii) refine the approach based on insights in the ground-truthing exercise (including accuracy and cost) to develop a fully-fledged monitoring approach to be included in other counties and provinces in the country.

Implementation: The component will then support the actual implementation of grassland conservation strategies and the adoption of project-promoted climate-smart grassland management and livestock production practices. The level of support will be estimated based on (a) available payments to the community under existing grassland conservation programs; and (b) costs of farmers to adopt new grassland management and livestock production practices; and (c) expected impacts on grassland conservation targets (such as grassland productivity, soil organic carbon contents etc.). Based on the information collected in the monitoring system, PES payments will be disbursed to project beneficiaries.

Evaluation: By collecting baseline and endline data, together with strong monitoring information collected through the ICT system, the project will be set up to test different approaches to PES support and rigorously identify the most effective ones. The overall program will be designed to ensure that this pilot acts as a “learning-by-doing” opportunity for all relevant government involved in building evidence for improving the science of delivery for government interventions in order to maximize the potential that the learning spills over into other government activities and begins to more systematically strengthen the monitoring and evaluation approaches that the existing initiatives.

For (b), this component will support beneficiary pastoral communities to develop institutional arrangements to manage their resources in a participatory manner. Herders will be consulted on their traditional knowledge of grassland management and livestock production. Technical support will be provided to herders during project preparation to support them to develop a common understanding of their existing pastoral production practices and associated impacts on sustainable management of grassland ecosystems, climate smart and sustainable management options, and expected economic, ecological and climate outcomes of such new management options on grazing management practices and the promotion of native grass and livestock species. In doing so, herders will be facilitated to reach consensus on (i) grassland co-management arrangements; (ii) adoption of new climate smart pastoral production practices; and (iii) conflict resolution mechanism. Continued technical support and facilitation will be provided during project implementation to help herders to adjust their


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management practices based on actual results achieved.

For (c), this component will support the identification and adoption of climate smart pastoral production and grassland management technologies and practices. This will include: (1) soil carbon sequestration through ecological restoration of degraded grasslands, (2) efficiency enhancement of animal husbandry, (3) energy-efficient fodder production, (4) IT based monitoring and evaluation. Closely linked with the (a) and (b) sub-component, this sub-component will provide technical foundations for herders to choose new production practices under sub-component (b) while effectiveness of piloted technologies and practices will be evaluated based on monitoring results of sub-component 1. Linking with the activities of the four other child projects of the PRC-GEF Partnership for Sustainable Agricultural Development, the proposed climate smart pastoral production and grassland management practices will also take full account of the conservation and sustainable use of important genetic resources for food and agriculture and the prevention, control and management of invasive alien species.

(d) Strengthen the regional biodiversity conservation pattern and construct the supporting information system;

This part will focus on carry out empirical evidence-based ecological compensation mechanism and climate smart grassland ecosystem management demonstration on the basis of the regional grassland landscape pattern structure and process analysis, optimizing habitat structure and layout, grassland restoration, conservation of native plant and livestock varieties. The second is to coordinate the public sector, research institutions, non-governmental organizations and farmers' organizations and other aspects of the power to form a collaborative mechanism to build the economy, information support system and platform.

The project will fully analyze existing biodiversity conservation policies and measures to optimize biodiversity and in the context of natural ecological and socio-economic contexts through surveys of key grassland species, advanced landscape analysis methods, and multi-scale spatial temporal analysis and scenario simulation Protect the pattern and form an integrated management system and conservation technology; The existing grassland management policies and measures will be analyzed and evaluated, and the importance of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development is emphasized. The whole society has paid attention to it, put forward corresponding incentive and protection policies, and promoted the construction of multi-channel and multi-level support systems. This project will be carried out through the following four aspects:(a) optimize grazing management system and reduce human interference intensity;(b)strengthen the prevention and control of rodent and pests, eliminate or reduce the impact of biodiversity factors;(c)the grassland biodiversity conservation and protection, maintain and promote grassland biological diversity, increasing utilization of native plant species to restore grassland ecosystem; (d) demonstrate conservational farming system and agriculture-pastoral integrated system of green industry chain to decrease the adverse impacts of agricultural production on grassland ecosystem. The goal is to maintain or even enhance the biodiversity of the target grassland ecosystem and to support the climate smart management of grassland ecosystem in China.

To reduce the rate of loss of all natural habitats, by at least half by 2030 and, if possible, to near zero, with significant reductions in degradation and fragmentation; to enhance the benefits of biodiversity and ecosystems for all of the benefits; By 2030 conservation and restoration actions, ecosystem resilience and the contribution of biodiversity to carbon stocks are enhanced, including the restoration of at least 15% of degraded ecosystems, Thereby contributing to mitigation and adaptation to climate change and combating desertification.

Component 3: Knowledge Management. There are a number of important audiences for the knowledge generated from this work: (i) local policymakers and practitioners; (ii) international development staff across organizations and regions; (iii) researchers and (iv) affected communities. This component will first support this project to maintain close coordination with the implementation


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of the Partnership Program under the overall operationalization of the MOA. This will involve bringing partner organizations such as UNDP and FAO into the discussions related to the evidence building from the start, and involving them at strategic points throughout the program cycle so that dissemination can be tailored to their interests and ongoing support in other programs with the MOA linked to this Partnership Program. Secondly the MOA will be responsible for actively engaging their core staff to participate in knowledge events timed to coincide with different decision points in the project. By convening researchers, international development staff, and government policymakers and practitioners around a tangible set of projects and novel tools designed to support program design and learning, the knowledge will be developed through these communities of practice with the objective of filtering through to other parts of the MOA and beyond. Thirdly, through regular knowledge exchange activities, ideas and practical experience on developing and implementing evidence-based policy-making, participatory climate smart grassland management, conservation and sustainable use of native plant and livestock varieties, prevention and control of IAS, will help main stakeholders – decision-makers, herder community and the public – improve their understanding of ecological services provided by the grassland ecosystems and incentivize them to step up their efforts on sustainable management and conservation of grassland ecosystems.

Considering that many herders in the project area are Hui, Mongolian, Yu-gu, Tibetan and other minorities, this project will include the sustainable development of minorities and their communities as one of the project objectives. Ethnic herders will be the main beneficiary of the project area. They will be empowered to play a major role in the participatory assessment, grassland co-management, monitoring and evaluation, and other project activities. Targeted training in their languages will be provided to help improve their skills in production and marketing, thus improve their livelihoods.

Component 4: Project management. This component will support MOA to properly manage the implementation of this project.

iv)Incremental/additional cost reasoning and expected contributions from the baseline, the GEFTF, LDCF, SCCF and co-financing

As noted, the design and implementation of MOA’s existing grassland conservation programs are top-down with limited inputs to herders capacity building. Climate impacts on and from existing grassland management practices have yet to be understood. As such, the additionality of this project lies in its efforts to test participatory and climate smart grassland management practices and the evidence based policy design and implementation approaches that are new to MOA. This proposed project will showcase how baseline investments from MOA, local government and herders on grassland conservation and livestock production can be channeled through innovative mechanisms to achieve concrete and verifiable results on climate resilience, mitigation and livelihoods. Incremental cost reasoning of the project includes the following aspects:

1) To address the shortcoming of the baseline and top-down grassland management approach, the proposed project will support bottom-up and participatory grassland management practices, including policy development and policy to implementation;

2) To respond to the lack of proper evaluation of grassland management policies and practices, this project will support the development of a MRV system that suitable for grassland ecosystems and can generate reliable data to support evidence-based policy making.

v) Innovation, sustainability and potential for scaling up

This proposed project will support the following innovative interventions: (a) participatory and partnership based management of grassland ecosystems; (b) market incentives for local livestock products that are produced following project promoted sustainable production practices; (c) climate-smart grassland management practices; and (d) evidence-based PES schemes. The project will develop and demonstrate innovative, participatory and partnership based approaches, which will ensure that incentive mechanisms have the broad support of all key partners, are effectively targeted to meet livelihood needs and aspirations of beneficiary herders, and involve relevant private and


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public sector groups and are therefore viable and sustainable. Market based incentive mechanisms will focus on the development/ expansion of certification and branding and associated production groups and value chains. The participatory, partnership based approach will ensure that incentive based mechanisms are flexible and adaptable to meet local social and environmental contexts at the pilot sites.

Climate smart grassland management practices will focus on the sustainable use of grasslands under a changing climate, the reduction of GHG emission from grassland degradation and livestock production, and the livelihood development of beneficiary communities. Such practices will take full consideration of the conservation and sustainable use of agro-biodiversity and the prevention, control and management of IAS. Climate trends will be analyzed carefully to understand short-term and long-term climate constraints for local livestock production at the pilot sites. Adaptive management practices will be identified based on participatory approaches and domestic and international best practices. A well designed MRV system will monitor and evaluate effectiveness of project promoted practices. Based on evaluated results, most effective grassland management and livestock production practices will be identified and recommended for local and national scaling up.

The international contributions of the Climate Smart Management of Grassland Ecosystem Project mainly include (a) The project will serve as a national initiative for "Biodiversity Conservation" and "Climate Change" to promote synergies between the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the development of climate smart agriculture concept; (b) The results and experience of the project are important to the management and utilization of the Eurasian grassland and the North American grassland with similar climatic types and serve for the "one-way-all" strategy being implemented in China and can be demonstrated in the above areas; (c)The core area of the project is located in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which is known as the "third pole" in the world. It is the important raw water conservation area and the "Alpine germplasm resource bank" in the world. It is also one of the most sensitive regions in global climate change response. It is the lifeblood of ecological safety in China and even in Asia. The implementation of this project contributes to global ecological security, climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation.

The most innovation of this project is to support MOA to pilot for the first time an evidence based PES scheme. As noted earlier, MOA has implemented a number of PES programs to support the conservation and sustainable use of grasslands. However, the existing PES programs have failed to establish effective mechanisms to properly evaluate how such programs have been implemented, what results have been achieved, and whether the PES payments have motivated herders’ to adopt more sustainable grassland management practices. To help MOA address this issue, this project will be designed according to sound impact evaluation methodologies and adopt innovative ICT technologies to ensure project impacts can be clearly identified and attributed. The design will also test the effectiveness of different payment levels and payment approaches in terms of helping herders to improve their grassland management and livestock production practices.

The project’s sustainability rests on the design of this project under the context of supporting MOA to achieve developmental targets outlined in the NSDAP (2015-2030). By having an objective of helping MOA pilot evidence-based and climate-smart grassland management practices, the project will help national and local stakeholders for the first time understand scientific but effective ways to design grassland policies, collect policy implementation data and evaluate policy impacts. In doing so, policy recommendations based on concrete results of this project will help MOA reform its existing and future grassland conservation programs to link desired conservation results with PES payments. Through such policy reforms, participatory and climate smart grassland management and livestock production practices and evidence based policy design and implementation approaches will be scaled up within the project provinces and nationally.


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Ministry of Finance (MOF)

Focal point of GEF project on behalf of Govt of China. Review, approval and sign off of project documents. At the Provincial level in each of the provinces where Child Projects will be implemented, provincial financial departments will have delegated responsibilities to input to, review and approve project design documents.

Ministry of Agriculture (MOA)

Lead National Executing Agency for the Partnership Program with core responsibilities for Agrobiodiversity conservation and Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Management. Within MOA, the Department of Science, Technology and Education will lead preparation and implementation of the Partnership Program with support of the three GEF agencies. MOA will guide project design for this project to ensure that this project address the key issues identified and support provincial and national policy and institutional processes and structures. They will also clarify their inputs to the projects part of baseline activities and as co-financing, and will provide advice on effective project co-ordination with relevant national agricultural initiatives.

The World Bank The World Bank is the Implementing Agency for this project and will be responsible for coordinating with UNDP and FAO in leading project preparation and implementation.

The National Management Office of Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation

National and Provincial Level representatives will provide guidance and inputs to project design and implementation, in particular to ensure that proposed project support mechanisms and outputs effectively reflect the policy and strategic context for rural development and poverty alleviation in China and that community level interventions can achieve rural development and poverty alleviation objectives. They will also clarify their inputs to the projects part of baseline activities and / or co-financing, and will provide advice on effective coordination with national and provincial community development and poverty alleviation initiatives.

National Commission on Ethnic Minorities

National and Provincial Level representatives will provide guidance and inputs to design of this project in particular to ensure that proposed project support mechanisms and outputs effectively reflect the policy and strategic context for the development of ethnic minority communities. Similarly, they will also clarify their inputs to the project as part of baseline activities and / or co-financing, and will provide advice on effective project co-ordination with national and provincial initiatives for ethnic minorities whenever applicable.

Women’s Federation at national and provincial levels in all relevant provinces under the project.

Provide core inputs to the PPG process to guide and inform project design and ensure that it effectively involves women, addresses women’s needs and that the resulting Child Projects incorporate the active participation of women and work to achieve livelihood benefits for women, recognizing their core role in the sustainable use of agrobiodiversity in rural farming communities. They will also clarify their inputs to the projects/Program as part of baseline activities and / or co-financing, and will provide advice on effective Program/project co-ordination with relevant national and provincial level initiatives supporting rural women, and with relevant local women groups and organizations.

Ministry of Land and Resources (MLR)

Provide inputs to project design for this project to clarify linkages between areas of support under the project and areas of MLR responsibility.

Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST)

Provide inputs to design of this project to clarify linkages between areas of support under the projects and areas of MOST responsibility.


Provide guidance and inputs to design of this Project to ensure that it involve the youth and increase the awareness and capacity of young people for improved grassland conservation. They will also clarify their inputs to the project as part of baseline activities and / or co-financing and will provide advice on effective project coordination with relevant national and provincial initiatives and youth groups.

Relevant National and Provincial Scientific and Research Institutions

Provide advice and inputs to ensure that project design effectively incorporates, reflects and builds on national scientific knowledge and research on grassland conservation. National and Provincial level Scientific and Research Institutions will also clarify the current baseline of knowledge, how they can contribute to and support project implementation, and how the project can effectively co-ordinate with relevant national and provincial research initiatives.


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Pastoral Communities Pastoral communities lie at the heart of the project. Establishing effective incentive mechanisms for their true participation in project activities will require the guidance and active participation of these communities at each of the pilot sites. The project preparation will involve extensive consultation and participatory design with concerned communities to ensure that the approaches developed, and activities, outputs and results established through the project reflect the livelihood aspirations of both men and women and reflect local conditions. The participatory design process will also be essential to establish support for the project at the community level and strong ‘ownership’ of project objectives, approaches and outcomes within communities at each of the demonstration sites. An extensive consultative design process will also provide important information for establishing a clear project baseline, clarifying community contributions as co-financing, and for setting realistic targets and indicators within project monitoring and evaluation frameworks. To coordinate the Hui, Mongolian, Yu-gu and Tibetan and other minority people for their participation in project implementation, and promote their awareness and capability in sustainable grassland management.

Businesses and Private Sector Organisations

The establishment of market based incentive mechanisms for the sustainable use and conservation of grassland will in part rely on developing effective markets and value chains for traditional crops and livestock and/or products made from them. It will be essential to involve businesses and private sector organisations in project design to ensure that project support is based on a clear understanding of current markets for local livestock products, and of opportunities to strengthen them. The design team should also work with private sector organisations to identify new markets for local livestock products and opportunities to strengthen value chains so that herders receive more and / or sustained benefits. The consultative design process should explore opportunities to involve private sector organisations in the project and assess potential co-financing inputs and the way in which the private sector can work to support scaling up and sustainability of project outcomes.

NGOs The consultative design process will also involve NGOs at the national, provincial and local levels to ensure that the projects build on and effectively co-ordinate with NGO activities and initiatives. Project design will also clarify and confirm co-financing contributions from NGOs and clarify the way in which local NGOs can support sustainability and scaling up of project outcomes.

Provincial level Departments and County Agricultural Bureaus

As core project executing partners of the project, provincial and county level agricultural departments/bureaus will be directly involved in project design, providing technical inputs, guidance and logistical support. During implementation, provincial agricultural department will be responsible for overseeing work at the provincial and county levels, including technical support, monitoring, co-financing, co-ordination with partners and capacity building.

Risks Rating Mitigation Measures Evidence is difficult to collect from remote project areas.

Medium The evidence-based PES scheme will employ a robust MRV system based on innovative ICT technologies to ensure concrete evidence on project’s financial and livelihood benefits be collected.

Co-management of grasslands assigned to individual herders or herders’ communities may not be accepted by local stakeholders.

Medium All beneficiary communities will participate in project preparation to understand the sustainable challenges faced by ongoing grassland management practices. Traditional knowledge on sustainable grassland management practices will be identified to support community decisions on project design and implementation. Whenever necessary, different management practices may be supported at early stages of project implementation to provide sufficient evidence on effectiveness of various grassland management practices.

Difficulty in marketing livestock products produced with sustainable grassland management practices at a premium price.

Medium The project will build on successful local initiatives such as geo-labelled products and international best practices to design project interventions at demonstration sites. In addition, private sector partners will be mobilized to support local and national marketing campaigns for such livestock products.

Climate change may increase the occurrence of natural disasters or climatic impacts that affect project impacts at demonstration sites.

Medium Proposed project interventions will improve the resilience of grassland ecosystems. This will be verified through the robust MRV system against non-project sites. Adaptive management approaches will be adopted to ensure timely adjustment to changing conditions, including climatic ones, during project implementation.


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Risks Rating Mitigation Measures Project outcomes cannot be sustained after project completion.

Low The proposed policy level activities based on project outcomes is expected institutionalize evidence-based PES schemes into MOA’s grassland conservation programs.

A.3 Risk. Indicate risks, including climate change, potential social and environmental risks that might prevent the project objectives from being achieved, and, if possible, propose measures that address these risks to be further developed during the project design (table format acceptable):


Preparation and implementation of this project will be closely coordinated with the four other child projects under the PRC-GEF Partnership Program for Sustainable Agricultural Development to ensure knowledge and experiences learned from these child projects on the conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodivesity and the prevention, control and management of invasive and alien species. Effective communications will be maintained under the guidance of the Program Steering Committee, MOA, the Coordination and Monitoring and Evaluation Secretariat of the Program, and the Program’s knowledge management team established under the FAO managed child project.

The preparation and implementation of this project will be an integral part of the efforts of MOA and the local governments to conserve grasslands in the project provinces. MOA will also ensure close coordination with the ADB-led PRC-GEF Land Degradation Partnership, which promotes sustainable land management (SLM) practices in different agroecosystems. The design and implementation of this project will take into consideration of the lessons and experience learned on applicable SLM practices and the use of PES schemes. Regular information sharing and knowledge exchange will be maintained between the two Partnership Programs. The project will also coordinate with existing GEF projects in Gansu and Qinghai, including the UNDP-implemented GEF-4 project Strengthening the effectiveness of the protected area system in Qinghai Province, China, to conserve globally important biodiversity and UNDP-implemented GEF-6 child projects in the China’s Protected Area System Reform (C-PAR) Program in both provinces currently undergoing their project preparation phase. Potential synergies and lessons learned in grassland ecosystem conservation between the projects will be identified and shared during project development and implementation

DESCRIPTION OF THE CONSISTENCY OF THE PROJECT WITH:

B.1 Is the project consistent with the National strategies and plans or reports and assessments under relevant conventions? (yes 0 /no0 ). If yes, which ones and how: NAPAs, NAPs, ASGM NAPs, MIAs, NBSAPs, NCs, TNAs, NCSAs, NIPs, PRSPs, NPFE, BURs, etc.:

As part of the Partnership Program, this project will be designed and implemented to support the implementation of China’s NSADP (2015-2030) by promoting conservation and sustainable use of grassland ecosystems. By piloting evidence-based and climate-smart PES schemes, successful implementation of this project is expected to transform how grassland conservation PES schemes will be designed and implemented in China. Actual investments of this project will promote carbon sequestration in grassland and reduction of GHG emission from grassland degradation and livestock production. In doing so, it will strengthen climate resilience of grasslands, increase forage production in the pilot areas, and improve herders’ livelihood. All these will benefit the conservation and sustainable development of grasslands.By reverting grassland degradation, reducing GHG releases and increasing soil carbon sequestration, this project contributes directly to the implementation of China’s climate actions under UNFCCC, including the latest Intended Nationally Determined Contribution: Enhanced Actions on Climate Change (INDC, 2015). By promoting participatory grassland management practices, this project is expected to mobilize herders in the conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity as well as in IAS prevention, control, and management. As such, it is consistent with China’s actions under the Convention of Biological Diversity.


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