Specialists from the Eurasian Center of Food Security under Lomonosov Moscow State University and from other partner universities and institutions provide free of charge consultations to smallholder farmers and private plots owners personally and remotely (distance-learning) on cultivation, protection of agricultural plants and storage of agricultural products. Short educational courses and seminars with leading industry experts are organized. Interactive learning is available through the participation of smallholder farmers in demonstration tests of plant species and varieties that are suitable for the local area, technologies for their cultivation and storage.
To get free consulting and educational services targeted farmers and private plots owners should make a request directly to the Eurasian Center of Food Security or to the local partner university. There are no restrictions and limits on receiving consultations and participating in short educational courses and seminars.
Annual performance indicators (not less than):
- Number of tested crops – 5 varieties of different crops;
- Number of registered varieties of agricultural crops based on the results of tests – 1 variety (from the 3rd year of the Center’s operation);
- Number of trainings – 5 trainings for 20 people;
- Scientific report on the results of tests and laboratory studies of the qualitative characteristics of grown crops;
- Number of publications about test results - 4 publications in scientific journals, 5 interviews and popular scientific publications;
- In-person and remote one-time consultations with farmers – 50 consultations Constant consultations with farmers on growing crops – 3 agreements Continuing education programs - registration and delivery of 1 course during 18 hours at Lomonosov Moscow State University (in person or distance-learning).
Approximate cost of Center organizing and operating on the 10 hectares area:
- Tractor with attachments, hand tools – 100,000 USD Storage with a refrigerator for 300 tons – 250,000 USD;
- Construction of a fence, garage with repairs. base, office building, etc. (if necessary) – 250,000 USD;
- Total: 600,000 USD.
Operating expenses (annually):
- Salary of Center employees – 150,000 USD;
- Cultivation costs (fertilizers, plant protection products, fuels and lubricants, daily payment, ameliorants, etc.) – 100,000 USD;
- Communication, organization of seminars, etc. – 20,000 USD Repair of machinery and equipment: 30,000 USD;
- Total: 300,000 USD.
Multi-level governance involving national or regional government (budget, policies), university administration (overall leadership and oversight), agrarian centers administration (management and operating costs).
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Demonstration tests of Russian varieties of sorghum, chicory root, potatoes, and Jerusalem artichoke were carried out in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Gambia, and Mali. The tests made it possible to select varieties suitable for the local soil-climate conditions, identify varieties and samples that are promising for use in local breeding programs, and demonstrate Russian varieties to a wide range of local smallholder farmers.
The results of demonstration tests for growing promising crops are presented in the annual scientific reports of the ECFS:
- (Russian) Food systems and adaptation policies of the Eurasian states under new economic conditions
- (Russian) Food security and sustainable agricultural development in the Eurasian region
The selection of crops for environmental testing and demonstration is carried out in accordance with the soil and climatic conditions of the location of the Center, the needs of local communities, and the possibilities of sale in local markets.
It is advisable to place centers for testing the cultivation of agricultural crops on the basis of Universities and Institutes of an agricultural profile, or on the lands of large modern farms. To demonstrate crops, a small (about 8-10 hectares) plot of land with fertile soil is sufficient, on which a 4-year crop rotation system should be organized. It will be needed to have a small-scale mechanization equipment: a small tractor (about 20-30 hp) and implements aggregated with it: a plow, cultivator, harrow, hiller, planter, seeder, mineral fertilizer spreader, cleaning equipment, etc. For storing grown agricultural products it recommended to buy a storage facility with climate control equipment (for 300-500 tons of products). A power supply of at least 15-20 kW is required (depending, first of all, on the power of the air conditioning system).
The staff includes the director of the Center, a professional agronomist and workers, the number of which depends on the size and functionality of the site. Both employees of the institution on the basis of which the Center is organized (face-to-face consultations and continuing education programs) and specialists from other institutions (distance consulting using IT technologies) can be involved as consultants. For seasonal work, workers are hired on a daily wage. The selection of crops for environmental testing and demonstration is carried out in accordance with the soil and climatic conditions of the location of the Center, the needs of local communities, and the possibilities of sale in local markets.
In Russia: Eurasian Center for Food Security under Lomonosov Moscow State University, RUDN University, Kostroma State Agricultural Academy
In Kazakhstan: S.Seifullin Kazakh Agro-Technical Research University
In Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyz National Agrarian University named after K. I. Skryabin
In Tajikistan: Institute of Botany, Plant Physiology and Genetics, National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan
In Uzbekistan: Karakalpak State University named after Berdakh, Institute of Microbiology Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan
In The Gambia: National Agricultural Research Institute, University of the Gambia
In Mali: Institute of Rural Economy
SDG 1 - No poverty
Target 1.1 - By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day
Indicator 1.1.1 - Proportion of the population living below the international poverty line by sex, age, employment status and geographical location (urban/rural)
Target 1.2 - By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions
Indicator 1.2.1 - Proportion of population living below the national poverty line, by sex and age
Indicator 1.2.2 - Proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions
SDG 2 - Zero hunger
Target 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
Indicator 2.3.1 - Volume of production per labour unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size
Indicator 2.3.2 - Average income of small-scale food producers, by sex and indigenous status
SDG 13 - Climate action
Target 13.3 - Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning Indicators
Indicator 13.3.1 - Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment
Mainly SDGs 1, 2 and 13, since the functioning of agricultural consulting and educational centers allows solving the following tasks:
- diversification of agricultural production and increase in yields;
- increasing farmers' incomes;
- adaptation of farmers to climate change.
SDG 1 – No poverty
Target 1.1 – By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day
Indicator 1.1.1 – Proportion of the population living below the international poverty line by sex, age, employment status and geographical location (urban/rural)
Target 1.2 – By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions
Indicator 1.2.1 – Proportion of population living below the national poverty line, by sex and age
Indicator 1.2.2 – Proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions
SDG 2 – Zero hunger
Target 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
Indicator 2.3.1 – Volume of production per labour unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size
Indicator 2.3.2 – Average income of small-scale food producers, by sex and indigenous status
SDG 13 – Climate action
Target 13.3 – Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning Indicators
Indicator 13.3.1 – Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment
Mainly SDGs 1, 2 and 13, since the functioning of agricultural consulting and educational centers allows solving the following tasks:
– diversification of agricultural production and increase in yields;
– increasing farmers’ incomes;
– adaptation of farmers to climate change.
Specialists from the Eurasian Center of Food Security under Lomonosov Moscow State University and from other partner universities and institutions provide free of charge consultations to smallholder farmers and private plots owners personally and remotely (distance-learning) on cultivation, protection of agricultural plants and storage of agricultural products. Short educational courses and seminars with leading industry experts are organized. Interactive learning is available through the participation of smallholder farmers in demonstration tests of plant species and varieties that are suitable for the local area, technologies for their cultivation and storage.
To get free consulting and educational services targeted farmers and private plots owners should make a request directly to the Eurasian Center of Food Security or to the local partner university. There are no restrictions and limits on receiving consultations and participating in short educational courses and seminars.
The selection of crops for environmental testing and demonstration is carried out in accordance with the soil and climatic conditions of the location of the Center, the needs of local communities, and the possibilities of sale in local markets.
It is advisable to place centers for testing the cultivation of agricultural crops on the basis of Universities and Institutes of an agricultural profile, or on the lands of large modern farms. To demonstrate crops, a small (about 8-10 hectares) plot of land with fertile soil is sufficient, on which a 4-year crop rotation system should be organized. It will be needed to have a small-scale mechanization equipment: a small tractor (about 20-30 hp) and implements aggregated with it: a plow, cultivator, harrow, hiller, planter, seeder, mineral fertilizer spreader, cleaning equipment, etc. For storing grown agricultural products it recommended to buy a storage facility with climate control equipment (for 300-500 tons of products). A power supply of at least 15-20 kW is required (depending, first of all, on the power of the air conditioning system).
The staff includes the director of the Center, a professional agronomist and workers, the number of which depends on the size and functionality of the site. Both employees of the institution on the basis of which the Center is organized (face-to-face consultations and continuing education programs) and specialists from other institutions (distance consulting using IT technologies) can be involved as consultants. For seasonal work, workers are hired on a daily wage. The selection of crops for environmental testing and demonstration is carried out in accordance with the soil and climatic conditions of the location of the Center, the needs of local communities, and the possibilities of sale in local markets.
Climate resilient agricultural technologies
In Russia: Eurasian Center for Food Security under Lomonosov Moscow State University, RUDN University, Kostroma State Agricultural Academy
In Kazakhstan: S.Seifullin Kazakh Agro-Technical Research University
In Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyz National Agrarian University named after K. I. Skryabin
In Tajikistan: Institute of Botany, Plant Physiology and Genetics, National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan
In Uzbekistan: Karakalpak State University named after Berdakh, Institute of Microbiology Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan
In The Gambia: National Agricultural Research Institute, University of the Gambia
In Mali: Institute of Rural Economy
Multi-level governance involving national or regional government (budget, policies), university administration (overall leadership and oversight), agrarian centers administration (management and operating costs).
Annual performance indicators (not less than):
- Number of tested crops – 5 varieties of different crops;
- Number of registered varieties of agricultural crops based on the results of tests – 1 variety (from the 3rd year of the Center’s operation);
- Number of trainings – 5 trainings for 20 people;
- Scientific report on the results of tests and laboratory studies of the qualitative characteristics of grown crops;
- Number of publications about test results – 4 publications in scientific journals, 5 interviews and popular scientific publications;
- In-person and remote one-time consultations with farmers – 50 consultations Constant consultations with farmers on growing crops – 3 agreements Continuing education programs – registration and delivery of 1 course during 18 hours at Lomonosov Moscow State University (in person or distance-learning).
Approximate cost of Center organizing and operating on the 10 hectares area:
- Tractor with attachments, hand tools – 100,000 USD Storage with a refrigerator for 300 tons – 250,000 USD;
- Construction of a fence, garage with repairs. base, office building, etc. (if necessary) – 250,000 USD;
- Total: 600,000 USD.
Operating expenses (annually):
- Salary of Center employees – 150,000 USD;
- Cultivation costs (fertilizers, plant protection products, fuels and lubricants, daily payment, ameliorants, etc.) – 100,000 USD;
- Communication, organization of seminars, etc. – 20,000 USD Repair of machinery and equipment: 30,000 USD;
- Total: 300,000 USD.
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