Implementation of Small Grants. Research Program (SGP) for Collaborative Research Implementation of Field and Lab Research Funded by SGP Round #1 Funding: Of the ten proposals awarded under this MAIL and Universities collaborative research program, two are implemented within laboratory environments, and eight as field-based experiments. The grant on Quantity and Quality of Imported Wheat in Afghanistan, which was awarded on 8 November 2018, was cancelled this quarter as the research team (after receiving several time extensions), failed to address GRAIN’s suggested revisions and shared comments. In addition, the Principal Investigator (PI) was admitted to a PhD Program and was unable to continue the grant process. As this is an important the research topic, is an important research area, GRAIN is investigating alternative ways to implement this research. An eleventh applicant also received time extensions to submit a proposal; however, due to other work commitments, the PI withdrew from the process. The nine funded experiments are underway, with seven field activities applying fertilizers, irrigation, data collection and data analysis from the research fields, as required. The two laboratory-based experiments require equipment and research materials that have not been locally available, and arrangements are in progress to source required equipment and research materials outside the country. Annex 5: List of SGP Ongoing Research provides a more comprehensively detailed status update. GRAIN sponsored Field Day in Herat: In close collaboration with Xxxxx XXXX and Herat University, a SGP Field Day was conducted on 30 April. Ninety-two people from the University and DAIL (including GRAIN mentees and interns), the Agriculture and Veterinary Institute, and Wheat Working Group representation from the private and farm sectors were present. The field day highlighted two grants: Effect of animal manure and NPK on wheat quality and quantity, and Effect of salinity and chemical fertilizer on wheat quality and quantity. XXXX and Xxxxx Xxxxx regional manager providing updates on SGP experiment in the green house University leadership spoke to the audience about the importance of research and extension, and how GRAIN’s SGP is delivering valuable wheat research that has the potential to deliver outcomes that increase the yield and quality of wheat produced in Afghanistan. Grant recipients described the theory behind their concepts and how their experiments were progressing. All were invited to partake i...
Implementation of Small Grants. Research Program (SGP) for Collaborative Research Land preparation for evaluation of available local wheat varieties resistance to leaf rust resistance in Afghanistan experiment. Established to xxxxxx research collaboration between MAIL/ARIA and leading agricultural departments at the four partner universities, the SGP invested considerable effort this quarter in finalizing concept proposals, financial forecasts submitted by applicants, and preparing to implement approved experiments. As of September 30, ten of the eleven proposals were being evaluated, with all requiring additional support in order to meet minimum criteria. GRAIN conducted environmental screening of all experiments, with the eleventh applicant successfully requesting and being granted time extension, due conflicting professional commitments (and this remains in place). A substantial challenge for applicants was budgeting and implementation planning, which has required more GRAIN staff assistance to Principle Investigators (PI) and Co-PI’s than initially anticipated. Together with GRAIN’s regional and operations teams, the Capacity Building Unit coordinated guidance for the three small grants applicants in Balkh, two in Herat, two in Nangarhar, and three in Kabul. This involved revising procurement plans, travel calculators, startup research materials inventory, and schedules for land preparation and seed sowing. GRAIN facilitated collaborative discussions with and among PI’s, Xxxxx of Agricultural Faculties and ARIA/DAIL senior management, to secure allocation of land required to conduct experiments, and liaised regularly MAIL/DAIL/ARIA leadership to provide progress updates. Table 7: Summary of Small Grants Program Concepts and Proposals as of December 2018 # Small Grants Research Title Universit y Approved Budget Status 1 Investigating Quality of Imported Wheat Balkh $7,038 Approval expected January (Laboratory based) 2 Performance of Wheat Varieties Under Different Tillage Systems Balkh $4,027 Seeds in the ground 3 Evaluation of Animal Manure and Urea Fertilizer Impact on the Quality of Bread Wheat Production in Balkh Province of Afghanistan Balkh $4,664 Seeds in the ground 4 Effect of Integrated Animal Manure and NPK Application on Quality and Quantity of Wheat Varieties in Herat Province Herat $8,851 Seeds in the ground 5 Study of Salinity Stress and Fertilizer Interaction on Yield and Physiological Characteristics of Wheat in Herat Province Herat $9,9999 Commencing in January 2019 6...
