About the SANREM CRSP
The Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management Collaborative Research Support Program (SANREM CRSP) is sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Bureau of Food Security) and participating U.S. universities and host country institutions around the world.
The SANREM CRSP vision is to support people in developing countries making important decisions about sustainable agriculture and natural resource management (SA and NRM). We do this by providing access to data, knowledge, tools, and methods of analysis; and by enhancing their capacity to make better decisions to improve livelihoods and the sustainability of natural resources.
Activities
Our research engages stakeholders at all levels to develop sustainable, localized farming practices. The multi-country program is also comparative, with research identifying common elements that affect CAPS adoption.
SANREM CRSP’s current research theme targets the development of conservation agriculture production systems (CAPS). The research aims to increase smallholders’ agricultural productivity and food security through improved cropping systems that contribute to and take advantage of improved soil quality and fertility. Through implementing CAPS, farming systems will maintain a year-round soil cover, minimize soil disturbance from tillage, and utilize crop rotation systems.
The long-term research award (LTRA) activities are the main mechanism of the SANREM CRSP program. Currently, there are seven projects developing CAPS in 13 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Our activities result in the development, cataloging, and transfer of technologies that:
- increase income generation
- empower stakeholders
- integrate gender concerns
- improve soil quality and fertility
- enhance resource management
- strengthen local institutions
- improve market access for smallholders and communities
- promote sustainable and environmentally sound development
The integrated SANREM CRSP systems approach demonstrates how linkages among gender, biophysical, technology, governance, economic, social, environmental, and globalization factors achieve sustainable development.
Projects
Each of our research projects is conducted by a consortium of universities, IARCs, NGOs, and host country institutions, and each consortium is led by a U.S. university. Our projects use a participatory approach that engages stakeholders in helping to identify the most important questions and form them into research problems to be studied. All activities link sustainable natural resource management with the economic concerns of local populations and promotion of good governance.
Additionally, gender-sensitive participant training programs, including degree and non-degree training plans, are an integral part of the SANREM approach.
Leader With Associates
Using a mechanism called “Leader with Associates” (LWA), USAID Missions can access SANREM CRSP expertise to achieve of their sustainable agriculture and natural resource management goals. USAID Mission requests are channeled through the SANREM CRSP management entity (ME), establishing scopes of work and separate awards for additional mission-demanded research and technical assistance.
Online Knowledgebase
All SANREM programs and activities contribute to the SANREM Knowledgebase (SKB). The SANREM Knowledgebase (SKB) is a collection of information resources (books, reports, journal articles, videos, movies, presentations) produced or identified, classified, and summarized by SANREM CRSP researchers. This database provides easy access to resources relevant to sustainable agriculture and natural resource management.
