1 r. ■■ * (3(T m ■ The CQIAR at 25: Into the Future Aleppo, n A » ICRISAT CIAT Patancheru, ICLARM and IRRI Gali, • India % Manila, Colombia WARDA -__ The Philippines Bouaké, MIMI Còte d’Ivoire u Colombo, Sri LankaIITAIbadan,CIP Nigeria CIFOR Lima, !AF and ILRI Bogor, Peru Nairobi, Indonesia Kenya / International Centers Week Washington, D.C. October 28 - November 1, 1996 Summary of Proceedings and Decisions Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) _ CGIAR International Centers Week Washington, D.C. October 28-November 1, 1996 Summary of Proceedings and Decisions The CGIAR at 25: Into the Future Issued by the CGIAR Secretariat 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A. Telephone: 1-202-473-8951 • Fax: 1-202-473-8110 E-Mail: CGIAR@cgnet.com or CGIAR@worldbank.org January 1997 1 Table of Contents LIST OF ACRONYMS CGIAR CENTERS SECTION I: INTRODUCTION 1 Box: Decisions by the Cosponsors.............................................. 5 Box: South Africa Joins the CGIAR.............................................. 6 Box: Nyle C. Brady Award, 1996 to Christian Bonte-Friedheim 7 SECTION II: THE MAIN DECISIONS 9 SECTION III: SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS 13 Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Day of Commemoration 15 Overview 15 Session I: The CGIAR—A Celebration 15 Session II: Taking Stock for the Future ... 20 Session III: Challenges and Opportunities 24 Session IV: Ensuring Scientific Excellence 26 Session V: Beyond 25—Moving Ahead ... 29 Box: Statements by Members...................... 30 Centers Forum 31 Overview 31 Session I: Sub-Saharan Africa 32 Session II: Asia 33 r Session III: Latin America and the Caribbean 35 Session IV: West Asia and North Africa 37 Discussion 38 Global Forum 39 Overview................................................................................................................................. 39 Opening Statement by the CGIAR Chairman...................................................................... 39 Welcoming Address by the Global Forum Chair............................................................... 40 Needs and Opportunities for Agricultural Research: NARS Perspectives and Regional Dimensions........................................................... 41 Perspectives from Partners........................................................................................... 45 Exploring Avenues for Collaboration: Parallel Sessions on Key Research Themes....... 49 Operational Dimensions for Strengthening Global Partnerships..................................... 52 Toward a Global Action Plan for Research Partnership: From Shared Vision to Action 54 Box: Declaration and Plan of Action for Global Partnership in Agricultural Research . 56 CGIAR Business Meeting 59 Opening Session....... 59 Partnerships.............. 61 Research Agenda...... 65 Finance 70 Governance 72 Other Business 76 Chairman’s Closing Statement 76 SECTION IV: ANNEXES 79 Annex I: International Centers Week 1996 Program 81 Annex II: List of Documents 91 Annex III: List of Participants 93 List of Acronyms AARINENA Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa AOAD Arab Organization for Agricultural Development ARI Advanced Research Institution APAARI Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions ASARECA Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in East and Central Africa BARC Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council CBC Committee of Board Chairs, CGIAR CBD Convention on Biological Diversity CDC Center Directors Committee, CGIAR CENICAFE Centro Nacional de Investigaciones del Cafe CGIAR Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research CIRAD Centre de Cooperation Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Developpement COP Conference of the Parties to the CBD CORAF Conference des Responsables de Recherche Agricole en Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre CSIRO Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization DANIDA Danish International Development Assistance EIARD European Initiative for Agricultural Research for Development ECART European Consortium for Agricultural Research in the Tropics EMBRAPA Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuària EUFORGEN European Forest Genetic Resources Programme FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FLAR Fund for Latin American Irrigated Rice GIS Geographic Information Systems GRPC Genetic Resources Policy Committee, CGIAR IAEG Impact Assessment and Evaluation Group, CGIAR IAR Institute of Agricultural Research, Njala, Sierra Leone ICW International Centers Week, CGIAR IDB Inter-American Development Bank IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development IFDC International Fertilizer Development Center IICA Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture IPR Intellectual Property Rights IUCN The World Conservation Union JIRCAS Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences KARI Kenyan Agricultural Research Institute MAFF Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, Japan MTM Mid-Term Meeting, CGIAR NAFTA North American Free Trade Agreement NARS National Agricultural Research System(s) NATURA Network of European Agricultural [Tropically and Subtropically Oriented] Universities and Scientific Complexes Related with Agricultural Development r NECTAR NATURA European Community Training Program for Agricultural Universities in the Southern Regions NGO Non-governmental Organization ORSTOM Institut Frangais de Recherche Scientifique pour le Developpement en Cooperation PAA Public Awareness Association, CGIAR PARC Public Awareness and Resource Mobilization Committee, CGIAR PCARRD Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resources Research and Development SACCAR Southern African Centre for Cooperation in Agricultural Research SANE Sustainable Agriculture Networking and Extension SBSTTA Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical, and Technological Advice SPWD Society for Promotion of Wastelands Development TAC Technical Advisory Committee, CGIAR TPS True Potato Seed UN United Nations UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNEP United Nations Environment Programme USAID United States Agency for International Development WANA West Asia and North Africa $ All financial data are given in US dollars CGIAR Centers CIAT Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical CIFOR Center for International Forestry Research CIMMYT Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maiz y Trigo CIP Centro Internacional de la Papa ICARDA International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas ICLARM International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management ICRAF International Centre for Research in Agroforestry ICRISAT International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics IFPRI International Food Policy Research Institute IIMI International Irrigation Management Institute IITA International Institute of Tropical Agriculture ILRI International Livestock Research Institute IPGRI International Plant Genetic Resources Institute IRRI International Rice Research Institute ISNAR International Service for National Agricultural Research WARDA West Africa Rice Development Association Section / Introduction i Introduction A Global Forum at which all components of the • a Centers Forum on the substance of current and global agricultural research system came together for fu aire research (one day); the first time to explore the needs and opportunities for agricultural research, the scope for collaboration, and • the Global Forum (one-and-a-half days); and practical measures to strengthen partnerships was the highpoint of ICW96. • the CGLAR Business Meeting (one and a-half days). The origins of the Global Forum lie in the recent These four components were sequenced to pro­ efforts of the CGIAR to broaden its partnerships and to vide for seamless transitions. The agenda for each of increase the participation of the South in CGIAR the four events provided opportunities for the CGIAR decisionmaking. This process involved consultations and its partners to review the past and prepare them­ with groups of NARS on the substance of research col­ selves to confront the challenges of the future. laboration, the emergence of representative regional groupings, and, finally, the Global Forum, which was, The opening event of ICW96 was the Day of Com­ in effect, a “grand coalition” of partners. memoration—a program to honor CGIAR stalwarts of the past and present, celebrate twenty-five years of ef­ The Global Forum demonstrated the dynamism of fort and achievement, strengthen partnerships, and look the emerging global agricultural research system, which to the future. The main speakers were World Bank aims at being participatory, open and inclusive, and sen­ President James D. Wolfensohn, Mr. Maurice F. Strong, sitive to the economic, social, and conceptual framework a founding member of the CGIAR who delivered the Sir within which farming communities make decisions. John Crawford Memorial Lecture, CGIAR Chairman Ismail Serageldin, and World Food Prize laureate Gurdev Participants in the Global Forum included repre­ Khush. Special guests included participants in the key sentatives of national agricultural research systems, re­ initial events of the CGIAR, such as the Bellagio meet­ gional organizations, non-governmental organizations, ings and the first formal meeting of the CGIAR on May universities, advanced research institutions, the private 19, 1971, past CGIAR Chairmen, and other luminaries. sector, and the CGIAR system. They committed them­ selves to fulfilling a shared vision in which the programs A science-based vision of the future was the theme of each benefit from the successful work of the others; of Mr. Serageldin’s address. In keeping with this theme, and their combined efforts will strengthen the capacity of the commemoration was characterized by an emphasis the agricultural research community to help combat pov­ on scientific capacity and excellence. Mr. Khush spoke erty, hunger, environmental degradation, and inequity. in some detail on the course and results of rice research. The work of the World Food Prize Foundation was pre­ The fact that a Global Forum was woven into the sented, and the six (out of ten) CGIAR laureates ac­ fabric of International Centers Week showed the extent claimed. The CGIAR King Baudouin Award was pre­ to which ICW96 was different from its predecessors in sented to ICRISAT, and the Chairman’s Excellence in both substance and structure. Science awards were launched. A new audiovisual pre­ sentation entitled “Research in the Service of the Poor” ICW96 consisted of the following four connected encapsulated the twenty-five-year scientific record of components: the CGIAR. • a Day of Commemoration of the twenty-fifth an­ At the Centers Forum, Center Directors presented niversary of the CGIAR (one day); the highlights of current research, assessed future re- 3 search needs, and outlined what is in the pipeline for The CGIAR Business Meeting focused on research meeting these needs. The Forum built on last year’s directions and the financing plan for the 1997 research widely welcomed innovation of a day dedicated to cen­ agenda, as well as on action requirements based on ters at ICW. The regional approach to research chal­ thematic reports. lenges led into the next component of ICW, the Global Forum. Bringing the meeting to a close, Mr. Serageldin said: The Global Forum adopted a Declaration and Today, we look back at the visionaries of Plan of Action for Global Partnership in Agricultural Bellagio and marvel at their foresight. I am Research [see pages 56-57]. Mr. Serageldin described confident that twenty-five yearsf rom now our the adoption of the Declaration and Plan of Action successors will look back at Washington ’96 as a “great step forward,” and stressed the need for and treat it as a watershed event in the appli­ action because “the problems that await the atten­ cation of science to the needs of the poor. For tion of the global agricultural research community here we have combined the intellect and com­ are too urgent for unified attempts at their solution passion of every component of the global agri­ to be postponed.” The Declaration and Plan of Ac­ cultural research system in a single, pervasive tion were tabled at the World Food Summit held in commitment: a revolution ofs cience in the ser­ Rome, Italy on November 13-17, 1996. vice of those who cannot live without it. 4 Decisions by the Cosponsors CGIAR cosponsors held their pre-ICW96 meeting on Sunday, October 27. CGIAR Chairman Ismail Serageldin presided. Cosponsors were represented by Mr. Henri Carsalade (FAO), Mr. Roberto Lenton (UNDP ), Mr. Franklin Cardy (UNEP), and Mr. Michel Petit (World Bank). The main decisions reached are summarized below: TAC Membership The following were recommended to the Group for TAC membership, commencing January 1, 1997: Jacques Faye (Senegal); Cyrus Ndiritu (Kenya); Justin Lin (China); Magdy Madkour (Egypt); Malin Falkenmark (Sweden); and Richard Harwood (U.S.A.). Review of the CGIAR System Proposed terms of reference for a system review were approved in principle, and it was agreed there should be no ex officio members on the review panel or working groups. Finance CGIAR members who had made special efforts in 1996 were commended, and the thrust of the financing plan for 1997 was endorsed. Partnerships The Global Forum was welcomed as a watershed event in the history of the CGIAR, and the need to follow up with concrete action to strengthen the system’s partnership orientation was emphasized. Executive Secretary CGIAR Executive Secretary Alexander von der Osten was invited to serve an extended term of office. Cosponsors will next meet in Cairo on the eve of MTM97. 5 South Africa Joins the CGIAR The Group welcomed the decision by the Government of South Africa to join the CGIAR. Mr. Francois J. van der Merwe, representative of South Africa, indicated the South African delegation was privileged to participate in ICW96 as a member of the CGIAR. He expressed appreciation for the warmth with which the delegation had been received by the Group, and for the “open brotherhood and sister­ hood of the international scientific community.” He acknowledged that South Africa’s full and unreserved acceptance into the global agricultural scientific community is based on the international community’s understanding of and appreciation for the political and constitutional changes that have taken place in South Africa during the last five years. The political change in South Africa was effected quite quickly, he said. The reconstruction and development of the country, however, will take much longer. South Africa faces massive unemployment and poverty, widespread food insecurity at the household and individual levels, despite apparent food self-sufficiency at the national level, and a severely damaged and ever-threatened agricultural resource base. Partnerships will play an important role in efforts to address these daunting challenges. He drew a parallel between the challenges faced at the end of the last century, when agricultural research in South Africa had its beginnings, to those of today. He noted that agricultural research in the country has always been needs driven and strongly oriented toward problem-solving, with an emphasis on working with farmers. Today, South Africa is faced with a much broader base of disadvantaged and subsistence farmers and rural dwellers. Hundreds of thousands of disadvantaged, extremely poor, food- insecure rural families and beneficiaries of land reform must be brought into the mainstream. For this reason, South Africa joined the CGIAR and is highly appreciative of the opportunity to take part in the CGIAR’s deliberations. 6 Nyle C. Brady Award, 1996 to Christian Bonte-Friedheim The Nyle C. Brady Award was presented to ISNAR Director General Christian Bonte-Friedheim, for his pioneering and life-long efforts to champion the cause of NARS and to forge strong partnerships between the international and national agricultural research communities. Presenting the award, CGIAR Chairman Ismail Serageldin paid warm tribute to Mr. Bonte-Friedheim, commending him for his untiring efforts in the cause of the South. Given the theme of ICW96, he said cosponsors had agreed that it would be particularly appropriate to honor a center scientist who has devoted his or her life to developing global partnerships in agricultural research. He pointed out that in many ways iMr. Bonte-Friedheim’s thinking on scientific partnership, based on the principles of equality, respect, and mutuality, was ahead of the approach of many others. Mr. Serageldin commented, as well, on Mr. Bonte-Friedheim’s long-standing relationship with the CGIAR. He was the FAO cosponsor representative for five years before assuming the leadership of ISNAR. Throughout this association, his emphasis has been on the South, its capacities, and its potential. Responding, Mr. Bonte-Friedheim thanked the CGIAR for honoring him with the Brady Award. He urged the CGIAR to remain steadfastly on the path of partnership, which could lead to many fruitful results. The Nyle C. Brady Award was created by the cosponsors of the CGIAR in 1995 to recognize indi­ viduals who, like Mr. Brady, have enriched the CGIAR system through their leadership. The award perpetuates an initial award presented to Mr. Brady by a group of his friends and colleagues in 1994, to honor his array of contributions to international agricultural research. It is intended to be awarded periodically, rather than annually. 7 Section II The Main Decisions 9 The Main Decisions The main decisions taken at the Jakarta Mid-Term Meeting are encapsulated below. BROADER partners on center boards Germany in June 1996, and ing vacancies. Subject to PARTNERSHIPS and on TAC, and of rais­ on the World Bank panel their acceptance, the new ing awareness of the on biotechnology and TAC members whose New CGIAR CGIAR among its partners, biosafety. The Group terms will begin on Janu­ Member particularly in the NGO agreed that the CGIAR ary 1 would be: Jacques and private sector commu­ should continue to be en­ Faye (Senegal); Cyrus South Africa was nities, was emphasized. gaged in the ongoing in­ Ndiritu (Kenya); Justin Lin admitted to CGIAR mem­ ternational process on ge­ (China); Magdy Madkour bership by acclamation, Central/Eastern netic resources. The (Egypt); Malin Falkenmark bringing the total number Europe and the Group decided that the (Sweden); and Richard of developing country Former Soviet Union proposed Guiding Prin­ Harwood (U.S.A.). members to seventeen. ciples for the CGIAR Cen­ The Group en­ ters on Intellectual Prop­ Global Forum dorsed the final report of erty Protection, drafted by FINANCE the Task Force on Central/ centers and their boards of The Global Forum Eastern Europe and the trustees, should be ac­ Financing Plan on agricultural research Former Soviet Union. The cepted as an interim work­ 8 for the 1997 Re­ culminated in the adoption Group agreed that, to the ing document that will be search Agenda of a Declaration and Plan extent that additional continually reviewed and of Action for Global Part­ funding is identified, pro­ revised. The Group adop­ nership in Agricultural grams would fall under ted a report from the Fi­ Research. the agreed research The term of the nance Committee on the agenda and be subject to GRPC was extended for financing plan for the 1997 ip|j^ Partnerships review by TAC, as with all two years. research agenda, and ap­ CGIAR research agenda proved a projected financ­ The Group en­ programs. 1998 Research ing plan of $325 million for dorsed reports received Ea Directions the agenda. from the Global Forum, the NGO Committee, and RESEARCH The Group en­ Finance Commit­ the Private Sector Commit­ dorsed a report received El tee Members tee, and on the World Genetic on TAC’s plans for the Food Summit. The con­ Resources medium-term planning The European tinuing progress being process for 1998 to 2000. Community and Sweden made in strengthening the The Group en­ were appointed as new CGIAR’s partnerships with dorsed a report received TAC Members members of the Finance other actors in the global from the Genetic Re­ 7 Committee, to replace de­ agricultural research sys­ sources Policy Committee, The Group en­ parting members the Neth­ tem was commended by and took note of reports dorsed the appointment of erlands and the United the Group. on the Fourth Interna­ six new members to TAC, Kingdom. The change will tional Technical Confer­ as recommended by the be effective at MTM97. The need for ence on Plant Genetic Re­ cosponsors, to fill three [The new composition of greater representation of sources held in Leipzig, current and three upcom- the committee, effective at 11 MTM97, is provided on ponents of the CGIAR sys­ Cyrus Ndiritu (Kenya). Public Awareness and Re­ page 72.] tem. Mr. Maurice Strong [The new composition of source Mobilization Com­ was identified by the Group the committee is provided mittee. as the ideal Chair for the on page 74.] GOVERNANCE review. The review panel will start its work in 1997. 12 IAEG OTHER BUSINESS 10 Review of the CGIAR System ED Oversight Com­ The Group en­ Future Meetingsmittee Members dorsed a progress report The recommenda­ received from the IAEG on 1997, MTM, May 26-30, tions of a CGIAR stake­ The Oversight its work program and Cairo, Egypt holder group on the Committee elected Mr. studies being commis­ planned system review Andrew Bennett (United sioned. 1997, ICW, October 27-31 were endorsed by the Kingdom) to succeed Mr. Washington, D.C., U.S.A. Group. The review will Paul Egger (Switzerland) CGIAR examine the role of the as Chair, and elected Mr. Committees 1998, MTM, May 25-29, CGIAR system in meeting Fernando Chaparro (Co­ Brazil the global research needs lombia) as Vice Chair. Ms. The Group en­ and development chal­ Mervat Badawi (Arab dorsed progress reports 1998, ICW, October 26-30, lenges required to accom­ Fund) and Mr. William Dar from the Oversight Com­ Washington, D.C., U.S.A. plish its mission in the fu­ (the Philippines) were ap­ mittee, the Finance Com­ ture, and recommend im­ pointed as new members mittee, the Technical Ad­ 1999, MTM, May 24-28, provements. It was agreed of the Oversight Commit­ visory Committee, the To be determined that there would be wide tee by the Group, to re­ Committee of Board consultation between the place departing members Chairs, the Center Direc­ 1999, ICW, October 25-29, review panel and all com- Mr. Paul Egger and Mr. tors Committee, and the Washington, D.C., U.S.A. 12 Section III Summary of Proceedings 13 Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Day of Commemoration OVERVIEW SESSION I: THE CGIAR—A CELEBRATION The twenty-fifth anniversary of the first formal meet­ Welcome by the CGIAR Chairman ing of the CGIAR, held on May 19, 1971, was celebrated on the opening day of International Centers Week 1996 CGIAR Chairman Ismail Serageldin opened ICW96 (ICW96), October 28. The commemoration was attended with the following welcome: by several distinguished CGIAR alumni, including par­ ticipants in the Bellagio Conferences that led to the es­ Welcome to International Centers Week 1996. This tablishment of the CGIAR, past CGIAR Chairmen, past is a very special ICW, in which past, present, and future TAC Chairs, past CGIAR Executive Secretaries, and past intersect. We will look back at twentyfive years of achieve­ TAC Executive Secretaries. ment; take stock of our current research programs; and look to a future in which the CGIAR and its partners The theme of the day’s meetings was “The CGIAR at will confront new challenges. To do all this in a some­ 25: Into the Future.” Thus, while paying deserved tribute what segmented way while also observing ICW as a to the visionaries who helped to create the CGIAR and to whole, we have divided our meeting into four closely CGIAR members, scientists, managers, and their partners linked components: the 25th anniversary commemora­ who have established the reputation of the CGIAR for tion today; presentations of research programs at the excellence in science, the major emphasis of discussion Centers Forum tomorrow; a Global Forum; and, finally, was on how the experience of the past could be distilled the business meeting of the CGIAR. These four segments into wisdom for the future, ensuring that cutting-edge sci­ have been planned to provide for seamless transitions ence continues to serve the needs of the poor. in both substance and form. So, while beginning our week of meetings with a celebration of the past, we will The commemoration was divided into five sessions. conclude by seeking consensus on research directions In the first, which was opened by CGIAR Chairman for 1998. Let is never be said that the CGIAR is satisfied Ismail Serageldin, participants heard from World Bank only with what we have already achieved. We are ever President James D. Wolfensohn and from Mr. Maurice F hopeful—indeed, confident, though not over-confident Strong, a founder of the CGIAR and currently Senior —that the best is yet to be. Adviser to Mr. Wolfensohn. Mr. Strong delivered the twelfth annual Sir Crawford Memorial Lecture on the We begin today, however, by honoring those who subject, “Looking Back and Looking Forward.” The sec­ have inspired us in the past. Today, after twenty-five ond session honored CGIAR alumni who were invited years of effort and achievement, the CGIAR is recognized to advise their successors of today on what priorities as a symbol of hope and an instrument of change. The and strategies the CGIAR should follow in its second world knows that research supported by the CGIAR has quarter century. The application of science to meet spe­ helped to increase the supply of basic foods in develop­ cific food security issues was the centerpiece of the ing countries, preserve the human heritage ofp lant ge­ third session. Scientific achievements including those netic resources, strengthen scientific capacity, and re­ by young scientists at the centers were recognized in shape policy. the fourth session. The highlight of the fifth and final session was a major policy statement by CGIAR Chair­ This is not a matter of vain, self-congratulation. It man Ismail Serageldin. A specially produced slide pre­ is the view of knowledgeable observers in all regions of sentation on “Science in the Service of the Poor” was the world. Without going into the details, let me only screened as part of the celebration. draw your attention to the considered judgment of an 15 European journalist (Carola Kaps) who recently wrote who have kept the momentum of research as follows: “Only four percent of total world expendi­ alive. ture on agricultural research is channeled to the 16 in­ ternational agricultural research centers of the CGIAR. And, Isay without hesitation, ive ivill owe much in That is why the long list of research successes achieved the future to the budding stalwarts of today as they bring is all the more remarkable, rangingfrom the Green Revo­ new generations of technological innovations into play. lution and drought-tolerant maize to integrated plant protection, rehabilitation of soils and better resource A saying common to many ancient cultures tells us: management which have permitted developing coun­ tries to quadruple their food output over four decades. “When you drink the water Fu rthermore, the genebanks of the centers are also pro­ Don’t forget those who dug the well. ” viding industrial countries with an invaluable but still underutilized service. Every dollar and deutschmark In that spirit, I am delighted that this opening ses­ given to the centers brings high returns to humankind. ” sion of ICW96 is graced by the distinguished presence of We can be proud of that independent evaluation. We several alumni of the Bellagio meetings that led to the must always live up to it. creation of the CGIAR: David Bell, Robert Chandler, Ernest Michanek, Paul Marc Henry, Maurice F. Strong, Many examples of the products of research at CGIAR and Sir Geoffrey Wilson. Our other distinguished guests Centers are on display at the thematic display in the include past CGIAR Chairs, past TAC Chairs, past CGIAR lobby of this building. Also on view are the memorabilia Executive Secretaries, past TAC Executive Secretaries, of Sir John Crawford, the first TAC Chair. I would urge and Friends of the CGIAR who have contributed abun­ all of you to visit this exhibit during the course of this dantly to its development. We appreciate their presence week. For the exhibit represents a distillation of a quar­ as well as their endeavors. We appreciate, too, what we ter century of effort. have gainedfrom the exertions of those who have passed away, and those who are unable to be with us in person The CGIAR did not come by its reputation through for a variety of reasons. I want, in particular, to ac­ happenstance. We are part of a tradition of scientific knowledge the contribution made by Robert McNamara excellence whose origins pre-date the establishment oj but for whom there might never have been a CGIAR; the CGIAR and whose future lies in yet uncharted terri­ and of three alumni who had intended to be here but tory. We owe so much to: are kept away by ill-health; Henry Beachell, Harold Graves, and Lowell Hardin. On behalf of the CGIAR, • the American foundations which initially pro­ officially, and of myself, personally, Isay “thank you” to vided support for intensified research into tropi­ all our alumni, present and absent, for their dedication cal agriculture; and inspiration. And I ask the audience to join me in paying tribute to them with a standing ovation. • scientists, led by the father of modern agricultural innovation, Norman Borlaug, who laid the foun­ The CGIAR of today and its partners are fully com­ dationsfor agricultural transformation in the South; mitted to keeping alive and effective the traditions oj scientific excellence and effectiveness established in the • the farm families, men, and women, whose tire­ past. We do so in the knowledge that our task is not sim­ less efforts down the years have sustained agri­ ply to accumulate skills and knowledge, but to use them cultural development and change; in the service of the world’s poor. • the visionaries who, at Bellagio and elsewhere, /Is we review the past and explore a future oj hope planned and created the conditions by which the and fulfillment, we are fortunate to have as our open­ initial successes of agricultural research could ing speaker a strong friend of the CGIAR, the President have international application; and of the World Bank, James D. Wolfensohn. He has brought new thoughts, a new vision, new ways of conducting • the donors, policymakers, scientists, managers, business, and a great sense of caring to the interna­ farmers and others, in South arid North alike, tional development community. In doing so, he has re- 16 focused the Bank’s attention on agriculture and rural rural India—I am conscious of two things—first, the development. Agricultural research—clearly defined, absolutely unparalleled role which is played by CGIAR expertly carried out, and effectively applied—is an im­ and its many partnership members in terms of research, portant pre-requisite of agriculture development. Tloe in terms of advancing science, in terms of training, in emphasis of the Bank on agriculture and the capacities terms of capacity building, in terms of direction of agri­ that we bring to the exercise are congruent and comple­ culture. I am aware of that as I am equally aware of mentary. We owe much to Jim Wolfensohn, and it is a how crucial it is that that should be part of a rural sys­ privilege for the CGIAR to hear from him direct. tem so that it can be utilized, so that the crops when grown can be distributed, so that the markets can be Opening Remarks by the President of the accessed, so that the food can be stored, and so that we World Bank Group can have a real impactf rom the dramatic results which all of you have come together to make possible for the World Bank President James D. Wolfensohn deliv­ majority of our clients. ered the opening remarks on the twenty-fifth anniver­ sary day of commemoration, as follows: Seventy percent of our clients are in rural areas, the poor. We have 3 billion clients; we have 1.2 billion Thank you very much, Ismail, Professor Castillo, who live on under $1 per day. And with all of our best Maurice Strong, and all of you who have really made efforts, we are going to need more food, and we are today possible. I would like to join with Ismail in thank­ going to have more poor as we approach the next mil­ ing those who took pari in the founding of the CGIAR, lennium. those who have presided over it, and those who are here today, working in this remarkable linkage of institutions So I have talked to Alex, and I have talked with our which is so beneficial to us and so essential, really, to people here at the Bank to see how it is that we can make the activities of the World Bank. better use of the remarkable achievements of this remark­ able organization, because for us, your work is abso­ I woidd like you to know that my interest in devel­ lutely pivotal. It is remarkable in many ways. It is re­ opment started a long time ago, but the most vivid markable because it is perhaps the most successful part­ memory> I have, which Maurice may remember, was a nership in the history of development. I am proud that visit which took place nearly twenty-five years ago, to John Crawford was part of it because he was Australian— Pueblo, Mexico, when I went down as a member of the if you ’llf orgive my nationalistic, jingoistic spirit—but it is Rockefeller Foundation Board to look at what was being nice when Maurice is giving the SirJohn Crawford Memo­ done in agricultural research. My fiist exposure to “bare­ rial Lecture, which I am proud he is doing. foot farming” was when I took, my shoes off and went through thefield, and it was explained to me by those run­ But for us here at the Bank, the challenges of the ning the institute that we were doing agricultural research, future are what is significant, in addition to the recog­ and we had wonderful corn that was this high, against nition of a twenty-five-year history that is distinguished the corn that was this high, which was the native corn. in the past. For us, this is the challenge. It is the challenge of Africa, as Mr. Hopper pointed out in his admirable com- They told me at that time that, “We can solve this mentary that is being distributed to you. Africa is a place technologically, but what we have got to do is get the where we have to meet this challenge, where we have to farmers to believe it. ” And what was the significant and adapt to the technology, where we have to deal with issues absolutely vivid memory that I have is walking with great of governance, where we have to deal with issues of dis­ agricultural scientists, and we had to try to convince one tributing, of marketing, and of getting the benefits of the local farmers in that community that he should use through to the people. our new strains, and if we coidd do thatfor one year, then the others would see it, and they would adopt it. As we get around the world, we can talk of the im­ mense achievements in Asia, but having just come from And so it is that I have kept that image with me ever India andf rom Nepal, I can tell you that there are many since, and as I now move around the world—and I came challenges which remain. None of the challenges can be back, literally, last night from three weeks, much of it in met without your work, and I want to state to you that for 17 my own part, and I believe for the part of ma nagement, massive increase in the use of chemical pesticides and and hopefully, I believe, on the part of the Board—but one fertilizer and that the green revolution favored the large, can never be sure—that we will be able to continue to give more wealthy farmers, exacerbating the plight of the the sort of support that we have given in the past. And it is smallholders, the landless, and farm laborers. But he obvious that we should, because CGIAR really meets every­ said that these concerns do not outweigh the benefits thing that we care about in the Bank—bringing together that have been achieved, such as sparing millions of excellence, bringing together diversity, allowing people to people from hunger and malnutrition, and relieving have their own ingenuity, integrity, creativity, doing it on major food deficit nations from their dependence on a national basis, being respectful of the experience ofpeople imports of food grains. throughout the world, drawing that experience together, not trying to impose something from the top, and benefit­ Mr. Strong warned that complacency has replaced ing from a truly multinational institution. the alarmist predictions of food shortages and massive starvation which drove early support for the green revo­ That is what the Bank should be. That is what you lution and the work of the CGIAR. This is particularly are. So it is normal, understandable, and certainly some­ troubling since surplus stocks of grain have fallen to thing that we can get behind with enthusiasm when we the lowest level on record, per capita production has think of the future of this institution. fallen, and available croplands for grain production are rapidly diminishing. In addition, food aid was cut We are very proud that the Secretariat should be in half between 1993 and 1996. associated with us, and we are very proud that Ismail is Chairman and that we have had a number of other Mr. Strong called for increased global food secu­ distinguished chairmen in the past. rity, both at the national and household levels. He pointed out that the CGIAR, as part of its renewal pro­ / am here to thank you for what you have done in grams, has called for a doubly green revolution—green the past. Iam here to congratulate you on what you are for productivity and green for natural resource man­ doing now, and Iam here to pledge the support of the agement—in order to meet the need to double world Bank for the future. Thank-you so much. food production by 2025. Sir John Crawford Memorial Lecture by Mr. Challenges and problems in meeting the world’s Maurice F. Strong future food needs include not knowing how food pro­ The CGIAR at 25: Looking Back and Looking duction may be affected by climate change, and figur­ Forward ing out how to match food availability with food needs, particularly on the part of the poor. He noted that The 1996 Sir John Crawford Memorial Lecture was poverty, more than lack of availability, is what denies delivered by Mr. Maurice Strong, Senior Advisor to the most people access to food. President of the World Bank Group. He was intro­ duced by Ms. Gelia Castillo, the first woman Chair of a The environmental, health, and social costs that CGIAR Center—CIP. have accompanied the increases in production achieved by the green revolution are likely to im­ Mr. Strong noted he was present at the creation of pose greater costs and constraints on future pro­ the CGIAR, and praised the CGIAR’s role in extending duction increases. Also becoming more evident are and sustaining the green revolution, which he called “one the health risks that arise from the accumulation of of the most important and influential technological devel­ pesticide residues and chemical fertilizers in the opments of our time, or indeed of any time.” As one of its environment and in food products. Conflicts over major accomplishments, he pointed to the CGLAR’s role water are likely to become more numerous and acute in approximately the doubling of the yield of rice, wheat, as usable water supplies decrease. Degradation of and maize between the 1960s and the 1990s. existing productive lands through soil erosion, salination, and contamination is permanently under­ Downsides of the green revolution he mentioned mining their productivity. Limits to the expansion were the environmental and health impacts from the of cropland areas and loss and degradation of exist- 18 ing lands is particularly ominous in the face of con­ ity in accordance with sustainable development prin­ tinued world population growth. Yet another area ciples. This requires a special focus on the key role of vulnerability is the increase in the use of meat as of women. it becomes affordable to more people, because so much grain must go to feed livestock. The fact that poverty is the principal source of hunger and malnutrition for the poor underscores While droughts are inevitable, famine is the prod­ the need for a massive effort to alleviate poverty, uct of human mismanagement, ecological breakdown, which President Wolfensohn has made a central pri­ neglect, inequity, and poverty. In addition, misguided ority for the World Bank. The process of revitalizing government policies and inadequate budgets deny ru­ and reorienting the CGIAR and its agricultural re­ ral peoples access to the transportation and infrastruc­ search centers, which Chairman Serageldin and oth­ ture needed to move their products and to bring in ers initiated, promises to prepare the CGIAR system supplies from outside. for an expanded role in shaping the world’s agricul­ tural future and its transition to a sustainable system Some 120 countries now rely on imports to meet of food supply. their food grain needs. Food aid as a means of dispos­ ing of surpluses has diminished greatly and is not a This will require much greater levels of financial reliable source of food. Food deficit countries will have support, which will not be easy to achieve. But the to pay for their food imports. CGIAR has a strong and compelling case for a larger share of development assistance budgets because its All this makes the transition to a sustainable agri­ research and development programs have clearly cultural and food production system an essential pre­ demonstrated that they produce returns that cannot condition to a secure and sustainable future for human­ be replicated in any other field of development. At kind. the same time, the CGIAR must be enterprising and innovative in developing other sources of funds. To lead the transition to sustainable agriculture the CGIAR centers should concentrate more of their atten­ In concluding, Mr. Strong noted that the chal­ tion on creating a positive synthesis between the mod­ lenges confronting us in meeting the world’s food ern scientific techniques they have been pioneering and needs in the twenty-first century are daunting. Meet­ traditional knowledge and practices. This means inte­ ing these needs and making the transition to sustain­ grating their work more fully with the institutions, sci­ able agriculture will require a radical overhaul of gov­ entists, and farmers in the communities in which they ernment policies and an unprecedented degree of co­ are located. This is particularly important because the operation among nations, institutions, and peoples. This centers have sometimes been seen as foreign transplants means moving agriculture back into the center of inter­ in these communities. national and national agendas and developing new policy and management regimes that are systemic in To increase the energy efficiency of agriculture and nature, and that recognize and are able to deal with the reduce its use of fossil fuels, Mr. Strong said the CGIAR complex interacting relationships in the physical, eco­ should consider establishing a new center or program nomic, and social domains. focusing on energy-related issues. [Following ICW96, the full text of Mr. Strong’s lec­ The CGIAR should pay special attention to helping ture was published under separate cover by the developing countries anticipate the effects on their CGIAR Secretariat. The publication includes Ms. own agricultural and economic prospects from new Castillo’s introduction, as well as the question-and- developments in biotechnology, and to assist these answer period that followed the lecture.] countries in participating in and benefiting from these developments. Mr. Strong encouraged the CGIAR to Following Mr. Strong’s lecture, a slide presentation focus more of its efforts on helping small farmers, on “Research in the Service of the Poor” was screened. especially the poorest, to access the knowledge and [The presentation is available in video format from the resources required to increase their own productiv- CGIAR Secretariat.] 19 SESSION II: TAKING STOCK FOR THE FUTURE The first Chairman from the South was Shahid Husain (1984-1987), who presided over the CGIAR dur­ Session II featured a tribute to past CGIAR leaders ing a period of consolidation, when it prepared for a by Chairman Ismail Serageldin, followed by a roundtable number of initiatives that have since become integral discussion of four former CGIAR Chairmen and a former parts of the CGIAR. The system’s first major study of TAC Chair, who each shared a personal message with sustainability issues was begun, and the interest in gen­ the Group on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniver­ der issues which led to the Gender Program was nur­ sary of the CGIAR. Reflections touched on the major tured at that time. achievements of the CGIAR during their tenures, per­ sonal views of the highlights of their chairmanships, David Hopper (1987-1990) was present at the cre­ and assessments of how best the CGIAR can continue ation of the CGIAR in Bellagio and at its inaugural meet­ to make a material difference in the lives of the world’s ing in May 1971. He was also a member of the first poor in the next twenty-five years. Together the mes­ TAC, under the chairmanship of Sir John Crawford. Mr. sages comprised a broad historical perspective of the Hopper led the CGIAR very firmly in the direction of CGIAR’s record of achievement and of its ability to over­ natural resources management research. During his come the challenges of the future. Former CGIAR Chair­ tenure an enquiry as to whether a number of environ­ men participating in the discussion were Warren Baum, mentally oriented centers should be brought into the W. David Hopper, Wilfried Thalwitz, and V. Rajagopalan, CGIAR was launched, and he persuaded the Group to along with former TAC Chair Guy Camus. Former Chair­ place agroforestry formally within the CGIAR’s man­ men Richard H. Demuth and S. Shahid Husain sent their date. regrets. UNEP cosponsor representative Reuben Olembo chaired the session. Wilfried Thalwitz (1990-1991) led the Group when it was confronted with important choices regarding ex­ Tribute to CGIAR Leaders Past and Present panding the system to encompass natural resources management research. Research into agroforestry, Mr. Serageldin paid tribute to his predecessors as aquatic resources, forestry, and water management be­ CGIAR Chairman for their inspiring leadership. He came CGIAR-mandated activities under his leadership. emphasized how much the CGIAR benefited from He also urged for the system to exercise financial pru­ their combined stewardship, and elaborated the spe­ dence and discipline. cific contributions of each. Dick Demuth (1971-1974) presided over the first formal meeting of the CGIAR Mr. Rajagopalan (1991-1993) urged the develop­ and thereafter helped to build the foundation for ment of stronger linkages between the centers and their future success. He was profoundly aware of the developing country partners. He promoted the con­ importance of agriculture as an instrument of devel­ solidation and restructuring of the system, and spon­ opment at a time when many others were not, and sored several innovations, including the creation of the early on predicted that the revolution in agricultural Oversight and Finance Committees, which are now an technology brought about by CGIAR scientists and integral part of CGIAR governance structures. His lead­ their colleagues would be one of the outstanding ership took the Group in the direction of its subse­ achievements of our time. quent renewal. During the tenure of Warren Baum (1974-1983), Turning to TAC, Mr. Serageldin paid tribute to the the number of CGIAR members, the number of centers, distinguished individuals who have chaired the CGIAR’s and the resources available for research grew, and the independent advisory body, beginning with Sir John research interests of the CGIAR were diversified. It was Crawford. Sir John’s influence on the CGIAR in terms under Mr. Baum’s leadership that the CGIAR included of the excellent guidance TAC has provided to the Group both capacity building and policy research in its portfo­ has been carried forward by the individuals who have lio, and was awarded the King Baudouin International followed him as Chair. For each of them, the chal­ Development Prize by Belgium, a prestigious interna­ lenges they confronted were different, but their unwa­ tional recognition of the impact of international agri­ vering commitment to excellence, their breadth of vi­ cultural research. sion, their independence of mind, and their strength of 20 character have marked the importance of TAC in main­ most effective instrument for developing food for taining the excellence of the CGIAR. poor farmers. Roundtable Discussion of Former CGIAR He concluded by saying that the chairmanship of Leaders the CGIAR was the most rewarding experience of his professional life. Warren Baum, CGIAR Chairman, 1974-1983 W. David Hopper, CGIAR Chairman, 1987-1990 Mr. Baum conveyed to the Group the fond remem­ brances and good wishes of Dick Demuth, who was Mr. Hopper noted that, when the CGIAR was cre­ not well enough to share his sentiments with the Group ated, research efforts were focused on dosing the gap in person. Mr. Baum paid tribute his predecessor, point­ between the performance of crop varieties in the trop­ ing to Mr. Demuth’s key role in the establishment of the ics and those in the temperate areas of the world. At CGIAR, and crediting him with leading Mr. Baum into that time, wheat and rice yields in the tropics were the Group. roughly half of those in temperate areas. That gap has now been closed, and has been replaced by a global Reflecting on how the CGIAR has changed since gap between what can be done and what more has to his tenure, Mr. Baum noted the increases in the num­ be done to meet future food needs. There is greater ber of cosponsors, TAC members, committees, and, need today than ever before to build partnerships be­ most importantly, developing country members and tween research institutions in the North and South to active participants in the Group. The latter, he said, confront this global gap. was a very welcome development. He was struck most, in reading recent CGIAR literature, by the word Turning to natural resources management, he em­ “partnership,” which seemed to be becoming a real­ phasized the need to move from ideas and discussion to ity with a truly global system in character being em­ action. He noted that there is still a very strong bias in the braced. centers toward plant breeding and yield testing. There should be a bias, as well, toward natural resources man­ Turning to the future, Mr. Baum said he was cau­ agement research, particularly soil and nutrient manage­ tiously optimistic. The next twenty-five years will be more ment and pest and pathogen control. He highlighted an difficult for the CGIAR than the first twenty-five years were, important area that has been neglected so far in terms of when a lot of things were working in the CGIAR’s favor. research: how to improve the efficiency with which plants Most of the green revolution was an accomplished fact use sunlight and water in photosynthesis. before centers were in being. The collective contribution of the Chairmen was to build on success, and preserve Commenting on future research challenges, Mr. Hop­ and expand it, but not to amend it. per said the key area for the CGIAR will be Africa, just as Asia was in the past. Africa is the only continent in the Today, a generation of aid donors, who do not world where food production per capita has declined. really know what the green revolution was, want to Over 90 percent of the water in Africa flows to the seas know what the CGIAR has done lately. This is under­ unused by plants. Very different soils, resource manage­ standable, given the current aid environment, which is ment questions, and social, biological, geological, and not likely to improve in the foreseeable future. Al­ economic structures confront research efforts in Africa. though research will come to the forefront within agri­ The CGIAR has not yet proven that its research can be culture as it becomes necessary to raise productivity on relevant to the burgeoning population of Africa. existing land, the CGIAR will have to live indefinitely under tight budgetary control and the increasing de­ Mr. Hopper compared the past situation in Asia to mand of donors for evidence that the centers continue the current situation in Africa. In Asia, concomitant to be useful and effective instruments for helping the with the founding of the CGIAR and the green revolu­ poor, in particular resource-poor farmers in the poorest tion was the very substantial investment made by the portions of the world. The CGIAR is remarkably well- multilateral banks initially and by the bilateral donors positioned to do that—to demonstrate that it is the subsequently in rural development. Today, there is less 21 proportionate investment in rural development. Yet, importance of bringing this region fully into the CGIAR such investment is an absolute must in Africa. As well, fold, even though transition countries may not be able investment by the United States in agricultural educa­ to contribute financially to the CGIAR in the same way tion and the building of the agricultural university sys­ that developed countries can. tems in Asia in the 1950s and 1960s were major con­ tributors to the success of the NARS. Those invest­ Reflecting on the CGIAR’s research to increase pro­ ments are not being made in Africa today. There is a ductivity and its efforts to bring about sustainable re­ need to recognize that science can only go so far un­ source management, Mr. Thalwitz said the CGIAR must less there is a wider infrastructure in place. be careful not to give the impression that it has two different, and competitive, angles of work. It is not an Mr. Hopper indicated that he was optimistic about either-or choice, but rather a need for both. Sustain­ global food supply, principally because of the two ex­ able resource management is the key to making pro­ traordinary breadbaskets of the world that have moved ductivity increases through research durable. Today, away from a system of central planning to the world this is self-evident. However, if the CGIAR’s empha­ market system—Central and Eastern Europe. Tradition­ sizes sustainability aspects over providing technologies ally major sources of food for all of mankind, these to increase productivity, it risks loosing the hard core regions can become such sources again, if they can of its work. The guiding light for the future, he empha­ modernize and bring their yields to the level of those in sized, will be the full integration of sustainability as­ the temperate zones. This requires overcoming a range pects into productivity increasing aspects of the CGIAR’s of problems related to infrastructure, development, and research. This, of course, has implications for the fi­ policy. If Central and Eastern Europe are not brought nancing of the system. into the balance, Mr. Hopper said he would not be more than cautiously optimistic, in fact almost pessi­ The necessity of preserving the CGIAR’s technical mist, that global food needs will be met in the next excellence with an orientation toward sustainable devel­ thirty years. Beyond Central and Eastern Europe, the opment will not happen without the interest and the fi­ mainstays of the future will be the revitalization of the nancial contribution of the private sector, Mr. Thalwitz agricultural research system, the continued support of stressed. The private sector should be seen a source both NARS, and the creation of many more partnerships be­ of finance and of research partnership. Yet, the CGIAR’s tween those in the North and South concerned with work is insufficiently known in the private sector. More­ agricultural research. over, the private sector has a completely different meth­ odology of decisionmaking from that of larger, public Wilfried Thalwitz, CGIAR Chairman 1990-1991 agencies with which the CGIAR is used to dealing. This necessitates a different approach. The private sector must Mr. Thalwitz began by reminding the Group that feel there is something in it for them, and the CGIAR must the chairmanship of the CGIAR has been a responsibil­ give up looking down at the private sector or even worry­ ity of the World Bank, along with certain financial obli­ ing that they make a little bit of profit. gations, since the creation of the Group by Mr. Robert McNamara. However, that does not mean that it is a The effort to let the world know about the need birthright, or that it should be a birthright in the future. for and success of the CGIAR must be increased. Much more can be done, and the World Bank can help, Mr. Turning to the CGIAR research effort, Mr. Thalwitz Thalwitz said. Both the Bank’s President and the CGIAR concurred with Mr. Hopper that the CGIAR has not done Chairman can effectively help spread the word of what enough in Africa, where the technical challenges are the CGIAR can do and has done. different. As well, the CGIAR is insufficiently tapping into the research potential of the countries in transition V. Rajagopalan, CGIAR Chairman 1991-1993 that were once a part of the former Soviet Union. This region has enormous potential to offer, both in terms Mr. Rajagopalan recognized the very hard and dedi­ of research capacity, particularly in Central and Eastern cated work of the numerous people working in the Europe, and of the application of research results, es­ labs and the fields who made the successes of the CGIAR pecially in Central Asia. He strongly emphasized the possible. He then raised three issues of concern. First, 22 the level of funding available to the CGIAR. He re­ on clearly defined programs of worldwide importance, minded the Group that science and research are evolv­ and in establishing the first international centers. ing processes which require resources to continue. Compared to the large amounts of money that coun­ Reflecting on his time as TAC Chair, he noted some tries invest in research and development annually—for of the events which shaped the period, forming a example, $73 billion by the United States—the annual baseline for comparison with the CGIAR today and the budget of the CGIAR at $300 million is relatively minus­ challenges it will face in the future. The mid-1980s cule. So why is it so difficult, he asked, for the CGIAR were a period when the CGIAR began to experience to raise more resources? Why is the CGIAR always financial difficulties. As a result, the CGIAR went from having to face the prospect of reducing activity rather a position where expectations were always fulfilled to than increasing activity? one in which expectations had to be adjusted to the availability of funding. A review of priorities and strat­ He urged the Group to explore innovative avenues egies conducted by TAC then showed gaps in CGIAR of fund raising, and to take advantage of having a Chair­ coverage of worldwide issues, notably water and for­ man who has a record of past success in raising funds, estry. TAC observed that many NARS had reached a to help raise funds for the CGIAR in nontraditional ways. level where they could assume part of the research ac­ The CGIAR must change from an organization focused tivity being conducted by the centers up to that time, on spending money to an organization focused on rais­ providing the centers with the opportunity to enhance ing money. activity in strategic research. The concept of the global research system was beginning to emerge, and with it Second, the danger that corners are being cut and the realization that the centers operated in isolation and scientists are not being provided with all of the resources that an effort to reach out to NARS was necessary. At a they need, due to the concern over funding. He urged meeting in Bellagio, TAC looked at a number of major the CGIAR not to allow the lack of resources to im­ issues, particularly Africa and how the CGIAR could pinge on the quality of science that is being conduced make an impact on this region. at the centers. Considerable changes have occurred in the CGIAR Third, the importance of transferring knowledge since then, particularly during the last two years. One from the centers to developing countries. If the CGIAR pronounced area where change has taken place is in does not enable the transfer to happen efficiently, or the evolution of the CGIAR’s relationships with NARS. successfully, or fully, Mr. Rajagopalan said, it has failed Today, the CGIAR is open to partnerships with NARS. in its responsibilities. He said he has seen many places NARS have been better defined and they are actively where the farmers outside of the centers have not heard participating in the CGIAR. This is a milestone in a about the CGIAR, and keep doing things as they have very long process. for centuries. He emphasized that the dissemination and transfer of knowledge to local people is an area Mr. Camus raised two concerns for the future. First, where much more needs to be done by the CGIAR. Africa and its problems, which are complex and clearly go beyond the realm of research. Africa remains a criti­ With regards to the future, Mr. Rajagopalan said he cal region for CGIAR research. In spite of the CGIAR’s was an optimist, believing that the best is yet to come. efforts, however, with practically all of the centers work­ He never assumes the very best has already been done ing in Africa, the continent is still lagging behind, and and that nothing better can be done in the future. He some believe there will be more poor in Africa than in emphasized his strong belief that the Group and the Asia by 2010. What can the renewed CGIAR do, he centers will deliver on the three issues he raised. asked, to bring about a partial or global solution to the problem? He raised several possibilities: shifting the Guy Camus, TAC Chair 1982-1987 CGIAR research effort to reflect a 50 to 60 percent em­ phasis on Africa; and setting up a better coordinating Mr. Camus paid tribute to the fundamental role of process between the activities of different centers by Mr. Frosty Hill and Mr. Sterling Wortman in creating the creating specific entities responsible for coordination concept of international centers of excellence, focused in Africa. 23 Second, the need to contemplate different mecha­ SESSION III: CHALLENGES AND nisms that would free the centers from the weight of OPPORTUNITIES their infrastructures, which will become less and less necessary given the possibilities afforded by coopera­ With Session III the commemoration moved directly tion with advanced institutions in Europe, North America, from an emphasis on honoring past efforts to highlight­ and in a number of NARS. ing the present and future scientific issues of concern to the CGIAR. Mr. Gurdev Khush of IRRI, co-recipient Discussion of the 1996 World Food Prize and Head of IRRI’s Rice Breeding Program, delivered a commemorative address The floor was opened for a general discussion fol­ on “Science in the CGIAR—Yesterday, Today, and To­ lowing the roundtable discussion by former CGIAR lead­ morrow,” which focused on the evolution of rice re­ ers. Brief comments were made by former TAC Chair search and future prospects. The other co-recipient Alex McCalla and former CGIAR Executive Secretary was Mr. Henry Beachell, a retired IRRI scientist. The Curt Farrar, among others. session was chaired by Mr. Henri Carsalade, FAO co­ sponsor representative. Mr. McCalla shared his view that the CGIAR is an institution that is constantly facing new challenges, and World Food Prize that it is doing well. Prior to the address by Mr. Khush, Mr. Serageldin Mr. Farrar emphasized two points. First, the CGIAR reminded the Group of the history and importance must continue to hone its priorities, to build on its new of the World Food Prize, which celebrated its tenth energy and focus, as well as to recognize that finance anniversary with the awarding of the Prize to Messrs. will continue to be a difficulty. The CGIAR should, Khush and Beachell. The World Food Prize was born therefore, focus on the tasks for which it has a com­ out of the frustration felt by Nobel laureate Norman parative advantage, and resist being drawn into tasks Borlaug that there was no Nobel-level prize specifi­ that are relevant to its work, but for which it may not cally for food and agriculture, to recognize individual be the most capable institution; for example, the CGIAR achievements to improve the quality, quantity, or has been drawn into the work of NARS in transferring availability of food in the world. Mr. Serageldin em­ technology to farmers. Second, the CGIAR must pro­ phasized that it was a privilege for the CGIAR, and a tect its centers, as it once did, from the pressures of testimonial to the quality of its science, that over half bureaucracy and politics, to enable the centers to spend of the Prize winners have been associated with the their time on research. He recommended that this be CGIAR. an area that be examined as part of the system review. Mr. Serageldin recognized Mr. Herman Kilpper, Another speaker recalled that when the first cen­ Executive Director of the World Food Prize Founda­ ters were founded, a time horizon of twenty to twenty- tion, and then introduced a short video by the Founda­ five years was envisaged, after which it was assumed tion providing an overview of current and former re­ the centers would disappear, or become national cen­ cipients and their work. Subsequently, special tribute ters, or perhaps completely change their function. It was paid to the World Food Prize laureates from within was pointed out that many of the centers have funda­ the CGIAR system, who were each asked to stand and mentally changed their original mandate, and that new be recognized by the Group. tasks were on the horizon. Given this evolution, it may be necessary to reduce or eliminate some of the activi­ Commemorative Address ties which were originally the mandate of the centers. Mr. Khush began by saying that the awarding of A final intervention seconded Mr. Farrar’s call that the World Food Prize to Mr. Beachall and himself the centers be protected from undue burdens of bu­ was a tribute to the contributions of many, many reaucracy, particularly the high demand from donors people over the years. He recognized, in particular, for reports, and urged that the centers be left to con­ the visionaries at the Ford and Rockefeller Founda­ centrate on their research. tions, who founded the first international center, 24 which led to the establishment of other centers and, A major effort has been put into developing rice ultimately, the CGIAR, and the donors, who made varieties for unfavorable environments, particularly in­ the research possible. fertile conditions, or areas of drought or excess water. Drought tolerance, submergence tolerance, tolerance Mr. Khush’s commemorative address focused on rice to iron toxicity, tolerance to salinity, and elongation for improvement at IRRI: past accomplishments, current re­ deep-water growth, are some of the characteristics which search, and the challenges of the future. He emphasized have been incorporated into improved lines. Improved that the research conducted at IRRI was the result of a varieties with high yield, multiple resistance, and grain team effort of many scientists, working in very close col­ quality are today planted on about 70 percent of land laboration with colleagues at national programs. cultivated with rice. The net result of the increased production has been the considerable reduction in the He highlighted the important breakthroughs that price of rice. This has benefited the poor, who spend have been made in terms of traits which have been 60 percent of their income on food. incorporated into rice varieties to increase their pro­ ductivity and yield stability. The improved grain: straw The challenges of the future are much greater, Mr. ratio and increased biomass of modern varieties, begin­ Khush said, because the area under rice cultivation has ning with IR8, resulted in a doubling of yield potential not increased since 1980, and is actually decreasing in over conventional varieties. Yield potential has contin­ some countries, such as Indonesia and China. The chal­ ued to be improved, albeit gradually, as newer varieties lenge for the future is to produce more rice on less are made available. Another significant improvement land, with less water, less chemicals, and less labor. was the reduction in the growth duration of new variet­ The focus of current research is to significantly further ies, without altering their improved yield potential. improve the yield potential of rice. IRRI scientists have Faster growth rates enabled farmers to intensify crop been working on a new plant type, dubbed the “super production. Double cropping became possible where rice,” which has a larger number of grains per panicle only one crop was previously grown and, with irriga­ and a smaller number of tillers, but all productive. This tion, a third crop was made possible. The productivity new plant type has 15 to 20 percent more grain as com­ of short-duration varieties over traditional and medium- pared to modern, high-yielding varieties. Currently ef­ duration varieties has continued to improve since IR8. forts are focused on incorporating disease and insect The appearance and palatability of the new varieties resistance and improving grain quality and grain filling. have been considerably improved, as well. Today, IR64, IRRI hopes that the new plant type will be ready by the planted on seven to eight million hectares, is the most turn of the century. widely grown variety in the world. Another strategy for improving yield potential is Significant breakthroughs were also achieved in through hybrid rice. There is potential to increase the terms of incorporating multiple resistance to pests and yield of rice by 10 to 15 percent through the introduction diseases into the rice plant. Pests and diseases are the of this technology, particularly in high-potential areas. IRRI major production constraint to rice; FAO estimates that is also working on apomixis, so that it will be possible to about 20 percent of rice yield is lost to diseases and plant hybrids again and again. This will make hybrid insects. Earlier improved varieties were more suscep­ technology more accessible to poor farmers, who are cur­ tible; however, later varieties developed have multiple rently limited by the cost of seed. IRRI is also working on resistance to blast, bacterial blight, tungaro virus, grassy various biotechnology techniques to increase yield po­ stunt, three types of brown plant hopper, and green tential, by improving the efficiency of a certain enzyme leaf hopper, and some tolerance to stem borer. The that increases the solids content, and by increasing stay- value of multiple resistance, Mr. Khush said, is that you green characteristics. achieve yield stability with little, if any, insecticide ap­ plication. Integrated pest management can be prac­ New techniques in biotechnology are also being ticed with reliance on host plant resistance and cultural used to introduce genes for disease and insect resis­ management without much insecticide use. Thus, im­ tance, to provide very high levels of resistance where proved varieties result both in increased yields as well only moderate levels were formerly possible, thereby as reduced insecticide use. increasing yield stability. Another effort is on weed 25 control through the development of varieties that sup­ fashion. She noted the concern for the environment re­ press surrounding weeds, thereby reducing the neces­ flected in this holistic approach, and the importance of sity for herbicide use. Increased tolerance to salinity recognizing that environmental protection and food secu­ and drought through biotechnology techniques to in­ rity are interlinked. troduce genes with tolerance is also underway, and molecular marker techniques are being used to develop more durable resistance to pests and diseases. SESSION IV: ENSURING SCIENTIFIC EXCELLENCE At the beginning of this century rice yields were two to two-and-a-half tons per hectare. Modern rices The fourth session of the twenty-fifth anniversary yield ten tons per hectare. Modern rice hybrids can commemoration, chaired by Mr. Roberto Lenton, UNDP yield as much as eleven tons per hectare. The new rice cosponsor representative, was a defining moment be­ plant type potentially will yield up to twelve tons, and cause it recognized and commended outstanding sci­ the hybrid crosses, thirteen tons. Through biotechnol­ entific achievement through the presentation of the bi­ ogy techniques, fourteen or fifteen tons might be ennial CGIAR King Baudouin Award and the launching reached. It is imperative that yield potential be raised of three Chairman’s Excellence in Science Awards. The to meet the expected increased demand for food in the awards were created to serve as incentives for contin­ future, which will necessitate that seventy percent more ued scientific excellence at the centers. food be produced. If that is not done, fragile environ­ ments will come under cultivation, Mr. Khush warned. The King Baudouin Award of the CGIAR There is, thus, a very close link between environmental protection and food production. Production on culti­ When the CGIAR was awarded the King Baudouin vated lands must be intensified to protect against ex­ International Development Prize by Belgium in 1980, it pansion into fragile lands. decided to invest the prize money and use the income for a biennial award in recognition of outstanding work done Diversity still exists in improved germplasm, Mr. by one or more of the centers. TAC serves as the selec­ Khush emphasized. Instead of so much focus on tion committee for the CGLAR’s King Baudouin Award. biodiversity, more emphasis should be placed on de­ veloping improved germplasm for more and more di­ The Ambassador of Belgium to the United States, verse conditions, as well as improved germplasm for Mr. Andre Adam, introduced the award and remarked the more favorable environments, he said. on Belgium’s strong commitment to international agri­ cultural research. The 1996 King Baudouin Award of Summation the CGIAR was then presented by TAC Chair Donald Winkelmann, on behalf of the CGIAR Chairman, to Mrs. Ntombana Regina Gata, a CGIAR regional rep­ ICRISAT to recognize outstanding achievement in the resentative from Africa, summarized the session from a development of disease-resistant, yield-increasing pearl Southern perspective. She noted, in particular, the ho­ millet in collaboration with advanced institutions and listic approach taken Mr. Khush and his colleagues to national research programs. Mr. James Ryan, Director the problem of increasing rice yields, that has resulted in General of ICRISAT, accepted the award. many significant breakthroughs. Research has been tar­ geted not only toward breeding higher-yielding rice vari­ Pearl millet is grown by poor farmers on about 27 eties, but also toward increasing growth rates to allow million hectares of dryland, primarily in Asia and Af­ multiple cropping, integrating multiple resistance to dis­ rica. In these areas, it is the only cereal that reliably eases and pests to reduce the use of insecticides and en­ provides grain and fodder under hot, dry, rainfed con­ able the application of integrated pest management prac­ ditions, and on shallow or sandy soils with low fertility tices, developing varieties that thrive under unfavorable and water holding capacity. The people who live in conditions, and improving grain quality, to increase the these dryland areas are among the poorest anywhere. acceptability of the new varieties. The tools of modern science, particularly biotechnology, have been Diseases are the most important biotic constraints brought to bear on this continuing effort in an integrated of pearl millet, particularly downy mildew, which 26 can reduce yields by more than 40 percent, as well as the and one TAC member evaluated and ranked the nomi­ panicle diseases, ergot and smut. The major abiotic con­ nations. The results were provided to the CGIAR Chair­ straints are drought, heat, and low soil fertility. man, who made the final selection of recipients. ICRISAT’s research has primarily focused on devel­ Promising Young Scientist oping hybrids with high grain yield and resistance to downey mildew and to ergot and smut diseases. ICRISAT The Chairman’s Excellence in Science Award for Prom­ research on downy mildew has resulted in significant ising Young Scientist was presented to Mr. Shaobing Peng scientific findings. Hybrids with enough of both het­ to recognize outstanding achievement in research on the erogeneity for resistance and uniformity for agronomic physiological processes underlying yield potential in rice characters are possible means of achieving the durable at the International Rice Research Instimte (IRRI). resistance previously available only from open-polli­ nated cultivars. ICRISAT will begin first field evalua­ Mr. Peng began his career at IRRI in 1991 as a crop tions of such hybrids this year. ICRISAT research on physiologist. Since that time, he has rapidly gained an ergot and smut has emphasized control through host outstanding reputation as one of only two plant physiolo­ plant resistance, and has resulted in the development gists at IRRI in the caicially important area of characteriz­ of screening techniques, breeding of resistant cultivars, ing the physiological processes underlying yield potential and the development of lines providing reasonable yield in rice. He has established and led a research program and resistance to both ergot and smut. which has provided the crucial linkages among crop physi­ ology, systems analysis, and agronomic issues. ICRISAT’s drought tolerance research has focused on breeding attributes of landraces into improved materials. From a small rural community in the People’s Re­ ICRISAT is working with other institutions to assess the public of China, Mr. Peng at just twenty-eight years of severity of the lack of soil nutrients (IFDC), and to search age had already been the senior author of six major for ways to enrich poor soils with biomass provided by papers in international refereed journals describing crop crop residues and animal dung (ILRI). Agroforestry alter­ research on the physiological processes underlying yield natives are also being developed (with ICRAF). potential, water use efficiency, and nutrient uptake and metabolism, with particular reference to nitrogen. This Interdisciplinary efforts and partnership with NARS remarkable productivity, achieved in only four years have characterized ICRISAT’s research. It is now ex­ after his departure from the People's Republic of China, panding to include a greater sharing of roles with net­ gained him widespread recognition, and led to his se­ works, NGOs, and farmer groups, including farmer- lection for the position he now holds at IRRI. managed trials to understand their preferences. Mr. Peng’s success at IRRI, given the difficult begin­ ICRISAT has estimated that the annual returns to ning to his career in China, represents not only a personal pearl millet farmers from cultivated varieties developed triumph, but is an inspiration to all young scientists who by the center and its partners amount to $54 million. wish to dedicate their careers to agricultural research for the benefit of the poor in the developing world. Chairman’s Excellence in Science Awards Outstanding Local Professional The Chairman’s Excellence in Science Awards were inaugurated at ICW96 to honor special achievement in The Chairman’s Excellence in Science Award for the following three categories: Promising Young Sci­ Outstanding Local Professional was presented to co­ entist; Outstanding Local Professional; and Outstand­ recipients Ms. Thelma R. Paris and Mr. Shashi B. Sharma. ing Scientific Partnership. CBC Chair Wanda Collins Ms. Paris is presented the award to recognize outstand­ and CDC Chair Lukas Brader each made brief re­ ing achievement in research to link human nutrition marks, prior to the presentation of the awards by the and agriculture and for studies on gender issues in rice- CGIAR Chairman. Nominations were made by the based farming at the International Rice Research Insti­ Center Directors and submitted to the Chair of the tute (IRRI). Mr. Sharma is presented the award to rec­ CBC. A small panel, consisting of two board Chairs ognize outstanding achievement in research to increase 27 knowledge, awareness, and understanding of nematode the polyphagous nature and widespread distribution of parasites of pigeonpea, chickpea, and groundnut at the the nematode. International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). Outstanding Scientific Partnership Ms. Paris joined IRRI twenty-one years ago, and is The Chairman’s Excellence in Science Award for today a Senior Scientist in the Social Science Division. Outstanding Scientific Partnership was presented to the She has been conducting research on linking human International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and nutrition and agriculture, and on gender issues in rice- the Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR), Njala, Sierra based farming. Ms. Paris is a rare combination of top Leone to recognize outstanding achievement in collabo­ class researcher and dedicated field worker, which has rative research on the improvement of root and tuber enabled her to build bridges between scientists and farm­ crops in West Africa. Mr. Lukas Brader, Director General ers. Her primary concern is that farmers, especially of IITA, and Mr. Mohamed T. Dahniya, Director of IAR, women farmers, directly benefit from rice research and accepted the award on behalf of the partner institutions. development. Her approach has paved the way for NARS to address gender issues in their own research The partnership between IITA and IAR has been a and development agenda. She was instrumental in or­ major factor in the improvement of root and tuber crops ganizing women’s associations in selected rice villages in the western part of West Africa. The needs of this in the Philippines that empowered women and enabled region are being well served through this partnership, far them to gain access to informal revolving funds from better than could have been achieved by IITA alone. The IRRI’s Women in Rice Farming Systems program, con­ partnership has involved communication and information sidered by external reviewers as one of the most func­ exchange, the conduct of joint research, particularly on tional gender-conscious programs in the CGIAR sys­ the genetic improvement of cassava, and training. tem. Ms. Paris has established herself as a prominent researcher and leader in the field of integrating women’s Central to the success of the partnership between concerns into the technology generation process. IITA and IAR have been the efforts of Professor Mohamed T. Dahniya. Links between IITA and Profes­ Mr. Sharma has been a scientist in the Crop Protec­ sor Dahniya extend over twenty years, initially taking tion Division at ICRISAT since 1986, where he has con­ shape when he was a research fellow at IITA from 1976 ducted research on nematode parasites of pigeonpea, to 1980. After returning to Sierra Leone in 1981 to take chickpea, and groundnut, and developed research tools, up a post at the Njala University College, Professor techniques, and environmentally friendly management Dahniya maintained his links with IITA and handled approaches that aid in the protection of these crops some screening and selection work of IITA’s elite cas­ from nematode damage. His research has added sig­ sava and sweet potato clones in the humid forest zone nificantly to knowledge about the production constraints of Sierra Leone. Over the years, this link was further of chickpea, pigeonpea, and groundnut. The diversity of strengthened and the scope of sharing of research re­ research outputs and products developed has had impact sponsibilities widened, bringing with it considerable in both direct terms—for example, the gradual wider adop­ efficiency gains in the implementation of a regional tion of nematode tolerant cultivars—and indirect terms— program for root and tuber crop improvement. for example, new and improved research tools and ap­ proaches. The improvement in understanding of nema­ When he became Director of the Institute of Agri­ tode parasites as a result of this research is a critical leap cultural Research in 1988, Professor Dahniya ensured forward in successful nematode management and in en­ that strong links were maintained with IITA. He built suring sustainability and profitability of subsistence farm­ up the root crops team at the Institute and encouraged ing in many areas where nematodes are important. Some staff to take advantage of training opportunities at IITA, of the techniques developed, such as the use of trypan enabling linkages between the two institutes to be blue stain to diagnose reniformi nematode infection in the mutually fostered and sustained. field, and identification of resistant genotypes without using a microscope, are likely to be used for a number of crops Two factors have been essential to the successful both in developed and developing countries because of partnership between IITA and IAR and to IAR’s high 28 standard of service to the subregion. First, the sus­ technical change, but is an instrument of societal transfor­ tained professional commitment shown by Professor mation. He noted that the values of science perme­ Dahniya and his team. Second, the readiness of IITA’s ate society, and thus science has an important role Root and Tuber Improvement Program to facilitate, but to play in shaping society and bringing about posi­ not dominate, the partnership. This facilitation has en­ tive change, if it is embraced in an open and partici­ compassed the provision of breeding materials, techni­ patory way. The values that science promotes are cal backstopping, modest funding support for certain very much those that are fundamental to any truly key trials, training, and enabling information exchange modern society: rationality; creativity; the search for through regular meetings. truth; adherence to codes of behavior; and a certain constructive subversiveness. Science, thus, is an in­ tegral part of modern culture, and is the foundation SESSION V: BEYOND 25—MOVING AHEAD on which the future must be built. The final session of the day of commemoration Agricultural science is a means of both feeding featured an address by CGIAR Chairman Ismail more people, as well as addressing the nexus of prob­ Serageldin on the topic “Into the Future.” Mr. M. Sujayet lems related to poverty, hunger, and environmental Ullah Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of the degradation. Overcoming these problems requires Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, chaired the action on a broad and complex rural development session. front. Science can help provide direction and can be a source of solutions. For example, science can Mr. Serageldin spoke of the CGIAR’s achievements provide accurate data and information on global food and the difference that has been made as a result in production, including ecological site-specific data and the lives of countless of the world’s poor. The suc­ socioeconomic data at local, national, regional, and cess of its past efforts compels the CGIAR to meet global levels, needed to define problems accurately the challenges of the future. He elaborated the and identify and develop new technologies more pre­ CGIAR’s vision of the future as one that is: people- cisely. centered, gender conscious, and empowering of the poor; founded on a clear recognition of access to Research programs need to be guided by con­ food as a basic human right; respectful of indigenous siderations of biodiversity preservation, environmen­ knowledge and its contribution to cultural develop­ tal concerns, the changing interface between the pub­ ment; and recognizing the need to responsibly hus­ lic and private sector, intellectual property rights, bio­ band the Earth’s fragile natural resources on behalf ethics, and the need for greater stakeholder partici­ of future generations. pation in the research process. Important areas for research in the future will be: the preservation of Hope for the future can be found in the spectacu­ biodiversity, research on postharvest production tech­ lar achievements in human development in the last thirty nologies, and the greater use of biotechnology. To years. These successes, however, are countered by the effectively address these issues, researchers must act fate of those who have been left behind—a third of the in concert and research responsibilities must be dis­ world’s population that is still living in poverty. Ad­ tributed among local, national, regional, and inter­ vancements in science in the information age have set national partners. Indigenous knowledge must be the world on an ever-accelerating pace of change, where integrated with new science. NARS must remain the opportunities exist for those who can grasp them. To cornerstones of the global effort involving advanced prevent the current gap from widening, the power of research institutions, non-governmental organizations, science must be harnessed for the full benefit of hu­ and the private sector. The CGIAR centers will con­ manity, to enable those who have not yet done so, to tinue to have a very important role to play in the adopt a scientific mindset and, thereby, benefit from global effort in the future. technological progress. [The full text of the Chairman’s policy statements He described science as a powerful force within at ICW96 is being published by the CGIAR Secretariat the fabric of society. Science is not simply a matter of under separate cover.] 29 Statements by Members Denmark Danish representative Ebbe Schioler conveyed to the Group the greetings of H. E. Poul Nielson, Minister for Development, and drew to the Group’s attention the commentary by the Minister which appeared in the Danish daily, Kristeligt Dagblad, on October 28, to coincide with the celebration of the CGIAR’s twenty-fifth anniversary during ICW96. The commentary, entitled “A Green Anniversary,” paid tribute to what the CGIAR has achieved during the last twenty-five years in the area of foreign agricultural development, underlined the need for the continued success of the CGIAR, and indicated that the CGIAR is a central element of DANIDA’s strategy for agricultural development in developing countries. This commentary, Mr. Schioler said, is evidence of the high level of support for the CGIAR in the Danish Government. Japan Japanese representative Kunio Nakamura conveyed the congratulations of the Government of Japan to the CGIAR on the occasion of its twenty-fifth anniversary, and reaffirmed Japan’s strong support of the CGIAR and its conviction of the vital importance of science to achieving the interrelated goals of poverty reduction, environmental protection, and global food security. Science to advance agriculture is the key to enabling many developing countries unlock their capacity for full-scale growth and development, he said. Equally important, science has much more it can contribute to the preservation of the environment and to the sustainable use of natural resources. He urged the CGIAR to continue to emphasize research that actively seeks to achieve sustainability. That Japan is one of the leading donor countries of the CGIAR is evidence of its belief in the power of science and its commitment to finding solutions to the problems of poverty, hunger, and environmental degradation in developing countries. United States of America U.S. representative Sally Shelton announced that USAID, despite very serious budget pressures, will increase its commitment to the CGIAR by 17 percent, a reflection of the U.S. Government’s concern about food shortages in the future. As well, USAID is exploring how American universities can be engaged more closely with the CGIAR system. She expressed the U.S. Government’s strong support for the leadership of the CGIAR Chairman and its recognition of the commitment of the many past leaders of the CGIAR, without whose efforts the CGIAR would not be where it is today. Reflecting on the commentary which appeared in the Danish newspaper, she said it behooves all members to try to get more popular support and grassroots understanding for what the CGIAR does and its importance in materially changing the lives of million of farmers and nonfarmers around the world. The Group received the statements of the representatives of Denmark, Japan, and the United States with acclamation. 30 Centers Forum The CGIAR at 25: Focus on Regional Challenges OVERVIEW • Many public sector organizations have shifted their emphasis away from basic staples to cash Centers Forum 1996 focused on center research crops, both for export and growing urban mar­ challenges and opportunities in each of the four major kets in each region. regions of the developing world: Sub-Saharan Af­ rica; Asia; Latin America and the Caribbean; and West The Center Directors’ presentations demonstrated Asia and North Africa. A senior NARS leader from the diverse and innovative ways in which centers are the region introduced and chaired each session, responding to these challenges: which consisted of 10-minute presentations by four centers working in a region and a brief discussion • Centers are increasingly adopting a multidis­ period. In this way, the Centers Forum complemented ciplinary, systems approach to achieve higher pro­ the regional perspectives of NARS and led into the ductivity, reduce farmers’ risks, create employ­ broader perspectives of the Global Forum, the next ment, increase incomes, deliver stability and pro­ component of ICW96. vide sustainable options. Despite many differences among regions, several • Research strategies include biotechnology, major common challenges were cited by both NARS farmer-participation, traditional germplasm en­ leaders and center directors as defining center re­ hancement, and novel work with farmers’ search: landraces and wild relatives of crop species. • An expanding human population in all regions • Advances in crop modeling, remote sensing drives the demand for more food and exerts and GIS are used to identify and address both serious pressure on land and water resources. opportunities and diversity in cropping sys­tems. • Centers operate in regions with fragile environ­ ments, where degraded soils and water scarcity • To tackle the larger, more complex research are major problems; rural labor productivity is agenda, centers are forging expanded partnerships also an important constraint, as family members to set priorities, pool resources and coordinate migrate to towns and cities. research tasks. • Uncertainty in these environments makes it diffi­ • Partnerships involve greater collaboration with cult for farmers to invest in new technologies and advanced research institutions in the North and inputs. South, the private sector, NGOs, and commu­ nity groups as well as with the centers’ tradi­ • There is a growing trend for many countries to tional NARS partners. Facilitating South-South rely on a higher percentage of imports to satisfy dialogue is a key objective. basic food requirements. • Many centers noted their role in disaster miti­ • Centers and NARS are addressing a more com­ gation through repatriation of germplasm and plex and diversified research agenda with less seed in countries disrupted by war or natural financial resources. calamities. 31 SESSIONI: SUB SAHARAN AFRICA ductive land. The most food-insecure countries also correspond to the semi-arid tropics. Farmers there are Session Chair: Mr. Joseph Mukiibi, Chair, Association among the poorest in the world, as traditional farming for Strengthening Agricultural Research in East and systems offer fewer cropping options than in more hu­ Central Africa (ASARECA). mid areas. ICRISAT has a significant presence in Africa, maintaining six research facilities in Mali, Niger, Nige­ IITA—Mr. Lukas Brader, Director General ria, Kenya, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Mr. Brader drew attention to the many positive Mr. Ryan highlighted four examples of ICRISAT’s changes in Sub-Saharan Africa as a result of increased work to improve food security in Africa. Groundnut efforts on food crops. In West and Central Africa, for rosette, also called groundnut leprosy, is a devastating example, maize production has doubled since the 1970s, viral disease endemic to Africa. Since groundnuts are replacing coarse grains as the major cereal crop in the grown as a forage, cash and subsistence crop, rosette moist savannas. Maize is now a major cash crop and disease has a profound effect on the region’s rural income-earner. Improved maize varieties are more pro­ economy. Resistant varieties are available but they are ductive and less susceptible to major pests and diseases. late-maturing, making them susceptible to end-of-season An IITA-developed IPM package to control the devas­ drought, which is all too common. ICRISAT’s Malawi- tating parasitic weed, Striga, will further reduce maize based team screened and evaluated thousands of variet­ losses. Cassava production has also increased signifi­ ies, identifying sixteen as both resistant and early-matur­ cantly in several countries. Nigeria is now the world’s ing. Advanced materials are being tested on farms. leading producer. Biological control of the cassava mealybug will soon be followed by control of the green Pearl millet is the main staple food crop of most mite. Some 60 percent of cassava is sold for income. Sahelian countries. ICRISAT scientists in India, work­ Improved cowpea has resulted in more feed and fod­ ing with British biotechnologists, developed a molecu­ der being available to small-scale farmers in the drier lar map of pearl millet revealing valuable new informa­ zones. Soybean cultivation is spreading rapidly as well. tion about the genes contributing resistance to downy For plantains, an increasingly commercialized food crop, mildew, the principal millet disease. Introduction into development of black-sigatoka resistant hybrids should cereal-based systems of short-duration legumes, like have a marked impact on production. pigeonpea, offers farmers more options. Pigeonpea enriches the soil and provides farmers with a valuable IITA research has undergone a marked shift from cash crop. Strengthened links with ICRAF enables single-commodity and single-component research to an ICRISAT to select perennial pigeonpea types that can integrated systems approach. Scientists breed for the be used for soil mulching, thatching, fencing and fire­ crop’s contribution to the total system with the aim of wood. ICRISAT scientists are also investigating the ge­ increasing the system’s productivity and profitability in netic transfer to tropical sorghums of a stay-green trait a sustainable way. Increased consultation with NARS found in temperate-zone material. This trait allows partners has led to unprecedented joint priority-setting leaves and stems to stay green longer and roots to con­ and memoranda of understanding in which all organi­ tinue growing downward to chase receding moisture, zations pledge resources to work together on common which prevents lodging. Green fodder also attracts goals. Many projects have on-farm components with higher market prices. farmer participation. Recently, IITA has initiated col­ laboration on new aspects of African farming systems, WARDA—Mr. Eugene Terry, Director General especially in the humid zone, working with ILRI and CIFOR on the integration of trees, crops and livestock In the last ten years, per capita rice consumption in in multi-strata production systems. West Africa has grown about 5 percent annually. Ur­ ban dwellers account for most of the rise in demand. ICRISAT—Mr. James Ryan, Director General Rice production rose at 8 percent annually, but 75 per­ cent of this growth was due to expansion of area. Ex­ Globally, the largest portion of the semi-arid tropics tension of cultivation through inappropriate land use is lies in Africa, comprising more than half of Africa’s pro- threatening the vulnerable ecosystems of West Africa. 32 As farmers reduce fallow periods, they degrade the soil during the last thirty years. Africa’s annual depletion and upset the natural equilibrium that keeps weeds, rate equals 9-3 million tons of fertilizer per year, or seven insects and diseases in check. Made-in-Africa technolo­ times the annual fertilizer inputs to the region. Soil gies must be developed, said Mr. Terry, to respond to fertility must be replenished as an investment in natural the varying needs of farming systems as they evolve resource capital, just as governments invest in water, from traditional to intensified. WARDA focuses on: 1. irrigation systems and dams. Needed are a series of the intermediate stage, where farmers cease to leave policies to provide timely availability of the right types their land under long fallows, yet continue to practice of fertilizers at reasonable cost, timely access to prod­ traditional low-input management methods; and 2. the uct markets, better infrastructure and credit schemes, rapid-intensification state, which is land-limited rather and adaptive research and extension, particularly on than labor-limited, especially in peri-urban food pro­ the combined use of organic resources with fertilizers. duction. Mr. Sanchez described two strategies to improve WARDA’s strategy is to stabilize the fragile rainfed soil fertility. Phosphorous is probably the most acute uplands and more robust rainfed lowlands of West Af­ limiting factor in terms of soil fertility in Africa. How­ rica through the use of low-management plant types ever, rock phosphate deposits are found throughout and practices that conserve the natural resource base. the subcontinent and could be a natural resource. In Solutions must not only be affordable to subsistence experimental applications of rock phosphate supple­ farmers, they must also improve labor and land pro­ mented by organic inputs, in this case a common hedge ductivity. The centerpiece of WARDA’s research on la­ plant in Kenya, maize yields were higher than with triple bor-saving rice technologies is the rice plant itself. Based super phosphate, rock phosphate alone or no phos­ on its success in crossing the indigenous rice species phorous. While the process is not yet understood, the Oryza glaberrima with high-yielding Asian rices to cre­ implications are exciting. Nitrogen-fixing legumes must ate new plant types for upland environments, WARDA also play an important role in reconstituting soil struc­ is now crossing Oryza glaberrima with Asian indica ture. In the deep red soils of East Africa, legumes can rice varieties used in irrigated systems to develop vari­ tap into sub-soils nitrate, which amounts to 100 kilos of eties for the rainfed lowlands. Other research includes nitrogen per hectare. A maize plant cannot access this improving fallows by using legumes that smother weeds nitrogen, but a legume could bring it up and thereby and contribute nitrogen and organic matter to the soil. recycle it to the next crop. WARDA is also testing the use of rock phosphate to improve soil fertility. SESSION II: ASIA ICRAF—Mr. Pedro Sanchez, Director General Session Chair Mr. William Dar, Chair, Asia-Pacific As­ Three determinants, asserted Mr. Sanchez, are nec­ sociation of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI). essary to balance food security with environmental con­ servation in Africa: ERRI—Mr. George Rothschild, Director General • an enabling policy environment; By 2025, 70 percent more rice will have to be pro­ duced if present per capita consumption is to be main­ • soil fertility replenishment; and tained. This increase will have to be produced sustainably on less land and with less water and labor. • land use intensification and diversification. The rainfed lowlands are one of four rice-growing eco­ systems, and currently offer the greatest potential for Soil fertility depletion, he stated, is the fundamental increase. Although they account for 25 percent of the biophysical root cause of declining per capita food pro­ world’s rice areas, they produce less than 17 percent. duction on smallholder farms in Africa. Nutrient bal­ Adverse climate and growing conditions keep farmers ance studies in the Netherlands show that Sub-Saharan from adopting modern rices and purchasing the inputs Africa has suffered vast amounts of soil fertility deple­ required. Without improved technologies, migration to tion in terms of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium urban areas is often the only recourse. 33 Due to the heterogeneity of lowland environments, Reeves, of the constant need to turn the research handle. IRRI is adopting a decentralized approach, Mr. Rothschild To overcome stagnation of wheat yields in higher input noted. A Rainfed Lowland Consortium has been estab­ areas, CIMMYT research to develop a new wheat type is lished, including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the bearing exciting results. The new higher yielding wheat Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Developing type has fewer tillers, a different head formation and thicker germplasm that is tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses is stems. In closing, Mr. Reeves reminded the CGIAR that a strategic thrust. Also important are natural resources the definition of Asia has changed to include the Central management and institutional linkages. New strategies in Asian Republics and partnerships need to be expanded to rainfed lowland research include the development of root include these countries. systems that can exploit scarce water and nutrients re­ sources and enable more rapid recovery from stress. Short­ ILRI—Mr. Hank Fitzhugh, Director General age of labor is a real constraint in the rainfed regions, and IRRI is looking at direct seeding versus transplanting of ILRI has a global mandate for livestock research. seedlings. This not only saves labor but also shortens the To expand beyond its previous mandate for Africa into production time. IRRI is also developing IPM systems to Asia, ILRI has undertaken numerous consultations and combat weeds and improving management of rain water a detailed study to identify livestock research priorities to capitalize on water availability. for the region and appropriate Asian partners. Asian country representatives will evaluate the study’s rec­ CIMMYT—Mr. Timothy Reeves, Director ommendations before they are incorporated in ILRI’s General medium-term plan. Arising from the consultations, six major research opportunities were identified for live­ CIMMYT has a global mandate for wheat and maize, stock research in Asia: feed resources, systems analy­ however, Mr. Reeves concentrated on CIMMYT’s work sis; epidemiology; animal genetic resources; policy analy­ with Asian partners. Nowhere, he said, is the pressure sis; and transfer of research-based technologies. Large on agricultural resources and the threat of genetic vul­ and small ruminants are ILRI’s priority species. They nerability greater than in Asia. Maize consumption will have the advantage that their feed requirements are double in Asia by 2020. A major obstacle to maize largely met from forage and crop residues and have production in Asia is poor infrastructure for the seed many purposes, providing milk, traction, fuel, fertilizer, industry. More needs to be done to coordinate public hides, wool, and fiber. and private sector efforts. Using all tools of traditional plant breeding, host plant resistance and biotechnol­ Mr. Fitzhugh acknowledged that meeting the chal­ ogy, CIMMYT is making excellent progress in generat­ lenge of expanding programs in Asia with limited re­ ing new maize technologies for the conditions prevail­ sources is daunting. Thus ILRI’s new way of doing ing in Asia. Particularly promising are the breakthroughs business is through expanded partnerships. In particu­ in apomictic maize being made by French scientists from lar, there are important opportunities for South-South ORSTOM working at CIMMYT, which would put hybrid transfers of research results, methodologies and experi­ technology at the fingertips of resource-poor farmers. ence. For example, in several Asian countries such as India, lessons from successful smallholder dairy sys­ By 2020 more than half of the world’s wheat will be tems are highly relevant to Africa. The most important consumed in Asia. Wheat’s importance in Asia is evi­ opportunity for South-South transfer, however, is in dent: China is the largest producer in the world and human capacity development, through sharing knowl­ India is the second largest. Declining soil fertility and edge and developing livestock research skills. ILRI’s wheat diseases such as Fusarium headscab, yellow rust, medium-term strategy is based on capitalizing the op­ leaf blight and barley yellow dwarf are key constraints. portunities for South-South transfer to leverage limited Fusarium headscab not only reduces yields, but when resources and expand research activities. the disease infects wheat heads it produces toxins, ren­ dering the grain useless for human or animal consump­ ICIARM—Ms. Meryl Williams, Director General tion. Yellow rust is a relatively new rust disease, yet new races are already infecting material that was previ­ Asia dominates world aquaculture production at ously resistant. This is the classic example, said Mr. nearly 86 percent of the total. Yet due to its large popu- 34 lation, overfishing and destruction of fish habitats, the CIAT—Mr. Grant Scobie, Director General average per capita consumption in Asia is declining. Ms. Williams illustrated the challenges and opportuni­ CIAT, as other centers, is looking to expanded part­ ties ICLARM faces with two examples. In the case of nerships to manage a larger research agenda. Mr. San Miguel Bay in the Philippines, ICLARM was in­ Scobie detailed five models of partnerships CIAT is strumental in developing an integrated coastal fish­ using. 1. Consortia: The Inter-institutional Consor­ eries management plan aimed at improving the situ­ tium for Sustainable Agriculture in Hillsides provides a ation of fishers and their families. The comprehen­ framework in which 16 government organizations and sive plan provides for activities in organizational NGOs in Colombia’s Cauca Department work together development, fisheries management, environmental with the objective of improving natural resources man­ protection, alternative livelihoods and support infra­ agement in a hillside watershed and providing people structure. The process taught ICLARM that research with opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. 2. Re­ together with planning is more effective than research search stakeholders: Encouraged by the huge impact alone. Also essential is stakeholder participation and of rice research in the region, rice producer organiza­ an enabling policy environment. ICLARM is now tions, the private sector, government agencies and in­ applying these lessons in two other major activities ternational organizations have joined forces with CIAT in the Philippines. to establish and fund The Fund for Latin American Irri­ gated Rice. FLAR has based a senior rice breeder at In Bangladesh, where 70 percent of animal protein CIAT. 3. Biotechnology partnerships: Colombia has in diets comes from fish, construction, intensified farm­ established a new non-profit institute to promote the ing and natural siltation have destroyed fish habitats conservation and sustainable use of its biodiversity. and reduced production. Since 1986, ICLARM has been CIAT’s collaboration will focus on the use of biotech­ working with the government to improve government- nology to conserve and study Colombia’s rich and var­ NGO-fisher-scientist collaborations and fisheries man­ ied genetic resources. 4. Commodity networks: agement policy. Under and unused water resources Through its networks for beans, cassava and tropical suitable for fish farming still exist, and ICLARM is look­ forage, CIAT introduces genetic diversity in these crops ing at low input aquaculture practices that could be from their New World centers of origin to Africa and integrated with other farming practices. In one study Asia. 5. Systemwide research projects: A coordinated over 3,700 farmers managing some 800 seasonal and assault on whiteflies, labeled the “pest of the century” perennial ponds and roadside ditches achieved increases by Newsweek, is being launched by CIAT together with of 0.3 tons/ha to 1.75 and 4.5 tons/ha in a growing sea­ three other CGIAR centers and national institutions. son using mixtures of carps and tilapia. Reintroducing fish in rice fields is another strategy. Where once fish CIFOR—Mr. Jeffrey Sayer, Director General were naturally reseeded in fields each flood season, there has been almost complete loss of fish in rice fields. In prefacing his remarks, Mr. Sayer called attention Evaluations on 256 farms show that integrating fish both to CIFOR’s publication “Forestry Research Priorities for reduced costs and boosted rice yields. If just 10 per­ Latin America”, the result of a three-year consultative cent of the area under rainfed and irrigated rice culture process to identify priorities and optimize synergies were converted to integrated aquaculture-agriculture, between CIFOR, its sister centers CIAT, IFPRI and ICRAF, fish production could increase by 190,000 tons, or about and national actors. He also pointed out that according 80 percent of Bangladesh’s present aquaculture pro­ to FAO, 5.9 percent of Latin America’s forests were lost duction. between 1980 and 1990. This was not due to poor people moving into forests or to shifting agriculture, rather to planned operations, such as resettlement SESSION III: LATIN AMERICA AND THE schemes, hydroelectric dams and cattle ranching. CARIBBEAN In the future, productivity per area of forests is ex­ Session Chair: Mr. Fernando Chaparro, Chair, Execu­ pected to increase rapidly, with a lot more timber har­ tive Committee, Regional Forum for Agricultural Re­ vested from smaller areas. The primary focus for CGIAR search in Latin America and the Caribbean. research is on reducing the environmental and social 35 impact of various forest management developments. quality and which incorporates a wide range of CIFOR has completed the first stage of a major set of biodiversity. CIP’s True Potato Seed populations are tests of criteria and indicators to assess sustainability sufficiently homogeneous to meet market demands in the tropics. This work will enable people to judge but also contain a mixture of genes that provide bet­ the sustainability of any given forestry operation. CIFOR ter protection than clonal materials to a range of dis­ is also working to improve knowledge of where eases. CIP is also in the process of rethinking its biodiversity is located in tropical forests and how it re­ traditional contract relationships to draw in broader in­ acts to various types of modification. stitutional participation. Increasingly, commodity re­ search is done within the context of the CGIAR’s In South America, Mr. Sayer argued, sustainable ecoregional programs. In the Andean zone, such re­ forestry can be a major resource and a major source search is well underway in the context of Condesan, an of employment and income. It should be consid­ initiative involving more than 100 NGOs and public ered an opportunity and not a threat to the forests. sector organizations from seven countries. The problem is to determine how much forest is needed, what kind, and how it should be managed. IFPRI—Mr. Per Pinstrup-Andersen, Director Extracted reserves, which seem to be sustainable and General provide a decent livelihood for up to one third of the people living in forested areas, need to be further stud­ During the last two years, IFPRI sponsored regional ied. Another major potential for forestry development workshops in Colombia, Mexico and Argentina to look lies in the vast area—some 200 million hectares—of at priorities for achieving the 2020 vision of sustainable secondary forests regenerating on abandoned agricul­ food security. More than 200 participants from almost tural land. In theory, this is enough to meet all the every country participated. IFPRI is now collaborating world’s timber needs for the next couple of decades. with many of these institutions to set up networks to follow up the issues identified. In IDB-funded work CIP—Mr. Hubert Zandstra, Director General with IICA and CIAT, IFPRI is helping policymakers determine priorities for agricultural research. To this Potato and sweet potato yields in all the production end, researchers are compiling data on a range of agri­ zones of Latin America can be significantly improved, cultural commodities and related agroecological vari­ Mr. Zandstra maintained, if factors such as biodiversity, ables and incorporating this information into a GIS and pest and disease control and good seed supply are economic modeling framework. IFPRI is also study­ considered. A top research priority is to resolve the ing the effects of macroeconomic policy reforms and problem of potato late blight. This has now become regional trade agreements such as NAFTA on national a global initiative, in which CIP is drawing heavily economies, with special attention to the agricultural and on advanced research institutes and encouraging rural sectors. In addition, it is looking at the policies private sector participation. The potential for im­ and institutions needed to increase the efficiency of pact is tremendous. A late blight resistant cultivar irrigation systems in the region. As part of the Alter­ released eight years ago is now grown on 50 percent natives to Slash and Burn Initiative in Brazil, IFPRI is of the potato acreage in Peru’s highly productive identifying technologies and polices that will slow Pacific Coast, with expected returns of $100 million the rate of forests lost to agriculture and natural re­ over the next 25 years. Because pressure from new sources degradation and will improve the welfare of races of pests and diseases will make growing pota­ local peoples. In another study, in Central America, toes more difficult, CIP is putting increased empha­ IFPRI is helping policymakers design policies and sis on IPM. Innovative research is being done to programs that encourage the transition to sustain­ control the potato tuber moth with viruses and sex able intensification in land use patterns. Household pheromones. Spraying of highly toxic chemicals was food security and nutritional well-being in Central cut by 80 percent using sex pheromones in large- America will be the focus of an IFPRI study next scale on-farm trials in Mexico. year. Finally, IFPRI was invited by the Mexican Gov­ ernment to undertake collaborative research that will Another area on which CIP is working is to im­ help reduce malnutrition and food insecurity in that prove availability and access to seed that is of high country. 36 SESSION IV: WEST ASIA AND NORTH AFRICA was established. Several management tools such as priority-setting for research programs were developed Session Chair: Mr. Abdelaziz Arifi, President, Associa­ in Morocco and then made available to other countries tion of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near in and outside the region. An external evaluation of East and North Africa (AARINENA). the impact of ISNAR’s collaboration with Morocco gave both partners high marks and underlined the benefits ICARDA—Mr. Adel El-Beltagy, Director General of long-term partnerships. More recently, ISNAR worked with Lebanon and Jordan in developing national agri­ The WANA region includes some twenty-four coun­ cultural research master plans. ISNAR is working with tries and is 80 percent larger than the USA. Yet only 8 regional partners to assist them in the sustainable use percent of the area is arable. Ninety-three percent of the of new information technologies, strengthen agricul­ population have a per capita GNP of less than $2 a day. tural research management in Arab countries, develop A net exporter of food grain forty years ago, the WANA national strategies for biotechnology, and promote and region has become the largest food-importing region in strengthen regional approaches. the developing world. The grain gap was 25 million tons in 1990. ICARDA has consolidated its research and train­ In preparation for its medium-term plan, ISNAR ing activities into five regional programs, and one for Latin engaged in a consultative process with senior officials America. These programs promote cooperation at na­ of the region to help ISNAR focus its future activities tional and regional levels, capitalize on complementarities and priorities. Recommendations included: establish­ among countries, and optimize the use of scarce re­ ing subregional linkage mechanisms for research; co­ sources. At a December 1995 meeting with WANA ordinating and implementing national agricultural re­ NARS, water scarcity and protecting the soil were flagged search systems; developing research management in­ as a key to the region’s food security. formation systems; identifying one country to serve as a pilot country for ISNAR’s comprehensive institutional While the world per capita average of freshwater re­ development approach; and, arranging short-term ad­ sources is about 7,500 cubic meters per annum, in WANA visory services on specific issues. It is also recom­ it is just 1,200 cubic meters and rapidly diminishing. “The mended that for ISNAR to be more effective, the large water situation in WANA is truly frightening,” Mr. El Beltagy and diverse WANA region should be divided into five warned. ICARDA’s strategic plan calls for greatly increased subregions and specific priorities for ISNAR inter­ work in breeding crops with low-water requirements vention identified in each subregion. In particular and high water-use efficiency. Sustainability of shal­ ISNAR has been requested to help integrate agricul­ low ground-water aquifers and the use of non-conven- tural production research effectively with natural re­ tional resources such as saline and treated sewage ef­ source management. fluent water will also be subjects of research. ICARDA is coordinating the on-farm water-use efficiency research within the systemwide program on water convened by IPGRI—Mr. Geoffrey Hawtin, Director General IIMI. ICARDA and nine NARS have launched an ecoregional initiative on water conservation and devel­ The WANA region is home to some of the world’s opment of technologies for its efficient use. ICARDA most important crops, including oat, rye, wheat, bar­ has also joined hands with NARS to fight soil nutrient ley, figs, almonds, olive, strawberry, pistachio, apri­ deficiency and erosion. ICARDA is applying GIS in cot and pomegranate. The diversity of many of these conjunction with aerial photography to identify areas crops, contained in land races and farmer varieties of degradation hazard as an early warning mechanism. and also in many wild relatives, is under threat. Many countries in the region do not have a national plant ISNAR—Mr. Christian Bonte-Friedheim, genetic resources program. On the other hand, some Director General have the strongest plant genetic resources programs found anywhere in the world such as the Vavilov ISNAR has been active in one form or another in Institute in Russia. Mr. Hawtin focused on two spe­ most countries of the region. Morocco and Tunisia were cific networks to highlight IPGRI’s activities in the among the first countries to work with ISNAR when it region. 37 The first is a genetic resources network called WANA with rapid population growth, will be to draw water NET, coordinated by IPGRI. Some four years old, the out of agriculture. Drawing on research in Egypt, Mr. NET links thirteen countries in the region, and was es­ Seckler urged that a major research thrust should be to tablished to set priorities jointly, share information, de­ get crops out of the hot season and into the cool season, velop databases, collaborate in research and training when most efficient use of available water can be made. and work towards developing collections that can be Shortening the growing season could also contribute to accessed and used around the region. WANA NET sup­ improved water productivity. Further, scientists need to ports six sub-networks covering cereals, food legumes, look at salt tolerant plants because a lot of water is de­ pastures and forages, horticultural crops, industrial crops, stroyed by salinity as it flows through irrigation systems. and in situ and on-farm conservation. The horticul­ tural crop network, for example, looked at priorities IIMI is developing tools that enable scientists, farm­ and opportunities in the region, and quickly settled on ers, irrigation managers and policymakers to work on fruit trees, fruits and nuts, in particular almonds, apri­ the mega problems of water more effectively. In con­ cots, figs, olives, pistachio and pomegranates. Over junction with two of the world’s preeminent institutes the last two or three years, more than 250 different in remote sensing, in the Netherlands and India, IIMI is accessions of almonds, both cultivated and wild spe­ using remote sensing from satellites to measure the cies, have been collected and are being conserved in a performance of irrigation systems. By applying an ad­ regional gene bank maintained at Jordan University of vanced interpolation technique that measures evapo- Science and Technology. EUFORGEN, another network transpiration from crops by remote sensing, it is pos­ coordinated by IPGRI, was started up recently in Eu­ sible to identify crops under water stress. The Climate rope on forestry. Costs of the network are borne by and Water Atlas of the World is another tool being de­ its thirty country members, many of whom are tran­ veloped by IIMI with the Utah State University Climate sitional countries of Eastern Europe. Four sub-net­ Center, Japan and the Australian National University. works have been created on Norway spruce, black The atlas will be available beginning January 1997 on poplar, the cork tree, and noble hardwoods. Work CD Rom and over Internet. It provides complete me­ is underway on developing joint long-term conser­ teorological data up to the specificity of 2.5 km, mak­ vation strategies. ing it possible among other things to scout for water and improve irrigation scheduling. IIMI—Mr. David Seckler, Director General DISCUSSION Mr. Seckler underlined Mr. El-Beltagy’s warnings about water scarcity in the region, stating that WANA Each group of presentations pertaining to a particu­ countries will be the most water scarce by 2025. There lar region was followed by a period of discussion. The is not enough water available to maintain current per discussions were characterized by intensive and inter­ capita water use. Thus all countries will have to re­ esting interaction among all components of the global duce per capita water consumption. The only way, agricultural research system. 38 Global Forum Toward Global Partnership in Agricultural Research OVERVIEW the new partnerships were stressed. TAC also made a presentation from the perspective of the CGIAR. A Global Forum on agricultural research, in which a broad spectrum of partners engaged in agricultural Avenues for collaboration in the four major themes research participated, was convened for one-and-a-half listed below were discussed in parallel sessions, and days during ICW96 under the chairmanship of Mr. Fawzi their conclusions summarized in plenary: Al-Sultan, President of IFAD. It marked the first time that the various components in the global agricultural • biotechnology; research system came together to explore the needs and opportunities for agricultural research, the scope • genetic resources conservation and utilization; for collaboration, and practical measures to strengthen cooperation. The central position of the Global Forum at • ecoregional research; and the mid-point of the ICW96 agenda, immediately follow­ ing the Centers Forum and prior to the Business Meeting, • public policy and institutional strengthening. and the length of time allocated to it, signaled the degree to which the CGIAR’s partners have been integrated into A proposed Plan of Action for Strengthening Glo­ decisionmaking at the system level, and the importance bal Agricultural Research was presented by the Chair the CGIAR placed on their participation. of the NARS Global Steering Committee, discussed in plenary, and subsequently further refined. During the Global Forum, representatives of regional fora from Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the The Global Forum culminated in the adoption of a Caribbean, Sub-Saharan Africa, and West Asia and North Declaration for Global Partnership in Agricultural Re­ Africa presented the needs and opportunities for agri­ search. A Plan of Action for Global Partnership in Ag­ cultural research from the perspective of the regions. ricultural Research, modified in light of the discussions They also informed the Group about their action plans, held during the Global Forum, was subsequently also which they had drawn up in consultation with their adopted, one week after the conclusion of ICW96—the NARS members. Common themes emerged in the pre­ time given for participants to make any final comments sentations, including concerns related to population to the revised version distributed at the end of ICW. growth, poverty, food security, and environmental deg­ No further comments were received. [See pages 56-57 radation. A NARS leader from Central Asia presented for the text of the Declaration and Plan of Action] The an overview of the status of agriculture in the region. A Declaration and Plan of Action were later tabled at the paper on the needs and opportunities for agricultural World Food Summit, held in Rome, Italy on November research from the perspective of Central and Eastern 13-17,1996. Europe, prepared by a regional representative to the CGIAR, was also made available to participants. OPENING STATEMENT BY THE CGIAR Presentations were also made by other stakeholders, CHAIRMAN including representatives of NGOs, the private sector, and advanced research institutions and universities, in which In his opening address, CGIAR Chairman Ismail the contributions and synergies that they could bring to Serageldin emphasized the importance of ensuring an 39 open and inclusive global agricultural research sys­ of farmer organizations, community organicatinns, and tem, in which NARS are the cornerstones, and of other NCOS both as potential researchjpartners and as increased cooperation among all actors, including sources of knowledge on societal transformation. industrial countries of the North, developing coun­ tries of the South, international organizations, the Fifth, to reinforce the positi©n-o£mESj|sthecorner- public and private sectors, and organizations within sys- civil society. tems. NARS are the key to a global famier-back-to-farmer interchange that can drive broad scientific advances in He elaborated the challenges of seeking new syn­ agriculture. Sixth, to recognize that NARS include all es­ ergies under which the next generation of agricultural sential capacities to undertake agricultural research, in­ research initiatives will be undertaken. Agricultural re­ cluding universities. Seventh, to provide opportunities search, if it is to be relevant and realistic, must be built for fhp private qprtnf tri sb*m°~rrs knowledge and resources in collaboration with farmers and farmer organizations, with other partners. Eighth, the COLAR must see itself as and must be sensitive to the economic, social, and con­ an'lTctive participant in the further_development of the ceptual frameworkjwithin which farming communities global agricultural research system. make decisions.Jin addition to such farmer-scientist' [ partnership, there must be public sector-private sector Mr. Serageldin called on the scientific commu­ partnership, with each contributing its comparative J nity in industrial countries to reach out to assist in advantage, so that all available assets are tapped in a strengthening the scientific enterprise in the South, \inited effort to generate public goods of benefit to the so that scientists in the South have the opportunity poorest. 'There also must be partnership between na­ to flourish in their own countries without having to tional and international agencies, rich and poor coun­ emigrate to the North. He called on developing coun­ tries, and formal and informal sector institutions of civil tries to reassert the importance of science to avoid society. increasing the marginalization in the world exacer­ bated by the information age. He called on the CGIAR Mr. Serageldin warned of the risk of a constrained centers to act as platforms for the exchange of infor­ global system in the future, if the patenting of pro­ mation and to catalyze the development of networks cesses and products, particularly in the area of biotech­ of scientists between the North and South. nology, and restrictions on the movement of germplasm, increased markedly. Special efforts must be made, and In closing, Mr. Serageldin expressed the commit­ agreements reached, to ensure that the poorest are not ment of the CGIAR to using the first Global Forum to locked out of the advances of modern science. This move decisively forward toward defining the next steps requires a more open and integrated global agricultural in building the linkages of the emerging global system, research system. the priorities of the global system and the respective research agendas of its component parts, and the real The most daunting test ahead, Mr. Serageldin said, partnerships for action on the ground between the will be the effectiveness with which the results of con­ CGIAR and its partners. sultations held to-date at national, regional, and inter­ national levels are-tfansfemied into decisiveyaction. He [The full text of the Chairman's policy statements at outlined eight areas where action could be manifested. ICW96 is being published by the CGIAR Secretariat un­ First, a commitment to the principle of subsidiarity, der separate cover.] through which programs are planned ancf managed àf the most local level at which they can be effectively completed. Second, to gather and conserve knowl- WELCOMING ADDRESS BY THE GLOBAL edge for appropriate and widespread use, particularly FORUM CHAIR of effeetiveresource use systems that have been devel­ oped by farming communities. Third, to explore the Mr. Fawzi Al-Sultan, Chair of the Global Forum, use of mechanisms that build productive linkages be­ welcomed participants and reviewed the extensive tween farmers and researcfiefgr Fourth, the recogni­ deliberative process that lead up to the Global Fo­ tion By natkmal ancTinternational research institutions rum. As part of the program of renewal launched at 40 MTM94, the CGIAR substantially increased its efforts implementation in this new partnership mode. He to broaden its partnerships with NARS, regional or­ invited donor partners to join IFAD in this initiative, ganizations, ARIs, NGOs, universities, and the pri­ thus demonstrating a collective will to move from vate sector, among others, and to increase the par­ consultation to action. ticipation of the South in CGIAR decisionmaking. As part of this effort, IFAD convened, in December 1994, a consultation on the NARS vision of international NEEDS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR agricultural research, which produced a declaration AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH: and recommendations on strengthening NARS-CGIAR NARS PERSPECTIVES AND REGIONAL partnerships. DIMENSIONS A second consultation was held in conjunction Representatives from four regions presented their with MTM95 to implement the Lucerne recommen­ views on the need for setting a global agricultural re­ dations, and resulted in the development of an out­ search agenda, and the action plans they had drawn up line action plan. This plan, which called for the es­ in consultation with their NARS members during the tablishment of regional fora of NARS leaders, was past year. Each reviewed the challenges and opportu­ subsequently presented and adopted at ICW95. nities they faced, and their proposals to strengthen their Thereafter, regional fora were convened to ensure NARS, improve priority setting at national and subre­ the broader NARS community had an opportunity to gional levels, strengthen regional fora to better pool discuss issues of importance in developing stronger their resources, and conduct more collaborative research NARS-CGIAR partnerships. I in partnership among NARS and with centers, ARIs, the private sector, NGOs, and farmer organizations. Em­ A Preparatory Meeting for the Global Forum was phasis was placed on harnessing modern science in convened in conjunction with MTM96, which enabled close participation with farmers and drawing on indig­ NARS leaders from four regions to share ideas on enous knowledge systems through problem-solving strengthening the CGIAR’s partnerships with NARS, to research fully relevant to farmer needs. A NARS leader build on the outcomes of the various regional fora, and from Central Asia presented an overview of the status to reach a common understanding on relevant issues, of agriculture in the region. in preparation for the Global Forum. The Preparatory Meeting produced a suggested agenda for the Global Asia and the Pacific Forum. Mr. R. S. Paroda, Executive Secretary of the Asia- Leaders of the regional fora met again in August Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions 1996 to prepare an action plan from the NARS per­ presented the perspective of the Asia-Pacific region to spective for consideration at the Global Forum. This the Global Forum on the needs of the region, the op­ action plan calls for a farmer-centered research portunities that are present, the existing gaps that need agenda. Such an approach would ensure that tech­ to be bridged, and the strategy for regional collabora­ nologies generated are client-oriented, with high tion. He praised the Global Forum as a step toward potential for adoption and minimum risk that such greater solidarity between the regional fora and the technologies, once generated, will lie on the shelf. CGIAR, and toward agricultural development globally. Mr. Al-Sultan emphasized the need for a collectively agreed upon, coherent plan of action, as the global He outlined the concerns in the region related to agricultural research system becomes increasingly population growth, poverty, food security, the interactive and collaborative. sustainability of agriculture, soil degradation, defores­ tation, and the conservation of biodiversity. With over Mr. Al-Sultan then outlined the agenda for the 50 percent of the world’s population, there is a concen­ Global Forum. In concluding, he indicated that IFAD tration of poverty in the Asia-Pacific region; more than was prepared to take the lead in giving priority within 300 million people are impoverished. With a popula­ its grant portfolio to research programs with a pov­ tion growth rate of 1.8 percent, over 1 billion people erty alleviation emphasis that were designed for will be added to the population in the next decade. 41 Overgrazing from a large livestock population and Latin America and the Caribbean slash-and-burn practices have resulted in serious land degradation and deforestation. Crop productivity in Mr. Jorge Kondo, Member of the Executive Com­ the region must be improved because land under mittee of the Regional Forum for Agricultural Research cultivation cannot be increased. Communication gaps in Latin America and the Caribbean, presented the views and lack of cooperation continue to be barriers to of the LAC region to the Global Forum. He elaborated the adoption of significant advances by some coun­ the problems shared by countries in the region, and the tries in the region. challenges to meeting food needs, and expressed en­ thusiastic support for the initiative to convene the Glo­ He reviewed significant developments to address bal Forum. the food needs of the region, noting the increases in wheat production and that 90 percent of the world's Agriculture represents 7 to 21 percent of the eco­ rice is produced in the region. He expressed opti­ nomic activity in most Latin American countries. mism regarding the region’s ability to successfully While some countries have attained food self-suffi­ meet its food needs in the future, if science provided ciency in grains, there are still over 250 million people the new technologies required, as was the case dur­ in Latin American who are malnourished. There is ing the green revolution, where NARS-CGIAR coop­ significant concern for poverty, malnutrition, food eration resulted in unprecedented increases in crop security, and the conservation of biodiversity through­ yields on existing land under cultivation. The green out the region. Funding is another issue of concern, revolution was a success, he said, because both the particularly the cost/benefit of investments in agri­ new technologies were available and the national cultural research in the region. More than $1 billion systems had built the capability to absorb the tech­ is being spent, yet many countries continue to im­ nologies. Since then, many national systems have port food. The transfer of technologies to farmers, also developed important technologies. Mr. Paroda communication with other regions to learn from their cited a number of examples of these. experiences, and collaboration within the region in a unified approach are seen as areas requiring greater Research gaps of relevance to the region requir­ attention. ing attention include: crops of importance to the region that are not covered by the CGIAR mandate; He emphasized the need for the development of sustainability of rainfed farming systems; biotechnol­ new agricultural technologies, particularly targeted to­ ogy research; conservation and enhancement of ge­ ward tropical climates, to increase yields and to pro­ netic resources, particularly of unexplored genetic vide disease, pest, and drought resistance. A range of variability, by national systems; increasing collabo­ specific examples were mentioned related to the ge­ ration among countries in the region, with countries netic improvement of crops, research on alternative outside of the region, and with international organi­ crops, and the preservation of wild varieties. zations. He said technology transfer was a critical issue, and Mr. Paroda emphasized the need for a future strat­ one in which researchers must be involved, to ensure egy that calls for a second green revolution. In or­ that new technologies reach, and have an impact in, der to achieve this, collaboration and partnership must farmers fields. Researchers should be involved in bring­ be increased, investments in agricultural research ing technologies to the farm level, and in facilitating increased, and human resources developed. He the use of improved materials by farmers. stressed the importance of regional cooperation and networking, and the role of regional organizations Mr. Kondo stressed the importance of enhancing as neutral platforms for discussion and sharing of communication to enable countries in the region to information among countries in the region, and as a understand and incorporate breakthroughs that have point of interaction with the CGIAR. He briefly de­ occurred in other regions. He mentioned several ex­ scribed the establishment, constitution, and activi­ amples of technologies used in other regions that may ties of APAARI, noting that it is operated on a sus­ be applicable in Latin America, such as rice hybrids in tainable basis. China. 42 The need for enhanced cooperation in the re­ within countries, among national agricultural research gion was emphasized. Mr. Kondo recognized the institutes, universities, NGOs, private sector institutions, efforts made by several countries in the region to farmers, and others. Second, among NARS of individual come together, overcome differences in approaches, countries coming together to form subregional research and forge a common vision. Such a unified effort is organizations, and eventually regional research organi­ essential for the challenges of the future to be effec­ zations to tackle common problems. Third, Africa must tively met. Cooperation both among countries and link more closely with the CGIAR centers, with ARIs, within countries, among national institutes, the pri­ public sector research institutions, and other interna­ vate sector, universities, and other actors, and among tional organizations. Existing partnerships must be federal and local governments, and with producers, strengthened first, and then broadened. Progress has was seen as essential. National systems must be better already been made. The three existing subregional or­ organized to integrate various actors and to develop ganizations—SACCAR, CORAF, and ASARECA—form the a unified approach and national agricultural tech­ foundation for a regional organization at the continent nology plans. level. Many countries are already working closely with the centers. Participation in the regional forum enabled coun­ tries in the region to share knowledge on technolo­ Mr. Mukiibi elaborated a range of actions required gies and cultivation practices, priority areas, needs, to bring about lasting solutions to Africa’s problems. and actors. The importance of the regional forum in Human capital must be developed, in order to the build contributing to improved communication was rec­ the partnerships needed. Priorities must be identified ognized. clearly at the national level, and then matched across countries, so that common constraints of priority across Sub-Saharan Africa similar agroecological zones and farming systems on the continent can be identified and addressed in a more Mr. Joseph Mukiibi, Chairman of the Association effective and collective manner. Research programs for Strengthening Agricultural Research in East and Cen­ must be formulated, and resources sourced and tral Africa presented the views of the Sub-Saharan Af­ pooled, to ensure effective collaboration. Interna­ rica region to the Global Forum, and focused on the tional resources are very important, but not suffi­ potential of Africa, the problems the continent faces, cient. Local resources available within countries and the importance of stronger partnerships and how to within the region must also be sourced. Finally, re­ achieve them, and actions needed now to move to­ search programs must be implemented in a collabo­ ward solutions. He expressed his appreciation, on be­ rative mode, and monitoring, evaluation, and report­ half of his African colleagues, for the opportunity to ing are also required. address the Global Forum. Three immediate problems require attention, he He reminded participants of the great potential of said: technology transfer; product development and agriculture in Africa, including the continent’s enormous diversification; and policy reforms. Technology trans­ land resources, low population density, hydrological fer is needed to close the gap between significant potential, and growing ecotourism. The continent also advances obtained on a research station or by a good faces significant, and well known, problems, including farmer and the productivity obtained by the average declining food production, population growth, expand­ farmer. The issue of technology transfer must be ing desert areas, increasing rural poverty, the preva­ addressed at both the national and international level, lence of hunger and malnutrition, and civil strife. to enable farmers to move from where they are now to where they could be; frequently, this does not Africa’s problems, Mr. Mukiibi said, must be solved require sophisticated technologies. Product devel­ by scientific solutions which have been applied with opment and diversification is needed for areas where success in other continents. The greatest need is to the technologies available are not applied by farm­ build partnerships to achieve either better products or ers because the farmers are already producing more the same products at less cost or in less time. Partner­ of the crop than they can use. Opportunities for ships must be forged at all levels; first, at the local level, policy reforms are abundant across Africa. 43 West Asia and North Africa emphasis is placed on human resources development, information management, biotechnology, and natu­ Mr. Abdelaziz Arifi, President of the Association of ral resources management. Training in both research Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and and management, and which addresses regional North Africa presented the views of the West Asia and needs, is needed. Information management strate­ North Africa region to the Global Forum. He outlined gies and upgraded information systems are required the challenges faced by the region, the range of oppor­ to effectively manage the flow of information at the tunities, and the views of the region on the draft global local, national, and regional levels and to bridge the plan of action. information gap so that scientists in the region can exchange information with their counterparts around The major challenges faced by the region, Mr. Arifi the world. Integrated research and development and said, are a rapid population growth rate of 2.7 per­ management strategies need to be established and cent, a fragile natural resource base, and the largest capacities for biotechnology and natural resources food imports in the developing world. Seventy per­ management upgraded. In terms of priority setting, cent of the land area is desert or semi-desert. In 60 emphasis is placed on the development of sustain­ percent of countries in the region, irrigated land does able production systems for rainfed agriculture of arid, not exceed 15 percent of total cultivated area. Key semi-arid, and high-elevation systems, management issues that need to be addressed include the alloca­ and water use efficiency, diversification of cropping tion of resources to rainfed agriculture relative to systems, to include both CGIAR mandated crops and irrigated lands, and improving crop productivity to other crops of importance in the region, and shar­ achieve the necessary increases in food production, ing responsibilities through networking and col­ without the further depletion of the natural resource laborative research programs. base. Mr. Arifi noted the following areas where the part­ He then reviewed the strengths of the region. nership between the CGIAR and the region required The WANA region is well known for its diversity of further attention: the development of a more system­ genetic resources of important cultivated species. atic and institutionalized mechanism for the participa­ Farmers and stock breeders have a long history of tion of regional fora in CGIAR decisionmaking and in­ experience in irrigation, pasture management, and teraction with TAC; support of strong NARS which have general farming. There is potential for increased comparative advantages in taking a leadership role in research capacity and for enhanced partnerships the region; coordinating appropriate mechanisms for among NARS in the region, as well as for greater interaction with ARIs; and adequate financial resources interaction with developed countries, particularly in to implement the draft global plan of action and ensure the Mediterranean region, and with developing coun­ the sustainability of the mutual commitment between tries in Asia and Africa. CGIAR centers are valuable NARS and the CGIAR. sources for new technologies and have been play­ ing a key role in genetic resources conservation, train­ In another intervention from the region, Mr. Yahia ing, upgrading management capabilities, and foster­ Bakour, Director General of the Arab Organization for ing networking linkages in the region. AARINENA Agricultural Development, presented to the Global Fo­ plays a significant role in fostering partnerships rum the objectives and activities of AO AD, which is among NARS in the region, development of agricul­ engaged in agricultural development activities, particu­ tural research, exchange of experience and informa­ larly survey and utilization of natural resources, train­ tion, and strengthening linkages among national, ing of technical staff, studies dealing with agricultural regional, and international research centers and or­ policies, and assessing the food gap, its causes, and ganizations. ramifications. Regarding the draft global plan of action, the AOAD places emphasis on three broad objectives WANA region places high priority on capacity build­ for its future programs and activities: raising agricul­ ing and priority setting at the national, subregional, tural productivity; reducing rural poverty; and achiev­ and regional levels. In terms of capacity building, ing sustainable agricultural development. To fulfill those 44 objectives, AOAD emphasizes the importance of trans­ Eastern Europe was also made available to partici­ fer of appropriate technology, development of programs pants. Prepared by Mr. Josef Vlk, a regional repre­ to alleviate poverty, and providing income-generating sentative to the CGIAR, the paper highlights the dif­ opportunities for the rural population, in the Arab re­ ferent social, economic, and climatic conditions for gion and in most countries of Africa. agriculture and agroindustry advancement in the nine­ teen states in the region, and how economic and AOAD has placed emphasis on broadening its political pressure have substantially changed regional partnerships to carry out its work. It has established agriculture in the past six years. The paper elabo­ close technical relations with a number of develop­ rates the factors and trends related to agricultural ment institutions, including CGIAR centers. Regard­ research that resulted in the abolishment of agricul­ ing cooperation with the CGIAR, he emphasized four tural appropriations and subsidies for food products, points. First, although AOAD staff is limited in num­ changes in agricultural enterprise structure, the re­ ber, it is fully involved in managing consultancies, moval of agricultural production management from workshops, seminars, and training courses, as well under state control, and the dramatic reduction of as being involved in the actual execution of activi­ agricultural sector income. ties. Second, AOAD emphasizes a teamwork ap­ proach. Third, AOAD’s strict procedure adheres to The paper points out that strong agricultural re­ international formats and standards. Fourth, AOAD’s search, linked to extension services, has been estab­ activities are complementary to those of other insti­ lished in all states in Central and Eastern Europe, and tutions active in the region. defines five areas where support and cooperation with the CGIAR are needed, as follows: Central Asia and Central/Eastern Europe • human resources development; Mr. Mekhlis Suleimenov, Vice President of the Kazak Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Kazakstan, shared • development of a system of transfer of techno­ his views on the current status of agriculture in the logical know-how to the agricultural sector; Central Asia region, with particular focus on Kazakstan. • genetic resources preservation; He noted Kazakhstan is a vast country with a large desert, similar to Australia, and its agriculture is based • soil and water preservation; and on wheat production, similar to Canada, and on sheep and horse production. • better access to information. He noted that that it had only been since December 1995 that researchers of the Central Asia and Caucasus NEEDS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR region had the opportunity to interact with scientists AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH: from the CGIAR, through the two consultations held in PERSPECTIVES FROM PARTNERS Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and this Global Forum. Non-governmental Organizations He noted the lasting impact that the Iron Curtain had had on agriculture in the region, through the Mr. Robert Blake, Chair of the CGIAR NGO Com­ collectivization of farming, the imprisonment of rich mittee, shared his views on the CGIAR’s current efforts farmers and great scientists, and the condemnation to strengthen its partnerships, the need for a greater of genetics, and the resulting isolation of agricultural sense of urgency in addressing the challenges confront­ research. He emphasized the importance of partner­ ing the global agricultural system, and the potential for ships with the CGIAR, to improve agriculture in the NGOs to help find appropriate solutions. region. He praised the CGIAR’s efforts to build a new glo­ A paper on the needs and opportunities for agri­ bal agricultural research system that includes NGOs as cultural research from the perspective of Central and full partners, and the formation of the NGO Commit- 45 tee. However, he said the global system still had a long bai agricultural research, and the potential for public- way to go before the full potential of NGOs to address private sector partnerships to meet future global food common problems is realized. needs. He emphasized the urgency of addressing the food She related the characteristics of the private sector needs of the developing world, before population as being by nature concerned with efficiency and ef­ growth overwhelms any chance for food security or fectiveness, and interested in profit and future markets. poverty alleviation. The global community must recog­ However, she said the private sector also respects intel­ nize that time is of the essence, and act accordingly, par­ lectual property and international agreements, and is ticularly in light of the long-term time horizons required willing to work with all partners, including public sector for the farmer-back-to-farmer cycle of research genera­ partners, and is prepared to invest in research and dia­ tion, dissemination, and adoption. Agricultural research logue. The key is to build sustainable coalitions, based has an important role to play in efforts to increase food on mutual interest. The private sector can bring to a production on less land and with less water. Even more partnership expertise in full cost accounting and strategic important to success will be the efforts of farmers in de­ planning, needs identification for new green markets, re­ veloping countries and their governments. The involve­ duction of waste in throughput, and enhanced productiv­ ment and support of farmers will continue to be central to ity, as well as its creativity, on which there are no limita­ the successful transfer of new technologies from interna­ tions placed on imagination and possibilities. tional centers, through national systems. She noted the fundamental shift in the levels of in­ Mr. Blake expressed his view that the present divi­ vestment in biotechnology between the public and pri­ sion of labor between the CGIAR centers and NARS in vate sector. Private sector investment in biotechnology the global agricultural system is based on a twenty- now exceeds the level invested by the public sector. year-old idealized concept that leaves out too many She emphasized the need for the public and private partners in the NGO community, the private sector, and sectors to work together to understand the consequences universities, which should be accepted as full partners of this shift, and to address the questions this change in the research cycle. raises; for example, what are the implications of the concentration of technology ownership in the private He outlined the valuable role NGOs can play in sector, and what will this mean in terms of downstream outreach. Extension systems in many developing coun­ production and marketing? tries are weak. There is a gap, which NGOs, as grassroots organizations, are in a unique position to fill. She reviewed the misconceptions held by the pub­ However, there are not enough technically-capable lic sector about the private sector and vice versa. De­ NGOs, with the appropriate financial support and back­ spite these misconceptions, shared concerns regarding ing of national governments, to fill the need. How to the inadequacy of food systems and the degradation of mobilize the development of a large number of com­ natural resources provide an impetus and urgency to munity based farming organizations, and the financial cooperation, to forge common solutions. There is rec­ support required to sustain them, should be an issue ognition within the private sector that the carrying ca­ carefully looked at by the global community, and is pacity of the planet is finite and that good business one in which the CGIAR centers have a role to play; for reflects concern for the integrity of the environment example, CGIAR centers can help to upgrade the tech­ and preserving biodiversity. nical capacities of NGOs, as they do with national insti­ tutes. Mutual trust and respect is central to the ability to achieve success and must be built among all part­ Private Sector ners. Differences must be bridged through common interest, innovative research arrangements must be Ms. Carol Amaratunga, member of the CGIAR Pri­ explored, and win-win approaches identified. Co­ vate Sector Committee, shared with the Global Forum operative research should result in: increased food the observations and reflections of the committee on production; the reduction of waste (by reducing du­ nature of the private sector and its involvement in glo- plication of efforts); the sharing of experience (best 46 practice and lessons learned); the design of new policy • utilization and preservation of environmental re­ frameworks; and the emergence of new business re­ sources; and lationships and models. • analysis of development trends. The Private Sector Committee is focused on forging productive working alliances that address the most sig­ To address these priorities, JIRCAS carries out col­ nificant problems affecting food security and poverty laborative projects in partnership with the other research alleviation, in such promising areas for partnership as institutes under MAFF, NARS in several regions, and collaboration on biotechnology and safe practice, dia­ the CGIAR centers. Within this context, emphasis is logue with host country regulators, settlement of intel­ placed on: projects targeted toward the Asia region; lectual property rights and assets, and enhancing pub­ information sciences and socioeconomic aspects; lic education with respect to bioengineering and multidisciplinary approaches; linkages between research biosafety. As part of this effort, the committee is also carried out abroad and in Japan; collaboration on a engaged in a dialogue with the NGO Committee, to multinational basis; and the development of human re­ explore areas of common interest. sources. Advanced Research Institutions and Although JIRCAS’ mandate encompasses all de­ Universities veloping regions, due to budget considerations, the Asia region has been given priority, and accounts Japan International Research Center for for over 80 percent of its efforts. Linkages with Af­ Agricultural Sciences rica and Latin America will be gradually expanded. The emphasis placed on information sciences and Mr. Nobuyoshi Maeno, Director General of on socioeconomic aspects recognizes the impor­ JIRCAS, presented to the Global Forum the research tance of developing appropriate technologies tailored priorities and strategies of JIRCAS. As one of twenty- to the particular socioeconomic conditions of a spe­ nine research institutes under Japan’s Ministry of cific region and the need for region-specific infor­ Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, JIRCAS imple­ mation to do so. A multidisciplinary approach is ments research programs, to achieve sustainable de­ needed to develop technologies that promote the velopment in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, sustainable development of agriculture, forestry, and which are compatible with the preservation of the fisheries in harmony with the environment, given the environment on a global scale and carried out in complexity of agricultural ecosystems and social sys­ developing regions. tems. To achieve its objectives, JIRCAS has defined six Although it will continue to send scientists abroad major research priorities under which project activities to implement research in collaboration with partner are implemented: countries, JIRCAS will, in the case of basic advanced research fields that require more sophisticated equip­ • identification of socioeconomic characteristics ment and instruments, encourage the conduct of re­ which affect the adoption of new technologies, search at existing facilities in Japan. This will help to and development of efficient information sys­ alleviate the difficulties in executing research projects tems; abroad. JIRCAS will implement research collaboration on a multinational basis, for large-scale problems com­ • development of technologies that promote sus­ mon to several countries or regions, to increase effec­ tainable agriculture; tiveness and efficiency. This will involve the full coop­ eration of the concerned NARS. To promote the devel­ • development of postharvest technologies for the opment of human resources, JIRCAS has two types of better utilization of products produced; fellowship programs. It is anticipated that the fellows will become partners for research collaboration with • conservation and enhancement of biological re­ JIRCAS in the future after returning to their respective sources; countries. 47 European Consortium for Agricultural Research for Education and training, along with basic and ap­ the Tropics (ECART) plied research, are important factors in strengthen­ ing the ability of NARS to meet their future food Mr. John Perfect, Executive Director of ECART, needs. NATURA’s aim is to help strengthen NARS in shared with the Global Forum the role of advanced developing countries, and increase their efficiency research institutions in the global partnership from the and sustainability, through focus on education, re­ perspective of the institutions within Europe participat­ search, and institutional support. Central to this ef­ ing in ECART. fort is cooperating with NARS to strengthen local universities and to, thereby, develop centers of excel­ There is increasing recognition, he said, that the lence in the South. global research and development agenda is growing, while resources are shrinking, and of the commonality The NATURA European Community Training Pro­ of problems that face the various actors in the global gram for Agricultural Universities in the Southern Re­ agricultural research system. Networks of advanced gions (NECTAR) aims to develop model education sys­ research institutions are in place; however, due to their tems in a range of thematic fields through the develop­ complex and amorphous nature, transaction costs are ment of new curricula and training trainers. This pro­ high. The challenge of global partnerships, he said, is gram is being developed by universities in the South in to reduce transaction costs and increase impact by im­ cooperation with NATURA. The thematic fields are: proving the mechanisms for collaboration. food and nutrition sciences; sustainable crop protec­ tion; biomolecular sciences in sustainable development; In Europe, with the growth of the European Union, rural environment and development interventions; ag­ there has been recognition of the need for partnership ricultural economics and policy reforms; agricultural and of the importance of the principle of subsidiarity. economics and rural development; development op­ This has resulted in a shift within Europe from a bilat­ erations preparation and follow-up; and water. eral to a multilateral approach, with partnerships ex­ panding to encompass European ARIs, CGIAR centers, NATURA places emphasis on working in partner­ and developing country partners. ECART, which was ship, both with individual NARS—and, as part of this, formed as part of this overall development, comprises local universities—as well as with regional organiza­ a group of research institutions in Europe committed to tions. In this regard, NATURA has established collabo­ promoting development programs for their national rative partnerships with ASARECA, SACCAR, and CORAF. agencies and, increasingly, for the European Union. These institutions are well known, focused on develop­ European Initiative for Agricultural Research for ment assistance, have close ties with their parent aid agen­ Development (EIARD) cies, have powerful networking within their national pro­ grams, and represent a huge resource, both financial and U. K. representative Ian Haines gave a brief pre­ human. Hence, they are able to serve as an effective link sentation to the Global Forum on EIARD, an infor­ for partnerships in the global agricultural research system. mal group of the fifteen member states of the Euro­ One of the motivating factors behind the formation of pean Union, Norway, Switzerland, and the European ECART was to improve the status of natural resources Commission. related work within European development assistance. EIARD emphasizes a bottom-up approach, begin­ Network of European Agricultural [Tropically and ning at the grassroots level, which serves as a founda­ Subtropically Oriented] Universities and Scientific tion for partnerships and cooperation at national, sub­ Complexes Related with Agricultural Development regional, regional, and global levels. It aims to add (NATURA) value by deploying European research capacity and resources in increasingly demand-led activities through Mr. Henk van der Plas, President of NATURA, shared improved partnership. EIARD's approach focuses on with the Global Forum the aim of NATURA, a network strengthening NARS and national, subregional, and re­ of thirty-three European universities working on tropi­ gional collaboration, monitoring the process of part­ cal and subtropical agriculture. nership and collaboration, and evaluating impact. 48 EIARD recognizes that, while a global framework and the private sector, which are already expanding may be needed to better identify overall priorities and rapidly, will continue to multiply as a result. enhance coordination, activities will be concentrated at the local, national, and subregional levels. There is a need for improved partnerships and greater collabora­ EXPLORING AVENUES FOR COLLABORATION: tion, better communication and exchange of informa­ PARALLEL SESSIONS ON KEY RESEARCH tion, and more robust ways of identifying development THEMES priorities that are amenable to research activities in or­ der to achieve the wider goals of food security and The Global Forum considered four key research poverty reduction. themes in parallel session. Reports of each session were subsequently presented and discussed in ple­ CGIAR nary. The parallel sessions focused on the following four themes: Mr. Donald Winkelmann, Chairman of the CGIAR Technical Advisory Committee, presented to the Global • biotechnology; Forum the perspectives of the CGIAR on global agricul­ tural research needs and the areas that will receive em­ • genetic resources conservation and utilization; phasis in the CGIAR’s future work. . ecoregional research (managing the natural re­ The bulk of the CGIAR’s work in the future, Mr. source base); and Winkelmann said, will be to translate the products of high science, whatever their source (including the CGIAR ^ • public policy and institutional strengthening. itself), into products that meet the needs of poor people for adequate quantities of food at prices and with envi­ Parallel Session I: Biotechnology ronment consequences that are socially acceptable. He briefly recounted the global concerns that drive the Mr. Roberto Alias, CGIAR Regional Representative CGIAR’s research, and said the challenge to research is from Latin America and the Caribbean, briefed the Glo­ to develop more productive technologies for increas­ bal Forum on the discussions held during the parallel ing quantities of food available to the poor and which session on biotechnology, for which he served as Rap­ also protect the environment, especially biodiversity, porteur. The session was chaired by Mr. Ruben Villareal land, and water resources. (University of the Philippines at Los Banos). Panel mem­ bers were: Mr. Gabriel Cadena-Gomez (CENICAFE, Mr. Winkelmann reviewed the efforts of the CGIAR Colombia); Mr. James Peacock, (CSIRO, Australia); Mr. since the launching of the program of renewal to assess Sam Dryden (Big Stone Partners, USA); and Mr. Peter its role in the global agricultural research system, to Gregory (CIP-CGIAR). clarify its goals and priorities, to foster transparency, to strengthen its partnerships with other actors and their The session was marked by a very active discussion voice in CGIAR decisionmaking, and to ensure efficiency among the eighty-seven participants, Mr. Arias said. He in the pursuit of its objectives. He then outlined the summarized the key points raised during the discus­ potential shifts in the CGIAR’s research portfolio within sion. First, biotechnology is now recognized as a very its five principle undertakings, to better enable the important tool in agricultural research. It has been ap­ CGIAR to support the global system and to pursue its plied in crop yield and quality improvement, disease own goals of poverty alleviation and protection of the resistance, pest resistance, and the maintenance of environment. biodiversity. Second, due to the technical and legal complexity of the field, a collaborative research approach The CGIAR must play a catalytic role in stimulating is desirable, to make full use of the comparative advan­ interaction, providing appropriate information, and tages of each of the partners. Successful partnerships reaching out to others who can contribute to the achieve­ are based on the active participation of all actors, and ment of the CGIAR’s objectives. The range of working the sharing of benefits. A wider scope of partnership relationships with national programs, universities, NGOs, would be desirable, to include NARS-private sector part- 49 nerships, as well as ARI-private sector and CGIAR-pri- lized. The Convention on Biodiversity drew attention to vate sector partnerships. Each partner must stick to its the underutilization and loss of viability of some genetic own comparative advantage, and not get involved in resources in national and regional genebanks due to a efforts for which other partners have greater compara­ lack of capacity to keep collected material viable. Sixth, tive advantages. the need for a global approach to partnerships related to genetic resources, given the complexity of the ownership Third, the private sector has taken a central role in issue, and for a broad, global agreement on the move­ developing biotechnology. As a consequence, intellec­ ment, utilization, conservation, and sharing of genetic re­ tual property has become a very important issue, as sources. Rice was proposed as a good candidate for a well as legal and equity issues. Fourth, capacity build­ pilot agreement. Seventh, the need for standard meth­ ing is needed at all levels, including human resources odologies for in situ conservation. development. Fifth, the levels of financial investment in biotechnology is an issue requiring attention; specifi­ Parallel Session III: Ecoregional Research cally, how much should the CGIAR invest vis-à-vis the (Managing the Natural Resource Base) private sector, or the NARS? Mr. Ibrahim Hamdan (AARINENA) briefed the Glo­ Parallel Session II: Genetic Resources bal Forum on the outcome of the parallel session on Conservation and Utilization ecoregional research, for which he served as Rappor­ teur. The session was chaired by Mr. Alberto Duque Mr. Lukas Gakale (SACCAR) presented the report of Portugal (EMBRAPA, Brazil). Panel members were: Mr. the parallel session on genetic resources conservation Mekhlis Suleimenov (Kazakhstan Academy of Agricul­ and utilization, which he chaired. Mr. M. Sujayet Ullah tural Science); Mr. Miguel Altieri (SANE, USA); Mr. Ber­ Chowdhury (BARC, Bangladesh) served as Rapporteur. nard Bachelier (CIRAD, France) and Mr. Pedro Sanchez Panel members were: Mr. William Dar (PCARRD, the (ICRAF-CGIAR). Philippines); Mr. Jeffrey McNeely (IUCN, Switzerland); Mr. Pramod Kumar Agrawal (PROAGRO PGS India Ltd.); The key issues emerging from the discussion were and Mr. Geoffrey Hawtin (IPGRI-CGIAR). an emphasis on partnerships; on a people-centered perspective; on new approaches that are practice- Mr. Gakale highlighted the key issues emerging from based, participatory, and multifaceted (multi-institu­ the discussion. First, the importance of taking into con­ tional and multidisciplinary); and on opportunities sideration the physical and biological environments of for new synergies. It was recognized that ecoregional ecosystems, since the growing environments can have research is a complex area with many unresolved tremendous influences on the genetic resources being issues. collected. Second, the issue of ownership, particularly a concern among developing countries that feel their In Central Asia, there is a need for research partner­ biodiversity heritage is being taken away by advanced ships to prevent the degradation of natural resources, institutions in developed countries without any sharing as well as on water and biotechnology. There is also of benefits. Third, the implications of the Convention need for information exchange, workshops, and train­ on Biological Diversity, which has made the movement ing, and improved research management. The NGO of plant genetic resources from one place to another perspective emphasizes a farmer level approach to con­ increasingly difficult. Fourth, the need to recognize servation and income stability, with a focus on safe­ that partners at local versus global level bring different guarding genetic diversity, soil conservation, water har­ comparative advantages to a partnership; for example, vesting, and multiple cropping systems. NGOs at the local level may have a comparative advan­ tage in addressing issues of conservation of genetic re­ The ARI approach calls for partnerships that are sources, and thus could play a greater role with NARS. NARS-driven and based on priority areas as determined by NARS, with NARS in the same region coming to­ Fifth, the need for partnerships at the regional and gether to collaborate on ecoregional programs, and in global level to ensure that genetic resources in national which donors, international centers, and advanced re­ and regional genebanks are properly maintained and uti- search institutions can also participate. Emphasis should 50 be placed on the need to disseminate information to such cooperation exist—Mr. Duwayri cited several farmers on how to use new technologies to ensure their examples—and should be built upon. adoption. The CGIAR focus emphasizes natural re­ sources management and ecoregional programs, and Fifth, regional associations have developed into coordination among multidisciplinary institutions en­ important fora for strengthening partnerships in ag­ gaged in these programs. ricultural research and should be sustained. These fora require appropriate official status, membership, Parallel Session IV: Public Policy and bylaws, mandates, staff, and activities to carry out. Institutional Strengthening Discussion Mr. Mahmud Duwayri (Jordan University of Science and Technology) presented the report of the parallel The discussion in plenary touched on a number of session on public policy and institutional strengthen­ the specific issues raised in the reports of the parallel ing, which he chaired. Mr. Bruno Ndinguru (SACCAR) sessions. A synopsis of the salient points follows. served as Rapporteur. Panel members were: Mr. Cyrus Ndiritu (KARI, Kenya), Ms. Kamla Chowdry The Global Forum provides NARS from the various (SPWD, India); Mr. Carl Eicher (Michigan State Uni­ regional fora with the opportunity to interact, exchange versity, USA), and Mr. Christian Bonte-Friedheim ideas, and learn from each other’s strengths and weak­ (ISNAR-CGIAR). nesses. Mr. Duwayri summarized the main points that Reduced dependency on donor support was seen emerged from the parallel session as relating to: exten­ as a necessary condition of attaining sustainability of sion and farmer participation; the role of NGOs and the the regional associations, once they have been estab­ private sector; the role of NARS in policy research and lished. Fees by member countries were seen as a vi­ analysis; the role of universities in developed and de­ able mechanism for financially sustaining the regional veloping countries; and regional associations. First, in associations, including the provision of staff to carry order to have a strong global system, extension and out activities. farmer participation must be strengthened, to build on local tradition and to ensure transparency and access to Examples were given to elaborate the central role of information. Second, a strong global system requires the private sector in biotechnology vis-à-vis the public the involvement of NGOs and the private sector. There sector, including the budgets allocated to biotechnology is a need to involve civil society and broaden the shar­ by the private sector, the number of patents held by the ing of responsibility in order to develop real partner­ private sector in the area of intellectual property rights, ships. and the funds spent by the private sector on acquiring and consolidating intellectual property rights. Third, support at a high level for agriculture is needed within many developing countries to Farmers, particularly women farmers, should be strengthen the voice of the NARS in policymaking at recognized as agricultural professionals in their own the national level, particularly in areas related to in­ right by the scientific community and as valuable part­ vestment in agricultural research, population and food ners, given their expertise in crop improvement, farm­ policies, pricing and marketing, trade, natural re­ ing systems, postharvest storage, processing, and added sources, and public health. Capacity building, par­ value. The vital role that women play in extension in ticularly in research management, needs to be rural areas was affirmed. strengthened. Fourth, the role of universities in re­ search should be strengthened vis-à-vis their role in Extension is very important component of agri­ training. There is now significant human resource cultural development and partnerships with exten­ capacity in developing country universities. Link­ sion services must be strengthened. The changing ages should be forged with universities in many de­ role of extension efforts, from lecturing to listening veloped countries to strengthen the research capac­ to farmers, is noteworthy. NGOs and the private ity of developing country universities. Models of sector have a special role to play in extension, work- 51 ing in cooperation with national research institutes the decrease in the availability of financial resources to serve as a conduit for technology from NARS to at both the international and national levels; and a farmers, and for feedback from farmers back to re­ recognition that innovation and technical change is searchers. increasingly the product of transnational knowledge systems facilitated by information technology and Agricultural research networks in the area of the telecommunications. environment and natural resources must be developed, where they do not yet exist, and mainstreamed and the The Plan of Action emphasizes five key goals: relations between various networks optimized, where they do exist. This includes linkages among regional to enhance the capacity of NARS to generate and networks as well as between global and regional net­ transfer in a participatory mode appropriate tech­ works. nology that responds to the needs of the end users; The access of the poor to information is limited. Information must be available to them in their own lan­ to improve priority setting for a global frame­ guages and must build on local traditions, if it is to be work for agricultural research; useful. to strengthen NARS-NARS partnerships and the emerging regional fora; OPERATIONAL DIMENSIONS FOR STRENGTHENING GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS to develop partnerships among all partners in the global agricultural research community; and Presentation of Plan of Action to secure financial support for implementing a Mr. Fernando Chaparro, Chair of the NARS Global Plan ofA ction. Steering Committee, presented to the Global Forum the proposed Plan ofA ction for Strengthening Global Agri­ The Plan of Action elaborates a series of concrete cultural Research. He outlined the philosophy behind activities and initiatives that can be developed around the Plan, as well as its key components. The Plan was each of the above goals. Mr. Chaparro highlighted sev­ developed through a two-step process. First, discus­ eral of these. Specifically, the Plan ofA ction proposes: sions were held by the four regional fora, which them­ selves were based on discussions within seventeen sub­ • the establishment of the Global Forum on a bi­ regional groupings. These consultations resulted in annual basis to: set a collaborative research frame­ proposed regional action plans for each region. Sec­ work that is shared by the various stakeholders ond, representatives of each of the regions met at in the generation and dissemination of agricul­ IFAD in August 1996 to draft the proposed global tural technology; discuss and select concrete col­ action plan. laborative projects to be carried out in partner­ ship; and identify funding sources to implement The Plan of Action is based on the conviction that the agenda; the development of a global agricultural research sys­ tem, based on cost-effective partnerships and strategic • the emergence and adoption of a global agricul­ alliances among the various institutional actors engaged tural research framework, as a means of coordi­ in agricultural research, must be promoted, in order to nating the research endeavors of the various stake­ achieve the common goals of alleviating poverty, en­ holders, and of mobilizing the scientific commu­ suring food security, and ensuring the conservation and nity to meet global challenges; management of biodiversity and the natural resource base. Such a global system is needed to respond to: • emphasis on a participatory approach with farm­ the magnitude of challenges developing countries are ers, seeking to build on indigenous knowledge facing; the resulting increase in research needs and re­ and integrate farmers into the research and ex­ quirements which are expanding research agendas; tension process; and 52 • the adoption of a Declaration of Global Partner­ strong NARS were seen as critical to the development ship in Agricultural Research, as a clear state­ of effective partnerships at the subregional, regional, ment of the reasons for and conviction behind and global levels. this initiative. Concern was expressed that the Global Forum Discussion should not result in a hierarchical approach, nor that it create new or parallel structures. The effort should Participants in the Global Forum engaged in an in- be to improve and build on existing institutions and depth and wide ranging discussion of the proposed the existing system, to enrich all partners. The Glo­ Plan of Action. Highlights of the discussion follow. bal Forum was recognized as a facilitating frame­ work, providing an opportunity for participants to The work of the NARS Global Steering Committee enrich their experiences and further partnerships, in d rafting the Plan of Action was commended. The both South-South and South-North, through interac­ progress made to-date was considered very encourag­ tion with colleagues from around the world. ing, and there was a convergence of viewpoints and of Operationalization of the framework, on the other expectations on many important issues. Many mem­ hand, was acknowledged as taking place at the na­ bers, particularly those from Europe, and the CGIAR tional, subregional, and regional levels, rather than centers expressed their full support of the Global Fo­ at the global level. rum, and their belief that very significant progress had been made. The regional fora were seen as strengthening both regional capacity to input into CGIAR decisionmaking The evolving nature of the process in which partici­ and NARS-NARS dialogue on priority issues. The pants were engaged, to move toward greater partner­ need for a direct means of the regional fora partici­ ships and cooperation to address common concerns in pating in shaping the CGIAR research agenda was a global agricultural research system, was recognized. stressed, as part of a bottom-up, demand-driven ap­ The Plan ofA ction was, thus, acknowledged as a work- proach to priority setting, to ensure responsiveness in-progress, that builds on the outputs of the regional to actual needs. fora, and which will continue to be enriched as the global system evolves over time. The equitable representation of all stakeholders at the national, regional, and global levels was seen as The importance of working together in real part­ critical to the development of successful partnerships nership was emphasized, given the expanding research and achieving common goals. The importance of in­ agenda and the declines in public sector funding. Only cluding all actors in setting priorities and developing through partnership will it be possible to exchange programs, and of taking into account each partner’s ob­ knowledge, mutually strengthen institutions, and opti­ jectives and comparative advantages, was emphasized. mize resources. Examples, including CGIAR systemwide The need to broaden the NARS concept at the national and ecoregional programs, were given of successful level, to open national systems to the participation of farmer multi-country research partnerships through which pri­ organizations, non-governmental organizations, universi­ orities have been set together and research plans have ties, the private sector, and extension services in addition been developed and implemented. to national agricultural research institutes, to form the ba­ sis for a balanced representation at subregional, regional, The need to build a framework for dialogue and and global levels, was stressed. Representation should partnership through a bottom-up, demand-driven ap­ also include all aspects of the agriculture sector, including proach was considered essential, and emphasized re­ forestry and fisheries. peatedly by participants. Strong partnerships at the national level form the foundation for strong partner­ How to integrate the various stakeholders into the ships at the subregional level, which are the basis of NARS at the national level, as the basis for their integra­ strong partnerships at the regional level, and in turn at tion at the subregional, regional, and global levels, was the global level. NARS were, thus, reaffirmed as the discussed. The differing capacities of NARS to inte­ center of the global agricultural research system, and grate the variety of stakeholders was recognized, as well 53 as the difficulty in many countries of determining which facilitate access to knowledge by beneficiaries, and organizations can be considered valid representatives to enhance knowledge-sharing in the application of of the various stakeholders, for example, of NGOs, of information technology to development. farmers, of the private sector, which may not yet be well-organized. A gradual approach to address this is­ Several interventions were made on the need to sue at the country level was promoted by a number of revisit the procedure for the appointment of regional participants. representatives to the CGIAR. One suggestion made was that FAO look to the regional fora when ap­ The need to ensure the sustainability of the re­ pointments of CGIAR regional representatives are gional fora, and funding to support partnerships, was made, to shift the selection of representatives from emphasized. The continuity of the regional fora was political-oriented institutions to scientific institutions. seen as essential, given their important role as a mecha­ Another suggested that the subregional fora should nism for discussion of common problems within a be the source of regional representatives. region, for defining regional priorities, and for NARS participation in CGIAR decisionmaking. It was rec­ ognized that financing was needed at all levels—na­ TOWARD A GLOBAL ACTION PLAN FOR tional, global, and regional—to support activities to RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP: be implemented by various partners. Participants FROM SHARED VISION TO ACTION felt that donors must act in concert in order to mobi­ lize the various funding instruments available to sup­ Declaration and Plan of Action port partnerships at these levels. It was suggested that much could be done within existing funding for The final session of the Global Forum was de­ centers and bilateral and regional projects to sup­ voted to discussing in detail and modifying as deemed port a partnership framework. Support was voiced, necessary the specific language of the draft texts of as well, for sustaining the Global Forum; however, the Declaration and Plan of Action for Global Part­ concern was expressed that funding for the Global nership in Agricultural Research, which had been Forum not be at the expense of funding for regional distributed to participants prior to the commence­ fora. ment of the session, and which were read aloud by Mr. Chaparro. The transfer of technology from researchers to farmers was seen as a critical issue. Technology trans­ The drafts, one-page each in length, had been pre­ fer as well as research was emphasized as part of the pared by a drafting committee, composed of represen­ bottom-up, demand-driven approach advocated by tatives from all of the partners participating in the Glo­ the Global Forum. It was felt that knowledge and bal Forum, which was convened during the course of the technology must be transferred to have an impact in Global Forum. The committee based its drafts on com­ the life and well being of the farmer, and that it is ments received following the August meeting of the Glo­ not enough to produce good research results. It was bal Steering Committee, on the Plan ofA ctionf or Strength­ recognized that national capacity to transfer technol­ ening Global Agricultural Research proposed by the NARS ogy varies, and that support to help NARS carry out Global Steering Committee and presented to the Global this function was needed. Forum, as well as on intensive interaction with partici­ pants throughout the Global Forum. Mr. Chaparro stressed The flow of genetic resources was also seen as a that the drafting of the two texts had been conducted in a vital issue, as was the sharing of knowledge. The very open and participatory process. importance of ensuring an unrestricted flow of germplasm and technology packages, to reach in­ Consensus was reached on the Declaration as modi­ tended beneficiaries, was emphasized. Hope was fied, and it was adopted by participants at the conclu­ expressed that enhancing partnerships would facili­ sion of the session. It was agreed that the drafting tate the exchange of germplasm, as well as the glo­ committee would further refine the Plan of Action and bal flow of technology-related information and the that a revised draft would be distributed to participants sharing of knowledge. There are opportunities to for comment. 54 Conclusion in the months and years ahead, in implementing the Plan of Action that will be agreed to here.” The Global Forum concluded with a brief statement by the CGIAR Chairman, who noted the historical sig­ Fie closed by urging the participants to draw nificance of the Global Forum, as the first time that all strength from their common vision and shared com­ the actors dealing with global agricultural research had mitment, to finalize the Plan of Action before the come together around the same table, to engage in con­ close of ICW96. structive dialogue and recognize what each participant can bring toward a solution. At the end of ICW96, the CGIAR Chairman indi­ cated that participants would have one week to com­ He went on to say that: “I believe that we have made ment on the revised Plan of Action, before it would a great step forward, and I am convinced that the poor of be considered adopted. Since no comments were the world and future generations will be the better for it. subsequently received by the drafting committee, the Just how fast we can translate the noble principles and Plan of Action was considered adopted by the Glo­ lofty visions into reality is the challenge in the days ahead, bal Forum. 55 Declaration and Plan of Action for Global Partnership in Agricultural Research DECLARATION the representatives of the national agricultural research systems, regional and subregional organ- W izations, universities and advanced research institutions, non-governmental organizations, farmer organizations, the private sector, and international agricultural research centers, gathered in a Global Forum on Agricultural Research at the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, Interna­ tional Centers Week 1996: Cognizant of the formidable challenges of the future, in particular the need: • to alleviate poverty; • to increase productivity and resource use efficiency to feed an expanding population; and • to address environmental degradation, sustainably manage the natural resource base, and develop and implement more appropriate agricultural policies and sustainable technologies; Aware that the world leaders are holding a summit to address the global challenge of ensuring food security; Convinced that scientific and technological responses and sociocultural factors are essential elements in improving food and nutritional security, as well as more sustainable use of cropland, rangeland, aquatic, and forest resources; Realizing that the national agricultural research systems are the cornerstones of the emerging global research system; and Recognizing that current cooperative research arrangements need to be adjusted to meet challenges of unprecedented nature and magnitude: Hereby affirm our strong commitment to contribute to the development of productive, sustainable, and equitable agriculture. We recognize the crucial role played by farmers, especially women, in agriculture and natural resources management. We agree to work in partnership with them toward their empower­ ment, building on their indigenous knowledge systems. We fully recognize the immense value of collaboration and research partnership and urge that such collaboration be governed by the principles of subsidiarity, participatory decisionmaking, complementarity of efforts, adaptability, openness, and, above all, a deep sense of commitment to the common purpose. We agree to meet the challenges of the present and the future through an efficient, effective, and coherent global agricultural research system. 56 PLAN OF ACTION TUTe commit ourselves to undertake the following actions, in the pursuit of our common objectives W and the foregoing Declaration-. Mobilize the world scientific community in support of a global framework for agricultural research aimed at: • alleviating poverty; • achieving food security; and • assuring sustainable use of natural resources; Contribute to the strengthening of national agricultural research systems and the subregional and re­ gional fora; Foster the participation in research collaboration by national agricultural research institutes, regional and subregional research organizations, international agricultural research centers, advanced research insti­ tutes, universities, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, farmers, and farmers’ organiza­ tions; Encourage the identification of concrete collaborative projects through suitable mechanisms, including subregional and regional fora; and Convene a Global Forum on Agricultural Research every three years to exchange information in order to identify common challenges, confirm principles of collaboration, and propose alternative means of imple­ menting collaborative programs with the purpose of facilitating partnerships. We strongly believe that, by committing ourselves to this task and establishing the necessary enabling mechanisms, based on a bottom-up approach and strong national, subregional, and regional fora, the global agricultural research system will be capable of addressing the agricultural research priorities re­ quired to meet the challenges and opportunities that humanity is facing today and will face in the foreseeable future. We propose, in order to implement this Plan of Action, to increase efficiency in research management and collaboration through the pooling of resources, and call on the development assistance community, the governments of developing countries, and all stakeholders in agricultural and rural development to increase their support to agricultural research. We hereby mandate the Global Forum Steering Committee, consulting as necessary, to translate this Plan of Action into a detailed program of activities. 57 CGIAR Business Meeting OPENING SESSION planning process, and the choices that must be made in the current period of finite resources: CGIAR Chairman’s Opening Statement • favored versus less-favored areas; CGIAR Chairman Ismail Serageldin opened the Business Meeting with a statement placing the delib­ • traditional versus exotic crops; erations of the Group on 1997 financing and 1998 research directions within the wider context of the • short-term versus long-term time frame of ex­ position of the CGIAR in the emerging global agri­ pected impact; cultural research system. • environmental improvement versus yield maxi­ He noted that ICW96 represented the first time mization; that representatives of the full spectrum of global agricultural research had come together to identify • level of emphasis on the integration of traditional areas of commonality, define priorities, and agree knowledge and new science; and on the implementation of joint action. He welcomed their participation in ICW96, and their commitment • the search for integrated farming practices that to moving beyond consultations, in a coordinated reflect local specificities versus the search for approach involving all those engaged in agricultural new technologies with very broad applications. research, including many important actors not previ­ ously recognized as part of the formal agricultural He noted other issues that must be reflected in research system. center medium-term plans and in the 1998 research agenda. First, the great opportunities that exist in The CGIAR’s contribution, he said, to the global the area of biotechnology. The centers are well objectives of poverty reduction, food security, and sus­ placed to deploy modern molecular technologies to tainable natural resources management is the develop­ develop new varieties with greater speed and preci­ ment of improved technology that, along with appro­ sion. priate policies and supportive institutions, is needed to increase the productivity and profitability of agriculture Second, the range of databases that need to be in developing countries. The priorities and strategies built up. Taxonomic databases are essential for a endorsed at MTM96 reaffirmed the CGIAR’s poverty rigorous application of scientific principles, and can orientation, and its emphasis on food security, the en­ provide the foundation for informed debate and in­ vironment, the rural poor, and women. Mr. Serageldin formation sharing. discussed the importance of both the systemwide re­ view that will be launched following ICW96 in strategi­ Third, the new opportunities that exist in Eastern cally guiding the CGIAR into the future, and the me­ and Central Europe and Central Asia. Two of the dium-term planning process for the period 1998 to 2000, three preconditions set forth in the Lucerne Action being carried out as an interactive process between TAC Program for possible CGIAR programs in the region and the centers. have been met—the existence of a potential work program and the CGIAR's comparative advantage to He elaborated some of the critical macro issues undertake that work. Once the third precondition— that the CGIAR has to consider in its medium-term the availability of additional funding—has been met, 59 the CGIAR can prepare to launch a work program in Chairman’s Announcements the region. Following his opening address, Mr. Seragelclin made Fourth, post-Leipzig1 plant genetic resources issues. several important announcements pertaining to the The CGIAR should take a pragmatic stance and con­ twenty-fifth anniversary, membership in the Group, and tinue its constructive engagement with other actors in departing colleagues: helping to shape the evolving world order to deal with genetic resources. Twenty-fifth Anniversary Fifth, ensuring that the needed follow-up to the European Commission. Mr. Serageldin shared with the Global Forum takes place. All of the participants in the Group a letter he received from Mr. Manuel Marin Forum, including the CGIAR, must live up to the inspir­ Gonzalez, Vice President of the Commission of the Eu­ ing words of the Declaration adopted by the Forum, ropean Communities, in which he conveyed his very by moving forward in a combined effort. best congratulations and wishes on the occasion of the CGIAR’s twenty-fifth anniversary. Mr. Serageldin ex­ Turning to finance, Mr. Serageldin reassured the pressed gratitude on behalf of the Group for the Euro­ Group that, despite the problems encountered at pean Commission’s support and the sentiments ex­ MTM96, the program for 1996 was fully funded at $300 pressed in the letter, which he quoted as follows: million. This was thanks to the exceptional efforts of a number of donors, especially Denmark, which came During these twenty-five years the eminent forth with additional contributions in 1996. The situa­ scientists sponsored by the Group have tion for 1997 is promising, with good prospects that the made an extraordinary contribution to ag­ agenda will be fully funded at a slightly higher level. ricultural and food development in large He reviewed in detail the decisions made at MTM96 to parts of the world. Greatly due to their modify the financing arrangements, to unleash the full achievements, food security for developing entrepreneurial talents of the centers. He noted that, countries has become a more realistic per­ overall, the results appeared to be satisfactory. Some spective. of the older, larger centers, however, continue to face shortfalls. He urged members not to allow an erosion The European donors and the Commission of the capacities of these centers, which are uniquely fully endorse the new strategy which will well positioned to help the CGIAR play an effective put the CGIAR network at the center of a role in the rapidly changing world of biotechnology global framework in thefield of agricultural and the management of genetic materials. research, by creating close partnership re­ lations between its centers and the national Regarding the World Bank's contribution, he noted and regional research systems of develop­ that the Bank will maintain its contribution at the cur­ ing countries, as well as with advanced rent level of $45 million plus Secretariat expenses. It is research organizations. The Commission hoped that this will be accompanied by a continuing in particular welcomes this concept and increase by the other donors, and by the diversification intends to back it with the means of its vari­ of the financing base to arrive at a gradual reduction of ous cooperation schemes and agreements. the percentage of the Bank's contribution in the years The Commission is aivare that this needs a ahead. long-term commitment by both research­ ers and donors; it will, therefore, take this [The full text of the Chairman’s policy statements need even more into account when shap­ at ICW96, including his opening statement at the Busi­ ing its development strategies and pro­ ness Meeting, is being published by the CGIAR Sec­ grams. retariat under separate cover.] Denmark. Mr. Serageldin expressed gratitude on be­ The Fourth FAO Technical Conference on Plant Genetic Resources half of the Group to H. E. Poul Nielson, Denmark’s held in Leipzig, Germany on June 17-23, 1996. Minister for Development Cooperation, for his commen- 60 tary on the CGIAR and its twenty-fifth anniversary which served to bring the CGIAR system, which represents appeared in Denmark’s leading daily newspaper on only 4 percent of global investments in agricultural re­ October 28, to coincide with the day of commemora­ search, in closer harmony with the other 96 percent of tion at ICW96. the global effort. Membership The Global Forum produced a Declaration that was unanimously endorsed by all partners. The NARS Glo­ South Africa. Mr. Seragelclin welcomed with pleasure bal Steering Committee was mandated by the Global the newest member of the Group—South Africa—whose Forum to further refine the proposed Plan of Action, decision to join the CGIAR was announced on the first which was considered an evolving document. Mr. Slama day of ICW96. This brings the CGIAR’s Southern mem­ reiterated the five key goals of the proposed global bership to seventeen, and increases significantly the Plan ofA ction to be collectively carried out by all stake­ ownership of the CGIAR by the South. holders in the global agricultural research system [see page 52], Thailand. He shared with the Group the information that the Thai authorities had indicated their intention to IFAD will continue to provide assistance, in close seek membership in the Group. He expressed his hope collaboration with the other facilitating agencies, to the to have the occasion in the very near future to be able NARS Global Steering Committee in carrying out its role, to announce Thailand’s participation in the Group. and, as Mr. Al-Sultan said during the Global Forum, will give priority in its research grants to proposals reflect­ Departures ing the new partnerships emerging from the Global Forum initiative. Mr. Seragelclin paid tribute to colleagues for whom ICW96 was the last International Centers Week in their Program Proposals from the NGO Committee current capacities: David Bell, Chair of IFPRI; Bo Bengtsson, Chair of CIFOR; John Dillon, Chair of NGO Committee Chair Robert Blake presented ICLARM; Pierre Dubreuil, Chair of IITA; Leslie Swindale, to the Group the committee’s report on its proposals Chair of IIMI; David Thorud, Chair of ICRAF; Christian for strengthening partnerships within the global ag­ Bonte-Friedheim, Director General of ISNAR; Eugene ricultural system, on its activities during the past year, Terry, Director General of WARDA; Robert Blake, Chair and on its planned activities in the coming year. of the NGO Committee; and Paul Egger, Chair of the Oversight Committee. The Group recognized each of Mr. Blake commended the CGIAR for convening these distinguished individuals for their dedicated ser­ the Global Forum, in which NGOs and farmer organi­ vice and commitment to the CGIAR. zations were recognized as key players in the process of technical innovation. The success of the global agri­ cultural research system, he said, will depend on NGOs PARTNERSHIPS having a strong voice in the conceptualization, plan­ ning, and execution of center research, since NGOs are Report from the Global Forum likely to become the centers’ most effective partners in reaching the poor. On behalf of Global Forum Chair Fawzi Al-Sultan, Mr. Abdelmajicl Slama of IFAD presented a report from The committee made five proposals for the Global Forum to the Group. As a comprehensive strengthening partnerships within the global agri­ summary of the deliberations and actions taken had cultural system. First, NGO-center collaboration been given at the conclusion of the Global Forum ear­ should be reinforced through the substantial ex­ lier in the day, Mr. Slama’s report during the Business pansion of center efforts to seek out experienced Meeting was brief. He noted the significance of the and capable NGO research partners in all phases of Global Forum as the first occasion that the full spec­ the research cycle. Second, a competitive grant fund trum of partners in global agricultural research had con­ should be created by the CGIAR to finance collabo­ vened to engage in a dialogue together. As well, it rative research programs involving both NGOs and 61 centers. This would require additional funding for ment and trade policies are inconsistent with the goals the CGIAR from members. of poverty alleviation, sustainability, food security, and agricultural research, and articulating the policies and Third, centers should be mandated to work more programs that would remedy this situation. Further­ closely with NGOs to ensure the timely dissemination more, it felt this was an issue which the CGIAR system of farmer-inspired research results back to the farmers review should address. that need them. This is especially important in coun­ tries that have weak extension systems, or where na­ Mr. Blake elaborated on the committee’s activities. tional services concentrate on serving large farms and The committee is in the process of opening itself to those growing export crops. Fourth, the CGIAR should NGOs worldwide, in order to serve as a channel for give much higher priority to including NGO represen­ their concerns to the CGIAR. Increasingly, it will also tatives or individuals with substantial experience work­ seek to work constaictively with national research cen­ ing with farmers on its governing bodies, to help inte­ ters, which also need to accept NGOs and farmer orga­ grate the NGO viewpoint into center research. This nizations as full partners. During the past year, com­ perspective is particularly needed on center boards of mittee members visited eight centers, to examine the trustees, as well as on external review panels, TAC, and state of their cooperation with farmers and NGOs, and in the design of center medium-term plans. to encourage NGO-center dialogue and partnership. The committee found growing recognition by the centers of Fifth, the CGIAR system review should examine the the need to work with NGO partners, and some progress relevance of center research to the poor, and analyze in expanding their work with farmers and NGOs. How­ the roles of various actors, including centers, national ever, it found there is still resistance on the part of some institutes, national extension systems, NGOs, and the scientists to work more closely with NGOs in equal and private sector, in disseminating research results to farm­ transparent partnerships. On the NGO side, the com­ ers. The review should also address how collaborative mittee found that too few NGOs really know enough research between NGOs and centers can be fostered, about the work of the centers, and even fewer that fully and take a macro approach. The review panel itself appreciate the value and potential of working with them. should include individuals from the South who will be These obstacles must be overcome. seen by NGOs and others as authentic representatives of farmer views and interests. In the coming year, the committee plans to increase its consultation with NGOs, visit more centers, partici­ The committee also proposed a broad reorientation pate in MTM97 and ICW97, and organize three the­ of center research to emphasize an agroecological ap­ matic workshops involving centers, NGOs, and national proach—a science-based, culturally sensitive, socially institutes—two workshops in Africa, on soil fertility and acceptable, ecologically friendly, and economically vi­ on intensification of production in inland valleys, re­ able approach, which fully utilizes traditional knowl­ spectively, and one workshop in Southeast Asia on the edge, protects and better utilizes biodiversity and natu­ relationship of forest diversity and agriculture. A re­ ral resources, maximizes the utilization of on-farm in­ gional forum in Latin America is also planned. puts, and focuses on the immediate needs of smallholders for low-input technologies that do not pose Mr. Blake indicated that Mr. Miguel Altieri will assume unacceptable risks. The committee recommended that the chairmanship of the NGO committee. The process of each center review its research agenda for the coming inviting five new members to join the committee is under­ year to determine how NGO partners might contribute way, to expand to twelve the total number of committee to identifying and implementing agroecologically-ori- members. Emphasis will be given to increasing the num­ ented research. As well, the committee recommended ber of members from developing countries. that TAC mandate the reorientation of every applicable aspect of center research in this direction. Program Proposals from the Private Sector Committee In the area of global agricultural and trade policies, the committee urged the CGIAR to make a strong state­ Private Sector Committee Member Pramod K. ment recognizing that too many of today’s develop- Agrawal presented the report of the committee, on be- 62 half of Co-Chair Alejandro Rodriguez. To-date, the com­ level private-public task forces to identify the potential mittee has held four meetings, and has interacted with for and constraints to collaborative research investment, centers, TAC, and the NGO committee; members have and the creation of a revolving fund at the centers to visited five centers. The committee has also conducted carry out research, for a fee, for the private sector. a survey of the centers to: He touched on key obstacles to collaboration, includ­ determine the extent and pattern of center in­ ing international property rights, restrictions on the ex­ volvement in biotechnology; change of plant genetic resources, restricted access to pri­ vate sector research data, the desire of the private sector determine the extent and pattern of present col­ to obtain proprietary rights on products developed by laboration between the centers and the private centers, and the lack of awareness in the private sector sector in general, and in the areas of biotechnol­ about the centers and the technologies they develop. ogy and genetic resources specifically; Priority areas for collaboration include: explore the scope for improving center-private sector-NARS interactions; and joint technology development; seek the advice of the centers on the future role development of transgenic products and pro­ and activities of the committee. cesses; He elaborated the results of the survey, which plant genetic resources conservation and evalua­ showed that center expenditures on biotechnology in tion; 1995 were about $23 million, equivalent to roughly 5 percent of global research and development expendi­ gene introgression; ture on agriculture biotechnology. The major focus of center biotechnology work is in the areas of crop pro­ seed technology; tection, crop and livestock disease detection, crop and livestock improvement, and crop propagation. Collabo­ information exchange and training; ration between centers and the private sector is more on general research and development than on biotech­ use of crop plants for non-conventional purposes; nology research and development. Examples were given of current collaboration. forest management for gene conservation; and Of the centers, CIAT, CIMMYT, ICRISAT, and IRRI harnessing the commercial potential of underutilized have the broadest involvement with the private sector. species. These centers collaborate with the private sector on the dissemination of technology to NARS. Mr. Agrawal The centers suggested, through the survey, that the pointed out that the private sector does provide grant committee’s future role and activities include: facilitat­ funding for general research and development, and ing the provision of biotechnology tools, markers, genes, that some centers have accepted grants from the pri­ and traits by the private sector to centers; advising cen­ vate sector. ters on legal matters and common policy questions; iden­ tifying promising areas of collaborative research; acting Only one center had a representative of the private as a coordinator in the area of plant genetic resources sector on its board of trustees. The committee urged conservation and use; suggesting individuals from the the centers to increase this representation in order to private sector for membership on center boards; and improve interaction between the CGIAR and the pri­ creating awareness about the international centers vate sector. among the private sector community. The committee was also asked to consider the issue of centers having To improve center-private sector-NARS interaction, licensing agreements with companies outside of their the committee suggested the establishment of national mandate regions. 63 The committee intends to develop a perspective He gave a broad overview of the declaration and paper on the current status and future needs of global plan of action, negotiated and agreed to by the partici­ agricultural research, in which myths about the private pating countries, which would be adopted at the Sum­ sector and public sector are brought out along with mit. He said that intense effort had been devoted to recommendations on how to bridge the gap. The com­ obtaining agreement on the text of each, as well as on mittee also proposes to convene a global, high-level the agenda, that negotiating among delegations was private sector conference involving chief executive of­ completed, and that the text was being finalized. The ficers of major firms engaged in agricultural research declaration, two-and-a-half pages in length, confirms and the principals of the CGIAR. the commitment of the heads of state and of govern­ ment to fulfill their responsibility vis-à-vis present and Mr. Agrawal emphasized that the need to make ag­ future generations in terms of food security, and to ricultural production more efficient than ever before implement the plan of action. The plan of action, thirty necessitates the forging of a global alliance of the cen­ pages in length, covers seven commitments to which ters, NARS, and the private sector. It will require mu­ countries subscribe. tual respect, trust, and understanding, and approaching global problems differently than in the past. The divi­ Mr. Carsalade briefly summarized each of the sion between the public and private sectors will dimin­ seven commitments, which he described as pertain­ ish in the coming years, he said, with each sector in­ ing to the following: economic, legal, and social creasingly drawing on the strengths of the other, bring­ development; physical access to food supply; durable ing the two ever closer. growth of production; international trade; preven­ tion of natural disasters and crises; public and pri­ Report on the World Food Summit vate investment; and international cooperation. He indicated that agricultural research falls under the FAO cosponsor representative Henri Carsalade third commitment, and noted the consistency between briefed the Group on the status of the World Food Sum­ the plan of action, the strategies of the CGIAR, and mit, to be held at FAO in Rome, Italy on November 13- the results of the Global Forum held in conjunction 17, 1996, to renew the commitment of the nations of with ICW96, notably that: research must be geared the world to ensuring food security. The Summit was toward eradicating poverty and promoting food se­ being convened, he said, to raise the awareness of the curity; there must be broad participation of local heads of state and of government of the enormous ef­ communities, farmers, foresters, fishermen, NGOs, fort that will be required in worldwide agriculture over and the private sector; equality must be promoted the next 30 years to meet global food needs, and to and production increased, while preserving the natu­ gain their renewed commitment to develop the cohe­ ral resource base; and this cannot be done without sive policies and cooperation needed to overcome glo­ international cooperation that includes all stakehold­ bal food insecurity. ers. The third commitment also expresses support for research, for NARS, for national research, and for He reported that over 100 heads of state and of the CGIAR. government had confirmed their participation in the Summit. Conferences had been held through which CGIAR Participation in the World Food the regions had given their viewpoints regarding the Summit problems of food security. As well, NGOs had gath­ ered at the regional level to contribute their views. Fif­ IFPRI Director General Per Pinstrup-Andersen teen technical publications were prepared by FAO in briefed the Group on the CGIAR’s participation in close cooperation with other UN agencies or special preparations for the World Food Summit. He indi­ partners. One of these, pertaining to research, was co­ cated that the FAO Food Security Committee had in­ authored by the CGIAR. Over 10,000 people were ex­ vited the CGIAR and IFPRI to participate in the World pected in Rome for the occasion, which would also Food Summit planning process, and that it was de­ feature sessions held in parallel to the Summit, includ­ cided, in consultation with the CGIAR Chairman and ing an NGO Forum and meetings of parliamentarians the Chair of the CDC, that IFPRI would represent the and youth groups, among others. CGIAR in these efforts. 64 IFPRI’s involvement included participation in plans for 1998 to 2000. Other topics examined were intersessional planning meetings, meetings of the Food genetic resources, biotechnology and biosafety, and the Security Committee, and pre-Summit meetings in a num­ potential for a CGIAR program in Central/Eastern Eu­ ber of countries, as well as reviewing most of the fif­ rope and the former Soviet Union. teen technical background papers, and contact with several country delegations. Genetic Resources While it had been extremely difficult to negotiate a Report on the FAO International Technical consensus among the countries on the declaration and Conference in Leipzig, Germany plan of action, he noted that the importance of agricul­ tural research and of appropriate technology had not FAO Director Stein Bie briefed the Group on the been a contentious issue. There was general agree­ Fourth FAO Technical Conference on Plant Genetic ment throughout the negotiations that agricultural re­ Resources held in Leipzig, Germany on June 17-23, 1996. search to generate appropriate technology must play a Delegates from some 150 countries and fifty-four orga­ key role. He then gave several illustrations of the draft nizations, including the CGIAR, attended the Leipzig language to indicate how research was represented in Conference. It was the culmination of a process started the declaration and plan of action. by the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in 1991 aimed at taking stock of the Mr. Pinstrup-Andersen said the World Food Summit current situation with respect to plant genetic resources was an extremely important event in the process of for food and agriculture and generating agreement on ensuring sustainable food security for all, and that the priority action required. The process involved 158 coun­ preparations for the Summit had already drawn a great try studies and some twelve regional and subregional deal of attention to the magnitude and nature of the meetings, which, together with inputs from a variety of problem and the urgency for action. He said the Sum­ technical meetings and electronic conferences, formed mit itself would further strengthen efforts to draw at­ the basis of two main documents considered at Leipzig: tention to the problems, and promote needed action. • The State of the World's Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture; and RESEARCH AGENDA • The Global Plan of Action for the Conservation Overview and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Re­ sources for Food and Agriculture. The rhythm of decisionmaking endorsed at the Lucerne Ministerial-Level Meeting and introduced at IPGRI played a major role in the preparation of both MTM95 requires that the research agenda and funding documents, and many other CGIAR centers were in­ requirements of any year be outlined during the Mid- volved both in the preparatory process and the confer­ Term Meeting of the preceding year; for example, at ence itself. MTM96 for 1997. This arrangement enables members to review the research agenda within their agencies and The Global Plan of Action covers four broad areas: in discussions with centers, TAC, and the CGIAR Secre­ in situ conservation; ex situ conservation; utilization; tariat between May and October, when a financing plan and institution and capacity building. A central role for for the following year is adopted at ICW. the CGIAR centers is foreseen in the Plan. Mr. Bie noted that the conference adopted the Leipzig Declaration, Additionally, at each ICW, the TAC Chair outlines which commits governments to take the necessary steps the main directions of proposed research strategy be­ to implement the Plan. Overall progress will be moni­ yond the following year. The proposed strategy is placed tored and guided by governments through the FAO within the context of overall research programming by Commission. The Conference of the Parties to the Con­ the CGIAR and its partners. At ICW96, the TAC Chair vention on Biological Diversity will consider the out­ reviewed research directions for 1998 and reported come of Leipzig at its third meeting to be held in Ar­ briefly on the process of preparing center medium-term gentina in November 1996. 65 Report from the Genetic Resources Policy Committee vice, which met in Montreal in September 1996, and will recommend that COP adopt the Global Plan of IPGRI Director General Geoffrey Hawtin pre­ Action at its meeting in November 1996. sented the report of the GRPC on behalf of Chair M. Agrobiodiversity featured prominently on the agenda S. Swaminathan. The report focused on latest devel­ as well. Mr. Hawtin underlined SBSTTA's increasing opments with regard to rapidly evolving national and politicization and the importance of the Conference of international policies governing genetic resources, and the Parties being informed by a truly technical body. recommended specific actions. The Committee also The GRPC, thus, urged CGIAR members to make their prepared a special statement—the Stockholm State­ national delegations to COP meetings aware of this ment—to highlight issues of fundamental importance if concern. the CGIAR is to continue to operate on the basis of free access and exchange of genetic resources. Draft Guiding Principles on Intellectual Property Pro­ tection of Genetic Resources. In addition to highlight­ Developments in FAO. The GRPC urged both the ing developments in international fora, Mr. Hawtin in­ centers and TAC to review the Global Plan of Action troduced, for the CGIAR's endorsement, draft guide­ carefully and use it as a source document in prepar­ lines for intellectual property protection of center ge­ ing and reviewing medium-term plans. The CGIAR's netic resources. The guidelines were based on an ex­ Systemwide Genetic Resources Program is analyzing tensive internal and external consultative process that the Plan for implications for the CGIAR and will make included centers, boards, and experts in the private sec­ this analysis widely available, including to the FAO tor and NGO community. The guidelines were devel­ Commission. In this connection, the GRPC recom­ oped to recognize changes that have taken place in the mended that the respective roles of intergovernmen­ last few years, such as the agreements with FAO and tal bodies in genetic resources policy, in particular the coming into force of the CBD, and would be con­ the FAO Commission, the CBD, and the CGIAR, tinually reviewed and amended subject to new changes should be addressed by the forthcoming CGIAR sys­ in legal and policy arenas. The principles relate not tem review. only to materials in center genebanks, but also materi­ als derived from and originating from materials in the At its next meeting in December 1996, the FAO genebanks. Commission will continue negotiations to bring the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources Other Issues. Mr. Hawtin noted that a Workshop on in line with the Convention on Biological Diversity. Ethics and Equity in the CGIAR's Use of Genetic The International Undertaking governs material in Resources for Sustainable Food Security will be the ex situ collections of centers that were placed held in April 1997 in Brazil. Centers and specialists under the auspices of FAO prior to the CBD. To will be invited to this workshop with the goal of facilitate the negotiations, FAO has prepared a sim­ developing guidelines for a code of conduct covering plified negotiating text concentrating on the scope such issues as biotechnology, biosafety, the trusteeship of the International Undertaking, access to plant ge­ of genetic resources, relationships with local and indig­ netic resources, and farmers' rights. IPGRI's study enous communities, and partnerships with the private on alternative systems of access, chain of benefits, sector. In the context of his progress report on the and transaction costs associated with the different Systemwide Genetic Resources Program, Mr. Hawtin options will be available to inform the Commission's drew attention to the GRPC's recommendation that the discussions in December. The GRPC recommended CGIAR determine the minimum, non-fungible funding that CGIAR members, where possible, inform their necessary for the system to meet its trusteeship role in negotiators of the importance of maintaining multi­ genetic resources stemming from its agreement with lateral approaches to access and benefit sharing of FAO and its obligation to the world community. genetic resources, particularly the major food crops. Biotechnology and Biosafety Convention on Biological Diversity. The Conference of the Parties to the CBD is served by a Subsidiary Due to the relevance of the subject matter to the Body on Scientific, Technical, and Technological Ad- CGIAR, Rockefeller Foundation representative Rob- 66 ert Herdt provided a brief progress report to the • Strong appreciation was extended to Mr. Hawtin Group on the panel of experts commissioned by Mr. and his staff for their excellent technical support Serageldin, in his capacity as a World Bank Vice Presi­ to the FAO Commission in informing negotia­ dent to advise him on issues related to biotechnol­ tions of the International Undertaking. ogy and biosafety of transgenic plants. The Chair of the distinguished panel is Mr. Henry Kendall, a Nobel • The introduction of a new multilateral system for Laureate and professor of physics at the Massachusetts plant genetic resources may have fundamental im­ Institute of Technology. Mr. Herdt is a panel member. plications for the future operations of the CGIAR. The panel, which is operating primarily via telephone The GRPC and IPGRI, in consultation with TAC and e-mail, has been assessing the potential of crop and IFPRI, should prepare an analysis of the strate­ biotechnology and its inherent risks in the context of gic choices the Group may have to make. world food supplies. Mr. Kendall is assembling an eminent group of specialists to review the panel's draft, • Sweden is considering hosting an informal interna­ and the panel's final report will be ready in a few months. tional consultation in early 1997 to focus on sui Until then, for anyone requiring practical and solid sci­ generis systems for intellectual property rights and entific information on biosafety issues, Mr. Herdt rec­ farmers' rights. ommended the World Bank publication, "Enabling the Safe Use of Biotechnology: Principles and Practice.” • The GRPC was urged to take into account new information about women and their role in ge­ Discussion netic resources control and ownership. Much of the discussion by the Group following the It was decided that: the current proposed Guiding three presentations focused on the draft Guiding Prin­ Principles should not be adopted as formal policy, but ciples on Intellectual Property Protection of Genetic Re­ rather accepted as an interim set of working guidelines sources. Although there was full agreement that the CGIAR that will be reviewed and revised to take into account must ensure and promote public access to germplasm changes occurring in various fora; legal and scientific ad­ research products, and manage these resources in the best vice should be sought as necessary, both from other parts interest of partners, including farmers, some concern was of the system, such as TAC and IFPRI, and from outside of expressed about endorsing the guidelines before the out­ the CGIAR; and dialogue with the FAO Commission should come of ongoing international negotiations, such as the continue. Given the complexity of the issues and the International Undertaking, is known. Several interven­ Group's need for informed input, the Committee's man­ tions suggested seeking legal advice as to the precise word­ date was renewed for another two years. ing of the document prior to its formal adoption. Others argued that, while they might take issue with particular CGIAR Collaboration in Central/Eastern wording, what was important was the intent of the text, Europe and the Former Soviet Union which is to inform debate rather than to preempt national sovereignty or preempt national delegations in their work. Final Report of the CGIAR Task Force on Central/ Further, the CGIAR should take the lead in this area of Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union social policy rather than waiting for others to do so and then follow. Task Force Chair Rudy Rabbinge presented the fi­ nal report of the Task Force on Central/Eastern Europe Other points made were: and the former Soviet Union to the Group. He reviewed the background to the formation of the Task Force, and • All members should consider carefully the impli­ elaborated on its approach and activities. cations for implementing the Global Plan of Ac­ tion, particularly with regard to funding. At the Lucerne Ministerial-Level Meeting in Febru­ ary 1995, the CGIAR’s future policy regarding the coun­ • Members should consider how to make a strong tries of Eastern/Central Europe and the former Soviet case at COPIII in Argentina for treating agro­ Union was reviewed. It was agreed by participants that biodiversity as a separate area of responsibility. the CGIAR would be encouraged to undertake research 67 in the region, provided that activities were not initiated the CGIAR should expand its mandated area to encom­ until a clear program of work had been established pass the region. These include: where the CGIAR had a distinct comparative advantage and until separate and additional funding had been se­ • There is a strong congruence between the agri­ cured. These preconditions were set forth in the Lucerne cultural research problems of the region and the Action Plan as follows: CGIAR’s comparative advantage in solving them. The CGIAR is encouraged to undertake re­ • The region represents 20 percent of global ar­ search in Eastern Europe and in countries able land, and less than 7 percent of the world’s of the former Soviet Union. However, as population. Through its involvement the CGIAR more than a marginal effort will be re­ can contribute to both global and regional food quired, such activities should be initiated security. only when a clear program of work where the CGIAR has a distinctive comparative • The situation in the region is comparable to that advantage has been established, and a of many parts of the developing world when the minimum level of separate and additional CGIAR was created. Agricultural production and funding has been secured. For this pur­ productivity is decreasing, poverty and malnutri­ pose, the CGIAR should establish a separate tion is becoming more serious, and problems of fund to ensure no diversion or dilution of natural resources conservation are not being dealt the current focus of responsibilities. The with sufficiently. In many countries, particularly CGIAR should carry out an analysis to de­ in the Central Asian and Caucasus Republics, per termine options for decisionmaking in this capita GNP levels are comparable to or even area of activity. In the meantime. contacts below those of the CGIAR’s traditional clients. with scientific establishments in that part of the world should be encouraged. • Agricultural research has an important role to play in the region’s economic and political stability. Accordingly, at ICW95, a Task Force was established Countries are underinvesting in agricultural re­ to explore what kind of program could be undertaken search and supporting services. Agricultural in­ by the CGIAR in the region, given the Lucerne precon­ stitutions have collapsed. If the national econo­ ditions. The Task Force studied potential opportuni­ mies, which are largely agriculturally based, are ties, the demand for CGIAR involvement from the re­ to grow, then agricultural research must be given gion, and the interest of the centers in increasing the higher national priority. level of their activity in the region, in order to deter­ mine a potential program of activity for the CGIAR in • Apart from the CGIAR, there appear to be few the region. As part of its investigation, the Task Force alternative sources of technical expertise that are held two consultations with NARS in the region; one in as relevant and available for rapid mobilization. Prague, the other in Tashkent, which built upon an earlier consultation held by ICARDA, also in Tashkent. As well, • If the CGIAR does not move to include this re­ the Task Force interacted with the centers, investigated gion, the costs of starting afresh will far exceed agricultural sector activities in the region financed by the the financing required in the immediate future World Bank,' and held many informal consultations. through the CGIAR. Through its analysis and consultations, the Task The Task Force noted the significant differences Force found that there were compelling reasons why among countries in the region, despite their unifying characteristic as economies in transition. Using human, physical, economic, and agroecological indicators, the 2 The results of this study are elaborated in the publication, Agricultural Task Force divided countries in the region into two Knowledge Systems in the Transitioning Economies: A Survey of World subgroups: Central/Eastern Europe; and Central Asia/ Bank Experiences, by Jitendra P. Srivastava and Christina Reinhard of the Bank's Agriculture and Natural Resources Department, issued Caucasus. The Task Force considered what the CGIAR’s by the CGIAR Secretariat in August 1996. specific approach should be related to each subgroup. 68 The Task Force concluded that there is a clear niche programs, and would facilitate linkages with the for CGIAR activity in the region, in both subgroupings CGIAR. of countries, and identified five levels of possible CGIAR activity—the first three for all countries; the fourth and Regarding specific projects and programs, the Task fifth for Central Asia/Caucasus only: Force deemed the following four to be of especially high priority; their annual cost would be about $5 mil­ 1. access to information; lion: 2. access to genetic resources; • development of sustainable agricultural produc­ tion in Central Asia (ICARDA); 3. transformation of national agricultural research systems; • wheat germplasm development for Central Asia/ Caucasus (CIMMYT); 4. intensification/realization of existing and poten­ tial CGIAR activities in the region; and • sustainable crop and forest genetic resources pro­ grams in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet 5. CGIAR strategy for the region. Union (IPGRI); and The Task Force made the following recommenda- • research on the evolution of the organization of tions: agricultural research in transition economies (ISNAR). • The Group should expand the geographic focus of the CGIAR to include Central/Eastern Europe Discussion and the former Soviet Union. The Group expressed its appreciation to the Task • Centers should strengthen existing linkages and Force for its excellent work and comprehensive report, develop programs with partners in the region, which it endorsed, and to the Netherlands for its finan­ coordinate their efforts, and develop a regional cial support. Mr. Vlk of the Czech Republic confirmed strategy for the CGIAR. Several centers have the region’s strong interest in working with the centers begun to work with the countries in the region, and urged the CGIAR to play an active role, even with most notably ICARDA, CIMMYT, and IPGRI. a limited amount of funding. Research institutes, labo­ Centers should appoint one center as CGIAR fa­ ratories, and staff, he said, suffer from a lack of re­ cilitator for Central Asia to coordinate efforts and sources and information. It was agreed that members minimize administrative and communication bur­ should consider how to fund the proposed priority ar­ dens on NARS. eas identified by the Task Force, with funding being truly additional. Such funding would be considered • CGIAR members and others should provide ad­ part of the agreed agenda, and projects would be sub­ ditional funding for these activities; however, the ject to rigorous review by TAC. The concept of con­ activities should be considered as part of the tracting arrangements between centers and institutes in CGIAR research agenda. Any new activities the region was highlighted as an innovative approach should be developed, approved, and financed to drawing on the enormous pool of talent available, following standard CGIAR policies and proce­ while providing much needed financial opportunities dures. to the scientific institutes. • NARS in the region should establish two regional 1998 Research Directions fora, to carry forward the momentum of the Prague and Tashkent consultations. The regional Report from the Technical Advisory Committee fora would promote dialogue and interaction among NARS on important regional concerns, TAC Chair Donald Winkelmann presented a report foster cooperation, and generate collaborative on the medium-term planning process for 1998 to 2000, 69 in which the centers and TAC are engaged. The me­ an additional $8 to 9 million in funding was re­ dium-term plans are being prepared by the centers quired to meet the minimum needs of those cen­ within a general framework of priorities and strategies ters facing financial gaps. As well, the World established at MTM96. It was recognized that TAC's Bank’s matching contribution was placed in jeop­ individual interaction with the centers on their medium- ardy as a consequence of the shortfall, raising the term plans might result in a fine-tuning of final priori­ possibility that a refund of part of the Bank’s contri­ ties for commodities and production sectors. TAC's cur­ bution would be required. rent interactions will, thus, focus on gaining informa­ tion that would influence priorities, in particular, changes Decisive action was taken by the Group at MTM96 in science that affect the probabilities of success and to avert a funding crisis. Three measures were used to changes in the circumstances of other potential suppli­ close the funding gap. First, monies were identified to ers. TAC also plans to ensure that the medium-term fund the agreed agenda through a redefinition and/or plans reflect a consideration of opportunities for the reclassification of funding currently in support of comple­ poor, especially rural females, and the use of the water­ mentary programs outside of the agreed agenda. Sec­ shed as an organizing concept for natural resources ond, during the course of MTM96, several members, management. most notably Denmark, mobilized additional resources at a level of about $5 million for centers facing the most Mr. Winkelmann also took the opportunity to raise severe funding shortfalls. Third, reserves previously two issues related to finances and TAC's role. First, he set aside at the start of this year were partially drawn pointed out that the time since MTM96 was inadequate down. Full access to the Bank’s matching contribution to put together a competitive grants program for 2 per­ was, thus, ensured. cent of the system's budget. Moreover, following dis­ cussions with the Center Directors, it was agreed that As a result of these efforts, a total rescue package the concept itself would benefit from further interac­ of $7.5 million for CIAT, ICRISAT, IITA, IRRI, and tion between TAC, the Finance Committee, and the cen­ CIMMYT was put together at MTM96. Mr. Petit reported ters. Second, he flagged the disparity that is emerging to the Group at ICW96 that the actual rescue package between bilateral negotiations and TAC's view of what would likely be on the order of $9 million based on is most consistent with the system's goals [elaborated in member response, and that the outcome for 1996 would paragraph two of the section below on the Financing be $300 million. Plan for the 1997 Research Agenda]. Financing Plan for the 1997 Research Agenda FINANCE Mr. Petit reported to the Group on the financing plan for the 1997 research agenda. He briefly reviewed 1996 Financing the decisionmaking cycle leading up to ICW96: ap­ proval of the agenda by the Group at MTM96; prepara­ Finance Committee Chair Michel Petit (World tion by centers, in consultation with members, of their Bank) briefed the Group on 1996 financing. He re­ financing plans during the months following MTM96; minded the Group of the events which had taken review of center financing plans by TAC in September; place at ICW95 and MTM96 with regards to 1996 fi­ and review of the aggregate financing plan by the Fi­ nancing. The Group had approved a financing plan nance Committee in October. of $300 million at ICW95. By MTM96, there was widespread concern that the agenda would be He then elaborated the evolution of the 1997 fi­ underfunded by approximately $20 million, while nancing plan. At MTM96, the Group approved a $300 some $47 million in funding remained outside of million indicative planning figure. The centers subse­ the agenda in support of complementary programs. quently prepared individual financing plans which to­ Funding shortfalls threatened several centers, in taled $328 million, including unidentified financing of particular the larger, older centers, placing these $18 million. In September, TAC endorsed the $328 mil­ centers at serious risk due to insufficient funding lion financing plan, pointing to the congruence between in 1996. The Finance Committee determined that the CGIAR’s priorities and the overall financing plan. 70 At the same time, TAC alerted the Finance Committee States. Mr. Petit urged other members with some to several issues stemming from a comparison of the flexibility to take similar action. financing plan to the approved agenda. These were: the underfunding of germplasm enhancement, under The allocation of World Bank funding in 1997 will the principal undertaking of increasing productivity; the be in accordance with the modified financing arrange­ underfunding of systemwide programs on livestock and ments agreed to at MTM96, taking into account that genetic resources, and the potential concern for the 1997 is a transition year to the full implementation of funding of the systemwide program on water; and the the modified financing arrangements in 1998. Of the contractions faced by the larger, older centers. $45 million in Bank funding, representing 15 percent of the agreed agenda, $26.6 million, or 9 percent, will be The Finance Committee interacted with members allocated on a matching basis in relation to the $295 prior to and during ICW96, leading to additional contri­ million in funding received from other members. Four butions for systemwide programs and for centers fac­ percent, or $12 million, will be for one-time-only pay­ ing funding reductions. The result of this interaction ments to help ease the transition to the modified fi­ was a financing plan of $331 million for 1997, which nancing arrangements of those centers that have been still included unidentified funding of $15 million (the particularly dependent in the past on World Bank fund­ reduction from $18 million was a result of deliberations ing. Of the remaining Bank funds, $0.5 million will between centers and members leading to firm financ­ finance CGIAR committees, $0.5 million a small grants ing). Indications were received from members of addi­ program, $0.2 million twenty-fifth anniversary expenses, tional, as yet unallocated, contributions totaling $9 mil­ and $5.2 million for reserves, which could be used to lion, leading to a prospective total financing plan of cover the remaining shortfalls faced by some of the $340 million. The Finance Committee recommended older centers, if additional contributions from members the Group take a prudent approach and adopt a financ­ do not fully cover this amount. Bank funds will be dis­ ing plan of $325 million (i.e., $340 million less the $15 bursed in two tranches. The first tranche will consist of million in unidentified funding), which could be ex­ the one-time payments and 50 percent of the matching panded to $340 million if the unidentified funding was funds. The second tranche, consisting of the remaining realized. matching funds and the reserve payments, will be au­ thorized at MTM97, based on a review of 1997 financ­ Mr. Petit very briefly reviewed the composition of ing by the Finance Committee. CGIAR financing, and the distribution of and sources of financing by center. Regarding investments in the Following Mr. Petit’s report, a number of interven­ five principal undertakings of the CGIAR, he noted tions were made by members. Switzerland announced that, at the aggregate level, the financing plan was that it would provide an additional 2 million Swiss francs very similar to the agreed agenda approved by the for system reserves. Sweden announced that in Sep­ Group, in terms of the distribution of funding across tember it had provided an additional 4 million Swedish undertakings. Although the overall funding situa­ krona to the CGIAR. Norway indicated the likelihood tion of the system was quite encouraging, he noted that it would contribute additional funds to the centers. that several centers were still facing difficulties. Ac­ The Asian Development Bank announced that its board tivities at a number of the centers had been reclassi­ would shortly consider a $5.2 million contribution in fied to bring funding into the agreed agenda, lead­ support of five centers in 1996, and $5.5 million for five ing to an apparent reduction in financial gaps. How­ centers in 1997. The African Development Bank an­ ever, activities associated with this funding forced a nounced that it would resume its support to centers in reduction in important ongoing activities, such as in 1997, and that the determination of resource allocation germplasm enhancement, as pointed out by TAC. was underway. Germany, however, reported that a cut Members responded positively to resolve this issue of 3-5 percent in its international agricultural research by providing additional funds. He announced a spe­ portfolio in 1997 was envisaged. cial contribution by Denmark of $4 million, over and above the $4 million in extraordinary funds an­ The Group adopted the report of the Finance Com­ nounced by Denmark at MTM96, and noted increases mittee on the financing plan for the 1997 research announced by the European Union and the United agenda, and approved a funding plan of $325 million 71 for the agenda. It was pointed out that this was not a including advanced research institutions and the pri­ ceiling, but a projection, and that individual centers were vate sector. not limited to their funding target level. It was recog­ nized that some severe adjustments would occur in four The review should be carried out by a panel of centers due to changes in levels of funding, and agreed seven individuals of international stature, supported by that members should give these centers special atten­ a secretariat and three working groups focusing on: tion in their additional allocations, as well as systemwide science; strategy and structure; and governance and fi­ programs on livestock and genetic resources. It was nances. Mr. Maurice Strong was unanimously named also agreed that there should be follow-through on the as potentially the most suitable panel chair that the question of integrating a program for Central Asia, with CGIAR could hope for. The stakeholder group urged additional financial support, into the agreed agenda. that the review panel should function as an indepen­ dent body, unconnected to any of the system’s compo­ Finance Committee Members nent elements. The panel would be expected to begin its task in the first half of 1997. A final report might be Following a nomination conducted by caucus of expected by MTM98. the membership, the European Community and Swe­ den were appointed as new members of the Finance It was noted that the last review took place over ten Committee, to replace departing members the Nether­ years ago. Mr. Serageldin encouraged members to send lands and the United Kingdom. The change will be to the CGIAR Secretariat their suggestions of potential effective at MTM97, when the composition of the Fi­ panelists and issues the review should address. Two nance Committee will be: World Bank (Chair), Austra­ interventions urged that the review give clue promi­ lia, Canada, Egypt, European Commission, Germany, nence to assessing the CGIAR's impact on poverty re­ IFAD, India, Japan, and Sweden. duction. The Group endorsed the recommendations of the GOVERNANCE stakeholder group. Proposals for a CGIAR System Review Impact Assessment and Evaluation Group Proposals and Report Mr. Serageldin briefed the Group on the delibera­ tions of a CGIAR stakeholder group on the proposed IAEG Chair James Peacock presented the report of system review. The group met immediately before ICW, IAEG to the Group. UNDP has become host agency to under his chairmanship, and consisted of cosponsors the IAEG, which was established to determine ex post and representatives of the system’s committees, includ­ (within the last 15 years) the extent to which the CGIAR ing the two partnership committees, and the IAEG. has achieved its goals with regard to impact on the Previous to the stakeholder meeting, the review was poor and on food security for the poor, and the extent also discussed by cosponsors, who reached essen­ to which it should alter its course based on the results tially the same conclusions as the broader stakeholder achieved. The IAEG, which consists of three commit­ group. Stakeholders endorsed plans for conducting a tee members and an operations manager, operates system review, and stressed that the review should be through a special committee of Center Directors chaired forward looking, with a review panel that consists of by CIAT Director General Grant Scobie. Mr. Peacock members having international credibility. The review applauded UNDP's interest in playing an active partici­ should examine the CGIAR’s role in the global agricul­ patory role. The IAEG will rely heavily on external tural research system, specifically how the CGIAR experts, which is consistent with the CGIAR's desire for should position itself in an evolving world situation credibility and independence. that foresees stronger national agricultural research capacities, where farmer associations and NGOs play The IAEG’s program has two objectives. One is to an increasingly important role, where questions of in­ strengthen ex post impact assessment capability of the digenous knowledge receive greater recognition, and centers. This will include designing common method­ where there is greater involvement with other actors, ologies for evaluation studies, including determining 72 what kinds of data should be collected, and the form in Technical Advisory Committee which they should be stored so they can be used in future evaluation studies. In addition, the IAEG is un­ TAC Chair Donald Winkelmann briefed the Group dertaking a number of independent studies and special on issues that were not raised in previous sessions. In projects that, over time, should amount to an evalua­ particular, he focused on deliberations of TAC70, held tion of the total fabric of the CGIAR's work. To estab­ in Cali, Colombia in July 1996. lish a benchmark, the IAEG is examining all recent ex post impact assessments carried out on center work, Priorities and Strategies mostly by centers. The unit will also investigate the impact of germplasm enhancement on production and At TAC70, TAC discussed the reaction of the Group productivity for many major crops, using a more tradi­ to its report on priorities and strategies and pursued tional economic analysis approach. In February 1997, several related issues, including how the CGIAR might at a workshop in Rome, a series of case studies will be identify and integrate sources of funding that are comple­ designed to look at factors affecting the adoption of mentary with center research. TAC also considered its different types of CGIAR innovations, such as new role in the broader effort to improve the measurement germplasm, a new technology used on-farm, and an of soil degradation and poverty. A study on marginal innovation in the animal production field. A study ex­ lands was commissioned by TAC that should help the amining the effect of the CGIAR on poverty reduction CGIAR improve criteria for assessing marginal lands. among poor people is also being initiated. Mr. Pea­ Mr. Winkelmann thanked the centers for the substantial cock pointed out that the unit will be working with input they provided for the study, which is being led both NARS and centers. However, to begin with, it will by Mr. Michael Nelson. focus primarily on the impact on farmers and poor people and will not attempt to analyze the distributive In addressing its role in the future external review path of technologies. process, TAC made progress in refining ground rules for internally commissioned external reviews. External Finance Committee reviews of IPGRI, ICRISAT, and ISNAR are underway. IRRI, CIFOR, and CIMMYT will be reviewed in 1997. Finance Committee Chair Michel Petit presented the An external review of IFPRI has been delayed, pending report of the committee to the Group. He indicated appointment of a panel chair. Other TAC studies un­ that the committee would ensure that funding for a derway or planned are a study of CGIAR commitments program in Eastern/Central Europe and the former in Latin America and a study by Mr. Michael Collinson Soviet Union is additional as agreed; however, the on ecoregional and systemwide initiatives. Mr. Committee will only begin to evaluate funding ar­ Winkelmann noted that TAC briefly debated CGIAR's rangements for such projects once proposals move role in generic activities as compared with location- into the pipeline. The committee also thought it specific activities. important to draw attention to a breach of process at MTM96, in which the CGIAR adopted a Finance Com­ Financing Issues mittee recommendation, and then shortly thereafter, altered it without formal referral to the committee. TAC's discussion on improving the analytical base Mr. Petit said that the committee understood the ur­ and activity framework for presenting the CGIAR's work gency that dictated the changes and agreed with their led to an offer from the Government of Germany to substance; however, it felt that, with better commu­ provide specialized expertise and to organize a work­ nication, the committee could have arrived at the shop in the first half of 1997. A number of participants same decision initially. Other issues covered by Mr. beyond TAC will be invited. TAC also agreed on a Petit included an explanation of the modified two- schedule and framework for interacting with centers tranche disbursement of the World Bank's contribu­ on their medium-term plans and on refining commod­ tion, problems associated with the transition to the ity priorities. With respect to the program implications new approach for some centers, and the committee's of funding shortfalls, Mr. Winkelmann said that TAC planned review of center financial management prac­ would be addressing the orientation of resources among tices. and within centers at its next meeting in March 1997. 73 Oversight Committee are to be available in January. Representation of women and the South on boards has improved, but Oversight Committee Chair Paul Egger presented could be even better. This holds true for representa­ the report of the committee to the Group. tion at center management and middle management levels, as well. Partnerships Due Diligence Partnerships have topped the committee's agenda since it was established. Thus, the committee was very The Oversight Committee commended WARDA for pleased to see the dynamic evolution in the CGIAR’s the way in which it handled the succession of the Di­ partnerships as evidenced in the Global Forum. It wel­ rector General. In the case of ICRISAT, which is at­ comed the Forum's contribution to the collective, world­ tempting to downsize a challenging program, the com­ wide effort on agricultural research in defining strate­ mittee suggested that ICRISAT's external review pro­ gies and modes of collaboration. With respect to the vide recommendations that are both specific to ICRISAT, institutionalization of priority setting, the committee but which might be used as potential lessons for the suggested that dialogue in regional fora could be better CGIAR system. linked to priority setting in subregions, ecoregions, and centers. Oversight Committee Members System Review The Oversight Committee elected Mr. Andrew Bennett (United Kingdom) to succeed Mr. Paul Egger The Oversight Committee, at the behest of the (Switzerland) as Chair, and elected Mr. Fernando CGIAR, facilitated the preparation of the CGIAR system Chaparro (Colombia) as Vice Chair. Ms. Mervat Badawi review. The committee will continue to comment ac­ (Arab Fund) and Mr. William Dar (the Philippines) were tively on the terms of reference, composition of the appointed as new members of the Oversight Commit­ panel, the process, and the intermediate products of tee, to replace departing members Mr. Paul Egger and the review. It will not assume a steering function, how- Mr. Cyrus Ndiritu (Kenya). ever. Once a team is in place, the committee recom- mended a stakeholder meeting be held with the panel The new composition of the Oversight Commit­ to ensure good interaction with the CGIAR's various tee, effective at the conclusion of ICW96, is: Mr. constituencies. The primary focus of the review should Andrew Bennett (Chair), Mr. Fernando Chaparro (Vice be the role of the CGIAR in meeting global research Chair), Mr. John Lewis (USA), Ms. Teresa Fogelberg and development challenges. (the Netherlands), Ms. Mervat Badawi, and Mr. Will­ iam Dar. CGIAR Governance Committee of Board Chairs In view of changes in the CGIAR, the Oversight Committee believes that TAC's strategic role in defining CBC Chair Wanda Collins reported that, in its two-day the CGIAR's priorities and allocating resources should meeting prior to ICW, the CBC met with the chairs of be revisited. The committee applauded most centers TAC, the Finance Committee, the CGIAR, and Center Di­ for adopting a participatory, corporate planning ap­ rectors. She highlighted three areas: board diversity; the proach in preparing their medium-term plans, involv­ systemwide review; and financial and program issues. ing their constituencies, new methodology, and techni­ cal advice on planning. Board Diversity Center Governance A major topic of debate within the CBC was how to build and maintain diverse and well-functioning boards, In consultation with the CBC and the Oversight recognizing that the range of perspectives boards need Committee, the CGIAR Secretariat developed to represent has become very wide. In addition to sci­ guidelines on the operations of center boards, which entific and management disciplines, boards need to rep- 74 resent the views of NARS, members, and the private process. He also thanked members for their continu­ sector. Seven of the center boards have 50 percent ing financial support. developing country membership; four others are just one member away. The CBC reaffirmed the impor­ Strategic Issues tance of improving board diversity; however, this will take a year or two due to the rate of turnover. Repre­ Preparation of the new priorities and strategies pa­ sentation of developing countries in leadership posi­ per and the medium-term planning process were high tions on boards is expected to follow in step. on the CDC's agenda. The implementation of the ma­ trix structure, Mr. Brader noted, has led to a certain System Review shift from unrestricted to restricted funding, resulting in less board and center autonomy over resource alloca­ The CBC stressed that the review should focus on tions. Over time this may also affect the role of TAC in the future and examine the actual and potential contri­ setting priorities. He said this trend merits careful moni­ bution of agricultural research to poverty alleviation. toring. In clarifying the roles and relationships among the com­ ponents of the CGIAR, the review should also consider CDC Committees the role of boards. Most of the CDC's work is carried out through com­ Financial and Program Issues mittees. The Committee on Intellectual Property Rights developed the proposed guiding principles The CBC recorded its concern that the underfunding on IPR. At the initiative of the Information Commit­ of systemwide programs may place demands on the tee, information exchange is being strengthened convening centers by forcing them to compensate for through the establishment of an integrated voice and shortfalls out of their own unrestricted funding. The data network. The Committee for Sustainability and CBC also drew attention to the continuing shift in funds the Environment is following a study on ecoregional from unrestricted sources to restricted sources. Mem­ programs commissioned by the CDC. The study, bers were urged to provide funds with as few restric­ which is supported financially by Switzerland, will tions as possible. Of more concern, however, Ms. Collins synthesize experience in research methods and part­ said, was the increasing trend to place constraints and nership arrangements. A report will be ready by conditions on unrestricted funds, which could put the MTM97. The Priorities and Strategies Committee has integrity and purpose of the CGIAR in jeopardy. The been actively involved in the priorities and strate­ CBC strongly endorsed a program and budgeting pro­ gies paper. Following the recommendations of a cess that reduces bureaucratic procedures required of Stripe Review on Roots and Tubers, an Inter-Center center management. With respect to TAC, the CBC sup­ Committee on Root and Tuber Crops Research has ports the increased emphasis of TAC on strategic mat­ also been established. ters and queried whether the TAC Secretariat has ad­ equate resources to cope with its tremendous workload. Other Issues Membership Mr. Brader pointed out that the organization cre­ ated by the centers to handle such administrative busi­ The CBC will experience a large turnover in the ness as salary payments was operating successfully and coming year, with six of the board chairs completing at half of the cost of previous arrangements. He also their terms. Ms. Collins was re-elected as chair and Ms. noted the CDC's constructive interactions with the NGO Martha ter Kuile was elected as vice-chair for the com­ and Private Sector Committees as well as the IAEG. ing year. In closing, he stressed that, while centers do their Center Directors Committee best to comply with frequent requests for all types of information, due to the dwindling human resources CDC Chair Lukas Brader expressed the CDC's grati­ available to centers, such requests draw heavily on the tude to the Chairman for his dedication to the renewal time available for basic research work. 75 OTHER BUSINESS Future CGIAR Meetings Public Awareness and Resource Mobilization Future CGIAR meetings will be held as follows: Committee 1997 MTM May 26-30 Cairo, Egypt PARC Chair Per Pinstrup-Andersen briefed the 1997 ICW Oct. 27-31 Washington, D.C., U.S.A. Group on the committee’s activities. PARC's mem­ bership consists of four Center Directors, the CGIAR 1998 MTM May 25-29 Brazil Executive Secretary, the Chair of the Finance Com­ 1998 ICW Oct. 26-30 Washington, D.C., U.S.A. mittee, a representative of the CGIAR membership, the Chair of the Public Awareness Association, and 1999 MTM May 24-28 To be determined experts in public awareness. The purpose of the 1999 ICW Oct. 25-29 Washington, D.C., U.S.A. committee is to help increase member confidence in the CGIAR and to expand the financial resource base through enhanced public awareness, coordinated CHAIRMAN’S CLOSING STATEMENT constituency building, and resource mobilization. PARC has met three times since ICW95. It works Mr. Serageldin highlighted the major themes that very closely with the center Information Officers, the emerged from the deliberations which took place dur­ CDC, and CGIAR Secretariat. ing the course of ICW96. He noted that the broad par­ ticipation of the CGIAR’s partners in ICW96 had re­ Mr. Andersen highlighted a number of initiatives sulted in a rich dialogue and a powerful integration of carried out under the auspices of PARC. An audit of ideas, leading to united action. The CGIAR’s partners CGIAR public awareness activities, funded by PARC and are now represented at almost every level of the CGIAR undertaken by the PAA, yielded critical yet valuable and their influence on decisionmaking is pervasive. The information about center public awareness activities and congruence of interests between the international de­ what could be improved. As a result, a training pro­ velopment community, overall, and the CGIAR was gram is being designed to help Center Directors, Infor­ manifest. mation Officers, and possibly other center staff interact with the media. A proposal by Mr. Julian Cribb for a The CGIAR was greatly privileged to have some of major public awareness campaign was presented at its former leaders present at ICW96 to honor twenty-five MTM96. The Center Directors subsequently decided to years of effort and achievement, as well as younger col­ commit substantial financial support to get the cam­ leagues who represent the future of the system. The paign off the ground. The World Bank has agreed to CGIAR’s tradition of scientific excellence was honored with provide office space. the recognition of the six World Food Prize laureates con­ nected with the CGIAR, and the awarding of the King Some important recent public awareness events Baudouin Award for outstanding center research and the include: collaboration with the Disney Corporation Chairman’s Excellence in Science Awards for outstanding on an extensive exhibit at the EPCOT Center at achievements by a promising young scientist, local pro­ DisneyWorlcl in Florida; exhibits at the Leipzig Con­ fessionals, and for scientific partnership. ference and recent CGIAR meetings; and participa­ tion in a Belgian CGIAR Day. Public awareness ac­ The presentations made by Center Directors dem­ tivities are planned for the World Food Summit and onstrated that centers are diversifying their research strat­ the International Crop Science Conference in New egies and forging new partnerships to creatively ap­ Delhi. A resource mobilization network, modeled proach the main thrusts of CGIAR research, with an on the PAA and consisting of a loose network of increasing emphasis on participatory approaches involv­ center staff who focus on that issue, has been cre­ ing farmers in the research process. ated. Mr. Pinstrup-Andersen noted that Mr. Hawtin would be the new Chair of PARC. Finally, he ex­ The Global Forum and its endorsement of a Decla­ pressed his special appreciation to center informa­ ration for Global Partnership in Agricultural Research tion officers for their exceptional efforts. represented a great step forward in global research co- 76 operation. The Global Foaim was a historic occasion efforts by a number of members, and Denmark in par­ in that it represented the first time that all actors en­ ticular, to increase levels erf funding. Some centers, gaged in agricultural research, including many impor­ however, particularly the older, larger centers, are still tant actors not previously recognized as part of the for­ facing funding shortfalls. Members were urged not to mal agricultural research system, came together to en­ allow shortfalls to erode the capacity of these centers. gage in a constructive dialogue, leading to the begin­ ning of coordinated action. The forthcoming system review will be strategic in nature, looking at future needs and helping to position The 1998 research agenda will be developed through the CGIAR in the emerging global agricultural research an interactive process between TAC and the centers. It system. Members of the review panel will be of the will need to take into account the challenges and op­ highest caliber, will hear the views of all stakeholders, portunities inherent in biotechnology developments, the and have the freedom to examine any aspect of the need for database creation, plant genetic resources is­ CGIAR system they choose. sues, and the agricultural potential of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. [The full text of the Chairman’s policy statements at ICW96, including his closing statement at the Business Financing for the 1997 research agenda is antici­ Meeting, is being published by the CGIAR Secretariat pated at $325 million, a measure of the extraordinary under separate cover.] 77 Section IV Annexes 79 Annex I International Centers Weeks 1996 Program [The Program that follows was distributed to participants prior to the commencement of ICW96. During the course of the week, some agenda items, their sequence, and the speakers as listed below were altered. These changes are reflected in the Summary of Proceedings which precedes this annex.] OVERVIEW1 Full details about all ICW96 activities are described in the customary Schedule of Events, circulated in ad­ International Centers Week 1996 (ICW96) will vance of ICW96. A separate Annotated Agenda has been cover five and a-half days, and will consist of the fol­ issued as well. lowing four closely linked components: • commemoration of the twenty-fifth anniversary 25th Anniversary Day of Commemoration of the CGIAR (one day); Monday, October 28, 1996 • a Centers Forum on the substance of current and A program to honor CGIAR stalwarts of the past future research (one day); and present, celebrate twenty-five years of effort and achievement, strengthen partnerships, and look to the • a Global Forum that will bring together the vari­ future. Excellence in Science Awards will be presented ous components of the global agricultural research to center scientists and their partners. A major event of system (one-and-a-half days); and the commemoration will be the Sir John Crawford Me­ morial Lecture, to be delivered by Mr. Maurice F. Strong, • the CGIAR Business Meeting (two days). a founding member of the CGIAR. Other special guests will include participants in the key initial events of the These four components have been planned and CGIAR, such as the Bellagio meetings and the first for­ timed to provide for seamless transitions. The agenda mal meeting of the CGIAR on May 19, 1971. for each of the four events, as outlined briefly below and described on the following pages, will provide op­ portunities for CGIAR members and stakeholders to Centers Forum review the past and prepare themselves to confront the Tuesday, October 29, 1996 challenges of the future. Reflecting the “Spirit of A Centers Forum, at which Center Directors will Lucerne,” collaboration between the CGIAR and its part­ present the highlights of current research, assess future ners will be further developed through the events of research needs, and outline what they have in the pipe­ ICW96. line for meeting these needs. The Forum will build on A CGIAR Technology Exhibit will be on display last year’s widely welcomed innovation of a day dedi­ cated to centers at ICW. It will approach research chal­ in the foyer of the World Bank’s “H” Building during lenges from a regional perspective, thus leading into ICW96. Participants are encouraged to visit this show­ the next day’s synthesis of global research issues. case of center achievements. Global Forum Wednesday, October 30-Thursday, October 31,1996 1 Individuals listed in the following program have been invited to participate in the program as indicated. While most have already accepted, please note that not all invited guests have confirmed A Global Forum, at which representatives of the their participation. various components that form the evolving global agri- 81 cultural research system—NARS, NGOs, the private sec­ CGIAR Business Meeting tor, advanced research institutions, and international cen­ Thursday, October 31-Saturday, November 2,1996 ters—will explore the needs and opportunities for agri­ cultural research, the scope for collaboration, and practi­ A two-day CGIAR Business Meeting, which will cal measures to strengthen partnerships. The Forum is focus on research directions and the financing plan for expected to culminate in the adoption of a Declaration the 1997 research agenda, as well as on action require­ and Action Plan for Global Partnership in Agricultural ments based on the Declaration and Action Plan to be Research, which will be presented to the World Food Sum­ adopted at the Global Forum. mit in November by CGIAR Chairman Ismail Serageldin. 82 TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY DAY OF COMMEMORATION AGENDA MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1996 09:00-11:00 Session I: The CGIAR—A Celebration • Welcome by the Session Chair Ismail Serageldin, CGIAR Chairman • Opening Statement James D. Wolfensohn, President, The World Bank Group • Introduction to the Sir John Crawford Memorial Lecture Celia Castillo, Past Chair, CIP • Sir John Crawford Memorial Lecture: “Looking Back and Looking Forward” Maurice F. Strong, Senior Advisor to the President of The World Bank Group • Questions and Answers • Slide Presentation: “Research in the Service of the Poor” 11:00-11:30 Coffee Break 11:30-13:00 Session II: Taking Stock for the Future • Introduction by the Session Chair Carlos Zulberti, Cosponsor Representative, UNEP • Tributes to CGIAR Leaders, Past and Present Ismail Serageldin • Roundtable Discussion Past CGIAR Chairmen and other distinguished CGIAR alumni 13:00-14:30 Lunch Break 14:30-16:00 Session III: Challenges and Opportunities • Introduction by the Session Chair Henri Carsalade, Cosponsor Representative, FAO • Address: “Science in the CGIAR—Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow” Gurdev Khush, Head, Rice Breeding Program, IRRI • Comments from Meeting Participants • Summation Ntombana Regina Gata, Ministry of Agriculture, Zimbabwe 16:00-16:30 Coffee Break 83 16:30-17:00 Session IV: Ensuring Scientific Excellence • Introduction by the Session Chair Roberto Lenton, Cosponsor Representative, UNDP • Presentation of the King Baudouin Award Donald Winkelmann, Chair, TAC • Launching of the Chairman’s Excellence in Science Awards Remarks by Wanda Collins, Chair, Committee of Board Chairs, and Lukas Brader, Chair, Center Directors Committee • Presentation of Awards Ismail Serageldin 17:00-17:30 Session V: Beyond 25—Moving Ahead • Introduction by the Session Chair M. Sujayet Ullah Chowdhury, Executive Chairman, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council • Commemorative Address: “Into the Future” Ismail Serageldin 18:30-20:30 Reception hosted by the CGIAR Chairman 84 CENTERS FORUM The CGIAR at 25: Focus on Regional Challenges AGENDA2 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1996 08:30-10:00 Session I: Sub-Saharan Africa • Introduction by the Session Chair Joseph Mukiibi, Chairman, Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in East and Central Africa (ASARECA) • Center Presentations Lukas Brader, Director General, ILEA James Ryan, Director General, ICR1SAT Eugene Terry, Director General, WARDA Pedro Sanchez, Director General, ICRAF • Discussion • Summation by the Session Chair 10:00-10:30 Coffee Break 10:30-12:00 Session II: Asia • Introduction by the Session Chair William Dar, Chaiiperson, Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAAR1) • Center Presentations George Rothschild, Director General, IRR1 Timothy Reeves, Director General, CIMMYT Hank Fitzhugh, Director General, ILR1 Meryl Williams, Director General, ICLARM • Discussion • Summation by the Session Chair 12:00-14:00 Lunch Break 14:00-15:30 Session III: Latin America and the Caribbean • Introduction by the Session Chair Fernando Chaparro, Chairman, Executive Committee, Regional Forum for Agricultural Research in Latin America and the Caribbean 2 Each session has been scheduled for one and a-half hours, of which 40 minutes will comprise center presentations, followed by 50 minutes of discussion. The 40 minutes allotted to center presentations will provide time for each of the four centers indicated to make a brief, 10 minute presentation during the session. 85 • Center Presentations Grant Scobie, Director General, CIAT Jeffrey Sayer, Director General, CIFOR Hubert Zandstra, Director General, CIP Per Pinstrup-Andersen, Director General, IFPRI • Discussion • Summation by the Session Chair 15:30-16:00 Coffee Break 16:00-17:30 Session IV: West Asia and North Africa • Introduction by the Session Chair Abdelaziz Arifi, President, Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa (AARINENA) • Center Presentations Adel El-Beltagy, Director General, ICARDA Christian Bonte-Friedheim, Director General, ISNAR Geoffrey Hawtin, Director General, IPGRI David Seckler, Director General, IIMI • Discussion • Summation by the Session Chair 86 GLOBAL FORUM Toward Global Partnership in Agricultural Research AGENDA WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1996 08:30-10:30 Opening Session • Welcoming Remarks Ismail Serageldin, CGIAR Chairman • Introduction by the Global Forum Chair Fawzi Al-Sultan, President, IFAD Needs and Opportunities for Agricultural Research: NARS Perspectives and Regional Dimensions • Asia and Pacific R. S. Paroda, Executive Secretary, Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAAR1) • Latin America and the Caribbean Jorge Rondo, Member, Executive Committee, Regional Forum for Agricultural Research in Latin America and the Caribbean • Sub-Saharan Africa Joseph Mukiibi, Chairman, Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in East and Central Africa (ASARECA) • West Asia and North Africa Abdelaziz Arifi, President, Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa (AARINENA) • Central Asia and Eastern Europe Josef Vlk, CGIAR Regional Representative, Europe 10:30-11:00 Coffee Break 11:00-12:30 Needs and Opportunities for Agricultural Research: Perspectives from Partners • NGOs Robert Blake, Chair, NGO Committee • Private Sector Carol Amaratunga, Member, Private Sector Committee • Advanced Research Institutions Nobuyoshi Maeno, Director General, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) • CGIAR Donald Winkelmann, Chair, TAC 87 12:30-14:00 Lunch Break 14:00-15:30 Exploring Avenues for Collaboration: Parallel Sessions on Key Research Themes3 • Session I: Biotechnology • Session II: Genetic Resources Conservation and Utilization • Session III: Ecoregional Research (Managing the Natural Resource Base) • Session IV: Public Policy and Institutional Strengthening 15:30-16:00 Coffee Break 16:00-17:00 Exploring Avenues for Collaboration: Key Research Themes (continued) • Reports from Parallel Sessions Session Chairs 17:00-17:30 Operational Dimensions of Strengthening Global Partnerships • Presentation of Paper4: “Plan of Action for Strengthening Global Agricultural Research: the NARS Perspective” Fernando Chaparro, Chair, NARS Global Steering Committee • Discussion focusing on: —priorities —need for common systems —organization —financing THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1996 08:30-10:30 Operational Dimensions of Strengthening Global Partnerships (continued) 10:30-11:00 Coffee Break 11:00-12:00 Toward a Global Action Plan for Research Partnership: From Shared Vision to Action • “Declaration and Action Plan for Global Partnership in Agricultural Research” Global Forum Drafting Committee • Conclusions of the Global Forum Fawzi Al-Sultan, President, IFAD • Looking Ahead Ismail Serageldin, CGIAR Chairman 3 Each session will have two to three panelists, a session chair, and a rapporteur, to be selected from among the participants. Each panelist will make a five-minute presentation on partnership opportunities related to the session theme. Discussion will follow. 4 This paper was prepared by a working group comprising the representatives of the regional fora for Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Pacific, West Asia and North Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean. 88 CGIAR BUSINESS MEETING DRAFTAGENDA THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1996 14:00-15:30 Opening Session • Chairman’s Opening Statement Ismail Serageldin • Chairman’s Announcements • Adoption of the Agenda Partnerships • Report from the Global Forum Fawzi Al-Sultan, Chair, Global Forum • Program Proposals from the NGO Committee Robert Blake, Chair, NGO Committee • Program Proposals from the Private Sector Committee Alejandro Rodriguez, Co-Chair, Private Sector Committee • CGIAR Participation in the World Food Summit Per Pinstrup-Andersen, Director General, IFPRI • Discussion 15:30-16:00 Coffee Break 16:00-17:30 Partnerships (continued) FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1996 08:30-10:30 Research Agenda • Genetic Resources: Genetic Resources Policy Committee (GRPC) Report on the FAO International Technical Conference held in Leipzig, Germany Geoffrey Hawtin, Director General, IPGRI (on behalf of GRPC Chair M. S. Swaminathan) • Biotechnology and Biosafety Details to be confirmed • CGIAR Collaboration in Central/Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union Rudy Rabbinge, Chair, CGIAR Task Force on Central/Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union • 1998 Research Directions Donald Winkelmann, Chair, Technical Advisory Committee 10:30-11:00 Coffee Break 11:00-12:30 Research Agenda (continued) 89 12:30-14:00 Lunch Break 14:00-15:30 Finance • Financing Plan for the 1997 Research Agenda Michel Petit, Chair, Finance Committee 15:30-16:00 Coffee Break 16:00-17:30 Governance • Proposals for a CGIAR System Review CGIAR Stakeholder Group SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1996 08:30-10:30 Governance • Impact Assessment and Evaluation Group (IAEG) Proposals and Report James Peacock, Chair, IAEG • Reports from: —Oversight Committee —Finance Committee —Technical Advisory Committee —Committee of Board Chairs —Center Directors Committee 10:30-11:00 Coffee Break 11:00-12:30 Other Business • Report from the Public Awareness and Resource Mobilization Committee (PARC) Per Pinstrup-Andersen, Chair, PARC • Future CGIAR Meetings Chairman’s Closing Statement 90 Annex II List of Documents DOCUMENT NUMBER DOCUMENT TITLE ICW/96/01 Administrative Arrangements and Participant Registration ICW/96/02/Rev List of Documents and Publications ICW/96/03/Rev Schedule of Events ICW/96/04/Rev Annotated Agenda ICW/96/05 1997 Financing Plan (Text of audio/visual presentation by Finance Committee Chair) ICW/96/06 Report of the CGIAR Task Force on Central/Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union ICW/96/07 Report of the CGIAR Genetic Resources Policy Committee ICW/96/08 Draft Terms of Reference of the Systemwide Review of the CGIAR ICW/96/GF/01 Plan of Action for Strengthening Global Agricultural Research: The NARS Perspective ICW/96/GF/02 The Needs and Opportunities of International Agricultural Research from the Perspective of an Advanced Research Institution ICW/96/GF/03 The Needs and Opportunities for Agricultural Research from the Perspective of a Non-Governmental Organization ICW/96/GF/04 The Needs and Opportunities for Agricultural Research from the Perspective of the Private Sector ICW/96/GF/05 The Needs and Opportunities for Agricultural Research from the Perspective of the CGIAR ICW/96/GF/06 The Needs and Opportunities for Agricultural Research from the Perspective of Asia-Pacific ICW/96/GF/07 The Needs and Opportunities for Agricultural Research from the Perspective of Latin America and the Caribbean ICW/96/GF/07a The Needs and Opportunities for Agricultural Research from the Perspective of Latin America and the Caribbean ICW/96/GF/08 The Needs and Opportunities for Agricultural Research from the Perspective of Sub-Saharan Africa ICW/96/GF/09 The Needs and Opportunities for Agricultural Research from the Perspective of West Asia and North Africa ICW/96/GF/10 The Needs and Opportunities for Agricultural Research from the Perspective of Central and Eastern Europe 91 Annex III List of Participants CHAIRMAN Lindsay Falvey Dean Ismail Serageldin Agriculture, Forestry, and Horticulture Vice President University of Melbourne The World Bank Group Alex Buchanan Executive Director DELEGATIONS OF CGIAR MEMBERS Crawford Fund African Development Bank (AfDB) Gabrielle Persley National Manager A. Sangowawa Biotechnology Vice President Australian Trade Commission (AUSTRADE) Akililu Afework Austria Senior Agricultural Economist Alfred Just Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development Counselor Federal Ministry of Finance Mervat Wahba Badawi Deputy Director Ralph Gretzmacher Technical Department Head Agronomy Department Asian Development Bank (ADB) University of Agriculture Muhammad A. Mannan Bangladesh Manager Forestry and Natural Resources Division M. Sujayet Ullah Chowdhury Agriculture and Social Sector Department Executive Chairman (Region East) Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council Australia Belgium Robert Clements Kris Panneels Director Head of Service Australia Centre for International Agricultural United Nations and Associated Organizations Research (ACIAR) Belgian Administration for Development Cooperation (BADO Ian Bevege Principal Adviser ACIAR 93 Luc Sas Colombia CGIAR Officer BADC Alvaro Uribe Director Tomas Lievens Agricultural Policies Adviser of the Secretary of State for Ministry of Agriculture Development Cooperation Luis Fernando Chaparro Osorio Brazil Director General Institute Colombiano para el Desarrollo de la Alberto Duque Portugal Ciencia y la Technologia President Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuària Luis Arango (EMBRAPA) Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture Jamil Macedo Fernando Barberi International Advisor Director EMBRAPA Fundacion para las Investigaciones Agroeconomicas y Sociales (FUNDAGRO) Francisco J. B. Reifschneider Head of International Cooperation Denmark EMBRAPA Ebbe Schioler Canada Adviser Danish International Development Assistance Carolyn McAskie (Danida) Vice President Canadian International Development Agency Egypt (CIDA) Saad Zaki Nassar Ernest Loevinsohn Director Director General Agricultural Research Centre Food Aid Program Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation (MALR) Iain C. MacGillivray Senior Policy Advisor Fathy El Sehely CIDA Director General of Communication MALR Ralph E. Cotterill Consultant European Commission (EC) CIDA Anton J. Reithinger Bruce Kirk Head of Division Agriculture Canada Willem Van Vuure China Executive Secretary European Initiative for Agricultural Research for Renan Zhuang Development (EIARD) Second Secretary Embassy of the People’s Republic of China Alain Gilles Derevier Senior Adviser 94 Finland Jurgen Friedrichsen Division Head Armi Heinonen International Agricultural Research Minister-Counselor German Agency for Technical Cooperation Embassy of Finland (GTZ) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Ekkehard Kuerschner Nations (FAO) Coordinator International Agricultural Research Henri Carsalade German Council for Tropical and Subtropical Assistant Director General Agricultural Research (ATSAF) Sustainable Development Department Erhard Kruesken Stein W. Bie Director Director German Foundation for International Research Extension and Training Division Development (DSE) Sustainable Development Department Alonso Rodriquez Ford Foundation Officer Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and E. Walter Coward, Jr. Development (BMZ) Director India Deborah Merrill-Sands Consultant R. S. Paroda Director General Charles Bailey Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Representative in Nairobi Indonesia France P. Natigor Siagian Gilles Saint-Martin Agricultural Attaché Chargé de Mission Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia Ministry of National Education, Higher Education, and Research Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Odile Pomarède-Jouanneau Ruben G. Echeverria Chargée de Mission Senior Agricultural Economist Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hugo Villarroel Rolland Guis Agricultural Specialist Chargé de Mission Ministry of Cooperation Jochen A. W. Lange Economist Germany International Development Research Centre H.-Jochen de Haas (IDRC) Head Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Keith A. Bezanson Development (BMZ) President 95 Joachim Voss Japan Research Manager Kunio Nakamura Hugo Li-Pun Assistant Director Chief Scientist International Organization Division Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs William Edwardson Senior Program Specialist Nobuhiko Kaho Deputy Director Patricia Thompson International Cooperation Planning Division Program Officer Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries International Fund for Agricultural Development Masahisa Nakano (IFAD) International Research Coordinator International Research Division Fawzi Al-Sultan Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Research President Council Secretariat Abdelmajid Slama Nobuyoshi Maeno Director Director General Technical Advisory Division Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) Shantanu Mathur Technical Adviser Shigeyuki Kawahara International Research Coordinator Cheikh Sourang Research Information Division Project Controller JIRCAS John F. A. Russell Kenya Consultant Cyrus Ndiritu Ireland Director Kenyan Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) Martin Greene Counselor Fredrick M. Odok Irish Aid Deputy Director Department of Foreign Affairs Agriculture Ministry of Agricultural, Livestock Development, Nick G. Chisholm and Marketing Development Cooperation Division Department of Foreign Affairs Korea Italy Jin K. Jung Deputy Director Elisabetta Gurrieri Rural Development Administration (RDA) Economic Adviser Ministry of Foreign Affairs Moo-Nam Chung Director General Gioacchino Carabba Farm Management Bureau Agricultural Adviser RDA Ministry of Foreign Affairs 96 Luxembourg Norway Jerome Hamilius Inge Nordang Assistant to Executive Director Head of Division (IMF/World Bank) Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Finance Ruth Haug Mexico Director of Research Agricultural University of Norway Jorge Rondo Director General Pakistan Institute Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales y Agropecuarias (INIFAP) Zafar Altaf Additional Secretaiy Rodrigo Aveldano Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Livestock INIFAP The Philippines Santiago Bedolla INIFAP William D. Dar Executive Director The Netherlands Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resources Research and Development Teresa Fogelberg (PCAARD) Head Research Programme Rockefeller Foundation Ministry of Foreign Affairs Robert W. Herdt Hans Slot Director Research Programme Agricultural Sciences Ministry of Foreign Affairs Gary H. Toenniessen Henri Jorritsma Deputy Director Senior Project Officer Agricultural Sciences Environment Programme Ministry of Foreign Affairs South Africa Francois J. van der Merwe Nigeria Director General Department of Agriculture Bukar Shaib Chairman Michael C. Walters National Advisory Committee on Agricultural Director Research (NARCA) Plant Protection Institute Federal Ministry of Agriculture Agricultural Research Council Adamu Aliyu Jocelyn Webster Director Manager Department of Agricultural Sciences Marketing and International Relations Federal Ministry of Agriculture CSIR Mariana Purnell Counselor for Agricultural Science Embassy of South Africa 97 Spain Ian H. Haines Deputy Chief Jesus Miranda de Larra Natural Resource Adviser Director General ODA Agricultural Research Institute (INIA) Roger G. Poulter Jesus Sanz Senior Natural Resources Adviser Director ODA Spanish Agency for International Cooperation John Perfect Eloy Ramos Director Designate Deputy of Inv. Affairs Natural Resources Institute INIA Malcolm lies Sweden Natural Resources Institute Goran Hedebro United Nations Development Programme Head of Division (UNDP) Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) Roberto L. Lenton Director Ulla Andren Sustainable Energy and Environment Division Deputy Head of Division (SEED) SIDA Chinwe M. Dike Carl-Gustaf Thornstròm Project Management Officer Senior Research Adviser UNOPS SIDA Sissel Ekaas Switzerland Deputy Director Office for Desertification and Drought Paul A. Egger SEED Head Agricultural Division Frank J. Hartvelt Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Director (SDC) Water Programme SEED Jurg Benz Deputy Head Philip Reynolds Agricultural Division Senior Program Officer SDC SEED Peter Trutmann Shubh K. Kumar Range Executive Manager Senior Technical Advisor Swiss Centre for International Agriculture SEED United Kingdom Ralph Schmidt Acting Director Andrew J. Bennett NRMU/SEED Chief Natural Resources Adviser Overseas Development Administration (ODA) 98 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Robert Bertram CGIAR Program Coordinator Reuben Olembo Office of Agriculture and Food Security Deputy Executive Director USAID Franklin Cardy Dana Dalrymple Executive Coordinator, Natural Resources Research Advisor and Director, Land Office of Agriculture and Food Security USAID Barry Henricksen Deputy Assistant Executive Director Christine Bergmark Environment, Information, and Assessment Science Advisor Division Office of Agriculture and Food Security USAID Svria Tveitdal Director Carole Levin UNEP/Global Resource Information Database Management Advisor (GRID) Office of Agriculture and Food Security USAID Otto Simonett Program Manager Harry Rea UNEP/GRID Aquatic Resources Advisor Office of Agriculture and Food Security United States of America USAID Sally Shelton William F. Sugrue Assistant Administrator Director Bureau for Global Programs, Field Support, and Office of Environment and Natural Resources Research Center for Environment United States Agency for International Global Bureau Development (USAID) USAID Walter Bollinger Curtis Nissly Deputy Assistant Administrator Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Economic Growth Center Office of Environment and Natural Resources Global Bureau USAID USAID Curt Reintsma John V. Lewis Chief Director Productive Sector Growth and Environment Office of Agriculture and Food Security Division Economic Growth Center Bureau for Africa Global Bureau USAID USAID World Bank Harvey Hortik Chief Michel J. Petit Sustainable Technology Division Director Office of Agriculture and Food Security Agricultural Research Department (ESDAR) USAID 99 Cees de Haan Representing Europe (the Czech Republic and Acting Division Chief Estonia) Agriculture and Forestry Agriculture and Natural Resources Department Josef Vlk (AGR) Head of Department Czech Agrarian Chamber Gary Alex The Czech Republic Adviser ESDAR Toivo Palm Head of Department Russell Freed Estonian Ministry of Agriculture Adviser Tallinn, Estonia ESDAR Representing Latin America and the Caribbean Uma Lele (Chile and El Salvador) Adviser ESDAR Francisco Roberto Arias Milla Centro de Tecnologia Agricola (CENTA) Henri Rouille d’Orfeuil Ministry of Agriculture Adviser San Andres, El Salvador ESDAR Representing Middle East and North Africa Gunter Steinacker (Egypt and Iran) Adviser ESDAR Abdel-Salam A. Gomaa Director Representing Africa (Ghana and Zimbabwe) Agriculture Research Centre Egypt Japhet Christian Norman Deputy Director General Council for Scientific and Industrial Research CGIAR SECRETARIAT (CSIR) Accra, Ghana Alexander von der Osten Executive Secretary Ntombana Regina Gata Director Department of Research and Specialized ADVISORY BODIES AND PARTNERSHIP Services COMMITTEES Ministry of Agriculture Harare, Zimbabwe Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Representing Asia and the Pacific (Malaysia and Donald L. Winkelmann Nepal) Chair Saharan Haji Anang Barbara !. Harrelson Deputy Director General Assistant to the TAC Chair Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) Edward F. Henzell Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Member Maria José de O. Zimmermann Member 100 TAC Secretariat Private Sector Committee Shellemiah Okoth Keya Andreas J. Buchting Executive Secretary Co-Chair Guido Gryseels Alejandro Rodriguez Graue Deputy Executive Secretary Co-Chair Impact Assessment and Evaluation Group (IAEG) Pramod Kumar Agrawal Member W. James Peacock Chair Assia Bensalah Alaoui Member Eugenia T. Muchnik Member Carol Amaratunga Member Tim Healy Adviser Sam Dryden Member NGO Committee John M. Preston Robert O. Blake Member Chair Miguel Altieri INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH Member (Chair Designate) CENTERS Kamla Chowdhry Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical Member (CIAT) Bernd V. Dreesmann Robert D. Havener Member Chair Yolanda Kakabadse Grant M. Scobie Member Director General Jeffrey A. McNeely Jacqueline Ashby Member Director Natural Resources Jeanot Minila Mfou’ou Member Fritz Kramer Director Didier M. Pillot Finance and Administration Member Rafael Posada Ranil Senanayake Director Member Regional Cooperation Nikhil P. Dehejia Nathan Russell Program Coordinator Scientific Writer 101 Aart Van Schoonhoven David A. Hoisington Director Director Genetic Resources Applied Biotechnology Center Rupert Best Prabhu L. Pingali Leader Director Cassava Program Economics Program Center for International Forestry Research Linda Gardner Ainsworth (CIFOR) Head Visitors and Conference Service Bo Bengtsson Chair Anne S. Acosta Donor Relations Officer Jeffrey Sayer Director General Larry W. Harrington Manager Dennis P. Dykstra Natural Resources Deputy Director General Research Leslie Rose Public Awareness Officer Norman A. MacDonald Deputy Director General Centro Internacional de la Papa (CIP) Administration Martha ter Kuile Bambang Soekartiko Chair Director External Relations Hubert G. Zandstra Director General Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maiz y Trigo (CIMMYT) José Valle-RiestraDeputy Director General Walter Falcon Finance and Administration Chair Peter Gregory Deputy Director General V. L. Chopra Research Board Member Edward Sulzberger Timothy G. Reeves Senior Adviser to the Director General Director General Cecilia Lafosse Roger Rowe Chief Designer Deputy Director General Communications Department Research Gregory Scott Claudio K. Cafati Program Leader Deputy Director General Administration and Finance International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA) Tiffin D. Harris Director Alfred Bronnimann External Relations Chair 102 Adel El-Beltagy Bruce Scott Director General Deputy Director General Mohan C. Saxena Roger Leakey Research Coordinator Director Research Mahmoud Solh A/Director Anne Marie Izac International Cooperation Coordinator Strategies and Policies John E. Noisette Director Raymond Rowe Finance and Administration Alternatives to Slash-and-Burn (ASB) Coordinator Nourallah Houda Administrative Officer International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM) Hans-Jurgen von Maydell Chair John L. Dillon Chair Hilda M. Tadria Board Member KurtJ. Peters Board Member James G. Ryan Director General Meryl J. Williams Director General Kwame Akuffo-Akoto Director Peter R. Gardiner Finance Deputy Director General Yeshwant Laxman Nene Marian Fuchs-Carsch Deputy Director General Director External Relations Don E. Byth Associate Director General Susan C. Bonetto Research Associate Director General Inder Pal Abrol Joanna Kane-Potaka Facilitator Program Leader Rice-Wheat Consortium Information and Training Jugu J. Abraham International Centre for Research in Head Agroforestry (ICRAF) Donor Relations David B. Thorud Eric M. McGaw Chair Public Awareness Officer Pedro A. Sanchez Shashi B. Sharma Director General Science Prize Winner 103 International Food Policy Research Institute Jennifer Cramer (IFPRI) Assistant to Director General David E. Bell International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Chair Neville P. Clarke Per Pinstrup-Andersen Chair Director General Henry A. Fitzhugh David Nygaard Director General Director Country Programs Ralph von Kaufmann Director Barbara Rose External Relations Director of Information Akke van der Zljpp Stacy Roberts Deputy Director General Special Assistant to the Director General Susan A. MacMillan International Irrigation Management Institute Public Affairs Writer (IIMI) International Plant Genetic Resources Institute Leslie D. Swindale (IPGRI) Chair Wanda W. Collins David W. Seckler Chair Director General Lauritz Holm-Nielsen David A. Governey Board Member Director Finance and Administration Geoffrey C. Hawtin Director General Sharmini Blok Project Development Officer Dick H. van Sloten International Institute of Tropical Agriculture Assistant Director General (IITA) Masa Iwanaga Pierre L. Dubreuil Deputy Director General Chair Programs Constance M. McCorkle Ruth D. Raymond Board Member Public Awareness Officer Lukas Brader Emile Frison Director General Director International Network for the Improvement of Doyle Baker Banana and Plantain (INIBAP) Director Resource and Crop Management Division Mark C. Perry Systemwide Information Network on Genetic Michael Wilson Bassey Resources (SINGER) Project Leader Director 104 - International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Coenraad A. Kramer Director Ruddy Rabbinge Administrative Services Chair Christian H. Hoste Emil Q. Javier Senior Officer Board Member Klaus Lampe George H. L. Rothschild Consultant Director General West Africa Rice Development Association Kenneth S. Fischer (WARDA) Deputy Director General Research Just Faaland Chair Michael F. L. Goon Deputy Director General Eugene R. Terry Finance Director General Thelma R. Paris Kanayo F. Nwanze Science Prize Winner Director General Designate Shaobing Peng Melissa Anderson Science Prize Winner Public Affairs Officer Edward N. Sayegh Treasurer and OBSERVERS Director for Finance Arab Organization for Agricultural Development Robert D. Huggan (AOAD) Head Information Center Yahia Bakour Director General Gurdev S. Khush Principal Plant Breeder Argentina International Service for National Agricultural José D. Molina Research (ISNAR) Agricultural Counselor Embassy of Argentina Charles E. Hess Chair Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) Martin Pineiro Getachew Gebre-Medhin Board Member Senior Project Officer Christian H. Bonte Friedheim Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Director General Agriculture (IICA) Howard Elliott Edgardo Moscardi Deputy Director General Director of Strategic Thinking IICA Representative in Colombia 105 Eduardo Savadó Roberto Bocchetto Director Executive Secretary Northern Regional Center PROCISUR Portugal Gabriel Cadena-Gomez Director Francisco Bagulho Centro Nacional de Investigaciones del Cafe Station Director (CENICAFE) National Plant Breeding Station Institute Nacional de Investigaciones Agrarias W. Ronnie Coffman (INIA) Associate Dean and Director of Research Cornell University Special Program for African Agriculture Re­ search (SPAAR) Isabelle De Keyzer Secretary General Moctar Toure Network of European Agricultural Executive Secretary [Tropically and Subtropically Oriented] Universities and Scientific Complexes Peter Pee Deputy Executive Secretary Related with Agricultural Development (NATURA)Belgium Harry Palmier Institutional Development Specialist Fade! Diame Director West African Rural Foundation (WARF) SPECIAL INVITEES TO THE GLOBAL FORUM Senegal Nader Al-Awadhi Mahmud Ayed Duwayri Director Vice President Food Resources Division Jordan University of Science and Technology Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research Irbed, Jordan Jorge Amaya Carl K. Eicher Director General University Distinguished Prof. Institute Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria Michigan State University (INTA) East Lansing, Michigan Argentina Lucas P. Gakale Abdelaziz Arifi Director of Agricultural Research President Department of Agricultural Research Association of Agricultural Research Institutions Ministry of Agriculture in the Near East and North Africa (AARINENA) Gaborone, Botswana Morocco Rubagumya George Achoka Awori Executive Director Kenya Energy and Environment Organization Uganda Investment Authority (KENGO) Kampala, Uganda Kenya Nicholas Bangu Rafael D. Guerrero III Dean Executive Director Faculty of Agriculture Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Sokoine University Research and Development Tanzania The Philippines 106 Ibrahim Y. Hamdan Bruno J. Ndunguru AARINENA Executive Secretary Director Southern African Centre for Cooperation in Rogers A. D. Jones Agricultural Research (SACCAR) Chief Executive Gaborone, Botswana NARCC Freetown, Sierra Leone Oumar Niangado Director General Berhane Kiflewahid Institut d’Economie Rural (IER) Dean and Chairman Mali University of Asmara Asmara, Eritrea Luis Rodriguez Paredes Director General Cecilia Leiva Central Ecuatoriana de Servicios Agricolas Director (CESA) Grupo de Investigaciones Agrarias (GIA) Quito, Ecuador Santiago, Chile Bent Schmidt-Nielsen Tiburcio Linares NATURA General Manager Vice-Chancellor National Agricultural Research Fund Royal Agricultural University Maracay, Venezuela Copenhagen, Denmark Bahram H. Mahmoud Semisi T. Semisi Chairman Director Research Gharbieh Sericulture Association Ministry of Agriculture, Forests, Fisheries and Cairo, Egypt Meteorology Apia, Western Samoa Ndiaga Mbaye Executive Secretary Francis Shao Conference des Responsables de Recherche Commissioner Agricole en Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre Ministry of Agriculture (CORAF) Tanzania Geoffrey C. Mrema M. S. Sompo-Ceesay Association for Strengthening Agricultural Director General Research in East and Central Africa (ASARECA) Institut du Sahel Entebbe, Uganda Bamako, Mali Mekhlis Suleimenov Joseph Mukiibi Vice President Director General Kazak Academy of Agricultural Sciences National Agricultural Research Organization Almaty, Kazakstan (NARO) Ministry of Agriculture Henk van der Plas Uganda Professor and President NATURA Fadal Ndiame Belgium Director West Africa Rural Foundation (FRAO/WARF) Ruben L. Villareal Senegal Chancellor University of the Philippines, Los Banos College, Laguna, Philippines 107 CGIAR ALUMNI AND SPECIAL GUESTS William A. C. Mathieson Special Guest Warren C. Baum Former CGIAR Chairman Alex McCalla Former TAC Chair David Bell Bellagio Alumnus Ernst Michanek Bellagio Alumnus Nyle C. Brady Special Guest John H. Monyo Former TAC Executive Secretary Guy C. Camus Former TAC Chair Peter Oram Former TAC Executive Secretary Gelia T. Castillo Special Guest V. Rajagopalan Former CGIAR Chair Robert F. Chandler, Jr. Bellagio Alumnus Maurice F. Strong Special Guest Ralph W. Cummings, Sr. Former TAC Chair Wilfried P. Thalwitz Former CGIAR Chair Mohamed Tejan Dahniya Science Prize Winner Werner N. Treitz Special Guest Edmond De Langhe Special Guest Derek E. Tribe Special Guest Curtis Farrar Former CGIAR Executive Secretary Sir Geoffrey Wilson Bellagio Alumnus Paul Marc Henry Bellagio Alumnus NON-CGIAR CENTER PARTICIPANTS W. David Hopper Former CGIAR Chair Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center (AYRDC) Joseph Hulse Special Guest Guy C. Camus Chair Emile Javier Special Guest Paul M. H. Sun Vice Chair Herman Kilpper Executive Director Samson C. S. Tsou World Food Prize Foundation Director General Michael L. Lejeune S. Shanmugasundaram Former CGIAR Executive Secretary Director International Collaboration Program (ICP) Philippe J. Mahler Special Guest 108 CAB International Hans Hurn Board Member Colin Ogbourne Deputy Director General Eric T. Craswell Information Director General Robert J. Williams Chalinee Niamskul Deputy Director General Director Science International Relations Caribbean Agricultural Research and International Centre of Insect Physiology and Development Institute (CARDI) Ecology (ICIPE) Hayden Blades Jacob Lifangi Ngu Executive Director Chair Samsundar Parasram John Meagher Director of Research Vice Chair Tropical Agriculture Research and Higher Hans Herren Education Center (CATEE) Director General Frank Bendana A. Hassanali Chair Interim Deputy Director General Gregorio Contreras-Morales Vinod Tandon Chair Director Management Donor Support Group Wuilliam Bowers Ruben Guevara-Moncada Chair Director General and Chief Executive Officer IPER Team Climate Institute International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) Ata Qureshi Director W. David Hopper Global Environment Programs Chair Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Amit H. Roy Cooperation (CTA) President and Chief Executive Officer Rodney D. Cooke Henk Breman Director Director Africa Division International Board for Soil Research and Management (IBSRAM) International Foundation for Science (IFS) Richard L. Sawyer Bjorn Lundgren Chair Director International Trypanotolerance Centre (ITC) Steve Thompson Board Member Bakary N. Touray Deputy Director General 109 Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Programme M. de Nuce de Lamothe (TSBF) President AGROPOLIS Richard R. Harwood Chair John H. Dodds Managing Director John M. Kimble Agricultural Biotechnology for Sustainable Board Member Productivity Michigan State University Michael J. Swift Director Frank Armand Douamba Executive Director’s Assistant Cheryl A. Palm World Bank Senior Scientist Pamela George Winrock International Institute for Agricultural Coordinator Development Banana Improvement Project World Bank Robert L. Thompson President and Chief Executive Officer Kellie Gutman Audio/Visual Consultant Earl D. Kellogg Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Richard Gutman Officer Audio/Visual Consultant Marcia Ishii-Eiteman OTHER PARTICIPANTS Pesticide Action Network Luc Aden Don Isleib Alternative Executive Director Director World Bank Institute International Agriculture Chirstine M. Albee Ed T. Kanemash Senior Manager Director of International Agriculture International Operations University of Georgia Development Finance International, Incorporated Kris Kerrigan CGNET Services International Mark P. Buccowich Africa Branch Chief Gerald E. Klonglan United States Department of Agriculture Forest Associate Dean Service, International Forestry Iowa State University Julian H. J. Cribb Shettima Mustafa Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial MATES Research Organization (CSIRO) Nigeria Gisela de Alencar Gabriel Negatu Legislative Advisor Senior Associate Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships Africa Development Research and Advisory House of Representatives Network (ADRAN) Brasilia, Brazil no Michael F. Nolan Pierre-Luc Pugliése Director International Organizations International Agricultural Programs University of Missouri Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA) Antonio Herron Ortiz Technical Manager Jean Razungles National Federation of Colombian Coffee International Director Growers Laurence Garhendia Ned S. Raun General Secretary Executive Director Mid-America International Agricultural IWOKRAMA International Rain Forest Program Consortium (MIAC) Henry Tschinkel Luis Rodriguez Interim Director General CESA Ecuador Chandrashekhar Krishnan Senior Programme Officer George A. Schaefers Commonwealth Secretariat Executive Director Consortium of International Crop Protection Don Mentz (CICP) Consultant Cornell University Commonwealth Secretariat Philip G. Serafini Ulric Oid Trotz Program Development Director, Science Technology University of Arkansas Commonwealth Secretariat Julie V. Stewart Middle East Desalination Research Centre Program Coordinator (MEDRC) International Agriculture University of Georgia Charles Lawson Board Member Michael S. Strauss Program Director American Association for the Advancement of James T. McMahon Senior Advisor Science Monty Yudelman Institut Franyais de Recherche Scientifique pour World Wildlife Fund le Developpement en Cooperation (ORSTOM) Centre de Cooperation Internationale en Philippe Bourret Recherche Agronomique pour le Developpement International Organizations (CIRAD) Guy Hainnaux Bernard Bachelier Director Director General MAA Department Maurice Izard Jean-Claude Prot Director Assistant Director External Relations MAA 111