What needs to change for agricultural research and extension systems to be more effective agents of development?

Parallel sessions addressed systematic/strategic reform needs, action plan and framework components generated from the 2009 GCARD consultations. Discussion of key strategic needs across systems included: Better Benefiting the Poor through Private Sector Innovation and Actions Managing Risks to Farmers in a Time of Change Knowledge, information and advice in agri-foods systems Thinking Forward: Better Predicting and Addressing Future Needs [...]

Research themes for the CGIAR: A discussion

Mark Holderness, Executive Secretary of GFAR, opened Day 3 of the conference by calling upon the participants for decisive collection action: “We’ve set the theme over the last two days. I can see you are all fired up to do something; now is your chance.” Dr. Mahmoud Solh, Director General of ICARDA, affirmed the need [...]

NGO Statement at GCARD 2010

On behalf of the NGOs Dr. Assetou Kanoute of the Association for Development of Production and Training Activities, Mali red the following statement: We appreciate the support that enabled the participation of NGOs at this first Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development.  However, our presence here should not be seen as an automatic endorsement of [...]

GCARD Highlights–Day 3 (Tuesday, 30 March)

Download the newsletter of the third GCARD day. See all videos See all the photos

Day 4 starts with a Kofi Annan video address to GCARD

In his video address to GCARD, the former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan highlighted that “our goal must be to support the small resource poor farmers and the people who rely on them”. For this to happen we need to establish parallel funding flows , build dynamic national systems, and we need an agricultural value [...]

Better Benefiting the Poor through Private Sector Innovation and Actions

Organized by the Farming First Coalition and chaired by Lindiwe Sibanda of FARNPAN and Joyce Cacho of Novus Int., the session covered a myriad of issues and perspectives, including: clarity in identifying and addressing the problem; careful choice of partners; explanation on how and when the poor will benefit; the importance of indicators; simplicity of [...]

Managing Risks to Farmers in a Time of Change

The session focused on the challenges of climate change, uncertain markets and price volatility, and competition for land and water for other uses than food production. Participants called for risk management plans and adaptation tools for small-holder farmers. “We face price volatility that is perhaps more severe now than ever,” said Jack Wilkinson, Vice Chairman [...]