The first Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development (GCARD) 2010 was held in Montpellier, France from 28-31 March 2010. GCARD was organized by GFAR in collaboration with the Consortium and Independent Science and Partnership Council of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and Agropolis International. The Conference replaced the GFAR Triennial Conferences and the Annual General Meetings of the CGIAR.

The GCARD conference was informed by a comprehensive, systematic and inclusive global consultation process, which identified key themes and issues from all the stakeholders who are actively engaged in the whole agricultural system. The public sector, national and international policy makers, agricultural Institutions, agricultural research systems managers, leaders of farmer organizations and cooperatives, Non-Government Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, Universities, Private Sector Enterprises in Agri-business and farming and investors, donors and philanthropic organizations all have a keen interest in taking forward the outputs of the conference. The GCARD process follows a 6 year cycle towards transforming agricultural research for development with a global GCARD Conference organized biennially.

For GCARD 2010, priorities of those engaged in agriculture were captured by regional reviews, an electronic survey, open electronic consultations and face-to-face meetings in each of the regions of Near East, Asia Pacific, Central Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America/Caribbean. The combination of these delivered regional research priorities, matched against development demands and articulated from user needs and demands outwards. These led towards a road map to improve the orientation and capabilities of agricultural research and innovation systems, related Institutions and structures and processes for maximum impact. In subsequent years, the GCARD will enable mutual accountability of progress and impact as research strives to meet these objectives.

Objectives of GCARD

To help ensure that:

• Agricultural research outputs are accessible and relevant to the poor in developing countries;
• Research is aligned with and driven by the development needs of the resource-poor;
• Knowledge generation through scientific research is embedded in development thinking and practice;
• Funding systems are better aligned between research and development;
• Constructive and effective innovation pathways are developed between diverse stakeholders for the more rapid uptake of new knowledge, tools and technologies;
• International agricultural research systems are more effectively integrated with regional and national partners (public, private and civil) and are responsive and accountable for development impact against national and sub-regional demands.

This GCARD process aims to promote effective and targeted investment at all levels of the agricultural system, to ensure that today’s agricultural research will meet the needs of the resource-poor end user. The GCARD process helps to refine regional and global agricultural research priorities, as identified by different stakeholder groups and representatives in each region in an inclusive way.

Why GCARD?
The GCARD process
Timeline
GCARD and the CGIAR change process