August 2002
GFAR Secretariat News
ICT
GFAR Meetings
GPPs
Letter from GFAR Chairman
Dear Colleagues,
I am happy to inform you that I shall be stepping down as Chairman, Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) and we shall be electing the new Chairman in the forthcoming meeting in October, 2002. I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all the members of the GFAR Steering Committee and all colleagues from national and international systems for having reposed their confidence in me for all these years since 1998.
In retrospect, it had indeed been a great experience for me to be associated with GFAR. It was a unique journey, which started with the initial negotiations to house the Secretariat and the signing of MOU with FAO. The organization of 'Global Forum - 2000' with two Dresden Declarations and the emergence of new regional organizations such as EFARD, FARA, CAC-RF, and FORAGRO had been the landmarks. Many regional research priority setting exercises have also been accomplished paving way for greater support for new partnerships in agricultural research for development (ARD). The excitement to have an electronic forum (EGFAR) established with GFAR home page and important regional initiatives like formation of Agricultural Research Information System (RAIS), a multi-donor agreement with FAO, and to have a place for GFAR in the Executive Committee (Ex. Co.) of CGIAR are still quite fresh in our memory. Also, GFAR accelerated the process of partnership with NGOs and farmers' organizations, formation of a Federation of Advanced Research Institutions (ARIs) in North America as well as Global Partnership Programmes for closer north-south linkages. You would perhaps agree that these were all very critical components of an emerging dynamic institution, which we jointly strived hard to establish.
For me, GFAR would always be a global institution of great hope for the better future of our younger generations. All this could be possible only because of the active support and involvement of colleagues like you, which enabled GFAR to take such a big leap from its inception phase that today it has become a great 'Movement' to reckon with. Let us continue our best efforts to nurture the GFAR!
Raj Paroda
GFAR Chair
Welcome to Samuel Bruce-Oliver and Antonio Schiavone
The GFAR-Secretariat has swollen in ranks with the recent addition of new staff members.
The first one is a NARS Senior Visiting Expert in the person of Dr. Samuel Bruce-Oliver, Director General of the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) of The Gambia in West Africa. Dr. Bruce-Oliver who joined GFAR on July 1st, 2002, brings to GFAR several years of NARS management experience and in-depth knowledge of African Agricultural Research issues having headed an African agricultural research institution and from a lengthy involvement in the activities of African sub-regional and regional fora. Prior to joining GFAR, he held the position of Vice President of CORAF/WECARD, membership of the CORAF/WECARD Executive Committee and represented CORAF/WECARD in the committee that guided the transition process culminating in the establishment of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) from the World Bank's Special Programme for African Agricultural Research (SPAAR). Dr. Bruce-Oliver also has North American and CGIAR research experience having worked at the University of California Cotton Research Station, Shafter, California as Postdoctoral Research Entomologist and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Benin, as Research Fellow. During his assignment as NARS Senior Visiting Expert, his main tasks will be to develop in close collaboration with NARS leaders around the world, an agenda of strategic issues related to the new challenges and opportunities that agricultural research confronts and the implications of this new environment for the NARS. Dr. Bruce-Oliver holds a Ph.D. in Entomology (specialisation in Biological Control) from the University of California, Berkeley, USA. He is married and has three children.
The second new member of staff is Mr. Antonio Schiavone, an Italian FAO volunteer who joined the GFAR Secretariat on June 13th. Mr. Schiavone, a graduate of the University of Florence, Italy, holds a degree in Economics, with a specialisation in Economics of the developing countries of Latin America and Africa. While at GFAR, he will be carrying out research in the area of rural innovation, innovative funding mechanisms for the rural poor and development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME's), as part of a collaboration agreement between GFAR and the Istituto Agronomico per l'Oltremare (IAO), Italy. Mr. Schiavone's research has been programmed such that it actively integrates with some of the recent activities of the GFAR Secretariat, particularly those concentrating on projects concerned with the development of agrarian economies through rural innovation and agro-industrial development. His tasks will be to follow all GFAR initiatives in the above mentioned thematic areas.
Mr. Schiavone's other duties will be to furnish, in close collaboration with the leading stakeholders, bottom up information in order to effectively contribute to the global discussion on agricultural research and to the elaboration of new projects. He will also be involved in strengthening the participation of the private agribusiness sector in the debate on strategic ARD issues.
ICTThe new EGFAR has been launched!
The new EGFAR was launched at the end of June. As you can see, it is completely different from the old one, both in its organization and in its design. In contrast to the previous site, all the information is stored in a relational database system that allows better management of the contents. It also has a search engine that allows users to rapidly search for the information.
Some pages are still "under construction" because we are collaborating with the stakeholders with regards to the content of their pages. We apologize for the delay but as GFAR is a discussion platform, we wish to ensure that all stakeholders can (and should) contribute to the development of EGFAR.
For example, in the "Research Partnership" section you can find information provided by different Facilitating Units of various initiatives in which GFAR is involved; the "Stakeholders" section where each Regional Forum can contribute both in the introductory text and in the information on ARD Institutions at regional and national level, etc...
Comments, new ideas and information updates are welcome: please write to the .
Summary of the e-Discussion on the Proposal: "Strengthening the Participation of Farmers' Organisations and of NGOs in the Global Agenda of Agricultural Research for Development"
This e-discussion was one of the first discussions hosted on the new EGFAR. Despite the fact that the turn-out was small, this e-discussion has furthered the ongoing dialogue on the project by introducing some new ideas and reinforcing previously mentioned comments on the proposal. It has provided the GFAR Secretariat fist hand experience with using the internet as medium of consultation with various stakeholders on ARD issues.
The proposal on Strengthening the Participation of Farmers' Organizations and of Non-Governmental Organisations in the Global Agenda of Agricultural Research for Development was the subject of a three-week electronic discussion among stakeholders.
In general, the proposal was found to be interesting as it was responsive to the capacity building needs of farmers' and non-government organizations (FOs and NGOs) in facilitating the involvement in the research process. The project's emphasis on facilitating the interaction of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) with other stakeholders from the national to global level is also found useful and innovative as it will promote an exchange of experience and knowledge among and across farmers' organizations and NGOs.
Representativity was a focus of many of the suggestions, some of which are included below. CSOs that will be involved in the project will have to be chosen by their constituents and should have clear, endorsed mandates. Their role vis-à-vis the project will have to be defined and accountability issues should be addressed. Representatives of constituencies of the project should be responsible for providing feedback to their constituents. The project should be flexible, that is, highlight activities identified and agreed by stakeholders.
Another recommendation was with regard to project coordination which should ensure that various regions are covered and should work towards reinforcing research institutions for them to engage more civil society organizations at the country level. The project should also deal with "professional agricultural organizations" which have experience in working with rural communities and in building networks of CSOs as it is essential to build on to existing efforts and to reinforce them rather than to create new ones.
It was also suggested that the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) component of the project should be enhanced, with capacity building activities aimed at enhancing NGO's and FO's capabilities to monitor and evaluate their own activities introduced.
The proposal should also address sustainability issues so that continuity of collaborative programmes envisioned under the project can be continued even after project completion.
The GLOBAL.RAIS Project: Where We Are
The GLOBAL.RAIS Project, submitted to the European Commission, is on its way to formal approval. GFAR has had contact with Regional Forum Information System Managers and the prospect of regional workshops has been warmly welcomed, including receiving proposals for hosting workshops in the different Regions during the GFAR Mid-Term Meetings.
GFAR has started collaborating with the EIARD-Infosys group in order to set up the basis of a database system for storing data and permitting cross database searches. This will allow easier exchange of information both at the GFAR-RAIS and the RAIS-RAIS levels and a true decentralization of information that will be hosted at the Regional (and National in the most advanced cases) level and completely managed by each RAIS.
Finally, two events related to the GLOBAL.RAIS Project will be organized.
The first one is an "ICT Expert Consultation on the Development of Second Phase of APARIS", organized by APAARI, to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, on October 24-25, 2002.
The second one is the "Expert Consultation Meeting", organized in cooperation by AARINENA, GFAR, FAO and ICARDA, for the Regional Agricultural Information System (RAIS), to be held in Egypt during the second half of December.
More detailed information is available on EGFAR Events section.
GFAR 2002 Mid-Term Meetings
The 2002 GFAR mid-year meetings were held 13-14 May in Rome, Italy. During the meeting, stakeholders agreed that the year 2002 presents an interesting and challenging period for GFAR with changes taking place in leadership, the launching of and increasing activity in several Global Partnership Programmes, and preparations for the GFAR 2003 Conference.
Major changes in GFAR leadership have taken place starting with the departure of GFAR Executive Secretary, Fernando Chaparro. Jean-François Giovannetti assumes the position of Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Secretariat until a new Executive Secretary is appointed. An Interim Executive Council comprising Rodney Cooke (IFAD), Dietrich Liehner (FAO/SDR) and Henri Rouille D'Orfeuil (GFAR, Vice Chair), was also nominated to guide the OIC. Meanwhile, the GFAR stakeholders during the meeting welcomed Drs. Joseph Mukiibi and Adama Traore (FARA Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively); Dr. Ndiaga Mbaye (CORAF Executive Secretary); and Dr. Raghu Sapkota (APAARI, Chair). Dr. Samuel Bruce-Oliver was also welcomed as the NARS Senior Visiting Fellow to the GFAR Secretariat.
GFAR stakeholders were updated on the status of several Global Partnership Programmes (GPPs) facilitated by GFAR. The DMC (Direct Sowing, Mulch-based, and Conservation Agriculture) Facilitating Unit in Montpellier is fully operational with Ms. Fatima Ribeiro, a Brazilian researcher from Instituto Agronômico do Paraná (IAPAR), as the Facilitator. The Global Facilitating Unit for the Under-utilised and Orphan Crops, housed at International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) in Rome, has also been established with Ms. Irmgard Hoeschle-Zeledon from Germany as the Facilitator. Dr. Hubert Omont of the Facilitation Unit on International Commodity Chains in Montpellier shared lessons learned from the establishment of such a mechanism. GFAR stakeholders were apprised of other on-going international initiatives such as the GPP on Trypanosomosis Control (with CIRAD); Global Initiative on Post Harvest Technology-GIPhT (with FAO/AGSI); PROLINNOVA, Promoting Local Innovation, (with the NGOs); and the Global Conservation Trust campaign (with IPGRI).
During these meetings, proposals in the pipeline aimed at assisting GFAR stakeholders in various activities related to ARD were presented. These include the DURAS Project (submitted to Ministère Français Des Affaires Etrangères); and Strengthening the Participation of Farmers' Organizations and NGOs in the ARD Agenda in ACP countries (submitted to the European Commission).
With regard to the GFAR 2003 General Conference, it was agreed that it would be held in Dakar, Senegal, back-to-back with the FARA General Assembly scheduled for May 2003. A Working Group at the GFAR level chaired by Dr. Joseph Mukiibi was established to complement the Senegal National Preparatory Committee headed by Institut Sénégalais de Recherche Agricole (ISRA).
GFAR MeetingsGFAR 2003 Conference
The next GFAR Conference, a follow up to the Dresden 2000 conference, will be held May 26-28, 2003 in the city of Dakar in the West African country of Senegal. The tentative theme of the conference is "Linking Research, Rural Innovation and Development: from Regional Priorities to Global Action". The GFAR 2003 Conference follows closely behind the 2003 General Assembly meeting of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) taking place May 20 - 24, 2003 in the same city of Dakar. Over 400 participants are expected from all regions and from all GFAR stakeholder groups (i.e., NARS, regional & sub-regional fora, farmer's organisations, NGOs, private sector, Advanced Research Institutes, CG Centres, donors & the FAO).
As preparations for the conference get underway, the composition of the Conference Working Group (CWG) is being finalised. The CWG constituted from representatives of all GFAR stakeholders, will be tasked with defining the theme and structure of the conference, the expected outputs, identifying the keynote speakers, facilitators for the working groups and agreeing on the overall programme of the conference. It will complement the activities of the Preparatory Committee at the level of GFAR and the National Preparatory Committee of the host country. A more consolidated draft on the GFAR 2003 preparations will be ready for circulation by the time the GFAR Steering Committee meets in October 2002 in Manila, The Philippines.
GPPsThe DMC Network: Linking Local Initiatives in a Global Program
The DMC Initiative (Direct sowing, Mulch-based systems and Conservation agriculture) is a Global Partnership Program (GPP) which aims to pull together and transform decentralized initiatives into global initiatives using a bottom-up approach.
It endeavours to strengthen the capacity of key stakeholders to develop suitable DMC systems by developing a framework for analyzing and comparing stakeholder experiences with DMC systems; identifying gaps in what is known about developing and fostering the use of DMC systems, and encouraging stakeholders to fill these gaps; providing support and feedback to decentralized stakeholder initiatives; and fostering the multiplication of successful experiences.
The DMC Initiative features a process of learning and synthesis. By analyzing and comparing experiences from decentralized initiatives, by synthesizing and systematizing lessons learned, and by identifying and filling gaps - not only on technologies, but also on processes - DMC practices can be harnessed by a wider range of stakeholders.
It was formally launched in January 2000 by various stakeholders such as National Agricultural Research Institutes, NGOs, International Agricultural Research Institutes, and regional networks. The Global Facilitating Unit (GFU) is housed at CIRAD Office in Montpellier, France with Ms. , a Brazilian researcher from Instituto Agronômico do Paraná (IAPAR), as Facilitator. Currently, the GFU is conducting an inventory and documenting some cases on DMC research and development projects. Should you and your organization wish to take take part in this activity, visit the DMC website.
GPPsGlobal Facilitation Unit for Under-utilized Species established
During the first GFAR Conference held in Dresden, Germany, in May 2000 a working group strongly recommended the involvement of GFAR in the topic of Under-utilized and Orphan Commodities and suggested that there should be a Facilitation Mechanism operating at global level.
GFAR initiated an informal group consisting of representatives of FAO, IPGRI, ICUC, IFAD, and BMZ, all committed to support the development of under-utilized species, to explore ways how to implement these recommendations. BMZ, Germany, provided funds for a coordinator position of a Global Facilitation Unit (GFU) for 3 years. The unit is hosted by IPGRI Rome, Italy. The coordinator, Ms. , has started working in May this year.
The objective of the GFU is to establish under the umbrella of GFAR a mechanism, which supports and facilitates the work that is undertaken on different aspects of under-utilized species worldwide at different levels by networks, agencies, organizations and others. It will cover the identification, assessment, improvement, development, sustainable use and marketing of these species for the benefit of local farmers and users. It will encourage the development of common tools and approaches that can be applied to different contexts and situations. It will facilitate the determination of priorities at a regional level and draw attention to gaps. It will provide a common forum for discussion and suggestions for action.
During a recent meeting held the steering committee was confirmed and it was decided to call the unit "Global Facilitation Unit for Under-utilized Species" The unit will initially work on plant species only.
The main activities of the GFU will be in terms of:
- Facilitating the improved access to information on under-utilized species
- Providing a platform for discussion of concepts, strategies and instruments to promote and facilitate the sustainable use of under-utilized species
- Facilitating stakeholders' access to financial resources
- Identifying modalities to develop a sustainable mechanism to support under-utilized species
Irmgard Hoeschle-Zeledon
GFU Coordinator
GFAR dialogue with the Donors on Rural innovation
In its constant dialogue with the donor community, GFAR has developed, in collaboration with IFAD, a thematic study on the Rural Development and Market Mechanisms in Latin America and in Western and Central Africa. The aim of this study is to highlight the Fund's experience in financing projects for the agribusiness sector development and to possibly design a joint program with the Italian Government. This study has been carried out following the signature of a Partnership Agreement between IFAD and Italy, the overall objective of which is to identify new financial mechanisms for common priorities of investment for rural development. The Rural Innovation theme is of priority interest for the stakeholders involved in R&D activities for agribusiness promotion. IFAD is supporting GFAR in the preparation of a program proposal on Rural Innovation to be submitted to the Italian Authorities for consideration for co-financing.
GPPsPROCORD: The Coconut Farmer's New Ally in Fighting Poverty
Coconut Research for Development Programme (PROCORD), a coconut commodity chain (production to consumption) programme, was launched during the 39th COCOTECH Meeting in Pattaya, Thailand. PROCORD is a collaborative programme established by the APCC (Asian and Pacific Coconut Community), BUROTROP (Bureau for the Development of Research on Tropical Perennial Oil Crops), COGENT (International Coconut Genetic Resources Network) and IPGRI (International Plant Genetic Resources Institute). The Memorandum of Agreement was signed by Rifana Ernie Arjakusumah, Chair of the APCC Session; Willem van Vuure, Chair of BUROTROP's Board of Administrators; Carlos Carpio, Chair of COGENT's Steering Committee; and Geoffrey Hawtin, Director General of IPGRI.
The primary aim of PROCORD is to generate and bring benefits to coconut stakeholders, especially resource-poor coconut farmers and consumers as well as to promote the sustainable development of the coconut industry. Coconut farmers, 96% of whom are smallholders (tending less than 4 hectares), are suffering because of declining farm productivity and unstable markets for their traditional coconut products which are copra (dried kernel) and coconut oil. Inadequate support to enable the research community to effectively address the major problems and opportunities of resource-poor smallholder coconut farmers has also contributed to the suffering.
PROCORD is envisioned to improve returns to coconut for farmers and coconut-producing countries. The programme hopes to achieve this by (1) promoting the development of improved coconut varieties, controlling the spread of pests and diseases, developing coconut-based ecosystems, improving processing techniques, producing high-value coconut products, and studying the socio-economic issues affecting the coconut sector; (2) strengthening and stimulating partnerships among stakeholders of the coconut community to increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of global coconut research efforts; (3) enhancing access to information and documentation and disseminating research findings; (4) generating training opportunities to researchers and technicians to improve their knowledge and skills; and (5) providing effective coordination of research and generating institutional and funding support to the programme.
Six priority research areas were identified, with two areas assigned as lead responsibility to each of the three organizations, namely: genetic resources and improvement and socio-economics and policy support (COGENT); agronomy and coconut-based farming systems and crop protection (BUROTROP); and processing and marketing (APCC). COGENT will initially coordinate the programme for the next three years and a PROCORD Secretariat is being established at the IPGRI Regional Office for Asia, the Pacific and Oceania in Serdang, Malaysia.
Pons Batugal
Regional Coordinator, IPGRI Regional Office for Asia, the Pacific and Oceania
GPP on Trypanosomoses Control
A research proposal for a Global Partnership Programme on Trypanosomoses control was presented during the last GFAR Steering Committee meeting held in Rome, FAO, on 14th May 2002. Following this presentation, GFAR launched an informal discussion forum among interested stakeholders in research for livestock development, in order to exchange technical and scientific ideas for the design of the GPP.
The aim of this GPP is to exploit biotechnology and animal genetic resources for the improvement of livestock productivity through the control of Trypanosomoses. Possible linkages between R&D institutions are under discussion.
GPPsWorkshop on Global Programmes for Commodity Chains
6-7 June 2002
Montpellier, France
A Workshop on Global Programmes for Commodity Chains was held 6-7 June 2002 in Montpellier, France, with the aim of reviewing the progress of activities of the Commodity Chains Facilitation Unit, and to discuss the future of this initiative.
The workshop, attended by about 35 participants from various stakeholder categories of agricultural research for development (ARD), also reviewed the conceptual approach used and the actions undertaken by the Facilitation Unit. Challenges faced and lessons learnt during the last 2.5 years were also debated. These issues range from institutional to partnership and financial aspects of global programmes for commodity chains. Progress on the development of the global programmes on Coconut and Cocoa was also presented as well as the objectives and work plan of a Facilitation Unit for Under-utilised crops, set up by BMZ and hosted by IPGRI in Rome, Italy.
In general, the report of the facilitation unit highlighted the general trends and strategic issues that justify GFAR involvement in commodity chains research. The concepts used a "commodity chain" or "filière" approach, and the global programme approach, were detailed and refined. PROMUSA, a global programme on banana served as a model of what could be done on other commodities.
Some of the highlights of the workshop include the following:
- There is a need for a certain degree of formality, for participation and fund raising, but it is recommended to avoid creating new structures or "legal status". GPPs should build on existing structures, being careful that existing host institutions do not take ownership of the programme.
- It is essential to have a strong representation of farmers' organisations in GPPs. The seven categories of stakeholders, as established by GFAR, are indicative and could be adapted to each commodity community situation. Consumers must be included as important stakeholders in many commodities, or at least their main concerns must be taken into account.
- Stakeholders involvement should be ensured from the start of the preparation of a global programme. Lead stakeholder(s) are important to promote the initiative, but information dissemination should be ensured to allow other stakeholders to be represented and to participate in the initiative. It was particularly noted that good representation at a global level could only be achieved if representation and representativeness are satisfactory at national and regional levels in the bottom up approach favoured by GFAR.
- There is consensus on the need to fund transaction costs in the preparation phase, which must be kept at an "effective minimum", avoiding bureaucracy and concentrating efforts on the weakest stakeholders.
- When the global programmes have been set up, the rule for transaction costs must be cost sharing. Overheads included in projects have been seen as a possible way to deal with this issue. Agreement among donor agencies to include in their projects overheads for global programmes coordination and functioning (meetings of working groups) could be a positive and effective step ahead.
- Projects must look for competitive bids, but enhanced exchange of information between GFAR, GPPs and donor agencies could improve the rate of success.
At the end of the Workshop, participants underscored the value of continuing the initiative to a second phase, with the objectives of (a) increasing effectiveness of the programmes under preparation; (b) identifying critical elements and bringing out problems and challenges at a global level for other commodities; and (c) considering other commodities, among others. There is an agreement that it is necessary to capitalize on information gathered, and contacts already established.
The Workshop concluded that the Facilitation Unit is in a learning process, where flexibility must be the rule, without too strict a model to work with, but with emphasis on sharing common values and common ways of operating.
Hubert Omont
Commodity Chains F.U. Coordinator
O.O.
GFAR Secretariat
c/o FAO, SDR, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla - 00100 Rome, Italy
Tel. +39.06.5705.3413 Fax +39.06.5705.3898
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