The evolution from National Agricultural Research Institutions (NARIs) model to the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) in developing countries was one of the major outcomes of the recognition of the vibrant role that farmers and their apex organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), universities, and agri-business private sector could play in achieving the objectives of poverty alleviation, food security, and sustainable use of natural resources.

The same approach is being developed at the regional and sub-regional levels by involving Farmers' Organizations in Regional and Sub-Regional Fora (RF/SRF) decision-making bodies. In 1996 when the seven stakeholders came together to establish GFAR, one of the main objectives was to institutionalize this concept of involving farmers in the ARD agenda at all levels from local to global.

GFAR believes Farmers' Organizations are a relatively untapped resource in global agricultural research and could play a prominent role in the promotion of agricultural production, food security and sustainable utilization of natural resources. Through their involvement in GFAR this constituency will have new opportunities to help tailor agricultural research in ways that would better fit farmers' needs. This outcome would only be achieved if farmers take their rightful place in decision making bodies that set ARD agenda at national, regional and global levels.

What is the problem

Lack of true farmers' representation at the governance structure of some of the RFs/SRFs, firstly, due to lack of capacity to effectively and efficiently participate and debate at these fora, especially in developing countries and secondly, a less than universal willingness from NARS, RFs and SRFs to fully accept farmers as equal partners.

How can GFAR help

The value added of GFAR rests upon its participatory approach and the opportunity it provides to its stakeholders especially the less vocal (i.e., farmers), through a neutral platform, to develop strategic partnerships amongst each other as well as with other actors involved in ARD. A platform that allows: farmers to share knowledge and exchange information; build partnerships for the development and implementation of activities that efficiently address issues that concern their constituencies; empowers and supports less privileged stakeholders so that they can contribute effectively to the global ARD dialogue.

GFAR plans to directly or indirectly support projects and programs that empower farmers by building their capacity to contribute to the regional, subregional and global ARD agenda. GFAR will also establish collaborative programs with some Farmers' Organizations at the global level such as International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP) to address issues concerning farmers at the global level.

What does GFAR want to achieve

Since its inception GFAR has been trying to address the issue of capacity development for farmers so that their voice can be heard among other actors in the ARD platforms whether at the regional, sub-regional or global level.

Through its projects GFAR hopes to develop an appropriate model for facilitating and promoting effective linkages between farmers (together with NGOs and agri-business sector as civil society organizations) and the research systems.

GFAR envisions and works towards a multi-purpose agriculture that thrives on research outputs obtained in a participatory manner by stakeholders working together in cost-effective partnerships centred around farmers and producers.

Database

See under "The gateway to knowledge" --> "ARD Web Ring Gateway" --> "ARD search engines": our FODABASE is a database of national Farmers' Organizations resulting from a survey promoted by GFAR in the year 2005.