--------------A CGIAR Press Release---------------


Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) adopts new structure and approach to better meet new development challenges

WASHINGTON DC (8 December 2009)— Members of the world’s largest partnership for agricultural research – the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) –endorsed a set of far-reaching reforms today, which will enhance the organization’s ability to mobilize science for overcoming poverty and hunger and achieving ecosystem resilience in developing countries. The agreed reforms should help boost funding for priority research areas, simplify organizational structures, reduce transaction costs and give greater emphasis to development results.

The CGIAR already has a strong record of impact. For every US$1 invested in its research, an additional $9 worth of food has been made available in developing countries, according to an independent assessment carried out in 2003 . “But as the world changes and development challenges change, our past success does not guarantee that we can meet the challenges of the future. The reforms approved to today will enable us to do more and have even greater impact,” said Katherine Sierra, Chair of the CGIAR.

“The food price crisis of 2008 provided a window on the challenges ahead, drawing our collective attention to the fact that, if we are to feed 9 billion people by 2050, we need a 70% increase in agricultural production,” said Sierra. “The crisis confirmed that we needed to re-imagine our institutions and approaches, so we can have the best possible structure and systems in place to help the poor and hungry.”

The change initiative was launched in 2008, with the aim of sharpening the focus of CGIAR research, streamlining its governance structures, reversing the trend toward declining core resources and strengthening partnerships with national agricultural research systems, civil society and the private sector. A new model for the partnership was approved in principal at the CGIAR’s Annual Business Meeting in December 2008. Throughout 2009, the model has been further developed into operational plans.

The reforms call for the establishment a new Consortium of the CGIAR Centers and a new CGIAR Fund. The Consortium will unite the 15 Centers under one legal entity and provide a single entry point for the Fund to contract Centers and partners for research products. The new Fund will harmonize donor contributions to improve the quality and quantity of funding available, engender greater financial stability, and reverse the trend toward restricted funding. It will also focus research investment to priority areas and harmonize reporting requirements.

“Agriculture will play a central role in addressing most challenges that the international community faces today. High quality research is essential to provide answers to these problems” said Carlos Pérez del Castillo, newly appointed Chair of the Consortium Board. “This new model will enhance and increase collective action among Centers and with partners, and also mobilize and expand further resources for agriculture research to create global public goods that will contribute to agricultural development and improved livelihoods for the poor.”

A strategy and results framework will link the two pillars of the new model through a collective research agenda that sets out the shared focus of funders and researchers. The strategy will be implemented through a portfolio of “mega programs” – large-scale research initiatives centering on key development issues and designed to achieve major impact. By harnessing the Centers’ strengths, the portfolio will better enable them to boost agricultural productivity and reduce pressure on natural resources in the face of climate change, water scarcity and other threats.

“The mega programs will draw on the CGIAR’s clear strengths – that is, its ability to improve major food crops for resilience and nutritional value and to enhance the management of crops, livestock, trees, water, soil and fish. The changes we are making will better align our effort against the continuing scourge of poverty and hunger” said Steve Hall, Chair of the Alliance of the CGIAR Centers. “With the help of the new Consortium, we have a tremendous opportunity to increase our development impact.”

The reforms will also make the CGIAR more open with a greater focus on collaboration with partners such as national agricultural research institutes, civil society and the private sector. This openness is reflected through a larger and more equitable voice for developing countries and partners in the representation of the Fund Council and through a new biennial event engaging the CGIAR and broader stakeholders, the Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development.

“Greater and more open linkage with the advanced research institutes and the national agricultural research extension systems will strengthen the CGIAR’s ability to get the knowledge it creates into use by farming communities around the world. Working more directly with partners will make a big difference in development impact” said Adel El-Beltagy, Chair of the Global Forum on Agricultural Research.

Implementation of the reforms will take place over the course of 2010, and the new CGIAR Fund and Consortium will be put in place and begin to operate during 2010. The portfolio of mega programs will be developed in the coming months, with at least one expected to be operational by late 2010. 

Established in 1971, the CGIAR grew out of widespread concern about famine in developing countries during the 1960s. By the early 1970s, the CGIAR had developed into a partnership of 64 Members, representing countries, international and regional organizations, and private foundations, which support the work of 15 international research Centers. Recent changes in development challenges spurred the CGIAR to consider redesigning its institutional structure.

“What we are doing is the equivalent of transforming an ocean liner, a ship with a single hull, into a catamaran with two hulls,” said Ren Wang, CGIAR Director. “A catamaran is faster and more stable, and the new CGIAR ship will also be faster, more stable and agile than the old.”


About the CGIAR

The CGIAR, established in 1971, is a strategic partnership of countries, international and regional organizations and private foundations supporting the work of an alliance of 15 international Centers. In collaboration with national agricultural research systems, civil society and the private sector, the CGIAR fosters sustainable agricultural growth through high-quality science aimed at benefiting the poor through stronger food security, better human nutrition and health, higher incomes and improved management of natural resources. 

The CGIAR also forms one of the constituencies of the Global Forum on Agricultural Research, along with farmers, NGOs, national agricultural research systems, the private sector, multilateral agencies and donor organizations.

For more information on the CGIAR and the reform process visit: www.cgiar.org

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To watch interviews of those leading the CGIAR change initiative, please go to the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUnrwiLsL4A