Global Forum on Agricultural Research

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) is a stakeholder-led initiative that serves as a neutral forum for discussion and action on critical issues related to agricultural research for development (ARD). GFAR was formally established in 1996 by an agreement among stakeholders of agricultural research, as an initiative to promote cost-effective partnerships and strategic alliances in agricultural research and innovation.

The alleviation of rural poverty, food security and the sustainable management of the environment are GFAR's three basic objectives.

GFAR Mission is to:

  • facilitate the exchange of information and knowledge
  • foster collaborative partnerships among ARD stakeholders
  • promote the integration of National Agricultural Research Systems and enhance their capacity to produce and facilitate technology exchange that responds to users' needs
  • facilitate the participation of all stakeholders in formulating a global framework for development- oriented agricultural research
  • increase awareness of the need for long-term commitment to, and investment in, agricultural research

Contents

[edit] Structure

The GFAR stakeholders are national agricultural research systems in developing countries (NARS), advanced research institutions (ARIs), regional and sub-regional organisations, universities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), farmers' organisations, the private sector, international agricultural research centres (IARCs) and the donor community.

The key gathering at which all GFAR stakeholders come together is the GFAR Triennial Conference. The first general Conference of GFAR was held in Dresden, Germany, in May 2000, on the topic of "Strengthening research partherships in the globalized world of the turn of century". The second triennial Conference was held in Dakar, Senegal, in 2003 with the theme "Linking Research and Rural Innovation to Sustainable Development". The third triennial Conference was held in New Delhi, India, in 2006 with the theme "Reorienting Agricultural Research" to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)".

[edit] Budget

Financial support for this initiative is provided by a GFAR Donor Support Group.

[edit] GFAR Regional Networks

GFAR operates closely through the seven Regional Forums on ARD, namely:

  • AARINENA - Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa
  • APAARI - Asia Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions
  • CACAARI - Central Asia and the Caucasus Association of Agricultural Research Institutions
  • EFARD - European Forum on Agricultural Research and Development
  • FARA - Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa
  • FORAGRO - Forum for the Americas on Agricultural Research and Technology Development
  • NAFAR - North American Regional Forum on Agricultural Research

[edit] External links

  • EGFAR, the website of the Global Forum on Agricultural Research