Agriculture
is Back, but Science Must be Mobilized for Development
"Linking Research and Rural Innovation to Sustainable
Development" was the principal theme of the Global
Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) General Conference
held in May in Dakar, Senegal.
Over 400 participants attended the Dakar conference representing
major agricultural research stakeholder groups: regional
and sub-regional fora of developing country national agricultural
research systems, the private sector, NGOs, farmers’
organisations, scientists from advanced research institutes
(ARIs), universities, CGIAR Centers, and donors.
The conference was opened by His Excellency Abdoulaye
Wade, President of Senegal. Presenting the keynote address,
Ian Johnson, CGIAR Chairman and World Bank Vice President
spoke about the renewed focus on agriculture thanks to
the United Nations summits held in Monterrey, Rome, and
Johannesburg. Professor Wiseman Nkulhu, Chairman, Steering
Committee, New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD)
spoke about the emerging global issues in sustainable
development and NEPAD’s role and response in meeting
the challenges.
"Scientific advances, particularly in the fields
of natural resources management, information and communication,
and biotechnology must be mobilized for sustainable development,"
said Mohammad Roozitalab, Chairman, GFAR and Vice President,
Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the
Near East and North Africa (AARINENA). "Our challenge
is to ensure that these advances benefit all stakeholders
in an equitable manner."
GFAR was established in October 1996 to facilitate exchange
of information, access to knowledge, cooperation, and
research partnerships among a broad spectrum of stakeholders
involved in agricultural research and sustainable development.
A highlight of the conference was a civil society workshop
in which 33 NGOs and 15 farmers’ organizations participated
to discuss and exchange information on important developments
in the agricultural research-for-development arena.
For more information, visit www.egfar.org
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