Update on Generation Challenge Program

The Generation Challenge Program (GCP), formerly known as the Challenge Program for Unlocking Genetic Diversity in Crops for the Resource-Poor, is making significant progress. A management team is in place, led by Robert S. Ziegler, Director, GCP. In addition, four Subprogram Leaders, and a Capacity Building Coordinator have been appointed. Research activities have been organized as clusters, and 14 new initiatives are underway, with over $6 million having been disbursed to member institutions for the first year of research.

GCP capitalizes on the CGIAR's strengths - scientific knowledge, access to genetic resources, and strong alliances with NARS - and is pioneering new modes of research and collaboration. The GCP partnership comprises 15 member institutes (including eight CGIAR Centers, five advanced research institutions, and two national agricultural research systems) and has initiated a unique competitive grants program to foster expanded partnerships.

GCP aims to capture and utilize the benefits of the simultaneous revolutions in biology and information and communications technology, bringing the power of these revolutions to bear on the problems of resource poor farmers who practice agriculture in some of the world's harshest marginal environments. The intersection of these disciplines have yielded powerful discoveries about similarities across crop species that allow scientists to effectively and efficiently use genetic resources for improving food crops grown and consumed by poor people.

Smart partnerships that avoid duplication of effort lie at the core of GCP strategy. GCP and HarvestPlus are collaborating on a substantive joint research and capacity-building effort in eastern and central Africa. In addition, GCP has strong congruence with the Water and Food challenge program, particularly in the area of incorporating drought tolerance in food crops and improving water use efficiency in agriculture.

With the strong support of CGIAR donors, and cooperation from a dedicated community of scientists, GCP's objective of building a global platform of molecular biological tools for crop improvement for the benefit of resource-poor farmers is fast becoming a reality.

For more information, visit www.generationcp.org