Global Forum on Agricultural Research
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`s Mission is to:
GFAR`s actions are focused around four key areas:
The key gathering at which all GFAR stakeholders came together was 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)".
The Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development (GCARD) replaced the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) Triennial Conferences and the Annual General Meetings of the CGIAR.
.
The alleviation of rural poverty
Poverty
Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
, food security
Food security
Food security refers to the availability of food and one's access to it. A household is considered food-secure when its occupants do not live in hunger or fear of starvation. According to the World Resources Institute, global per capita food production has been increasing substantially for the past...
and the sustainable management
Sustainable management
Sustainable management takes the concepts from sustainability and synthesizes them with the concepts of management. Sustainability has three branches: the environment, the needs of present and future generations, and the economy...
of the environment are GFAR's three basic objectives.
GFAR`s 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
GFAR`s actions are focused around four key areas:
- Global Advocacy
- Institutions for the Future
- Inter-Regional Partnerships
- Agricultural Knowledge for All
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 came together was 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
Millennium Development Goals
The Millennium Development Goals are eight international development goals that all 193 United Nations member states and at least 23 international organizations have agreed to achieve by the year 2015...
(MDGs)".
The Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development (GCARD) replaced the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) Triennial Conferences and the Annual General Meetings of the CGIAR.
Budget
Financial support for this initiative is provided through a multi-donor trust fund maintained in FAOFão
Fão is a town in Esposende Municipality in Portugal....
.
GFAR Regional Foras
GFAR operates closely through six indipendently managed Regional Foras 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
External links
- EGFAR, the website of the Global Forum on Agricultural Research