Cgiar News Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research December 2002

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Public Disclosure Authorized CGIAR NEWS CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH DECEMBER 2002

AGRICULTURE FOR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT: From Words to Action at Annual General Meeting

“Agriculture for Growth and Develop- Philippines. The AGM was held out- ment” was the theme of the 2002 An- side of Washington for the first time. nual General Meeting (AGM) of the The Philippines joined the CGIAR in Public Disclosure Authorized Consultative Group on International 1980, and hosts the International Rice Agricultural Research (CGIAR) held in Research Institute (IRRI), which to- Manila during October 30-November gether with CIMMYT was the birth- 1, 2002. place of the Green Revolution. Manila “Increased support to public goods was chosen because of the Philippines’

agricultural research, expanded public- CGIAR international reputation in agricultural private partnerships, and opportunities The Hon. Teofisto Guingona, Vice President research. Significant outcomes of the to engage with and listen to farmers of the Philippines, addresses the CGIAR Manila meetings include: were the major outcomes of the Manila Stakeholders Meeting, calling for renewed • Increased commitment from efforts to redress North-South imbalances AGM” said Ian Johnson, CGIAR Chair- Canada, USA, the Netherlands, and in trade and subsidies. man. “Agricultural development is es- Spain for generating farming solu- sential for creating responsible growth, More than 500 participants from tions that benefit poor farmers of Public Disclosure Authorized reducing poverty, and protecting our over 40 countries attended the meet- the developing world, particularly environment.” ings hosted by the Government of in Africa. Continued on page 4 CGIAR CHALLENGE PROGRAMS LAUNCHED New Effort Forges New Science-for-Development Partnerships Water is to agriculture, what oxygen protecting the environment is essen- ficiencies. Women and children in Sub is to life: one is essential for sustain- tial for sustainable development. Saharan Africa, South and Southeast ing the other. Water availability is set Equally critical is the need to de- Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean to become one of the most pressing liver nutritious food by addressing the are especially at risk of disease, pre- issues of the 21st century. Currently, critical problem of micronutrient defi- mature death and impaired cognitive more than 40 percent of the world’s ciencies in women and children living abilities because of diets poor in iron, Public Disclosure Authorized population lives in water-stressed in the developing world. More than vitamin A, iodine and zinc. river basins. Improving the produc- 800 million people do not have Both issues, the water crisis, and tivity of water in agriculture—grow- enough food to meet their basic daily nutrient deficiencies in women and ing more food using less water— energy needs. Even more—3 billion— children in the developing world will while improving rural livelihoods and suffer the effects of micronutrient de- become the major challenges of the Continued on page 2

CGIAR NEWS PAGE 1 CHALLENGE PROGRAMS LAUNCHED Continued from page 1 mitted 25 million Euros to the Water and Food Challenge Program, and the 21st century. They represent global some of the world’s best minds to Biofortified Crops Challenge Program problems of such magnitude that they focus on problems of global propor- has also attracted substantial re- demand a new approach to problem tions. Participants will include scien- sources. solving. Recently, the CGIAR has de- tists from the CGIAR Centers; na- At the CGIAR AGM, Ian Johnson, veloped a programmatic approach tional research organizations and ad- Vice President ESSD and Chair of the which will ensure that science offers vanced research institutes, universi- CGIAR, said, “I am delighted to see practical solutions to these pressing ties and the communities and organi- this level of international commit- challenges. CGIAR Members, CGIAR zations most affected. Together the ment to solving the problems of Centers and partners created Chal- participants will design programs of hunger and poverty. Major commit- lenge Programs, a new approach research, implementation and evalua- ments from the Netherlands and ini- geared to solving global problems and tion and develop new and effective tial pledges from the several other contributing to achieving the Millen- solutions. donors will increase our ability to nium Development Goals. According to Francisco Reif- deliver science-based solutions to the The approach brings together schneider, Director of the CGIAR, challenges of water use and food se- “Only by pooling ideas, knowledge curity for poor people.” and experience can we hope to IN THIS ISSUE achieve breakthroughs in the struggle Biofortified Crops for Improved to create new solutions to global Human Nutrition 1 CGIAR Annual General Meeting problems. Problems of this magnitude This Challenge Program is led by 1 Challenge Programs Launched demand a new approach. If we are se- IFPRI and CIAT. The introduction of 4 New Members Expand CGIAR rious about achieving real change we biofortified crops offers real solutions Alliance must find new ways to extend 5 “Fish for All” Initiative our partnerships to national and 6 First Robert McNamara international institutions, and Seminar held in Tokyo the private and non-government 7 Private Sector Support for Agricultural Push sectors, North and South alike.” The CGIAR Challenge Pro- 8 CGIAR Science and Communi- cation Awards grams on Water and Food and 10 Photo Essay Biofortified Crops for Improved 12 World’s Leading Environment Human Nutrition were approved Financier delivers 2002 at the CGIAR’s Annual General Crawford Lecture Meeting in October. The tasks 13 New Global Partnership to Im- and resources required are sub- prove Cassava Production stantial. The Water and Food 14 World Bank launches Strategy Challenge Program requires $100 “Reaching the Rural Poor” million over five years to achieve 15 New Software Licensing Agree- its objectives while the Bioforti- ment with Microsoft fied Crops Human Nutrition 15 Announcements Challenge Program needs $88

Editor: Sarwat Hussain million over ten years. But al- Issued by the CGIAR Secretariat ready commitments have been Tel: (1-202) 473-8951 made. The World Bank grant pro- Fax: (1-202) 473-8110 vided to the CGIAR will support CIMMYT/Gene Hettel E-mail: [email protected] development of Challenge Pro- Rice crop in a rice-wheat cropping area in Design: Iseman Creative, Inc. grams. The Netherlands has com- Bangladesh.

PAGE 2 CGIAR NEWS sions of water to agriculture above the levels of 2000. This will be a 20-25 year effort, with a significant impact on reducing poverty, while improving water use policies and institutions. By opening the field to participa- tion by a broad range of partners out- side the traditional agricultural research community, the Program will ensure continuity in local communities where the impacts of the research are focused. The Program’s initial phase will op- erate in 15 developing country river basins to identify and encourage practices and institutional strategies that CIMMYT/Gene Hettel improve water productivity. In these Guatemalan family shelling maize. Benchmark Basins, the Program will also monitor progress towards food se- for vulnerable people suffering mi- CIAT will coordinate plant breeding, curity at the household level, poverty cronutrient deficiencies. Crop vari- nutrition, crop dissemination and pol- alleviation, improved health and envi- eties bred for increased mineral and vi- icy analysis activities which will be ronmental security. tamin content offer sustainable and carried out at CGIAR Centers, national The Water and Food Challenge low-cost ways to reach people with agricultural research and extension in- Program will be managed by an 18- poor access to formal markets or stitutions and universities in devel- member consortium, composed of five health care systems, and to profoundly oped and developing countries. Non CGIAR Centers, six national agricul- improve micronutrient intakes. governmental organizations, farmers tural research and extension systems, The CGIAR Centers have already organizations and private sector four advanced research institutes and demonstrated the ability of crop re- groups will strengthen the alliance and three international NGOs. CIAT, search to improve the nutrient content provide linkages to consumers. IFPRI, IRRI, IWMI, and the WorldFish of staple crops including iron-rich rice The deployment of just six mi- Center will act as focal points for syn- developed at IRRI, quality protein cronutrient enriched staple crops thesizing results. They are responsible maize developed by CIMMYT, sweet could reach roughly 90 percent of the for sharing knowledge and lessons potato and cassava high in carotene population at risk from micronutrient learned at the international and policy developed by CIP and IITA respec- malnutrition and improve the health levels. tively. The challenge now is to explore and lives of billions of people. The consortium will disburse 75 ways to further improve these crucial percent of the project funding through varieties, examine potential for nutri- Water and Food a competitive grant scheme beginning ent enhancement in additional crops, The Challenge Program on Water and in 2003 and at least 33 percent of and determine effective continuing as- Food is a partnership between national funding for each project will be di- sessment and dissemination policies. and international research institutes, rected to national agricultural research An international coalition will NGOs, and river basin communities. organizations. bring together an extraordinary range The Program’s goal is to increase food For more information please visit of knowledge and ability including ex- production to achieve internationally www.cgiar.org/iwmi/challenge-program pertise in plant breeding, human nu- adopted food security and poverty or www.cgiar.org trition, plant genomics, social behav- eradication targets by 2015. And to do ior and policy analysis. IFPRI and this without increasing global diver-

CGIAR NEWS PAGE 3 FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH: NEW MEMBERS EXPAND CGIAR ALLIANCE

Four new members joined the ing the problems of poverty, CGIAR alliance at the Annual hunger and under develop- General Meeting: Israel, ment.” Malaysia, Morocco, and the Syn- According to Mr. Johnson: genta Foundation for Sustainable “New membership continues Agriculture were acclaimed as to strengthen the alliance. We new members. are extremely proud to have The new members bring the such a strong developing coun- total CGIAR membership to 62, try membership. Our four new including 24 developing coun- members bring a wealth of ex- tries, 23 industrialized countries, CGIAR pertise and experience and will and 4 private foundations. CGIAR alliance strengthened with new members (L to R): Andrew enable the CGIAR to better Bennett (Syngenta Foundation), Nachman Paster (Israel), Ian John- “I am delighted to see this in- son (CGIAR), Saharan Anang (Malaysia), Francisco Reifschneider shape policy towards the de- crease in the membership of the (CGIAR), and Hamid Narjisse (Morocco). veloping world and ensure our CGIAR,” Ian Johnson, Chair of new members have even the CGIAR said today, “This de- greater influence on the devel- cision demonstrates the continuing value of the world class research work opment of global public goods for de- importance of new institutions like undertaken by the Future Harvest veloping countries.” the CGIAR alliance. This new mem- Centers of the CGIAR and will in- For more information, click on bership is further recognition of the crease the resources available for solv- www.cgiar.org

2002 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Continued from page 1 • Strengthened partnerships: four new global significance. “The Manila meetings and field vis- members—Israel, Malaysia, Mo- • Conferment of CGIAR Science its to IRRI and the University of Philip- rocco, and the Syngenta Foundation Awards for boosting chickpea pro- pines-Los Baños provided CGIAR —joined the CGIAR alliance. duction, integrated pest manage- members with a unique opportunity to Twenty-four developing and 22 in- ment, improved water policies, and witness first-hand the CGIAR’s efforts dustrialized countries, four private saving biodiversity. Recognizing the in mobilizing global knowledge for foundations, together with many critical importance of communicat- local impacts” said Francisco Reif- other partners now constitute the ing the outcomes of scientific work schneider, CGIAR Director. “The strengthened CGIAR alliance. to the general public, two new com- CGIAR is grateful to the Government of Malaysia hosts the WorldFish Center. munication and journalism awards Philippines for hosting the meeting and • Approval of two innovative re- were announced and conferred. for facilitating interaction with farmers’ search-for-development “Challenge • In-depth interaction with stakehold- groups and local scientists.” Programs” focusing on water for ers on important issues such as Leading Philippine dignitaries, in- food and biofortification of crops for streamlining governance, catalyzing cluding Vice President Teofisto Guing- improved human nutrition and in- and promoting innovation and tech- ona and Secretary of Agriculture Mr. comes. The Challenge Programs nical change in agriculture, combat- Leonardo Montemayor addressed and build on core CGIAR competencies ing desertification, aligning research participated in the meetings. while attracting additional financial, to achieve objectives of international For more information on the AGM, technical, and human resources, en- conventions on biodiversity and de- Challenge Programs and Science gaging a broader range of partners, sertification, and strengthening na- Awards, visit www.cgiar.org and tackling development issues of tional agricultural research capacities.

PAGE 4 CGIAR NEWS “FISH FOR ALL” SUMMIT FOCUSES ON DECLINING AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT AND FISHERIES New Initiative Seeks to Mitigate Adverse Effects on Poor People

Worldwide, aquatic environments the ambitious goal of restoring lute waterways and lead to the and their productivity are on the depleted fisheries by 2015. wholesale transformation of decline. According to one estimate, Seeking to raise awareness and landscapes 58 percent of the world’s coral reefs foster partnerships for creative solu- • Climate change patterns caused and 34 percent of all fish species are tions to address the problem, World- Chile’s anchovy catch (the at risk from human activities. Fish Center launched a new “Fish world’s largest) to fall 73 percent The negative impacts of these for All” initiative that will catalyze in 1998, while the global catch trends are profoundly affecting the partnerships for reversing the fell 7.5 percent compared to 1997 well-being of the world’s fishers, 85 declines in living aquatic resources • Fishing is a dangerous occupa- percent of whom are in Asia and and finding ways to restore the tion—a person is 10-15 times another 7 percent who practice arti- livelihoods, food and incomes of more likely to die while fishing sanal fishing in Africa. Many of those who use and depend on fish. than while mining. them are the poorest of the poor. The “Fish for All” Summit was a New research conducted by the tremendous success. Nearly 300 The Summit concluded that WorldFish Center and IFPRI shows participants from over 40 countries given the many benefits of whole- that global fish production may not including ministers responsible for some food, livelihoods and environ- keep pace with population growth, a fisheries in Asia and Africa, fisheries ments that are based on fish and shortfall predicted to have disas- specialists, development assistance other aquatic life, all people should trous conse- embrace the quences for vision of “Fish more than one for All.” billion people “The problems who rely on are multiplying, fish for food, and the time has nutrition, and come for an incomes. informed, inclu- “Fish is the sive, public dia- fastest growing source of food in the experts, fisher organizations, and logue,” added Dr. Williams. “The developing world,” said Meryl civil society representatives attended world lacks a neutral forum in Williams, Director-General, World- the Summit. Some of the concerns which to air dilemmas over different Fish Center. “Demand greatly and issues addressed at the Summit values. The ongoing ‘Fish for All’ exceeds supply, and the problem is included: initiative will help establish sustain- getting worse. Almost three-quarters able environmental practices along of the 130 million tonnes extracted • Between 1970 and 1998, the the world’s rivers and coastlines, and in 2000 came from fish stocks number of fishers more than in its lakes, seas and oceans.” already depleted, over-fished or fully doubled worldwide (28 million, For more information, click on exploited.” up from 13 million) with 95 per- www.fishforall.org or www.world- So severe are the threats to the cent of them living in developing fishcenter.org world’s fisheries that the Plan of countries Implementation of the 2002 Johan- • Aquaculture provided 25 percent nesburg World Summit on Sustain- of the world’s fish supply in able Development (WSSD) has set 1998, but aquaculture can pol-

CGIAR NEWS PAGE 5 FIRST ROBERT S. MCNAMARA SEMINAR HELD IN TOKYO

The value of North-South science opment strategies,” he urged. and Ministry of Agriculture, partnerships was the principal Recounting the continuing struggle Forestry and Fisheries, and United theme at the inaugural Robert S. against hunger, he outlined the Nations University, with the support McNamara Seminar “Role of Agri- important role of technology in of the World Bank. Mr. McNamara is culture in Sustainable Develop- advancing food production without a founding father of the CGIAR, and ment” held at United Nations Uni- causing ecological harm. He noted has made extraordinary contribu- versity. that Japan is a world leader in rice tions to supporting public goods “Japan’s scientific excellence is research and is at the forefront of agricultural research. well-known,” said Ian Johnson, global efforts to decode the rice Addressing the meeting by video, CGIAR Chairman and World Bank genome. Japan is also leading the he noted that the CGIAR has a Vice President for Environmentally movement for achieving sustainable tremendous record of achievement, and Socially Sustainable Develop- advances in agricultural productivi- and urged that future efforts must ment. “When outstanding science is ty while giving concurrent attention continue to focus scientific research combined with strong financial to ecology and economics. for increasing food production and backing, the results can be revolu- incomes in the poorest countries. tionary as in the case of the New A highlight of the seminar was a Rices for Africa that are changing panel discussion featuring Ronald the lives of poor farmers across Cantrell of IRRI, Masa Iwanaga of Africa.” CIMMYT, and Kanayo Nwanze of New Rices for Africa, or WARDA, moderated by Francisco NERICAs, were developed by Reifschneider, CGIAR Director. WARDA, with support from many Maize, rice and wheat are the three investors including Japan. NERICAs most important cereals for human combine the high productivity of diets, accounting for the bulk of Asian rices with the drought toler- caloric intake. The three world-class ance capabilities of traditional science leaders described the posi- African rices. NERICAs hold great tive impacts and benefits of Japan’s potential for African rice farmers support to the CGIAR, calling for and are helping to substantially Mr. Kitamura, Vice Minister, Japanese Ministry of the international community to reduce West Africa’s multi-million Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries addresses the come together to ensure that Robert S. McNamara seminar. Japan is a world dollar rice import bills. leader in rice research. advances in agricultural science and The theme of science partner- technology deliver real and lasting ships for development was taken up Leading Japanese public officials, benefits to people living in poverty by the keynote speaker, Monkumbu including Mr. Kitamura, Vice Minis- worldwide. Japan is one of the three S. Swaminathan, World Food Prize ter in the Japanese Ministry of Agri- largest investors in the CGIAR, laureate and chairman of the culture, Forestry and Fisheries and together with the World Bank and CGIAR’s Genetic Resources Policy Mr. Shindo, Parliamentary Secretary United States. Many hundreds of Committee. “The poor have been for Foreign Affairs, addressed the Japanese scientists have worked in bypassed by modern technological meeting. A lively Q&A session fol- CGIAR Centers, contributing scien- advances,” he said. “Reaching the lowed and extended into the lunch tific, managerial and technical unreached, and including the where NERICAs were served. expertise. excluded have to be important com- The Robert S. McNamara Seminar ponents of contemporary science was organized by the CGIAR, the and technology policies and devel- Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

PAGE 6 CGIAR NEWS PRIVATE SECTOR SUPPORT FOR AGRICULTURAL PUSH

A major outcome of the World Summit farmers,” said Sam Dryden, who heads on Sustainable Development (WSSD) the CGIAR Private Sector Committee was the forging of partnerships focus- and is one of the signatories. “We rep- ing on five priority areas—agriculture, resent a mix of private sector entities biodiversity, energy, health, and water. from the North and the South, large as At the Summit, in addition to the well as small, and all of us have opera- negotiated implementation plan, 220 tions in developing economies.” partnership initiatives were “Agricultural growth is a precondi- announced. tion for sustainable development and Agricultural development is pivotal it is heartening to see agriculture for the sustainable development getting its due attention in develop- agenda. Of the 1.2 billion people living ment policy and debates” said Ian on less than $1 per day, the majority Johnson, CGIAR Chairman and World live in rural areas. More than 800 Bank Vice President. “The challenge is million people go hungry every day. to ensure that growth in the agricul- Food demand is expected to double ture sector is environmentally respon-

over the next 30-40 years. Environ- CIMMYT sible and socially acceptable.” mental sustainability can only be Public-private partnerships that mobilize cutting- The declaration is an initiative of achieved by curbing the adverse edge science for boosting crop yields and farmer the CGIAR Private Sector Committee incomes are urgently needed—agricultural impacts of agricultural practices. growth is pivotal for sustainable development and which seeks to promote public-private Science-based solutions are urgently meeting the targets of the Millennium Develop- sector collaboration in agricultural needed to address the crops, ecologies, ment Goals. research for development. The 16 and development needs of millions of international agricultural research poor farmers. tion of Corporate Support” pledging centers supported by the CGIAR are These messages are echoed in a support for public-private sector coop- leading producers of new agricultural special paper “A Framework for eration in agricultural research technologies within a public goods Action on Agriculture” com- and development, as a con- framework in which research products missioned by Mr. Nitin tribution to the Millenni- and processes are freely available to all. Desai, Secretary-General, um Development Goals Signatories are B. R. Barwale, WSSD. It notes “… agri- and WSSD. The declara- Mahyco (India), Sam Dryden, Emer- culture is important in tion urges the CGIAR to gent Genetics (USA), A. Charles stimulating sustainable “continue its role of lead- Fischer, Dow AgroSciences (USA), economic growth and rural ership in exploring and Heinz Imhof, Sygenta (Switzerland), employment, and it is the cor- implementing opportunities Howard L. Minigh, Agriculture and nerstone for food security and for public and private sector insti- Nutrition, Dupont (USA), Alan poverty reduction” and continues with tutions in North and South to seek the Reade, Merial Limited (UK), Hans W. a call for “cooperative actions needed most effective ways for sharing knowl- Reiners, Agricultural Products Divi- on the part of governments, business- edge in support of research for agricul- sion, BASF AG (USA), Alfonso Romo, es, civil society, international organiza- tural development.” Seminis (Mexico), Warren R. Staley, tions and other relevant stakeholders “The declaration makes a tangible Cargill (USA), Hendrik Verfaillie, to address the challenges.” contribution to the notion of public- Monsanto Company (USA), and In a significant development, the private partnerships, signaling a com- Jochen Wulff, Bayer CropScience AG, CEOs of 11 major private sector agri- mitment for finding new mechanisms (Germany). cultural companies signed a “Declara- that address the needs of resource poor

CGIAR NEWS PAGE 7 2002 CGIAR SCIENCE AWARDS

Each year, the CGIAR recognizes the important food legume, rich in pro- work of its leading scientists, support tein, and grown on 11 million hectares teams, and research partnerships, se- by poor farmers in South and South- lected by the criteria of novelty, rele- east Asia and West Asia and North vance, applicability and development Africa. The benefits of this research are impact. having positive impacts in Bangladesh, The 2002 CGIAR Science Awards Ethiopia, India, Myanmar, Nepal, were given for scientific advances that Syria, and other rainfed agricultural Tushaar Shah and Ian Johnson have led to new crop varieties that ma- areas. ture early and resist drought, novel and private donor agencies and NGOs methods for screening seed samples alike. for enhanced biosafety, improved water policies, and new biological con- Science Award for an Outstanding Sci- trol methods for curbing the spread of entific Support Team to Imelda Revilla crop disease. and colleagues, IRRI, for the project “The awards serve twin purposes,” “Exploiting Biodiversity for Sustainable said Ian Johnson, CGIAR Chairman. Pest Management.” By planting differ- “They recognize outstanding scientific ent types of rice alongside each other, achievement, while singling out those Marilyn Louise Warburton and Ian Johnson the research team was able to achieve efforts that positively impact the lives Science Award for Promising Young near total control of the devastating of poor farming communities world- Scientist to Marilyn Louise Warbur- rice blast disease. For millennia, farm- wide. This is science aligned with re- ton, CIMMYT, for developing an inex- ers have used nature’s biodiversity to sponsible wealth creation, by improv- pensive, fast, and replicable methodol- ing people’s lives and protecting the ogy for accurately analyzing genetic di- planet’s environment.” versity in maize and wheat seeds that The awards were presented at the uses molecular characterization tech- Annual General Meeting in Manila. niques. The new protocols developed by Ms. Warburton and her colleagues have been used for rapid screening of CIMMYT’s maize germplasm for the occurrence of transgene sequences. control pests, but this project showed them how cutting-edge science can be Science Award for Outstanding Scien- applied to the problems of pest man- tist to Tushaar Shah, IWMI for excep- agement for achieving optimal results tional work in improving water poli- and ensuring sustainability. In China, Jagdish Kumar and Ian Johnson (center) cies, especially in the sustainable man- the project has successfully curbed the King Baudouin Award to Jagdish agement and use of groundwater re- spread of rice blast disease, reducing Kumar representing ICRISAT and sources. Shah’s research has looked at a pesticide use, increasing farmer in- ICARDA scientists for developing new broad range of issues including energy comes, and protecting human health chickpea varieties with higher toler- subsidies in the water sector, strength- and the environment. Team members ance to drought and heat, better resis- ening and reform of water institutions, include Nancy Castilla, Isabelita Oña, tance to pests and diseases that pro- and irrigation management. He is Alicia Bordeos, Marietta Baraoidan, vide stable and economically prof- widely regarded as one of the world’s Veritas Salazar, Maximino Banasihan, itable yields. most influential thinkers on water pol- Florencio Blaneson, Flavio Maghirang, Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an icy, recognized by governments, public and Crisanta Culala. The project’s find-

PAGE 8 CGIAR NEWS ings were published in Nature in 2000 Science Award for Outstanding Com- and were hailed by the New York Times munications to Christopher Barr of as a “stunning success.” CIFOR. Barr’s research has focused on Indonesian forest policy and the role of financial institutions in funding large- scale investments in forest-based in- dustries. Over the past three years, his Bruce Campbell and Ian Johnson research has examined the factors dri- ability. Prior to joining the World ving the rapid expansion of Indonesia’s Wildlife Fund, Sayer served as Director pulp and paper sector, and the finan- General of CIFOR. cial risks associated with the fiber supply strategies of the sector’s major pro- Ruth Meinzen-Dick and Ian Johnson 2002 Awards for Outstanding ducers. He is the author of “Profits on Science Award for Outstanding Part- Journalism and Communications nership to Ruth Meinzen-Dick, IFPRI, representing the Collective To promote the importance of science Action and Property Rights (CAPRi) in the broader community and the sig- program—a CGIAR systemwide ini- nificance of communications in re- tiative spanning all 16 Future Harvest search and development work, the Centers, 400 national research insti- CGIAR initiated two new awards for tutes, universities, advanced research science communication in 2002. The Christopher Barr and Ian Johnson institutes, and NGOs. CAPRi has con- new awards acknowledge journalists, tributed to a greater understanding of scientists, and communications profes- Paper: Political Economy of Fiber, Fi- the important role of institutions that sionals working in the field of science nance, and Debt in Indonesia’s Pulp promote collective actions and prop- communication. and Paper Industry” (2000) and erty rights in determining the effi- “Banking on Sustainability: Structural ciency, sustainability and equity com- Adjustment and Forestry Reform in ponents of natural resource systems. Post-Suharto Indonesia” (2001). His This partnership has contributed to persuasive writings have appeared in the development of coherent frame- The Asian Wall Street Journal, Far works, research methodologies, and Eastern Economic Review, International cross-comparable case studies that Financing Review-Asia, the BBC’s enable the development of locally rel- Business Hour and in mainstream evant policies and institutions. Indonesian media. Ian Johnson and Fred Pearce Science Award for an Outstanding Science Award for Outstanding Jour- Scientific Article to Jeffrey Sayer of nalism to Fred Pearce, freelance jour- The evaluation and selection panels the World Wildlife Fund and Bruce nalist, for his article “Desert Harvest” for the CGIAR Science Awards were led Campbell of CIFOR for their article published in New Scientist (27 October by an eminent group of scientists, in- “Research to Integrate Productivity 2001) and “The King of Cowpea” in cluding Emil Javier (Chairman of the Enhancement, Environmental Protec- Geographical Magazine. Pearce’s writ- CGIAR Science Council), James Cook tion, and Human Development” pub- ings highlighted the successes of sci- (Washington State University), Marlia lished in Conservation Ecology. The ar- ence for development in Africa, com- Nutti (Embrapa-Brazil), Jules Pretty ticle demonstrated why integrated nat- municating with different target audi- (University of Essex), William Dar ural resource management research is ences and carrying important messages (ICRISAT), Robert Lamb (TVE Interna- necessary to meet the challenges of for policy makers, donors and the gen- tional UK), and Maria Celeste Cadiz (Uni- poverty and environmental sustain- eral public. versity of Philippines, Los Baños).

CGIAR NEWS PAGE 9 PHOTO ESSAY: RETURN OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT ISSUES TO THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENDA

2002 has been a banner year for agri- CGIAR Annual General Meeting), of- overall sustainable development culture and rural development. A se- fered opportunities for key interven- agenda. ries of high-profile events (U.N. tions and discussions led by Ian John- This photo essay seeks to provide a Preparatory Committee meetings, son, Francisco Reifschneider, and snapshot of this journey, highlighting World Food Summit: Five Years Later, other partners. All helped refocus in- CGIAR engagement in and contribu- World Summit on Sustainable Devel- ternational attention on the important tions to these important events. opment (WSSD), followed by the contributions of agriculture to the

“Some 70 percent of poor and hungry people in developing countries live in rural areas. Agricultural productivity growth can bring about swift and sustainable reductions in hunger and poverty, for farm incomes rise when productivity increases.” Excerpt from “A Framework for Action on Agriculture,” a paper prepared for WSSD. In June 2002, at the Preparatory Committee meetings in The CGIAR was an active Bali, the CGIAR co-hosted a Ministerial Roundtable on participant in the WEHAB “Agriculture for Food Security and Sustainable Rural Working Group on Agricul- ture. Development.” H.E. Bungaran Saragih, Indonesian Min- ister of Agriculture and H.E. Eveline Herfkens, Dutch Minister of Development Cooperation co-chaired the meeting. Ian Johnson, Francisco Reifschneider, 12 Minis- ters, and more than 100 public, private, and civil society representatives participated.

Adel El-Beltagy, incoming Chairman The World Summit on Sustainable Develop- of the Center Directors Committee Mr. Nitin Desai, Secretary-General, World ment held in Johannesburg was a landmark and Director General, ICARDA, pre- Summit on Sustainable Development, event. Here, Ian Johnson, CGIAR Chairman, sents the CGIAR statement “Mobiliz- addressed the Bali Ministerial Roundtable. joins Lennart Bage, President, IFAD in launch- ing Science for Growth and Sustain- ing a new report “The Rural Poor: Survival or able Development: The Power of a Better Life.” Partnership” to the WSSD plenary.

PAGE 10 CGIAR NEWS In June 2002, FAO hosted the World Food Summit: Five Years Later. This key event helped refocus world attention on the scourge of hunger. Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug and H.E. A. Bello, Nigerian Minister of Agricul- ture, exchange views at the Summit.

At the World Food Summit, global efforts to con- serve plant genetic resources gained momentum. Louise Fresco, Assistant Director-General, FAO invited members to sign the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agri- culture. The treaty recognizes the 530,000-strong CGIAR germplasm collections as a central pillar of the conservation effort.

H.E. Leonardo Montemayor, Secre- tary of Agriculture, Philippines, wel- The CGIAR was privileged to have a booth at comes Mohamed El-Ashry to the the World Food Summit. Coosje Hoogendoorn CGIAR Annual General Meeting. A of IPGRI (center) chaired a CGIAR sys- major item of discussion at the AGM temwide Task Force for the 2002 Summits. was follow-up to the 2002 Summits.

“Water. Energy. Health. Agriculture. Biodiveristy. Five areas in which progress is possible with the resources and technologies at our disposal today. In Johannesburg, Jacques Diouf, Director- Five areas in which progress would General, FAO, joins CGIAR Cosponsors and H.E. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Japanese Foreign offer all human beings a chance of scientists for a discussion of “Challenge Pro- Minister, shakes hands with Kanayo achieving prosperity that will not only grams”—new research initiatives that are Nwanze, Director General, WARDA, to cel- last their own lifetime, but can be helping tackle problems of global significance ebrate the success of the New Rices for enjoyed by their children and grand- and broadening partnerships for maximum Africa (NERICAs) children too.” development impact. The CGIAR Challenge Kofi Annan, Secretary General, United Programs were included in the list of partner- Nations, May 2002—from a speech ship initiatives announced in Johannesburg. outlining priorities for sustainable development.

James D. Wolfensohn (World Bank President) and Prince Willelm Alexander of The Netherlands visited the Waterdome. Ian Johnson, Fran- cisco Reifschneider, Frank Rijsberman, and IWMI colleagues briefed the VIPs about CGIAR’s efforts to improve water productivity in agriculture.

CGIAR NEWS PAGE 11 MOHAMED T. EL-ASHRY, GEF CHAIRMAN AND CEO DELIVERS 2002 CRAWFORD LECTURE “Ecological Sustainability and ture, water-saving irrigation, Food Security—Challenges and other common sense and Opportunities” was the practices that work. Science theme of the 2002 Sir John and modern information Crawford Memorial Lecture technologies must be har- delivered by Mohamed T. El- nessed, including tapping Ashry, Chairman and CEO, traditional and indigenous Global Environment Facility wisdom of farmers. Also (GEF). needed are systems of land Highlighting the challenges tenure that do justice to land of achieving ecological sustain- and the people who work it. ability and its links to food Highlighting the seriousness security, Mr. El-Ashry noted of gender imbalances, he that the ability of our planet to noted that one third of all support life depends on its con- rural households are headed tinued capacity to maintain key by women, yet women own ecological functions. This in only two percent of the land. turn, he said, is the foundation Summoning and perpetuat- of sustainability in all forms of ing the necessary political human activity, none more so will is key, including than the sustainability of agri- strengthening our partner- culture and fisheries for food ships, multiplying our security. resources, and increasingly “CGIAR’s strategic research focusing on on-the-ground agenda should be aimed at results. achieving global sustainability The lecture honors the and the Millennium Develop- memory of Sir John Craw- ment Goals,” urged Mr. El- ford, a CGIAR founding Ashry. father and first Chairman of

The lecture suggested prior- GEF the Technical Advisory Com- ity areas for CGIAR research, 2002 Crawford Lecturer Mohamed El-Ashry, CEO, Global Environment mittee. It is supported by the including a renewed frontal Facility (GEF) Government of Australia. The attack on problems of land and lecture was the first event of water management, mitigating the single-sector approaches that rely too the CGIAR Annual General Meeting. A adverse impacts of global climate heavily on short-term technical fixes new publication “Agriculture and the change, and paying increased attention and end up causing long-term envi- Environment—Partnership for a Sus- to the needs of smallholder farmers ronmental degradation. Policy and tainable Future” was released at the practicing agriculture in marginal institutional issues must be addressed, lecture. lands. Looking to the future, harmo- including pricing of natural resources For more information, click on nizing growth and productivity with and counter-productive agricultural www.gefweb.org or www.cgiar.org sustainability will be critical. Bringing subsidies. growth and environmental protection More needs to be done for spread- into harmony will require forsaking ing the word about sustainable agricul-

PAGE 12 CGIAR NEWS NEW GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP TO IMPROVE CASSAVA PRODUCTION Little-known Root Crop Feeds 600 Million in the Tropics

Thirty of the world’s leading cassava wheat. In Africa, average cassava yield “But it is also an important industrial researchers established a “Global Part- is 8 tonnes per hectare compared to and cash crop that can promote rural nership for Cassava Genetic Improve- potential yields of over 80 tonnes per development.” ment,” a new partnership to promote hectare. Bacterial and viral diseases, New tools such as advanced molec- and coordinate global investment in insect pests, weeds, and drought have ular biology and biotechnology offer the genetic improve- new approaches to ment of cassava, an cassava improvement important source of and have the potential to nutrition in tropical make cassava much more countries. productive, nutritious, “This new part- and profitable to grow. nership is a very posi- “The new partnership tive development,” will develop and use said Louise Fresco, advanced technologies Assistant Director such as genomics to General, FAO. “It create cassava planting reflects the urgent materials that incorpo- need to support the rate desired traits,” said genetic improvement Eric Kueneman, Chief, of cassava to help mil- Crop and Grassland lions of the world’s Service, FAO. “These hungriest people.” include enhanced resis- Cassava (Manihot IITA tance to pests and esculenta Crantz), is a perennial woody all combined to limit cassava produc- disease, modified starch quality for shrub with an edible root. It is the tion. Attempts by farmers to market better marketability and enhanced third most important source of calo- their cassava products have also fallen levels of protein and micronutrients ries, after rice and corn, among more well short of their potential, because of that will make the crop more nutri- than 600 million people in Africa, Asia rapid post-harvest deterioration and tious.” and Latin America. Cassava is grown inadequate starch and protein content The Global Partnership for Cassava by poor farmers, many of them in the roots. Genetic Improvement was conceived women, often on marginal lands. For Conventional breeding efforts have at a meeting of 30 of the world’s these people, the crop is vital for food attempted to address many of the con- leading experts in cassava research and nutrition security and income straints facing cassava productivity, but held at the Rockefeller Foundation generation. with limited success. Progress has Conference Center in Italy in early Despite the importance of cassava, been slow, because of the crop’s October. It is balanced by representa- investments in research have lagged complex genetic makeup, which tion from leading research organiza- behind other food crops. Consequent- makes it difficult to breed efficiently. tions in developing countries and ly, cassava productivity over the past “Cassava is the most reliable source advanced research institutions in 30 years has grown at a meager of food for subsistence farmers in industrialized countries. 1 percent annually, in contrast to 2-5 Africa, Asia, and Latin America,” says For more information, click on percent growth rates in corn, rice and Alfred Dixon, cassava breeder at IITA. www.cgiar.org

CGIAR NEWS PAGE 13 WORLD BANK LAUNCHES STRATEGY “REACHING THE RURAL POOR”

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Development Goals, including halving countries to capture a larger share of Directors have endorsed a new rural the proportion of people suffering agricultural trade is that protection, development strategy, “Reaching the from hunger,” says Kevin Cleaver, especially in the large OECD markets, Rural Poor” which seeks to increase Director of the World Bank’s Rural has remained very high. The potential lending for agriculture by 20 percent Development Department and Co- economic welfare benefits of global yearly, marking a net increase of about sponsor representative to the CGIAR. agricultural trade reform for the devel- $400 million. “Since 75 percent of world’s poor live oping world are estimated to be at least “The new Agriculture and Rural in rural areas, the battle against $142 billion annually. development strategy will contribute poverty will in large measure be fought While reconfirming that agricul- to the implementation of the outcomes and won there.” ture is the main source of overall eco- of the Johannesburg World Summit on The new strategy rests on four nomic growth and poverty reduction Sustainable Development in which pillars: a focus on poor people, in many poor countries, the strategy more than 100 world leaders commit- addressing both farm and non-farm emphasizes that developed countries ted to make rural development a prior- activities, building alliances with need to make progress in agricultural ity for action,” says Ian Johnson, stakeholders, and addressing the trade liberalization, reduce trade-dis- CGIAR Chairman and World Bank impact of trade policies, subsidies, and torting agricultural subsidies, make Vice President for Environmentally climate change. scientific progress in agriculture acces- and Socially Sustainable Development. Agriculture in developing countries sible to developing countries, and re- Agricultural and rural growth are must grow by at least 3.5 percent focus assistance to rural development. essential to income growth in most annually on average, up from 2-2.5 This is especially pertinent in Sub- low income countries where agricul- percent in the 1990-2000 period, in Saharan Africa and South Asia where tural output amounts to 24 percent of order to contribute to achieving the the majority of rural poverty is found. total GDP. goal of halving poverty and hunger by For more information, click on “Unless there is fast and broad- 2015. But the new strategy recognizes www.worldbank.org/ruraldevelopment based rural development, we will not that growth is not enough: a major be able to achieve the Millennium reason for the inability of developing

ICLARM AND ICRAF DON NEW LOOK, NEW LOGOS

Two Centers—ICLARM and ICRAF—have adopted new names and new corporate logos. Concerned that their acronyms were not resonating with key stakeholders, the Penang-based International Center for Liv- ing Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM) is WorldFish Center, with a tag line “People-Science-Environment-Part- ners.” The Nairobi-based International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) has be- PEOPLE · SCIENCE · ENVIRONMENT · PARTNERS come the World Agroforestry Centre, with a tagline “Transforming Lives and Landscapes.”

PAGE 14 CGIAR NEWS NEW SOFTWARE LICENSING Announcements AGREEMENT WITH MICROSOFT Adel El-Beltagy, Director General, ICARDA is the new Chairman of the For a knowledge-intensive organiza- from Microsoft’s ‘charity-pricing’ CGIAR Center Directors Committee tion such as the CGIAR, software is specifically tailored for academic, not- (CDC). He succeeds Meryl J. Williams, Director General, key to creating, sustaining and dis- for-profit organizations. WorldFish Center. seminating scientific innovations and “The CGIAR ICT-KM program is information geared to the needs of guided by a ‘one system’ philosophy” poor farmers. In a significant develop- says Enrica Porcari, newly-appointed Jacques Paul Eckebil, Assistant Director-General, Sustainable Devel- ment, a newly-concluded CGIAR-Mi- CGIAR Chief Information Officer opment Department, FAO retired on crosoft software licensing agreement based at the WorldFish Center in October 31, 2002. will enable Future Harvest Centers to Penang, Malaysia. “The agreement benefit from steeply discounted prices with Microsoft is an important first Mohammad Roozitalab, Chairman, for Microsoft step that AARINENA has been appointed Chair- software demonstrates man of the Global Forum on Agricul- products, in- the value of tural Research (GFAR). He succeeds cluding the innovative ap- Raj S. Paroda. capability to proaches to make online software pro- Olanrewaju Babatunde Smith has purchases. curement with been appointed Executive Secretary “By acting systemwide of GFAR. He joins GFAR from the as a system, benefits.” International Development Research we can reap The CGIAR Centre (IRDC) in Canada, and suc- the rewards of ICT-KM pro- ceeds Fernando Chaparro who left GFAR in February 2002. increased effi- gram was es- ciency, re- tablished in ICLARM has a new name: WorldFish duced operat- October 2000 Center (www.worldfishcenter.org). ing costs, and to identify, So does ICRAF: World Agroforestry value-added champion and Centre (www.worldagroforestrycen- services,” said coordinate tre.org) Frank Rijs- areas of col- berman, Di- laboration be- rector Gen- tween Future In Memoriam eral, IWMI Harvest cen- David R. Mackenzie, Chairman of the and chairman, of the Information and ters and information domains for Board of Trustees, International Communication Technology-Knowl- greater systemwide value. Under the Potato Center (CIP), passed away on edge Management (ICT-KM) sub- new agreement, Centers can expect to October 23, 2002. He served six committee of the CGIAR Center Di- pay about a third of the best price of- years on CIP’s Board and was its rectors Committee. “Cost-effective- fered in Africa for a flagship product Chairman since 1998. ness must be our guiding mantra.” such as Microsoft Office Professional. Microsoft is the standard software Charity pricing is the lowest pricing Harold N. Graves, Jr. passed away on used throughout the CGIAR, with category available from Microsoft. November 13, 2002. He served as over 5,000 copies currently installed. Executive Secretary, CGIAR, from The new agreement allows the Cen- 1972-1975. ters to purchase software individually as and when needed it, but benefit

CGIAR NEWS PAGE 15 CGIAR

CGIAR Chairman CGIAR-SUPPORTED FUTURE HARVEST CENTERS Ian Johnson • Centro Internacional de Agricultura • International Livestock Research Tropical (CIAT) Institute (ILRI) CGIAR Director Cali, Colombia Nairobi, Kenya Francisco Reifschneider Phone: (57-2) 4450000 Phone: (254-2) 630743 www.ciat.cgiar.org www.cgiar.org/ilri Cosponsors • International Plant Genetic Food and Agriculture Organization of • Center for International Forestry Resources Institute (IPGRI) the United Nations Research (CIFOR) Bogor, Indonesia Maccarese (Fiumicino) Rome International Fund for Agricultural Development Phone: (62-251) 622 622 Phone: (39-06) 61181 www.ipgri.org United Nations Development Programme www.cifor.cgiar.org

The World Bank • International Maize and Wheat • International Rice Research Improvement Center (CIMMYT) Institute (IRRI) Mexico City, Mexico Los Baños, Philippines CGIAR Members Phone: (52-5) 804 2004 Phone: (63-2) 8450563 Countries www.cimmyt.org www.irri.org Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, • International Service for National Canada, China, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Denmark, • Centro Internacional de la Papa (CIP) Agricultural Research (ISNAR) Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Lima, Peru The Hague, The Netherlands Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Lux- Phone: (51-1) 349-6017 Phone: (31-70) 3496100 www.isnar.cgiar.org embourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, www.cipotato.org New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, • International Center for Agricultural • International Water Management Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Research In the Dry Areas Institute (IWMI) Colombo, Sri Lanka South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, (ICARDA) Aleppo, Syrian Arab Republic Phone: (94-1) 867404 Thailand, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States Phone: (963-21) 2213433 www.cgiar.org/iwmi of America www.icarda.org • West Africa Rice Development Association (WARDA) • International Crops Research Foundations Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics Phone: (225) 31634514 Ford Foundation, Kellogg Foundation, (ICRISAT) www.warda.org Rockefeller Foundation, Syngenta Foundation Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh, India Phone: (91-40) 3296161 • World Agroforestry Centre www.icrisat.org International and Regional Organizations Nairobi, Kenya Phone: (254-2) 524000 African Development Bank, Arab Fund for Eco- • International Food Policy Research www.worldagroforestrycentre.org nomic and Social Development, Asian Development Institute (IFPRI) Washington, DC, United States • WorldFish Center (ICLARM) Bank, European Commission, Food and Agriculture Phone: (1-202) 862-5600 Penang, Malaysia Organization of the United Nations, Inter-American www.ifpri.org Phone: (60-4) 626-1606 Development Bank, International Development Re- • International Institute of Tropical www.worldfishcenter.org search Centre, International Fund for Agricultural Agriculture (IITA) Development, OPEC Fund for International Develop- Ibadan, Nigeria ment, United Nations Development Programme, Phone: (234-2) 2412626 www.iita.org United Nations Environment Programme, The World Bank

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