cgiarNews w w w . c g i a r. o r g J u n e 2 0 0 4 Nourishing the future through scientific excellence In this Issue CGIAR Rice Breeder Wins World Food Prize 2004 1 G-8 Summit Support for CGIAR 1 2004 World Message from Chairman 2 and Director Food Prize Announcements 3 Top Honors for Zandstra 3 Dr. Monty Jones from Sierra IFPRI-ISNAR Alliance 3 Leone, a former rice breeder at News and Views from CBC/CDC 4 WARDA-The Africa Rice Center AGM'04 in Mexico 5 won the 2004 World Food Prize. CGIAR Chairman Visits CIP 6 He shares the prize with Professor Yuan Longping of IFAR Recognizes Scientific 6 China. The award, given by the Excellence Iowa-based World Food Prize ICRISAT's Signs MOUs 7 Foundation, carries a cash prize From Science Council Chair 8 of $250,000. Great Expectations 9 CGIAR-NEPAD Partnership 10 "The scientific and technological advances we applaud today offer an historic Generation Challenge Program 10 opportunity to put food on the tables of hungry millions and to lift them out of Prized Timber for Green Future 11 poverty," said U.S. Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, while congratulating the win- ners at the award ceremony held in April at the U.S. Department of State. Secretary World Potato Congress 11 Powell was joined by Ann M. Veneman, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, and Jacques Valuing a Seed 12 Diouf, Director General, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Strategic Advisory Service on 13 Continued on page 14 Human Resources Group of Eight Summit endorses CGIAR The recently-announced 2004 G-8 Action Plan provides a strong boost to CGIAR, and focuses on three priorities: Ending famine in the Horn of Africa Raising agricultural productivity Promoting rural development in food insecure countries "We are delighted that the G-8 Action Plan recognizes the imperative of reducing hunger, poverty and environmental degradation," said Ian Johnson, CGIAR CGIAR Continued on page 15 C O N S U L T A T I V E G R O U P O N I N T E R N A T I O N A L A G R I C U L T U R A L R E S E A R C H Message from the Chairman CGIAR Chairman Ian Johnson CGIAR Director and Director Francisco Reifschneider CGIAR Members African Development Bank Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development We are pleased to present you with the summer edition of "CGIAR News." Asian Development Bank An e-version of CGIAR is available at www.cgiar.org. This issue provides a snapshot Australia CGIAR of research accomplishments and development impacts achieved by the CGIAR Austria Bangladesh Centers, acting in concert with a broad range of partners. Belgium Brazil The award of the 2004 World Food Prize to Monty Jones for his efforts to develop Canada China NERICAs, the New Rices for Africa, tops the good news. It is a fitting tribute to the Colombia quality and relevance of research conducted by WARDA-The Africa Rice Center, and Commission of the European Community Côte d'Ivoire a powerful example of participatory research that is Africa-based, African-led, and Denmark directed toward Africa's specific development needs. In other news, we are delight- Arab Republic of Egypt ed that a world-class CGIAR Science Council chaired by Per Pinstrup-Andersen is off Finland Food and Agriculture Organization to a flying start, ensuring that CGIAR science continues to be at the leading edge of the United Nations for maximal development impact. Ford Foundation France Germany News on the financial front is also uniformly good. The draft 2003 financial report Gulf Cooperation Council shows CGIAR Member contributions totaled $381 million, confirming the stability of India Indonesia CGIAR finances and offering a resounding vote of confidence in the system's ability Inter-American Development Bank to deliver practical results that improve poor people's livelihoods. International Development Research Centre International Fund for Agricultural Development Islamic Republic of Iran The Government of Mexico will be hosting Annual General Meeting 2004. The Ireland venue is especially significant, going back to the origins of the CGIAR, birthplace of Israel Italy the Green Revolution and home to CIMMYT. Plans are proceeding apace for anoth- Japan er banner meeting where participants will get to witness first-hand the various Kellogg Foundation research-for-development initiatives by the Centers, including field visits to CIMMYT Kenya Republic of Korea and national research centers of excellence. Luxembourg Malaysia Mexico The IFPRI-ISNAR alliance is now complete. The new ISNAR program will be located Morocco in Addis Ababa, under IFPRI governance. It is another example of how the CGIAR is Netherlands reshaping itself for achieving greater development impacts in Africa and beyond. New Zealand Nigeria Norway Finally, we were delighted to have the opportunity to visit CIAT, CIP, and ICARDA OPEC Fund for International Development Pakistan and to have fruitful discussions with the staff. Thanks to an excellent program of Peru visits, we learned a lot and came away reassured that the CGIAR's mandate is Philippines making critical contributions toward the drive to achieve sustainable development. Portugal Rockefeller Foundation Romania We hope you have a relaxing summer. As always, we welcome comments on this Russian Federation South Africa newsletter which can be sent to cgiar@cgiar.org. Spain Sweden Cordially, Switzerland Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture Syrian Arab Republic Ian Johnson Francisco Reifschneider Thailand CGIAR Chairman CGIAR Director Uganda United Kingdom United Nations Development Programme United Nations Environment Programme United States of America World Bank 2 cgiarNews Top Honors for Hubert Zandstra Announcements The Government of Peru awarded the "One of my most gratifying profession- Ronald Cantrell, Director General, IRRI, "Great Cross for Distinguished al experiences was the reintroduction of has resigned his position effective Service" to Hubert Zandstra, Director potato seed, a technology used by the December 31, 2004. He is stepping down General, CIP, in May. Dr. Zandstra was ancient Incas, in Callejón de Conchucos for health and family reasons. recognized for his research contributions in Ancash," said Zandstra while accept- on potato, sweetpotato, lesser known ing the award. In 1994, Father Ugo de William Dar, Director General, ICRISAT, has Andean roots and tubers, and for Censi approached CIP after the region's been given a new 5-year term of office his dedication to promoting integrated farmers had lost all their seed due to a beginning January 2005. The decision was management of natural resources in devastating drought. With the seed CIP announced at the 50th meeting of the the world's mountain regions, sent, farmers were able to increase ICRISAT Governing Board held in April 2004. particularly in Peru. The honor is one their yields fivefold, and the community of the highest bestowed upon a no longer had to constantly search for Bram Govaerts, CIMMYT, won Belgium's foreigner by the Peruvian Government good quality seed. Development Cooperation Prize for his which hosts CIP. thesis "Soil quality assessment of zero In his remarks, the Minister highlight- tillage wheat/maize trials in the highlands Speaking at the award ceremony held ed the significance of having CIP of Mexico." at CIP headquarters in La Molina, the headquarters in Peru, a country known Peruvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, as the birthplace of the potato. He H.E. Manuel Rodriguez Cuadros com- emphasized that just as the popula- mended Hubert Zandstra's contribu- tions of Mexico and Central America tions to Peru, in particular his associa- are known as the cultures of maize, tion with the National Working Group the people of Peru should be known on Mountain Ecosystems organized by as the culture of the potato, both for the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs the connection of the crop to Peru's in 2002 , the International Year of ancient Andean heritage, as well as Mountains. The Minister also recognized for the global value of the tuber which Dr. Zandstra's contributions that have is the world's fourth most important helped Peru to enhance its influence at food crop. CGIAR international fora on biodiversity conser- vation and the sustainable development For more information on CIP, The Peruvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Manuel Rodriguez Cuadros honors Hubert of mountain regions. www.cipotato.org Zandstra at the award ceremony. With an exchange of sig- natures, ISNAR was dis- solved and is transformed as a new program under IFPRI governance located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Shown in the picture are Board Chairs and Directors General of ISNAR and IFPRI, who were joined by Ian Johnson, CGIAR Chairman and Francisco Reifschneider, CGIAR Director. June 2004 3 News & Views Committees of Center Board Chairs (CBC) and Center Directors (CDC) Meet at ICARDA After a last-minute security alert caused by an event in Damascus, CGIAR Working Group on Performance Indicators: CBC we heaved a sigh of relief when the all clear signal was finally demonstrated its support for the Working Group that was given for our May 2004 meetings at ICARDA headquarters in appointed by the CGIAR Executive Council to design and imple- Aleppo, Syria. The meetings were effectively supported by the ment a Performance Measurement System for the CGIAR efficient and friendly ICARDA staff. This, coupled with the excel- Centers. CBC has accepted the responsibility to develop some lent hospitality in Aleppo--the oldest continuously inhabited city performance indicators on governance. The CDC and the SC are on earth--made for a fine venue and productive meetings. We also very actively involved in the development of other indicators. also benefited from an impressive overview of the ICARDA research program and magnificent site. This report provides high- ISNAR-IFPRI Program: This was our first meetings without lights from both Committee meetings and the joint meeting of ISNAR in attendance as an independent Center. We were the Committees. pleased to learn about the excellent progress being made in translating the ISNAR mandate into IFPRI's work program. Programmatic and Global Organizational Alignments for the CGIAR: To both the CDC and CBC, the Future Harvest Future Harvest Alliance Office: We are pleased that the Future Centers' collective engagement in the CGIAR programmatic and Harvest Alliance Office is now fully operational, consisting of the structural alignment review is currently the most critical issue for new position of Executive Officer and the Executive Secretary of attention. In Aleppo, the Committees interacted with the chairs CDC. The first priority of the Alliance Office will be to build on of CGIAR Task Forces, both virtually and a face-to-face meeting improvements over the last several years and ensure that CDC with one co-chair, Per Pinstrup-Andersen. operates more effectively. As Executive Officer, Meryl Williams will lay the ground work for CDC on key strategic issues such as The Future Harvest Centers intend to greatly increase their capaci- the programmatic and structural alignment exercise. ty for collective action and will solidify and operationalize their efforts at a CDC workshop planned for July in Addis Ababa. CBC Update from Task Force on Millennium Development representatives will also be taking part in the workshop. In addi- Goals: The Centers are active in several ways to help achieve tion, participants will meet with key African research leaders. The the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). First, Centers are workshop will revisit organizational models for collective action, orienting their own work programs and strategies to place the receive reports from the Centers' working group looking into pro- Goals at the core. Second, several senior Center executives are grammatic and structural alignment in Sub-Saharan Africa, and members of the UN-MDG Task Forces on Hunger, Water and develop a communications strategy to promote the current as Environment. Third, the Technical Support Center for the MDGs well as future reality of Centers working together. Inputs from the is proposed to be located at World Agroforestry Center. The CIMMYT-IRRI alliance exercise are also to be included to the CDC intends to make more visible the work that the Centers extent possible, and will take account of how forestry, fishery, are doing to support the MDGs. livestock, water and policy are encompassed. Compensation Study: Both CBC and CDC welcome this study Science Council: Both Committees interacted with Per Pinstrup- and see it as contributing to the overall reform process especially Andersen, Chairman, Science Council (SC), and expressed pleas- in harmonizing common and basic compensation policies and ure that a strong and independent SC was established. The urge that the study methods be sufficiently rigorous. Centers see the priorities for the work of the new SC as (1) pro- gram priority setting at the System level, (2) a definitive job on Gender and Diversity (G&D) Program Review: The the programmatic Performance Indicators, (3) capacity building Committees received the positive results of the External Review and training work, (4) research design for the Challenge Programs and approved the key recommendation to extend the G&D pro- and lessons from the implementation phase of the present CPs, gram for another four years. (5) impact culture and research on impact, and (6) how to better address and increase emphasis on key program areas such as A.U. Mokwunye, Chair, CBC forestry, fisheries and water. Kanayo Nwanze, Chair, CDC 4 cgiarNews CGIAR 0 4 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Please Mark Your Calendars The Government of Mexico is hosting Government of Mexico. An extensive October 28: Stakeholders Meeting CGIAR's Annual General Meeting 2004. exhibition opens showcasing the work of continues Over 1,000 international and Mexican CGIAR Centers Ministerial Roundtable -- a Forum for policy makers, agricultural research dialogue with Ministers (Agriculture, experts, scientists, and development spe- October 26: Mexico-CGIAR Partnership Development Cooperation, cialists are expected to attend. Day. Field visits to international and Environment, and Finance) co-chaired Mexican research institutes. by Secretary Usabiaga "The Government of Mexico is honored to Presentation of CGIAR Science Awards host the CGIAR's Annual General October 27: Stakeholders Meeting--pre- The Innovation Marketplace -- win- Meeting," said The Hon. Javier Usabiaga, sentations and debate on critical issues ners presentation Secretary of Agriculture, Mexico. "The out- facing agricultural research and the comes will be of great importance in assist- CGIAR today. Afternoon: Business meeting commences ing member countries to make decisions Sir John Crawford Memorial Lecture (attendance by invitation only) that accelerate the fight against poverty 2004 -- Hernando de Soto, Founder and hunger and foster policies that benefit and President of the Institute of October 29: Business meeting (atten- poor farmers and poor people." Liberty and Democracy, Lima, Peru, dance by invitation only) and celebrated author of "The Mystery Program Highlights of Capital" is the featured speaker For registration, detailed program, plus October 25: Centers' and Members' Day, CGIAR Reception hosted by Ian information on accommodation and travel, followed by a reception hosted by the Johnson, CGIAR Chairman visit www.cgiar.org and click on AGM2004. June 2004 5 CGIAR Chairman Visits CIP The humble potato is an essential for the developing countries and Mr. Johnson praised CIP for its crop. Consumed by rich and poor referred to the Center as "one of "good track record in scientific alike, global potato production the strongest CGIAR Centers." excellence and partnership build- and consumption is skyrocketing. ing." He emphasized that the Estimated annual values of major Mr. Johnson was accompanied by future for CGIAR Centers must root and tuber crops -- cassava, Kevin Cleaver, Director of the continue to be in contributing potato, sweetpotato, and yam -- World Bank's Agriculture and the benefits of high quality agri- exceed $40 billion, or 25 percent Rural Development Department, cultural research to the develop- Ian Johnson and Francisco Reifschneider of the value of major cereals. and Francisco Reifschneider, ing world, especially Africa, and with Willy Roca, Head CGIAR Director. partnering with other organiza- of the Genetic So what better place to see first- tions to ensure that their research Resources Conservation hand how root and tuber crops The visitors interacted extensively helped achieve the Millennium and Characterization Division, examining are increasing farmer incomes with CIP scientists on critical chal- Development Goals. herbarium samples. and global food security? Peru, lenges facing potato farmers such in the high Andes, at the La as biodiversity conservation, crop The visit to CIP was preceded by Molina headquarters of CIP and improvement, and sustainable the Annual Board of Governors field stations. management of natural resources. meeting of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). In his "Without continued work in agri- A highlight of the trip was a visit address, Enrique Iglesias, culture, the world will be looking to a in situ germplasm communi- President, IDB, emphasized the at a food deficit in the near ty bank maintained by indige- important role of agriculture in future," said Ian Johnson, CGIAR nous Andean potato growers. development, affirming that Latin Chairman, while participating in America and the Caribbean must a dialogue with CIP staff during CIP maintains the world's largest increase investment in agricultur- his visit in March 2004. bank of potato germplasm, al research in order to be able to "Agriculture is much more than including some 1500 samples of compete in international mar- food -- it is central to the about 100 wild species collected kets, reduce rural poverty and growth and prosperity of low- in eight Latin American coun- protect the environment. CGIAR income countries, and there are tries and 3800 traditional new opportunities embedded Andean cultivated potatoes. The For more information, within agriculture for improving collection is maintained under www.cipotato.org environmental and human FAO auspices, and materials are health." He congratulated CIP for made available to plant breed- its work in improving agriculture ers worldwide. Scientific Excellence Recognized Ten scientists from Burkina Faso, The scientists are Helga Rodriguez Von An international team of experts Cameroon, Costa Rica, China, Ethiopia, Platen, Christian O. Thine, Zachee Ngoko, reviewed the proposals, covering Kenya and India have been Xue-Jun Ge, Jules Bayala, Geetha Rani, diverse research areas such as recognized by IFAR, a foundation, Peter Gathumbi, Tilahum T. Habtemichael, the development of rice lines for dedicated to fostering scientific Drissa Hema, and Reuben Muasya. drought prone rice production systems; excellence in agriculture through the modeling gene-flow to assess risk Consultative Group on International The awardees will spend up to three to biodiversity in traditional cropping Agricultural Research (CGIAR) by months working with world class systems and the application of GIS way of partnerships, collaboration scientists at CGIAR Centers, with all costs and remote sensing in soil quality and awards. being covered. assessment. 6 cgiarNews New Agreements Strengthen VASAT Efforts to strengthen the Virtual Academy for the Semi-Arid Tropics (VASAT) initiative received a boost with ICRISAT signing memoranda of under- standing with the prestigious U.S. National Academy of Sciences and Sun Microsystems Inc. The links with NAS will promote free access to Sun Microsystems's Vice President for Global Education and and sharing of electronic publications for VASAT. Research Ms. Kim Jones and William Dar exchange signed MOUs. The NAS was established on March 3, 1863. It is a premier sci- entific institution, and over 80 Nobel laureates are academy members. NAS is a leading e-publisher in the academic world and over 3000 world-class scientific reports and publications Sun Microsystems is a global leader in e-learning. Top interna- are available from its website. These reports are known for tional universities, including Stanford University, use Sun plat- their scientific excellence and insights on contemporary issues forms to operate learning and content management systems and development. To build up its capacity to deliver interna- for distance learning programs and digital libraries. Thanks to tional public goods, VASAT will generate information and the new agreement, ICRISAT joins this network of advanced instruction materials from NAS literature for the benefit of learning institutions, enabling interchange of expertise and farmers in the semi-arid tropics. access to software. This will boost ICRISAT initiatives on e-learning and contribute to building e-learning capacities at "We are pleased to have this link with scientific literature pub- other CGIAR Centers. lished by the National Academy of Sciences," said William Dar, Director General, ICRISAT, noting that the agreement will help ICRISAT and Sun will jointly work to build a network of learn- to enhance VASAT's reach by generating and disseminating ing portals with other institutions in India so as to facilitate information and instruction materials. "This is a major asset in exchange of e-content and e-learning services through an open terms of knowledge and information sharing, and will greatly architecture, leading toward the establishment of an e-learning strengthen the VASAT initiative." hub in India. ICRISAT is the first CGIAR Center to enter into a formal part- Access to the international public goods generated by VASAT nership with NAS. will be broadened, enabling unprecedented access by a wide variety of groups. CGIAR The alliance with Sun Microsystems brings together expertise of two institutions to deploy e-learning services to anyone, any- For more information, click www.icrisat.org, www.national-acade- time, and anywhere. mies.org, www.sun.com Scientific Excellence Recognized continued "I believe the applications we received focused on delivering global public goods tive partnerships is through awarding fel- this year were outstanding. It is gratifying and they are exceptional young people." lowships which benefit both the individ- to see the high standard of academics The Evaluation Committee included ual and the CGIAR Centers where the fel- from developing countries who are experts from Brazil, Cameroon, India and lows will work, and which produce choosing to work on programs which New Zealand. knowledge and expertise for the public have the potential to offer real benefits good, focusing on the needs of develop- to the poor," said Ruth Haug, Chair of "IFAR has a strong commitment to part- ing countries." CGIAR the Evaluation Committee and Director of nerships," said Francisco Reifschneider, Research at NORAGRIC, the Agricultural IFAR President. "We are confident that For more information, visit www.ifar4dev.org University of Norway. "Their work is one of the best ways we can foster effec- June 2004 7 From Science Council Chair The 15 Future Harvest Centers' research voices arguing for more inter-Center pleted priority and strategy work by the and related activities are carried out in activities and a stronger and more coordi- Science Council and priority-setting work about 240 projects, system-wide pro- nated effort grew stronger. The result by the Global Forum on Agricultural grams and challenge programs. The proj- was a series of new organizational struc- Research (GFAR) could provide very impor- ect descriptions present 821 very inter- tures such as inter-Center programs, sys- tant input. In fact, efforts to move towards esting pages. I know. I read them. A lot tem-wide programs, merging of Centers, a small number of system priorities should of good research is being done. Does and most recently, the creation of be an integral part of the Science Council's this collection of projects present a cohe- Challenge Programs. Some of these new on-going work on priorities and strategies. sive CGIAR research program focused on structures were driven by programmatic a set of priorities established by the needs, emerging priorities and opportuni- Each priority area would aim to help solve CGIAR? Not really. Should it? The answer ties for increased efficiency and effective- a critical current or emerging problem fac- is not obvious. It seems reasonable to ness. Others were unfortunately driven by ing poor people in developing countries. assume that each of the 240 projects the desires for structural change for its An overall goal and timeframe would be and programs reflects the combined pri- own sake. The former generally succeed- specified along with objectives, timelines, orities of the donor(s) and the Center(s). ed, the latter failed. and annual milestones for each major It is this highly decentralized and success- activity within each program. Center per- ful system of decision-making and One of the critical questions facing the formance would be measured on the basis research that is the envy of many less new Science Council is how the CGIAR of achieving relevant milestones, and on effective international efforts. can capture the benefits from a more the complementarity and synergy achieved Furthermore, each Center was created to cohesive system program focused on key as its research is effectively blended into solve a well-defined set of problems spe- emerging issues for which international larger system priority programs. The execu- cific to a commodity, an issue, an eco- public goods-type agricultural research is tion of the agreed-upon work program region or a geographical region. So, why needed without losing the potential bene- would remain with the Centers and their should each Center not do its own thing fits from decentralized and flexible deci- collaborators and inter-Center collaboration in collaboration with like-minded NARS sion-making and research. In other words, and structural changes would be deter- and advanced institutions? how do we help amplify the impact of the mined by programmatic needs. Some pro- CGIAR beyond the sum of the impact of grams may best be done by one Center in The answer, of course, is that the envi- the 240 projects and programs and how collaboration with NARS and advanced ronment, within which the Centers work, do we maintain a critical mass of research institutions while others may require input has changed. Rapid advances in molecu- to solve the most important problems. from many or all of the Centers. lar biology and information and commu- nication technology have opened up new I believe the answer is to be found, not Would such an approach work for the opportunities for the use of science to initially in structural changes, but in a CGIAR? I believe it could, but only if alleviate poverty and manage natural more cohesive system program driven by a donors are willing to focus most of their resources, while at the same time creat- small number (say 10­15) of well-defined financial support on those system priorities ing new opportunities for collaboration system priorities, which aims to maximize and pay full overhead and only if Centers and merging of certain genomics activi- the impact per dollar spent by the CGIAR, are allowed sufficient flexibility to carry out ties. The expanded role of the private sec- while, at the same time, keeping a small a small amount of exploratory research tor in agricultural research, the expanded portion of funding for exploratory research and related activities, that are not part of use of exclusive rights for research inputs that may result in new system priorities. If the system priorities but are essential to and outputs, and new and emerging the CGIAR stakeholders can agree to keep a program dynamic and moving challenges facing agriculture and poor move in this direction, the next step would towards emerging opportunities and people in developing countries combined be to agree on the priorities. This might be needs. Research is best carried out in an with successful solution of many of the difficult, because priorities imply not only environment of learning, exploration, flexi- problems individual Centers were aimed inclusion but also exclusion of certain bility, and decentralized decision-making. at solving, all contribute to the need for research activities that may be of particular A problem-solving applied research institu- programmatic and structural changes in interest to one or more stakeholder. A tion such as the CGIAR must keep its eyes the CGIAR. review of the priorities guiding the 240 on the prize, but it must also maintain an on-going projects, system-wide programs, environment conducive to innovation. In the early nineties, as the number of and challenge programs might be a place Centers supported by the CGIAR grew, to start. Results from the soon to be com- Per Pinstrup-Andersen 8 cgiarNews Science Council members and observers during a tour of ICARDA, May 2004. Great Expectations Per Pinstrup-Andersen, Chairman of the new CGIAR Science mentation of recommendations might be monitored in an Council opened the inaugural meeting by noting the high appropriate and effective manner. amount of attention the meeting was attracting. "Not only is there tremendous goodwill towards us but expectations are very The biosafety report prepared by Brian Johnson and Gabrielle high, both among donors and Centers," he said. "We will do Persley generated extensive discussions. The Report commends everything we can to meet those expectations and we will the CGIAR Centers on biosafety measures currently in place ensure that we work in a transparent and consultative manner." governing the experimental phase of work on living modified organisms and notes that most Centers are working closely with Nine members of the new Council and observers met at ICARDA national governments in developing regulatory frameworks. to discuss setting CGIAR system priorities, the IRRI external pro- However, Dr. Johnson and his panel propose that biosafety gram and management review, the recently completed biosafety issues, in particular those concerned with preparing the risk study report, and to begin to determine future activities. assessments required to seek regulatory approval for the large- scale release of new genetically modified crops, need to be con- The Chairman introduced a wide ranging discussion on develop- sidered earlier in the project phase in order to make most effi- ing system priorities by proposing that a movement towards cient use of resources. A proposed workshop to discuss imple- closer integration of priorities in the form of a small number of mentation of the Report's recommendations by the Centers and system priorities which together would provide a cohesive sys- their partners will be considered by the Council. tem program, might enhance the overall impact per dollar spent. He noted that this approach has been welcomed by The next meeting of the Council will be held in Rome in donors and Centers alike. The Council will continue the discus- September. CGIAR sion in a consultative manner. All papers discussed during the inaugural meeting are available on www.sciencecouncil.cgiar.org Richard Flavell presented the highlights of a very positive review of IRRI, and Council members discussed ways in which imple- June 2004 9 CGIAR Strengthens its Partnership with NEPAD CGIAR and the New Partnership for Africa's Development for agricultural research for development (AR4D) activities (NEPAD) have signed a memorandum of understanding to better in Africa. harness agricultural science and technology, and global knowl- edge systems for the benefit of Africa's farming populations. NEPAD is fully engaged in the implementation of the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Program "The memorandum is an expression of common interest by (CAADP) and has identified some key crops and policy related NEPAD and CGIAR Centers," said Kanayo Nwanze, Chairman, issues including governance of agriculture as specific to the CGIAR Center Directors Committee (CDC) and Director General, CAADP priorities and pillars. WARDA-The Africa Rice Center. "It is an umbrella that sets the stage for our mutual working together in Africa." Launching of joint work programs, conducting analytical work, seminars, and forging of public-private partnerships are covered The memorandum was cosigned by Professor Wiseman Nkuhlu, in the agreement which bodes well for the increasing the pro- Chairman of the NEPAD Steering Committee. ductivity and profitability of the agricultural sector as an engine of economic growth. CGIAR In addition, the agreement was endorsed by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) which has been has been For more information, www.nepad.org, recognized by NEPAD as the technical coordinating mechanism www.fara-africa.org, www.cgiar.org Update on Generation Challenge Program Generation Cultivating Plant Diversity for the Resource-Poor The Generation Challenge Program (GCP), advanced research institutions, and two GCP and HarvestPlus are collaborating on formerly known as the Challenge Program national agricultural research systems) and a substantive joint research and capacity- for Unlocking Genetic Diversity in Crops has initiated a unique competitive grants building effort in eastern and central for the Resource-Poor, is making signifi- program to foster expanded partnerships. Africa. In addition, GCP has strong con- cant progress. A management team is in gruence with the Water and Food chal- place, led by Robert S. Ziegler, Director, GCP aims to capture and utilize the bene- lenge program, particularly in the area of GCP. In addition, four Subprogram fits of the simultaneous revolutions in incorporating drought tolerance in food Leaders, and a Capacity Building biology and information and communica- crops and improving water use efficiency Coordinator have been appointed. tions technology, bringing the power of in agriculture. Research activities have been organized as these revolutions to bear on the problems clusters, and 14 new initiatives are under- of resource poor farmers who practice With the strong support of CGIAR donors, way, with over $6 million having been dis- agriculture in some of the world's harshest and cooperation from a dedicated com- bursed to member institutions for the first marginal environments. The intersection munity of scientists, GCP's objective of year of research. of these disciplines have yielded powerful building a global platform of molecular discoveries about similarities across crop biological tools for crop improvement for GCP capitalizes on the CGIAR's strengths species that allow scientists to effectively the benefit of resource-poor farmers is -- scientific knowledge, access to genetic and efficiently use genetic resources for fast becoming a reality. CGIAR resources, and strong alliances with NARS improving food crops grown and con- -- and is pioneering new modes of sumed by poor people. For more information, visit research and collaboration. The GCP part- www.generationcp.org nership comprises 15 member institutes Smart partnerships that avoid duplication (including eight CGIAR Centers, five of effort lie at the core of GCP strategy. 10 cgiarNews Red Wood for a Green Future The sustainable future of mahogany as a In November 2003, CITES, the Victoria Santos, the forester responsible source of livelihoods received a boost fol- Convention on International Trade in for managing hundreds of thousands of lowing a major international workshop Endangered Species, required producer hectares of community forests for the held in Mexico, sponsored by CIFOR. countries to define sustainable rates of Organización de Ejidos Productores harvest and limit their exports to that Forestales de la Zona Maya. In Belize, The dark-red and highly prized timber amount of mahogany timber. Aware of Snook worked with the Programme for from the world's rapidly diminishing sup- the threats to the species, the United Belize, an NGO that manages 4 percent ply of mahogany trees epitomizes the States and several European countries of the land area in that country. ongoing conflict and controversies have rejected Brazilian mahogany export- regarding tropical forests. Most media ed under phony permits. The Brazilian At the workshop participants learned that coverage has focused on the underbelly Government now has suspended all mahogany seedlings do not survive under of the mahogany trade, reporting accusa- mahogany logging. the forest canopy, along skid trails or in tions of slavery, threats to indigenous small gaps produced by felling trees. This South American tribes, and the dangers The CIFOR workshop held in Chetumal, fact was corroborated by researchers and of unchecked illegal logging. Mexico builds on the results of seven anecdotal observations of foresters. years of collaborative research in Mexico "Mahogany trees regenerate and grow There is truth to this media coverage. and Belize to develop sustainable best in clearings measuring thousands of Loggers efforts to get this prized timber mahogany management strategies for square meters that are opened by slash are frequently accompanied by violence. local livelihoods. and burn agriculture, fires or machinery," Only last year the Brazilian Government said Snook. freed more than 1,400 slave laborers "Forest owners are experimenting with working in the mahogany sector. ways to manage natural forests to guar- Foresters are now making efforts to har- antee the future of this magnificent vest multiple-species to create similar Mahogany need not be associated with wood," said CIFOR's Laura Snook, a openings large enough to favor regenera- violence, crime or unsustainable logging. workshop organizer. tion. Many of the research-based conclu- Indeed, methods to ensure a sustainable sions presented and discussed at the future for the mahogany industry do exist Snook worked with fellow researchers workshop are helping provide an essen- and actions to address current problems Luisa Camara-Cabrales and Patricia tial foundation for the sustainable man- are underway. Negreros-Castillo, and collaborated with agement of mahogany forests. CGIAR World Potato Congress Endorses CIP Genebank The 5th World Potato Congress held in Kunming, People's Republic of China, adopted a resolution commending CIP for "establishing an international potato genebank for the benefit of all humanity" while endorsing "public and private sector investments that will maintain the rich diversity of species avail- able in CIP-held collections through Bioandino, the Fund for Andean Biodiversity." "The resolution was proposed by John Hillman, Director of the Scottish Crop Research Institute, UK, and seconded by Ghislain Continued on page 14 June 2004 11 Valuing a Seed -- Sky is the Limit One wild tomato has contributed to a The five countries have areas of great their resources nor established reserves to 2.4% increase in global production, plant diversity, and have joined interna- protect them. Sri Lanka has conducted worth an additional $250 million. A tional agencies such as FAO, World several projects to conserve crop wild rel- 0.1% increase in the solid content of a Conservation Union, U.N. Environment atives and raise awareness of their impor- tomato is worth about $10 million a year Programme, and others to implement tance, but has no national strategy. to the processing industry in the state of rational, cost-effective measures to con- California alone. Three different wild serve wild crop relatives. The five-year The project will facilitate sharing of expe- peanuts have contributed resistance to project was developed by IPGRI, in strong riences of the five partner countries. root knot nematodes that decimate har- collaboration with national partners. National information systems will be vests, costing the world's peanut growers developed and decision-making processes millions of dollars in lost revenues. Seeds are a precious resource in the fight strengthened to help set priorities and against nature's vagaries. Plant breeders implement them. An integrated informa- A new project, to be formally launched everywhere regularly turn to nature and tion system, to be developed with the in Sri Lanka in June 2004, specifically wild relatives of crops to develop new international partners, will bring several targets areas where plant genetic varieties that can better withstand natu- kinds of data under a single umbrella for resources are facing severe threats to ral stresses such as drought, pestilence, ease of access. To speed up conservation their survival. and disease. efforts, better information and easier access will help researchers and plant Now, thanks to support from the Global All five countries have ongoing conserva- breeders to use crop wild relatives, in Environment Facility, IPGRI researchers will tion programs. Armenia and Uzbekistan turn contributing to increasing awareness be able to better conserve plant genetic each surveyed their crop wild relatives of their value and thus the desirability of resources through a new project -- some decades ago and created limited enhancing conservation measures. Using In situ Conservation of Wild Crop protected areas with crop wild relatives participatory approaches, the project will Relatives through Enhanced Information being taken into account to some extent. also address tough questions of access Management and Field Application -- Indeed, Armenia's Erebuni Reserve is one and benefit sharing. CGIAR that brings together conservation efforts of few reserves in the world deliberately in five countries including Armenia, created to conserve crop wild relatives, in For more information, www.ipgri.org Bolivia, Madagascar, Sri Lanka and this case wild wheats. Bolivia and Uzbekistan. Madagascar have not yet fully surveyed 12 cgiarNews Strategic Human Resources Advisory Service Established People are critical to the success of CGIAR's mission of mobiliz- Participating centers save time and costs by sharing ideas, ing science in the service of poor farmers. strategies, and solutions. Using staff and management input, they are already defining human resources needs, developing A new Strategic Advisory Service for Human Resources (SAS-HR) strategies that recognize center diversity and autonomy, creating set up by five CGIAR Centers (CIAT, CIMMYT, IPGRI, IWMI, and solutions, and establishing an e-community of HR professionals. WorldFish) in cooperation with CGIAR System Office, is working to attract, motivate, develop, and retain staff. Promoting Effectiveness and Equity for CGIAR Center Staff In April, SAS-HR held its first workshop at CIMMYT headquarters To ensure success, CGIAR Centers must display not only excel- to develop a human resources framework to meet management lence in science but also organizational effectiveness said Masa needs. The ultimate goal is to achieve each center's vision through Iwanaga, Director General, CIMMYT, and host of SAS-HR. Other the development of high caliber, committed, and motivated staff. speakers included Eric Schlesinger of the World Bank's Human Resources Department who described the 360-degree appraisal Although CGIAR Centers share common human resources prob- process and its benefit of peer evaluations. lems, do they communicate with each other and share success- ful solutions? "Now five of them do just that, as partners in In an example of cost-effective communications, Francisco SAS-HR," said N.P. Rajasekharan, Director, SAS-HR. Reifschneider and Ravi Tadvalkar from the CGIAR Secretariat briefed participants by video conference about the first CGIAR "In talking about common problems we did find a big conver- systemwide compensation survey being conducted. gence," said Koen Geerts, IPGRI's Director of Finance and Administration and workshop participant. "Why not exchange "People are the foundation of our knowledge-based CGIAR sys- information rather than re-invent wheels, sometimes the wrong tem," said Reifschneider. He endorsed the "OneStaff" initiative, wheels?" Geerts felt that it was a big accomplishment for five which aims to create an inclusive and equitable environment for Centers to come together and discuss shared problems. all staff members regardless of differences in employment con- tracts. The initiative will promote transparency by providing Sharing Best Practices equal opportunities and clearly explaining differences in benefits A highlight of the workshop was the showcasing of best prac- to staff. It could facilitate movement from national, to regional, tices with each Center presenting its most successful human to international staff categories by clearly defining what is need- resources strategies. IMWI focused on implementing the ed for advancement. He felt that OneStaff will help to further OneStaff approach, which was also mentioned as one of IPGRI's develop and support the vision and values that SAS-HR partici- strengths; WorldFish explained its job evaluation system, and pating Centers have for their staff, adding that the "Concept CIAT presented its use of the Internet for recruitment, occupa- behind OneStaff requires a gradual transition in the organiza- tional health program, and social welfare fund. CIMMYT tions, part of the evolution of the CGIAR System as a whole." described its national staff administration, corporate policies, and how it managed a recent downsizing effort. To foster wider learning within the CGIAR, many SAS-HR meet- ings and initiatives will be open to all Centers. CGIAR "The advisory group for SAS-HR is on track to address my main expectations," said Joachim Voss, Director General, CIAT. "I hope they will help us to create sensible, effective, and cost- saving changes." June 2004 13 World Food Prize continued Jones was awarded the prize for pioneering research that led "Monty Jones has done us proud," said Francisco Reifschneider, to the development of New Rices for Africa (NERICAs) while CGIAR Director. "The award celebrates quality science for working at The Africa Rice Center in Côte d'Ivoire during the people-centered development, led by an African scientist, con- mid-1990s. ducted in Africa, for the benefit of Africa and beyond." "We are delighted that Monty Jones has won this prestigious Of a total of 22 World Food Prize laureates, ten CGIAR scientists global award," said Ian Johnson, CGIAR Chairman and World have won this prestigious award widely considered to be the Bank Vice President for Sustainable Development. "It is a fitting equivalent of a Nobel Prize for food and environmental sciences. tribute to the power of modern science successfully mobilized The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has designated for improving human well-being in Africa and beyond." 2004 as the Year of Rice. NERICAs combine the toughness of native African (Oryza glab- Dr. Jones is a graduate of the University of Sierra Leone and berima) rice varieties with the phenomenal productivity traits of received his M.Sc. in Plant Genetic Resources (1979) and Ph.D. Asian (O. sativa) rice varieties that were the mainstay of the in Plant Biology (1983) from the University of Birmingham, UK. Green Revolution. They are specifically adapting them to suit In 2002, he was appointed Executive Secretary of the Forum for the harsh growing conditions of upland rice ecologies of Africa, Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), based in Ghana. CGIAR home to 70 percent of the region's poor rice farmers, most of whom are women. For more information, www.worldfoodprize.org World Potato Congress continued Pelletier, Vice President of McCain Foods Limited.," said Hubert Zandstra, CIP Director General. "We were delighted the motion passed with enthusiastic acclamation." Bioandino seeks to raise funds for supporting the vast collections of potato genetic resources safeguarded at CIP, for the benefit of curators working throughout the Andean region, and for training the next generation of curators. "The International Potato Center maintains the largest collection of potato genetic resources known to science, including close to 5,200 distinct cultivated types and more than 2,100 wild relatives corresponding to 151 species," said Professor Hillman when pro- posing the resolution. "The potato accessions maintained in CIP genebanks represent a priceless international resource that must be preserved for the future." He informed the world's potato researchers who had gathered at the Congress that preservation does not come without a cost. The average cost incurred in maintaining a single accession in the genebank is $137 per year, and nearly $20 million is needed to maintain the whole collection over the next two decades. In his address to the Congress, Hubert Zandstra emphasized the importance of conserving potato genetic resources. "I believe more strongly than ever in the potato's promise, " he said. "Forward thinking researchers at CIP, with support from our donors, have worked hard to collect and characterize the potato's genetic wealth. The results of their efforts are felt every day as scientists use the genetic materials from thousands of traditional, wild, and modern potato varieties to incorporate improvements ranging from drought tolerance and higher pest resistance to better digestibility and more flavor." CGIAR 14 cgiarNews G-8 Summit continued Chairman and World Bank Vice President for Sustainable Development. "It Opening statement, is a significant endorsement of CGIAR's successful track record in mobilizing science in the service of poor farming communities who live on the fringes G-8 Action Plan: of the global economy." Acting individually and collectively, G-8 Members agreed to "support work We are united in our belief of the CGIAR and others that will channel more effectively resources allo- cated to research and development of drought, pest, and disease-resistant that famine is preventable in staple crops for use in developing countries." the 21st century. Famine, food The Plan encourages "CGIAR to increase its efforts in Africa, and increase insecurity and malnutrition funding for Challenge Programs on `Water and Food' and those others which benefit Africa," and calls on the CGIAR to "Develop at least three have many complex causes, new projects with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation." and defeating them will require "Agricultural development is central to the sustainable agenda," said a global partnership between Francisco Reifschneider, CGIAR Director. "The G-8 Action Plan will help us to catalyze new partnerships, North and South, at global, regional, national the governments of affected and local levels that will help us deliver global public goods that directly countries, donors, international benefit poor people." institutions, the private sector, Other areas identified for support include the International Food Policy Research Institute's "Strategic Analysis Knowledge Support System," New and non-governmental Rices for Africa (NERICAs) and the Pan Africa Cassava Initiative and Global organizations. We renew our Cassava Partnership. commitment to help build this On the challenges of boosting agricultural productivity and rural develop- ment in food insecure countries, especially in Africa, the Action Plan drew partnership, particularly in attention to the outcomes of the successful IFPRI 2020 Vision Conference Africa, where more than held in Uganda. 200 million people remain Recognizing that the challenges are multifaceted, the Action Plan calls for reforms of domestic agricultural, social, economic, and development poli- threatened by famine or cies with the full participation of civil society. food insecurity. In addition, the G-8 statement supports fully the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and the principles and goals set out in the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) [see related story on p. 10] June 2004 15 cgiarNews Editor Sarwat Hussain e s.hussain@cgiar.org Editorial coordination M. Caryl Jones-Swahn e m.jonesswahn@cgiar.org Published by the CGIAR Secretariat A Unit of the CGIAR System Office t 1 202 473 8951 f 1 202 473 8110 e cgiar@cgiar.org CGIAR-supported Future Harvest Centers International Center for Tropical Agriculture International Crops Research Institute for International Water Management Institute (CIAT) the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) (IWMI) www.ciat.cgiar.org www.icrisat.org www.iwmi.cgiar.org Center for International Forestry Research International Food Policy Research Institute West Africa Rice Development Association­ (CIFOR) (IFPRI) The Africa Rice Center (WARDA) www.cifor.org www.ifpri.org www.warda.org International Maize and Wheat International Institute of Tropical World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) Improvement Center (CIMMYT) Agriculture (IITA) www.worldagroforestrycentre.org www.cimmyt.org www.iita.org WorldFish Center International Potato Center (CIP) International Livestock Research Institute www.worldfishcenter.org www.cipotato.org (ILRI) www.ilri.org International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) International Plant Genetic Resources www.icarda.org Institute (IPGRI) www.ipgri.org International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) www.irri.org 16 cgiarNews