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Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research

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Agropolis International

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Patrick Caron
Director General in Charge of Research and Strategy
Montpellier, France
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French agricultural research will be working alongside the CGIAR on global challenges

15/09/2011 - Article

CIRAD has contributed to the signature of a declaration of intent by France's Commission de la recherche agricole internationale (CRAI) and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). The declaration is intended to ensure more effective coordination of the efforts made by the different organizations concerned in terms of research and partnerships. It should help the signatories respond more effectively to the main global challenges, such as poverty alleviation, food security or natural resource management.

The G20 intergovernmental conference on agricultural research for development in Montpellier on 12 and 13 September 2011 saw the Commission de la recherche agricole internationale (CRAI)* and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)* sign a joint declaration of intent.

The declaration commits the research organizations concerned and the CGIAR to coordinate their efforts better in response to global challenges. The coordination will cover the research projects, partnerships, and strategic frameworks and visions of each party. It will also contribute to effective global coordination of AR4D.

In particular, the aim is to come up with innovative solutions, knowledge and systems that will help smallholders cope with difficulties such as market uncertainty or climate change.
CIRAD, in agreement with the CGIAR, will in the coming months be translating the declaration of intent into concrete operations, by drawing up a joint plan of action.

* The Commission de la recherche agricole internationale (CRAI) is the mechanism coordinating French research organizations (CEMAGREF, CIRAD, INRA, IRD, Agreenium) and the ministries concerned (Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries, Rural Affairs and Territorial Development, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and Ministry of Higher Education and Research). It is headed by Bernard Hubert, who is also President of Agropolis International.

** The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), founded in 1971, is an association of 64 public and private donors that supports 15 international agricultural research centres (IARCs) and transverse programmes. France is one of the founder members of the group (1971), and French organizations have been working with the IARCs for many years. The CGIAR is headed by Carlos Pérez del Castillo.