Experts who gathered at the Second Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development (GCARD2) in Uruguay say they want to march into a future where agricultural research remains fast paced, innovation ratchets up production, and the welfare of small-scale farmers is assured. They call for a science that not only fuels development but improves the … More Brazil: Innovation and smallholder partnership provides nutritious foods to school children

Researchers from the International Potato Center (CIP) are working in Benin for a project designed to introduce ahipa, a highly nutritious root crop originating in the Andes of South America, as a promising food staple in drought-prone regions of Central and Western Africa. They are discovering that beyond its potential as a healthy food alternative … More South-South exchange: Adapting ahipa in Africa

For a poor fairytale farm-boy named Jack reduced to selling the family’s emaciated cow as a last resort, the stalk of a magical bean led to a golden goose and prosperity. For real-life farmers in developing countries, the treasure brought by iron-rich beanstalks comes in the form of higher yields and better nutrition. More than … More Bionic beans breeding better nutrition

What do coffee and banana have in common? One is a cash crop and the other is a food crop. According to scientists working at increasing food production to enhance food security to meet the growing population and adapt to climate change, the two crops make a perfect marriage. A study by the International Institute … More Growing coffee and bananas generates 50% more revenue for farmers

After a highly aggressive mystery maize disease crippled crops in 2011, Kenya’s number two crop – potato – could be a smart investment. Already there are 800,000 potato farmers in Kenya. Payoffs from potato can be high in terms of both income and nutrition. But only if farmers can get their hands on clean planting … More The shop that potatoes built

Msekiwa Matsimbe is not afraid to get her feet wet, whether mingling with a crowd of international policy leaders and experts in agricultural research for development or netting fish specimens in the rivers and lakes of her native Malawi. At age 27, she may be one of the younger faces in the crowd, but she … More Capacity strengthening program strengthens passion for helping others, too

More than 600 global participants highlight the need for foresight, investment and partnerships to meet future agricultural targets. Punta del Este, Uruguay: On the closing day of the Second Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development (GCARD2), leading experts in the global agricultural research community outlined clear steps for maximising the future impact of scientific … More Global Conference Sets Priorities for Future of Agricultural Research for Development

Youth unemployment is one of the most serious problems affecting developing countries. A lack of basic education ranks high among the reasons for this problem. However, youth unemployment is compounded by the fact that a large portion of the population in developing countries tends to be youth. The formal economy is unable to create enough … More Agriculture’s potential for solving YOUTH unemployment

NGOs played a crucial role in HarvestPlus’s efforts to roll out the first of the biofortified crops – the orange sweet potato (OSP) – in Uganda and Mozambique. From 2007-2009, 24,000 households in areas with vitamin A deficiency were targeted. More than 60% of farmers in the project areas adopted and began eating the vitamin … More HarvestPlus: “NGOs Are Our Feet on the Ground”

Post-conflict and protracted crisis countries with civil conflicts or serious natural disasters such major earthquakes and massive floods will absolutely have to deal with massive relocation of populations. Here enters the role of international agricultural research and development organizations in rebuilding livelihoods in these countries. International organizations including the Centers supported by the CGIAR have … More How can countries coming out of war rebuild livelihoods?

Uno de los problemas que interfieren la aplicación de las tecnologías por parte de los productores y los investigadores. Los Centros de Investigación y las Universidades todavía tienen un acceso limitado a los resultados de las investigaciones y tecnologías de países desarrollados. La propuesta es crear una plataforma global con acceso libre a la información: … More Investigaciones realizadas! Información escondida! - Research Done! Information Hidden!

Mr Carlos Pérez del Castillo, a distinguished diplomat with top international positions in his CV both for his home country Uruguay and at international arenas such World Bank, UN, SELA and other regional and global institutions, is currently chairing the Consortium Board of the CGIAR. CGIAR is one of the organizers of the GCARD2. Usually … More Uruguayan by blood, global by heart

Universities of agriculture worldwide decided to set up a global association to promote their key role in the development of agriculture and life sciences. Background GCHERA was conceived in 1998 by universities presidents as a result of shared concern for the future of the planet and a conviction that higher education in agriculture should play … More Official launching of GCHERA Global Confederation of Higher Education Associations for the Agricultural and Life Sciences

Wondering what GCARD2 conference participants have to say? Check out the social media team’s Podomatic to view interviews from a variety of notable atendees. Para escuchar las entrevistas durante la segunda conferencia de GCARD, visitá el Podomatic del equipo de medias sociales. Blogpost by Victoria Pereira, one of the GCARD2 social reporters.

Kristin Davis, seconded from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) to the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS), is in Punta del Este for GCARD 2012 this week with delegates from the advisory services community to promote the idea of the “new extensionist.” What is a “new extensionist,” you might ask? As she … More The case for the new extensionist

¿Qué se ha aprendido? Cuando las capacidades de los productores se fortalecen gracias a los resultados de la investigación participativa, se observan cambios significativos en la productividad regional. Las políticas públicas deben apoyar los procesos complejos de investigación, transferencia de tecnología, la creación de microempresas. (APAARI) La alianza de los centros de investigación, universidades y … More De la mano para llegar a la meta