By Bob Aston
An opportunity for
agricultural research for development stakeholders to make agri-food research,
and innovation systems stronger, more effective, and more sustainable takes
place in Johannesburg, South Africa in April 5-8, 2016 during the third Global Conference on Agricultural
Research for Development (GCARD3).
The theme for GCARD3 “No one Left Behind: Agri-food Innovation and
Research for a Sustainable World” will provide stakeholders with an
opportunity to contribute towards a clear understanding of how to achieve
sustainable agricultural development in which “no one is left behind.”
 |
| Farmers sharing knowledge during a field day |
The Consultative Group for International Agricultural
Research (CGIAR) in collaboration with the Global
Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) and the Agricultural Research Council of South Africa
are hosting the event. The forum will bring together hundreds of
representatives from across all agriculture sectors with a stake in the future
of agro-food research and innovation.
The five themes of GCARD3
include scaling up: from research to impact; demonstrating results and
attracting investment; keeping science relevant and future-focused; sustaining
the business of farming; and ensuring better rural futures.
GCARD3 builds on GCARD2 which focused on the
partnerships, foresight and capacity development needed to deliver change, and
resulted in the reform of CGIAR and GCARD1 which resulted in the “Road
Map for Change”, a global strategy paving the way for more responsive
and relevant agricultural research.
GCARD3 represents the
culmination of a two-year regional and national consultation process, which
aims to realign research priorities with countries' development needs and the
national processes with the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs).
GCARD3 will be
an inclusive, participatory process and an opportunity to shape
the future. It will encourage conversations for change in setting a new
agenda for agricultural research for development and discussions on emerging
applications in agro-food research and innovations.
A major outcome of the
event will be the GCARD3 pledge to sustainable development to which the
stakeholders will commit to take action on the SDGs and to tackle some of the
more topical issues emerging in agri-food research and innovation. The outcome
will be a clear understanding of how to achieve sustainable agricultural
development in which “no one is left behind.”
Agricultural stakeholders
with a stake in the future of agro-food research and innovation created GCARD
to bring together science and society to transform agri-food research and
innovation around the world.
It aims to promote
investment and building partnership, capacities, and mutual accountabilities at
all levels of the agri-food system.
As we get close to
GCARD3, many smallholder farmers hope that the event will align international
research priorities with the needs of rural farmers, and that it will highlight
the role of youths in ensuring that there is food security for future
generations. Follow the event live at #GCARD3
No comments:
Post a Comment