CGIAR Annual Meetings 2004: In Search Of Solutions For The Farmer Of The XXI Century

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México City, October 27^th -  With a focus on approaches in rural science and technology that will contribute to improve incomes and the quality of life of rural producers in developing countries, up to 1,000 scientists, high ranked governmental officials, civil society organizations, and leaders of producer organizations from throughout poor countries participated in the opening session of the 2004 Annual General Meeting of the Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research (CGIAR) in the Mexican capital.  

Ian Johnson, Chairman of the   CGIAR and  Vice-president for Sustainable Development, World Bank said “the future of rural producers in developing countries is linked to the management of agricultural resources, agricultural research is key in stimulating economic growth, increasing incomes and reducing hunger and poverty in poor countries”  

Johnson stressed that in the 2050 world economy “will be 133 trillion dollars, four times today’s economy. Agriculture will be central to this growth projection in poor countries” He warned that “ we need to be prepared to rise to the new challenges such as climate change, water shortages, and the doubling of food demand as a result of world population increases (more than 2 billions) in the next 40 years, most of them in developing countries”.

He reassured participants in the CGIAR Annual Meeting by pledging “we are decided to address those challenges in a responsible way, by increasing agriculture growth and at the same time protecting the environment and favoring social equity”.

Johnson made an appeal to different stakeholders within the agricultural community, including civil society groups, producers, scientists and governments to build new partnerships to develop sustainable practices in agriculture production as a way of generating prosperity in developing countries. 

A recent independent study on the performance of the CGIAR, shows that each dollar invested through this research system generated 9 additional dollars in increased food production.  Without the active presence of the CGIAR, income per capita would have decreased by at least 5 percent, almost 7 percent in the poorest economies of the world.

Several additional millions of children would have suffered from malnutrition and related illnesses and more than 300 million hectares of rich biodiversity would not have been protected as they are now.

For his part, the    Secretary of Agriculture of Mexico, Javier Usabiaga Arroyo, speaking on behalf of President Vicente Fox Quesada underlined that “the promotion of science and technology transfer to producers represent the basic platform for the development of the agriculture sector in our country and a central pillar to accomplish production objectives and availability of quality food” .

Usabiaga added that “the internationalization of agriculture and related trade should not be seen as a threat”. He argued that “if we maintain a balance in our trade and have the necessary breathing space to develop a sound economy, we can certainly strengthen food security and ensure access to food for the population “

He stressed that “science is key in all food disciplines in order to avoid misinterpretations and myths about agriculture development” 

Usabiaga characterized biotechnology as a “fundamental discipline, a discipline of excellence, central to achieve a sound and profitable production both socially and economically in which origins need to be respected” 

However he issued a warning saying that “we are conscious about the interdependence, responsibility and ethics involved in this area, and the international community will need to work hard to harmonize policies and development programs specifically on biotechnology and bio-safety” 

Other key note speakers during the first day of sessions included: former World Bank President Robert McNamara, 1970 Nobel Peace Prize Norman Borlaug, World Food Prize Winner Evangelina Villegas and Hernando de Soto, President of the Peruvian Institute for Freedom and Democracy.

The CGIAR is a strategic alliance of governments, regional and international organizations, donor institutions, and research centers. Together they mobilize resources to benefit poor producers in developing countries