Towards a Global Agricultural Research Systemwhich funding is obtained. Two examples of this are the...

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nars0003.doc

Towards a Global Agricultural Research System

Activities of the NARS Secretariat – 1999-2000Implementing the Programme of Work

Rome, Italy, June 1999

G F A R

F M R A

F G I A

LOBAL ORUM ONGRICULTURAL ESEARCH

ORUM ONDIAL DELA ECHERCHE GRICOLE

ORO LOBAL DENVESTIGACION GROPECUARIA

Activities of the NARS Secretariat: 1999-2000_____________________________________________________________

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Table of Contents

Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 11. Activities Related to the Development of a Strategic Agenda .................................................. 2

1.1. Formulation of a Global Shared Vision .......................................................................... 21.2. Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) in Agricultural Research for Development............. 41.3. Other topics of the Strategic Agenda ............................................................................... 6

2. Activities Related to the Strengthening of RF/SRF................................................................... 72.1. Strengthening of the Management Information Systems (MIS) in RF/SRF and establishment of Regional Web Pages: .................................................................... 72.2. Support to RF/SRF .......................................................................................................... 8

3. Activities Related to the Promotion of Innovative Research Partnerships............................... 93.1. Case Studies of Existing Successful Research Partnerships ......................................... 10

i. Purpose of studying successful cases of research partnerships ............................. 10ii. Cases been prepared .............................................................................................. 10iii. Timetable for preparation of cases ........................................................................ 11

3.2. New Innovative Research Partnerships...................................................................... 12i. What are they? ....................................................................................................... 12ii. Innovative research partnerships been prepared.................................................... 14iii. Timetable for preparation of innovative research partnerships............................. 15

3.3. Scaling-up of Successful Research Partnerships in Agroecology................................. 163.4. Exploratory Meetings with ARIs ............................................................................... 17

4. Activities Related to the Development of a Global Knowledge System in ARD ..................... 184.1 Support to Regional Agricultural Information Systems................................................ 204.2. Implementation of EGFAR ......................................................................................... 234.3. Cooperation with WAICENT on Normative Framework to Facilitate Information Flows......................................................................................................... 234.4 ICT Applications Related to Agricultural and Rural Development.............................. 23

Annex 1 Summary Table with GFAR Programme of Work 1999-2000.............................. 26Annex 2 Summary Table with NARS Secretariat Activities 1999-2000 ................................. 28Annex 3 NARS Secretariat Operational Budget 1999-2000....................................................... 31


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Introduction

In the Beijing meetings of both the GFAR and the NARS Steering Committees the firstProgramme of Work 1999-2000 was approved for the Global Forum. The Programme of Workis organized around four clearly defined areas of action: (a) Formulation of a Global SharedVision and development of a Strategic Agenda of topics of interest to the stakeholders of theGlobal Forum; (b) Strengthening of the Regional/Sub-regional Organizations as a way offostering collaboration among NARS; (c) Promotion of innovative and cost-effective researchpartnerships; and (d) Facilitate the development of a Global Knowledge System in AgriculturalResearch for Development (ARD), in order to take full advantage of the opportunities created bythe new information and communication technologies (ICT). A summary table that presents thefour areas of action, relating them to the major themes that have been chosen for the GFAR, ispresented in Annex 1.

The purpose of this report is to highlight the concrete actions and activities that wereagreed upon in Beijing in each of the above areas of the Programme of Work, and to brieflysummarize the steps that are being taken to operationalize these actions. Special emphasis isplaced in identifying the main steps that are expected from the Regional/Sub-regional Fora(RF/SRFs), the timetable that has been approved for each activity, and the support the NARSSecretariat is providing in this process. Annex 2 presents a table with a summary of all theactions that are covered in this report, with two additional columns: the concrete activitiesthrough which each action is being implemented, and the expected results or outputs that areenvisaged in each case. Thus all the activities that are presently underway are summarized inthis two-page table.

Finally, Annex 3 presents the budget that is being allocated to each action and activity.The financial resources that are required to cover these various activities are provided by themembers of the Global Forum Support Group, constituted by interested donors.1 This budgetdoes not include GFAR staff time dedicated to these activities, nor does it include the costs ofthose activities that are directly covered by the participating stakeholders. Since the fundingstrategy of the Global Forum is strongly based on cost-sharing among the participatingstakeholders, this is an important element of the real budget, that is not reflected in the figurespresented in Annex 3. The budget presented in this annex only refers to the “seed money”contributions that the NARS Secretariat provides to facilitate the emergence of the variousinitiatives, special consultancy inputs, as well as the interaction among the stakeholders.

It is also important to point out that the activities that appear in the budget in Annex 3 arethose activities for which there is funding assured (a total budget of US $430,000). Otheractivities have been identified as being of high priority to the RF/SRFs that are not included inthis budget, since funding has not yet been obtained. There is an emerging category of activities

1 The contributing members of the GFAR Donor Support group are Belgium, France, Italy,The Netherlands, SDC, Sweden, FAO, IFAD, ISNAR, The World Bank and IDRC.



in this situation, that are “extra-budgetary”, that will gradually be implemented to the extent towhich funding is obtained. Two examples of this are the IPR workshop on the case of hybridrice (see section 1.2), and the comparative analysis study on RO/SROs (see section 2.2). Neitherof them appear in the budget in Annex 3, but their funding is presently being negotiated withvarious donors (USAID, EC, The Netherlands). This case by case approach is part of thefunding strategy of GFAR.

1. Activities Related to the Development of a Strategic Agenda

1.1. Formulation of a Global Shared Vision

One of the first tasks of the Global Forum has been to embark upon the formulation of aGlobal Shared Vision 2025 (GSV) that can potentialize and orient international agriculturalresearch in the coming decades, as a way of mobilizing the scientific community around thegeneral objectives of poverty eradication, increased food security and conservation andmanagement of natural resources. As such, it is expected that this GSV will provide a broadframework for action for the Global Forum initiative. For a more detailed analysis of the natureof the Global Shared Vision that is being formulated, on the purpose of such a vision, and onthe main components and aspects it will cover, see the discussion paper “Formulation of aGlobal Shared Vision”. The GSV is being formulated taking into consideration the variousvision statements that have been recently developed by the stakeholders that constitute the GFAR(i.e. the RF/SRF, the CGIAR, the NGOs, the Private Sector, etc.).

As explained in section 4 of the discussion paper on the GSV, two products will beemerging from this process: (a) the Global Shared Vision as such, that is expected to be a short2-page statement that will be discussed in detail in GFAR-2000 (May 2000) and collectivelyadopted at that meeting; and (b) an "Issues Paper" that will provide the background to theGlobal Shared Vision Statement, with the objective of giving a better idea of the scope of theshared vision and of analyzing the key trends and significant changes that are taking place in thecontext in which GFAR operates. The Issues Paper is more analytical, provides the rationale forthe GSV and should serve as a basis to outline a Plan of Action to implement the GSV. The twowill be prepared in a parallel way in the next five months, since they closely interact with eachother.

For the preparation of the GSV statement the following procedure and chronogram wasapproved in Beijing:

a) The first draft of the GSV statement will be prepared by the NARS Secretariat on the basisof the discussion that took place in Beijing, and taking into consideration the work doneby the various stakeholders of GFAR. All stakeholders were asked to send in anyadditional comments/suggestions throughout June on the basis of the discussion papermentioned above. This first draft of the GSV will be ready by July 15, 1999.



b) This first draft will be circulated to all stakeholders (members of the GFAR-SC) of theGlobal Forum for comments and observations. Each member of the GFAR-SC willcirculate this draft among its constituency during the period July 15-September 1. BySeptember 10 the relevant observations and comments should have been sent back to theNARS Secretariat in FAO, Rome.

c) A revised draft will be prepared during September 10-30. This revised draft will be sentin the second week of October to all GFAR-SC members and to relevant ICW participants.This revised draft will be discussed in detail at the GFAR-SC meeting in ICW-99.

d) A third draft will be prepared in November and December, 1999. This draft will becirculated to GFAR-SC members by January 15.

e) Final adjustments to the draft will be made in this last consultation with GFAR-SCmembers. It will thus be ready for distribution to all participants to GFAR-2000 with thedocumentation of this meeting, that will be sent out by the end of February.

f) The Global Shared Vision will then be ready for a final discussion in Dresden, and foradoption by all GFAR stakeholders. As such, it is one of the important documents thatwill be coming out of the GFAR-2000 meeting.

For the preparation of the Issues Paper the following procedure and chronogram wasapproved in Beijing:

a) A first draft of the Issues Paper will be prepared by the "Grupo CEO", of Buenos Aires,Argentina (Martin Piñeiro, Eduardo Trigo, Filemón Torres and Roberto MartinezNogueira), on the basis of the Terms of Reference that were prepared for such apurpose. This first draft will be prepared during June 15-September 15, 1999.

b) An Advisory Committee will be established in July that will function as a Peer ReferenceGroup to which the various drafts of this document will be sent for comments andadditional inputs. The Advisory Committee will work in close interaction with theNARS Secretariat and with Grupo CEO in Buenos Aires throughout the preparationprocess.

c) This draft will be discussed with the GFAR and NARS Secretariats and with the GFARManagement Team during the three weeks from September 15 to October 10. It will besent to all GFAR-SC members and to relevant participants of ICW-99 by October 12.

d) The Issues Paper will be discussed in detail in the GFAR-SC and NARS-SC meetings atICW-99, with the authors of the paper and resource persons that will be invited to thismeeting for such a purpose.

e) The Grupo CEO will prepare a revised version of the paper during November andDecember of 1999. This revised version will be circulated to GFAR-SC members byJanuary 15.



f) Final adjustments to the revised version will be made in this last consultation withGFAR-SC members. It will thus be ready for distribution to all participants to GFAR-2000 with the documentation of this meeting, that will be sent out by the end ofFebruary.

g) The Issues Paper will be the main document, along with the GSV statement, that will beused as a basis for the first Plenary Session that will take place in GFAR-2000. Thispaper will be discussed both in plenary and in regional working groups, from theperspective of the relevance of the analysis of the main trends and issues that areidentified in it, and of the implications they have for international agricultural research.

h) A final version of the Issues Paper will be prepared in June, 2000, incorporating thediscussion and the conclusions of GFAR-2000. It will be ready for publication alongwith the proceedings of GFAR-2000.

1.2. Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) in Agricultural Research forDevelopment

Besides formulating a Global Shared Vision, the first area of work of the GFARProgramme of Work includes the gradual development of a Strategic Agenda of topics that areof interest to GFAR stakeholders. Around each topic of the strategic agenda, the Global Forumwill promote/facilitate the exchange of ideas, opinions and experiences among the variousstakeholders, with two objectives in mind: (a) clarify the issues involved and the options foraction, with the purpose of facilitating the emergence of a common perception and of consensusaround those topics; and (b) foster joint action or strategic alliances among two or morestakeholders around those topics of common interest.

The first topic that has been chosen as part of this strategic agenda is that of themanagement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) in agricultural research for development(ARD). During the Beijing informal meeting, the presentations made by the NARS participantsconfirmed that IPRs are a top priority, while at the same time being conscious of thecomplexities of the issues involved. Furthermore, the participants expressed different opinionson the issues to be addressed, ranging from the analysis of the impact of proprietary technology(and of IPRs as an expression of this) on the access to knowledge, and thus on food security andresource-poor farmers, to advice on how best to negotiate IPRs with the private sector. TheChairman of the CGIAR Private Sector Committee added another expectation: to raiseawareness among the major private sector companies and to encourage them to negotiatecollectively with NARS.

Considering that a lot of work has already been done on IPRs and the existence of manyfora and mechanisms to discuss and negotiate these issues, the GFAR proposes not to discussIPRs in general, but to focus its activities in four domains:

a) Analysis of specific cases of negotiation and management of agricultural technology thatinvolves IPR issues, in order to:



• draw lessons on how effectively the developing-country NARS manage IPR issues,and how this can be improved;

• favor the emergence of joint research programs (or research partnerships) betweenthe stakeholders involved in IPR negotiations.

b) Improvement of the IPR managerial capacity of NARS.

c) Impact assessment of the increasing importance of proprietary technologies (and thus ofIPRs) on food security and sustainable development.

d) Explore the possibility of collective negotiations between the major private companiesand the NARS, at least in terms of consensus on the main parameters that should orientindividual negotiations.

In a separate paper more information is provided on this “Proposed Action Plan onIntellectual Property Rights (IPRs) in Agricultural Research for Development” (Rome, NARSSecretariat, June 1999). In this document we will only refer to the first component mentionedabove: analysis of specific cases of negotiation and management of agricultural technology thatinvolve IPRs. The objective here is to see what lessons can be derived from the way theagricultural research institutions of the developing countries have effectively managed theseissues as part of their research management responsabilities, and how can this managementcapacity be improved in these research institutions.

The participants to the Beijing meeting recommended to analyze the IPR issues related toa single commodity worldwide rather than to document many individual cases of negotiations ondifferent commodities. They also suggested three commodities as good potential candidates:hybrid rice; maize and potato seed and, finally, recommended to select “hybrid rice”, consideringthe importance of public sector investment in it and its relevance for most regions. USAID andThe Netherlands expressed their interest to support these case studies,

On the basis of the Beijing discussions, the following course of action and timetable isproposed:

a) Establishment of a Working Group involving ISNAR, as the host of the CGIAR CentralAdvisory Service for Proprietary Science (CAS), and IRRI, besides the NARSSecretariat and interested donors (July 1999).

b) Identification of the public and private institutions which have developed new promisingtechnologies on hybrid rice, and the selection of a few institutions/countries worldwide(8-10) which have negotiated, or plan to negotiate, IPRs on hybrid rice (August 1999).

c) Preparation of the case studies in compliance with guidelines provided by the WorkingGroup (September – December 1999).

d) Organization of an international workshop (March 2000). The objective is to carry outan action-oriented workshop where the main actors related to the negotiation of thetechnology (in this case hybrid rice) and of the IPRs involved could meet, to analyzethis particular case and discuss the options that can be identified in both advancing the



IPR negotiation, and in establishing a research partnership to jointly carry out furtherresearch in this field.

Other cases could be carried out in the near future, using the same framework. Aftercarrying out three or four of such specific and case-oriented workshops, an assessment will bemade of this approach to see how much progress is being made in terms of the objectives that arebeing pursued. As pointed out above, the objective here is not only to learn how to improve themanagement of IPRs in agricultural research institutions, but also how to manage them in such away that they can lead to innovative cases of public/private sector research partnerships. This isthe vantage point that the Global Forum brings.

1.3. Other topics of the Strategic Agenda

In Beijing other strategic topics were identified that are of interest to a wide range ofstakeholders. The following topics were identified: (a) Facilitate access to genetic resources;(b) NARS development: Evolution and changing nature of NARS (from the NARIs to theNARS model); and (c) Changing research patterns in the regional and global ARD researchcommunities: nature and scope of research networks.

Given time constraints and fund availability, it was decided that for the remainder of thisyear the NARS Secretariat will concentrate in the first strategic topic (IPRs and ARD), and inexploring options for the topics related to NARS development (see below) and to researchnetworks. The development and implementation of these different topics will emerge graduallyin the near future, depending on a given stakeholder assuming the lead to take the responsibilityfor developing that particular topic. This list becomes a "menu of possibilities", that will beimplemented only if the right person and/or institution appears, and the appropriate funding isassured.

NARS Development

Among the identified topics of the strategic agenda, one that is generating a lot ofinterest is that of the evolution and changing characteristics of the National AgriculturalResearch Systems (NARS). This topic is at the center of the debate on agricultural research inmany countries. The main issue is that of the evolution that is taking place from the “NARIsmodel” (characterized by a single large public research institute), to the “NARS model”, wherea “national research system” is established, bringing together the efforts of various types ofinstitutions that operate in a more decentralized environment: the NARI, NGOs, universities,Foundations and the private sector, extension services and farmers’ organizations. In severalcases, this process of developing a NARS is accompanied by an effort of decentralization, inwhich relatively autonomous units are being established in the different ecoregions thatconstitute a given country.

Developing and strengthening NARS is part of the mandate of FAO/SDRR and ISNAR .These institutions have more and more difficulties to satisfy all individual demands and havetherefore started thinking about new and innovative mechanisms. In line with its mandate, the



NARS Secretariat is exploring the possibility of establishing a joint programme with FAO/SDRRand with ISNAR to: i) look at the role the Regional/Sub-Regional Fora could play in assistingtheir member countries to develop and strengthen their NARS; and ii) identify the RF/SRFcapacities which have to be strengthened so that they can provide this type of assistance.

A major advantage of having the RF/SRF involved in this process is that it should lead tothe development of NARS within the broader perspective of regional and sub-regionalintegration, that makes it feasible to develop R&D programs through strategic alliances withinstitutions in the other countries, and with other sources of technology, in the context of aglobalized world. National research programmes should then be re-thought in this transnationalspace, that opens up new opportunities for economies of scale, and for complementarities andsynergism among key actors. In fact, the process of NARS development is also closely linked toanother issue that is of central concern to the Global Forum: that of the emergence of new andinnovative modalities of research partnerships among the various stakeholders of agriculturalresearch. These new modalities that are analyzed in sections 3.2 and 3.3 below, are leading tonew organizational patterns for the deployment of resources dedicated to agricultural research,both at the national and at the transnational levels.

One potential candidate for exploring this new approach is the LAC Region, in whichFORAGRO considers that assistance to countries to develop their NARS is one of its mainchallenges. In this region, in fact, two countries are in a process of total re-structuring theirNARS, in a major process of institutional reform.

2. Activities Related to the Strengthening of RF/SRF

Besides the two activities mentioned in this section, it should be pointed out that inter-regional exchange of experiences is being facilitated among RF/SRF, reflecting the clear interestexpressed on this by these regional organizations.

2.1. Strengthening of the Management Information Systems (MIS) inRF/SRF and establishment of Regional Web Pages:

The proposed activities aimed at strengthening RF/SRF are explained in much moredetail in one of the documents that was discussed at the Beijing meeting of the NARS-SC:"Strengthening Regional/Sub-regional Organizations of Agricultural Research forDevelopment", Rome, NARS Secretariat, April 1999.

One of the concrete activities contemplated in the support to RF/SRF is aimed atestablishing or strengthening Management Information Systems (MIS) in RF/SRF. MIS consistof databases and other relevant information that cover such aspects as: the active Regional/Sub-Regional Research Networks that presently operate, with data on publications and other researchresults being produced by them; information on ongoing research projects in the region/sub-region; information on human resources (researchers) and their thematic and geographic



distribution; and information on available technologies in the major crops of importance to theregion/sub-region (technology supply). The development of such an information capacity is acritical management tool, for the monitoring of what is happening in each region/sub-region, forthe characterization of present research efforts (strengths and weaknesses) and of the distributionof research capacities in the region, for avoiding duplication of research efforts because of lackof coordination, and for the analysis of the results that are coming out of these researchendeavours and of the development impact that is being obtained. These databases can also playan important role in facilitating research partnerships, through a better knowledge of who isdoing what in the region. Thus MIS are important management tools for the strengthening ofRF/SRF, and specially for increasing their effectiveness and their governance capacity.

Similarly, Web Pages of RF/SRF can play an important role in facilitating access to theabove mentioned databases, and can play an important role in articulating the MIS of RF/SRFwith the broader Regional Agricultural Information System (RAIS) of each region. The latterinvolves the specialized databases and information systems that are located in NARS, in IARCsand in other research and development organizations throughout the region, or outside theregion, but with information of relevance to the region. The importance of web pages issignificantly increasing given the trend that is taking place of evolving in the direction of web-based information systems. For this evolution to take place, a system of interrelated web pagesmust emerge in the region, linking research institutions and information facilities among them.Web pages no longer play a passive role of providing information on the organization (orRF/SRF) that sets it up. On the contrary, they are now playing a key Gateway role thatfacilitates access to information and helps to articulate the Regional Agricultural InformationSystem, both within itself (among its members), as well as with the emerging GlobalInformation System and the information facilities that constitute it. It is thus a secondmanagement tool that complements the previous one, and increases the capacity of RF/SRF toperform as facilitators and promotors of agricultural research cooperation in each region/sub-region.

Through this activity the NARS Secretariat is providing support to RF/SRF in both theestablishment/strengthening of their MIS and of their web pages. This activity is not beingcarried out in isolation. Given the important role web pages and the MIS of RF/SRF play in theemergence and articulation of Regional Agricultural Information Systems (RAIS), this activity isbeing jointly carried out with activity 4.1 below, which is aimed at supporting the articulation ofsuch regional information systems (RAIS). Thus the activities that will be carried out aredescribed in that section.

2.2. Support to RF/SRF

In Beijing a discussion paper was tabled at the NARS-SC meeting on "StrengtheningRegional/Sub-regional Organizations of Agricultural Research for Development". One of theobjectives of the GFAR, and of the NARS Secretariat in particular, is that of strengthening theparticipation of NARS in international agricultural research through the Regional/Sub-regionalorganizations they have established with the purpose of fostering cooperation among them in thisfield. This paper suggests a strategy organized around six main topics: (a) increasing the



capacity of RF/SRF to respond to changing circumstanes (taking advantage of the emergingopportunities and being aware of the challenges that are being confronted); (b) strengthening theownership by interested stakeholders; (c) improving their governance capacity;(d) strengthening their management capacity; (e) strengthening impact-assessment anddissemination capacity to show results; (f) developing a sustainable funding strategy that willassure stability or growth in the medium and long term. In order to reach this last objective, aneffort aimed at the mobilization of fresh funds, based on a competitive grants scheme, issuggested.

As a way of implementing this proposal, a short comparative study of the existingRF/SRF has been suggested, in order to exchange information among the existing organizationson the different approaches that have been used, what works and what doesn' t, and what "bestpractice" can be identified in terms of organizational structures, approaches or operationalprocedures. The objectives of this study are: (a) to review, using the same format, themodalities of establishment of the various RF/SRF, and their institutional and organizationalstrengths and weaknesses; (b) to draw lessons from these different experiences; and (c) torevisit the above mentioned document to reflect the findings of this study. For a more detailedpresentation of this study see: "Comparative Assessment of the Establishment of Regional/Sub-regional Organizations in Agricultural Research for Development" (NARS Secretariat, June1999).

The primary beneficiary of this study will be the RF/SRF, but the secondarybeneficiaries will be the NARS, which will be better supported and served by their respectiveRF/SRF. The ultimate beneficiaries will be the farmers, through the increased effectiveness andefficiency of agricultural research for development.

This proposal is presently under discussion with the European Commission. A jointanalysis of this line of action of the NARS Secretariat is being carried with the EuropeanInitiative for Agricultural Research for Development (EIARD), given their interest instrengthening the regional/sub-regional level of cooperation among NARS.

3. Activities Related to the Promotion of Innovative ResearchPartnerships

One of the main purposes of the Global Forum on Agricultural Research is that ofmobilizing the global agricultural research community in ARD around the general objectives ofpoverty eradication, food security and sustainable use of natural resources. In order to achievethis objective, the GFAR seeks to promote/facilitate innovative and cost-effective researchpartnerships among the various stakeholders of ARD. Four types of activities were approved aspart of the Programme of Work that was adopted in Beijing for 1999-2000: (a) Case studies ofexisting successful research partnerships, to identify the factors that lead to effective andsuccessful partnerships and to document the results that can be obtained through such concertedaction; (b) support the development of new innovative research partnerships that may generatenew modes of cooperation among the stakeholders of the GFAR; (c) address the issue of scaling-



up of successful research partnerships in agroecology; and (d) exploratory meetings betweenNARS and ARIs of developed countries, in order to identify areas of common interest andmodes of cooperation that can be jointly carried out in the future. A brief description of each onefollows.

The most interesting cases that will be coming out of activities (a), (b) and (c) will bepresented in the GFAR-2000 meeting in Dresden in May of next year. The support the NARSSecretariat can provide to the preparation of these case studies, or the development of the newapproaches, is explained in detail in one of the documents that was presented and discussed inBeijing: "Support Provided by the NARS Secretariat to the Preparation of GFAR-2000" (NARSSecretariat, April, 1999).

3.1. Case Studies of Existing Successful Research Partnerships

i. Purpose of studying successful cases of research partnerships

Through the case-study analysis of existing successful research partnerships a betterunderstanding is sought of the factors that lead to their success, and of the benefits that can begenerated by such partnerships. These cases can be in terms of specific research partnershipsthat have produced interesting research results and concrete development impact, or in terms ofinnovative support mechanisms that facilitate such partnerships (i.e. innovative fundingmechanisms for regional/sub-regional cooperation and research partnerships, such as the case ofFONTAGRO in the LAC region).

In the last three months the RF/SRF have been in the process of identifying those casesthat they wish to analyze and present in the GFAR-2000 meeting in Dresden. It is not only amatter of selecting the best cases, but of preparing a detailed report on the basis of the Terms ofReference that have been prepared for the analysis and presentation of successful researchpartnership cases (see guidelines for these reports: "Research Partnership Case Studies"). Insome cases the information to prepare a good report may be available. In other cases, it may benecessary to obtain the services of a local consultant to prepare the respective report.

The NARS Secretariat is providing two types of support to the RF/SRF for thepreparation of these case studies. The first one is methodological support, through thepreparation of the guidelines or Terms of Reference that have been prepared for these reports.One of the main aspects in these guidelines is the importance of carrying out a quickimpact-assessment of the research results generated by the research partnership, and theindicators that can be used to do so. These guidelines also assure an homogeneous approach tosuch case studies among the various RF/SRF. The second support is with funds for the regionalconsultancies that may be required for the preparation of such cases studies. In average, theNARS Secretariat has US $ 15,000 available per Regional Forum. These funds could cover from3 to 6 consultancies, depending on the cost of each one.

ii. Cases been prepared



On the basis of the information received by the NARS Secretariat from each RF/SRF,the following cases are being considered by each region:

1) Asia/Pacific (APAARI):

a) Rice-Wheat Cropping System Program.

2) Sub-Sahara Africa (FARA):

a) Centre d' Etude Régional pour l' Amélioration de l' Adaptation à la Secheresse(CERAAS), presented by CORAF

b) The cases presented by SACCAR or ASARECA are still pending.

3) Latin America and the Caribbean (FORAGRO):

a) Various regional/sub-regional networks are being considered (potatoes, coffee ormanagement of hydrological resources)

b) No-tillage system project (Brazil)

c) FONTAGRO, as an innovative funding mechanism to promote regional/sub-regional cooperation

4) West Asia and North Africa (AARINENA):

a) Integration of crop/livestock in low rainfall areas in WANA region.

b) Development of wheat varieties resistant to leaf and stem rust in the Nile Valleyand the Red Sea region.

iii. Timetable for preparation of cases

It is important to point out that the following chronogram has been approved for thepreparation of the case studies to be presented to GFAR-2000, under the coordination of theGFAR Secretariat:

a) Discussion of the preliminary list of cases being considered by each RF/SRF that tookplace in Beijing (May, 1999). From this discussion the previously mentioned list ofpotential cases emerged.

b) June 1 - July 31, 1999: RF/SRF make the final selection of cases they wish to present toGFAR-2000. The deadline for this is July 31, 1999. It should be remembered that thereare two ways of presenting cases in the GFAR-2000 meeting. The first one is under theform of a formal paper (case-study report) being presented in one of the working groupsof the Dresden meeting. The second one takes the form of display material to bepresented in the poster session, that the RF/SRF can organize as part of the GFAR-2000meeting. The second form of presentation does not require a paper, but it does require



audio-visual material, or similar material, to "eloquently show" the characteristics andthe results achieved by the research partnership being presented. For the July 31st (1999)deadline it is sufficient to have a one-page summary of the proposed case, with the nameof the project or partnership, the institutions involved, a brief description of it, and ajustification of its importance (making reference to the development impact it isgenerating and to the availability of information to make the case). The paper will beprepared after the case is pre-selected. By July 31 the NARS Secretariat should havereceived from the respective RF/SRF any request for funding they may deem necessary tosupport the detailed preparation of the case-studies, taking into consideration the budgetavailability mentioned above.

c) August 1 - September 30: Interaction between the NARS Secretariat and the respectiveRF/SRF to further elaborate the information provided for each case, and the reasons orjustification of its importance. During this same period the GFAR Secretariat will becarrying out a similar interaction with the other GFAR stakeholders.

d) October 10: The final list of cases of successful research partnerships is sent to allGFAR-SC members.

e) October 23-29: Final discussion by the NARS-SC of the list of research partnershipsbeing presented by the RF/SRF. Discussion and approval by the GFAR-SC of casestudies of successful research partnerships to be presented in GFAR-2000.

f) August 1 - December 31: Preparation of detailed case-study reports to be presented as apaper in one of the Dresden working sessions, and preparation of the display material forthe cases that will be included in the Poster Session organized by each RF/SRF.

g) January - February: Final revision and adjustments made to the papers and to the displaymaterial. By the end of February the papers will be sent to all GFAR-2000 participants,along with all the other documentation of the meeting.

h) May, 2000: Cases presented in GFAR-2000 (Dresden, Germany).

3.2. New Innovative Research Partnerships

i. What are they?

Research partnerships are not new. Research networks, collaborative researchprogrammes and other forms of partnerships have been used by research institutions and otherstakeholders of ARD for a long time. But there are two new important elements that should beemphasized. The first one refers to the fact that, given the deep changes that are taking place inscience, in the globalization of science, and in the context in which research is carried out, the



strategic importance of cooperation, of networking and of partnerships is significantlyincreasing.2

As part of this process, the organizational structure of research has gradually shiftedtowards more collaborative modalities, as a way of responding to the new opportunitiesgenerated by the changing context (i.e. new information and communications technologies), andto the challenges posed by increasing research requirements and stagnant or decreasing researchbudgets. These changes are taking place in both the public and the private sectors. In the latter,corporate research strategies of multinationals now place greater emphasis on cooperation, oninnovation and learning networks, and on various forms of strategic alliances throughoutsourcing and other modes of collaboration.3

The second factor refers to the fact that there are “innovative” research partnershipsthat are emerging, based on new modes of cooperation, through which agricultural research canbe carried out more effectively and efficiently, and that may contribute to increase thedevelopment impact we are seeking to achieve. These new modes of cooperation thatcharacterize the innovative research partnerships combine one or more of the followingcharacteristics: (a) They integrate the “new actors” of agricultural research (i.e. the privatesector, NGOs, universities). How to generate new modes of public/private sector cooperation inARD, building upon the comparative advantages of each sector, is one of the challenges to beaddressed. (b) They involve the end-user through participatory research approaches, whereresearch, extension and marketing (and thus innovation) are addressed in an integrated manner.(c) They cover new areas of research where international cooperation in ARD has not yetdeveloped, or they do so with a new approach (i.e. the new partnerships that are being discussedin non-CG mandated crops, following a commodity-chain or agroindustrial approach thatinvolves post-harvest processing and marketing). (d) They take advantage of the newopportunities generated by the ICT revolution, developing in the direction of electronic networksand “virtual” research centres which are part of the new organizational structure (or socialstructure) of science. (e) One of the most important characteristics of these innovative researchpartnerships is that they are not only interested in delivering “a product” and transfering “atechnology” (technology transfer). They are also interested in building-up research capacitiesand in “empowering people through knowledge”, by involving them as “peers” in the researchprocess (in the research partnership). This generally implies the evolution from collaborationbased on projects, to collaboration based on joint research programmes, that have an importantcapacity-building component and that are characterized by a longer-term relationship.

These characteristics define the new innovative research partnerships that the GlobalForum is interested in promoting, and in using as building blocks to construct the emerging

2 On this aspect, see Emerging GFAR Programme of Work 1999-2000; GFAR, April 1999,pp. 1-6.

3 See for example the role that is attached to “networks of learning” in the report prepared bythe CGIAR Private Sector Committee: “Strengthening CGIAR-Private Sector Partnerships inBiotechnology”; CGIAR Secretariat, April 1997, pp. 8-9.



Global Agricultural Research System in ARD. These new innovative research partnerships arenot easy to build, since they involve synergies and interactions that have to be developed amongthe various stakeholders of ARD. From here to the GFAR meeting that will take place inDresden in May of 2000 only a few cases will be in the “development pipeline”. It will be tooearly to show results, but we can learn from the ongoing experience of constructing them, andof putting them together. This is the purpose of presenting these new innovative researchpartnerships in GFAR-2000.

ii. Innovative research partnerships been prepared

The RF/SRF and other GFAR stakeholders have identified new research partnerships ofthis type, and they are presently in the process of developing them. The following is the list of“project ideas” that are being explored to see their potential to evolve into an innovative researchpartnership. These project ideas are still in the exploratory phase, where the potential partnersare jointly analyzing the proposal, and discussing how to operationalize and develop it.

1) Asia/Pacific (APAARI):

a) Increased contribution of Soybean to Food Security and Nutrition: A CommodityChain Approach.

2) Sub-Sahara Africa (FARA):

a) Developing the Cotton commodity chain for addressing issues of povertyalleviation.

b) Developing the Cocoa commodity chain for addressing issues of povertyalleviation.

3) Latin America and the Caribbean (FORAGRO):

a) Innovation and development of rural enterprises as a means of addressing povertyalleviation and sustainable development. The RESECA Project being developed inthe Andean countries seeks to take advantage of the market potential ofunderutilized crops (orphan crops) to promote the establishment of ruralenterprises that can generate employment and income in rural poverty zones. Thiseffort can contribute to the security problems these countries are facing. Thisproject involves public/private sector interaction, and an agroindustrialperspective that seeks to identify consumer markets where these products can becommercialized.

b) Regional Program for Research on Fruits, with a commodity chain approach.

4) West Asia and North Africa (AARINENA):

a) Integrating the Datepalm-tree commodity chain as a strategy for incomegeneration and poverty alleviation in the WANA region.



b) Assuring sustainable development through water management: an integratedapproach.

iii. Timetable for preparation of innovative research partnerships

It is important to point out that the following chronogram was approved in Beijing forthe further development of these (and possibly other) cases of new innovative researchpartnerships that will be presented in GFAR-2000:

a) Discussion of the preliminary list of cases being considered by each RF/SRF that tookplace in Beijing (May, 1999). From this discussion the previously mentioned list ofpotential cases emerged.

b) June 1 - August 31, 1999: RF/SRF will make the final selection of the cases of newinnovative research partnerships they wish to present to GFAR-2000. The deadline forthis is August 31, 1999. For the August 31st (1999) deadline it is sufficient to have aone-page summary of the proposed case, with the name of the project or partnership, theinstitutions involved, a brief description of it, and a justification of its importance andwhy this research partnership reflects the characteristics of the new innovativepartnerships GFAR is interested in promoting (see discussion of this above). The paperpresenting the new research partnership in more detail will be prepared after the case ispre-selected. The NARS Secretariat has seed money that it can use to support the RF/SRFin the further development of these ideas, to facilitate the emergence of the new researchpartnerships. There are US$15,000 available per region that could be used for thispurpose.

c) August 15 – October 15: Interaction between the NARS Secretariat and the respectiveRF/SRF to further elaborate the information provided for each case, and the reasons orjustification for its consideration as an “innovative” research partnership. During thissame period the GFAR Secretariat will be carrying out a similar interaction with the otherGFAR stakeholders.

d) October 10: The final list of cases of new innovative research partnerships is sent to allGFAR-SC members.

e) October 23-29: Final discussion by the NARS-SC of the list of innovative researchpartnerships being presented by the RF/SRF. Discussion and approval by the GFAR-SCof the final list of innovative research partnerships to be presented in GFAR-2000.

f) August 1 - December 31: Further development of the new innovative partnership thatwill be presented in GFAR-2000.

g) January – February (2000): Final revision and adjustments. By the end of February thepapers will be sent to all GFAR-2000 participants, along with all the other documentationof the meeting.



h) May, 2000: Cases of new innovative research partnerships presented in GFAR-2000(Dresden, Germany).

3.3. Scaling-up of Successful Research Partnerships in Agroecology

A basic question facing many policy makers, donors, and researchers is whether it maybe possible to scale up agroecology projects that have proven to be successful, in order togenerate a meaningful impact on the income, food security, and environmental integrity of thewider rural populations. The importance of the issue of scaling-up reflects the fact that withoutthis step, there can be no significant development impact.

Given the complexity of the issues involved, the process of scaling-up requires theparticipation of a variety of institutions that not normally have close ties among them (i.e.NARIs, NGOs, credit institutions, training institutions and local government). Thus theyrequire the development of new innovative research-and-development partnerhips. This is aparticular case of the innovative research partnerships discussed in the previous section.

In order to address this issue, the NGO Committee and the Global Forum (NARSSecretariat) are initiating a programme aimed at: (a) development of a practical approach to theissue of “scaling-up” of successful cases of agroecology projects (development of an appropriateapproach and methodology); (b) identification of concrete cases where this can be done andanalysis of their potential as well as constraints; and (c) carry out a “pilot scaling-up process”where the approach and the methodology developed will be tried out in practice.

The first step in the operationalization of this programme is the organization of aWorkshop on Approaches to Scaling-up Impact of Sustainable Agricultural Projects, that will beheld in Washington, D.C., on October 21-23, 1999. This workshop is been co-sponsored by theCGIAR-NGO Committee and by the GFAR/NARS Secretariat. The workshop will analyze aseries of existing successful case studies promoted individually or collectively by NGOs,IARCs, and other international as well as national organizations, to address, not only theconstraints (bottlenecks) that limit the scaling-up process, but also the methodologicalchallenges for scaling-up a set of successful cases. Major lessons and principles underlying thesuccess of local initiatives will be systematized and subject to analysis, to see if it may bepossible to apply them in wider contexts in order to spread benefits of local sustainableagriculture beyond project boundaries, in both space and time. For each case, a starting pointwill be the understanding of the agroecological and socio-economic conditions under which thetechnology and other aspects of the project, were adopted and implemented. Such anunderstanding can shed light on the constraints and opportunities wider groups of farmers arelikely to face, when attempting to scale-up sustainable agricultural methods.

Thus the workshop is aimed at identifying successful cases of agroecologically basedtechnological developments in specific communities, that are amenable to “scaling-up”, in



order to have an impact on the broader sector of the rural population.4 As pointed out above, theworkshop is being designed not as an isolated event, but as part of a broader process ofidentifying and characterizing the best cases in different regions, and of identifying the mainchallenges and requirements that are faced in a “scaling-up” process. The process also involvesmobilizing the interest (political will) of key institutions and policy-makers in the countrieswhere the selected cases are located, in order to actually launch concrete cases of scaling-up.Thus the workshop is only the first step of an action-oriented process aimed atfacilitating/promoting real cases of scaling-up, in which the workshop, and the cases andmethodologies presented in it, can become subject for testing in real situations.

This issue is one of the main challenges confronting the integration of NARS; it has todo with the integration of NGOs and their associated grassroots communities, with theexperiences and approaches they have developed, into the National Agricultural ResearchSystems. This requires, for example, a much closer interaction between NGOs and extensionservices (besides research centers), and between NGOs and credit institutions and other supportmechanisms related to rural development. These links are quite often lacking, and this is one ofthe problems that NARS, as a system, face in their process of institutional development andconsolidation. This also leads to interesting opportunities that require the development of newinnovative research partnerships related to the scaling-up process, bringing together NGOs,NARIs, universities, IARCs, local government, credit institutions and training institutions,since they have different roles to play in a scaling-up process.

If interesting cases emerge from the October Workshop on Scaling-up, they could beconsidered for presentation in GFAR-2000. If we look at them from the perspective ofsuccessful cases at the micro (community) level, they could be candidates to be presented in thecategory of existing successful cases. If we look at them in terms of the new research-and-development partnerships that have to be developed among a variety of actors for scaling-uppurposes, such as those mentioned in the previous paragraph (that traditionally have not workedtogether), they could become very interesting candidates to be presented as new innovativepartnerships.

3.4. Exploratory Meetings with ARIs

It is important to highlight the fact that NARS form part of a broader framework definedby the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR), along with the other stakeholders thatconstitute the emerging Global System of Agricultural Research for Development: AdvancedResearch Institutes (ARIs) (including universities), International Research Centres (IARCs),Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Farmers' Associations and the Private Sector. Thisunderscores an important function of the NARS Secretariat: that of facilitating and promoting

4 For more detailed information on the workshop, such as the cases that will be analyzed andthe aspects that will be covered, see: International Workshop: Approaches to Scaling-upImpact of Sustainable Agricultural Projects; Washington, D.C., October 21-23, 1999.



the interaction between NARS and the other stakeholders of the GFAR. From this perspective,the process of formulating a joint Programme of Work 1999-2000 shared by all stakeholders hasplayed an important role in identifying areas of common interest.

Interaction with ARIs is being pursued through a series of exploratory meetings and jointefforts which the NARS Secretariat has initiated with research institutions in France, Germany,Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, the UK, the US and Canada.5 In the case of the Europeancountries, the European Forum on Agricultural Research for Development, held inWageningen (7-8 April, 1999), and the follow-up to this forum, is playing a very importantrole.

Two meetings are scheduled for this year. The first one is being organized with thesupport of Italy, and it involves a meeting between NARS from the developing countries and arepresentative group of the Italian research community related to agricultural research fordevelopment (ARIs, NGOs, universities). A second meeting is being organized with ATSAF,involving the German research community. This meeting will take place in October in Berlin.

Besides exchanging information on modalities of cooperation and on research priorities,it is hoped that this interaction will lead to the identification of potential research partnershipsand joint research efforts. It is also leading to the analysis of another important aspect of the newresearch patterns that characterize global science: the role of the advanced research platformsconstituted by concentration of ARIs and of other key stakeholders in specific locations, in thecontext of the emerging global research system.

4. Activities Related to the Development of a Global KnowledgeSystem in ARD

The fourth area of action of the GFAR is related to the application of Information andCommuniaction Technologies (ICTs) to agricultural and rural development. In a worldcharacterized by globalization, and by an increasingly science-based and knowledge-intensiveenvironment, the access to information, and the capacity for converting information into usefulknowledge for different end-users and stakeholders, is becoming of paramount importance. Inthe Regional and Sub-Regional Fora on agricultural research that have taken place in the last twoyears (1996-1998) the need to promote the development of Agricultural Information (orKnowledge) Systems has been clearly emphasized, as a way of responding to theseconsiderations, and as an important tool for strengthening the National Agricultural Research

5 This is the list of countries with which contacts have so far been established. Of this list, themeeting with French research organizations already took place in January of this year. Theresults of this meeting are presented in: Compte Rendu de la Consultation avec lesOrganismes Français Chargés de la Recherche Agricole pour le Développement (Rome,NARS Secretariat, January 18, 1999). In the case of the other countries these meetings arein the process of being organized.



Systems (NARS) and for improving the effectiveness of agricultural research. Another importantconsideration that has emerged in all these Fora is the increasing risk of inequity, between andwithin countries, because of their different capacity to access and use information and improvedtechnologies. The risk of exclusion and of increasing technology gaps, is one of the possibleconsequences of the rapid rate of technical change being faced at present. Here Information andCommunication Technologies (ICTs) and Information Systems, if well managed, can play animportant role.

In order to organize the activities of the Global Forum in this area, and to determine therole the Electronic Global Forum on Agricultural Research (EGFAR) could play, a ConsultationMeeting was organized at the end of March at the FAO headquarters in Rome. The results ofthis meeting are presented in two complementary documents: (a) “Information Initiatives inAgricultural Research: Conclusions and Recommendations of the Consultation Organized byGFAR with the support of FAO and the World Bank”; Rome, May 6, 1999. (b) “Follow-up tothe Rome Consultation Meeting”; Rome, June 25, 1999. These two documents have moredetailed information on the activities that are being carried out in this area.

The main decision that was taken at the Rome meeting is based on the consensus thatwas obtained among the participants on the need to “Build an Enabling Global Frameworkfor Agricultural Research Information for Development”, as a first step towards theemergence of a “Global Knowledge System in ARD”. The nature and the objectives of suchan Enabling Framework, as well as the functions it should perform and the principles that shouldorient its establishment, are presented in the document with the Conclusions andRecommendations of the Rome meeting.

From the discussions that took place at the Rome consultation meeting, it became quiteclear that the development of such a Global Knowledge System entails efforts at three levels:(a) National Agricultural Information Systems (which include local and corporate informationservices); (b) Regional/Sub-Regional Agricultural Information Systems, established through thecollective efforts of a group of countries; and (c) Global Information Systems and InformationFacilities. One of the challenges that we confront in facilitating the emergence of a GlobalKnowledge System is that of how to promote/facilitate complementarities and linkages betweenthese three levels. In the approach that was adopted for the establishment of an EnablingFramework, the Regional/Sub-Regional Information Systems were considered to play a keyfunction, because of the role they play in facilitating the flow of information among thecountries of a given region, and in linking Global Information Facilities with end-users at theregional, national and local levels. Emphasis was clearly placed on the local, national andregional levels, since this is where end-users actually use information.

The activities that are being supported by the NARS Secretariat through RF/SRF, at theregional/sub-regional level, or in cooperation with FAO and other agencies at the global level,will be analyzed in this section.



4.1 Support to Regional Agricultural Information Systems

In the discussions that took place at the Rome Consultation Meeting and in theconclusions and recommendations that emerged from it, a key role was assigned to theRegional/Sub-Regional Agricultural Information Systems as a key player in the process ofestablishing a Global Knowledge System in Agricultural Research for Development. ARegional Agricultural Information System (RAIS) is constituted by the set of interrelateddatabases and information facilities that exist in a given region, that share a RegionalInformation Strategy and minimal standards and protocols to facilitate the access to and the flowof information, and that carry out concerted actions or efforts to better service the end-users,seeking to facilitate the systematic organization of data into structured information, and thelatter into relevant knowledge that can support the sustainable and equitable development of theregion. A more detailed analysis of the nature of Regional Agricultural Information Systems,and of the main aspects that are involved in their establishment and strengthening, is found in:“Information Initiatives in Agricultural Research: Follow-up to the Rome ConsultationMeeting”; Rome, GFAR/NARS Secretariat, June 25, 1999.

In this context, the Regional/Sub-regional Fora can basically carry out three functionswith respect to promoting the establishment of Regional Agricultural Information Systems:

(a) Formulate a Regional Agricultural Information Strategy that provides a general frameworkfor action, as well as specific guidelines for the establishment of such a regional system(i.e. adoption of common protocols and policies, development of e-mail connectivity,strengthening internet access in the rural sector, etc.). This could include the developmentof an electronic regional forum to discuss strategic issues of interest to the region.

(b) Design and manage those databases the RF/SRF require to carry out their function ofpolicy orientation and promotion of research collaboration in the region. This refers todatabases on human resources in the region, on ongoing research projects and the resultsbeing produced by them, and information on regional/sub-regional research networks.These databases constitute the Management Information System (MIS) of each RF/SRF.They are tools the RF/SRF require to carry out their function properly.

(c) The third function refers to facilitating access to databases and information on ARD in theregion. This is a Gateway function. With respect to this third function, the RF/SRF (orthe institution that plays the role of the secretariat of the RAIS), can provide three types ofservices:

• Identify the databases that exist in a given region/sub-region, on topics of interestto the countries of that region. In certain cases these databases may constitute, notisolated databases, but emerging “specialized or thematic regional informationnetworks or systems” (i.e. on forestry, fisheries, soil erosion, majorcommodities, IPM, genetic resources, water management, agricultural economicdevelopment issues, etc.). These databases or information services are aimed atspecific clients or beneficiaries (communities of end-users), in terms of producers,policy-makers or researchers. This generates an “information map” of theregion/sub-region, in terms of information availability and information flows. A



more sophisticated level of analysis, that some databases or specializedinformation systems may already be tackling, is that of the analysis of informationrequirements of their specialized clientele or beneficiaries.

• A second important activity or service is that of establishing and maintaining aRegional Reference Centre (RRC), that facilitates access to the various existingdatabases that are available throughout the region (identified in the previouspoint). The RRC provides general information on the topic and coverage of eachdatabase, location, characteristics of the data, how to access it, etc. In the LatinAmerican and Caribbean (LAC) region there is a very interesting ongoingexperience with the establishment of a Regional Reference Centre of this nature.

• A third service or activity is that of providing a central tool or mechanism tofacilitate the simultaneous searching of these databases throughout the region, aswell as access to the information that is localized in them. One of the mainexperiences with this approach is the European experience with EIARD InfoSysthat is presently in the process of establishing a meta-database that facilitates on-line consultation of web-based information resources and the data they contain(for a more detailed analysis of the EIARD InfoSys experience, see “InformationInitiatives in Agricultural Research: Follow-up to the Rome ConsultationMeeting”, Rome, GFAR/NARS Secretariat, June 25, 1999, specially section 3and annex 3 of that document). This service is becoming increasingly important,given the evolution towards web-based (or internet-based) information systems.

In order to operationalize these ideas and to develop a capacity in RF/SRF to carry outthese functions, the following actions are being supported by the NARS Secretariat in therespective RF/SRF (in collaboration with FAO/SDRR and with FAO/WAICENT):

1. In cooperation with each Regional/Sub-Regional Fora, the NARS Secretariat is supportingthe formulation of Regional Information Strategies aimed at establishing or strengtheningRegional/Sub-Regional Agricultural Information Systems (RAIS). The first such exerciseis being carried out in cooperation with FARA, with CTA and with the three African Sub-regional organizations (CORAF, SACCAR and ASARECA), aimed at developing aRegional Agricultural Information System, on the basis of the work that has so far beendone at the sub-regional level. A Regional Workshop to discuss and formulate a proposalfor a Sub-Saharan African Agricultural Information Strategy will take place in Dakar, onJuly 26-28, 1999. The background document for that meeting is available, describing theprocess that is being followed.6 Similar projects are being discussed with AARINENA forthe WANA region, with IICA/FORAGRO for the Latin American and Caribbean region,and with APAARI, for the Asia/Pacific region. In the case of FORAGRO, a LACRegional Information System is being organized using the Regional Reference Center forAgricultural Information as the main coordination unit, that facilitates access tospecialized information systems that are emerging in various topics, and to sub-regionaland national information facilities that exist in the region. In the case of APAARI there are

6 See: FARA: Development of a Sub-Saharan African Information Strategy, June, 1999.



draft proposals under discussion that have been prepared in cooperation with ISNAR andCABI, but that address specific aspects (i.e. the establishment of e-mail discussiongroups), without really addressing the broader issue of a Regional Information System oran Information Strategy.

2. A second action that is closely coordinated with the previous one is that of supportingsome of the main tools of the Management Information Systems of Regional/Sub-regionalFora. This refers to databases on human resources in the region (who works on what), onongoing research projects in the region, and on existing regional/sub-regional researchnetworks. These tools play an important role in the monitoring of the agricultural researchactivities that RF/SRF carry out, as well as in the facilitation of research partnershipsthrough the linking of people who are working in similar or related research fields. Theestablishment and/or strengthening of these databases are being discussed with therespective RF/SRF, in close concertation with WAICENT for the normative aspects. TheNARS Secretariat will be supporting a consultant to work with the RF/SRF in the design ofsuch databases, with special attention to the database on existing regional researchnetworks.

3. Thirdly, the NARS Secretariat is promoting the exchange of experiences, methodologiesand approaches among the various Regional Agricultural Information Systems (RAIS).Here the experience of EIARD/InfoSys in Europe is particularly interesting, since it hasdeveloped an operational experience in building up a regional information system that canbe useful to other regions. Thus EIARD/InfoSys can provide support to the other regionalinformation systems in developing their own information tools, as well as an informationmanagement capacity in them. The first phase of EIARD/Infosys is presently beingcompleted. The main results of this first phase have been: (a) The development of aninnovative concept which is that of a meta-database, which is a virtual database conceivedfor internet (web-based), “constructed” by linking information and data distributed in awide range of databases dispersed in a given region. (b) The development of a searchengine to make this possible. (c) The building up of this new “collective butdecentralized” database, which presently has over 1,200 registries, moving up to 3,000 bythe end of this year and aiming to cover an estimated total of over 20,000 registries.Access to this meta-database is facilitated through the EIARD/InfoSys webpage (seewww.dainet.de/eiard/infosys).

4. A fourth related action is that of supporting the establishment or improvement of WebPages of Regional/Sub-Regional Fora, as a tool that facilitates the dissemination ofinformation on the programmes carried out by the RF/SRF, and as an electronic platformthat facilitates interaction among the main actors of ARD in the region, as well as accessto information facilities (databases), in the region and elsewhere. Conceived in theseterms, the webpages of RF/SRF should contain specific elements and tools that allow themto carry out the role of a facilitating platform for contacts among the key stakeholders inthe region, as well as for access to information. Thus they have to be designed in such away that they can play this dynamic role, and they become part of the RegionalAgricultural Information System of that region. They cannot be stand-alone webpages.

http://www.dainet.de/eiard/infosys



The second and fourth activities are being carried out by the NARS Secretariat, in closecooperation with WAICENT and with the SDRR service of FAO, working jointly with therespective Regional/Sub-regional Fora.

4.2. Implementation of EGFAR

There are three important functions that EGFAR has been asked to provide, in thecontext of a Global Knowledge System: (a) Provide a platform (Web Page) to facilitate theinteraction among the stakeholders of the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR).(b) Develop an Observatory function aimed at keeping track and assessing the variousapplications to agriculture and rural development that are appearing in the field of ICT.(c) Facilitate the realization of electronic fora or discussion groups that may emerge among thestakeholders of the GFAR on specific strategic issues that are of interest to them.

Some suggestions on the possible activities to carry out with respect to each of thesefunctions is presented in the document on the follow-up to the Rome Consultation Meeting (see“Information Initiatives in Agricultural Research: Follow-up to the Rome ConsultationMeeting”; Rome, GFAR/NARS Secretariat, June 25, 1999). In July a meeting will be heldamong the World Bank, FAO, ISNAR and the GFAR in which options for the institutionallocation of EGFAR will be analyzed, as well as other organizational aspects related to thefurther development of this initiative.

4.3. Cooperation with WAICENT on Normative Framework to FacilitateInformation Flows

A meeting with WAICENT is pending to operationalize the main steps that should betaken to implement the recommendations of the Rome Consultation Meeting related to thenormative framework that is required to facilitate information flows.

4.4 ICT Applications Related to Agricultural and Rural Development

In formulating and implementing Regional Information Strategies for each region, oneof the issues that is systematically coming up is that of the various applications of ICT toagricultural and rural development. These applications cover a very wide range of technologicaldevelopments, with the related organizational and socio-economic realities that are generated bythem. The following are examples of such applications: the use of ICT in “precisionagriculture”; the use of GIS in developing knowledge systems as decision-making support toolsin the management of natural resources or in regional planning; telecentres to support the farmerand/or specific communities using internet as a tool; the development of electronic research



networks that open up the possibility of “virtual research centres”; the development of electronicknowledge spaces generated by immediate connectivity among stakeholders; the use ofmultimedia technology in technology transfer and extension services; techno-market intelligencebased on systematic analysis of key technological and market parameters; new MIS tools arebeing developed for organizations (including farms) with a learning capacity; the use of ICT innetworking and as a tool for empowering people through the exchange of relevant and purposefulinformation and knowledge; the possibility of organizing a two-way flow of information withthe end-user, or among end-users, that builds on “local wisdom” and has the capacity to captureand disseminate live knowledge at the grassroots; the emergence of a new type of informationsystem that is web-based: the decentralized meta-information system; and many, many more.

The various applications of ICT are so pervasive in society, and in the variousproduction sectors, that they are deeply transforming the society and the economy that hasgenerated them. And their impact in the agricultural and rural sector is enormous, both in termsof challenges generated by social exclusion forces, as well as by the opportunities that the newtechnologies generate, if well utilized. Can knowledge management cope successfully with theinformation glut, and succeed in generating dynamic links between data, information andknowledge, with the capacity of putting this knowledge in the hands of end-users? How can wemeasure progress in this direction? Can we assure an equitable participation, among countriesand among social sectors, in the benefits generated by these deep changes, avoiding the dangersof increasing social exclusion processes and forces? Are the new developments in ICT beingused to address the issues of development, and more specifically, of agricultural research fordevelopment (ARD)? Given the impact these technological changes are having on theorganization of science, what are the implications of the above for the organization of research,specially in the case of Global Science? The last two questions are directly related to thepossible future organizational patterns of international agricultural research.

In this area of the analysis of ICT applications to agricultural and rural development, theNARS Secretariat, in collaboration wirth the various RF/SRF, is carrying out the followingactivities:

a) Participation in the conference being organized by the European Federation onInformation Technology in Agriculture (EFITA), on “Perspectives of moderninformation systems in agriculture, food production and environmental control”, thatwill take place in Bonn on September 27-30, 1999. A very interesting range of papersare being prepared for this conference. It is expected that a proposal for a joint effort orprogramme that could be carried out by researchers interested on this topic, may becoming out of the Symposia on IT and Development, that forms part of the EFITAConference.

b) Discuss these issues and questions in the context of the various Regional InformationStrategies that are being formulated by the RF/SRF, as part of the process ofestablishing and strengthening Regional Agricultural Information Systems (RAIS). Oneaspect that will be explored is the interest of regional development banks in supportinginvestment in upgrading ICT capacities related to the agricultural and rural sectors ineach region, and in supporting the development and strengthening of the RAIS in eachregion. In the case of the LAC region, there is an interesting joint effort with the



Interamerican Development Bank (IDB) to develop joint projects with them in the LatinAmerican and Caribbean region, in cooperation with FORAGRO. This is being done inthe context of an FAO/IDB Collaborative Program. One of the possibilities beingdiscussed is that of a joint effort with IDB in supporting the Regional AgriculturalInformation System that FORAGRO is organizing. Similar proposals could be presentedto the regional development banks of the other regions, in collaboration with therespective RF/SRF.

c) With the participants to the Rome Consultation Meeting, and with other interestedparties, the NARS Secretariat is exploring how to continue developing the Vision thatcan orient the emergence of a Global Knowledge System in ARD, and how tooperationalize and implement it, the latter being one of the main recommendations thatcame out of this meeting. The analysis was initiated at the Rome meeting, but the workrelated to the further development of this analysis will be carried out with researchcentres and interested stakeholders that are actively working on these topics. For somethoughts on how to proceed, see “Information Initiatives in Agricultural Research:Follow-up to the Rome Consultation Meeting”; Rome, June 25, 1999, see section 2(pp. 3-4).



Annex 1Summary Table with

GFAR Programme of Work 1999-2000

Activities of the NARS Secretariat: 1999-2000______________________________________________________________


New Institutional & Organizational Approachesfor Agricultural Research for Development (ARD)

Genetic Resources Management (GRM)and Biotechnology

Natural Resources Management (NRM)and Agroecology (1)

Global Networks on CommoditiesChains

- D E V E L O P M E N T O F A G L O B A L S H A R E D V I S I O N -

Implementationof a SharedVision

a) Support to stakeholder consultations on their ownVision 2025, and contribution to the GFAR Vision2025.b) Participation in the gradual emergence of a GlobalResearch Agenda.

a) Monitoring trends and their implications forNARS of critical issues related to Genetic Resources, GRM and Biotechnology.b) Review of IPR issues in GRM.c) Contribution to the development of a SharedCode of Conduct in Bioethics.

a) Development of a vision of the role ofAgroecology in providing an increasingly importantsource of food and of the role of NRM.b) Better understanding of the integration ofUniversal Science with Local Wisdom.c) Contribution to an NRM Consultation organizedby the NGO Committee

a) Identification of the most suitablemodels of networks favouring NARS’participation for the prioritycommodities identified.

StrengthenNARS &RF/SRF

a) Support to the integration of NARS: From the NARIsto the NARS model.b) Rethinking research organizational structures(because of regional/sub-regional integration and newresearch partnerships).c) Development of a sustainable funding strategy forregional/sub-regional organizations

a) Support to the formulation of NationalResearch Policies in Biotechnology.b) Contribution to national capacity building inGRM.

a) Follow-up to International Conventions onEnvironment and Related Agreements, and theirimplications for NARS.b) Strengthening the role of NGOs and theirintegration into the NARS.

a) Assistance to Regional/Sub-Regional Organizations in identifyingpriority commodities in which globalresearch networks should bepromoted.b) Formulation of research networkstrategies at the regional level.c) Improvement of networkmanagement capacity inRegional/Sub-RegionalOrganizations.

Promote cost-effectiveResearchPartnerships

a) Study of the different approaches to researchnetworking and on how to increase their effectiveness.b) Documentation & dissemination of successful casesof Research Partnerships (RP).c) Promotion of new innovative cases of RP involvingthe private sector & other stakeholders.

a) Promotion of Regional networks inbiotechnology.b) Role and participation of NARS in theAdvanced Research Platforms established byARIs.c) Support to the implementation of the LeipzigPlan of Action.

a) Documentation of successful cases of agro-ecological development.b) Support to a consultation on methodologies andcases for “scaling-up” the experiences gained by theNGOs at the local community level.

a) Favouring the involvement ofNARS in research networksestablished by developed countries(e.g. ESCORENA).b) Preparation of a conceptual paperon how to develop innovativeresearch partnerships for commoditieschains.

Use of ICT indevelopinga GKSARD (2)

a) Development of an Enabling Framework to promotethe emergence of a GKSARD.b) Support to EGFAR and the development of itsstrategic “Observatory” function.c) Assistance to WAICENT in its normative work toimprove information flows.d) Strengthening collaboration between RegionalInformation Systems (RIS) (e.g. InfoSys in Europe withother RIS).

a) Facilitation of access to GR information andto GRM policy issues (a good model is the caseof SINGER of the CGIAR).b) Valorisation of the role of CGIAR consideringthe strategic databases and germplasmcollections that exist in IARCs.

a) Assistance to NGOs in developing theirINTERDEV Project.

a) Review of existing regionalresearch networks.b) Favour linkages between regionalresearch networks dealing with thesame or similar commodities or withsimilar objectives.

(1) The NRM dimension is being developed in cooperation with the NGO Committee. The latter is the lead stakeholder, being responsible for most activities.(2) In this row we present the outcome of the Rome Consultation on Information Initiatives in ARD (Rome, March 29-31, 1999).



Annex 2Summary Table with

NARS Secretariat Activities 1999-2000



AREA OF ACTION ACTIVITIES PRODUCTS1. Global Shared Vision & Strategic Agenda1.1. Formulation of a GSV a) Preparation of a draft

b) Consultation with stakeholdersc) Discussion in ICW99d) Final draft for GFAR-2000e) Preparation of an Issues paper

a) GSV adopted by GFAR-2000b) Issues Paper discussed at GFAR-2000 to identifyelements of a Plan of Action

1.2. Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) and Agricultural Research forDevelopment (ARD) in the NARS

a) Formulation of a Plan of Actionb) Preparation and organization of a meeting (issues,actors, agenda) on IPRs in NARS (March 2000)c) Follow-up to workshop

a) Identification of issues and of concrete cases of IPRmanagementb) Workshop resultsc) An Information System for exchange of experiencesand information

1.3. Other priority issues under discussion:a) Facilitate access to genetic resourcesb) NARS: Evolution and changing naturec) Changing research patterns: nature and scope of research networks

Depending on interest by relevant stakeholders, oneof these three topics will be developed

2. Strengthening NARS & RF/SRF2.1. Web Pages and MIS in RF/SRF a) Establish/Improve Web Pages

b) Support MIS of RF/SRFa) Integration of RF/SRF Web Pages into dynamicinformation systems through EGFARb) MIS in RF/SRF improved

2.2. Support to RF/SRF a) Further develop ideas for a funding strategy forRF/SRF

a) Additional resources for RF/SRF mobilizedb) A programme aimed at strengthening RF/SRFformulated

3. Promotion of innovative research partnerships3.1. Case studies of existing successful research partnerships. Potentialcandidates identified are:

a) A/P: Rice – Wheat cropping systemb) LAC: Regional networks on potatoes, coffee or management ofhydrologic resources; no tillage system (Brazil experience); FONTAGROc) SSA: Centre d’Etude Régional pour l’Amélioration de l’Adaptation àla Sécheresse (CERAAS)d) WANA: Integration of crop/livestock in low rainfall areas in WANAand/or Development of wheat varieties resistant to leaf and stem rusts in theNile Valley and Red Sea Region

a) Support case studies in RF/SRF a) A presentation of cases in GFAR-2000b) Lessons learned from successful partnerships



3.2: Support development of new innovative research partnershipsa) Further development of approaches for non-CGIAR crops (commodity chains &underutilized crops)b) Regional priorities already identified:

* A/P: Soybean* LAC: Orphan crops and rural enterprises and/or IPRs in agricultural research* SSA: Cotton or cocoa* WANA: Datepalm-tree or Water management

a) Assistance to RF/SRF in identifying the prioritycommodity chains and underutilized cropsb) Development of proposals

a) Priorities identified and one pilot project launched

b) Proposals formulated and presented at GFAR-2000

3.3. Scaling-up of successful research partnerships in agro-ecology Berkeley workshop to analyze 9 potential cases anddevelop methodologies

a) A proposed methodology for scaling-upb) One Pilot project for scaling-up

3.4. Exploratory meeting with ARIs Meeting with Italian ARIs to discuss researchpartnerships

Conclusion of meeting and possible partnershipsidentified

4. Use of ICT in developing a GKSARD4.1. Support to Regional Information Systems a) Organization of a workshop to plan the

formulation of an African Information Strategyb) WANA: Identification of information requirementsc) APAARI/ISNAR/CABI Information Systemproject for A/P Regiond) Formulation of a LAC Regional InformationStrategy and development of a Regional ReferenceCenter

a) A detailed plan for the formulation of an AfricanInformation Strategyc) Information needs identified for formulation of aninformation strategy for WANAd) An effective information system in place in the A/PRegione) A LAC Information Strategy formulated and aRegional Reference Center operational

4.2. Support to EGFAR to fulfill its roles as “observatory” and as “forum” a) Participation in the development of EFGARprogram of workb) Design of a mechanism to monitor and assesstrends in ICT for the rural sector

a) EGFAR operationalized

b) An ICT monitoring system designed

4.3. Cooperation with WAICENT in its normative work to improve informationflows

Consultation with RF/SRF to contribute to thefunction assigned to WAICENT

Improved information flows in emerging globalknowledge systems

4.4. ICT applications to agricultural and rural development a) EFITA conference in Sept. 99 (Bonn)b) Establishment of an electronic network on ICTapplications to agric. & rural development.c) Follow-up to the Bonn conference

a) Better understanding of ICT applications to agric. &rural developmentb) Develop awareness among policy-makers in LDCson this.c) Electronic network as a tool.



Annex 3NARS Secretariat Operational Budget 1999-2000



1999 2000 TOTALRestricted Unrestricted Restricted Unrestricted Restricted Unrestricted

1. Implementation of a Global Shared Vision & Strategic Agenda1.1. Development of a GSV 30,000 10,000 40,0001.2. Strategic issues a) IPR 20,000 20,000 b) Networking 40,000 40,000Sub-total 60,000 30,000 10,000 60,000 40,0002. Strengthening NARS & RF/SRF2.1. Inter-regional exchanges 15,000 8,000 23,0002.2. Web Pages and MIS in RF/SRF 60,000 60,0002.3. Technical assistance to develop proposals 10,000 10,000 20,000Sub-total 10,000 75,000 10,000 8,000 20,000 83,0003. Promotion of cost-effective research partnerships3.1. Case studies of research partnerships a) Existing partnerships 30,000 10,000 40,000 b) New partnerships 30,000 10,000 40,0003.2. Scaling-up of successful research partnerships in agro-ecology 27,000 27,0003.3. Exploratory meeting with ARIs 30,000 30,0003.4. Technical assistance to develop proposals 10,000 10,000 20,000Sub-total 10,000 117,000 10,000 20,000 20,000 137,0004. Use of ICT in developing a GKSARD4.1. ICT International consultation 5,000 5,0004.2. Support to Regional Information Systems 40,000 5,000 45,0004.3. Technical assistance in ICT 10,000 10,000 20,000Sub-total 10,000 45,000 10,000 5,000 20,000 50,000TOTAL 90,000 267,000 30,000 43,000 120,000 310,000

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