The CGIAR Mission

To achieve sustainable food security and reduce poverty in developing countries through scientific research and research-related activities in the fields of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, policy, and environment. 

Introduction

The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), established in 1971, is a strategic partnership of countries, international and regional organizations and private foundations supporting the work of 15 international Centers. In collaboration with national agricultural research systems, civil society and the private sector, the CGIAR fosters sustainable agricultural growth through high-quality science aimed at benefiting the poor through stronger food security, better human nutrition and health, higher incomes and improved management of natural resources.  

Agriculture, the key to development

In a world where 75 percent of poor people depend on agriculture to survive, poverty cannot be reduced without investment in agriculture. Many of the countries with the strongest agricultural sectors have a record of sustained investment in agricultural science and technology. The evidence is clear, research for development generates agricultural growth and reduces poverty.

Agricultural research benefits people and the planet

Agricultural research for development has a record of delivering results. The science that made possible the Green Revolution of the 1960s and 1970s was largely the work of CGIAR Centers and their national agricultural research partners. The scientists' work not only increased incomes for small farmers, it enabled the preservation of millions of hectares of forest and grasslands, conserving biodiversity and reducing carbon releases into the atmosphere. CGIAR's research agenda is dynamic, flexible, and responsive to emerging development challenges. The research portfolio has evolved from the original focus on increasing productivity in individual critical food crops. Today's approach recognizes that biodiversity and environment research are also key components in the drive to enhance sustainable agricultural productivity. Our belief in the fundamentals remains as strong as ever: agricultural growth and increased farm productivity in developing countries creates wealth, reduces poverty and hunger and protects the environment.


The CGIAR has five areas of focus  

• Sustainable production (of crops, livestock, fisheries, forests and natural resources)
• Enhancing National Agricultural Research Systems NARS (through joint research, policy support, training and knowledge-sharing)
• Germplasm Improvement (for priority crops, livestock, trees and fish)
• Germplasm Collection (collecting, characterizing and conserving genetic resources - the CGIAR holds in public trust one of the world’s largest seed collections available to all)
• Policy (fostering research on policies that have a major impact on agriculture, food, health, spread of new technologies and the management and conservation of natural resources)