Agriculture provides the basis for development in poor countries, where more than 70 percent of the population lives in rural areas. Research is one of the most important ways of expanding the global stock of knowledge about agriculture and ecosystems. Increasing food production while simultaneously safeguarding natural resources is a global task for the future. International agricultural research institutes, including the 15 international agricultural research centres supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), have taken up this challenge. Set up in 1971, CGIAR has 64 international donors that include the World Bank and national governments. Germany is a founder member of CGIAR and supports research programs at the centres through its International Agricultural Research budget.

The CGIAR research centres take a multidisciplinary approach, working with numerous partners in all major areas of the agricultural sector, including

• breeding improved food plants
• environmentally sound cultivation methods
• agroforestry, forestry
• biodiversity and genetic resources
• agricultural and food policy
• livestock farming and fodder management
• fish farming
• water management
• rural institutions and their management

Thirteen of the 15 centres are based in developing countries. Africa constitutes a regional priority for CGIAR research. Research partnerships within CGIAR support important international conventions, such as the conventions on biodiversity, climate change and desertification. The research results produced by CGIAR are international public goods.

Research labs from CGIAR

Further links:

• Consultative Group on international Agricultural Research (CGIAR)
  www.cgiar.org/centers/index.html
• AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center
  www.avrdc.org
• African Insect Science for Food and Health
  www.icipe.org