CGIAR to Celebrate 40th Anniversary

The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) is celebrating its 40th anniversary on 2nd December, 2011 in Rome. Established in 1971, the collaborative work of the CGIAR and its partners has resulted in improved crop varieties and livestock breeds, better cropping and crop-livestock farming methods, pro-poor policy shifts and associated new knowledge.

The objectives of the celebration include creating awareness of the CGIAR achievements and reforms, FAO and International Fund of Agricultural Development (IFAD) involvement in the CGIAR reform and support to the CGIAR system for a wider FAO member audience. Jacques Diouf, Director General, FAO, Kanayo F Nwane, President, IFAD and Rachel Kyte, Vice-President, World Bank, CGIAR Fund Council, Jimmy Smith, DG, International Livestock Research Institute, Dr M S Swaminathan, M S Swaminathan Research Foundation and Kenneth Cassman, Chairman, Independent Science and Partnership Council will be the distinguished speakers in the celebration event.

Anniversary programme includes a video presentation on the journey of CGIAR, theme presentation on ‘More Meat, Milk and Fish for the Poor’ and expert discussion on current and emerging issues of agriculture.

(Source: NAIP sub-project on Mass Media Mobilization DKMA)