In pursuit of a better world: crop improvement and the CGIAR
Jana Kholová, Milan O. Urban, James H. Cock, Jairo Arcos, Elizabeth Arnaud, Destan Aytekin, Vânia Azevedo, Andrew Barnes, Salvatore Ceccarelli, Paúl Chavarriaga, Joshua N. Cobb, David J. Connor, Mark Cooper, Peter Craufurd, Daniel G. Debouck, Robert Fungo, Stefania Grando, Graeme Hammer, Carlos Jara, Charlie Messina, Gloria Mosquera, Eileen Bogweh Nchanji, Eng Hwa Ng, Steven D. Prager, Sindhujan Sankaran, Michael Gomez Selvaraj, François Tardieu, Philip K. Thornton, Sandra P Valdes-Gutierrez, Jacob van Etten, Peter Wenzl, Yunbi Xu
Abstract
The CGIAR crop improvement (CI) programs, unlike commercial CI programs, which are mainly geared to profit though meeting farmers' needs, are charged with meeting multiple objectives with target populations that include both farmers and the community at large. We compiled the opinions from >30 experts in the private and public sector on key strategies, methodologies, and activities that could the help CGIAR meet the challenges of providing farmers with improved varieties while simultaneously meeting the goals of: (i) nutrition, health, and food security; (ii) poverty reduction, livelihoods, and jobs; (iii) gender equality, youth, and inclusion; (iv) climate adaptation and mitigation; and (v) environmental health and biodiversity. We review the crop improvement processes starting with crop choice, moving through to breeding objectives, production of potential new varieties, selection, and finally adoption by farmers. The importance of multidisciplinary teams working towards common objectives is stressed as a key factor to success. The role of the distinct disciplines, actors, and their interactions throughout the process from crop choice through to adoption by farmers is discussed and illustrated.