In pursuit of a better world: crop improvement and the CGIAR

Kholova, J and Urban, M O and Cockram, J and Arcos, J and Arnaud, E and Aytekin, D and Azevedo, V C R and Barnes, A P and Ceccarelli, S and Chavarriaga, P and Cobb, J N and Connor, D and Cooper, M and Craufurd, P Q and Debouck, D and Fungo, R and Grando, S and Hammer, G L and Jara, C E and Messina, C and Mosquera, G and Nchanji, E and Ng, E H and Prager, S and Sankaran, S and Selvaraj, M and Tardieu, F and Thornton, P and Valdes-Gutierrez, S P and Etten, J and Wenzl, P and Xu, Y (2021) In pursuit of a better world: crop improvement and the CGIAR. Journal of Experimental Botany (TSI), 72 (14). pp. 5158-5179. ISSN 0022-0957

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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.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	Genebank Global Research Program - Accelerated Crop Improvement
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Agricultural policy, breeder, CGIAR, crop improvement, cultivar, food security, GxExMxS, multi-disciplinary, production
Subjects:	Others > Agriculture Policy Others > Crop Improvement Others > CGIAR Research Others > Food Security
Depositing User:	Mr Nagaraju T
Date Deposited:	19 Feb 2025 11:12
Last Modified:	19 Feb 2025 11:12
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/12973
Official URL:	https://academic.oup.com/jxb/article/72/14/5158/62...
Projects:	UNSPECIFIED
Funders:	UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement:	We thank Noel Ellis and Julie Hofer for their comments and important contributions. We are grateful to Steve Beebe and Joe Tohme for both their suggestions on how to develop the manuscript and with identifying members of the panel of experts. Tony Fischer provided invaluable assistance, particularly in guiding us to topics which we might otherwise have missed and sharpening the overall focus of the document. We are also glad to acknowledge the principal donors—USA government funding, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, CGIAR Research Program on Grain Legumes and Dryland Cereals (GLDC), and Indian Council for Agricultural Research. HarvestPlus’ principal donors are the UK Government; the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; the US Government’s Feed the Future initiative; Global Affair Canada; the European Commission; and donors to the CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH). HarvestPlus is also supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. MOU is grateful to the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the Centre for International Migration and Development (CIM) for their support. We acknowledges the support over four decades of the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources, the Global Crop Diversity Trust, the national agricultural services of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile, and the University of Costa Rica, where many colleagues have welcomed us and helped us. We apologize to the thousands of farmers, agriculturists, and the donors who have all contributed to developing this strategic document who we have failed to acknowledge.
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