The CGIAR and Biotechnology: Can the Renewal Keep the promise of a research agenda for the rural poor?

Since the launching of the renewal, the CGIAR has emphasized a new research agenda aimed at promoting a sustainable agriculture for food security and poverty alleviation in the developing world (LDCs). In various declarations and published materials there is constant mentions of new technological breakthroughs developed by the IARCs that will have a more positive impact on the poor of the LDCs. In his various policy statements at the 1996 International Centers Week, CGIAR Chairman called for an agricultural agenda aimed at poverty reduction, food security and sustainable natural resource management. He also spoke of the need to intensify complex agricultural production systems sustainable, of respecting and tapping indigenous knowledge and about the importance of recognizing farmers organizations, community organizations and NGOs, as potential research partners and as sources of knowledge on societal transformations. The Chairman also spoke about the great opportunities in the area of biotechnology and its potential to contribute to the sustainability of agricultural production systems. To many NGOs and other critics of the past Green Revolution, however, there is concern that by engaging in biotechnology, the CGIAR s underlying goals remain the same as in the past, emphasizing yield increases through intensive agriculture, but this time aided by biotechnology (narrowly conceived as genetic engineering). By strongly endorsing biotechnology as the main strategy for agricultural production enhancement, the CGIAR will alienate much of the NGO community (and also many farmers organizations) who will consider that the CGIAR s real intentions are that of a Green Revolution replay by >spearheading research into genetic engineering of crops.