Bringing the Benefits of Biotechnology to the Poor: The Role of the CGIAR Centers

Abstract

This paper examines the current and potential future role of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) in bringing the benefits of biotechnology to the poor. The 16 CGIAR Centers currently invest around US $25 million annually on biotechnology, focusing mainly on conducting biotechnology research and building related research capacity in developing countries. In the future, they will have to direct more attention to strengthening national regulatory frameworks and promoting public awareness of biotechnology. In addition, the Centers can continue to play an important role in facilitating technology transfers by fostering innovative public-private and/or North-South partnerships. In the long run, the CGIAR Centers’ success will depend on their ability to adapt to the changing environment in which agricultural research is carried out. A major challenge will be dealing with the growth of intellectual property rights, which are rapidly privatizing science and irrevocably altering the role of public research organizations.