Consultative process on risks, opportunities launched

A new international consultative process on risks and opportunities of using agricultural science to reduce hunger and improve rural livelihoods in the developing world was launched today at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The initiative, which is expected to last through mid2-2003, aims to exchange ideas between consumers, farmers, scientists, NGOs [non-governmental organizations], governments, and the private sector in an effort to produce an international assessment on agricultural science that would give decision-makers the tools and information they need to answer the tough questions surrounding the issue.

The new process will be co-chaired by World Bank Chief Scientist Robert T. Watson, who is also the former head of the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC); Claudia Martinez Zuleta, former Colombian deputy minister of environment; Rita Sharma, the joint secretary and land resources commissioner of India’s agriculture ministry; Louise Fresco, the FAO’s (Food and Agricultural Organization) assistant director general for agriculture; and Seyfu Ketema, executive secretary of the Association of Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa.

"Nearly 800 million people go to bed hungry every night and over the next 50 years, food production will have to double to meet growing demands," said Ian Johnson, the World Bank’s vice-president for sustainable development.

"This will involve both productivity and environmental management challenges. As we move forward, the application of science to agriculture needs to be fully assessed in terms of its contribution to enabling farmers to be more productive. But equally, the environment and social risks, as well as ethical issues, need to be discussed in an open and transparent manner. By discussing and examining the issues with everyone from farmers and consumers, to NGOs and governments, we can contribute to the informed dialogue among them," said Johnson, who also chairs the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

The consultative process on agricultural science will look at the risks and opportunities of a broad range of issues, such as organic agriculture, traditional plant breeding techniques, new farming technologies, and biotechnology. The assessment will be modeled on similar assessments on climate change and ozone that have proven invaluable for guiding policymakers on pressing issues.

The consultative process will try to maximize input through a number of ways, including meetings in various parts of the world, videoconferences, and an interactive website at www.agassessment.org.