Dar named head of int’l alliance

LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA-The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) announced recenty that William Dar, one of its most successful scholars, is the incoming chairman of a collective body of leaders called the Alliance of Future Harvest Centers under the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).   

Dar is currently the director general of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT).

The Alliance of Future Harvest Centers is an important body which helps strengthen the CGIAR system by providing support and perspective on system-wide issues and technical and management concerns. It governs the collective work of individual centers, establishes mechanisms for conflict resolution, and speaks with a common voice to raise the visibility of issues. The alliance also reinforces existing linkages and brings on new partnerships in CGIAR. 

Dar will assume the position in January 2005. In accepting the position during the Annual General Meeting of CGIAR in Mexico recently, Dar said: "…as I take up the challenge of chairing the alliance in 2005, I seek not only the support of my colleagues but also those of all CGIAR co-sponsors, members, and stakeholders. We must always remember that our primary allegiance is, and will always be, for the poor in the developing countries. We must therefore empower them for a food secure and better world for all."

Established in 1971, the CGIAR system is a strategic alliance consisting of co-sponsors, members, committees, international agricultural research centers, center committees, and a virtual systems office. At present, CGIAR has 63 members. Over the last 30 years, CGIAR has made a major contribution to poverty reduction and food security in developing countries, and has achieved outstanding rates of return on investment.

ICRISAT is one of the 15 centers belonging to the CGIAR system. Guided by "Science with a Human Face," ICRISAT harnesses the power of technology for development, food security, poverty alleviation and environmental protection, aimed at empowering poor rural families of the semi-arid tropics.

Prior to joining ICRISAT, Dar was acting secretary of the Department of Agriculture and presidential adviser on rural development. As recognition of his feat in managing and turning ICRISAT around, Dar was given another five-year term by the ICRISAT Governing Board also starting in 2005.  

PCARRD, which initially assisted in nurturing Dar’s academic excellence, has since 1972 helped develop a strong cadre of scientists throughout the National Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Network. (S&T Media Service)