Input to the discussion of the report of the third CGIAR system review by representatives from Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela at CGIAR International Centers Week 1998

LAC Regional Representatives

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Contribution to the Third CGIAR System Review from aLatin American PerspectiveBased on the report and the discussions during the first day of the ICW 98 the representatives ofthe undersigned Latin American countries would like to offer the following initial contributions tothe discussion.• We view our contributions to the CGIAR not from the viewpoint of traditional donors but asinvestments in our own countries and regions to harvest socioeconomic and ecological returns.In addition, we have developed technologies and processes which could be further exploitedfor the benefit of other regions with similar agroecological conditions, together with CGIARcenters.• Competitiveness, in addition to poverty eradication, sustainable use of natural resources andequity issues are of paramount interest to Latin American countries.• The CGIAR and its centers must support poverty eradication in the developing world whereverit is located. Latin America has some 70 million rural poor.• Additional research targeted towards the development of low potential areas should besupported with incremental resources but not at the expense of resources allocated to researchtargeted to better endowed areas.• The undersigned countries have identified a strong need for improved inter-CG center linkagesto promote more efficient use of scarce resources at the disposal of the CGIAR.• A key issue which seems to have received very limited attention in the report is the questionrelated to the quality of the agricultural produce and not just productivity. We recommend thatimproved attention be given to quality in two respects: 1. to occupy new markets in acompetitive world, and 2. to develop better quality food and through it improve nutrition andhealth.• We strongly suggest improved regional focus of TAC in research priority setting which reflectson centers' mandates.• We recognize the importance of additional Latin American countries joining the CG. For this tomaterialize significant changes are required in recommendations 15 and 16 which are of anexclusory nature.• Our experience indicates that there would be advantages in establishing the CGIAR as a legalentity. However the mandate and responsibilities of this new entity still needs considerablediscussion and clarification.• We recognize that it is too early to support the idea of a central body and we suggest that thekey is improved consultation and participation of developing countries which may require theeventual establishment of a consultative arrangement.• The undersigned put in a word of caution for the eagerly sought participation of the privatesector in view of the recent emergence of oligopolies. Truly national companies of medium orsmall size must also participate.• Finally, we recognize that some of the Latin American NARS should be seen as true partnersof CG centers and that multiple modes of cooperation ought to be developed for the benefit ofthe Region as well as other regions to which our products and technologies are of use.(Brasil, Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela)

Contributions to the Third CGIAR System Review from a Latin American Perspective

https://cgspace.cgiar.org/bitstream/10947/436/1/icw98lac.pdf

Contributions to the Third CGIAR System Review from a Latin American Perspective

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