
As part of its reorganisation, the Consortium of International Research Centers (CGIAR) [1] has adopted a new vision - to reduce poverty and hunger, improve human health and nutrition, and enhance the sustainable management of natural resources in the developing world. This vision will be delivered through four strategic system outcomes.
The 15 CGIAR Research Programmes (CRPs) are the main mechanism for delivering the vision. The CRPs aim to address today’s most pressing agricultural research for development challenges, and each CRP is built on three core principles.
Bioversity International is a key CGIAR partner in nine of the 15 CRPs, spanning the full range of goals. Two are fully operational: Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (CRP6) [2] and Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CRP7) [3]. Others, including Agriculture for Improved Nutrition and Health (CRP4) and Water, Land and Ecosystems (CRP5) [4], were approved in late 2011, and all are expected to be operational by the end of 2012.