June 2017: The World Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), UN Volunteers, and the CGIAR System Organization have each announced research progammes and projects to provide funding and technical support to agricultural development with a view to achieving SDG 1 (no poverty) and SDG 2 (zero hunger), as well as other Goals such as SDG 3 (good health and well-being) and SDG 5 (gender equality).

The CGIAR System Organization launched a portfolio of 14 global research programmes aiming to lift 150 million people in developing countries out of hunger within six years by transforming agricultural and food systems. The ‘CGIAR Portfolio 2017-2022’ is the second generation of CGIAR-led research programmes and platforms aiming to jointly address SDGs 1 and 2, while ensuring the conservation of the natural resource base, which also contributes to SDG 15 (Life on land). The portfolio focuses on selected challenges in agricultural development and the fight against hunger and malnutrition, including nutrition and health, climate change, soils and degraded land, food systems waste, food safety and global stewardship of genetic resources. The research programmes aim to create synergies through scientific leadership for scaling up development impacts making use of, among other strategies, innovation in agri-food systems, and big data information and communication technologies. The Portfolio’s development was informed by the ‘CGIAR Strategy and Results Framework,’ which defines CGIAR’s research priorities and how they contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. [CGIAR Press Release] [CGIAR Portfolio 2017-2022] [CGIAR Strategy and Results Framework]

In related news, WorldFish, one of the members of the CGIAR System Organization, announced a research programme to enhance the contribution of fisheries and aquaculture to reducing poverty and improving food security. Titled ‘Fish Agrifood Systems,’ the programme seeks to lift 3.5 million people out of poverty and address the micro-nutrient deficiencies of 2.4 million. Other programme objectives include: adoption of improved breeds, aquafeeds, fish health and aquaculture and fisheries management practices by five million households; decreasing greenhouse gas emissions by 20% and increasing nutrient efficiency by 10% in 4.8 million tons of annual farmed fish production; and restoring 3.3 million hectares of ecosystems through sustainable small-scale fisheries management and rehabilitation of degraded aquaculture ponds. Programme partners include the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University, Australia; the International Water Management Institute; Natural Resources Institute at the University of Greenwich (NRI), England and Wageningen University, the Netherlands. [WorldFish Press Release]

Focusing on efforts to increase agricultural productivity in a single country, the World Bank signed an agreement with the Government of Bhutan to provide a grant of US$8 million under the World Bank’s Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme (GAFSP). The grant will be used to implement a five-year undertaking titled ‘Food Security and Agricultural Productivity Project,’ which aims to enhance agricultural productivity and improve market access for farmers in southwest Bhutan in collaboration with FAO. The project will use interventions such as strengthening farmers’ groups and building their capacities; improving water use efficiency and using improved agri-inputs and technologies to boost productivity and, building post-harvest and market infrastructure to connect smallholder farmers to domestic and international markets. [World Bank Press Release] [GASFP Home Page]

An investment of a different kind was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between FAO and UN Volunteers. The MOU will facilitate the deployment of UN Volunteers to support the fight against hunger and rural poverty. Under the agreement, which was signed by FAO Deputy Director General Daniel Gustafson and UNV Executive Coordinator Olivier Adam, UN Volunteers will be used in technical areas such as agriculture, fishery, forestry and natural resources, in projects ranging from soil restoration to nutrition and youth engagement. [FAO Press Release] [UN Volunteers Press Release]