Funding doubles for agriculture research
Global food security may see a boost thanks to significant increases in funding for one of the world's largest agricultural research partnerships.
According to the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), funding has doubled in just five years, from $500 million in 2008, to $1 billion in 2013.
CGIAR works with partners to benefit the world's poorest people by developing innovative solutions, technologies and tools.
It is hoped that the fruits of increased investment could include a boost in rice production in Asia, a dramatic drop in deforestation linked with agriculture and sustainable irrigation for millions of farms in Africa.
Jonathan Wadsworth, executive secretary for the CGIAR Fund Council, said: "With this new funding, CGIAR is better positioned than ever before to produce world-class science to meet the needs of small-scale farmers, fishers and foresters.
"CGIAR is committed to ensuring that every dollar received will efficiently deliver more and better benefits for the poor."
Research by CGIAR and its partners has previously resulted in new livestock vaccines, new fish strains, sustainable farming methods and improved crop varieties.
In eastern Africa, for example, a vaccine against deadly cattle disease, East Coast fever, has saved 620,000 calves. According to CGIAR, the vaccine could benefit a further 20 million people in the region, creating annual benefits of $270 million.
The $1 billion funding is set to finance the CGIAR's 16 research programs. It is hoped some of the potential impacts could include: boosting rice production to lift 150 million people in Asia out of poverty, providing suitable irrigation to 12 million African households, giving 50 million poor people access to nutritious food crops and saving 1.7 million hectares of forest from destruction.
Rachel Kyte, chair of the CGIAR Fund Council, explained: "The new funding will take CGIAR's work to the next level and be crucial in global efforts to enhance food and nutrition security in a world of climate change."
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