Around the world, there is still a lot that can be improved regarding the production of food, but much of the agricultural expertise being developed at universities never reaches the world’s poorer farmers. One of the reasons for this is the fact that the networks of farmers and researchers are not attuned to each other. Another reason is that researchers are primarily judged on the basis of their scientific performance and achievements. As a result, action-oriented research is often given a lower priority. Generally, the research focuses on topics related mainly to the northern hemisphere, whereas research institutions ought to run programmes arising from local needs. The ESFIM, in which LEI is a participant, is an example of a project being managed by local farmers’ organisations. This project is mentioned as an example in Montpellier, where the Global Donor Platform for Rural Development held a major international meeting on 30 March. Donors from every continent came to this meeting to coordinate and encourage agricultural research for development.
More information:
Global Donor Platform
ESFIM