EIARD | EIARD

A changing and challenging context for ARD

Over the last decade, ARD has changed considerably from research which focused directly on reducing hunger and poverty alleviation to a broader focus encompassing the challenge of sustainable development for all, within the global context of climate change, rising food prices, etc. However, it is well known that these global challenges cannot be addressed without renewed commitment to focussed, determined and effective ARD.

Limitations: While ARD has a clear and recognised potential to help countries reach the MDGs and to contribute to resolving emerging global issues, there are a number of constraints.

Lack of liaison between ARD and broader development efforts
Lack of involvement of users of research results
Weakness of research institutions in many countries and lack of researchers
Isolation from research in other development areas (health, energy etc)
Insufficient synergy in ARD at global, continental and national levels

Europe's role in ARD: Europe plays a dual role in ARD - as an active research and education provider for developing and emerging economy countries (DEEC), and as a major donor to ARD institutions at all levels.

Europe's comparitive advantage in ARD is its ability to couple 150 years of practical experience of ARD with a strong research and training capability and extensive engagement in rural development cooperation to address the problems and opportunities facing DEEC.

The EIARD strategy is designed to foster the important and active role of Europe in ARD and DEEC-ARD activities, for the benefit of all.

Conservation agriculture applied to horticulture in Africa. Photo: BEAF, Germany

Testing banana varieties for disease resistance in Burundi. CIALCA Project. Photo: DGDC (Directorate-General Development Cooperation), Belgium