The main purpose of this background paper is to suggest areas that are ripe for attention on the part of
GFAR-facilitated research partnerships in agricultural policy management and institutional
development by:
· assessing needs and opportunities based on recent developments relating to agricultural policies,
poverty, global food demands, natural resources, genetic resources (with special reference to
biotechnology), rural institutions, and the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) of
developing nations;
· weighing other related ARD stakeholder and GFAR initiatives; and
· considering what has been learned about the requirements for successful research partnerships in
policy management and institutional development.
Results are summarized in short form in Annex I which is presented at the end of the paper. Fuller
statements are to be found throughout the text. Included in the Annex, but not in the text, is the
author's evaluation of the priority GFAR should assign to the work.