The workshop aimed at reviewing the progress of activities carried out in the GFAR line of action ¿International cooperation on commodity chains¿. It analysed the activity report of the Facilitation Unit set up by IPGRI and Cirad in Montpellier to study the feasibility of establishing global programmes for commodity chains, and it considered the progress of two global programmes in preparation on Coconut and Cocoa. The objectives and work plan of a Facilitation Unit on under-utilised crops, set up by BMZ and hosted by IPGRI were also presented and discussed.
As the Montpellier Facilitation Unit will come to an end this year, the need for a second phase to support global programmes for commodity chains was discussed, and possible next steps were considered.