At the Brussels Conference on March 13, GFAiR and AgriCord joined NARS leaders and global partners to advance agricultural research governance.

The Global NARS Consortium (GNC) is taking shape, marking a major step toward transforming agricultural research governance. At a Brussels conference organized by European Union Directorates-General, a high-level session co-hosted by GFAiR and AgriCord brought together leaders from National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), international organizations, and funding partners to strengthen commitments and lay the groundwork for this ambitious initiative.

During the event’s opening, Dr. Hildegard Lingnau, Executive Secretary of GFAiR, emphasized that the Global NARS Consortium (GNC) is more than just another network. Co-organizing the session with AgriCord CEO Katja Vuori, she highlighted that the GNC signals a fundamental shift in how agricultural research is shaped and applied – placing National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), including Farmers' Organizations (FOs), at the forefront. NARS and FOs are stepping up to lead: setting research agendas, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that research delivers real-world impact where it matters most.

Dr Ravi Khetarpal, Executive Director of the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institution (APAARI), and Chair of GFAiR, emphasized: “For decades, agricultural research has been led by global institutions, with NARS playing an implementation role. That model must change. NARS must define the agenda, ensuring research is demand-driven and delivers real impact on the ground.”

Dr Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), reinforced the importance of the GNC’s global reach: “The GNC creates a direct link between NARS across regions, enabling real-time knowledge exchange. For example, research institutions in Uganda working on coffee are eager to collaborate with their counterparts in Latin America and Asia, but currently lack the mechanism to do so.” 

The GNC is designed to:

    • Empower NARS to set research priorities and define their own agendas, rather than simply implementing external research.
    • Bridge national and global research efforts, ensuring NARS engage directly with international institutions.
    • Move beyond short-term projects, by securing long-term investment and private sector partnerships.
    • Strengthen farmer-led research, recognizing farmers as research leaders and not just beneficiaries.
    • Deliver impact-driven research, turning knowledge into action rather than accumulating research in unread reports.

“The fiesta is over”: Why funding must be smarter

Despite the positive tone of the event, the European Commission’s Dr Leonard Mizzi delivered a stark reality check to participants, warning that traditional funding models are no longer sustainable: “The fiesta is over. If we want agricultural research to thrive, we must rethink how we prioritize, fund, and mobilize resources.” With global funding constraints tightening, he warned that agricultural research must show measurable returns – both in impact and in justifying continued public investment. 

Rather than relying on short-term projects and scattered funding, the GNC seeks to create a new model of collaboration – one that prioritizes efficiency, long-term impact, and equity in resource allocation. Strategic prioritization, private sector engagement, and long-term commitments must drive funding decisions.

Katja Vuori, CEO of AgriCord, reinforced this, stressing that “coordination for coordination’s sake” is not enough. She stressed that farmer organizations already lead research and that they must be recognized and resourced accordingly. She also noted that the private sector is already heavily invested in agricultural research, particularly in areas like seed systems. Now, it’s time to bring all actors to the same table to align funding with real-world solutions.

Building a smarter global research system

A key theme throughout the event was the need for genuine collaboration across research, policy, and the private sector. The GNC is built on the principle that actionable research must translate into real-world impact – with farmers, researchers, and policymakers co-designing solutions together. “We cannot afford to keep working in silos,” said Stephen Muchiri, CEO of the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF). “The future of agricultural innovation belongs to those willing to be intentional, bold, and disruptive. We must break down barriers and co-create solutions that work in the real world.”

Dr Patrick Caron, Vice Chair of the CGIAR System Board, captured the event with a fitting analogy: “In France, before a wedding, we call it the ‘fiancailles’. This is where we are with the GNC.” He went on to confirm CGIAR’s commitment to the GNC, positioning the initiative as a cornerstone of future research partnerships and science diplomacy. “We are not just launching another initiative. We are creating a global intelligence network – one that brings together NARS, CGIAR, private research institutions, and policymakers to co-create solutions for a changing world. It’s time to sign up and be part of this transformation.”

At the end of the session, Dr Romano De Vivo, Vice Chair of GFAiR, added that the GNC’s success depended on active engagement: “This is about you. Every person in this room has a role to play in shaping the GNC and ensuring it delivers real impact.” He called on everyone present to sign up to the GNC’s Call to Action. “The Call to Action isn’t a document. It’s an opportunity to jump into this transformation and co-design a future where NARS truly lead.”

What’s next: Nairobi and beyond

Momentum is building for the official launch in Nairobi, where hundreds of participants will gather to formalize commitments and drive action towards long-term transformation of global research collaboration.

The message from Brussels was clear: the GNC is not just about research, it’s about transforming agricultural systems for the future. The time for talk is over. The time for action is now. NARS are ready to lead – now the world must get behind them.

Be part of the movement

    • Sign up now to the GNC’s Call to Action and shape the future of agricultural research.
    • Join us in Nairobi (in person or online) at CGIAR Science Week for the official launch. A Zoom link will be added to this page closer to the event.