The GCARD2 process on foresight is intended to advance the Roadmap actions required, paving the way for developing more effective approaches in line with the partnership principles, smallholder farmer and impact-centred focus of the GCARD. The key question the foresight session intends to address is: “What role could smallholder farmers play in meeting future needs in food and nutrition security, poverty alleviation and sustainable management of natural resources?”

The GCARD2 F2 session on “Foresight Guiding Research and Innovation” has two sessions running in parallel. Session F2.1 is dedicated to the regional and sub-regional levels. Session F2.2 is focusing on foresight at the global level. This document provides information that is relevant for the discussions during the session; based on the analysis of the global foresight works as mentioned in the inventory.

This session will focus on how to strengthen institutional capacities as well as multi-disciplinary and multi-organizational networking, including through improved policies, management practices, structures and incentives, so that institutions become more adaptive and responsive, as well as more effective in linking farmers, research, education, extension and development actors.

Three priority areas of action for making data and information accessible will be discussed. The first priority area is to improve investment through introduction of sound policies and coordinated global, regional and national approaches. The second priority is to develop organizational capacities to contribute to a global data, information and knowledge commons. The third priority is to make data and information accessible by promoting open content and achieving uptake of open standards.

The paper will discuss the role of advisory services within agricultural innovation systems; the importance of enhanced capacities for better performance at individual, organisational, and enabling environment level; the constraints and roles of actors at national, regional, and global level; and recommendations for action and partnerships to strengthen capacities and the role of advisory systems at all levels. Prior to the GCARD, the new extensionist concept will have undergone a peer review, global electronic consultation, and validation exercise at the GFRAS annual meeting.