Given the changes that the Post-harvest sector is undergoing, the Strategic Plan brings together and
integrates the parallel initiatives of the three groups:
¿ The Global Initiative on Post-harvest, sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
and implemented in collaboration with the GFAR Secretariat;
¿ The ¿Linking farmers to markets¿ initiative of the Global Post-harvest Forum (PhAction) and
¿ The outcomes of the Sub-plenary Session on ¿Agro based SMEs and markets in Developing

At the GFAR SC meeting in Beijing, in May 1999, a discussion paper1 was presented to the steering committee on the establishment of Global Programmes for Commodity Chains. The term « Commodity Chains » was used to define, in positive terms, these crops which were not formally covered by the « CGIAR Mandate »
These crops represent one of the five priority areas identified by the GFAR SC in May 1998, and the purpose of the discussion was to propose possible ways to foster new partnerships for the commodity chains through the establishment of global programmes.

FAO, GFAR and PhAction co-organized a Workshop held by FAO
at its Headquarters in Rome, during the period 7-9 October 2003. This Workshop
brought together a multi-disciplinary group of post-harvest stakeholders from around the
globe, in order to further the development of this integrated initiative.
The Workshop objectives were to:
1. Review and refine elements of the Draft Strategic Plan.
2. Review Concept Notes on likely thematic projects/programmes for joint
implementation

In developing a new approach to the interaction between research, extension (technology transfer) and production, based on incentivating innovation and on the development of innovation systems, the following key concepts play an important role:1)Importance of agroindustries and challenge confronted in orienting them towards effective rural development;2)Rural Innovation;3)Rural enterprises and rural SMEs;4)Commodity-Chain Approach;5)Empowering the community to involve small producers in the development of SMEs.

Objectives:1)To create an improved international awareness of the breadth of the post-harvest sector and the importance of its contribution to socio-economic development in developing countries;2) To explore and highlight technical and policy issues which impact upon growth and change within the sector;3) To develop a vision and a plan of action for implementation of the GIPhT;4) To seek financial commitment from private sector, donor and development agencies in support of the GIPhT

The objective of this discussion paper is to develop a common platform for discussion on issues relevant to all possible actors that are involved in R&D activities of the post-production system.
Strengthen the collaboration among such institutions is the first step towards the development of more efficient and well targeted global programmes.

One of the five high priority areas identified by the GFAR Steering Committee in May 1998 was
defined as ¿non-CG mandated crops¿. In order to define it in positive terms, and to better reflect the
results of the discussions which took place over the last couple of months among the GFAR
Stakeholders on the possible content of such a programme, the name of ¿Commodity Chains¿ has
recently been adopted.
To contribute to the formulation of this GFAR priority programme, a paper prepared by the ESDAR

International Cooperation on
Major Commodity Crops. International Cooperation on Commodity Chains¿ is one of the four priority areas identified by the GFAR
Steering Committee in the action line ¿Promoting innovative research partnerships¿. This priority refers to many
crops (major or under-utilised crops) that are economically very important, especially for many small growers in
agricultural farming systems

In Agricultural Research for Development (ARD), initiatives have been undertaken by the various stakeholders to launch information and communication systems. The Sub-Regional and Regional Fora of the NARS (National Agricultural Systems) have launched Regional Agricultural Information Systems (RAIS), and GFAR has also launched its website EGFAR (www.egfar.org). To achieve consistency, two general objectives can be formulated:

In Agricultural Research for Development (ARD), initiatives have been undertaken by the various
stakeholders to launch information and communication systems. The Sub-Regional and Regional Fora
of the NARS (National Agricultural Systems) have launched Regional Agricultural Information
Systems (RAIS). To achieve consistency the building up of these information systems , two general
objectives can be formulated within this project:
(1) To co-build a shared strategic agenda in information and communication management related to