Concept paper for the Global Forum on Agricultural Research in Dresden
by the Rambouillet Steering Group1
12 May 2000

In the GFAR, the identification of NRM with Agroecology has been accepted and
consecrated, although their is still no formal definition of what this association means.
Agroecology is an integrating science which seeks to understand flows of energy, information
and matter in agricultural ecosystems in order to optimise the outputs while minimising the
use of external inputs and avoiding the mining and pollution of natural resources.
Agroecology goes beyond a one dimensional view of agroecosystems ¿ their genetics,

The paper discusses possible approaches to promote partnerships in the area of underutilized species/minor crops. IPGRI has several years of experience in this domain, involving a variety of stakeholders, sharing efforts in addressing the better conservation and use of these species across regions and focusing on issues ranging from domestication, market potential to documentation and networking.

The concept of the Crucible II Project was initially endorsed in Uppsala, Sweden, in 1998, by a
diverse assembly of people with backgrounds in northern and southern private industry, government,
civil society organizations, indigenous peoples organizations, universities, multilateral institutions,
universities and the CGIAR.1 Based on their own experiences, these people felt it would be useful to
sponsor a series of informal meetings between representatives of key ¿stakeholder¿ positions in the

This concept paper, prepared for presentation and discussion at the GFAR Conference in Dresden,
Germany, May 21-23, 2000, aims to highlight key issues that affect the conservation and use of plant
genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA), review the activities that have taken place to
date in the GFAR Initiative on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, outline planned activities
and suggest partnership proposals. It is hoped that this paper can assist in developing common

One of the five priority areas identified by the GFAR Steering Committee was
defined as ¿ Emergence of Global Networks in Commodity Chains¿. This line of action
refers to many crops that are not currently fully covered by the CGIAR-mandate, but are
very important to humankind, especially for many small growers in agricultural farming
systems. Some of these crops are essential for direct contributions to food security at both
local and regional levels, while others also play a significant role in poverty alleviation and

Sub-Plenary 4: Policy management & institutional development