CGIAR donors will contribute a range of $295 to $300 million to support programs at 18 international agricultural research centers, CGIAR Executive Secretary Alexander von der Osten announced at International Centers Week, the main annual meeting of the Group held the last week of October.

The estimated funds will be divided among "core" programs ($220- 225 million, a drop from the 1993 funding of $224 million) and projects ($75 million, slightly higher than the 1993 figure of $71 million). The indications are, von der Osten said, that some 50 per cent of "core" donors will decrease their support in 1994, 17 percent will increase, and some 33 percent will make no change. Additional reductions are possible, when final figures from all donors are known.

ODA Resources On The Decline

Fluctuations in Official Development Assistance (ODA) and the impact of unfavorable exchange rates were the main reasons for the drop in funding. In response to three years of resource constraints, CGIAR centers have tightened their belts, curtailing their programs and reducing staff strength. A recent review of CGIAR centers indicated an overall reduction of 110 international scientists and some 2000 host country employees, as well as a drop of about 45 percent in training activities.

Facing the prospect that adverse ODA trends will continue, the CGIAR Technical Advisory Committee was asked to examine all center programs and come up with a set of options for restructuring, to be considered at the May 1994 Mid Term meeting of the CGIAR in New Delhi.

Main Decisions Taken

Other main decisions at International Centers Week included agreement that in follow- up to UNCED, a CGIAR Task Force will draw up project proposals covering the sustainability of marginal lands; in situ conservation of genetic resources; and integrated pest management. The Task Force will also prepare an overview of Geographical Information Systems, and review funding mechanisms. All these proposals will be taken up by the CGIAR at its New Delhi meeting.

Progress made in implementing a decision to reduce the total number of centers from 18 to 16 was reviewed at International Centers Week. Implementation is well underway. The earlier decision, taken at the May 1993 Mid Term held at San Juan, Puerto Rico, affects the management of livestock research and banana/plantain research. Livestock research is to be consolidated into a single, new entity, the Center for International Research on Livestock (CIRL) by January 1, 1995.

Banana/plantain research is to be brought under the management of the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) before the CGIAR meets in May 1994.

Other highlights of International Centers Week included an analysis of world food trends by Mr. Per Pinstrup- Andersen, director general of IFPRI; panel discussions by non- CGIAR specialists on intellectual property rights and plant genetic resources; and the Sir John Crawford Memorial Lecture delivered by Mr. Gus Speth, the new Administrator of UNDP, who spoke on the theme of food security.

The "International Centers Week Summary of Proceedings and Decisions" is available from the Information Service of the CGIAR Secretariat.