ARC CEO Shadrack Moephuli says the event is aimed at bringing together science and society to set a new agenda for agri food research and pathways. He says it is about more than just the event itself.

“It is really not just a single event – it is a continuous, worldwide conversation on how agriculture food research and innovation systems can begin to assist in helping the world meet its development needs.”

Moephuli says part of the purpose of the event also lies in helping countries across the world meet their Sustainable Development Goals, which include ending hunger and poverty.

“We know that almost 1 billion people live in extreme poverty and about 800 million suffer from chronic hunger. We also know that most (of these) people live in rural areas and rely on agriculture for their livelihoods.

“We also know it’s agri food research and innovation systems that hold the key to eradicating hunger, malnutrition and poverty.”

The conference takes place in Johannesburg from April 5 to 8 under the theme “No One left Behind: Agri-food Research and Innovation for a Sustainable World”.

-    Scaling up from research to impact

-    Demonstrate results and returns on investment

-    Ensuring agri-food research keeps up with new advances in science

-    The business of farming

-    Better agricultural futures especially for women and rural youth

The first GCARD event was hosted in 2010 and resulted in the “Roadmap to Change”, a global strategy paving the way for more responsive and relevant agricultural research. GCARD2 in 2012 focussed on the partnerships, foresight and capacity development needed to deliver change.

Moephuli is also inviting members of the public to participate by using online and social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

Visit www.GCARD3.agric.za for further information.

Sabrina Dean/OFM News