P R E S S    R E L E A S E

Minister Whelan highlights Canada's support for
agriculture research during visit to Ghana

(2003-42) News Release
April 17, 2003

Accra, Ghana - The Honourable Susan Whelan, Minister for International Cooperation, today announced the details of Canada's $40-million contribution to the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). CGIAR is an association that contributes to food security and poverty reduction in developing countries through a network of 16 research centres around the world.

The funding for CGIAR was originally announced by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien at the G8 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta in June 2002 as part of the Canada Fund for Africa. The Fund is intended to support the objectives of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and the G8 Africa Action Plan.

"Canada will provide $36 million in core funding, over the next three years, to CGIAR for the long-term agricultural research needed to make the breakthroughs that will improve the lives of the majority of Africans who live and work in rural areas," said Minister Whelan. "CIDA's support will concentrate on the special needs of smallholder farmers and women producers in Africa."

Minister Whelan highlighted this funding initiative, which more than doubles the contribution made by the Canadian International Development Agency's (CIDA) to core support for the CGIAR. Minister Whelan visited the International Water Management Institute's (IWMI) regional office in Ghana.

The remaining $4 million will be directed toward specialized programs supporting research in improving livestock agriculture, helping farmers in mountain areas and supporting research to ensure the needs of women farmers are addressed in areas such as plant breeding and crop management.

For example, with assistance from Canada, the IWMI identifies economically and socially acceptable recycling options for organic waste products, and promotes these options to farmers in rural and urban areas. It also conducts research to find ways to increase the productivity of water used in agriculture.

This funding is in addition to Canada's commitment to increase its investment in agricultural programming in developing countries to reach $500 million a year by 2008 which is consistent with CIDA's new policy on Promoting Sustainable Rural Development Through Agriculture. "It is clear that African development will not occur without a productive and sustainable agricultural sector," said Minister Whelan.

The Minister is in Africa on a six-day visit to Senegal, Ghana and Mali. The three countries, which are among the nine low-income countries selected for increasing aid investments from CIDA, have demonstrated an ability to use aid effectively through commitments to improve governance, respect human rights and to end corruption.

During her visit to Ghana, Minister Whelan met with President J. A. Kufuor to discuss Ghana's development plans in the context of NEPAD and CIDA's intention to enhance its partnership with Ghana.

Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2003 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.

For interviews or further information please contact Sanjini de Silva Dias, Communications Coordinator, International Water Management Institute.(s.desilva-dias@cgiar.org)

For information please contact Jack Durrell at IWMI (j.durrell@cgiar.org)