In terms of its scientific output, the World Agroforestry Centre has much to celebrate. We were rated as ‘Superior’ in the performance management system exercise conducted by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) secretariat in 2009. The reason we were not scored as ‘Outstanding’ was because our scientists produced fewer publications than during the previous year, largely because they were focusing on the World Agroforestry Congress. If you look at the balance sheets, the Centre is also in good shape. Our budget is higher than ever before, and of the 15 centres belonging to the CGIAR, we ranked first in terms of short-term solvency and third in terms of long-term solvency at the end of 2009.

Yet this is also a time of great uncertainty, with the CGIAR undergoing the most profound reforms in its history.

In 2009, the CGIAR adopted a new business model. This involved the creation of a new Consortium which unites all the research centres under one legal entity and a new funding mechanism to harmonise donor contributions. The reforms place a strong emphasis on results, and future funding will be linked to performance. We can expect greater accountability and improved governance. The reforms will also change the nature of our relationships with other research centres. The creation of seven CGIAR Research Programmes (CRPs) will lead to more collaboration and less overlap.

I believe the World Agroforestry Centre is well placed to face the challenges which the new Consortium will bring. At a practical level, we intend to bridge any shortfalls in funding which occur during the transition period. More importantly, we have the staff and skills which are needed to make a real contribution to the new research agenda. Indeed, we expect to be involved in six of the seven CRPs, bringing our unique expertise to solving problems of food insecurity, poverty, natural resource degradation and climate change. The Board will continue to play its oversight and guidance role as we work to steer the Centre through the turbulence of the transition.

Trees in agricultural landscapes are now more in demand than ever, for a variety of reasons. They can play an important role in reducing the gases that cause global warming, and help farmers adapt to climate change. At a time when the price of mineral fertilisers is rapidly rising, leguminous trees provide much needed fertility, virtually free of charge, and help to improve crop yields and farmers’ incomes. In short, agroforestry has a major role to play in improving food security and creating a healthier environment. That is why the research conducted by the World Agroforestry Centre over the coming years, in partnership with others, will be more important than ever before.

Eric Tollens
Chair of the Board of Trustees

“I believe the World Agroforestry Centre is well placed to face the challenges which the new Consortium will bring.”