Date of Graduation
8-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Agricultural Economics (MS)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness
Advisor/Mentor
Nalley, Lawton
Committee Member
Durand-Morat, Alvaro
Second Committee Member
McFadden, Brandon
Third Committee Member
De Steur, Hans
Keywords
CGIAR, agricultural research
Abstract
Since its founding in 1971, CGIAR (formerly the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research) has been at the forefront of agricultural innovation, credited with launching the Green Revolution and delivering 1.78 trillion USD in net present value (NPV) benefits globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Despite these accomplishments, CGIAR now faces internal and external pressures that threaten its future impact. The 2019 reorganization into “One CGIAR” aimed to enhance coordination but has been criticized for adding bureaucracy and reducing scientific autonomy. Simultaneously, public funding for agricultural research is shrinking, while private sector investment often overlooks low-margin, high-need areas central to CGIAR’s mission. Understanding CGIAR’s comparative advantages and research priorities is critical to sustaining its relevance and effectiveness in a world of reduced funding for public agriculture. This study surveyed CGIAR researchers across the CGIAR Centers to assess perceptions of the One CGIAR restructuring and to identify research areas most aligned with CGIAR’s mission. Using a max-diff (best-worst) survey design and random parameter logit models, respondents ranked twelve research priorities. The survey also included Likert-scale items to evaluate the effects of restructuring on research capacity and collaboration. Results reveal substantial divergence in priorities across centers. Overall, climate change mitigation received the highest priority (29.25% market share), while minor/orphan crops ranked lowest (0.65%). Center specialization had a strong influence on the results: policy-focused centers prioritized poverty reduction (58.26%), while commodity and marginal-environment centers emphasized yield enhancement (39.56% and 48.21%, respectively), and natural resource and protein centers focused on climate change mitigation. This study is the first to collect multi-stakeholder views on CGIAR’s future research direction systematically. In doing so, it sheds light on the internal diversity of priorities within CGIAR and offers data-driven insights to inform strategic planning amid declining funding. The results contribute to ongoing debates about the CGIAR’s structure and mission, offering evidence-based direction for enhancing its global impact improving livelihoods.
Citation
Loethen, K. (2025). The Future Research Direction of CGIAR: Lessons Learned from One CGIAR. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/5957
