Swiss Forum for International Agricultural Research (SFIAR) Award

Event

The two prize-winning researchers will present their work at the Award Ceremony. The event will also put the research into a broader context: This year’s award-winning projects both contribute their part to the overarching goal of making nutritious food more available and accessible to all. In order to improve nutrition security, a broad range of research disciplines and approaches must be involved. At the event, the following questions will be discussed: What is the current state of nutrition security in developing countries? Which role agricultural research for development can play to support progress towards nutrition as the qualitative dimension of food security? The keynote speaker Lynnette Neufeld will look at the subject from the perspective of a foundation involved in the fight against malnutrition. Our concluding panel discussion provides an opportunity to debate these questions further.

About us

The Swiss Forum for International Agricultural Research (SFIAR) is an informal multi-stakeholder group of Swiss institutions and private individuals interested in agricultural research for development (ARD). Members come from research institutions, NGOs, the private sector, farmers' organisations and public agencies, as well as individuals. The goals and objectives of SFIAR are:

• Sharing information between ARD stakeholders in Switzerland
• Promoting the visibility of Swiss ARD
• Playing an advocacy role at policy level
• Serving as a national partner in international initiatives
• Promoting collaboration between actors in Swiss ARD

Aims

In line with its objectives, the SFIAR runs the annual SFIAR Award. With this award the SFIAR pursues the following main aims:

• support relevant agricultural research for development
• promote knowledge on and visibility of Swiss ARD

Scope

The SFIAR intends to award new, innovative and result oriented research. Recent achievements or milestones can be awarded, however no future plans or project proposals.

The thematic scope of the award is broad. Any research that falls within the following definition of ARD given by the European Initiative for Agricultural Research for Development (EIARD) can be submitted:

"ARD is a multi-dimensions research that addresses the agricultural development challenges of developing and emerging countries (DEC). The agricultural domain includes crop production and animal husbandry, agro-forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, agribusiness and related enterprises, animal and human health related issues, as well as the sustainable management of the natural sources on which farming depends and the socio-cultural and bio-diverse landscapes, food systems and ecologies in which it is embedded. ARD provides technological, economic and institutional knowledge and innovations contributing to sustainable development. It encompasses research of a national and international public good character, as well as research that yields private gains."

The application must cover at least one of the following characteristics:

• partnership, outreach to the farm level, output and impact
• product development (or steps thereof)
• tool or instrument that can be applied in the local context