As part of the strategic planning process initiated in July 2002, CIMMYT commissioned the Meridian Institute to conduct an extensive consultation with more than 170 stakeholders worldwide, representing national agricultural research services, CGIAR Centers, advanced research institutes, the private sector, donor agencies, and representatives of farmer groups. The interviews elicited highly divergent opinions and valuable insights into how others perceive CIMMYT and its future. Overall, the consultations revealed that CIMMYT's products and activities are greatly appreciated and serve an apparent need. There was concurrence that CIMMYT has a comparative advantage in many areas - human resources and networks, breeding expertise and germplasm collections, and research and training programs - and that it should increase its collaborative efforts and ensure greater access to its products. Most of all, the stakeholders believed that for CIMMYT to survive and continue its history as a highly successful organization, it should move beyond discussion of new strategies and take decisive action toward real change.

Providing a unique overview to wheat and related species, this book comprises the proceedings of the 7th International Wheat Conference, held in Mar del Plata, Argentina, at the end of 2005. Leading scientists from all over the world, specialized in different areas that contribute to the better understanding of wheat production and use, review the present achievements and discuss the future challenges for the wheat crop.

... This paper examines the current structure and institutional capacity of the international crop breeding systems for rice and wheat. Discussions are presented within the context of a system composed of research functions spanning the basic to applied research spectrum ... The paper concludes with a review of some of the trends that will influence the future direction of research cooperation--Abstract.