The GCARD1 conference was informed by a comprehensive, systematic and inclusive global consultation process, which identified key themes and issues from all the stakeholders who are actively engaged in the whole agricultural system. The public sector, national and international policy makers, agricultural Institutions, agricultural research systems managers, leaders of farmer organizations and cooperatives, Non-Government Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, Universities, Private Sector Enterprises in Agri-business and farming and investors, donors and philanthropic organizations all have a keen interest in taking forward the outputs of the conference. The GCARD process follows a 6 year cycle towards transforming agricultural research for development with a global GCARD Conference organized biennially.

For GCARD 2010, priorities of those engaged in agriculture were captured by regional reviews, an electronic survey, open electronic consultations and face-to-face meetings in each of the regions of Near East, Asia Pacific, Central Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America/Caribbean. The combination of these delivered regional research priorities, matched against development demands and articulated from user needs and demands outwards. These led towards a road map to improve the orientation and capabilities of agricultural research and innovation systems, related Institutions and structures and processes for maximum impact. In subsequent years, the GCARD will enable mutual accountability of progress and impact as research strives to meet these objectives.