CABI (organisation)

The Centre for Biosciences and Agriculture International
Founded 1910
Focus Agriculture, Climate Change
Location
Area served
Global
Revenue
IncreaseGBP £32.2m (2015)[1]
Employees
400+ Globally
Website http://www.cabi.org/

The Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) is a not-for-profit inter-governmental development and information organisation based in the United Kingdom. It focuses primarily on agricultural and environmental issues in the developing world.

Overview

CABI, previously the "Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux", was established in 1910 as the Entomological Research Committee. Until 2006, the organisation had three main divisions, each undertaking different activities related to scientific research. More recently, the Publishing, Bioscience and Microbial groups have been bought under a single CABI brand.[2]

As of 2015 CABI employed over 400 staff working from more than 21 locations. Their head office is located in Wallingford. Projects are ongoing in more than 70 countries with centres in Brazil, China, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Pakistan, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago, the United Kingdom and the United States[3]

Funding

CABI states that only 3% of its revenue comes from core funding.[4]

Donors listed in the company's 2014 financial report include the UK's Department for International Development (£4,962k), the Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation (CHF 972k), the European Union (€3,242k) and The International Fund for Agricultural Development (US$570k). A not-insignificant portion of CABI's revenue is made up of member country contributions.[5]

Projects

CABI engages in a variety of projects that address agricultural and environmental issues worldwide. Typically these focus on commodity crops, invasive species, and scientific communication.

GODAN Secretariat

The Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition (GODAN) secretariat is hosted by CABI at its headquarters in Wallingford, UK.[6] It is a rapidly growing partnership of over 350 organizations from national governments, non-governmental, international and private sector organisations that have committed to moving forward with an open data agenda in agriculture and nutrition to help achieve global food security.[7]

Invasive Species

See also: LUBILOSA

CABI hosts a large number of invasive species-related projects that it is currently planning to bring under one banner. Many of these projects don't focus on a particular area, but on specific species. Notable projects include research into invasive plants including Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed and Himalayan Balsam.[8]

Plantwise

Plantwise is a global programme with the purpose of reducing crop losses and improving food security by collecting and sharing information about plant health.[9] Plantwise is supported by an alliance of international partners, who typically provide content or funding.

Microbial Services

CABI housed a collection of over 28,000 fungi samples from around the world to carry out microbial identification, preservations, patenting, training and consultancy from their offices and labs in Egham, England. In 2009, these were merged with the collection at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. This move was supported by a £250,000 grant from the UK government.[10]

Publishing Division

The publishing division of CABI helps to fund the scientific research and projects undertaken by the other two divisions. CABI publishes books, abstract databases (such as CAB Direct) and online resources. Subject areas include agriculture, plant sciences, veterinary sciences, environmental science, food, nutrition, and tourism. The publishing division of CABI operates primarily out of the head office in Wallingford, England.

CABI's database 'Global Health' is a specialist bibliographic, abstracting and indexing database dedicated to public health research and practice.[11] Publications from over 158 countries in 50 languages are abstracted and all relevant non-English-language papers are translated to give access to research not available through any other database. In 2010, CABI became an official supporting organisation of Healthcare Information For All by 2015 as part of its support to improve availability and use of healthcare information in low-income countries. [12]

References

  1. ↑ "CABI Financial Statement 2015" (PDF). CABI. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  2. ↑ "About CABI: History". CABI. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  3. ↑ "About CABI: Overview". CABI. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  4. ↑ "CABI: Who we work with, Donors". CABI. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  5. ↑ "CABI Annual Report & Financial Statements" (PDF). CABI. 31 December 2014. pp. 21, 31. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  6. ↑ "GODAN Overview". CABI. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  7. ↑ "About GODAN". CABI. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  8. ↑ "Biological control: Our best defence against pests such as knotweed". The Guardian. The Guardian. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  9. ↑ "About Plantwise". CABI. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  10. ↑ UK fungi get protection strategy 12 January 2009, BBC News
  11. ↑ "CABI: Global Health". CABI. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  12. ↑ "Supporting Organisations". HIFA. Retrieved 6 August 2015.

External links

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