The CGIAR supported by the World Bank, and in partnership with the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank (PNoWB), organized a field visit in Kenya for parliamentarians to check results and observe the benefits of agricultural research for development. Nineteen parliamentarians from 13 countries participated in the visit from September 10-14. The delegation included parliamentarians from Canada, Colombia, Finland, Iceland, India, Liberia, Poland, South Africa, Sweden, Tanzania and Uganda, in addition to Tony Worthington, who was previously a member of parliament in the United Kingdom. The Network, formed in 2000, functions as an independent NGO whose 800-plus members from 110 countries represent themselves and their constituents. The Network has local and regional chapters in (alphabetical order) East Africa, India, Japan, the Middle East, North Africa, and West Africa. The parliamentarians visited small-sized farms, and familiarized themselves with the real-life impact of agricultural research for development. They were introduced to the work of the CGIAR Centers headquartered in Kenya (ILRI and ICRAF), as well as that of other Centers with field operations there. The program included on-the-spot observations, discussions with the beneficiaries of CGIAR-supported research for development, briefings by and dialogue with the staff of CGIAR Centers, and interaction with civil society groups, local parliamentarians and officials from the government, the World Bank and other multilateral organizations. The parliamentarians paid a courtesy visit to the Parliament of Kenya.
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