Committee members serve in their personal capacities, not as representatives of special interests or specific constituencies among the wider NGO community. The broad mandate of the Committee is to provide a private sector perspective on the current status of global agricultural research and future needs. The Committee is co-chaired by one representative from the North and another from the South. The SPC consists of eight internationally recognized scientists drawn from apex science bodies in the North and South.
Members serve in their personal capacity for a two-year renewable period.
A committee chairman, selected by agreement among committee members, serves a renewable two-year term. The committee meets at least twice a year and reports to the Group at its mid-term and annual meetings.