Report of the Study on CGIAR Commitments in West Africa

Abstract

Report of a panel established by TAC to study CGIAR commitments in West Africa chaired by John McIntire. The document also contains an excerpt from the summary of proceedings at the CGIAR meeting of May 1995, a transmittal from the TAC Chairman, TAC's commentary, a transmittal from the Chair of the CDC with center directors commentary on a draft version of the report, and a transmittal from the panel chair.The panel evaluated the efficiency, appropriateness, and impact of the work of IARCs operating in the region, and presented numerous recommendations, several of which were not acceptable to TAC and/or the centers involved. Some of the recommendations covered a strong convening role for IFPRI in the region on policy, socioeconomic and management research, less counseling on organization and management at NARS by centers other than ISNAR, devolution of production systems and management research to NARS, redirection of ICRISAT and ILRI research to achieve greater impact, and installing a common board of trustees for IITA and WARDA. The main issue in relations with NARS was their inclusion in the CGIAR agenda setting process. Other recommendations concerned IFPRI policy research in Nigeria, the division of labor between ICRISAT and IITA and their NARS counterparts in West Africa, and the production impact of ICRISAT and WARDA research.In general the organization of CGIAR work was found to be reasonably efficient and cost-effective. TAC said it was pleased with the exercise and planned to repeat it in other areas.A draft of the report was discussed at TAC 65, and the revision at TAC 66. Agenda document at the CGIAR meeting in May 1995.