Second TAC Quinquennial Review of CIMMYT, 1983

Abstract

This document contains the report of a review panel headed by John Dillon. It also includes a summary of the CGIAR discussion of the report, the comments of TAC, and the response of the CIMMYT board, which discuss the impact of CIMMYT germplasm. The report opens with an analysis of the mandate, objectives, organization, and management of the center; reviews objectives, impacts, constraints, and the future course of the center's wheat, maize, and economics programs, its information and research support services, and its collaboration with national research systems. It ends with a discussion of future strategies and resource requirements.A number of controversial issues were addressed in the report and the discussion. These included: the recommendation that CIMMYT strengthen its scientific work; that it pay more attention to the need for maintenance research and the division of responsibility between it an NARS for such research; that CIMMYT move toward a longer term approach to conservation of genetic resources; that training remain a high priority; that CIMMYT give more attention to the communication of its results; and the need to define the division of responsibility between CIMMYT and ICARDA for barley and durum wheat, and between CIMMYT and IITA for maize in West Africa. TAC and the panel recommended increased resources for CIMMYT. The lack of clear international status for CIMMYT in Mexico was recognized as a serious problem. The three cosponsors said they would try to help resolve this difficulty.Discussed at TAC 29 and TAC 30, in November 1982 and March 1983 respectively, and at the CGIAR meeting in May 1983.