Third External Programme Review of CIMMYT, 1988

Abstract

Report of an external program review of CIMMYT conducted concurrently with an external management review by a panel chaired by Ralph Riley. The document also contains a summary of the discussion of both EPR and EMR at the CGIAR meeting of May-June 1989, a transmittal from the TAC chairman with commentary as approved at TAC 47, the response of the CIMMYT Board of Trustees, and a transmittal from the panel chairman. TAC noted and praised the elaborate process for priority setting which CIMMYT had adopted. The panel, with TAC's support, urged greater integration of CIMMYT's three research programs on maize, wheat and economics, particularly with regard to disciplinary research. CIMMYT was encouraged to move upstream, and strengthen its capacity in biotechnology. There was a call, repeated from the last review, for more science at CIMMYT. The center was called upon to take leadership on sustainability issues related to maize and wheat production. CIMMYT was also urged to develop policies and programs for genetic resource conservation, and strengthen its work on seed health and phytosanitary services.Like their colleagues on the EMR, the panel recommended appointment of a deputy director general for research and training. The consequences of training decentralization needed to be worked out more carefully. Relationships with other centers were found to be good, except for ICARDA where the panel said some problems remained. Relationships with other partners had improved. A counterpart of moving upstream was devolving some work to others.