Interim External Review of CIMMYT, 1993

Abstract

Interim external review of CIMMYT conducted in February 1993 by a panel chaired by Sir Ralph Riley. The document also contains a transmittal from the panel chairman. The transmittal from the TAC Chairman and the CGIAR Executive Secretary, TAC's commentary, and CIMMYT's response are in a separate record. This was an experiment to determine whether regular reviews could be conducted less frequently than every five years, with interim reviews requiring less work at centers in the meantime.The panel appraised the steps taken by CIMMYT in response to program and management reviews conducted in 1988, and other developments since that date. The impact of maize research was now clearer than before, and more attention was going to hybrids because of spreading demand. In wheat, much attention was being given to disease resistance, particularly to karnal bunt. The economics program had been transformed from major involvement in on farm research and outreach to broader research. The panel noted CIMMYT's conviction that it could contribute significantly to the understanding of environmental issues related to its mandate crops, and raised the issue of possible interference of this effort with the effectiveness of research on increased productivity. There were also comments on a variety of other research and management issues, and numerous suggestions, but no formal recommendations.Agenda document at TAC 60, and the CGIAR meeting in May 1993.