Opening Session (Agenda Item 1)
1997 Programme and Budget Proposals (Agenda Item 2)
Review of CGIAR Priorities and Strategies (Agenda Item 3)
Priorities and Strategies for Soil and Water Aspects of Natural Resources Management Research in the CGIAR (Agenda Item 4)
Strategic Study of Postharvest Technology (Agenda Item 5)
Strategic Study of Policy, Management and Institution Strengthening Research in the CGIAR (Agenda Item 6)
Future Reviews (Agenda Item 7)
Systemwide Initiatives and Programmes (Agenda Item 8)
Future Meetings (Agenda Item 9)
Other Business (Agenda Item 10)
1. The TAC Chair, Dr. Donald Winkelmann, opened the meeting and welcomed the 11 TAC Members present including new members Drs. C.H. Rao and Lucia de Vaccaro; a consultant to TAC, Dr. Richard Harwood; the representative of FAO, Dr. Stein Bie; the Chair of the Centre Directors' Committee, Dr. Lukas Brader; the Chair of the Centre Board Chairs' Committee, Dr. Wanda Collins; a number of Centre Directors, Board Chairs and Observers; Dr. Shellemiah Keya, the Executive Secretary-designate of TAC, and staff of the TAC and CGIAR Secretariats. IRRI's Director General, Dr. George Rothschild, welcomed participants on behalf of the Centre which hosted the Meeting.
2. The report of TAC 68 was adopted without amendments. There were no matters arising from TAC 68. The provisional agenda for TAC 69 was adopted with the addition of several items under Other Business.
3. The Chair recognized Mr. Ravi Tadvalkar of the CGIAR Secretariat who reported on developments in the CGIAR since TAC 68. The report dealt with plans for MTM'96 and ICW'96, activities of CGIAR committees and associated committees, CGIAR membership, and the System's financial prospects.
4. MTM'96 will be preceded by a two-day NARS global consultation, the culmination of the recently completed regional fora. MTM's agenda will include consideration of TAC's report on priorities and strategies, the System's 1997 research agenda, and the CGIAR's long-term approach to the poverty challenge. ICW'96 will be the occasion for the 25th anniversary celebration of the CGIAR. Its programme will link with other significant events, including FAO's World Food Summit, the World Bank Conference on Sustainable Agriculture, and the Bank's recently completed action plan to ensure that agriculture is placed at the top of the development assistance community's agenda. A Global Forum comprised of representatives of NARS partners, NGOs, the private sector, and advanced research institutions will be held as a follow-up to the NARS consultation. There will be an exchange of views on centre programmes and the financing plan for the 1997 research agenda will be adopted.
5. The CGIAR's Private Sector Committee and Impact Assessment and Evaluation Group held their initial meetings and made decisions on their respective workplans. Reports of these meetings have been circulated. The IAEG will convene a workshop in The Hague in April involving evaluation experts, centre representatives, and national partners. The TAC Chair will participate thereby ensuring consistency between the IAEG's work and TAC's review processes. The CGIAR's task force on collaboration with Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union will meet with country representatives of the region in Prague in May; results will be reported to MTM'96. The potential for collaboration with the region will be on TAC's agenda later in the year prior to CGIAR decision-making on specific actions to be taken. The Committee on Genetic Resources met in February. The NGO Committee will meet at IRRI in March and interact with TAC at that time.
6. CGIAR developing country membership had grown faster than expected. In addition to those countries that had already joined, Bangladesh, Syria and Pakistan will have done so by MTM'96, bringing the total to 16. Significant further growth was expected before the membership drive was completed.
7. The financing plan for 1996 was still on track with 80 percent of contributions fully secured. While the level of uncertainty in the financing plan at the System level was 4 percent, the Finance Committee had indicated that Centres should plan their activities at a risk level of 8 percent. The Chairman of the CGIAR had urged the Membership in January to pledge their contributions paying particular attention to funding gaps in the matrix; some US$ 10-15 million involving five centres was in question. The Finance Committee will meet with Centre Directors at MTM to come to closure on this issue. Mr. Tadvalkar concluded his report by drawing TAC's attention to the resurgence in the cases of a few centres of the tendency of non-agenda funding to preempt funding for the agreed research agenda. The Finance Committee would be monitoring this situation to prevent a recurrence of the financial crisis of 1994.
8. The Chair thanked Mr. Tadvalkar for his report and opened the floor for comments by TAC Members and observers.
9. Question was raised regarding the locus of gaps in the funding matrix in 1996 and whether any were forecast for 1997. It was noted in reply that the 1996 gaps involved a few centres and were essentially limited to two Systemwide programmes. These deficits were evident in the financing plan when it was drawn up; thus, the Members were urged to consult the 1997 plan as a means of identifying potential gaps in the coming year.
10. TAC considered Centres' 1997 programme and budget proposals simultaneously with its review of CGIAR priorities and strategies, paying particular attention to the consistency of centres' proposed programmes with their medium-term plans for 1994-98. The Committee's analysis focused on both Centre-based and Systemwide programmes or initiatives. Virtually all centres requested increases in their funding levels for the coming year, either for new programmes or the transfer of existing complementary programmes to the agreed research agenda. TAC considered these requests in terms of its previously specified criteria for evaluating changes in 1997 funding envelopes - new scientific breakthroughs which influence centre activity, changes in priorities of national systems and the development assistance community, and the introduction of new Systemwide initiatives. TAC recommended a funding envelope for the CGIAR's 1997 research agenda of US$ 311.7 million; the funding guideline was US$ 293.9 million. This increase over the 1997 guideline by US$ 37.8 million is made up of US$ 5.0 million in transfers from complementary work to the agreed agenda, US$ 7.3 million for additional work on Systemwide activities and US$ 5.4 million in new additions to agreed programmes. Following are summaries of centres' proposals and TAC's commentaries on them:
· CIAT
Summary of Proposals
Centre Programme and Budget
11. CIAT's proposal is based on a consolidated budget of US$ 28.4 million for centre-based programmes reflecting the broad strategic directions of the Centre's Medium-Term Plan and the recommendations of its recent EPMR, as well as its involvement in a Systemwide programme for tropical America.
An Ecoregional Approach to Enhancing Agricultural Research in Tropical America
12. TAC considered a revised version of the proposal for this Systemwide programme for which CIAT serves as the convening centre. The central purpose remains enhancing the effectiveness of agricultural and natural resources management research in Tropical America by improving the capacity to define and understand productivity problems in agriculture, developing and adapting suitable solutions to these problems, and extrapolating results among agroecosystems through the development of georeferenced information systems and analysis. A technology component for the improvement of rice and sorghum, not envisaged in the original proposal endorsed by TAC, is proposed for incorporation into the programme. The requested funding range for the expanded programme is US$ 1.2 to 1.35 million.
Systemwide Initiative, on Participatory Research and Gender Analysis for Technology Development
13. The rationale for the initiative is the need for the CGIAR to elicit the participation of farmers - especially women - in technology development in order to achieve impact that benefits the poor. It builds upon previous IARC use of participatory methods for downstream adaptive research, but draws upon recent evidence that user participation can be critical in the upstream stages of certain types of research. The fields of research which would be the focus of the initiative are plant breeding and natural resources management. The initiative is expected to accelerate technology development and adoption for crop improvement and natural resources management by generating new, widely applicable methodologies for upstream participatory research and gender analysis tested in at least eight existing projects in ecoregional sites. The proposal details the strategy, organization, activities, outputs, and expected impact of the research. It presents a workplan and associated budget for 1996 totalling US$ 1.8 million.
Soil, Water and Nutrient Management Programme
14. At TAC 67, the Committee responded favourably to the proposal for a Soil, Water and Nutrient Management Programme and recommended a 1996 allocation of US$ 0.9 million to support its implementation. The programme proposed for 1997 is structured around four thematic consortia: combatting nutrient depletion, managing acid soils, managing soil erosion, and optimizing soil water use. The consolidated budget request in support of the four consortia is US$ 2.5 million.
TAC Commentary
Centre Programme and Budget
15. TAC endorses CIAT's proposed programme and budget at the level of US$ 28.4 million, including the Centre's involvement in a Systemwide programme for tropical America.
An Ecoregional Approach to Enhancing Agricultural Research in Tropical America
16. The Committee endorses continuation of this Systemwide programme at the same level as in 1996, US$ 0.9 million. The Committee does not endorse the proposed expansion of the programme and recommends that any new activities deemed essential by the Centre be prioritized against its current research agenda. While TAC considers the proposed work on sorghum and rice interesting, responsibility for this research rests with the centres concerned and should be pursued through their core programmes.
Systemwide Initiative on Participatory Research and Gender Analysis for Technology Development
17. This proposed initiative draws on interesting work and has potential for the development of participatory, gender-sensitive research methodologies to improve the efficiency of IARCs in the areas of natural resources management and germplasm improvement. There are many actors both within and outside the CGIAR System currently engaged in activities related to participatory approaches and gender analysis; these efforts are currently uncoordinated and lack coherence. TAC appreciates the merit of the ideas expressed in the proposed initiative of developing methods and tools, in particular, for upstream research and for improving the Centres' probability of achieving impact. TAC also realizes that in order to ensure success in harsher environments, a broader geographical spectrum may be required in the implementation of the initiative. At the same time, it hopes that the programmatic focus of the proposal could be narrowed and that its scale could be limited to roughly half what is currently proposed.
18. The Committee encourages CIAT to proceed with the development of this initiative and thus recommends that a revised proposal be developed based on further interactions with potential partners whose roles should be specified in a subsequent proposal. Should the initiative result in a subsequent research programme, TAC will consider it in due course on the basis of the guidelines established by the Committee. Tentatively, TAC recommends setting aside an allocation of US$ 0.9 million for this initiative during 1997, conditional upon endorsement of a revised proposal by the Committee at TAC 70 or TAC 71.
Soil, Water and Nutrient Management Programme
19. TAC considers this programme to be very well prepared both conceptually and in terms of its extensive linkages with leading research institutions of developing and developed countries; the involvement of NARS in the programme is especially welcome. TAC's review of the technical and financial aspects of the proposal raises a number of questions which the Committee considers crucial to the success of the programme. While themes 1, 2, and 3 are well in line with approaches to research in the area of natural resources management that figure in TAC's current review of priorities and strategies, theme 4 would benefit from adopting a watershed/waterbasin perspective that treats the off-site/downstream effects on ecosystem health and on other water users. TAC has emphasized this approach in its recent review of Soil and Water Aspects of Natural Resources Management Research in the CGIAR.
20. In terms of finance, TAC considers it pertinent to its decision-making to know what resources SWNMP participants are contributing to the research from sources other than the CGIAR, how the budgets are to be apportioned between the agreed agenda of the CGIAR and the outside-agenda components for NARS and non-associated centres, and how the negotiations with the donor support group of the non-associated centres will be coordinated with the development of the CGIAR financing plan at MTM and ICW.
21. In TAC's view, the System's current allocation of resources for natural resources management research is at about the right level and may very well benefit from redirection of priorities, particularly along the lines suggested above. Accordingly, the Committee recommends an allocation for 1997 of US$ 1.0 million for programme coordination and the seeding of change in research direction.
· CIFOR
Summary of Proposal
Centre Programme and Budget
22. CIFOR's 1997 programme and budget proposal requests funding of US$ 11.1 million, an increase of US$ 3.2 million above the 1997 guideline of US$ 7.9 million. The proposed increase is comprised of a US$ 2.25 million transfer from complementary to the agreed research agenda and a US$ 0.9 million increase in the scale of operations for certain projects which are either currently within the agenda or outside of it. The complementary activities proposed for transfer are six special projects, some of which are related to high priority areas of the MTP. Project briefs and funding sources and amounts are provided for each of the projects in question. Topics are clustered around themes of natural resources management in the forestry sector, forestry in marginal areas, and conservation of biodiversity and genetic resources. Projects not initially identified with MTP priorities include work on criteria and indicators for assessing sustainability of forest management and development of methodologies for assessing research impact by forestry research institutions. In both cases, however, increased interest in the development assistance community is cited as the rationale for now according these projects priority. CIFOR also cites as the rationale for the increase in scale of operations the need to strengthen its research capacity to address a growing demand for forestry research by NARS and the donor community. In particular, the Centre is giving priority to research on the agenda of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests of the Commission on Sustainable Development with which it works closely to inject science into the international debate on forests.
TAC Commentary
Centre Programme and Budget
23. The proposal reflects no significant programmatic departures from the MTP and the 1996 proposal. TAC finds the proposal to be well in line with the Centre's MTP and the priorities of the CGIAR in the forestry sector. Moreover, CIFOR presents a convincing rationale for the proposed increase in its agreed research agenda. TAC, therefore, endorses CIFOR's programme and budget proposal at the level of US$ 11.1 million.
· CIMMYT
Summary of Proposals
Centre Programme and Budget
24. CIMMYT's 1997 programme and budget proposal requests US$ 28.0 million, US$ 0.3 million above its funding guideline. Overall, the 1997 proposal reflects a continuation of the strategic directions of the 1994-1998 MTP, but with a greater focus on sustainability issues, natural resources management research, and on capacity building of national programmes.
25. The proposed increase of US$ 0.3 million for 1997 and beyond is to finance two activities: a project seeking durable stripe (yellow) rust resistance in wheat, and a project on transferring apomixis to maize. The goal of the first project is to contribute to food security through higher productivity and improved yield stability of wheat in farmers' fields in the WANA region. US$ 0.2 million is requested for salaries and operating expenses of a facilitator/breeder pathologist based in the region. The goal of the second project is to develop apomixis as a component of sustainable maize cropping systems for poor farmers in developing countries. US$ 0.1 million per year is requested to support an additional postdoctoral position.
Apomixis Systemwide Initiative
26. CIMMYT, CIAT, IRRI and ORSTOM propose to join forces in a CGIAR Systemwide Initiative with the common goal of exploiting apomixis as a component of sustainable cropping systems for poor farmers in developing countries. Apomixis allows the exploitation of hybrid vigour in true-breeding cultivars. When transferred to sexually reproducing crops such as maize, wheat and rice, it will provide poor farmers with the means to save seed of their best cultivars, particularly hybrids, for planting the following cycles. Each of the institutes involved is already engaged in research to develop apomictic cultivars. The request submitted through CIMMYT is a pre-proposal requesting funds to allow the collaborating partners to develop a full proposal. US$ 0.05 million is requested to allow the two designated project coordinators to visit additional potential collaborators and to develop a more detailed research plan and budget based on a proposed workshop.
TAC Commentary
Centre Programme and Budget
27. TAC endorses CIMMYT's programme and budget at the level of US$ 27.7 million (not including a provision of US$ 0.3 million for the forthcoming external review) as being consistent with the Centre's MTP. The Committee does not endorse the proposal for increased support for work on rust resistance in the light of the work already being done on the subject in Europe and elsewhere. However, if CIMMYT believes the proposed work deserves a high priority, then it should be prioritized within the Centre budget. The proposal dealing with apomixis in maize is also not endorsed because additional resources cannot be justified until CIMMYT can successfully demonstrate apomixis in diploid maize without the addition of two tripsacum chromosomes. If CIMMYT wishes to increase the priority of this activity, it should do so within the Centre budget.
Apomixis Systemwide Initiative
28. TAC considers this topic to be of potentially high importance and believes there is good justification for the CGIAR to be involved in this type of work. While the proposal has potential scientific merit, there is still no clear evidence of success in the development of the apomictic maize cultivar. Apomixis in rice is still further off. The exploratory work that IRRI is doing in the search for an effective apomixis source is appropriate and adequate in this exploratory stage. There is no apparent advantage to Systemwide linkage between laboratories working with rice, maize and other species beyond the ongoing scientific exchange through existing channels. Consequently, it would be premature to initiate the collaborative work envisaged. Further, TAC does not believe that this type of work should be addressed through a Systemwide programme, but rather through the normal collaborative research programme.
· CIP
Summary of Proposals
Centre Programme and Budget
29. CIP's 1997 programme and budget proposal requests US$ 20.3 million, US$ 1.1 million above the funding guideline of US$ 19.2 million. US$ 0.5 million is for programme expansion and US$ 0.6 million for transfer of activities to the agreed agenda. CIP also requests a one-time capital grant of US$ 1.4 million to construct a new biosafety and containment facility at its Lima headquarters.
Systemwide Programme on Sustainable Mountain Agriculture Development (SPSMAD)
30. The Andean (CONDESAN) and the African Highlands components of this Systemwide Programme are reported in the 1997 budget requests of CIP (programme convening centre, and the convenor of CONDESAN), and ICRAF (Convenor of African Highlands programme). TAC recommended an allocation of US$ 150,000 in 1996 to CIP for activities associated with its convening role in SPSMAD. CIP is using the funds to develop a Global Mountain Initiative component to be added to the SPSMAD and requests CGIAR support of US$ 760,000 in 1997 to address the following areas: (1) characterizing agroecosystems (US$ 150,000); (2) intensifying land use and natural resources management (US$ 215,000); (3) sustainable use of biological diversity for economic growth - (a) impact of agricultural intensification on biodiversity (US$ 75,000), (b) intermountain transfer of promising agricultural species (US$ 60,000), (c) biodiversity risk analysis (US$ 60,000); (4) stimulating productivity and enhancing resource conservation through policies and public-sector investments (US$ 100,000); (5) information exchange (US$ 20,000); and (6) coordination (US$ 80,000). SPSMAD will draw heavily on existing ecoregional programmes in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The budget request is, therefore, seen by CIP as additional to existing activities.
A Global Late Blight Initiative
31. CIP proposes a global initiative to address the threat of large-scale crop losses due to late blight. The cost of proposed initiative is US$ 2.5 million per year over a ten-year period. Research institutions in LDCs, laboratories in industrialized countries, and CIP would each receive roughly one-third shares of this amount. It is proposed that in the first and second phases (1-6 years), one-half of all required funds (US$ 7.5 million, or US$ 1.25 million per year) be sought from the CGIAR.
TAC Commentary
Centre Programme and Budget
32. TAC endorses CIP's 1997 programme and budget proposal at the level of US$ 19.2 million. The Committee does not endorse the proposed transfer of non-agenda activities for US$ 0.6 million nor the requested increase for US$ 0.5 million, as they do not meet TAC's criteria for changes in the 1997 funding envelope. TAC also does not endorse the request for a one time capital grant of US$ 1.4 million to build the biosafety and containment facilities due to lack of evidence of the need for them and of information as to how they would redress any deficits in the Centre's current operating capacity and/or improve that capacity in specific areas.
Systemwide Programme on Sustainable Mountain Agriculture Development (SPSMAD)
33. TAC notes that the CONDESAN programme budget of US$ 1.65 million, and the African Highlands programme budget of US$ 1 million, are already included in the Centre budgets of CIP and ICRAF respectively, and CIP is requesting US$ 760,000 for the Global component of SPSMAD. TAC endorses US$ 100,000 for SPSMAD to cover the cost of coordination and information exchange (items 5 and 6). TAC also endorses a tentative allocation of US$ 400,000/year for up to two years for work on common issues, after which it expects the work to be far enough along for the costs to be absorbed within the Centre budgets of the Systemwide Programme. For TAC to be able to make a final recommendation, CIP is requested to provide by MTM'96 information on the generic issues of the programme, how they relate to activities convened by CIP, ICRAF and ICIMOD, and why the costs cannot be absorbed by the Centre budgets.
A Global Late Blight Initiative
34. TAC recognizes the importance of the work on late blight but does not endorse the proposed initiative. The Committee encourages CIP to give it a higher priority in its research agenda. It also encourages CIP to continue its programme on late blight and develop collaboration with other institutions. TAC does not see evidence of additional gains, from implementing a special global late blight initiative, which could not be captured through an efficiently managed programme by CIP.
· ICARDA
Summary of Proposals
Centre Programme and Budge!
35. ICARDA's proposal is in line with the broad strategic directions of its Medium-Term Plan and the level of its funding guideline for 1997 of US$ 20.0 million which includes US$ 0.6 million for a Systemwide programme on water husbandry in the WANA region. No expansion in its work programme is foreseen.
Systemwide Programme on On-Farm Wafer Husbandry in the WANA Region
36. ICARDA's proposal for this Systemwide programme was endorsed by the Committee at TAC 67. At that time, however, TAC asked for a further redrafting of the proposal with more specific elaboration of the natural resources management research activities and a greater focus on the ecoregional dimensions of the proposal. The Committee also encouraged ICARDA to engage in further dialogue on the proposal with relevant CGIAR Centres. ICARDA submitted a progress report on its activities during 1995 and prepared a revised proposal as requested.
TAC Commentary
Centre Programme and Budget
37. TAC endorses ICARDA's 1997 programme and budget proposal at the level of US$ 20 million, including US$ 600,000 for the WANA Systemwide programme.
Systemwide Programme on On-Farm Water Husbandry in the WANA Region
38. TAC considers that its concerns with respect to this proposal, noted above, have been adequately met and endorses it as a Systemwide programme at a level of US$ 600,000 during 1997.
· ICLARM
Summary of Proposals
Centre Programme and Budget
39. ICLARM's 1997 proposal reflects the broad strategic directions of its Medium-Term Plan and its subsequent discussions with TAC. The proposal for US$ 9.3 million is within the envelope provided under the agenda guidelines. The Centre's research agenda in 1997 is expected to remain basically unchanged from 1996. However, in an additional request the Centre also proposes to expand its work into the WANA and sub-Saharan Africa regions, summarized and discussed in the TAC commentary below.
Coastal Environments Initiative
40. At TAC 68, the Committee considered a proposal for a Systemwide initiative for coastal environments requesting US$ 300,000 during 1996, but TAC recommended an allocation of no more than US$ 50,000 during 1996 to allow ICLARM to develop a revised proposal that would be much more focused and be based on a specific research problem. ICLARM could not develop a revised proposal in time for TAC 69 but expects to develop one in time for TAC 70.
TAC Commentary
Centre Programme and Budget
41. TAC endorses ICLARM's 1997 programme and budget proposal at the level of US$ 9.3 million. TAC notes the strong increase in the Centre's allocation of resources to training activities. The Committee also notes ICLARM's project on carp genetics which will be conducted as a non-agenda item. TAC recalls its earlier discussion recommending further work by ICLARM on carp genetics and that after a brief exploratory phase this work should be integrated in the overall agreed research agenda.
Africa Proposal
42. TAC first considered an expansion of ICLARM's work into the West Asia-North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa regions at TAC 66 in developing a commentary on the Centre's Mid-Term Review, and asked that ICLARM carefully study any further activities in terms of scientific and technical, strategic and institutional, and long-term financial considerations. At TAC 68, the Committee considered ICLARM's proposal, but did not find it to be consistent with the Centre's research agenda. The scale and breadth of the work described in the proposal were not presented as an integral part of ICLARM's current research agenda, as well as appearing to be threatening to its balance under some possible longer term resource constraints. Further, it included the use of facilities at a site that is representative of the West Asia- North Africa region but not evidently of sub-Saharan Africa. TAC expressed its support for expanding fisheries research in sub-Saharan Africa and noted that such expansion in the West Asia-North Africa region had a lower priority for the CGIAR.
43. ICLARM has submitted a revised proposal, together with an addendum, to TAC 69. The Committee agrees with ICLARM that there are both technical and non-technical considerations to be taken into account in its evaluation. TAC's advice can only address the technical dimensions of the proposal, along with its implications for the Centre's and the CGIAR's priorities and strategies.
44. ICLARM now proposes to carry out four research activities based at Abbassa but targeted at sub-Saharan Africa and largely executed off-site: great lakes, coastal systems, integrated aquaculture-agriculture systems, and macropolicy setting. Two other activities would be carried out on-site: genetic characterization and fish health research.
45. TAC does not see any reason to diverge from the thrust of the commentary that it made at Nairobi, including its support for the idea of increasing fisheries research in sub-Saharan Africa.
46. While ICLARM has decreased the number of researchable issues, and has provided evidence that the proposal is roughly congruent with its projected proportional investment in Africa, the implications for its programmatic priorities are still unclear. TAC notes that ICLARM proposes to execute the programme as an addition to its Asian focused activities and that one activity (fish health) appears to lie outside its current endorsed research agenda.
47. TAC notes ICLARM's assessment that "technically the facility ... does not slot easily into the Centre's programme", which was developed before this facility became available. However, TAC notes ICLARM's assessment that it "could make very good use of it" and that ICLARM also said that the use of the Abbassa facility as "the regional headquarters of an expanded ICLARM programme for Africa ... would appear reasonably convenient" in terms of transport, telecommunications, and politics for this purpose. The early availability of the facility is cited by ICLARM as an advantage.
48. TAC believes that the site, representative for WANA, is less useful for work pertaining to sub-Saharan Africa. The advantage of a laboratory at a representative site within a region of concentration is that it allows for a mutual balance between field and laboratory research. Though it is possible to pursue some of the field objectives at a site outside a region, through simulating the field environment in the laboratory, it is less efficient to do so.
49. TAC therefore concludes on research priority and efficiency grounds that ICLARM's revised proposal does not make the case for using the Abbassa facility as a regional headquarters for an expanded CGIAR effort on fisheries research in sub-Saharan Africa.
Coastal Environments Initiative
50. TAC reiterates its earlier commentary and expects that in due course up to US$ 300,000 can be allocated to the development of this initiative.
· ICRAF
Summary of Proposal
Centre Programme and Budget
51. The Centre's 1997 programme and budget proposal requests funding of US$ 18.2 million, an increase of US$ 0.9 million above the 1997 funding guideline of US$ 17.3 million. The request for additional resources is justified by the Centre in terms of the need for additional senior scientist staffing for research on the domestication and management of trees in the subhumid lowlands of West Africa and on the potential of Sesbania sesban for managing fallows to increase the rate of soil fertility restoration in Southern Africa.
TAC Commentary
Centre Programme and Budget
52. TAC finds the proposal to be broadly in line with the Centre's MTP. However, it does not consider the rationale for the proposed increase to meet TAC's criteria for changes in the funding envelope. Nor is it evident that the Centre has re-prioritized its work to accommodate the research with which the increase is associated. Another concern is the need to cover unmet costs of new.' facilities being built at ICRAF's headquarters, accounting for nearly half of the requested increase. TAC, therefore, regrets that it is unable to endorse the request.
53. TAC recommends a 1997 funding envelope for ICRAF of US$ 17.3 million.
· ICRISAT
Summary of Proposals
Centre Programme and Budget
54. ICRISAT's 1997 programme and budget proposal requests US$ 29.3 million, US$ 2.0 million above the funding guideline of US$ 27.3 million which includes a Systemwide programme on rice-wheat cropping systems (see below). The requested increase is due to a proposed additional training project and the proposed transfer of nine non-agenda projects to the agreed agenda. The training project would strengthen individualized, advanced, skills-oriented professional and scientific training through partnerships and direct participation of key visiting NARS scientists and graduate students in agreed research agenda projects. The nine projects proposed for transfer deal with technology transfer and institution strengthening activities. ICRISAT also proposes a sorghum improvement project for acid soils at an additional cost of US$ 500,000 but as a component of the Systemwide Programme for Tropical Latin America.
Systemwide Programme on Rice-Wheat Cropping Systems in the Gangetic Plains
55. The 1997 programme and budget proposal requests US$ 470,000, an increase of US$ 270,000 over the 1996 approved budget, to support organization of the facilitation unit. In their 1997 budget requests, CIMMYT and IRRI include allocations of US$ 613,000 and US$ 623,000, respectively. Thus, the total request for the programme is US$ 1.7 million. No information is provided by ICRISAT, CIMMYT and IRRI of the activities planned for 1997.
Systemwide Programme for Desert Margins
56. The 1997 programme and budget proposal requests US$ 500,000 for this programme, the same level of funding as allocated for design activities in 1996. No information is provided by ICRISAT on the activities planned for 1997.
TAC Commentary
Centre Programme and Budget
57. TAC endorses ICRISAT's 1997 programme and budget proposal at the level of US$ 27.1 million, not including the rice-wheat and desert margins Systemwide programmes. While the Committee commends the Board and management for a clear characterization of some of the non-agenda projects, it cannot endorse the proposed transfer of these activities, as they do not meet TAC's criteria for changes in the 1997 funding envelope. The Committee also does not endorse the increase for the additional training project, but is sympathetic to ICRISAT's request, particularly as this initiative emanated from the NARS regional forum. TAC encourages the Centre to seek funds from other sources for this project. TAC is impressed with the proposal on sorghum breeding work for acid soils. On the basis of new science, it sees opportunities and suggests that ICRISAT review this work in terms of its overall priorities and, if considered essential, fund it within its current budget.
Systemwide Programme, on Rice-Wheat Cropping Systems in the Gangetic Plains
58. At TAC 66, the Committee noted that some of the budgetary information for this programme was broad, lacked specificity, and needed clarification. TAC requested that the proposal incorporate clear milestones for progress as well as a "sunset" clause. TAC expressed the desire to receive evidence of formal agreements with programme partners and to be kept informed of progress in implementing the integrated research programme. TAC recommended an allocation of US$ 200,000 for 1996 subject to the above comments.
59. TAC notes that the Centre has not responded to the above comments and that its 1997 funding request does not mention the coordinating and programmatic activities planned for 1997, how these will be determined, the division of labour between the partner institutions, or how the remaining US$ 2.45 million would be allocated among the partners. However, TAC notes that IRRI has budgeted US$ 623,000 and CIMMYT US$ 613,000 for activities in this Systemwide programme in 1997 as part of their approved agenda activities.
60. TAC concludes that the programme should proceed as planned and recommends that US$ 470,000 be tentatively allocated for 1997 to support the facilitation function. However, TAC requests that ICRISAT provide the information referenced in the above two paragraphs in its revised budget request, to be submitted by the time of MTM'96. TAC also requests ICRISAT to explain the reason for the US$ 270,000 increase for 1997, and whether it is for facilitation or other activities.
Systemwide Programme for Desert Margins
61. AT TAC 66, the Committee endorsed an allocation of US$ 500,000 to this programme for 1996 for planning and coordination, subject to receiving an acceptable work plan.
62. TAC notes that the Centre has not responded to the above request nor has it submitted a progress report on planning and coordination with its programme and budget proposal for 1997. Further, no information has been provided on expected accomplishments from coordination activities in the course of the year, nor a description of the type of activities that would be carried out. According to the 1996 budget request, funds were allocated to salaries and operations of a Coordinator, and to travel, regional workshops, and the functioning of a Steering Committee. TAC endorses a tentative allocation of US$ 500,000 for 1997, subject to receipt by July 1996 of an acceptable progress report, a description of the type of activities that are envisaged, and a work plan.
· IFPRI
Summary of Proposals
Centre Programme and Budget
63. The Centre's 1997 programme and budget proposal requests funding of US$ 17.2 million, an increase of US$ 2.7 million above the funding guideline of US$ 14.5 million. The proposal reflects a continuation of the programme priorities set in the Centre's 1994-1998 MTP. US$ 1.6 million of the requested increase is associated with an expansion of these activities; specific programmatic activities are not identified.
Systemwide Initiatives
64. The balance of the increase is requested for the Systemwide Initiative on Property Rights and Collective Action which has entered the programme phase (US$ 1.0 million) and the Systemwide Programme on Alternatives to Slash and Bum (US$ 0.1 million). The Centre also requests an extension into 1997 of TAC's 1996 allocation of US$ 0.67 million for the Systemwide Initiative on Agricultural Indicators to be undertaken jointly with ISNAR.
TAC Commentary
Centre Programme and Budget
65. TAC notes that the proposal does not provide a rationale for the proposed incremental increase in centre-based agreed agenda programmes in accordance with TAC's criteria for changes in the 1997 funding envelope. For this reason, the Committee is unable to agree to the request.
Systemwide Initiatives
66. With respect to the Systemwide Programme on Property Rights and Collective Action, TAC notes that funds previously allocated to the initiative phase have been utilized to support the coordination and design costs of developing the proposal to its current status. While progress has been made in identifying broad research themes and potential partners, the proposed programme phase for 1997 lacks specific project descriptions, sites, partners, and outputs. The proposed governance mechanism does not include NARS partners on the steering committee and NARS representation on the advisory committee appears to be nominal. While TAC continues to believe that research on property rights is very important to improving our understanding of natural resources management issues, it regrets that it is unable to endorse the request in the absence of a convincing proposal. TAC agrees with the Centre that the initiative phase of this activity is closed. While it is prepared to consider a more developed proposal in 1997, such consideration would extend only to the costs of coordinating the programme. It is expected, however, that during the programme phase participating centres whose MTPs include work on common resources would be expected to cover the costs of research from centre-based programme funds. TAC recognizes there are other centres with different mandates and hence expertise to contribute to this issue, and encourages them to join the programme.
67. With respect to the Agricultural Indicators Initiative, TAC reiterates its endorsement of this joint IFPRI-ISNAR activity and expects it to proceed. To improve its utility TAC recommends that the research include a component on the performance and impact of national research systems, particularly those that have undergone reform.
68. TAC endorses IFPRI's 1997 programme and budget proposal at the level of US$ 15.2 million, including US$ 0.67 million for the IFPRI/ISNAR joint programme on agricultural indicators.
· IIMI
Summary of Proposals
Centre Programme and Budget
69. IIMI's 1997 programme and budget proposal requests funding of US$ 9.6 million, an increase of US$ 2.0 million on the funding guideline of US$ 7.6 million. The additional resources are requested to support 10 new senior scientist years to strengthen the Centre's four Global Programme Groups (8 SSY) and its Senior Research Associate Programme (2 SSY), a global network of leading professionals in the field of water resource management and irrigated agriculture. An earlier version of this request was considered at TAC 68. The Committee requested a revised submission in the context of IIMI's 1997 funding requirements providing a more convincing programmatic rationale for the increased envelope. The present proposal justifies the request in terms of the need to have adequate critical mass to respond to research challenges arising from the approaching global water crisis.
Inter-Centre Initiative on Water Management (ICIWM)
70. IIMI submitted a revised proposal for the Inter-Centre Initiative on Water Management of which it is the convening centre. The proposal was first considered at TAC 68 and the Committee requested additional programmatic information which the Centre has now provided. Within a waterbasin, whole catchment perspective, the research would develop a standard approach to measuring and reporting on water productivity and apply it to two priority problems - productivity of water and competition for water. Its objective is to enhance the productive use of existing water supplies and manage more effectively water demands for sustainable development. Initiative partners include CIAT, CIMMYT, ICARDA, ICLARM, ICRAF, ICRISAT, IFPRI, ILRI, IRRI, WARDA and NARS. Four basins are suggested for ICIWM activities: Indo-Gangetic-Bhamaputra, Nile, Niger and Mahaweli. ICIWM would be governed by an international steering committee and coordinated by IIMI. The requested budget is US$ 0.5 million for 1996 and US$ 0.5 million for 1997.
TAC Commentary
Centre Programme and Budget
71. TAC finds the rationale for IIMI's programme and budget proposal to be consistent with the recommendations of IIMI's external programme review and the spirit of the Lucerne Declaration. TAC, therefore, recommends that IIMI proceed with senior scientist recruitment in 1996 and endorses an allocation of US$ 0.5 million for this purpose. TAC also recommends an allocation of US$ 1.0 million for this purpose from 1997. In making these recommendations, the Committee urges IIMI to continue to develop an effective strategic research plan, to restructure its senior scientist staff in accordance with this plan, and to keep TAC informed of its progress in doing so.
Inter-Centre Initiative on Water Management (ICIWM)
72. TAC notes that the revised proposal for this initiative takes into account some of the specific comments made by TAC 68 and reflects considerable progress in the right direction. It does not fully elaborate the functions and responsibilities of all partners, the expected programmatic outputs and benefits, milestones for expected achievements, and the reporting process. The Committee considers it a greatly improved approach to an issue of critical importance to the CGIAR. However, the proposed research would benefit from a diagnostic analysis of the constraints to effective water management, an assessment of what is already known about the problems to be studied, and a realistic appraisal of what improvements can be made in water management for sustainable development. TAC recognizes that this is an area where the returns to research can be expected to be high; it therefore encourages IIMI to proceed with the initiative. TAC recommends an allocation of US$ 0.5 million in 1996 and US$ 0.5 million in 1997 for the design phase which it expects to be completed in 1997. It expects IIMI to report to TAC 70 the progress made in addressing the methodological issues and gaps identified above.
73. In summary, TAC recommends that for 1996 of the US$ 1.0 million already allocated for ICIWM, US$ 0.5 million be allocated to the initiative and US$ 0.5 million be allocated for programme expansion. For 1997, TAC recommends a funding envelope for IIMI of US$ 9.1 million inclusive of US$ 0.5 million for the Systemwide initiative and US$ 1.0 million for programme expansion.
· IITA
Summary of Proposals
Centre Programme and Budget
74. IITA's 1997 programme and budget proposal requests US$ 25.1 million, US$ 1.8 million above the funding guideline of US$ 23.3 million. The increase is due to the proposed transfer to the agreed research agenda of new, non-agenda activities (US$ 800,000) and increased recurrent costs of those non-agenda activities that were shifted in to the agreed agenda in 1995. The budget proposal also highlights the need for US$ 2.0 million to redress the budget deficit arising from general cost increases due to inflation.
Systemwide Programme for the Humid and Subhumid Tropics of Sub-Saharan Africa
75. IITA serves as the convening centre for this Systemwide programme which is comprised of three components: the humid forest and the moist savanna consortia which are in the design phase, and the inland valley consortium which has been operational since 1994. The humid forest and moist savanna consortia will become operational subsequent to a task force meeting in April 1996. At TAC 66, the Committee endorsed the 1996 proposal and an allocation of US$ 700,000 of which US$ 350,000 was assigned, respectively, to IITA (for the humid forest and moist savanna consortia) and to WARDA (for the inland valley consortium).
76. The 1997 funding request is for US$ 2.4 million to implement consortia activities primarily through contractual arrangements with various NARS. The cost of programme coordination is US$ 346,000. The moist savanna consortium will focus on food systems development (US$ 897,000), the humid forest consortium on human ecology and livelihood (US$ 802,000), and the inland valley consortium on developing hydrology-based extrapolation tools for land use in small watersheds (US$ 350,000).
Inter-Centre Programme for Integrated Pest Management (IPIPM)
77. The formation of IPIPM was endorsed by the Committee at TAC 67. IITA serves on a rotating basis as the current convening centre for the programme; the Inter-Centre Working Group on IPM is the steering body for the IPIPM. The primary aim of IPIPM is to ensure adequate coordination and complementarity between the CGIAR and non-CGIAR institutions working on IPM. This is to be accomplished by establishing linkages with the FAO/World Bank IPM Facility, the International IPM Working Group and CABI, and in particular through proposed cross representation on the respective steering groups of the IPM Facility and the IPIPM.
78. The IPIPM funding request for 1997 is US$ 440,000 to cover eight projects (US$ 215,000), follow-up activities related to projects expected to be completed in 1996 (US$ 30,000), and coordination costs (US$ 195,000). The eight projects are: IPM for soil borne pathogens; evaluation of IPM implementation and impact; IPM of weeds; IPM of multihost diseases; agroforestry pests; biotechnology; entomopathology; and crop loss assessment.
TAC Commentary
Centre Programme and Budget
79. TAC endorses IITA's 1997 programme and budget proposal at the level of US$ 23.3 million. TAC is unable to endorse the transfer of new, non-agenda activities to the agreed agenda as they are focused on technology transfer; nor can it endorse the additional recurrent costs of activities transferred in 1995 because information upon which to base a technical decision is inadequate.
Systemwide Programme for the Humid and Subhumid Tropics of Sub-Saharan Africa
80. The humid forest and moist savanna consortia will be launched in April 1996 when the programme's convening centre will be in a position to provide TAC with a comprehensive proposal covering the work of the three consortia. TAC tentatively endorses the coordination costs of US$ 346,000 requested for 1997, subject to a satisfactory proposal being made available to TAC by MTM'96. TAC notes with interest that CIRAD is interested in becoming a co-convenor of the humid forest consortium and FAO a co-convenor of the moist savanna consortium.
Inter-Centre Programme for Integrated Pest Management
81. TAC endorses the 1997 budget request of US$ 400,000 for IPIPM. The Committee considers that the exchange of views and strategies arising from the coordination meetings will stimulate the development and use of IPM among the partners.
· ILRI
Summary of Proposals
Centre Programme and Budget
82. ILRI's 1997 programme and budget proposal requests funding of US$ 31.6 million, US$ 3.7 million above the 1997 funding guideline of US$ 27.9 million which includes a Systemwide programme for livestock. The additional resources are rationalized in terms of the need to facilitate expansion of ILRI's programmes outside of sub-Saharan Africa, in particular for research on mixed crop/livestock systems in Asia. ILRI is requesting three senior staff years to work in collaboration with ICRISAT and IRRI and other senior staff to work with the CIAT-led consortium for smallholder dairy research in Latin America. There will also be a shift of resources in favour of research on rumen microbiology, systems analysis and impact assessment, and animal genetics.
Systemwide Livestock Programme
83. TAC also considered ILRI's 1997 request for the Systemwide Livestock Programme of which it is the convening centre. US$ 4.0 million is requested to support the second year of three-year grants to the CIAT-, ICARDA-, and ICRAF-led consortia, plus the first year of grants to the consortia whose proposals will be approved in the second round of external reviews scheduled in 1996.
TAC Commentary
Centre Programme and Budget
84. TAC considers ILRI's proposal to be in line with the Centre's interim MTP and the previously expressed views of TAC and the CGIAR on the future of livestock research whereby it was recommended that ILRI should expand its SSA-based programmes into global programmes. The Committee also notes that nearly all of the NARS regional fora recently recommended that the CGIAR expand its research on livestock and develop, as soon as possible, programmes in regions other than in Africa. The proposed expansion of work in rumen microbiology is also in line with TAC's recommendations on ILRI's revised strategic and medium-term plans. TAC, therefore, endorses ILRI's request. In doing so, it concurrently urges the Centre to continue to develop its programme strategy in Asia on the basis of the outcome of the SLP workshop planned for April 1996. ILRI should also familiarize itself with the research of bilateral agencies and national research systems on mixed crop/livestock systems in Asia and design its programme to complement and not duplicate their work.
Systemwide Livestock Programme
85. As the projects being undertaken by the three consortia involved in this Systemwide programme were endorsed at TAC 68, the Committee endorses ILRI's 1997 request for this programme.
86. In summary, TAC recommends a 1997 funding envelope for ILRI of US$ 31.6 million for Centre-based and Systemwide Programmes. This recommendation is premised on the assumption that ILRI will supply TAC with programmatic details of its proposed research in Asia as quickly as possible following the outcome of the SLP workshop.
· IPGRI
Summary of Proposals
Centre Programme and Budget
87. The focus of IPGRI's work continues to be on the research and institutional aspects of conservation, evaluation and utilization of plant genetic resources. The Centre's 1997 programme and budget proposal for centre-based work is US$ 18.8 million, US$ 4.3 million above the funding guideline of US$ 14.5 million. The rationale for the requested increase is a proposed transfer to the agreed agenda of 24 non-agenda activities. These include: research on underutilized and neglected crops; research activities carried out in and funded by developed countries and specific country studies of the global project on strengthening the scientific basis of in situ conservation; breeding and disease resistance research and training in the framework of International Musa Testing Programme; research carried out on cryopreservation and Musa viruses; documentation and information activities; and strengthening of banana/plantain network activities in sub-Saharan Africa in collaboration with IITA and ASARECA.
Systemwide Programme on Genetic Resources (SPGR)
88. IPGRI's 1997 programme and budget proposal for SPGR requests US$ 2.0 million, US$ 400,000 greater than the 1996 request. The requested increase is based on the recommendations of the CGIAR Policy Committee on Genetic Resources made at ICW'95, reaffirming the policy role of IPGRI within the CGIAR on legal matters related to genetic resources, and on the Centre's perceived need to strengthen its capacity in this regard.
TAC Commentary
Centre Programme and Budget
89. The Committee endorses IPGRI's 1997 programme and budget proposal at the level of US$ 12.9 million and commends IPGRI's Board and management for providing a clear definition of non-agenda programme activities. TAC notes that the proposed transfer of US$ 4.35 million of non-agenda activities into the 1997 research agenda would increase IPGRI's budget by 24 percent, from US$ 11.1 million to US$ 13.8 million, and that of the banana and plantain network programme by 89 percent, from US$ 1.8 million to US$ 3.4 million. The Committee considers that the non-agenda research activities budgeted at US$ 2.7 million proposed for transfer into the Centre's agreed agenda raises especially weighty issues for the international community. The Committee, therefore, defers a recommendation on the proposed transfer and will revisit the issue at the time it considers IPGRI's MTP and the report of its external programme review.
Systemwide Programme on Genetic Resources
90. TAC endorses the programme and budget proposal of SPGR at a level of US$ 1.6 million. The Committee recognizes the potential value of a policy position on legal issues, but will base its recommendation on the need to set up the proposed policy unit in the context of IPGRI's Medium-Term Plan and the outcome of the current external programme review. One of the basic reasons for the existence of SPGR is the need to ensure that the cross-cutting themes are given top priority. TAC notes that this dimension in the SPGR proposal does not seem to be reflected as explicitly as it has been in the past, and the Committee urges the Inter-Centre Working Group on Genetic Resources to strengthen the cross-cutting analysis work on common denominator issues.
· IRRI
Summary of Proposal
Centre Programme and Budget
91. IRRI's 1997 programme and budget proposal requests US$ 31.3 million, the level of the 1997 funding guideline, in support of the Centre's current agreed research agenda and its participation in the Systemwide programmes for Rice-Wheat and Alternatives to Slash and Bum. In addition, IRRI requests the transfer of six projects budgeted at US$ 2.3 million from complementary to agreed agenda status and new Systemwide initiatives to be resourced at US$ 2.5 million. The work proposed for transfer is comprised of training in biotechnology, upstream nitrogen fixation research, and cooperation with NARS on preserving rice biodiversity. The proposed new initiatives are: technology exchange and evaluation, application of integrated pest management to diseases in diversified cropping systems, and an ecoregional approach to research and development. The last named initiative, previously endorsed by TAC, proposes new thematic work to improve knowledge analytical tools, and production techniques and incentives for more efficient management and use of the natural resources base in agricultural production.
TAC Commentary
Centre Programme and Budget
92. TAC finds IRRI's programme and budget proposal to be consistent with the broad directions of the Centre's Medium-Term Plan. The Committee endorses it at the level of US$ 34.3 million, including the proposed transfers from complementary to the agreed agenda, and participation in existing Systemwide initiatives. The Committee considers the six projects proposed for inclusion in the agreed agenda as meeting TAC's criteria for changes in the 1997 funding envelope. The following projects are endorsed for transfer: Asian Rice Biotechnology Network - From Products to Impact (US$ 0.43 million); Asian Rice Biotechnology Network - Yield Stability for New High-Yielding Rices (US$ 0.33 million); Rainfed Lowland Rice Ecosystem Research (US$ 0.30 million); A Sustainable System for the Uplands - Developing a Perennial Upland Rice (US$ 0.29 million); Assessing Opportunities for Nitrogen Fixation in Rice (US$ 0.31 million); Safeguarding and Preservation of the Biodiversity of the Rice Genepool (US$ 0.65 million).
An Ecoregional Approach to Research and Development in the Humid and Subhumid Tropics and Sub-Tropics of Asia
93. TAC endorses this proposed programme as being consistent with IRRI's earlier proposals, also endorsed by the Committee. The two themes proposed for work merit support during 1997. TAC recommends support to the initiative at the level of US$ 700,000 during 1997 as requested by IRRI, the convenor of the initiative.
Technology Exchange and Evaluation
94. TAC finds this an interesting proposal that would involve an expansion of ongoing activities of INGER and CREMNET, both of which are in the agreed research agenda. As the request for expansion cannot be justified on the basis of the CGIAR Secretariat's guidelines for changes in the 1997 funding envelope, the Committee cannot endorse this request.
Applying IPM to Diseases in Diversified Cropping Systems
95. Subsequent to submitting this proposal, it was integrated in the Inter-Centre Programme for IPM for which IITA serves as the convening centre. IRRI's proposal is, therefore, not considered by TAC as a separate request.
· ISNAR
Summary of Proposal
Centre Programme and Budget
96. ISNAR's 1997 programme and budget proposal requests funding of US$ 10.8 million, an increase of US$ 0.8 million above the 1997 funding guideline of US$ 10.0 million. The rationale for the proposed increase is the greater priority being placed on regional approaches to research priority setting and management by the NARS and the CGIAR and is well in line with the System's criteria for changes in the funding guideline. ISNAR played a major role in 1996 in helping to organize the NARS regional fora and anticipates requests in 1997 for assistance in strengthening regional NARS organizations in priority setting, NARS-NARS relationships, and the development of regional organizations. The Centre's 1997 project portfolio reflects activities in these areas. ISNAR also proposes that TAC's 1996 allocation of US$ 0.67 million for the Systemwide Agricultural Indicators Initiative which the Centre is undertaking jointly with IFPRI be extended into 1997 to permit the two centres to attract the requisite funding for the design phase.
TAC Commentary
Centre Programme and Budget
97. In considering ISNAR's request, TAC is mindful of the recommendations of the strategic studies of institution strengthening and policy/management research which emphasized the need for research on the requirements of NARS' institutional development using techniques drawn from management science and for development and dissemination of methodological tools for research organization and management. The need for ISNAR to accelerate the shift in its activities from services to research and development was a key recommendation of both reviews. In addition, TAC is cognizant of the priority which the various NARS regional fora have placed on mid-career professional training, including in the area of management science.
98. TAC, therefore, tentatively recommends an increase of US$ 0.6 million in ISNAR's funding envelope subject to receiving at TAC 70 a more developed programmatic rationale for the proposed regionalization thrust. ISNAR's proposal should justify whether this thrust should be funded by new and additional resources or might better be folded into the stripe reviews' recommendations for a shift toward research-based approaches to institutional development and NARS fora priority to mid-career professional training in management science, i.e., with a corresponding reduction in ISNAR's traditional service functions. The Centre should also explain the proposed utilization of the requested increase for regionalization work beyond the projects identified in the portfolio.
99. With respect to the Agricultural Indicators Initiative, TAC reiterates its endorsement of this joint IFPRI-ISNAR activity and expects it to proceed. To improve its utility TAC recommends that the research include a component on the performance and impact of national research systems, particularly those that have undergone reform. The allocation has been included in the 1997 funding envelope of the convening centre, IFPRI.
100. TAC tentatively recommends a 1997 funding envelope for ISNAR of US$ 10.6 million subject to the conditions noted above.
· WARDA
Summary of Proposal
Centre Programme and Budget
101. WARDA's 1997 programme and budget proposal requests US$ 8.7 million, an increase of US$ 1.3 million above the 1997 funding guideline of US$ 7.4 million. The rationale for the requested increase in the Centre's agreed research agenda is the need for increased work on improved mechanisms for priority setting and impact assessment, and adjusted research priorities.
TAC Commentary
Centre Programme and Budget
102. TAC considers WARDA's 1997 programme and budget proposal to be consistent with the overall strategic directions of its Medium-Term Plan and endorses it at the level of US$ 7.84 million. Of the proposed increases in the Centre's agreed research agenda, TAC finds the following to be consistent with TAC's criteria for changes in the 1997 funding envelope: (1) New Weed Competitive Plant Types for Resource-Poor Farmers (US$ 133,000); (2) Integrated Management of Rice Yellow Mottle Virus in Lowland Ecosystems (US$ 155,000); (3) Ex Ante Impact Assessment (US$ 85,000); (4) Ex Post Impact Assessment (US$ 67,000).
103. TAC does not endorse WARDA's other requested increases as they are inconsistent with TAC's criteria for changes in the 1997 funding envelope.
104. The Committee also notes WARDA's project 13 (US$ 453,000) on reducing human health risks in lowland rice ecosystems which is currently being conducted as a non-agenda item. Given the high rating that this type of work is now given in CGIAR priorities, TAC considers that as soon as possible in the future it should become part of the CGIAR agreed research agenda.
105. This item was introduced by the TAC Chair who tabled for consideration against the background of the medium-term resource allocation process for 1998-2000 a draft of TAC's Report on CGIAR Priorities and Strategies. He reviewed the steps in the process of TAC's priority setting exercise, the analytical framework employed, and the initial results.
106. The Chair noted that the process had been characterized by broad consultation with the Group, the Centre Board Chairs' and Centre Directors' Committees, and the NARS regional fora. Sections of the draft had benefitted from comments by Centre Directors. The report's analytical framework was based on activities, sectors, commodities and Systemwide work. The point of departure for TAC's recommendations on a new pattern of resource allocation for the System's major undertakings - increasing productivity, protecting the environment, saving biodiversity, improving policies, and strengthening national programmes - remained the 1997 allocations, adjusted to reflect the CGIAR's current priorities for poverty alleviation and natural resource conservation in developing countries.
107. In considering the draft report, particular attention was paid to the outcomes of the NARS regional fora. The Committee heard reports from Dr. Richard Musangi who attended the sub-Saharan Africa and West Asia/North Africa fora, Dr. Lucia de Vaccaro who attended the Latin America/Caribbean fora, Dr. Stein Bie who attended the Asia Pacific forum, and Dr. Maria Zimmermann who attended a forestry NARS consultation sponsored by CIFOR. It also weighed the results of a questionnaire administered by the TAC Secretariat which attempted to elicit quantitative and qualitative information on NARS priorities at national and regional levels. TAC benefited from the insights these efforts yielded into, among other things, the priority NARS attached to capacity building in new or advanced technologies, to increased production as a primary concern of national programmes, and to the role of export and cash crops in poverty alleviation.
108. The Committee deliberated on the draft Report addressing the future balance of priority to activities by means of qualitative judgement taking into account implications for poverty and changes in science or alternative sources of supply affecting probabilities of success. A set of recommendations was prepared.
109. A quantitative analysis was undertaken by the TAC Secretariat of the relative importance of commodities in the CGIAR's portfolio based on their estimated, poverty-modified value of production in 2010. A similar approach was used to rebalance priorities by sectors. TAC will finalize its recommendations on commodities (guided by the Group's findings on activities) after working with centres to develop their medium-term plans. Consideration will be given to the poor, resource conservation, alternative sources of supply (NARS, advanced research institutions, and NGOs), to the elements shaping the probability of success and potential impact of research, and to working relationships with other institutes. The final statement on production sectors also awaits interaction with the centres. However, TAC favours more work on livestock, forestry and fisheries.
110. Finally, TAC formulated its views on the future of Systemwide activities, ecoregional and thematic, based on considerations of value-added versus transactions costs; mechanisms for their future review and evaluation were also formulated.
111. Following these deliberations, TAC made decisions on finalizing the Report for submission to the Group at MTM'96.
112. The Chair recognized Dr. Ted Henzell, co-convenor with Dr. Hans Gregersen of this strategic study. Dr. Henzell presented the final draft report of the study as revised in the light of comments made on an earlier draft at TAC 68.
113. The study reconfirmed that strengthening research on natural resources management (NRM) and environmental issues was needed in the CGIAR. The necessary conditions of the System's undertaking such research were that it be linked explicitly to the goals of poverty alleviation and food security and address both the on-site and off-site effects of agriculture, forestry, or fisheries. While it was desirable for the CGIAR's research to take into account the goal of environmental conservation per se, reliance for this aspect should be placed on alternative suppliers. The study concluded that there was need to improve the state of information on land and water degradation and its impacts on agricultural, forestry, and fisheries production; to develop an integrated natural resources management research framework and focus such work on explicit issues, among them, those related to water resources; and to develop uniform and consistent criteria for judging priorities for NRM activities/research in the CGIAR centres and programmes. The study recommended that the System develop improved collaborative mechanisms for centres to undertake NRM-related research with other partners and to focus increased research and institution strengthening on issues related to adoption, adaptation, and utilization of existing NRM technologies and knowledge. The report and related background papers will be made available to the Group at MTM'96, together with the Committee's recommendations, as input to the review of CGIAR priorities and strategies.
114. The Chair thanked Dr. Henzell for his presentation and opened the floor for discussion by TAC Members and observers.
115. In the ensuing discussion, the paper's emphasis on off-site effects was strongly endorsed. While the idea of making the System's NRM research demand-driven was also supported, it was suggested this should not exclude inquiry into issues or problems of which policymakers might as yet be unaware. Work on the socioeconomic causes of natural resource degradation was singled out as being of possibly even greater significance than research on direct measures to conserve soil and water. In this context, the need for policy research on NRM, particularly as policies affect socioeconomic and institutional constraints to better management, was stressed. The need to focus NRM research more sharply on the management of carbon stocks within the soil and landscape was emphasized; this was seen as crucial to achieving breakthroughs in the fertility of low resource systems and in maintaining the energy efficiency of high resource systems. Finally, it was suggested that the links between soil and water management and human health be incorporated into the study's strategic framework.
116. The Chair concluded TAC's consideration of the study by reflecting the consensus of the Members on the following key points: the current level of the CGIAR's investment in NRM research was about right, but needed to be rebalanced in the strategic directions recommended by the study; the use of an ecoregional approach to such research combining the socioeconomic, biological, and physical sciences was endorsed, as was the emphasis on greater balance of attention to on-site and off-site benefits and costs; the need for work on the quantity and extent of resource degradation was confirmed; and the desirability of clarifying our understanding of the institutional factors making for successful natural resources management was endorsed.
117. The draft report would now be finalized by the Secretariat for discussion at MTM'96.
TAC Commentary on the Strategic Study of Harvest and Postharvest Research
118. The Chair recognized Sir Ralph Riley who presented on behalf of the Panel Chair, Dr. Michael Arnold (United Kingdom), the draft report of a study, commissioned at TAC 67, which focused on priorities and strategies for CGIAR postharvest technology research.
119. The study found that current CGIAR postharvest research was closely related to centre mandates and primarily involved genetic improvement of quality and storage characteristics of food commodities. Adopting the framework of a production-consumption continuum, the study suggested that the productivity emphasis of current research be complemented by work on efficiency in product utilization; it specifically recommended that the CGIAR give greater priority to the harvest and postharvest components of this continuum. It urged that centres review and strengthen where necessary their capacities for designing and implementing such research and work collaboratively with other centres, national research organizations, advanced research institutions, and the private sector in carrying it out. A Systemwide programme was recommended as a means of moving this work forward, together with a strengthening of the monitoring and evaluation of harvest and postharvest research through existing review mechanisms.
120. The Chair thanked Dr. Riley for his presentation and opened the floor for discussion by TAC Members and observers.
121. In the ensuing discussion, it was observed that because postharvest research is commodity-specific, primary responsibility for its conduct would be expected to rest with local institutions having a comparative advantage in the specific commodity. Given this specificity and the NARS-based demand for it, a Systemwide initiative did not seem to be warranted although there was need to encourage cross-centre collaboration. The report contained little reference to postharvest processing of forest products; there was need to acknowledge the work of CIFOR and ICRAF in this area and involve them in follow-up to the report's recommendations. More emphasis was needed on the problem of the increase in food costs due to wastage/spoilage. There was scope for featuring more prominently the gender dimension of postharvest technology improvement, as it might alleviate the lot of poor women through improved food preservation and cooking techniques. It was suggested that postharvest research should not necessarily be conducted exclusively by CGIAR Centres, but should take advantage of the existing capacity in the private sector and advanced research institutes with whom the centres should network. The study might have emphasized more than it did the need for research on problems of food safety and contamination. Finally, there was consensus that the level of the CGIAR's investment in postharvest technology research did not necessarily need to be increased but rebalanced to address issues identified in the study.
122. After further consideration, TAC made the following Commentary on the draft report:
123. TAC expresses its appreciation to the Panel for a thoughtful and clearly written strategic report, especially for its development of the notion of the production-consumption continuum. It wishes, in particular, to thank Dr. Mike Arnold, Panel Chair, for conducting the study in an innovative and cost-effective manner. TAC wishes to acknowledge that this was possible because of the excellent cooperation that was extended to the Panel by the CGIAR Centres as well as a range of other organizations.
124. The report makes a useful contribution to the current deliberations on CGIAR research priorities and strategies which must address the CGIAR goal of sustainable food security. This calls for a strategy that aims towards maximizing utilizable production to meet the growing rural and urban demand for cheap food.
125. The report identifies a number of important strategic issues that need to be taken into account in relation to CGIAR support for research on harvest and postharvest problems. TAC is generally in agreement with the recommendations of the Panel. The Committee offers the following commentary which provides additional perspectives which must be taken into account in interpreting the Panel's conclusions and recommendations.
Production-consumption continuum
126. TAC welcomes the recommendation to give greater emphasis to the harvest and postharvest components of the production-consumption continuum. It considers that to achieve sustainable food security, increasing volumes of produce of acceptable quality will need to be delivered to a diversity of end users. Many kinds of loss and wastage will need to be reduced to help in lowering food prices to different consumers along the rural-urban transect. In this regard the Committee agrees with the Panel's conclusion that only through a much broader perspective can the deficiencies in research be fully assessed and appropriate steps be taken to ensure that gaps in the continuum are filled and opportunities created for income generation by adding value.
Role of the CGIAR
127. TAC believes that the nature of the production-consumption continuum is different for each product, and is conditioned by a variety of factors. These range from the nature of the relationship of the products to the plants and animals from which they are derived through to the degree of handling and processing required as the products move into the market. Therefore, while TAC is in favour of the CGIAR accepting the responsibility for filling appropriate gaps in the continuum, it agrees with the Panel that the CGIAR must move selectively.
128. This means that each Centre with a commodity mandate must have the capacity to identify bottlenecks in the continuum, and take appropriate action. This, in some cases, would require the Centre to find an in-house solution to a particular bottleneck or, in other cases, give other agencies opportunities to contribute. In undertaking the diagnostic research, each Centre will need to judge, on the basis of the socioeconomic conditions surrounding the production-consumption continuum, how to prioritize the type of research it should promote. TAC believes that contributions to market research could be made by local NGOs and NARS, and that market components should be studied in relation to local policy. Similarly, local institutions could make a contribution to research using indigenous knowledge and at the same time identify gender related issues in post-production processing. Indeed the notion of the production-consumption continuum will greatly aid the recognition of the role of women in harvest and postharvest activities and could have a great impact on the welfare of women and children.
Systemwide strategy and inter-centre collaboration
129. TAC agrees with the Panel's conclusion that there is a need for a CGIAR strategy which could ensure that appropriate mechanisms are in place for the Centres to identify harvest and postharvest problems. TAC would like 10 see that Centres by working together would evolve informal coordinating mechanisms. TAC does not believe that there is a need for a centrally organized initiative leading to a Systemwide programme. However, it would be useful to know annually how much Centres are investing in harvest and postharvest research. TAC therefore will strengthen the monitoring and evaluation of harvest and postharvest research through the existing mechanisms of internal and external reviews, and of resource allocation.
Role of the private sector
130. TAC believes that the private sector has a crucial role in finding solutions to some postharvest problems especially where there is a large supply of feed stock to process and where complex procedures are used. Local entrepreneurs with indigenous knowledge will also frequently be highly effective.
CGIAR mission statement and activity categories
131. The Panel has proposed that the present CGIAR mission statement as well as the definitions of Category 1 "increasing productivity" and Category 4 "socioeconomic, public policy and public management research" be revised explicitly to take account of the greater weight to be given to the harvest and postharvest parts of the production-consumption continuum. TAC will examine these suggestions when it considers whether review of the mission statement should be recommended to the CGIAR in relation to priorities and strategies for 1998 to 2000.
132. The Chair recognized Dr. Ammar Siamwalla who presented the final draft report of this strategic study synthesizing the results of the TAC-commissioned reviews of institution strengthening and public policy/management research in the CGIAR. While both fields of research had generally received favourable assessments by their respective reviews, a number of suggestions had been made to improve their focus, effectiveness, and impact. Among other things, the synthesis study recommended that the System's mandate on research policy and management be broadened to include the role of private organizations particularly as they interface with the public sector; that policy and management research incorporate the perspectives of the new institutional economics and political economy; and that institution strengthening research address the requirements of NARS' institutional development. The study also recommended ways of improving inter-centre coordination of the System's policy/management and institution strengthening research.
133. The Chair thanked Dr. Siamwalla for his presentation and opened the floor for discussion by TAC Members and observers.
134. In the ensuing discussion, emphasis was given to the need to incorporate management science into the CGIAR's institution strengthening efforts on behalf of the national systems. It was recognized that the difficulty in doing so lay in adapting generic concepts of organization and institution building to the technical programmes which characterize the CGIAR's partners in the developing world. However, it was noted that the NARS regional fora had generally voiced demand for such expertise and there was consensus that the study's recommendation on this point should be reinforced. Attention was also given to the question of inter-centre coordination of policy research. As the study had envisaged no need for a Systemwide initiative to accomplish this task, TAC recommended the establishment of cooperative policy research guidelines, and possibly an inter-centre working group on policy research to improve such coordination.
135. TAC commented on and generally endorsed the study's recommendations in the text of the synthesis report itself, qualifying or amplifying them where necessary. The Committee finalized the synthesis study and recommended that it would be submitted to the Group for discussion at MTM'96 together with both panel reports.
136. The Chair recognized Sir Ralph Riley who introduced this item as Chair of TAC's Standing Committee for External Reviews.
137. Sir Ralph reported on TAC's planning for the 1996 external review of ICRISAT which will be chaired by Dr. Ronnie Coffman (USA), Associate Dean for Research, Cornell University; the 1996-97 review of IPGRI which will be chaired by Dr. Calvin Qualset (USA), Director, Genetic Resources Conservation Programme, University of California, Davis; and the 1996 review of ISNAR which will be chaired by Dr. Samuel Paul (India), Chairman, Public Affairs Centre, Bangalore. He noted that the chair for the 1996-97 review of IFPRI remained to be determined. He informed TAC that future external reviews were scheduled for IRRI, CIFOR and CIMMYT in 1997, and ICLARM and ILRI for 1998.
138. TAC's planning for the strategic studies on Marginal Lands and on CGIAR Commitments in Latin America was progressing. The Marginal Lands study will be conducted by Dr. Michael Nelson (New Zealand) supported by a small group of consultants and resource persons. It will be conducted in 1996 in two phases: an information gathering preparatory phase from April to July, and a main phase from August to November. The draft report of the study will be discussed at TAC 71. Plans for the Latin America study were being formulated in the light of the outcome of the recent NARS consultations for Latin America and the Caribbean. TAC's study would be undertaken following completion of the review of regional priorities by the Latin America NARS regional forum and the development of its action plan for strengthening relations with the CGIAR. TAC will identify a panel chair at TAC 70; the study will be launched after ICW'96.
139. The Chair thanked Sir Ralph and the Standing Committee members for their efforts. TAC endorsed the Committee's report. In discussion of this item, the Chair of the Centre Directors' Committee emphasized the need to develop mechanisms to link Centre Commissioned External Reviews to EPMRs. The Standing Committee planned to report on this matter at TAC 70.
140. The Chair recognized Mr. Gordon MacNeil of the CGIAR Secretariat who presented a financial overview of centre requests for Systemwide initiatives and programmes in 1997. This was followed by a presentation by Dr. Henzell sharing TAC's thinking on issues pertaining to future funding arrangements for and management and evaluation of Systemwide activities as part of TAC's review of priorities and strategies.
141. Mr. MacNeil indicated that the base budget for the CGIAR's 1997 research agenda was US$ 293 million. The aggregate request for Systemwide activities in 1997 was US$ 23 million, which would be a net increase over 1996 of US$ 16.4 million for such activities.
142. Dr. Henzell's presentation emphasized the distinction between the two phases of Systemwide activities that had informed TAC's thinking on the structure and sequencing of these enterprises: the design or initiative phase and the implementation or programme phase. There was need for greater consistency in CGIAR funding arrangements for these phases. It was proposed that initiative design costs be included in a column of the matrix of the CGIAR's agreed research agenda. For Systemwide programmes, it was recommended that the additional transaction costs of coordinating programmes be added to and identified in centre budgets. Under special circumstances, TAC would endorse funding for research and research-related costs of such programmes. It was also recommended that, in the absence of compelling new arguments, no new Systemwide ecoregional activities be added until the current ones had been evaluated and the ecoregional approach assessed. While a more flexible approach was recommended to endorsing future disciplinary-focused initiatives in order to strengthen the CGIAR's work in specific areas such as postharvest technology or natural resources management, such new initiatives would be the exception rather than the rule. Finally, it was recommended that TAC create a Standing Committee to evaluate Systemwide activities during the 1998-2000 period.
143. The Chair thanked Drs. McNeil and Henzell for their presentations. There being no comments from the floor, the Chair closed this item by reiterating that TAC proposed to assess the relative costs and benefits of Systemwide activities before endorsing their further expansion. The specific recommendations tabled in this session would be given further consideration by the Committee as it deliberated on the priorities and strategies report.
144. The Chair then recognized Dr. David Seckler, Director General of IIMI, who presented a revised proposal, as requested by TAC 68, for an Inter-Centre Initiative on Water Management (ICIWM). TAC considered this request in the context of its review of centre programme and budget proposals. (See Agenda Item 2).
145. TAC reconfirmed and/or amended dates and venues for the following meetings:
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TAC 70: |
30 July-6 August 1996, CIAT, Cali, Colombia |
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TAC 71: |
25-30 November 1996, ILRI, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
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TAC 72: |
20-28 March 1997, FAO, Rome, Italy |
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TAC 73: |
14-19 July 1997, ICRISAT, Hyderabad, India |
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TAC 74: |
24-29 November 1997, CIMMYT, Mexico City, Mexico |
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TAC 75: |
24-28 March 1998, FAO, Rome |
146. The Committee heard presentations by two centres requesting TAC's endorsement of requests for expansion of their respective programmes. Dr. John Dillon, Board Chair, and Dr. Meryl Williams, Director General, of ICLARM, jointly presented a revised proposal for an expansion of that Centre's work into the WANA and sub-Saharan Africa regions. Dr. Seckler presented a revised IIMI proposal for additional resources to support and expand that Centre's core scientific staff TAC considered and made decisions on these requests in the context of its consideration of centres' 1997 Programme and Budget Proposals. (See Agenda Item 2).
147. During the course of TAC 69, the Committee interacted with the CGIAR's NGO Committee. The discussions were led by Ambassador Robert Blake, Co-Chair of the NGO Committee, and by the TAC Chair. Ambassador Blake presented to TAC the origins of the NGO Committee, its mandate, membership and schedule of forthcoming activities. He noted that TAC had a special role to play in encouraging an expanded role for NGOs in working with centres and outlined a number of specific actions that could be taken. He also explained the differences between NGOs and centre cultures.
148. In the ensuing discussion, TAC Members generally agreed that there was a lot to be gained through a better collaboration of centres with NGOs. The questions was how it could best be operationalized. They expressed frustration about the number and diversity of NGOs, making it difficult to identify those NGOs with whom centres could most usefully collaborate. It was suggested that the NGO Committee provide names to the CGIAR's Candidate Information Service (CIS) to help identify NGO staff who might serve on centre Boards or external reviews.
149. Considerable discussion also took place on the implications of the CGIAR's emphasis on international strategic research for work with NGOs. NGOs worked directly with farmers and there were, therefore, a lot of opportunities for fruitful collaboration.
150. Other themes discussed were collaboration with northern NGOs, importance of farmer improvement and the special nature of African NGOs.
