226. The Chair recognized Dr. Gregersen, Chair of the Standing Committee for External Reviews, to introduce this item.
227. Dr. Gregersen reported on the progress of planning for external reviews of ICRISAT, IPGRI, IFPRI, and ISNAR which will be initiated during 1996. He also reported on the status of planning for other reviews and studies, including CGIAR Commitments in Latin America, Cereals Research in the CGIAR, Postharvest Technology, and CGIAR Investments in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas.
228. Dr. Muchnik, co-convenor with Dr. Gregersen of the TAC Stripe Study on Strategic Perspectives on Public Policy and Public Management Research, then presented a progress report on the status of that study which was being conducted by a panel chaired by Dr. Alain de Janvry. The purpose of the study was to assess the potential for organizing a systemwide programme in public policy and management research with a view to improving coordination of such research in the CGIAR System. Dr. Muchnik briefly noted the some key issues which the study was addressing, i.e., the optimal division of labour within the System for policy/management research, with particular attention to the roles of IFPRI and ISNAR; the CGIAR's comparative advantage in this field in relation to other suppliers; and the rationale for a possible systemwide initiative. The Panel met in The Hague on 27-28 April 1995 and would meet again on 2-3 August 1995 in Santiago, Chile. A copy of the Panel's progress report was circulated to TAC Members. The report will be finalized and presented at TAC 68.
229. There was brief comment on Dr. Muchnik's report, focusing in particular on the specific role of the CGIAR vis-à-vis that of other organizations involved in policy research. The Chair then brought the discussion of this item to a close by observing that since many Centres were investing in policy research, it was important to ask whether such research should be conducted Systemwide, and how the specific role of the CGIAR related to that of other policy research institutes. TAC would welcome comments on this question from the Centres.
230. After further consideration, the Committee asked the Secretariat to initiate studies on postharvest technology and CGIAR investments in marginal areas. TAC also requested the Secretariat to organise, in consultation with ICRISAT, a review of the impact of ICRISAT's crop improvement programmes in the semi-arid areas of West Africa and of opportunities for transfer of research work on production systems and management to NARS of the region. Such a review had been recommended by the Panel which conducted a study of CGIAR Commitments in West Africa. The review should be conducted in preparation for the Fourth External Programme and Management Review of ICRISAT due in 1996. The implementation of studies on CGIAR cereals research and on CGIAR commitments in Latin America and the Caribbean would be delayed until after completion of the report of CGIAR Priorities and Strategies in May 1996.
