TAC extends its appreciation to the Chairman, Dr. David MacKenzie, and members
of the panel for their report. The panel completed its work within a tight time
schedule and was able to draw on experiences gained from the external reviews
of CIP, CIAT and IITA. The panel is commended for employing a participatory
workshop forum which was attended by representatives of five centres (CIP, CIAT,
IITA, IPGRI and IFPRI), and outside specialists to identify key issues of importance
to root and tuber crops research in the CGIAR.
TAC considers that despite the unforeseen difficulty encountered by the panel due to the lack of generally accepted production and consumption data, the panel has done a commendable job of identifying issues relevant to priority setting, and to Systemwide planning, coordination and operations.
TAC offers the following comments to bring this review to a close, and to facilitate the follow-up action on future inter-centre collaboration as well as on TAC's work on research priorities and strategies for root and tuber crops.
Inter- Centre Committee on Root and Tuber Crops Research. The external reviews of CIP, CIAT, and IITA highlighted the positive history of collaboration among the centres, and the benefits and recognitions that have been derived from such collaboration. TAC therefore welcomes any move which would further improve the coherence of CGIAR's research on root and tuber crops, and make greater use of complementarities among the three centres concerned. TAC supports the panel's recommendation that an informal Inter-Centre Committee on Root and Tuber Crops Research be formed provided that the centres remain convinced that it adds value to root and tuber crops research in the CGIAR. TAC notes that the centres are in agreement with the recommendation and the proposed terms of reference, and considers that the Inter-Centre Committee mechanism should certainly be tried out and a genuine effort made for it to work effectively.
TAC notes the recommended agenda of work for the Inter-Centre Committee, including the development of a Systemwide strategy for root and tuber crops research. TAC looks forward to receiving reports of the recommended studies and inquiries under the aegis of the Inter-Centre Committee, and will see their effects through the normal process of annual programme and budget submissions, centre-commissioned external reviews, and external programme and management reviews.
Postharvest Technology. TAC agrees with the panel that the pattern of consumption can be altered (e.g., via price effects) through the development of new technologies in areas such as food processing. TAC considers that the recommendation regarding partnership with AROs, NARS and the private sector on the characterization of starch and flour, on food processing technology and on market research needs to be followed up through the proposed postharvest technology and market working group. TAC requests the relevant centres to interact with the broader TAC study currently being conducted on postharvest technology research in the CGIAR.
Research Partnership with the Private Sector. TAC concurs with the panel that considerable opportunity exists for the development of improved cultivars for processing and for new products based on genetically-enhanced root and tuber quality and storage potential. As the panel points out, this is not a trivial consideration, but one that demands considerable evaluation, analysis and strategy. Moreover, it is likely to require strong cooperation between the public and private sector, while at the same time the protection of the intellectual property rights of the CGIAR's investments. The committee therefore endorses the spirit of the recommendation to encourage more private sector research partnerships, and requests that the recommendation be considered by the CGIAR Private Sector Committee, as well as by the broader TAC study on postharvest technology research.
Technology Transfer Activities. TAC considers that there is a convincing case for the three centres concerned with root and tuber crops research to engage in technology transfer activities aimed at overcoming constraints to the dissemination of improved cultivars. The external reviews of CIP, CIAT and IITA have shown that such activities are needed before extension can proceed, and cannot be supplied by other sources. TAC is of the opinion that the three centres concerned are aware of the need to engage in such technology transfer activities, but would caution the centres not to become a provider of technical assistance for which there exist more effective international and national development agencies.
Passing the CGIAR Sweet Potato Programme to a Strong NARS. TAC considers that the six guideline criteria provided by the review to judge the merits and demerits of passing a particular research programme or activity to a NARS are sound and useful but incomplete (e.g., whether national systems should be expected to use national funds to generate international public goods). Moreover, the criteria apply in the context of seeking new partnerships rather than seeking alternative suppliers, and there are additional considerations such as cost efficiencies, funding availability, geographical priorities, etc. that must be taken into account before a firm decision can be reached. Nonetheless, in the case of sweet potato, CIP should continue to explore opportunities for strategic partnerships with the Chinese Agricultural Research System, based on the proposed criteria and other considerations. Such a partnership, if successful, might permit a reduction in the commitment of CIP to sweet potato research.
Biotechnology. TAC considers that the use of advanced biotechnology research on potato is currently well developed in AROs, and care needs to be taken not to duplicate this research. The Committee considers that within the CGIAR the development of technologies for safe and economically viable vegetative propagation, especially for cassava, is an important area for inter-centre cooperation.
Data. The review has highlighted the need for generally accepted data to assist in setting future priorities for root and tuber crops. This deficiency needs to be put right and TAC would request the Inter-Centre Committee to take the responsibility of reconciling the available data from the different sources. TAC is pleased to note that CIP has taken steps to reconcile its database on potato with that of FAO through a joint publication, and would request that other root and tuber crops be covered in a similar fashion.
