This is the final report of the Inter-Centre Review of Root and Tuber Crops Research in the CGIAR. The standing panel members for this Inter-Centre Review were Drs. Evert Jacobsen, David R. MacKenzie (chair), Donald Plucknett, and Carlos Sere. Their addresses can be found in Appendix 1 of this report.
This study is one of a set of studies being conducted for the TAC priority setting process. Each of these commissioned studies will undoubtedly use different procedures, but each report is expected to provide a set of recommendations to TAC, based on the best possible information and analysis.
The detailed terms of reference for this Inter-Centre Review are shown in Appendix 2. The panel's approach to this Inter-Centre Review was been an open, participatory, issues-based investigation of the opportunities for inter-Centre research collaboration on the root and tuber crops mandated within the CG System. The timing for this Inter-Centre Review was planned to closely follow the External Program and Management Reviews (EPMR) of the International Agricultural Research Centers (IARC) engaged in root and tuber crops research (CIP, CIAT, and IITA). The process used by the standing panel was a three-and-one-half day workshop, held at the University of Maryland, in College Park, Maryland, U.S.A. May 30 - June 2, 1995, with participation from selected members of the root and tuber crops research community having experience relevant to the topics being studied. Representatives from five IARCs, several international consultants, some research management experts, and a meeting facilitator provided the panel with extraordinarily rich sources of information for the review.
The standing panel also had access to extensive documentation developed for the three EPMRs, as well as specifically drafted documents prepared by the participating Centres, entitled, "Issues and Options Papers" (see Appendix 3). In these papers the Centres provided descriptions of the purpose and the extent of collaboration by discrete activities; research collaboration mechanisms; benefits accrued to the Centre and the System as a whole from the collaborations; suggestions as to what further inter-Centre strategies might be followed in future collaborative projects; and suggestions on how best to promote and initiate more effective inter-Centre collaboration on root and tuber crops research. Centres were also asked to provide documentation on the impact and benefits of root and tuber crops research, ex ante and ex post, and to evaluate their institutional comparative advantages vis-a-vis non-CGIAR institutions. Other topics requested of the participating Centres were evaluations of existing structural efficiencies, and any perceived advantages and disadvantages of restructuring research staff, facilities, and services in support of current and future root and tuber crops research in the CGIAR. The primary goal of the latter point was to look at gaining greater efficiency of CGIAR investments in root and tuber crops research. Finally, the participating Centres were invited to provide expressions of program priorities, and their views on the likely consequences of reducing or eliminating some ongoing or planned program activities that they judged to be of lower priority.
Following the submission of a progress report to TAC in July 1995, the TAC Secretariat undertook: 1) a desk study, entitled "Global Production and Consumption of Root and Tubers" (October 1995) and; 2) an aide memoire entitled "Overview of Research on Root and Tuber Crops Conducted Outside of the Ambit of the CGIAR" (October 1995). These two documents are presented as Appendix 4 and Appendix 5, respectively.
In addition to these reports, the standing panel's Chair interviewed specialists in resource allocation and technology assessment, and reviewed scholarly literature seeking to find alternative analytical procedures that could be used to address the comments prepared by TAC in response to the July 1995 progress report.
The perspectives derived from the pre-conference documentation, from the participants in the workshop, and from the post conference papers were used to evaluate issues, analyze options, and develop recommendations for this final report. This study did not undertake any country field visits, inasmuch as these perspectives were provided through the experience of participation in the EPMRs.
One acknowledged weakness of the process was the lack of representation by National Agricultural Research System (NARS) scientists. This omission was a conscious decision, based on the following rationale.
Extensive contact with NARS scientists was provided through the previously conducted three EPMRs, with each review particularly focused by their terms of reference on opportunities for partnership and for the devolution of research programs. This information was used as a resource by the panel in evaluating various options in this Inter-Centre Review. The panel believes, therefore, that NARS perspectives have been adequately included in this study. The panel anticipates that subsequent steps to this Inter-Centre Review may include evaluation of the recommendations by NARS representatives. This would, then, "close the loop" through a broader representation of NARS than would have been possible by including a very limited number of NARS scientists in the Root and Tuber Crops Research workshop.
Collectively, this study has been able to obtain information, documentation, and perspectives sufficient to forward with confidence the analysis and recommendations contained in this final report. It is hoped that this report will be useful to TAC in evaluating the priorities and options for root and tuber crops research in the CGIAR.
