CORNELL UNIVERSITY
|
Agricultural Experiment Station |
245 Roberts Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853 |
|
United States Department of Agriculture |
Telephone: 607-255-2554 |
|
Office for Research |
Facsimile: 607-255-9499 |
|
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences |
Internet: [email protected] |
17 December, 1996
Dr. Donald Winkelmann
Chair
Technical Advisory Committee
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
355 East Palace Avenue
Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
Mr. Alexander von der Osten
Executive Secretary
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
The World Bank
1818 H. Street, NW
Washington, DC 20433, USA
Dear Dr. Winkelmann and Mr. von der Osten,
It is my privilege to transmit to you this Report of the Fourth External Programme and Management Review Panel which was appointed to assess the performance of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), and suggest future directions for the Institute. The Panel has reviewed, as requested, both the programme and management aspects of the Institute.
As the Report makes clear, this Review has come at a challenging time for ICRISAT. After nearly a quarter century of dedicated service, the Institute is at a crossroads, and in need of a transformation. The Panel has recommended that ICRISAT must be revitalized to become a 'magnet centre' of excellence, to address the challenges and opportunities it is now faced with. This 'new' ICRISAT, with its unique international germplasm collections, would rely on cutting-edge science in the fast-evolving fields of genetics, biotechnology and natural resources management, coupled with strengthened partnerships with its many collaborators, particularly NARS.
The Panel recognizes the challenges inherent in the course it has recommended for ICRISAT. The programmatic and institutional changes called for are fundamental and, we believe, deserving of unequivocal support from the CGIAR. The Panel is confident that the Institute can successfully carry out the necessary transformation provided timely action is taken by the Board on establishing a strong team of interim DDG and DG until a new DG assumes office, and thereafter providing the strategic guidance and oversight needed by the Institute to chart its future.
The Panel has been fortunate in receiving help and support from many sources. We are grateful to ICRISAT's Board, management and staff for giving us every assistance and enabling us to carry out our task smoothly. Consultations and interactions with ICRISAT Board, management and staff at every level were frank and cordial. We greatly appreciated the detailed and helpful documentation, including the Centre Commissioned External Review reports, and presentations provided by ICRISAT, and the efficient way in which the DG and all members of the staff gave us support. We would also like to thank the government officials and agricultural scientists who shared with us their perceptions of ICRISAT and its activities. This is particularly true for those who extended their kindness and cooperation during the Panel's visits to India, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Zimbabwe.
I would like to thank you for assembling a capable and experienced team for the challenging task of conducting this Review. The Panel has worked exceptionally well together. I would also like to express the Panel's sincere appreciation for the excellent contributions made by Graham Jenkins and John Griffiths in their capacities as Consultants to the Panel.
I want to add my own warm personal thanks to the members of the Review Panel for their efforts to make the Report full, fair and accurate. The Resource Persons assigned to the Panel, Amir Kassam (Panel Secretary) from the TAC Secretariat, and Pammi Sachdeva (Management Specialist) from the CGIAR Secretariat, deserve our special thanks for their dedication and commitment. Without them we would not have completed the task.
We are confident that the ICRISAT Board, management and staff are determined to collaborate closely, in partnership with NARS, to continue their dedicated service to the poor of the SAT regions, and recommend strongly that the CGIAR community extend them their full support in this vital endeavour. We hope that this Review Report will assist the Institute's development in the years to come.
In closing, all the Panel members join me in expressing appreciation for the opportunity to be part of the Review Panel.
Yours sincerely,
Ronnie Coffman,
Chair, External Review Panel
