David R. MacKenzie
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
Aerospace Building, Suite 310
901 D Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250, U.S.A.
Tel.: 202-401-5290
Fax: 202-401-4888
5902 Mt. Eagle Drive
Suite 1508
Alexandria, VA 22303, U.S.A.
Tel.: 703-960-5221
E-mail: [email protected]
February 9, 1995
Dr. Donald Winkelmann
Chair
Technical Advisory Committee
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
c/o CIMMYT
Lisboa 27, P.O. Box 6-641
06600 Mexico, DF Mexico
Mr. Alexander von der Osten
Executive Secretary
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
The World Bank
1818 H. Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20433, USA
Dear Dr. Winkelmann and Mr. von der Osten,
It is my pleasure to transmit to you the Report of the Fourth External Programme and Management Review Panel appointed to evaluate the accomplishments and prospects for the International Potato Centre (CIP). At the time of the last external review in 1989, the Centre had developed an elaborate plan for change as a result of its self-study, and CIP was in the process of revising its strategy. We used this as the point of departure for our evaluation.
The Panel has reviewed, as requested, both the programme and management aspects of CIP's work. We have been impressed by the dedication and energy with which the Board, management and staff of CIP have responded to the recommendations of the last External Review. This External Review finds a CIP that is in many ways rejuvenated, and a Centre well positioned to address future opportunities in potato and sweetpotato research.
The Panel has concluded that CIP has an important and a critical role in international research on its mandated crops. However, as the report makes clear, we have found CIP to be at a crossroad in its evolution as an institution. This is from the perspective of both the CGIAR System and the global root and tuber crops research community. To strategically position itself for the future and to effectively respond to the objectives of the CGIAR, the Centre must clarify and update its institutional vision and operational mandate. Whereas the Centre has invested substantial effort in priority setting, the Panel believes that by focusing its research capacity on fewer activities, CIP would be more likely to realize its full potential.
The Panel is pleased to note the considerable and significant research contributions made by CIP since the last external review, and the demonstrated impact that CIP has had in potato and sweetpotato research in its mandated areas of responsibility. The Panel is also pleased to note that CIP occupies an important position in the international research community for potato and sweetpotato, especially with regard to its global germplasm collections. National collaborators generally have expressed confidence in and high hopes for CIP's future. The Panel believes that there is now a need for CIP to give stronger emphasis, through strategic partnerships, to collaborative research programmes with strong NARS to take advantage of growing research capacities of the national systems, particularly in Asia and Latin America.
In our report we have made note of the need for any centre of research excellence to provide necessary balance to research programme relevance, responsiveness and science quality, if it hopes to provide scientific leadership. The Panel met with CIP's management to share this perspective and offered some points to consider in the maintenance and enhancement of science quality at the Centre.
The Panel has been fortunate in receiving help and support from many sides. We are grateful to CIP's Board, management and staff for giving us every assistance and enabling us to carry out our task smoothly and agreeably. We would like to thank the government officials and agricultural scientists who shared with us, in many parts of the world, their perceptions of CIP and its activities. This is particularly true for those who extended their courtesies and kindness during the Panel's visits to Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Kenya, Uganda, India, Indonesia and China.
In closing, I would like to express the Panel's sincere appreciation for the excellent and highly informed assistance from the CGIAR colleagues assigned to the CIP external review team: John Monyo and Amir Kassam from the TAC Secretariat, and Gordon MacNeil from the CGIAR Secretariat.
Yours sincerely,David R. MacKenzie, Chair
External Review Panel
