Crop Genetic Improvement and Agricultural Development

Provisional synthesis by Robert Evenson of the results of an assessment of the impact of the crop improvement work of the CGIAR centers. This study was done Evenson in collaboration with eight IARCs under the auspices of IAEG. There is a forward written on behalf of SPIA, successor organization to IAEG, by Hans Gregersen. A previous version of the provisional synthesis was discussed at the CGIAR meeting in October 1999, and this one was the subject of a seminar at the CGIAR Mid Term Meeting 2000. Future publication plans for the study included a book to be published by CAB International, and academic articles. These are discussed in the SPIntellectual Assets Report to ICW 2000.The study traced germplasm improvements in ten crops through their introduction by national agricultural research systems and adoption by farmers, to their ultimate impacts on agricultural productivity, economic growth, income of producers, and affordability of food for poor consumers.The analysis considered the nature and magnitude of outputs and their costs; the CGIAR contribution to released varieties; related production gains; and impacts on producers and consumers. A related issue was the effect of IARC programs on NARS and private sector investments

Evaluation of the Impact of Integrated Pest Management Research at the International Agricultural Research Centres

An evaluation of the impact of integrated pest management (IPM) research at IARCs commissioned by the Impact Assessment and Evaluation Group (IAEG) and prepared by Hermann Waibel with Diemuth Pemsl of Hannover University. The study was completed in September 1999. The document also includes an excerpt from the summary of proceedings of the CGIAR 1999 Mid Term Meeting where the evaluation results were presented, and a foreword by IAEG Chairman Hans Gregersen.The study was based on analysis of existing documentation and findings. It considered centers' self-assessments of impact, the impressions of their clients and partners, the quantity and types of materials published, and the quality and validity of existing studies of rates of return. Dr. Waibel assessed the efficiency and effectiveness of IPM work at the centers, and linked those results to an overall assessment of impacts associated with IPM activities. He pointed out that the goal of IPM research should not be high returns to that component, but rather to optimize returns to the entire crop-management system.The study finds long term rates of return on investment in IPM to likely reside in the 15-40 percent range. It also notes that while the technological paradigm remains dominant at the centers, emphasis is shifting toward management, thus the social science aspect, and means to reduce the lag between research and adoption. Agenda document, CGIAR International Centers Week 1999

Environmental Impacts of the CGIAR: An Initial Assessment

Preliminary evaluation of the environmental impact of research undertaken by the CGIAR and its partners. The evaluation was conducted by a two member panel consisting of Michael Nelson and Mywish Maredia, and was completed in October 1999. The study was commissioned by the Impact Assessment and Evaluation Group (IAEG) which became TAC's Standing Panel on Impact Assessment (SPIA) before it was published. The document also contains an excerpt from the summary of proceedings of the CGIAR 1999 Mid Term Meeting where the evaluation results were presented, and a foreword by IAEG Chairman Hans Gregersen.This study may be considered the first phase of a longer term effort, and considers unplanned and unaccounted for environmental costs and benefits attributable to past research. It focuses on evaluating changes in the use, management and conservation of land resources, which the panel believed are likely have effects orders of magnitude greater than any other positive impacts of CGIAR research.Given the shortage of reliable data, the method used was analysis of different scenarios, rather than economic models. The authors concluded that a very large amount of land, in excess of that available, would have been required to equal the increased production of seven mandate crops and permanent pasture attributed to CGIAR research. The study concluded by listing issues for further empirical assessment, questions on next steps, and recommendations on further activity. In view of the large costs involved, it suggested that the CGIAR provide guidance on the depth and breadth of evaluation of environmental impact it desired

Report of the TAC Standing Panel on Impact Assessment to CGIAR International Centers Week 2000

Report of the TAC Standing Panel on Impact Assessment (SPIA) to CGIAR International Centers Week 2000. It describes SPIA's composition, structure, role within TAC, and relationship to its predecessor, the Impact Assessment and Evaluation Group (IAEG). The report outlines plans for the completion and publication as a book of the Assessment of Germplasm Improvement Impacts, discussed at MTM 2000. An assessment of impacts on poverty alleviation consists of two phases, a review and synthesis of the literature completed in 1999, and an ongoing series of case studies in which IFPRI is collaborating with other centers. An assessment of the impacts of the CGIAR on the environment was in Phase II, the first phase having been reported to ICW 1999. A progress report on this study is found as Appendix A to the document.SPIA also reported on a workshop held in Rome in May 2000 to start the process of formulating realistic and operational guidelines for future impact assessments in the CGIAR. The panel had also started a study of CGIAR contributions to scientific capacity strengthening and partnerships.Agenda document, CGIAR International Centers Week, 2000

Report of the TAC Standing Panel on Impact Assessment to the CGIAR Mid Term Meeting 2000

First report of the Standing Panel on Impact Assessment (SPIA) presented to the CGIAR Mid Term Meeting 2000 by SPIA Chairman Hans Gregersen. The report described the composition and organization of the new panel, its place within TAC, its relationship and interaction with the TAC Standing Committee on Priorities and Strategies, and the portfolio of studies it had inherited from IAEG upon SPIA's establishment and integration into TAC on January 1, 2000.These included assessments of CGIAR germplasm improvement, integrated pest management, contributions to poverty alleviation, and impacts of CGIAR research on the environment. SPIA also presented its plans for a study of CGIAR contributions to scientific capacity building and partnerships, as well as the outcome of its workshop on the future of impact assessment in the CGIAR held in Rome in early May. Gregersen covered the same ground in a report to TAC 78 in March 2000