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Report of the Fifth External Programme Review of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-arid Tropics

OAR@ICRISAT

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Relation http://oar.icrisat.org/5247/
 
Title Report of the Fifth External Programme Review of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-arid Tropics
 
Creator ICRISAT, -
 
Subject Agriculture-Farming, Production, Technology, Economics
 
Description The CGIAR Chairman introduced the item, and briefly explained the separate but linked
external programme and management review process.
The EPR report findings were presented by Panel Chair Paul Vlek. He commended the
expertise of both panels. The EPR Panel took a retrospective and prospective view and
focused on strategic and programmatic matters, mission relevance and quality of science, and
accomplishments and impact. It noted the Centre’s excellent science output, but also that it is
losing its competitive advantage in Asia. Its international public goods (IPGs) impact/delivery
in Africa is not clear and the Panel felt that ICRISAT had not followed the recommendation
of the fourth EPMR to focus on and contribute to Africa. The Centre does not have a solid
footing in Africa, and is even losing ground, i.e. it lacks a critical mass in Africa.
Management problems that were apparent include excessive changes in management, unstable
organization, shifting vision and mission, dwindling support, and lack/weak fundraising
strategy. In addition, it’s new vision/mission is rather broad. Global themes will, however,
help integration.
He gave an overview of the recommendations in the report, and noted that this is a defining
moment for ICRISAT. Many activities need to be phased out in Asia and moved to Africa. It
should rethink the Virtua l University, which does not appear to have any comparative
advantage, lacks critical mass and is not delivering IPGs. Strategic upstream activities should
be maintained in Asia, but its main activities and HQ should be moved to Africa. Most
importantly, it needs a strategy for SSA.
He concluded by thanking the ICRISAT staff, field teams and the CGIAR for the opportunity
to serve the System.
 
Publisher International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
 
Date 2004
 
Type Monograph
NonPeerReviewed
 
Format application/pdf
 
Language en
 
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Identifier http://oar.icrisat.org/5247/1/icrisat-epmr-report-2003.pdf
ICRISAT, - (2004) Report of the Fifth External Programme Review of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-arid Tropics. Monograph. International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh, India.