Mobilizing Science for Global Food Security. Third External Review of IFPRI (Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research - CGIAR - SDR/TAC:IAR/98/2)













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Document No.: SDR/TAC:IAR/98/2
Distribution: General
Date: 20 April 1998

Mid-Term Meeting, 1998
May 25 - 29, 1998
Brasilia, Brazil

Mobilizing Science for Global Food Security.

Third External Review of IFPRI

Attached is the Report of the Third External Program and Management Review of IFPRI, together with the transmittal letter from the Chair of TAC and the CGIAR Executive Secretary to the Chairman of the CGIAR, TAC's Commentary on the Review, and the response of IFPRI's Governing Board to the Review Report.

This Report will be discussed in parallel session. The Chair of the External Review Panel will summarize the Panel's findings and Center representatives will respond. Members will be able to ask questions and raise concerns. The Chair of the parallel session will report the outcome of the discussions to the Group in plenary session for decision making.

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Table of Contents


CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

TAC COMMENTARY ON THE THIRD EXTERNAL PROGRAMME AND MANAGEMENT REVIEW OF IFPRI

IFPRI - INTERNATIONAL FOOD POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE

IFPRI'S BOARD AND MANAGEMENT JOINT RESPONSE TO THE REPORT OF THE THIRD EXTERNAL PROGRAM AND MANAGEMENT REVIEW

REPORT OF THE THIRD EXTERNAL PROGRAMME AND MANAGEMENT REVIEW OF THE INTERNATIONAL FOOD POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE (IFPRI)

Summary and Recommendations

Chapter 1 - Introduction and Evolution of IFPRI

1.1 Origin, Mission and Mandate
1.2 Policy Research and CGIAR Priorities and Strategies
1.3 Priorities and Strategies for IFPRI's Research
1.4 IFPRI Today
1.5 Conduct of the Review

Chapter 2 - IFPRI Research and Outreach Activities

2.1 Environment and Production Technology Division (EPTD)

2.1.1 Overall Direction of the Division, 1992-1997
2.1.2 Links to Current IFPRI Priorities and Strategy
2.1.3 Outputs
2.1.4 Relevance of the Division's Work

2.2 Food Consumption and Nutrition Division (FCND)

2.2.1 Introduction
2.2.2 Current Research
2.2.3 Relevance of Research Topics
2.2.4 Methodologies and Disciplines
2.2.5 Comparative Advantage of FCND
2.2.6 Concluding Comments

2.3 Markets and Structural Studies Division (MSSD)

2.3.1 Origin, Mission and Mandate
2.3.2 The Direction of MSSD's Work
2.3.3 Linkages with Other Divisions and Other CG Centres
2.3.4 Output
2.3.5 Dissemination of Results
2.3.6 Assessment

2.4 Trade and Macroeconomics Division (TMD)

2.4.1 Background
2.4.2 The General Equilibrium Approach to the Analysis of the Agricultural Sector
2.4.3 Trade
2.4.4 Output
2.4.5 Conclusion

2.5 Outreach Division (OD)

2.5.1 Programmes - An Overview
2.5.2 Panel Assessment of IFPRI Outreach: Suggestions and Recommendations

2.5.2.1 Issue 1: Closer Integration of Outreach with Research
2.5.2.2 Issue 2: Facilitating Mechanisms in Partner Countries

2.6 The 2020 Vision Initiative

2.6.1 Context
2.6.2 Outputs and Achievements
2.6.3 Future Developments

Chapter 3 - Cross-Cutting Themes

3.1 Priorities and Priority-Setting
3.2 Quality of Research

3.2.1 The Selection of Research Inputs
3.2.2 The Quality of Research Methods at IFPRI
3.2.3 The Quality of Published Research Output: Internal and External Quality Control
3.2.4 The Incentives for Quality at IFPRI

3.3 Relevance and Impacts of IFPRI's Work - What for Whom

3.3.1 IFPRI's Overall Work in Impact Assessment
3.3.2 IFPRI's Impacts
3.3.3 Impacts on Capacity Strengthening in Developing Countries
3.3.4 Case Studies of Impacts on Policy Decisions in Developing Countries
3.3.5 Concluding Comments

3.4. Research Environment

3.4.1 The Characteristics and Motivation of IFPRI's Research Staff
3.4.2 The Constraints on Individual Researchers
3.4.3 Interactions among Researchers

3.5 Institutional and Scientist Linkages

3.5.1 IFPRI Linkages with Other CGIAR Centres: Systemwide and Other Joint Activities
3.5.2 Systemwide Activities
3.5.3 Other Inter-Centre Joint Activities
3.5.4 IFPRI Linkages with Non-CGIAR Advanced Institutions
3.5.5 IFPRI Linkages with Institutions and Individuals in Developing Countries

Chapter 4 - Governance and Management

4.1 Governance
4.2 Leadership
4.3 Organization and Structure
4.4 Finance and Administration

4.4.1 Finance
4.4.2 Human Resources
4.4.3 Computer Services
4.4.4 Administrative Services

Chapter 5 - Conclusions and Emerging Challenges

5.1 Conclusions
5.2 IFPRI in the 21st Century: Emerging Challenges

Acknowledgements

Appendix I - IFPRI's 1998 Response to 1990 EPMR

Appendix II - IFPRI'S Response to Institute Specific Policy Stripe Recommendations

Appendix III - Panel Composition/Biographic Information

PANEL COMPOSITION
BIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

Appendix IV - IFPRI Project Descriptions

Appendix V - Terms of Reference for EPMRs

Appendix VI - Acronyms