Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)

ExCo submitted the following recommendations to the CGIAR:

• ExCo expressed general agreement with the EPMR and recommends approval of the EPMR recommendations by the CGIAR.

• Two additional ExCo recommendations for consideration and approval by the CGIAR are: (i) IRRI should expand its activities in SSA with the proviso that it work closely with WARDA, the leading rice research institution in SSA; and (ii) IRRI should not abandon research on upland rice, instead it should work with WARDA on a joint activity on this subject.

• Panels conducting external reviews should refrain from making judgmental comments that are not evidence-based.

Discussion:

Members commended the EPMR panel and management of IRRI and expressed general agreement and support for the EPMR recommendations, including the additional ExCo recommendations. In the course of a lively discussion, two issues emerged as central to Members’ concerns: (i) the relative merits of IRRI’s involvement with research on upland and lowland rice, and (ii) the need for collaboration between IRRI and WARDA.

Decision:

The CGIAR:

1. Endorsed the EPMR.

2. Endorsed the first ExCo recommendation which reads: "IRRI should expand its activities in SSA with the proviso that it work closely with WARDA, the leading rice research institution in SSA." This closer cooperation with WARDA should include work on upland rice in Africa.

3. Requested SC to establish an independent panel to study the situation of upland rice in Asia and IRRI’s potential contribution to solving researchable issues vis-à-vis the potential contribution of NARS or other parts of the CGIAR System.