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13 February 1995
Dr. Donald Winkelmann, Chair
Technical Advisory Committee
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
FAO,
00100 Rome, Italy.
Mr. Alexander von der Osten,
Executive Secretary,
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
World Bank
1818 H Street N.W.
Washington DC 20433, U.S.A.
Dear Dr. Winkelmann and Mr. von der Osten,
I have pleasure in transmitting to you the Report of the Fourth External Programme and Management Review of the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). The Panel charged with the Review has closely examined the Centre's activities at its Headquarters at Cali, Colombia. Panel members and consultants have also visited a cross-section of the countries where CIAT conducts operations jointly with national systems and other centres.
As you will see from our report, CIAT has faced a daunting series of problems in the last three years. Despite funding setbacks and a leadership crisis, it has almost completed the transition to a centre with natural resources management as a major part of its research agenda. The process has been a painful one in many ways, but we believe it has been broadly successful. We have proposed a number of improvements in recently introduced measures, but we have no reservations about the general thrust of the changes that have been made.
The Centre has been through a massive downsizing, of which the main brunt fell on local staff. We have been deeply impressed by the way in which this was carried through in a humane manner, without creating labour disturbances, and without leaving a legacy of bitterness.
CIAT's greatest need right now is for a period of stability under inspiring leadership from a new Director General. I would like to pay tribute to the way in which Robert Havener has restored morale over the last few months as Interim Director General, and this will provide an excellent starting point for the new long-term leader.
The quality of CIAT science remains good, and the Panel has suggested only minor adjustments in the work of the various programmes. Natural resources management research has got off to an impressive start, and is at the cutting edge within the region. The NRM programmes are, however, facing serious funding shortages and we have recommended some options for focusing and consolidation; these can be considered by the incoming Director General and the Board.
The External Review has itself gone through some difficult changes following the withdrawal of Grant Scobie as Chairman of the Panel, and the illness of the Panel Secretary, Vivian Timon, while on his way for the main phase. I would like to thank the Panel for helping me patiently as I took over my unexpected task, and above all to express my gratitude to Mike Collinson for stepping in at a moment's notice and carrying through in an exemplary manner the duties of Secretary. The Panel consultants (Joan Joshi, Alphonse Emechebe and Miguel Cauhépé) and the resource persons (Pammi Sachdeva and Mike Collinson wearing his original hat) have made outstanding contributions, and enabled the Review to cover much more ground than would otherwise have been possible.
Last but not least, the Panel's thanks go to the Board, Interim Director General and staff of CIAT for the uncomplaining and even enthusiastic manner in which they have met all our requests and offered us their hospitality. We are grateful also to the many national scientists and officials who shared their insights with visiting Panel members.
We trust that our report will serve to strengthen CIAT, and thus the CGIAR system.
Yours sincerely,
Declan Walton
Chair, CIAT EPMR Panel
