Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research - CGIAR
TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Donald Winkelmann, Chairman
15th October 1998
Dear Mr. Serageldin,
I have the pleasure of transmitting to you the report of the Second External Programme and Management Review of the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF), which was conducted during April and July 1998. The Panel was chaired by Dr. Jochen Heuveldop of Germany.
At its 75th Meeting held at CIMMYT, September 1998, TAC discussed the Review Report in the presence of the Panel Chair, the Vice-Chair of Board of Trustees, Dr. Maria de Lourdes Davies de Freitas and the Director-General, Dr. Pedro Sanchez. On the basis of its discussion, TAC prepared a commentary which summarizes its observations and conclusions. The commentary, together with ICRAF's response to the Review Report, is attached to the report. We are pleased that the Board of Trustees and Management are in agreement with most of the recommendations.
The EPMR Panel conducted the Review in a frank and participatory manner and examined how the Centre has continued to transform itself from an information exchange Council into a CGIAR supported research Centre. The Centre emerges from the Review as a strong, and well managed research institution, producing quality outputs. The Review comes at a time when ICRAF's role in agroforestry research is poised to contribute significantly to integrated natural resources management. The extent of ICRAF's partnerships are impressive and opens avenues for mutually beneficial experiences; in this regard TAC is pleased with the analysis and recommendations offered by the Panel.
./...
Mr. Ismail Serageldin
CGIAR Chair
World Bank
1818 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20433
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The Review was deliberately timed to coincide with that of CIFOR for the purpose of exploring relationships between the two Centres, examining opportunities for collaboration and fostering complementarity and operational effectiveness. In view of the complementarities between CIFOR and ICRAF, the two Panel Reports were considered by TAC in tandem.
Although the Panel sees ICRAF's current evolution as being very promising, the key to the Centre's success in the longer term is implementation of the Panel's recommendation that the Centre develop its research programme in the context of a clearly elaborated vision of the future needs of agroforestry within a holistic natural resources management framework. Specifically, ICRAF should review and update its strategic plans at all levels to ensure a cohesive vision and programme of action. We also recommend that ICRAF and CIFOR undertake a joint strategic planning exercise.
Although the challenges facing ICRAF in the twenty-first century are formidable, we are confident that the Centre has been systematically and adequately prepared to address the issues ahead. Accordingly we are satisfied that ICRAF deserves the continued full support of the CGIAR and partners.
Sincerely yours,
Alexander von der Osten
Executive Secretary, CGIARDonald L. Winkelmann
TAC Chair
