A brief review of the report: Evaluation of on-farm water management project (Pakistan), project no. 391-0413 : findings which have general applicability to centrally funded research, Title XII programs, and CRSP"S

This final evaluation, which covers the period 1/68-3/80, summarizes lessons learned as set forth in a 7/79 evaluation. A number of the findings are applicable to centrally-funded research, Title XII, and collaborative research support programs. The most important lesson learned is that development of human resources and institutions is an integral part of developmental research efforts. Project designs should be flexible since highly structured projects with specific designs could lead the researcher to overlook crucial points. Projects should also be designed so that research findings may be applied to developmental problem areas as soon as is prudent. A high degree of independence for the researchers is recommended; the selected research team should be highly qualified, motivated, and competent. Finally, consideration should be given to a research project"s prospects for evolving into country-specific developmental programs. Since so much developmental research contains fundamental social science elements, social scientists should be integrated into research projects from the start. The university contractor is thus particularly suited to provide research project personnel. Primary research data should be collected directly from the field in order that farmers may provide input into finding solutions which will be usable. If possible, host country personnel should be trained in-country by the research team, and identification of training needs and participants should be a joint U.S. and host country effort. In-country workshops, seminars, and courses are effective training modes, although more work needs to be done to increase their effectiveness. To insure the success of centrally-funded research projects, adequate in-country resources must be available, and a long-term commitment of sustained research effort must be obtained from both the contractor and the host country.