Collaborative research support : program review study

External evaluation, conducted in 1986, is based on document review, site visits, and interviews with researchers and program officials. The CRSP"s are effectively addressing LDC research needs, particularly those of small farmers, while at the same time increasing the technological options available to U.S. agriculture. CRSP research, with few exceptions, has been excellent in both quality and quantity. In general, the CRSP"s have focused on areas which are not addressed by International Agricultural Research Centers (IARC"s) or by researchers in industrialized countries. The mandated constraint that CRSP research be of benefit to both U.S. and LDC agriculture has, however, meant that certain areas of tropical agriculture cannot be studied. Similarly, the requirement for LDC collaboration has limited some on-site testing (especially in sub-Saharan Africa), but linkages with LDC institutions have steadily improved over the life of the program. Strong formal and informal linkages with IARC"s have been forged as well, and relations among universities within a CRSP are excellent (although cross-CRSP ties and collaboration with A.I.D. Missions need to be improved). A major accomplishment of the program has been its substantial contribution to research capacity in LDC"s through collaborative research, and through graduate training of more than 500 LDC scientists. All four CRSP"s have developed effective management systems, although each operates differently. Both overhead and capital costs compare favorably with those of IARC"s and other research programs. Review and selection of research projects, though not formal, is effective, although the External Evaluation Panels could make a greater contribution especially by emphasizing the relevance of research to LDC development. Finally, despite calls to broaden the programs" mandates and activities (e.g., to include institution building and extension), the CRSP"s should concentrate on the quality, focused research now being performed and not on expansion, especially in the face of probable continued declining budget allocations.