Evaluation of participant training component project (391-0296) : strengthening agricultural research in Pakistan

Final evaluation covers the period 4/74-6/85 and is based on document review, a survey of returned participants and supervisors, and interviews participants and involved personnel. The training component met most objectives despite interruptions which included a project redesign in 1977 to emphasize in-country training and political violence in 1979 resulting in USAID/P staff reductions. A total of 197 participants were sent abroad for advanced degrees or short-term nondegree training in agricultural research specialties. The vast majority have returned to Pakistan and are employed in their sponsoring institutions; in fact, only 3% are known to have left government service. Several returned participants have made outstanding contributions in agricultural education, research, or extension, e.g., the development and release of improved grain varieties, the introduction of new varieties of apple trees in Swat, and the design of an M.Sc. curriculum in fisheries at the University of Punjab. Many of the participants have voluntarily trained colleagues and/or communicated their expertise through seminars, publications, etc. Despite these achievements, there have also been a few problem areas. (1) Five participants did not perform up to expectations, possibly because they were ill-prepared for advanced degree work. Their training programs were altered (e.g., changed to a less demanding field, or from Ph.D. to M.Sc.). (2) Only four women were trained, none in long-term degree programs. (3) Although the two major training institutions - the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) - were highly rated by participants, there was an indication that recent CIMMYT training is not up to previous standards, perhaps due to a change of training officers. (4) Recordkeeping was incomplete due to a change of contractors for CIMMYT and IRRI in 1982 and to poor record exchange among contractors, USAID/P, and the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC). USAID/P was not informed of the nominations of more than 92 short-term participants trained under the project. It is recommended that: (1) the Pakistani government examine its personnel policy system vis-a-vis professional incentives (opportunities for career advancement, fair determination of job assignments, and a reward system); (2) a national agricultural research publication be developed to increase information exchange among returned participants and others; and (3) USAID/P receive proper recognition for its contribution to the training program, which has not been the case in the past.