Evaluation of the semi-arid food grains research and development (SAFGRAD) phase II project

External evaluation covers the period through 9/88. The IARC's have provided very effective Network Coordinators and the Project Coordinating Office (CO) has provided commendable administrative and political support. The principal constraint on the evolution of African leadership within the networks has been insufficient formal training of NARS network scientists. Plans for M.S. and Ph.D training should be developed. In addition, A.I.D. should continue funding the CO at its current level for the duration of the project. While other funding sources should be pursued, major efforts in this direction should be deferred until after the 1991 reevaluation. Various other management suggestions to improve CO/IARC support to the networks are included in the report. The project's focus on crop-specific research networks and its regional approach to national human resources development are found to be appropiate, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where the development of the scientific capacity of indigenous research institutions is a critical component of agricultural development. The effectiveness of a regional follow-on project may be influenced by a recent initiative calling for all A.I.D. regional projects to be funded from operational year budgets of country Missions. (Author abstract,modified)