Irrigation systems management (research and policy implementation component)

The evaluation covered the period 4/85-4/89. Although the component is about one year behind schedule and some activities have been dropped or altered, it is currently on track and in a very productive phase. A competitive grants programs has been established and now appears to be running smoothly, despite initial delays and management problems. Progress has also been made in equipment procurement, although a few items are still needed and others need to be made operative. Slow progress is partially attributed to inadequate staffing of long-term TA positions. Nevertheless, long-term advisors have good rapport with GOP personnel, and research management has been strong, with successful coordination of research units and well-organized annual plans. Overseas training of scientists and researchers has been lagging behind schedule, in part due to overspending of training funds by other project components. Thus, there will not be any direct benefit of overseas training to the ongoing research studies. In-country training, on the other hand, has been very productive and contributed significantly to the program. It is recommended that the component be extended by two years.