Management of agricultural research and technology (MART)

Evaluation covers the period through 2/89. The project is close to schedule. Inputs have been delivered on time and managed to produce programmed outputs. Some new elements added by the project, e.g., farming systems research and communications are not yet institutionalized, so their impact is not yet evident. Some delays have occurred in in-country training, particularly in training of trainers and management-focused short courses. The procurement and commissioning of laboratory equipment has caused concern because of the unmet expectations of some recipients. The project provides necessary and desired support to the national agricultural research system, whose products are sorely needed to attain production targets. There is better cohesion now within the agricultural research system, but this is constantly threatened by tendencies towards provincial independence. Donor support would be needed to stabilize and institutionalize this still somewhat would be fragile system. Reorganization of the research system into a closely coordinated and well integrated federal-provincial cooperative system is a complex, demanding, and time-consuming task. Institutional reforms are brought about slowly and should, therefore, be pursued with patient tenacity. The targets should be well defined to permit objective assessment and should be realistic and achievable within the stipulated time. If a particular action is critically needed, it should constitute a condition percedent to specific disbursement. (Author abstract) See also abstract of PD-AAZ-050.