Project assistance completion report : agriculture research II

The report is based in part on two evaluations conducted in 1984. The project was a success. Training activities far exceeded expectations. Some 398 M.S. and 70 Ph.D candidates were trained vs. targets of 237 and 7, respectively, and 71 persons received B.S. training as planned. Short-term training and travel grants were provided for 186 individuals. A major step was taken in meeting the main project goal of decentralizing PCARR: two-thirds of the training grant awards were made to institutions outside of the Manila/Los Banos area. The increased research capabilities of the PCARR network had a positive impact on agricultural production. Advances were made in reducing disease and pest problems for corn (yields increased by 8%), rice, and rubber crops, and varietal research for sweet potatoes is expected to result in significant increases in yields. Also, a tobacco farmers" organization benefited from project training and TA in determining floor prices and identifying which varieties should be grown, resulting in yield increases of about 80% in one location. PCARR"s institutional infrastructure was upgraded. Some $2.4 million of equipment and library materials were delivered to the eight centers and the PCARR Secretariat. Four of the centers are now well-equipped, well-staffed facilities which are actively engaged in problem-oriented research; a fifth has only recently installed project-financed research equipment. Underutilization of laboratory equipment has been a problem at the remaining centers, which have either lacked funds to install or operate the equipment, or in some cases, may not have had a strong need for the equipment. A plan has been devised in which PCARR institutions can acquire unused equipment from other institutions by paying the shipping. As of 7/87, the GOP will be billed for equipment not in use. The project"s success notwithstanding, two important activities were neglected: (1) a program for collecting and analyzing data on the project"s research impact was never implemented; and (2) planned evaluation activities, including an impact assessment, were not conducted, frustrating efforts to publicize the project"s success and thus mobilize support for research. The project has taught that each institution should be provided with a basic research library (rather then purchasing materials based on each institution"s requests). Conversely, the provision of research equipment should be specific to each institution"s needs and capabilities.