Regional research networks : the experience of PRECODEPA

After briefly sketching PRECODEPA"s background, history, and strategy, the report outlines PRECODEPA"s simple and flexible organizational structure, which is composed of a regional permanent committee (COPERE), an executive committee (COE), and a coordinator. Research activities are listed, and research successes in improved clones, seed improvement, rustic storage, control of tuber moths, resistance to golden nematode, and the relevance of socioeconomic factors to research are summarized. The strengths of the PRECODEPA strategy are given, and the program"s future is evaluated in terms of its weaknesses and possible uses. A concluding section suggests that although the regional strategy has worked well for PRECODEPA, a number of questions about the size, administration, and funding of such networks remain to be answered.