SPECIAL EVALUATION; CARIS-CURRENT AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INFORMATION SERVICE

IN THE FIRST REPORT, THE EVALUATORS WERE FAVORABLY IMPRESSED BY THE PROGRESS MADE TOWARD PUBLICATION OF THE THREE DIRECTORIES (A DIRECTORY OF RESEARCH WORKERS, A DIRECTORY OF RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, AND A DIRECTORY OF RESEARCH PROGRAMS) PROJECTED WITHIN THE TWO-YEAR PERIOD UNDER CGIAR FUNDING,BUT THEY WERE DISCOURAGED WITH THE OUTLOOK OF SUPPORT FOR CARIS (CURRENT AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INFORMATION SERVICE) WITHIN THE REGULAR FAO (FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION) BUDGET. THEY CONCLUDED THAT FURTHER SUPPORT FOR CARIS SHOULD BE DEFERRED PENDING CLARIFICATION OF: (1)THE REQUIREMENTS TO COMPLETE THE DIRECTORIES AND INTENT OF FAO TO EMPLOY THE NEEDED CONSULTANTS; AND (2)THE POSITION OF FAO IN INCLUSION OF CARIS AS AN ACTIVITY IN THE REGULAR PROGRAM. ONE YEAR LATER, IN 1977, THE EVALUATOR FOUND THAT REASONABLY GOOD PROGRESS WAS BEING MADE TOWARD BRINGING OUT THE DIRECTORIES. HOWEVER, THE BUDGETARY POSITION FOR THE WORK LEADING TO AND INCLUDING PUBLICATION OF THE DIRECTORIES WAS NOT CLEAR. THE MAJOR PROBLEM WAS BELIEVED TO BE LACK OF CGIAR INTEREST IN THIS PROJECT. THE EVALUATOR CONSIDERED THE FAO BUDGET FOR CARIS FOR 1978/79 TO BE, AT BEST, BARELY ADEQUATE, AND HE STATED THAT THE FUTURE OF CARIS WAS UNCERTAIN AT THAT TIME.