Terminal evaluation of the Sumatra agricultural research project (SARP)

The evaluation covered the period 1977-1/86 and was based on document review, visits to 7 research stations, and interviews with project personnel. Except for the development of experimental farms, planned activities were completed. The Sukarami Research Institute for Food Crops (SARIF) - which was established in 1980 and assumed project responsibility from the Central Research Institute for Food Crops (CRIFC) - is on the way to becoming an effective agricultural research institute. Its physical facilities are adequate, and with the return of the 40 personnel who are studying for advanced degrees, it will have a well-rounded staff, although a special effort will be needed to add personnel in agricultural economics and plant pathology. On the negative side, the support unit which maintains the infrastructure and equipment for the research program continues to be SARIF's weakest element, and Government of Indonesia funds are inadequate to support both this unit and the research programs being planned for the six experimental stations directly under SARIF. TA provided to SARIF by IADS/Winrock has been successful and has contributed significantly to SARIF's development. Continuing TA over the next 5 years in selected areas is necessary to consolidate the advances already made. A proposed international research and training center for upland rice at Sitiung would severely strain the administrative capability of SARIF, which is still consolidating its program. The evaluation, which provided USAID/I with excellent guidelines for the 7-year project extension, recommended, inter alia, that SARIF add a Research Director and that it group related functions. It also noted an urgent need to complete the experimental farm by the end of 1986 and to train support staff and to provide for this training in the project extension. Lessons learned are that: (1) the training of support services staff should be given attention comparable to the training of scientists; and (2) adequate operating funds are absolutely essential for the success of any research institute.