The CGIAR released an interesting report on Aligning Global Agricultural Research Investments with National Development Activities: the CGIAR experience.The 84 pages study identifies factors that affect how effectively the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) aligns its research to support country programs of the World Bank and other Members of the Group. Its point of departure is a set of 12 factors widely agreed to be major strengths of CGIAR, which were first articulated in 1986 by Warren C. Baum, a former CGIAR chair. Using case studies in several countries, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, the study presents a number of lessons tied to Baum’s dozen factors and grouped by alignment domain.
The first such domain is aligned support from CGIAR Members and other donors to the 15 international research Centers supported by the Group. This reflects Baum factors 1, high-priority objective; 2, clearly defined mandate; 8, stability in mobilization of funds; 9, viable system of research and development; 10, professional scientific management; and 11, minimized
bureaucracy.
Aligned support to policymakers and national agricultural research systems (NARS) reflect Baum factors 5, transparent policymaking; 6, evident accountability; and 7, internationally orchestrated legitimacy.
Aligning the technical and institutional innovations developed by CGIAR Centers and NARS facilitates their adoption by farmers, communities, the private sector and nongovernmental organizations, thereby fulfilling the CGIAR mission of improving food security and reducing poverty in environmentally sustainable ways. This particularly reflects Baum factor 12, proven or promising technological foundations.
Aligning policy analysis with recommendations brings together policymakers with CGIAR Centers and NARS. This helps to promote policy that supports the adoption of technical and institutional innovations and, so, the CGIAR mission. This process reflects Baum factors 3, mission-oriented strategy, and 4, clear setting of priorities.
