2004年-世界发展银行全球_The_CGIAR_at_31___An_Independent_Meta-Evaluation_of_the_Consultative_Group_on_International_Agricultural_Research_Revised_Edition_250页_3mb

Summary of "The CGIAR at 31: An Independent Meta-Evaluation of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research"

Core Content

The document presents an independent meta-evaluation of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) as of its 31st year of operation. It is part of the Operations Evaluation Department (OED) publication series and evaluates the CGIAR's effectiveness, challenges, and future directions in the context of global agricultural research and development.

Main Points

1. CGIAR Overview

• Founded in 1971, CGIAR is the largest global program supported by the World Bank, receiving $930 million in unrestricted funds since its inception.
• It comprises 16 autonomous research centers, with a Secretariat in the World Bank and an interim Science Council (until 2001, the Technical Advisory Committee or TAC) located in the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
• The CGIAR is exempt from the normal Development Grant Facility (DGF) requirements, such as having an exit strategy and an arms-length relationship with the Bank.

2. Research Focus and Impact

• The CGIAR has had significant impacts on reducing poverty through productivity-enhancing agricultural research.
• However, its current focus is less on agricultural productivity and more on policy improvement and environmental protection.
• The meta-evaluation highlights that the CGIAR's research mix does not reflect its comparative advantage or core competence.

3. Funding Trends and Restrictions

• Between 1992 and 2001, CGIAR's funding for productivity-enhancing research declined by 6.5% annually in real terms.
• Funding for policy improvement and environmental protection increased by 3.1% annually.
• Total CGIAR funding decreased by 1.8% annually during this period.
• The share of restricted funding increased from 36% to 57%, with the level of restriction accelerating since 1998.

4. Donor Influence

• Two major changes in the CGIAR's funding process since the mid-1990s have increased donor influence:
  • The World Bank shifted from a "donor of last resort" model to a matching-grant model in response to a funding crisis.
  • The CGIAR's "agreed research agenda" was redefined to include both the "core" and "non-core" agendas, where the latter is donor-funded and has lower priority.

5. Challenges and Constraints

• The CGIAR has faced declining support for germplasm research due to negative perceptions of the Green Revolution and biotechnology.
• The rise of environmentalism and advocacy in donor countries has shifted focus toward environmental protection.
• The weakening of many national agricultural research systems (NARS) has led donors to rely more on CGIAR for downstream public goods.
• The CGIAR's gene banks, containing over 600,000 accessions, have suffered due to lack of support.

6. Organizational Effectiveness

• Past attempts at restructuring the CGIAR have had mixed impacts, with the TAC's independent scientific advice losing influence.
• The CGIAR's authorizing environment has shifted from science-driven to donor-driven.
• The System has moved from producing global and regional public goods toward providing national and local services.

7. Role of the World Bank

• The World Bank plays a critical role as a convener, donor, and development partner for the CGIAR.
• The Bank's leadership is essential for the CGIAR's effectiveness, though it faces challenges in maintaining its independence.
• The Bank's multiple roles in CGIAR funding and coordination have been both a strength and a source of conflict of interest.

8. Recommendations

• The CGIAR needs to refocus on its core mission of enhancing agricultural productivity.
• The World Bank should ensure its role as a development partner is strengthened.
• The CGIAR's governance and management structures require reform to maintain effectiveness and independence.

Key Information

• The CGIAR has been a major player in global agricultural research and development.
• Its current funding model and research agenda have shifted significantly, affecting its impact on poverty reduction.
• The World Bank's role in CGIAR is complex, involving leadership, funding, and coordination.
• The meta-evaluation emphasizes the need for a renewed focus on agricultural productivity and the importance of maintaining a science-driven approach.

Document Structure

• Part 1: Overview
  • Covers the CGIAR's changing mission, activities, challenges, and reforms.
• Part 2: Technical Report
  • Details the context, development effectiveness, and organizational effectiveness of the CGIAR.
• Appendices
  • Include organizational charts, terms of reference, team biographies, methods, and references.
• Figures and Boxes
  • Provide visual and conceptual insights into CGIAR's funding, research, and organizational structure.

Conclusion

• The CGIAR has made significant contributions to poverty reduction through agricultural research.
• However, it faces challenges in maintaining its focus and effectiveness due to changing donor priorities and funding models.
• The meta-evaluation calls for a re-evaluation of the CGIAR's structure and strategy to better serve its mission and global development goals.