ICARDA CARAVAN 11

A Center transformed and ready to 'take-off' into 2000 and beyond at a time when the high quality of its science is still very much needed in the region it serves." That's how Dr Don Plucknett, Chairman of the Fourth External Program and Management Review, summed up the Review Panel's assessment of ICARDA.
         Presenting the Panel's findings to ICARDA staff, Dr Plucknett said the Center had been transformed over the last five years by the new committed leadership of the Board of Trustees, by a new Director General with new

        He welcomed the new model of research collaboration with NARS and other partners which fitted in well with ICARDA's move to decentralize research in the regions.
         Looking ahead, Dr Plucknett said the fruits of the last five busy years were a much-improved institution with most of its house in order. "The Panel believes the time has come at ICARDA for a kind of 'dynamic consolidation' in which some of the matters that still need attention can be dealt with."
         ICARDA was entering the new millennium with world class research or research-related capacity in genetic resources conservation and use; as well as in genetic enhancement of barley, grain legumes and durum wheat. It had in place a regional structure that allowed a continuum of research from headquarters to NARS, including NARS/NARS relationships, and it had learned how to conduct research in its mandate region in a decentralized manner.
         The Panel believed ICARDA should aspire, after its period of consolidation, to gain new positions in science, including recognition as the lead center for integrated on-farm water management for the dry areas, and to become known as the scientific center of excellence serving as the regional node for a consortium of international efforts.
"Donors who wish to see their resources used to help the poor are urged to support ICARDA in its research efforts in the harsh, water-scarce environments of the dry areas. ICARDA is worthy of their support," said Dr Plucknett.

EPMR Chairman Dr Donald Plucknett praised ICARDA as a much-needed Center for its role in serving the poor people of the CWANA region.

ideas and a drive to achieve excellence, and by a new management team.
         Dr Plucknett said the Panel had been struck by the enormity of water problems, particularly in WANA, which had been identified by international authorities as the most water scarce region in the world in terms of per capita supplies. "The Panel believes water will always be the single most important factor to consider in the Center's work in crop improvement and natural resource management."
        Now enjoying the respect of more than 40 countries in its mandate region, ICARDA was being increasingly asked to take on new responsibilities by the countries themselves as well as by others. The Panel agreed with ICARDA's move into Central Asia and the Caucasus where crop improvement and natural-resource management problems are similar to those in the WANA region.
         "The Panel concluded that ICARDA has made major efforts to achieve the objectives of its founders, and that the need for ICARDA is just as great now as it was in 1977."
         Turning to the review period from 1993-1999, Dr Plucknett said it spanned a time of great change, not least in unrestricted core funding which fell from 80% in 1993 to 31% in 1999. Nevertheless, the total ICARDA budget had grown by $4 million over the five years--a  "tremendous accomplishment" when unrestricted core funding was falling and the Center was also adapting to new external and internal needs as set out in its new Strategic Plan.

During their preliminary visit to ICARDA, members of the fourth EPMR attended Annual Presentation Day (pictures right) at Tel Hadya where an extensive 'menu' of laboratory and field trips was available. For first-time visitors, a general tour of the laboratory facilities and the farm was provided. Those guests wishing more in-depth insight into specific areas of ICARDA research were given the options of finding out about livestock productivity improvement, integrated natural resource management and land use, participatory research approaches, and integrated gene management.

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