Objectives

This presentation has three main objectives: 1. To summarize briefly the objectives and methods of studies conducted by MSU on the impact of agricultural research in Africa. 2. To present and interpret the principal results of these studies. What can be concluded from these results? What are the key factors which seem to determine the impact of the agricultural research programs? 3. To draw some lessons from these studies in order to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of agricultural research, and methods for evaluating the impact of agricultural research. Context and Justification of Studies Conducted by MSU Seven studies were commissioned by USAID, with the principal objective of providing empirical evidence of the performance of their investments in agricultural research programs in Africa. Within USAID, there was a feeling of disappointment concerning these projects. It was thought that the agricultural sector was not dynamic, and that USAID's investment in agricultural research projects had not proven successful. Consequently, USAID (and other donors) had reduced their support for agricultural research. In this paper, I will focus on six of the seven countries where MSU conducted studie