PME training manuals

Agricultural research organizations are passing through a difficult time. The current trend of reducing the role of the state and privatizing many of its activities is putting public sector organizations under considerable strain. The resources available for research are becoming scarcer while the role of public, private and nongovernmental organizations in research and in the development of agricultural technology is increasingly questioned. Agricultural research leaders in Latin America and the Caribbean felt that there was a growing need to improve management in key areas such as planning, monitoring and evaluation (PM&E). Responding to the region's critical management situation, the International Service for National Agricultural Research (ISNAR) began a project in 1992 entitled Strengthening agricultural research management in Latin America and the Caribbean. The aim was to develop training materials and to organize courses on PM&E. The training materials are in modular form and have been designed to train professionals from both public and private institutions who are involved in PM&E of agricultural research in I.atin America and the Caribbean. Course participants can be heterogeneous in their professions (engineers, sociologists, and economists) and in their administrative and academic experience. The modules are targeted for middlemanagement officials (heads of planning departments, directors of regional experimental stations, heads of research programmer), although at times top management officials and researchers would also participate. The series of four Modules for instructors in management training contain the following titles: Module 1: The strategic approach to agricultural research management Module 2: Strategic planning in agricultural research management Module 3: Monitoring in agricultural research management Module 4: Evaluation in agricultural research management The modules are presented in a ring binder and at the back of each are a series of overhead transparencies that the instructor can use during presentations; printed material that can be photocopied and distributed to participants is also included. To complement the modules there are four manuals with the same titles but these have been specifically designed for the participants in PM&E workshops and courses. CTA was among several partners in the project who provided the necessary funding for preparing and publishing the modules. For more information on these and other training materials on agricultural research management contact: ISNAR, PO Box 93375, 2509 A J The Hague, THE NETHER ANDSAgricultural research organizations are passing through a difficult time. The current trend of reducing the role of the state and privatizing many of its activities is putting public sector organizations under considerable strain. The resources..