CGIAR Thirteenth Meeting, Washington, D.C., September 14-16, 1977: Informal Summary of Proceedings

Informal summary of proceedings of the thirteenth meeting of the CGIAR held at the World Bank in Washington, DC, September 14-16, 1977, chaired by Warren C. Baum. The meeting was preceded by a discussion on training. Discussion of the 1977 Integrative Report focused mainly on the complexities involved in allocating resources, on socioeconomic issues related the distribution of the benefits of research, and the value of basic research. The chairman noted a consensus on the preparation of a major paper on priorities and the allocation of resources.TAC Chairman Ralph Cummings reported on three meetings of TAC. He reviewed the status of consideration of water buffalo, soybeans, vegetables, farming systems (for which a Stripe Review was currently under way), agroforestry, forest genetic resources, and water management. The Group received the results of the Quinquennial Review of CIP. It raised questions about the review process; the Chairman asked the CGIAR and TAC secretariats to prepare a paper on this subject. In considering TAC comments on center programs and budgets, the Group gave particular attention to the place of irrigated agriculture in ICARDA's mandate, and the size of CIAT's beef program. The meeting debated relationships between the CGIAR and ICIPE. It concluded that support for ICIPE should be through existing centers, with no formal relationship between the CGIAR and ICIPE.After considerable discussion of how the CGIAR might go about strengthening national agricultural research systems, the Chairman was asked to appoint a task force to further study this subject. Donors provided preliminary indications of prospects for financial support in 1978 and later. The Deputy Executive Secretary summarized the status of implementation of the recommendations of the CGIAR System Review. Annex: list of participants