Fourth External Programme and Management Review of IRRI, 1992

External program and management review (EPMR) of IRRI conducted in September 1992 by a panel chaired by David E. Bell. The document includes a summary of the discussion of rice research at the CGIAR meeting of May 1993, a transmittal from the TAC Chairman and the CGIAR Executive Secretary, TAC's commentary, IRRI's response, and a transmittal from the panel chair.The review considered developments in management, organization, and strategic directions of IRRI research since the center's 1987 external reviews, including a new strategy based on the needs of rice producers and consumers, organization of research objectives according to ecosystem, a matrix-based research management system, renovated infrastructure and new experimental farm, new administrative and financial systems, and a new team of scientists. It had relatively few recommendations. Major challenges to IRRI were understanding the threat from a decline in yield and factor productivity in intensively managed rice systems, and identifying remedial actions, and achieving a further increase in the yield potential of rice. The panel urged IRRI to be cautious in assuming responsibility for major ecoregional activities in Asia beyond rice based farming systems. The panel recommended improvement in the selection and orientation of trustees. It noted major improvement in management systems, but a need for further reduction of inefficiency, and made recommendations concerning human resource management and center security.Agenda document at TAC 60 and the CGIAR meeting in May 1993, as part of the overall consideration of rice research in the CGIAR