Abstract only

The Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) has probably had a greater impact on agricultural production, productivity and the livelihoods of the rural poor in the world than any other agricultural research organization. This paper does not intend to document the substantial impacts of the CGIAR (subsequently referred to as CG) but rather to dwell on the stock and state of impact assessment research conducted by CG scientists, especially economists. What is not so widely realized is that over the past three decades, contributions by CG economists and other scientists to the science of impact assessment have, in many cases, been path-breaking, and have created milestones in the ever increasing body of technical literature on impact assessment theory and methods. In numerous instances, the CGIAR was a forerunner to a substantial body of academic research literature on particular themes related to impact assessment. For the purposes of this paper, a milestone is defined as a research contribution that identified a new area or theme of impact assessment research; it could also include methodo1ogical contributions. In all cases, the seminal contributions (milestones) were quickly followed by other studies, both from within and outside the CGIAR,that verified the findings or applied the methodology developed in the study. In all cases, the milestone contributions were published in refereed journal articles, books or official, peer reviewed center publications (not working papers and other non-refereed documents). This review documents and highlights the important milestones in impact assessment research that can be attributed to current and past CG economists and social scientists. While the scope of impact assessment research in the CGIAR has expanded over time, beyond production impacts, there continues to be a need for and a pressure to further broaden the agenda of impact research. Evidence that modern technology has contributed to poverty alleviation is particularly sought after by the donor community. Similarly, studies on the impacts of agricultural modernization on the sustainable management of agricultural eco-systems, in general, and biodiversity in particular, are also in demand. CG economists have also begun measuring the impacts of policy research and advocacy, training and human capacity strengthening, and networks for technology generation and exchange. The impact assessment community faces enormous methodological challenges as it gears up to measure impacts in the above areas, but these are also the areas where future milestones can be achieved.

Socioeconomics Program

English

0309|R01CIMPU|AGRIS 0301|AL-Economics Program

Juan Carlos Mendieta

CIMMYT Staff Publications Collection