TAC expresses its thanks to the Chair and members of the Panel for a comprehensive and constructive Report which was discussed at TAC 74, in the presence of the Panel Chair, Dr. Bernard Tinker, the Chair of IRRI's Board, Dr. Roelof Rabbinge, the Interim Director General, Dr. Robert Havener, and the Deputy Director General Research, Dr. Kenneth Fischer.
The Review Report is positive and optimistic about IRRI's strategic role in achieving sustainable food security in the future, and concludes that IRRI represents a high-return investment that deserves the full support of the CGIAR. TAC is pleased that IRRI's research is of high scientific quality and relevance. The Panel Report provides valuable insights into IRRI's strengths and weaknesses as well as the opportunities and challenges faced by the Institute.
The Panel has made 11 recommendations which TAC fully endorses. The Committee notes that IRRI agrees with all the recommendations, although it is still reviewing how best to implement three of them.
TAC commends the Report for careful consideration, and offers the following commentary, prepared with inputs from the CGIAR Secretariat, to supplement the Panel's Report.
Rainfed Rice Programme
TAC notes that the Panel has recommended that there should be a single rainfed rice programme in which related lines of work can be brought together, emphasizing those where prospects for success and impact are greatest while at the same time making efficiency gains in operating a single programme. TAC appreciates the cautious response from IRRI regarding the way it should implement this recommendation. TAC considers that the underlying reasons for this recommendation are compatible with IRRI's and NARS' desire to retain the identities of the research activities of the three rainfed ecosystems and the associated specialized groups of scientists. TAC agrees that a single administration for the rainfed rice programme, with ecosystem-based projects can lead to an improvement in research focus, greater flexibility and impact, and closer linkage with resource allocation within the programme.
Biotechnology and Rice Genomics
TAC agrees that IRRI must continue to concentrate on more and better rice that can be grown in sustainable ways. We note that IRRI is already taking advantage of new developments in biotechnology and rice genomics; and that it is increasing its collaboration with the private sector.
Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
TAC recognizes that greater research attention to soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics in intensive rice systems, as recommended by the Panel, is appropriate and timely because of the accumulating evidence that productivity decline is often associated with nitrogen supply. The work of IRRI on such processes in soils with alternating anaerobic/aerobic fluctuations will be complex but highly important. TAC believes that the proposed initiative is of strategic relevance to the CGIAR System as a whole. It is essential that contact be made and maintained among Centres and others who are working on carbon and nitrogen dynamics across a range of environments within the CGIAR System and among the advanced laboratories that will be assisting them. TAC hopes that IRRI will play a role in reinforcing such contacts.
TAC notes that the Panel Report, in the body of its text, concentrated on the ability of the soil to supply nitrogen as the primary factor in long-term yield decline. Reduced yields, in long-term experiments were reversed by greater application rates of nitrogen fertilizer. While soil nitrogen supply is a significant factor, the reader is cautioned to not conclude that the problem is simple, and solved by merely increasing nitrogen fertilizer rates. The complex bio-geochemical processes involved are closely tied to changes in soil carbon and micro-organisms, to pest population interactions, and to a range of management options.
International Network for Genetic Evaluation of Rice (INGER)
TAC is pleased that IRRI is fully committed to supporting the primary function of INGER which it will relaunch as a high-quality service. This will be based on the outcome of a workshop IRRI plans to hold to assess the structure and operations of INGER in the light of the needs of NARS and the expected funding environment. TAC applauds IRRI's effort to put INGER on a more secure financial footing, and to work out a cost-sharing arrangement with NARS. TAC notes that a large portion of the germplasm tested through INGER originates from the participating NARS, and hopes that in organizing monitoring tours of INGER locations IRRI will give preference to younger scientists from partner NARS.
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
The Panel has argued that, in the light of the changing international perceptions to IPR, IRRI should re-examine its policy. TAC concurs with the Panel. The CGIAR has commissioned two panels to address general issues in biotechnology and IPR, and the CGIAR will be formulating a policy on IPR in the near future. It is TAC's expectation that IRRI and CGIAR policies be consistent, and it encourages IRRI to work closely with the CGIAR to ensure uniformity in the primary principles of the IPR policy.
TAC notes that IRRI is planning a stakeholders meeting of NARS, donors, NGOs, farmer groups, IPR specialists and members of the private sector to develop guidelines which TAC feels will need to facilitate decisions about protection for IRRI-developed intellectual property to be made on a case-by-case basis.
Partnerships
The Panel considered it appropriate that IRRI's unique role in partnership is highlighted, for it is a story worth telling. TAC commends IRRI for this special achievement which it has continued to sustain effectively. However, TAC notes that IRRI and its partners operate in a fast changing environment, especially in the IPR area. While TAC has no particular recommendation to make, it wishes to point out that as IRRI makes hard choices, it will be exposed to conflicting views regardless of its decision, and will need to have its NARS partners fully committed to supporting the joint decisions and follow up action.
Governance
TAC supports the Panel recommendation that the Board undertake more systematic annual self-assessments, and annual assessments of the DG. TAC notes that the Board is also in agreement with the recommendation.
The Board plans to evaluate its current approach to self-assessment at a future Board meeting. An assessment of the appropriateness and effectiveness of the oversight function of the Board can only be of benefit to the Board and the Centre. When specific issues are identified during a self-assessment, then the action taken by the Board should be recorded in the Board minutes which serve as an important component of the Board's institutional memory.
With regard to annual assessments of the DG, it is considered that these should be conducted against a set of agreed criteria, and in a transparent and open manner between the Board and the DG.
Management
The Institute is presently in good financial health, and does not expect any drastic changes in staffing or funding in the near future. TAC notes that IRRI has been through a difficult period during the past two years. However, it is pleased to learn that the situation has begun to stabilize, and commends the Board, Management and staff for their dedication and effort to ensure the continuation of the stabilization processes now underway. TAC hopes that IRRI will move expeditiously in recruiting a new Director General and other members of the senior management team.
TAC notes that IRRI has had a lengthy experience in use of a matrix system for maintaining disciplinary excellence while mobilizing resources into problem-solving projects. It agrees with the Panel that IRRI needs to continue its efforts to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of this evolving system through staff training and the consideration of rewards for high-quality managerial input.
