MANAGING AGRICULTURAL-RESEARCH - VIEWS FROM A FUNDING AGENCY

Management is an increasingly critical determinant of the effectiveness of agricultural research. The challenge facing managers is to expand their role to include managing the external environment-creating relationships with key actors and ensuring that research is linked to development. International Development Research Centre (IDRC) support has historically generally concentrated on strengthening the technical capacity of researchers in developing countries; management skills and experience have been seen as a by-product. However, IDRC's support has evolved to reflect a broader view of the needs and responsibilities of research management. Increasing attention has been given to training, to institutions (rather than just projects), to evaluation as a management tool and to ensuring that research products are used. Donors need to assess whether their practices are contributing to research management capability. Key areas for future donor support include developing management tools, management training and providing opportunities for managers to learn from experiences elsewhere.