Source: CIMMYT E-news vol 3 no 8

Leaders from 19 developing country maize and wheat research organizations say that CIMMYT training has had positive effects on their institutions, particularly in developing new areas of research, sharpening local or national agricultural practices, and improving the way research was conducted.

The leaders were responding to a survey sent as part of the study CIMMYT’s Formal Training Activities: Perceptions of Impact from Former Trainees, NARS Research Leaders, and CIMMYT Scientists, by Leslie J. Cooksy and Elias Arellano, of the Center for Community Research & Service, University of Delaware, USA. In addition to the responses from the 28 research leaders, the study involved interviews with CIMMYT staff and surveys completed by 47 participants from diverse CIMMYT training courses. One research director commented: “We have better information, human resources, germplasm access, and both more modern and efficient methodologies to perform our research work.”

There had not been an overarching assessment since 1983 of training, an activity that CIMMYT staff consider a key component of center activities. “In interviews I conducted in May 2004, staff described training as ‘one of the main pillars’ of the center, and as ‘very, very crucial for our future impact,’ ” Cooksy says. “Almost all CIMMYT scientists participate as trainers in one or more courses, and courses also draw on scientists from other advanced research institutions and from developing nations, so participants have the experience of working and developing relationships with world-class scientists.” CIMMYT capacity building activities also impact on the center’s own research and development work, according to the study. “The feedback from national programs is important, because you find out how something doesn’t work,” said one CIMMYT scientist. “For example, semidwarf wheat doesn’t work in Kazakhstan. The Chinese don’t want red grains, while in Kazakhstan, red grains are considered to be of higher quality than white.”

Since 1996, more than 3,000 persons have participated in CIMMYT training activities, and more than 4,000 have worked as visiting scientists at the center. “For the past several years, the center has dedicated around 15% of its budget to strengthening the capacity of national agricultural research systems in developing nations,” says Cooksy. “Of this, approximately 5-7% is spent specifically on training and professional development.”

Although the limited sample covered by the surveys means this study cannot support conclusions about the extent of impact of CIMMYT training, Cooksy notes that: “All sources of evidence indicate that training provided by CIMMYT achieves many of its goals.” Considering the challenges facing agricultural research and development in developing countries and the need for strong partnerships, research leaders and CIMMYT scientists made recommendations to sustain and improve the quality of the center’s training, including better assessment of training needs, increasing the diversity of training approaches, and continuing the longer, in-service training courses at CIMMYT headquarters.

Testimonials from CIMMYT training alumni: http://www.cimmyt.org/english/wps/training/testimonies.htm