Management of agricultural research projects in India Part 2: Research productivity, reporting and communication

Abstract

This second part of the paper looks at various factors associated with agricultural productivity, reporting and communication of research results in India. Agricultural scientists in the country are conscious of their obligation to give more importance to applied problem-solving research. A majority of the scientists have not been exposed to systematised procedures of CPM or PERT for monitoring their projects. Most of the completed projects were deemed to have been evaluated by submission of final reports and publications in journals. Institutional factors, such as availability of facilities and competent research personnel and supporting administration; personal traits like initiative, integrity, intelligence, resourcefulness and dedication; improved working conditions and opportunities for advanced studies were considered important for improving research productivity. A majority of the scientists felt that there was avoidable delay and uncertainty in getting research supplies. Problems such as lack of facilities, bureaucracy and ‘red tape’, greatly hampered the implementation of research projects.

The majority of the agricultural scientists maintained functional filing systems, and submitted their research reports as per calendar schedule to the heads of divisions or directors. However, in many cases there was no feedback to the scientists. The research records were kept mostly by the project leaders or retained in the department office. The scientists considered publications in scientific journals as the most important means of disseminating their research results and recognition of their work. Communication with their peers was mainly through exchange of reprints and correspondence.