Management of agricultural research projects in India. Part 1: Project planning

Abstract

In order to understand the ‘state of the art’ concerning the management of agricultural research projects in India, a study was undertaken involving the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Institutes and Agricultural Universities. This is the first of two papers and it discusses various aspects of the planning of agricultural research projects in the country. Problems of farmers and field observations served as sources of ideas for research projects only in one third of the cases. Compatibility with an Institute's goals and resources availability were the major criteria considered for proposing research projects. Project leaders in consultation with project members formulated their research projects within six months. The majority of the projects were discussed, evaluated and approved by scientific bodies like the Staff Research Council (SRC) or the Project Advisory Committee (PAC). Only a smaller proportion of the project proposals were rejected because of lack of personnel and facilities, and poorly prepared project proposals. In a considerable number of cases research methodologies were modified after approval for want of funds, men and materials, and due to the discovery of new methods. Apart from lack of resources in terms of men and materials, human problems such as a poor relationship with superiors also played a significant role in the premature termination of research projects. In a number of cases, no deadlines were set for the completion of research projects, and inter-disciplinary co-operation was lacking.