Independent evaluation of CGIAR Research Program on MAIZE: Brief summary of findings, conclusions and recommendations

1. Independent Evaluation Arrangement (IEA)
Evaluation Workshop
FC13: Bogor, Indonesia
Evaluation of CGIAR Research Program
on MAIZE
Team Leader: Guido Gryseels April 2015

2. Introduction
MAIZE is led by CIMMYT and implemented in partnership with IITA
and more than 300 other partners.
Aim: Double the productivity of maize-based farming systems,
making them more resilient and sustainable and ultimately
increasing farmers’ incomes and livelihoods. Main target group is
smallholders living in stress-prone environments with poor market
access - ~640 million people, 72 million of them maize dependent.
Start: late 2011
Total expenditure: USD 225m (over 3.5 year period)+ 49m
supplementary funding, of which W1/W2 USD 43m (19% of total)

3. Main Findings
• Promising program delivering results
• On track reaching milestones and targets, particularly
related to productivity improvement
• Strong comparative advantage due to genetic resources,
partnerships, long-term presence in and delivery of
germplasm in priority regions
• Coherent program with good science
• Effective and complementary partnerships
• History of widespread adoption of improved varieties
• Appropriate governance evolving in a positive way

4. Main Findings
RELEVANCE
• Coherent set of five Flagship Programs
• Clear rationale for research strategies on Sustainable intensification
and Stress resilient and nutritious maize
• Social science should be cross cutting
• Impact pathways should be strengthened for interlinking FPs
• Effective priority setting but comparative advantage is changing
• Role in deploying finished hybrids?
• Need for further integration separate CGIAR programmes
• Need for foresight on emerging issues
• Low level W1/W2 funding affects focus and integration

5. Main Conclusions
QUALITY OF SCIENCE
• Good to excellent quality of research and breeding
• Strong publications record
• High production of genetic data and germplasm
• Scope for learning from best practices private sector
• Strong partnerships with ARIs for science quality
• Need to link with other CRP’s for agronomy
• Need for mentoring young scientists

6. Main Conclusions
EFFECTIVENESS
- On target for reaching milestones and goals
- Need for dynamic ToCs regarding assumptions
- Need common processes, protocols, working methods
- Need to standardize data generation
- Major investment in capacity development: training, innovation
platforms
- More analysis on gender needed for priority setting and feedback
- Impact assessment strategy needed to enhance use and feedback

7. Main Conclusions &
Recommendations
• Added value through broad partnership, good research rationale
and strategy, and target-orientation
• 11 Recommendations relating to:
– Changing comparative advantage
– Pro-active research capability
– Best practices
– Efficiency and effectiveness
– Agronomy
– Gender
– Strategy impact assessment
– Single MAIZE program headed by director