Centro Internacional de la Papa
International Potato Center
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Annual Report 2002
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U E L I N G G R O W T H, H
E A L T H, A N D P R O S
P E R I T Y
I n t e r n a t i o n a l P o t a t o C e n t e r • A n n u a l R e p o r t 2 0 0 2 |
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SHARED EFFORT TO SUSTAIN IMPACT In 2002,
CIP and its sister centers continued to suffer
the effects of diminishing financial support to
international agricultural research, despite a
renewed interest from investors in efforts to
reduce poverty, promote social development, and
protect the environment. To cope with this situation, CIP took action on various fronts. We participated in the formulation of various Challenge Program proposals while continuing to seek support for the systemwide and ecoregional initiatives that CIP convenes or participates in. We stepped up fundraising efforts. We embarked on a stringent program to heighten efficiencies and underwent a painful downsizing process to reduce our budget deficit. Thanks to these efforts, we were able to rebuild reserves and produce a balanced budget for 2003. We thank all CIP staff for their tremendous dedication and decisiveness and their active participation in securing these achievements. Over the years, CIP has placed emphasis on documenting the impact of its work. A series of case studies has been conducted, on the diffusion of new varieties (in six countries), the implementation of integrated pest management strategies (in four countries), and seed systems (in five countries). The composite net grand benefits from these investments alone are estimated at over US$155 million per year. These results are only partial and do not reflect the benefits accrued from many important areas, for instance in human resources development. CIP has trained more than 5,000 scientists and professionals involved in research and development in various parts of the world. It is also important to note that it took more than 15 years of dedicated research to prepare the ground for this impact charted, mainly supported by unrestricted funding generously provided by our investors. CIP technologies did not begin to show impact until 1987, although the upward trend has continued steadily since 1993 (see Annual net benefit from investments in CIP between 1971 and 2001). Unrestricted support to international centers is critical for long-term research whose payoff requires sustained efforts, such as the collection, characterization, and conservation of genetic resources. CIP holds in trust a world collection of over 20,000 accessions of potatoes, sweetpotatoes, and Andean roots and tubers. Some impact can be readily appreciated from these efforts, for example through the CIP program that has restored more than 2,000 potato accessions to 21 native communities in Peru to replace crops lost to climatic change, terrorism, and other disruptions. But there is also great promise for benefits in the longer term, for instance through the identification of genes that can help cope with the effects of climate change. At CIP we believe that impact is the result of a collective effort by investors, scientists, development agents, farmers, and support staff, and that all of us deserve to be proud of it. Patient and systematic research and training does pay off for the poor in developing countries. CIP thanks the investors who have contributed with unrestricted and restricted funding over the years, as well as our partners in research. Without their strong commitment to research for development, their sustained support, and their efforts to diffuse and promote new technologies, these accomplishments would not have been possible. |
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CIP. 2002. Fueling growth, health, and prosperity.
International Potato Center Annual Report 2002. © 2003, International Potato Center |
