Wednesday, November 7, 2007
249-7

Assessing the Impact of the Bean/Cowpea CRSP Graduate Training Program.

Nelissa Jamora1, Richard Bernsten1, Mywish Maredia1, Irv Widders2, Eric Crawford1, and Russell Freed3. (1) Agricultural Economics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, (2) horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, (3) Michigan State University, 1408 Basswood Ct., East Lansing, MI 48823

Since 1980, the Bean/Cowpea CRSP supported nearly 200 students (M.S., Ph.D. degrees) at US universities in the plant, food, and social sciences--fields critical to developing bean/cowpea research capacity in Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the U.S. To document the impact of CRSP investments in training, this study surveyed 76 former trainees, 25 current/former US Principal Investigators; and conducted two case studies. Trainees reported professional/personal benefits from studying in the US-including releasing varieties, awards/recognition, publications, and positions held. Most HC respondents (86%) returned to a developing country--79% returned to their home institution. Most returnees earning a Ph.D. degree (86%), specialized in plant science (69%), worked in a bean/cowpea-related field for the government (36%) or a university (31%). Principle investigators (56%) praised the CRSP's commitment to training, acknowledged the need for greater degree training funding (68%), and reported jobs held by trainees (64%) as important CRSP achievement. The Sokoine University/Tanzania case study found that 10 of 11 trainees returned home--most still work at SUA, where they are CRSP collaborators. The CRSP played a major role in developing SUA's research/teaching program. Trainees had significant impacts through teaching and obtaining external funds to enhance CRSP projects. While SUA released four bean varieties, adoption was limited due to seed production/multiplication constraints. The Zamorano/Honduras case study found that with CRSP funding, EAP created a strong regional research program--EAP varieties are grown throughout the region, graduates hold key research positions in national programs, and the program's reputation contributed to EAP's obtaining external funding. By enhancing EAP's capacity, the CRSP had a major impact on increasing bean production in Central America. The CRSP's graduate training program has had a significant impact on enhancing research capacity/impact in both countries. The USAID donors should continue to support and hopefully increased funding for graduate degree training.