Evaluation of crop research institutes under data and resource constraints: An alternative approach

• Published in: Evaluation and program planning 2023-04, Vol.97, p.102247, Article 102247
• Main Authors: Samal, Parshuram, Mondal, Biswajit, Jambhulkar, Nitiprasad Namdeorao, Verma, Ramlakhan, Das, Anup Kumar, Singh, Onkar Nath
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Crop research institute; Impact evaluation; Limited data; Public sector; Resource constraints
• ISSN: 0149-7189
• DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2023.102247

The evaluation of crop research institutes in the developing world under limited data availability has not been assessed in the past due to resource constraints. The paper assesses the social benefits of rice research taking the case of a research institute from India following a new approach. The area coverage of the varieties was estimated to be 3.4 million ha and the gain in production was 6.2 million tonnes per year in India. The additional return obtained due to the adoption of these varieties was about ₹ 14,621 million (US$ 232 million) per year at constant 2014–5 prices. The return per rupee investment in the institute’s research and extension was ₹ 17. This approach is recommended for the impact evaluation of other crop research institutes in India and the developing world under resource constraints. •A new approach for evaluating public-sector crop research institutes is proposed.•The approach is suitable for research institutes where assessment is required in a shorter time with resource constraints.•We found that the approach yielded an attractive return when applied to a public sector research institute.