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Impact of IFPRI’s Policy Research on Resource Allocation and Food Security in Bangladesh.

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Impact of IFPRI’s Policy Research on Resource Allocation and Food Security in Bangladesh.

Babu, S. 2000

Impact Assessment Discussion Paper No. 13, International Food Policy Research Institute: Washington DC.

The Bangladesh Food Policy Project (BFPP), implemented during 1988–94 by IFPRI in collaboration with the Bangladesh Ministry of Food, was effective in providing researchbased information to enable several policy changes in the Bangladeshi food sector.

This paper is an attempt to assess the impact of IFPRI’s research in Bangladesh through the BFPP. It identifies major food policy reforms designed and implemented by the Government of Bangladesh, examines their linkages to the information generated by the food policy research, and estimates the benefits of the research to the Government of Bangladesh.

Based on information gathered through interviews of more than 60 senior policymakers, donor representatives, collaborators, researchers, and training recipients, the paper draws lessons for future food policy research programs in Bangladesh and other developing countries.

Among the more than 70 research outputs from IFPRI, two policy contributions stand out: the abolition of the Rural Rationing program and the implementation of the Food for Education program. A case study approach is used in this paper for documenting the costs and benefits of the impacts of these contributions. The cost-benefit analysis of IFPRI’s contribution to the abolition of Rural Rationing indicates a benefit/cost ratio of 15 to 60 depending on the levels of attribution of benefits. The internal rates of return (IRR) for this part of food policy research investment range from 114 percent to 259 percent. The net present values (NPV) in 1989, using a 5 percent discount rate range from US$27 million to US$116 million. These figures demonstrate that even with the lowest level of attribution of these benefits to IFPRI’s research, the returns from this policy decision alone more than pay for the total project cost. Capacity-strengthening activities also formed a major component of the BFPP and

resulted in the generation of substantial capacity for conducting field surveys and compiling and

processing data from surveys for policy analysis and research. Much can be learned from the process of implementing research and outreach activities under the BFPP. First, it was found that setting priorities through regular client-consultation, involving local researchers and key analysts as collaborators, and choosing skilled and committed research personnel all contribute to the ownership and sustainability of the research.

Second, the acceptance and adoption of research results can be improved by ensuring that research is objective, by identifying windows of opportunity for result sharing, and by tailoring policy communication strategies. Finally, it was also learned that capacity-strengthening activities strategically tied to information sharing increase the acceptance and adoption of research results.

 

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