Purpose; Structure and content; Necessary futher work; Rationale for planning; Planning approach; Strategic planning at the national level; Strategic planning at the institute level; Planning mechanism and organizational devices.

Sustainability as a starting point for a new development paradigm; Challenges faced by the region; CATIE: meeting its obligations and mandate; Strategic framework; CATIE'S programs; Institucional implementation and strategies.

This report provides a brief review of recent trends and key policies in strengthening national agricultural research systems. Chapters provide a brief overview of the recent evolution of national research systems and a synthesis of policy issues and good practices for developing these systems including the involvement of universities and the private sector. They also focus on key policy and institutional reforms for strengthening public research institutions including funding, research management, and client orientation. Finally they discuss implications for the World Bank in its ongoing efforts to strengthen national research systems.