Document of

The World Bank

FOR OFmFCIAL USE ONLY

Rept N. 8530

PROJECT COMPLETION REPORT

PEOILE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH PROJECT(CREDIT 1297-CHA)

APRIL 18, 1990

Environment, Human Resourcesand Urban Development Operations DivisionCountry Department IIIAsia Regional Office

This document has a restricted distibution and may be used by recipient only in the perfonrance ofthdir offcial duties Its contents may not otherwise be discosed without World Bank authorization.

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CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS

US$1 - Y 1.75

ACADEMIC YEAR

September 1 - August 31

FISCAL YEAR

January 1 - December 31

ABBREVIATIONS

CAAS - Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesCAS 8 Chinese Academy of SciencesCAST Chinese Association for Science and TechnologyCNTIC China National Technical Import CorporationMAAF Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and FisheryMOA = Ministry of AgricultureMOE = Ministry of EducationNRRI 8 National Rice Research InstitutePC Project CommissionPO Project OfficeSAC 3 State Agricultural CommissionSSTC 3 State Science and Technology Commission

VOR O0FIAL USE ONLYTHE WORLD BANK

Washington. D.C. 20433U.S.A.

Ofie of Du.tcU.efle'hI

April 18, 1990

MEMORANDUM TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS AND THE PRESIDENT

SUBJECT: Project Completicn Report: PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA -Agricultural Educ&tion and Research Proiect (Cr. 1297-CHA)

Attached, for information, is a copy of a report entitled"Project Completion Report: People's Republic of China - AgriculturalEducation and Research Project (Credit 1297-CHA)" prepared by theBorrower with a section on Bank Observations prepared by the AsiaRegional Office. No audit of this project has been made by theOperations Evaluation Department at this time.

Attachment

This document has a restrctd dibution and may be used by reipients only in the performanceof their official duties. Its contents may not otherwise be disclosed without World Bank authoriation.

FOR OFmFCIAL USE ONLY

PROJECT COMPLETION REPORT

PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CINA

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH PROJECT(CREDIT 1297-CHA)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Pane No.

Preface .... ,....... 0 .00 ....... 04.......... ............ iBasic Data Sheet * .......... . **.........*0000 ............ iiEvaluation Summary {.*....000. ..... ..... vBank Observations ............................ **............ O***. viii

I. INTRODUCTION ............. ........... *............. .......... ISocio-Economic Setting ............. ............... .*.. 1Education Development Strategy and Issues ....... ........ I

II. PROJECT IDENTIFICATION, PREPARATION AND APPRAISAL ...... 2Origins of the Project ....... .... ... ...... ... .......... . 2Credit Effectiveness ...... ** ................* ........... 3Description of the Project ............................. 3Components ................................................... 4Start-Up ...........................................* * * .** .* 5Amendments to Legal Agreement ...... ....................Project Total Investment ... ... .. ..... .... .... .. 5Disbursement ........... ** *........ .. ***tO....... .... * 6

III. IMPLEMENTATION .............. 6Civil Works . ........................................... 6Equipment and Furniture ................................ 7Technical Assistance (Including Overseas Training) ..... 7Covenants of the Credit Agreement .................... 8

IV. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS PERFORMANCE .... . ............. 8Project Organization and Management .................... 8

V. PROJECT IMPACT * .......... *...#* ............ *.* *......... 9Specialist Service .... 9*......... .... *. ... ...... 9Equipment ................... . . . .. ........... 10Newly Built or Renovated Laboratories ................. 10Benefits ......... . . .... ...... ......... . ** 11Enrollment and Output of Project Institutions ........ 11

Utilization of Laboratories .......... ...... ...... 13R search 13

This document has a restricted distribution and may be used by recipients only in the performanceof their official duties. Its contents may not otherwise be disclosed without World Bank authorization.

Table of Contents (contd.)

Studies and Preparation of Future Projects ............. 16Project Implementation .... .............. .......... .... . 16

VI. IDA PERFORMANCE .... ... ***#** ............ ..... 17Project Generation ........ ............................ . 17

1. Beueficiary Colleges and Institutes ........ O..* ........ 192. Tracer Studies - Measure of Fit Between

Specialization and Jobs Offered ... ................... 203. Tracer Studies - Ease of Adaptation to New Job ......... 214. Project Indicators and Targets ........ *................ 22

ATTAC HT I: COMMENTS FROM THE BORROWER ................... 23

PROJECT COMPLETION REPORT

PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH PROJECT(CREDIT 1297-C)A)

PREFACE

This is a Project Completion Report (PCR) for the AgriculturalEducation and Research Project in the People's Republic of China, for whichCredit 1297-CMA in the amount of SDR 67.8 million (US$75.4 million) wasapproved on November 2, 1982. The Credit was closed on March 31, 1989,with the final disbursement on September 30, 1989.

The PCR was prepared In mid-1988 by a team from the Project Officein the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fishery (MAAF),drawing on data provided by the 18 project supported institutions, as wellas the report of a team of consultants who undertook a three-week review ofproject implementation. IDA supervision missions comented on early draftsof the PCR. The Basic Data Sheet, Evaluation Sumary and Bank Observationswere prepared by the Environment, Human Resources and Urban DevelopmentOperations Division, Country Department III in the Asia Region.

This PCR was read by the Operations Evaluation Department (OED).The draft PCR was sent to the Borrower and its agencies for comment inJanuary 1990. Their telexed reply is reproduced as Attachment I.

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PROJECT COMPLETION REPORT

PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC O0 CHINA

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH PROJECT(CREDIT 1297-CHA)

EVALUATION SUMMARY

Introduction

1. The project was initiated in early 1981 by the State AgriculturalComission (SAC) which established a Project Leadership Team, a ProjectCommittee and a Specialist Expert Committee to conduct a feasibility study,formulate the project, and complete a background paper. A plan for theestablishment of the National Rice Research Institute (NRRI) was alsocompleted and its key elements were incorporated into the project as a sub-component. The overall project proposal was finalized by SAC in September1981. Ir. October a World Bank appraisal team visited China, followed bynegotiations in April 1982. The Credit Agreement was signed on November16, 1982 and the Credit became effective on February 2, 1983. A projectimplementation period of five years was estimated at Appraisal with aclosing date of June 30, 1988. The Closing Date of the Credit Account wasextended to December 1988, and finally to March 31, 1989, with the finaldisbursement on September 30, 1989.

Proiect Objectives. Contents and Costs

2. The US$75.4 million credit (67.8 million SDR equivalent) wasprovided for this Agricultural Education and Research Project to:

(a) improve the quality of education and research at the projectInstitutions (11 universities and six research institutes),as well as increase their overall output through expansion ofenrollment and research capacity;

(b) support the establishment of a new National Rice ResearchInstitute;

(c) expand postgraduate programs;

(d) provide academic training of specialists, and foreign lan-guage training of students; and

(e) purchase laboratory equipment, library books and essentialresearch and audio-visual equipment.

3. The total estimated cost of the agreed project was US$201.6million, of which the Credit amount equivalent to SDR 67.8 million com-prised 37.4Z. The amount of Government financing was expected to be

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US$126.2 million equivalent, at a prevailing exchange rate of Yuan 1.75 tothe US dollar. Total cost at Project Completion was US$184.4 million,about 8.51 lower than the appraisal estimate.

Implementation Experience and Results

4. In general, the educational objectives of the project were satis-factorily met. Total student enrollment in project institutions reached28,992 undergraduate (versus an appraisal target of 23,500) and 2,734graduate students (versus a target of 1,900), increases over target of 23%and 432, respectively.

5. While the Technical Assistance component was implemented, it hadlimited impact as all lecturing was undertaken through interpreters who,for the most part, lacked tie level of cou_nad of the English language thatwas needed for effectiveness. Thirty-seven staff/years of specialistservices (academic and language training) were planned at appraisal but55.3 stafflyears comprising 50 for language trainicS and 5.3 for academictraining were implemented.

6. The agreed project included 389 overseas fellowships totalling 720staff/years to strengthen staff capability in the agricultural sciences.At the time of completion the, number of fellows sent abroad for trainingwas 1,425, of whom 421 went for advanced studies, 377 for M.S. degrees, 77for PhDs., 421 on study tours and 113 on managerial tours. Those who havealready returned are teacbing advanced courses and conducting advancedresearch, thus contributing to qualitative and quantitative improvement inteaching and research, although only a little over one third of thetrainees sent overseas had returned at the time of completion. manytrainees who were sent abroad for master level degrees have been officiallyencouraged to continue to PhD levels and, thereby, prolong their stay.

7. Civil works were completed on a scale well above the scope of theappraisal estimates. The agreed project provided for the construction ofnew buildinags covering a total floor space of 375,000 m2 and rehabilitationof 36,600 mZ of existing buildings while 693,000 m2 of new construction and42,606 m2 of rehabilitation were completed representing increases of 66?and 132, respectively. Construction at 16 project institutions was com-pleted by the eand of 1988. Work on the main buildings and annexes of theNational Rice Research Institute was 911 complete by June 1988 and reached1001 of target by October 1989. A total of 31,170 m2 was constructed atNRR using PRC government funds.

8. The construction work is of good quality and the buildings aresuited to pedagogical requirements. All equipment (excluding NM!) wasinstalled in good time, and most of it was delivered after the buildingswere completed. Laboratory equipment is used and properly maintained.Utilization of the buildings is satisfactory wlth respect to laboratoriesprovided under the project.

9. The project provided US$52.4 milllon for the purchase of 8,109pieces of equipment, most of which was purchased by ICB. Equipment selec-tion was initiated in project-supported institutions and finalized by a

conmittee of scientists, centrally. By mid-1987, 942 of the equipment hadbeen procured. The cost of books and other educational materials procured,proved more costly than assumed at appraisal.

10. Studies. Two studies on agrlcultural research and manpower werecompleted and submltted to the Bank. The study on agricultural researchconcentrated on one province and provided in-depth analysis of the agri-cultural researcb situation. Although the Association would have preferreda nation-wide study, the completed study proved valuable in guiding theformulatLon of the Second Agricultural Research Project (Cr. 1516-CMA).The Agricultural Manpower Study was also concentrated on one province(J6angsu) and analyzed manpower issues in detail. The Association madesome suggesti;uaw for broadoning the study during its data collectlon andanalysis period, but the investigators were unable to expand the scope ofthe study beyond the original terms of reference. The manpower study didnot have as much impact as the Agricultural Research Study, but did shedsome light on agricultural manpower numbers, specLalizations, age profilesand deployment in one province.

II. A two-part tracer study (Annexes 2 and 3), whiLch measured thecloseness of flt of undergraduate degrees wlth jobs offered and the easewith whilch new graduates adapted to their jobs, was conducted by fiveproject supported colleges. The study indicated that most graduates (781)felt that jobs offered matched or closely Batched thelr specialization andwere either satisfied with the jobs offered or were prepared to take thejobs. A majorLty (871) adapted to the jobs immediately or withiLn a periodof one or two Years.

12. Compliance with Credit Agreement covenants was satisfactory.

Institutlonal PArformance

13. The overall management responsibliLty for the proj.ct was vestedln the Ministerial Coordination Committee (PMC) whilch represented theMinistries of Agriculture, Forestry, Water Resource and Electric Power andState Meteorology Administration. The actual project implementation wasundertaken by the Project Office (PO) under the Bureau of Education of theMlnistry of Agriculture. The PO Director was Chairman of PMC and Directorof the Bureau of Education. At the level of project institutions, corres-ponding POs establlshed under their respective Bureaus of Education wereresponsible for project Implementation. The increased responsibilities ofthese POs necessitated the strengthening and training of local staff.

IZmact and SustainabilitX

14. The project was successful i., fulfilling the objectives stated atappraisal and project benefits are sustainable. Success includes, amongother things, timely Implementation of construction of physical facilities,purchase of equipment and books and acquLsition of expert services, theexpansion of enrollment capacity of colleges, upgrading of teachers and

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research personnel, Improvement of teaching quality, upgrading the qualityand level of research and establiabment of an effective project managementsystem.

15. New disciplines have now beeo introduced in the curricula of thecolleges which have been further etrengthened by supporting courses incomputer tecbhology and foreign languages. The quality of teaching hasgenerally improved through the Introduction of a new academic creditsystem, computerized course planning systems and improved teaching methodsand thesis writing.

16. Research programs in the project-supported resesrch institutionsand colleges have been stimulated and facilitated by the provision of newlyequipped laboratories, trained personnel aud increased contact with thbinternational academic and research commuiniry. This has resulted in signi-ficant increases in the type and scale of research (subjects) undertaken atthe national, ministerial and provincial levels.

Findines and Lessons

(a) A comprehensive and thorough feasibility study is a pre-requisite to a sound and realistic project design which canbe successfully Implemented. Effective cooperation amsproject officials and experts from IDA, other related inter-national agencies and the project institutions of theBorrower is also a necessary pro-condition for successfulimplemetation.

(b) The quality of equipment purceased should not be compromisedby cost considerations. Instead, an "appropriate purchasingprocess' with detailed technical specifications should bedeveloped to encourage international competitive bidding,leading to the purchase of quality products at reasonableprices.

(c) In order to ensure the quality of items delivered, contractsfor equipment should include controls and penalties.

(d) To facilitate and expedite effective project implementation,the need for qualified Project Office staff trained inmanagement and finance cannot be overemphasized.

(e) To maximize the effective use of expert services, properinterpreters in the specialized fields should be madeavailable.

(f) To fully utilize the talent and capacity of trainees whenthey return home upon completion of advanced training, boththe necessary additional equipment, facilities, space andbudgetary support should be provided in advance of theirreturn;

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(g) Project supported inst.tutions need to agree in advance withGovernment on Issues such as entrance ascore requirements,total Or -' -^nt targets and the introduction of new disci-plines; Ono

(h) Periodical reviews are necessary during implemeatation toenable adjustments to be made in the project. The finaladjustment should take place in sufficient time to allowneeded implementation of changes required.

Leossons Lernt bv the Association

17. With good project dosign and mnageament and careful supervision,an institution building and rehabilitarlug project can, In a relativelyshort period, expand and update infrastructure, Increase both quantity andquality of equipment, provide training, strengthen supporting service andmeasurably improve key educational indicators (Annex 4).

18. In the case of China, which was new to the Association'sAgricultural and Zducation Sectors, staff continuity of appraisal and postappraisal personnel during the supervision phase was helpful in fosteringgood relations with the PO and enabled the Association to react quicklywhen added inputs of assistance (for procurement) were required;

19. On-site supervision of beneficiary institutions provided addedinsights into project effectiveness and its impact outside the project;

20. Language instruction for candidates chosen for overseas trainingwas a key project feature and enabled trainees to be accepted into highquality institutions with ainimal difficulty. This intensive languagetraining facility was established and operated by foreign specialists attwo locations. There is no doubt that this component played an importantrole in the overall success of the project.

21. Project design should have pressed for placement of candidates forhigher degrees in a larger number of countries. This would have allowedfor exposure to a broader range of ldeas from many differont institutions.

22. The association and the MAAF should have invested more effort inexplaining the lnstLtution building nature of the project investment,especially to Government economec planners, thereby minimlzing the percep-tion that the project bad procured too much overly sophisticated equipmentwhich was underutilized.

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PROJECT COMPLETION REPORT

PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

AGRiCULTURAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH PROJECT(CREDIT 1297-CMA)

BANK OBSERVATIONS

The objectives of the Agricultural Education and Research Projectwere to improve the quality of teaching and research, expand enrollment andresearch capacity of selected universities, and strengthen the organizationand management of resources. Eleven colleges and universities and sixresearch institutions would be assisted and a new National Rice ResearchInstitute (NRRI) would be established. Fellowships, language training,procurement of equipment and support materials, development of postgraduateprograms, and the construction of new laboratories, libraries, and teachingspace would be the main components.

Proiect Costs, FinncinZ and Disbursements

IDA Credit 1297-CMA for SDR 67.8 million (US$75.4 millionequivalent), approved on November 2, 1982, was expected to finance about37S of project costs, the remainder to be financed by Government. Actualproject costs were about 91.5S of estimated, US$184.4 million actual versusUS$201.6 million estimated (see Table 1). Government exceeded itsestimated yuan contribution from 221 million to 301 million, largelyattributable to currency fluctuations and a construction program, whichexceeded appraisal estimates in terms of volume and increased costs ofconstruction materials. The approximately 8.5Z drop in total project costswas attributable to the fluctuation in exchange rates between the US dollarand the yuan. The IDA credit financed approximately 402 of project costs.which were calculated using actual exchange rates prevailing during projectimplementation. Cumulative disbursements were ahead of appraisal estimatesduring the first four years of project implementation but procurementdifficulties outside of project management eontrol slowed the disbursementof the final US$0.6 million of credit funds until mid-1989. The closingdate was extended from June 30, 1988 to March 31, 1989 to accommodate thisdelayed procurement. Allocation of credit proceeds is shown in Table 1.

Imulementation

The project with seventeen beneficiary institutions plus the newNational Rice Research Institute provided the management unit known as theProject Office with a difficult task of coordination and supervision. Inaddition, as this was the Bank's first agricultural education subsectorventure In China, the Bank's regulations pertaining to procurement of goodsand services also presented the implementing agency with a situationwhereby they ha4 to educate themselves, negotiate with government procure-ment agencies and become familiar with international competitive bidding.

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Articles III and IV of the Development Credit Agreement containeda number of covenanto relating to project management, procurement, hiringof technical assistance, audits, studies and the operation and maintenanceof facilities and equipment provided under the project. One of thecovenants proved difficult to completely fulfill, namely the employment ofspecialist services (Article III, Section 3.02). Project managementreported poor impact by a number of short-term experts, who it was felt didnot coimunicate well or who could not be provided with effectlve trans-lators. As project implementation proceeded, increasing use was made oflocal speclalists or overseas specialists who spoke Chinese.

Project Office performance was comendable. Contacts were estab-lished and continuously updated with the beneficlary institutions andstrenuous efforts were made to meet the Bank's reporting requirements andimplementation procedures.

Proiect Impact

The project was timed to inject new infrastructure, equipment andtrained people into the void created by the cultural revolution and toimprove selected key educational indicators. These objectives weresuccessfully achieved in the project implementation period and continued ina follow-on Second Agricultural Education Project (Lu. 2444-CHA, Cr. 1500-CHM).

Conclusions

The project was well Implemented and met all major objectives in atimely manner. The number and location of beneficiary institutions frommultiple Ministries and agencies was difficult to manage but the PO did acreditable job in meeting targots for construction, procurement andtraining. Project/Association relationships were good due to the con-tinuity of appraisal and post appraisal staff ln later supervisionmissions.

The project funded the purchase of baslc, intermediate andadvanced level teachlng and research equlpment for use by undergraduates,graduate students and teaching and research staff. Procurement, especiallyin 1984 and 1985, was effective and large volumes of equipment arrived atinstitutions where, in some instances, buildings to house the equipmentwere not yet fully constructed or where teaching staff to man the equipmentwere stlll away on training courses. Observers from government planningagencies interpreted this temporary situation as procurement excess, where-by equipment which was too sophisticated was lying ldle and in danger ofdeterioration. Frequent Bank supervision of project supported institutionsat all levels showed that these conclusions were, for the most part,inaccurate and, as implementation proceeded, universities, colleges andresearch institutes began to Licorporate the equipment into new and revisedcurricula led by returning staff members who had acquired new skillsabroad.

Most project indicator targets were met and/or exceeded. Wheretargets were not fully met, achievement showed much improvement ever the1980-81 base data.

PROJECT COMPLUTION REPORT

PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH PROJECT(CREDIT 1297-CMA)

I. INTRODUCTION

Socic-Economic Setting

1.1 Agriculture is the backbone of China's national economy and thekey to the development of strategy of the country. It provides sustenanceto over one billion people and the source of income for 160 million farmfamilies while accounting for 35Z of the country's GDP. Out of the 960million ha of China's land area, only about 137 million ha are arable.Nearly half of the arable land ls irrigated. Farming systems are intensivewith large inputs of labor, chemical and organic fertilizers and water.The intensive system of food production, carried out largely on household-managed farms allows china to meet the basic food requirements of its popu-lation. Thus, the predominance cf agriculture including crops, livestock,forestry and fisheries has a definite and positive influence on theGovernment's decision to devote a substantial part of its resources to thedevelopment of the sector which is now faced with the challenge of thecombined effect of the population presseure (increasing by about 10 millionannually), the limited available land, the rise of people's standard ofliving and the ever increasing demand for raw agricultural materials forindustry. However, in the face of such demand the level of agriculturalproductivity is still considered low. Moreover, the land area under culti-vation will not expand as expected increases are offset by lands convertedto non-fatu uses. This will call for, amongst other things, acceleratedagricultural productivity through the introduction of advanced technologyalong with improved management and labor skills. In this respect, thenecessary prerequisites include expansion and improvement of the agricul-tural education and training system, with priority given to the training ofagricultural professionals and technicians, including extension servicepersonnel, rapid development of agricultural research, increasing thevolume of improved agricultural inputs as well as changing people'sattitude towards the production forces involving modern innovations andpractices.

Education Develoument Strateev and Issues

1.2 The Government strategy in agricultural development includespromoting agricultural education and research by Improving, strengtheningand expanding the programs of the Institutions of higher learning andresearch so that they might produce the level and type of trained manpowerthat would help the country to meet the increasing demand for food andagricultural raw materials.

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1.3 At the time when the Agricultural Zducation and Research projectwas conceived there were two major constraints in the broad area of agri-cultural sciencess the shortage of trained manpower in the agrlculturalsciences and the inadequacy of research output In thls field. Maln weak-nesses identLfLed as causing these constraints weres

(a) poor quality teaching and research resulting from insuffi-cLent and obsolete equipment, deficiencLes in the academlcqualifications of teacehag/research staff, and narrowlyconceived currlcula;

(b) low output of graduates and volume of research, attributablein large part to inadequate and substandard space and lack ofpostgraduate programs; and

(c) inefficLent organization and management of resources at bothnational and instLtutional levels arising from weaknesses liplanning ia the manpower and research areas and from lack ofeVxperience In modern management methods.

In order to redress the situation specific proposals weremade to:

(a) expand the capaclty of key universltLes/colleges and researchinstitutes wlth a view to increasing their output of trainedmanpower;

(b) improve the qualLty and effLciency of agrlcultural educationand research programs;

(c) assist the agricultural educatlon and traLniLg system inmeeting the manpower requirements of the sector; and

(d) increase the range of specializations in agrlcultural produc-tion to satLsfy speclflc umapower demand in the diversLfLedfields of productLon.

II PROJECT IDENTIPICATION. PREPARATION AND APPRAISAL

Orinins of the Proiect

2.1 The project was Initiated in earljr 1981 by the State AgriculturalCommission (SAC) which established a Project Leadership Team, a ProjectCom4ittee and a Speclalist Expert Commlttee to conduct a feasibility study,formulate the project, and complete a background paper. A plan for theestablishment of a National Rice Research Institute (DRRI) was also com-pleted, although a decision had not been reached on whether to seek WorldBank assistance for lts constructlon, equlpment and staff training. Late

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in project appraisal it was agreed that key elments, including equipmentand advanced training, for NRRI be incorporated as a subcomponent into theproject. The project request was finalized by SAC in October 1981. In thesame month an IDA appraisal team visited China. This team was composed ofspecialists in the fields of agricultural education, agricultural research,computers, and economics. They discussed the scope of the proposal withthe persons who had formulated the project. In 1982 the Goverment wasreorganized and the State Agricultural Comoission was superseded by severalMinistries. A managerial office for the project was set up in the Ministryof Agrlculture, Animal Husbandry and Fishery (MAAF). The MAAF ProjectOffice (PO) coordinated the project throughout its implementation. At thesame tile corresponding project offices were set up in the Mianistry ofForestry (MOF), the Ministry of Water Resources and Electric Power (EWREP)and the State Meteorology Administration (SMA). The Credlt Agreement wassigned on November 16, 1982 and the Credit declared effective on February2, 1983.

2.2 The project proposed to assist 11 agricultural teaching institu-tlons, six agricultural research institutes and the OMR. They are listedin Attachment I.

Credit Effectiveness

2.3 The proposed Credit was negotiated in April 1982 and approved ingovember 1982. The Credit Agreement was signed on November 16, 1982. Itbecame effective on February 2, 1983. Project implementation was intendedto cover the five-year period to the end of 1987. The total amount of thiscredit was SDR 67.8 million, equlvalent to US$75.4 milllon. The allocationof Credlt pi tceeds at appraisal was among four categories and covered thefollowing items: equipment and books (US$48.54 mllion); training(US$13.96 million); specialist services (US$0.91 mllion); language train-ing (US$2.2 million); project preparation (US$1.6 million); management(US$0.2 mllion), with US$8.0 million unallocated.

Descr4ption of the Proiect

2.4 ObjectLves and Scope. In support of the Government's program ofstrengthening higher education and research in agricultural sciences, theproject was designed to:

(a) improve the quality of teaching and research;

(b) expand enrollment and increase research capacity of selecteduniversities; and

(c) strengthen the organization and management of resources.

It was to assist 11 universities and seven research institutions includlngthe establishment of the new National Rice Research Institute. The projectincluded the academic training of specialists, language training of stu-dents, procurement of essential research instruments, computers, libraryand audio-visual equlpment and development of postgraduate programs.

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2.5 Specifically the project was expected to assist the projectinstitutions:

(a) to improve the quality of teaching by:

(i) implemeting a program of overseas fellowships and studytours for faculty and staff;

(it) arranging for visits of expatriate specialists; and

(iti) providing necessary modern scientific equipment, booksand materials;

(b) to expand enrollment and research capacity by:

(i) rehabilitating facilities and constructing new dormi-tories, classroom and laboratories; and

(it) developing new programs at the post-graduate level;

(c) to strengthen the organization and mnagement of resources inagricultural education bys

(i) arranging overseas training programs for administrators,librarians and computer center directors; and

(ii) providing foreign specialist services in the managementfield.

C-omponents

2.6 The project was expected to be izmplemented over the five-yearperiod 1982-87 and at Credit Signature comprised the following elements:

(a) Staff develoument. Strengthening professional qualificationsof teaching and research staff by providing 633 overseasfellowships (41 for doctoral studies, 147 for mastersdegrees, 201 for short-term (six months) advanced study and244 for study tours of two-six months).

(b) Sgecialist services. Seven years of services for foreignlecturers and 30 years of services of experts in languagatraining.

(c) Eau4ament.

(i) Laboratory equipment and instruments,

(ii) computers;

(iii) llbrary and audio-visual equipment;

(iv) books and journals; and

(v) laboratory supplies;

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(d) Xxtansion of space. For exppnsion of enrollment and researchcapacity, the construction oI 375,000 w2 of new space at 60eftes Oad remodeling of an additional 33,600 m2 of space at15 sites;

(e) Develooment of most-araduate uroarams* The development ofpost-graduate programs and projects, and a four-fold increasein post-graduate enrollment;

(f) Institutlonal management. Improvement of resource organiza-tlon and managemnt for better management of existLig humanand physical resources;

(g) Assistina the establlshment of VRW.

(i) Conversion of 450 ha of rice land (near Hangzhou, Zhejlangprovince) lnto an experimental farm, constructlon of107,000 =2 of new space and remodeling 5,000 m2 of exlst-ing facilities, including laboratories, greenhouses, germ-plasm bank, workshops, storage, offlces and dormitories;and

(Li) provision of fellowships for degree students, study tours,and foreign specialists (a total of some 86 persons).

(h) Undertaking studles on research and manpower, which wouldcontrLbute to the preparatlon of future projects and a tracerstudy to measure the closeness of fit between degree specia-lizations and jobs offered to new degree holders.

Start-Up

2.7 The project was started February 1983 and, due to lack of experi-ence on tho part of staff, moved slowly at fLrst. However, after sixmonths, administration was running smoothly. Twenty people manned the P0:2 senior and 6 junior managers wlth 12 assistants. Due to the need to havestaff with the right technical background in the P0 the Ministries ofForestry, Water Resources and Electric Power, the State MeteorologyAdmLnLstration and all project management groups in the assisted institu-tions were requested to send staff to the P0 on short-term asslgnments.Thls led to frequent turnover and hurt efficiency.

Amendments to Lemal Aereement

2.8 In all, five amendments to the Legal Agreement were made,para 6.6, to enable the procurement process to proceed smoothly. One ofthe agreements, August 1987, allowed for the adjustment of funds betweenthe categories increasing those for equipment and books, fellowships andtraining and reducing that for specialist services.

Project Total Investment

2.9 Tho estimated project investment was US$201.6 million comprlsingan IDA Credit of $75.4 million and a government contribution of US$126.2

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million equivalent Ln local curreney. After implementation the totalinvestmet amounted to US$184.4 or 8.SZ l.es than estimated. Government'sshare fell from US$126.2 million to US$111.2 oillion largely due to thefluctuation In the exchange rate between the yuan and the US dollar.Table 1 gives details.

Takle Is TOTAL PROJECT INVESTMENT(US$ Million)

Ampraisal Estimates (USS)Ia Actual Inestment (USS)Categories Goveroment Bank I Government 1k Bank I

Civil works 85.3 - 42 81.6 - 44Zquipment and Books 29.8 50.5 40 25.2 52.4 42Expert services

end management 4.2 5.4 5 4.4 2.7 4Training 1.6 16.3 9 - 18.2 10Unallocated 5.3 3.2 4 - -

Total /a 126.2 75 4 100 111.2 73.3 100.0

Ia Appraisal Estimates based on an exchange rate of US$1 - Y1.75lb Government livestment calculated using actual exchange rate during

implementation.

Disbursement

2.10 The project was expected to be totally disbursed by the extendedaccounts closing date of September 30, 1989. SDR 67.4 million (out ofDSDR 67.8) bad been disbursed by March 31, 1989, the extended closing date.

III. IMELEHENTATION

Civil Works

3.1 Tota" constructien exceeded projected cost and volume. Theproject constructed 692,844 m2 new buildings and rehabilitated 42,600 m2 ofexisting buildings as compared to 481,717 and 39,399 m2 estimated atappraisal. Most of the construction was completed by did-1988 when datawas collected for the completion report.

3.2 The project provided for the construction of 22 new laboratoriesfor the 17 institutions. They were all completed according to theappraisal plan. Twelve additional laboratories were built. The projectalso provided for the renovation of 67 laboratories for basic andspecialized courses. They have all been completed according to appraisalplan. Fourteen extra laboratories have been renovated.

3.3 Conattuction of the National Rice Research Institute (NRRI)remained behind schedule and the Institute was finally completed in October1989 finnced by the Government. Total construction at NRRI, includingroads, ditches, a bridge and the research eomplex was 50,520 m2.

Eautment and Furniture

3.4 The Project Office prepared all equipment and furniture lists inconsultation with the corresponding project offices of the project Institu-tions. In all, 8,109 pieces of various equipment and Instruments werepurchased, of which 1,560 were procured by dlrect purchase and the rest byICB procedures. All equlpment earmarked for the 11 collUges had beendelivered and Installed by the end of 1987. The cost of books and othereducational materlal was US$898,000.

3.5 With the exceptlon of a few ltems, all equlpment performed satis-factorlly. Several institutlons recelved computers which were of sub-standard quallty, and had trouble repalring them before they could be putto use. fowever, the defectlve ltems of equlpment were estimated to bebelow 21 of the total.

Technlcal Assistance (Includina Overseas Trainina)

3.6 The techbical asslstance component of the project was satlsfac-torlly implemented. As of June 30, 1988, 875 partlcipants had been sentabroad for high-level academic training, exceeding appraisal estimates by94Z. Many students secured additional support from the host instltutionsafter completing their initial studies, whilch freed more funding foraddltional persons to be transferred to fellowship allotments as shownbelow:

Table 2s OVERSEAS TRAINING PROGRAK

Actual Actual 1 ofJune 30 planned

Cateaorv Ai,nraisal 1988 number

Ph.D. 41 77 187M.Sc. 147 377 256Advanced

learnlng la 201 421 209

Total 389 875 224

la More participants were expected to be sent abroad during theextended project period to March 31, 1989.

3.7 In addition the number of participants sent abroad on managerlaland professional study tours was 437, which is 161 more than planned atappraisal, involving a total of 566 man-mouths. Included were 113 adminis-trators from project supported inostitutions who participated in management,teaching, currlculum and graduate and undergraduate training study tours.

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3.8 To improve library services in project supported institutions,seven staff from colleges and universities went abroad, one for a master'sprogram and six for short duration visits. In addition, 12 staff fromresearch institutions participated in library science studies, three formaster's degrees, nine for short-term visits. A further seven candidateswere sent abroad for information science studies, one for a PhD, five formaster's degrees and one for short-term study.

3.9 The services of 69 international experts were acquired for 5.3rn-years, 1.7 man-years less thal agreed at appraisal. The appraisalreport included 30 man-years of language teachers. This was exceeded bysome 66Z or 20 man-years.

Covenants of the Credit Azreement

3.10 Government fulfilled the conditions of the Credit Agreement,although the foreign technical assistance item proved difficult toimplement (pars 6.6).

IV. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS AND PERFORHANCE

Prolect Oraanization and Management

4.1 Project management was overseen by the Ministerial CoordinationComission composed of ministers and agency heads of NAAF, MOF, MWREP andSHA. Under this commission was the Project Management Committee (PMC)composed of 11 members from Ministries and Agencies involved in theproject:

(a) Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fishery;

(b) Ministry of Forestry;

(c) Ministry of Water Resources and Electric Power;

(d) State Meteorology Administration;

(e) Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, NAAF;

(f) Bureau of Land Reclamation, MAAF;

(g) Department of Education, MAAF;

(h) Department of Science and Technology, MAAF;

(i) Bureau of Aquatics, MUAF;

(j) the Survey and Planning Institute, MOF; and

(k) the Foreign Affairs Department, MWREP.

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4.2 Project management and operation was under the authority of thePMC. The Project Office (PO) of MAAF, in turn =aaged the individualproject components through the 18 Project Management Offices (PMO). Theproject management structure is in Attachment It.

4.3 In addition, frequent advisory services were provided by theInstitute of International Development and Education in Agriculture andLife Sciences (IDEALS). IDEALS has the resources of more than 250 expertsin the area of agricultural education and research and is able to undertakevarious assignments.

V. PROJECT IMPACT

5.1 The project assisted in strengthening the professional qualifica-tionr of the teaching and research staff at the 11 agricultural collegesand six research institutes. In this respect the .ollege and researchstaff members sent abroad for training comprised 77 PhD., 377 M.Sc. and 421Advanced Learning candidates, giving a total of 875, about 2241 above theappraisal target of 389. The participants' performance under fellowshipswas considered generally good, some with outstanding achievements inresearch work. About 200 of the candidates sent overseas under the projectwere able to secure financial support from private sources and extend theirstay, thus releasing project funds to train additional post-graduatestudents abroad. Up to June 30, 1988, 268 students (30.61 of total) hadcompleted their studies and returned to China; among them there were 10PhD., 35 M.Sc. and 223 visiting scholars, all of whom are now serving inthe teaching and research posts for which they were originally trained.The lengthened study periods of the 200 graduates indicated earlier hasdelayed their posts from being filled. Nevertheless, many of the returnedfellows were able to start new courses and research areas, thus contrib-uting significantly to the quality and variety of education and researchprogram.

5.2 Four hundred and thirty-seven administrators and leading staffmembers in various disciplines of agricultural education and researchparticipated in managerial and professional study tours, (162 more thanestimated). The study tours, for which 566 man-months were utilized,enabled the staff to raise their level of competence and effectiveness asreflected in their work output.

Spocialist Service

(a) International Experts. As of June 30, 1988, of the 84 monthsof expert services included in the project, 64 months (76.22)involving 60 experts had been utilized. In regard to theeffectiveness of the experts' contributions, 46 (76.71)proved to be satisfactory while the rest were consideredmarginal. The main reason for weak performance wasattributed to difficulty in coanmication because of the lackof proper interpreters in the specialized fields, as well asinadequate advance preparation. The esperts made notable

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contributions by helpLag to establish research units inveterinary toxicology and patbology of fisb and the preven-tion of marine fish diseases.

(b) Languawe Teachors. Fifty mam-years .f technical assistancewere used to acquire the services of 54 languago teachersunder contract from Bell Educational Trust of Britain whichalso assisted in the establishment of two English languagecenters in Wuaha Central China Agricultural College andBeijing Forestry College. In these two language centers,during the period 1983-87, the 54 teachers traited 1,007students (of whom 923 were sent abroad for studies), 22English secretaries and 38 English teachers in project iAsti-tutions (24 of whom were sent to Bell's headquarters inBritain for an additional six-month course). Both languagecenters were provided with fully equipped language labora-tories. On the whole, the use of the experts wassatisfactory.

5.3 Equipment worth US$52.4 million, accounting for 71.5 of the totalCredit allocation, was procured in some 8,109 lots, of which 1,560 wereacquired by direct purchase end the rest through tendering. As of June1988, 7,177 sets (99.7S of the equipment received) had passed the accep-tance test and were in good operating condition; 65 sets were not opera-tional and the rest were in moderately operational condition. Most of theclaims were settled satisfactorily.

Newly Built or Renovated Laboratories

5.4 In 11 cofleges there were 22 newly built laboratorles completedfor computers, electronmlcroscopes, listruments for analytical tests andngineering with another 12 laboratories under construction. In all, 67laboratories were renovated at the time of completion. For research work,49 laboratories and nine plant stations (germplasm banks) have bean builtand six extra laboratories ore under construction. Zquipment and instru-ments for the greenhouses for 3RI were delivered but had not yet beeninstalled. Computers for NRRT had been ordered but delivery was delayedwhile clearance for the purchase was obtained. Increasing the Credit allo-cation for equipment from US$50.5 to US$52.4 million facilitated theconstruction of 32 extra laboratories upon the advice of Chinese expertswho participated in the study tours provided under the project.

5 5 For the 179 newly bullt and renovated laboratories, administrativeand tecbnical personnel have been trained, including 200 who were trainedabroad during the acceptance test-run carried out by foreign manufacturers.Training courses organized locally covered 75 subjects, the duration ofwhich varied from 10 days to six months. The annual weekly utilization oflaboratories for teaching purposes exceeds 36 hours. The utllixatlon rateof library and computer facilities is also considered very high.

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Inrol_Jent and Outvput of Project Institutions

5.6 The enrollment of both undergraduates and post-graduates inproject institutions increased greatly during project implementation. A282 increase in undergraduate enrollment and 442Z in post-grv lust, earoll-mont were antLelpated as a result of the project. By the 1987/88 academicyear actual student enrollment increased by 58S at the undergraduate leveland 7711 at tho graduate level. The numbor of college graduates increasedaloag with the increase In total enrollment. The project target was anncrease of 18.8S in graduates; however, the actual increase by the 1987/88scademLe year was 37.5S. The actual number of students in each category issummarized in Table 3.

Table 3s ENROLLIENT AND STAFF STUDENT RATIOS

(Colleges and Universities Only)

Base Actual I of1980/81 Target 1987/88 target

Mumber of undergraduate students 18,350 23,500 28,992 123.4Number of graduates 4,229 5,025 6,375 127.0Mumber of post-graduate students 440 1,900 2,734 144.0Teaching/research staff (entirestaff associated wlth teaching) 5,162 - 7,413 _

Student/teacher ratio 3.;s1 - S1

5.7 While enrollment increased, the research activities also Increasedin the participating institutions, along with the corresponding teachinglresearch staff. It should be noted that the student/teacher ratio has notgreatly changed. The student/teacher ratio was 3.4:1 in 1980/81 and wasabout 5sl In 1987/88.

5.8 In undergraduate enrollment, institutional performance varied.Rowever, most institutions achieved or exceeded the target set by theproject. Undergraduate student enrollment in participating institutionssumarixed in Table 4 reflects some increased estimates of target numberspost appraisal.

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Table 4: UNDERGRADUATE ENROLLMENT IN PROJECT INSTITUTIONS

lumbersUniversity Target 1986/87 1987/88

Nanjing Agricultural University 2,055 2,644 3,040Central China Agricultural University 2,760 2,898 2,957Soutb China Agricultural UnLversity 2,730 3,018 3,056Northwest Agrlcultural Unlverslty 2,700 3,046 2,821Southwest Agricultural University 2,820 2,903 2,302Shenyang Agricultural UniversLty 2,880 2,604 2,668Beijing Forestry University 1,080 1,549 1,998South China Tropical Crops College 1,590 1,275 1,366Bohai (water resources) Universlty 3,028 4,803 5,643Shanghai Aquatic Unlversity 900 1,517 1,679Nanjing Meteorologlcal University 1,176 1,058 1,462

Total 23,719 27.315 28.992

(122.22 of target)

5.9 It was reported that the quality of teaehing Improved in key areasnot reflected ln the data assembled by the lnstltutLons. All students, bythe time of thelr graduation, recelved traLLng ln computer sclence at keyuniversltLes such as the Beljlng Forestry University, BohaL UniversLty andthe Nanjing Meteorology UnLversity. Moreover, ln other project institu-tlons a substantial number received training la the use of computers at arelatively sophisticated level. These achievements were made possible bythe project.

5.10 A large number of graduates from tho agricultural universltLeslcolleges stay In their flelds of specialization. In Central China Agrlcul-tural University, for example, only 9.9S of the graduates changed totallyto dlfferent fields.

5.11 Posttraduate Education. In general post-graduate educationLacreased ln all project listitutLons. The Increase ln post-graduate stu-dents, durLig project Implementation was expected to be from about 436 to1,900. The actual increase was over four-fold or 1442 over the projectedplan in teaching LnstLtutions whose primary responsibility ls to producewell-trained professionals. Several of the institutLons whilch had noassigned target, such as Hohai Unlversity, started and developed a largeprogram wlth 466 post-graduate students, becoming the second largest post-graduate program among the participatLng Institutions.

5.12 A number of research Institutions also developed new post-graduateprograms or expanded existing ones. These institution-based, post-graduateprograms of research increased from 89 to 123 between 1980181 and 1986/87.Moreover, the number of schools and instLtutLons with state-approvedprograms In graduate studies also increased. Since the graduate studentsare attached to lndlvidual scientlsts or professors, the number of schools

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having approved graduate programs only mensu that the school has one ormore professors of high standing who are approved to teach graduatestudents. Nevertheless, the number of institutions having graduateprograms Increased from about 80 in 1980-81 to 278 In 1987.

5.13 Percent of Female Students at the Universities. An increase inthe proportion of female students (out of total enrollment) from 17 to 21Xwas envisaged at appraisal. The ratio Improved to about 26Z, some 23X overtarget. Acceptance into college/university is entirely determined by eachstudent's score on the entrance examination which varies with the require-ments of the province or municipality. About 101 of high school graduatesenter higher education. Unless a specl l effort is made at policy level toaccept more female students, the male/female ratio is automatically deter-mined by the acceptance scores. The selection of targets for femaleenrollent, lf they are to be sustained post project, should have beenaccompanLed by a new set of policies and moaitored to help to continue tobring about the intended results.

Utilixation of Laboratories

5.14 A high utilization of laboratories was recorded for teaching,research and public service activities. The summary ln Table 5 indicatesthat laboratories were used on an average of 36 hours per week.

Table 5s LABORATORY AND CLASSROOM UTILIZATION(hours/week)

Labs for Labs for Audio-basic special Central Computer visualcourses courses labs rooms Library Labs

Annual averageweekly teachinghours 40.9 48.6 42.9 54.7 57.3 38.8

For teaching 21.3 20.6 9.4 30.7 46.0 30.0For research 14.8 25.0 23.5 19.6 9.0 5.8Society servlce 4.8 3.0 10.0 4.4 2.3 3.0

Note: Sources come from statistLcs of the project institutlons. All thefigures are averages.

Research

5.15 Upgradinag Research Work in Colleges. There has been slgnificantlmprovement and expansion of research work in the 11 project colleges, allof which were provided with fully equipped laboratories and training forpersonnel in charge. Preliminary results attaLind in some of the leadingcolleges during the perlod 1982 to 1987 show the following improvements.Nanjing Agrlcultural College increased the number of its research projects

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from 50 to 139. In the same college, cotton and grain yields in theexperimental fields increased by about 792 as compared with results prlorto project Intervention. Beijing Forestry College successfully establisheda model project on water and soil conservation Irrigation control insmaller river basins. Shenyang Agricultural College organixed specialisedtraining for professionals in various disciplinen who were highly success-ful in their respective research work. In South China AgriculturalCollege, 29 new research projects were Introduced. East China WaterConservation College was commissioned to conduct the tests for the designprogram of the Daya Nuclear Station and successfully fulfilled the task.

5.16 Research Institutes. Research activities of the seven projectassisted research institutes have been significantly improved and expandeddurLag the five-year project implementation period as follows:

(a) Information Center of the Chinese Academy of A2riculturalSciences (CAAS). The center trained a cadre of qualifiedpersonnel who constitute the backbone of the country's modernagricultural information servieo. The project assisted Inthe establishment of, amongst other things, a computerIndexing system, a microfilm reproduction system, an audio-visual aids system, a color printing system, and editing andinformation sections. Three international agriculturalinformation exchanges have been opened, and the capabilityfor speedy mass production of printed material has beenestablished.

(b) Animal Husbandry Research Center (CAAS). The number ofresearch activities increased from 21 to 34. Major researchprojects such as the establishment and operation of a Bulland Rem Semen am Embryo Bank and Investigative Study of theNational Distribution of the Content of the Trace ElementSelenium increased from 9 to 13. The latter researchachieved worldwide recogaition.

(c) Forest Resource Development Monitoring Center - MOP. Aremote sensing drawing system operated by VAXII-750 computerhas been instafled to supervise updated forest resourcedevelopment. The system was used in preparing projects underthe Sixth and Seventh Five-Year plans lncluding: applicationof remote sensing technology in monitoring forest resourcedevelopment, study on agro-forest network in Northeast ChinaPlain by remote sensing, establishment of a data bank forforest resources, research work on the classification ofremote sensing data on easy burning materials in the outbreakof fire, as well as ten other related research projects.

(d) Water Conservation Service Research Center. The centermanages eight research project subcomponents including twoprojects, namely: (i) Beijing Academy of Water Conservation--it has established a water quality test center and waterresource data bank, with the former receiving a nationalaward for a high standard of achievement. Research projectsin the academy have been doubled from 236 in i982 to 476 In

- 15 -

1987;and (it) NanSing Academy of Water Conservation increasedits research projects from 3 top 34, mainly due to tbeImproved technological conditions and training of researchpersonnel provided under the project. Publication ofresearch papers was also significantly increased.

(a) Neteorological Information Service Center. The center hasestablished micro-ftl and data processing systems. During athree-year period (1984-87) 7,000 a microfilm equal to148,000 pages was processed; 30,000 copies equivalent to 1.3million station months were transforred from paper tape tomagnetic tape and computerized data processing for longperlod pgecipitation, temperature and sunshine time wascompleted.

(f) Taihu Lake Base. The main research activity was fullylaunched in 1986 after the Listallation and trial run ofinstruments and equipment provided under the project. As aresult, research work underwent significant growth wLth 40research projects in operation in 1987. A study and surveyof fishery resources of Taihu Lake resulted in fiveintegrated reproduction measures and ten kinds of repro-duction technology noted for higher yields were popularized.The new technology thus developed helped to increase the percapita income of fishermen from RIB 248 in 1980 to RIB 1,012in 1987.

Cg) ChLna National Rice Research Institute. Because of delays iaproject doesgn and preparation of infrastructure, civil worksdld not start until 1986. By 1987, eleven units of clvilworks were completed and seven were still under construction.Six study groups were sent abroad for preparation of pro-fessional studies to be undertaken by the institute.Government's financing of the project increased from yuan21.8 million in 1981 to yuan 40.54 million in 1987. Of theUS$9.87 million provided by the Credit, US$9.34 million wasdisbursed as of June 30, 1988, leaving a balance of aboutUS$530,500 undisbursed. The total cost of equlpment andbooks purchased and contracted for was US$7.87 million. Asregards technical assistance, the participants who were sentabroad comprised 13 PhD, 43 NSe and 23 candidates foradvanced training. Of the 84 participants sent abroad, 15have returned. As of June 30, 1988 NRRI was at a preliminarystage of establishment and in the process of organizingresearch. The institute was completed in October 1989.

5.17 Library Services. The credit allocation for purchasing books andjournals was US$0.9 million and the Governmaent financing was expected to be$1.6 million. With this amount the most necessary books for the librarieswere purehased. The library hours were extended and the stacks opened tostaff and students. The present opening hours of the lbrary are given inTable 6.

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Table 6: LIBRARY UTILIZATION

1982 Target 1986/87

Library open per week (hours) 59 60 77

Library stacks open per week (hours) 0 fully 41

Studies and Preparation of Future Protects

5.18 Under the project, US$2.7 million was allocated for studies whichwould be used for the preparation of future projects. Project funds wereincluded to assist Government which, at the time of appraisal, had alreadylaunched two major studies on agricultural research and manpower. A thirdstudy, which measured the closeuess of fit between recent graduates ofproject supported colleges and the jobs which were offered and the rapidityat which new job holders could adapt to their assignments, was alsoincluded and completed (Annexes 2 and 3).

Pro1ect Imnlementation

5.19 Thore were five amendments to the legal agreements recorded.

(a) In August 1983, am amending letter was sent to the Governmentto enable a Special Account to be instituted for the project;

(b) In March 1987, an amendments was agreed to permit the projectto disburse against statements of expenses (SOEs);

(c) In August 1987, financial categories 1, 2, and 3 wereadjusted as follows:

Catetorv l: Equipment, books and 45.37 million to 50.15journals million SDR equivalent

Category 2: Fellowships and training 14.64 million to 14.13million SDR equivalent

Cateaorv 3s Specialist service 4.85 million to 3.52million SDR equivalent

(d) In February 1988, Part C of Schedule 3 of the DCA was amendedby replacing the aggregate amount of US$6 million withUS$12.5 million to be used for limited internationaltenderLng; and

(e) In December 1988, the June 30, 1988 Project Closing Date wasextended to March 31, 1989.

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5.20 During the six years of project implementation, there were 12 IDAsupervision missions, with an average interval of eight months and averagemission length of two weeks. Technical questions concerning construction,equlpment and furniture were dealt with consistently by IDA, which alsoshowed a great deal of flexibility in ageesing to various modifications, incollaboration with the Project Office and the State Science and EquipmentCenter. As regards technical assistance, the Association's collaborationwas satisfactory with respect to the approval of experts and fellowships.

5.21 Due to the wide dispersion of the project sites, some of theinstitutions were not regularly supervised by IDA. However, supervisionwas effectively complemented by timely intervention by the Project Office.Taking into consideration the large number of project institutions and thevast area in which they are located, more IDA supervision missionas may havebeen beneficial to provide for better coverage of the project institutions.

VI. IDA PERFORMANCE

Proiect Generation

6.1 The project, as conceived and prepared by the Government andappraised by IDA, was found to be in line with the urgent need of thecountry as defined and elaborated in the Fifth and Sixth National Plans.Project generation took less than two years from project initiation inearly 1981 to Credit Signature in November 1982. The speed with which theProject was made effective demonstrates the Government's full determinationand IDA's readiness to accelerate the improvement and expansion of agricul-tural education and research as a major support for sustained developmentof the agricultural sector.

6.2 IDA undertook project identification, pre-appraisal and appraisalmissions. Considering the fact that the project was the first undertakingof its kind by the Government in the field of agricultural education andresearch, its contribution in the project conceptualization and design isconsidered satisfactory.

- 19 -Annex 1

PROJECT COMPLETION REPORT

PEOPLE' S REPUBLIC OF CHINk

AGRICURAL EDUCATION AND RESEARC8 PROJECT (CR. 1297-CMA)

Overview

Beneficiary Colleaes and Institutes

College Ministry LocationInstitute Bureau

Affiliation

Nanjing Agricultural College KOA Nanjing, Jiangsu

Central China Agricultural College 1(A Wuhan, Hubei

South China Agricultural College 10 Guangzhou, Guangdong

Northwestern Agricultural College MOA Chongqing, Sichuan

Shenyang Agricultural College Wok Shenyang, Liaoning

South China Tropical Crops College Ministry of Hainan, GuandongState Farms &Land Reclamation

Beijing Forestry University Ministry of Beijing, ChinaForestry

East China Technical University Ministry of Nanjing, Jiangsuof Water Resources Conservancy

Shanghai Aquatic Products College General Bureau Shangaiof AquaticProducts

Nanjing Meteorological College Central Nanjing, JiangsumeteorologicalBureau

CAAS Animal Busbandy Research Inst. CAAS, WOk Beijing

CAAS Library and Inforation Center CAAS, MQA Beijing

Center for Monitoring Forestry Ministry of BeijingResources Forestry, Survey

& Planning Inst.

Water Conservancy Research Centers Ministry of 8 locations,WaterConservancy

Lake Taihu Experimental Base General Bureau Wuxi, Jiangsuof AquaticProducts

Meteorology Data Service Center Central BeijingMeteorologicalBureau

National Rice Research Institute CAAS Hangzhou, Zhejiang

PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINAAGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH PROJECT (CR. 1297-CNA)

PROJECT COMPLETION REPORTTracer Studies

Measure of Fit Between Specialization and Jobs Offered

No. oYear Graduates Good Fit Close Fit Poor Fit Bad Fit

Surveyed 2a % b/ c % d/ %

1981-82 1,154 454 39.3 463 40.1 156 13.5 81 7.01983-84 881 301 34.2 402 45.6 104 11.8 74 8.41985 606 31.8 2 41.6 92 16.0 63 10.4Total 2,641 948 35.9 1,117 423 357 13.5 218 83

al Graduate sadsfied with job offer.bI Graduate willing to take job offered.c/ Job entails deviation from specializadon.

PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINAAGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH PROJECT (CR. 1297-CHA)

PROJECT COMPLETION REPORTTracer Studies

Ease of Adaptation to New Job

Easy 1-2 Over 2 DifficultYear Number to Yearsto Years to to

Adapt % Adapt % Adapt % Adapt %

1981-82 1,020 553 54.2 360 35.3 92 9.0 15 1.51983-84 910 374 41.1 414 45.5 104 11.4 18 2.01985 2 .2 39.1 1 44.6 7 13.3 17 2.9Total 2,S15 1,156 46.0 1,035 4L2 274 10.9 S0 2.0

PEOPLES REPUDUC OF CHINAAGRICULTURAL EDUCATIN AND RESEARCH PROJECT (CR. 1297-CHA)

PROJECT COMPLETION REPORTProject Indiatrs and Target

Btas Midway Final Actusl ofIndleetor/Taroet 1980.51 1983.8419115.86 1t87 Taroet

Enrolblent and output In proiect InstItuionsUndergraduate 18,350 19,320 23.500 28,992 123Postgraduate 440 950 1.900 2.734 144Female enrollmenl o %) 17 19 21 26 123Undergraduate ouput 4.229 4.195 5,025 8,375 127

0uolltbtw ImprovmentQualty of statl and its source

# staff wh les education fan four years of poetoondary Aududs 17 12 - 5 5 97% staff In top three grades under 45 years of age (1.195 m_ebef)

Doctoal degrees 0 2 5 3 54Masteos degroos Few 5 15 22 144

Curiuum Imprvmem, exansion and broadning# of exprIkns conducted of of to required cunrula 59 70 83 91 109Numbe of graduate deg pgramms authodzed by slate eouncl (by specaly)

Doctoral deges t0 35 55 57 104Mastees degrees 70 110 178 162Etablshing agr. eduOsloexton unts I pct og (No. colleges) 0 a 6 9 150Imnducing a basic couse In faming systems (% of students ened) 0 20 50Strengthening agr. em um. cos & expandin enolmnt (as %d enr omen

Undergraduate 7 8 10 17 166 SE Postgraduate 3 6 10 12 S 111

hmproving student Intafta (V. of freshmen admifted with nnal college scores bebw 340) 7 c4 1 100Promptingi intercolege student exchange (V. of pof tradates who took thdr dw aduate work at another colie) c 4 5 > 10 33 132Delaying studenro decision to chwose specialized area after admssion to coWe ( No. of coleges) I 3 5 -

Resreah mproemnmtQuality of Research

% of staff resech publised nLocai colge -ma > e90 90 c SD 33 180CAA8 ourmas e tO 10 ,20 25 246CAS and International jonals e5 5 3,t0 42 425

Mftage.ment ImprovemnwtImproving staff utlPaation (expsed In teachbr.studt r tio) 1: 3.6 1: 4.2 1:5 1:4.9 e8Improig space utilzation (. tstlihatlon) <t 45 >p60 68 113Ext the perWi o liay sAes (hoursek) 40 so 80 77.2 97Sroaden access of sudes to liby mateal No Smo Fully Partial

Source: Prpared by the misson en PRO Intmadln.

- 23 -

COMMENTS FROM THE BORROWER ATTACMENT I

WORLOBANK TMSS

ZCZC OERP0539 IUBOIBOOEDD1.TCP SD**** * *** *

* OEDDI ** ***** **$*

ON INSUBK.FTCCMAC 02-01439.013/3/90TO MR. GRANHAM DONALDSON, CHIEF, AGRICULTURE, INFRASTRUCTURE ANDHUMAN RESOURCES DIVIDION OPERATIONS EVALUATION DEPARTMENT

RE. CHINA AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH PROJECT (CREDIT1297-CHA) ---PROJECT COMPLETION REPORT

UE HAVE RECEIVED YOUR LETTER OF JANUARY 25, 1990 PERTAINING TOPROJECT COMPLETION REPORT ON AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCHPROJECT (CREDIT 1297-CHA) AND THE ATTACHED PROJECT COMPLETION REPORT(PCR)

WE STUDIED THE PCR AND AGREED TO IT. REGARDS, JIN CUNFU, PROJECTCOORDINATOR22233 MAGR CNKKKKK

-03030809

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