Agricultural research is not well managed by department
Ottawa, 20 April 2010—Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada needs to improve the way it manages research if it is to achieve the goals of its Science and Innovation Strategy, says Sheila Fraser, the Auditor General of Canada, in her Report tabled today in the House of Commons. The goals include promoting excellence in research and increasing collaboration with other research organizations.
“The Department has a history of successful collaboration on individual research projects with other organizations,” said Ms. Fraser. “But the more complex collaborations we looked at were not managed well, causing a significant loss of good will among key partners.”
In three large collaborative agreements involving several partners, the audit found problems including lack of appropriate planning for and communication of the financial and human resources to be contributed by the Department. For example, six research networks participating in a collaborative program had already invested significant time and resources at the Department’s request when they learned they would not be funded after all. There were also delays of up to two years in implementation, which have significant implications for five-year agreements.
The audit found that there is little analysis of the research portfolio as a whole to determine whether projects are in line with the strategic direction. In addition, the Department has not identified the human resources, equipment and facilities, and financial resources needed for its new strategic direction. About 71 percent of laboratory and agricultural equipment is past its useful life.
“The Department’s research is important to Canada’s food production and its ability to compete internationally,” said Ms. Fraser. “We found serious problems in areas that are fundamental to conducting research, such as managing funding, capital assets, and human resources.”
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The chapter “Scientific Research—Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada” is available on the Office of the Auditor General of Canada website.
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