IFPRI and the abolition of the wheat flour ration shops in Pakistan: a case-study on policymaking and the use and impact of research

In February 1987, the Government of Pakistan (GOP) abolished the wheat ration shop system. Started as a food rationing program during World War II in colonial India, it had degenerated by the 1980s into a wasteful corrupt system that failed to reach the poor. Why did it take so long for this monumen...

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Main Authors: Islam, Yassir, Garrett, James L.
Format: Informe técnico
Language:Inglés
Published: International Food Policy Research Institute 1997
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/161164
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author Islam, Yassir
Garrett, James L.
author_browse Garrett, James L.
Islam, Yassir
author_facet Islam, Yassir
Garrett, James L.
author_sort Islam, Yassir
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description In February 1987, the Government of Pakistan (GOP) abolished the wheat ration shop system. Started as a food rationing program during World War II in colonial India, it had degenerated by the 1980s into a wasteful corrupt system that failed to reach the poor. Why did it take so long for this monument to come tumbling down? Was this simply fortuitous, or was it a well-planned and timed demolition? Our findings suggest that IFPRI research on this issue, commissioned and conducted in Pakistan, played a key role in this historic decision. A case study of this decision represents one means by which IFPRI can gauge the impact of its work on policy choices. In order to understand IFPRI's contribution to the outcome, this paper looks closely at how the information was produced, communicated, and used in the policymaking process leading to the decision. This analysis can suggest whether, and how, IFPRI's work mattered in the final decision to eliminate the ration shops, and provide lessons about what IFPRI can do to increase both the relevance and impact of its research activities. Understanding how information is used in policymaking at the country-level should also provide valuable insights that can be applied when analyzing the impact of research at the regional or international level, a hallmark of IFPRI's research strategy. This case study is also important because it is one of the few attempts to identify a particular body of IFPRI research and trace its use by policymakers in the decisionmaking process.
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spelling CGSpace1611642025-02-19T14:01:03Z IFPRI and the abolition of the wheat flour ration shops in Pakistan: a case-study on policymaking and the use and impact of research Islam, Yassir Garrett, James L. nutrition policies research case studies policy development developing countries evaluation impact assessment In February 1987, the Government of Pakistan (GOP) abolished the wheat ration shop system. Started as a food rationing program during World War II in colonial India, it had degenerated by the 1980s into a wasteful corrupt system that failed to reach the poor. Why did it take so long for this monument to come tumbling down? Was this simply fortuitous, or was it a well-planned and timed demolition? Our findings suggest that IFPRI research on this issue, commissioned and conducted in Pakistan, played a key role in this historic decision. A case study of this decision represents one means by which IFPRI can gauge the impact of its work on policy choices. In order to understand IFPRI's contribution to the outcome, this paper looks closely at how the information was produced, communicated, and used in the policymaking process leading to the decision. This analysis can suggest whether, and how, IFPRI's work mattered in the final decision to eliminate the ration shops, and provide lessons about what IFPRI can do to increase both the relevance and impact of its research activities. Understanding how information is used in policymaking at the country-level should also provide valuable insights that can be applied when analyzing the impact of research at the regional or international level, a hallmark of IFPRI's research strategy. This case study is also important because it is one of the few attempts to identify a particular body of IFPRI research and trace its use by policymakers in the decisionmaking process. 1997 2024-11-21T09:53:53Z 2024-11-21T09:53:53Z Report https://hdl.handle.net/10568/161164 en Open Access application/pdf International Food Policy Research Institute Islam, Yassir; Garrett, James L. 1997. IFPRI and the abolition of the wheat flour ration shops in Pakistan;a case-study on policymaking and the use and impact of research. Independent Impact Assessment Report. 1. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/161164
spellingShingle nutrition policies
research
case studies
policy development
developing countries
evaluation
impact assessment
Islam, Yassir
Garrett, James L.
IFPRI and the abolition of the wheat flour ration shops in Pakistan: a case-study on policymaking and the use and impact of research
title IFPRI and the abolition of the wheat flour ration shops in Pakistan: a case-study on policymaking and the use and impact of research
title_full IFPRI and the abolition of the wheat flour ration shops in Pakistan: a case-study on policymaking and the use and impact of research
title_fullStr IFPRI and the abolition of the wheat flour ration shops in Pakistan: a case-study on policymaking and the use and impact of research
title_full_unstemmed IFPRI and the abolition of the wheat flour ration shops in Pakistan: a case-study on policymaking and the use and impact of research
title_short IFPRI and the abolition of the wheat flour ration shops in Pakistan: a case-study on policymaking and the use and impact of research
title_sort ifpri and the abolition of the wheat flour ration shops in pakistan a case study on policymaking and the use and impact of research
topic nutrition policies
research
case studies
policy development
developing countries
evaluation
impact assessment
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/161164
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