Goal-Free Evaluation of Iran Wheat Policy

Policies are often evaluated based on their goals, but public program ‎evaluation ‎studies indicate that evaluation of the goal itself is important, even more than ‎reaching ‎the goals. The Scriven "goal-‎free ‎evaluation" approach is the root of such primary focus on goal evaluation. One of the important policies of each country is its agricultural policy, ‎and wheat is considered as the most important basic product in Iran. The aim of this ‎paper is to conduct a goal-free evaluation ‎of wheat policy based on social, economic, and political values ‎and conditions in Iran. ‎

The research data were collected through interviews and reviewing the literature. The data ‎were then analyzed based on the context evaluation method in the comprehensive evaluation ‎approach (CIPP) ‎and utilizing the deductive theoretical thematic analysis method.

A hierarchy of objectives of wheat policy goals is presented using the means-end diagram. By using objectives tree diagram, it is possible to analyze alternative strategies for self-sufficiency. By identifying the needs of farmers and people, the underlying context components of wheat policy are analyzed in terms of issues, assets, and opportunities.

The results indicated a kind of displacement of goals in key wheat ‎programs, a ‎pause at the specific level of the means–end chain (i.e. stopping wheat ‎imports), and staying ‎away from moving towards higher values and goals, and limiting the scope of ‎goals to increase ‎wheat production. The link between the consequences of weakness in ‎accuracy, depth, and breadth of ‎ goals in such programs with other issues such as lack of ‎management and shortage of water resources, ‎are causes of questioning the overall policy ‎orientation of wheat in the country.‎ This research innovation is applying one of the classic evaluation model for evaluating an important real policy in Iran and presenting its efficiency.