1984 PL-480 program evaluation : Tunisia

480 program in Tunisia. Special evaluation covers the period through 7/84; no methodology is given. With regard to Title I activities to increase Tunisia"s agricultural growth rate: (1) Significant progress has been made in fertilizer scheduling and expansion of the distribution network, but planning and operations still tend to be cautious and shortages are still occurring at critical times. Consumption of ammonium nitrate fertilizer was short of target by 15% in 1982-83 and 18% in 1983-84. Phosphate consumption has, on the other hand, exceeded targets; Tunisian farmers must pay twice as much for nitrogen as they do for phosphate, due to higher subsidies for the latter. (2) Private distribution efforts are generally proceeding well. Thanks to badly needed increases in incentives to private dealers, many distributors have gone back into the retail fertilizer business; technical fertilizer information has been provided to private dealers. (3) Construction of new fertilizer storage facilities is underway. (4) Extensive discussions have taken place regarding the potential use of low-cost alternative fertilizers such as DAP, which is manufactured, but not sold, in Tunisia. (5) Research on soil fertilizer response is moving slowly, due mostly to lack of trained staff. More attention should be given to studies in this area and to research on forage and grain legumes and on other cereals; collaborative programs should be emphasized. (6) Local currency allocations to the APMANE Small Farmer Credit project (6640302) have expanded rapidly; other allocations have been made, inter alia, to the Office of Cereals (used mostly for weed control and storage), the Office of Family Planning, and to the agricultural cooperative fund. Agricultural research funding has increased some 60% between 1982 and 1984, but it is uncertain whether this is a result of local currency allocations. The Title II feeding program is now fully funded by the Tunisian government, as per the 1980 agreement. Recommendations address the above issues. Annexes include a proposed implementation plan for 1985 and a discussion of future self-help and local programming directions; the need to continue the P.L. 480 multisectoral approach is stressed. Other annexes deal with the economic analysis of fertilizer costs.