AAI - private agricultural research and technology diffusion, project no. 527-0000-0166

AAI will: (1) promote diversification of the Ica Valley from cotton into selected horticultural crops; (2) initiate a farm records/farm management program; and (3) conduct studies to determine the economic viability of a long-term diversification plan. AAI will use grant funds to purchase: (1) specialized horticultural seeding and cultivating equipment for use on-station and in providing custom machinery services to farmers diversifying into small seeded horticultural crops; (2) copying, duplicating, and audiovisual equipment for use in training and extension activities, especially at AAI"s new training center; (3) laboratory equipment and germplasm for selected tree and horticultural crops; (4) technical journals and other library materials; and (5) specialized external TA. The farm management and records program will be extended initially to 40 farmers currently diversifying into asparagus production; the project studies component will examine the feasibility of selected crops in the Valley and devise an AAI development plan.