AFRICAN WOMEN IN DEVELOPMENT : SILKWORM AND VEGETAL TANNIN STUDY EVALUATION REPORT

This special contracted evaluation, time frame for which is not specified, is based on a review of two pre-feasibility studies and an interview with the project manager. The silkworm production pre-feasibility study provides background on silkworm and mulberry tree cultivation and concludes that silkworm production is viable in Upper Volta. It also recommends undertaking a 2-year project to determine the feasibility of women producing silkworms. Although the study thoroughly examines silk and mulberry tree production and its economic viability, it does not explain the research methodology used nor women's involvement in silk production and its income-generating potential. Despite its drawbacks, the study may be used as a guide to design a subsequent project-specific, pre-design study. Recommendations include that USAID contact local Goverment of Upper Volta (GOUV) officials to ascertain the study's relevance; that GOUV and local support be obtained before implementing such a project; that a women in development specialist and economist be part of the project-design team; and that the present study be used to define the scope of the pre-design study. The vegetal tannin production pre-feasibility study begins with technical information on acacia and tannin and on the world market for tannin. It concludes that although production of vegetal tannin is uneconomical since it would meet insurmountable competition on the world market, it could be profitable if a global reforestation scheme were undertaken. It recommends cultivating acacia. This study fails to examine the income-generating potential for women, how women would participate in production at the village level, and the effect on the present local tanners of a large-scale tannin enterprise by women. The study's suggestions should be disregarded until information on the research methodology used is obtained and GOUV is consulted regarding the study's accuracy.