Africare, Inc., small-scale agribusiness matching grant : fourth periodic report, August 1, 1988-July 31, 1989

This fourth year represents the first of a 2-year extension where six new major agribusiness projects were brought on line and another five have been favorably assessed and are awaiting funding from private dooars. Due to uneven programming and staff attrition, expenditures during this period fell short of projections. An evaluation of the program was completed in 10/87 and while the findings were positive and encouraging, a number of recommendations were made for improved program operations. Africare addressed those which could be attended to at the end of Phase I (7/31/85-8/1/88) and at the beginning of Phase II (7/31/88-8/1/90) during a program-wide Agribusiness Strategy Conference. Other positive outcomes of the Conference include the further refinement of project-level and national-level training methodologies and a more complete integration of agribusiness programming into Africare"s overall organizational framework. One of the most important themes to arise during the 4 years of this program is the dire need for regular follow-up and rapid remedial training for enterprise managers in relevant technical areas and business management. It is apparent that though many of the agribusiness projects have been completed from the point of view of direct project fund disbursement, many of the beneficiary groups remain weak in business planning and recordkeeping. Consequently, some of these groups will continue to benefit from training under this program beyond the period of direct assistance. During the second phase of the program, local-hire Agribusiness Training Officers have been engaged to monitor projects to ensure participants" mastery and application of training received and to coordinate remedial and general training. Training is conducted on a needs-specific basis at periodic intervals during the life of each project and through national agribusiness workshops bringing participants together receive training of more general relevance and the opportunity share experiences and ideas. At the end of the fourth year of the program, A.I.D. expenditures ($428,620) have surpassed the $399,997 target with Africare"s matching requirement $19S,908 behind the anticipated target of $400,080. This is not seen to be reason for concern as private funds actually raised to date are in excess of $400,000. (Author abstract)