Agricultural delivery systems project in Somalia has made little progress toward its original objectives

Audit report covers the period 8/79-3/84 and is based on document review, site visits, and interviews with USAID/S, GOS, contractor, and other-donor officials. Due to poor project design and various implementation delays, little usable technology has yet been transmitted to farmers. The project paper failed to consider the need for the GOS agricultural research service to support extension efforts; prescribed an extension methodology, based on continuous training of extensionists and regular farm visits, which is inappropriate given Somalia"s large size, poor roads, expensive fuel, and limited capabilities in vehicle maintenance; and failed to foresee the inordinate amount of time which would be needed to construct training facilities. Implementation has been slowed by a 2-year delay in signing the host country contract for TA, conflicts between contractor and counterpart personnel, USAID/S management deficiencies, lack of donor coordination, and an insufficient number of qualified extension trainees. Although the project was revised in 8/83, progress should be monitored closely and if, after one seasonal harvest, past problems have not been overcome, the project should be terminated. Accomplishments have been primarily in the area of training; 17 (of 18 planned) participants are receiving U.S. academic training, and short-term training abroad has been provided as well as a good deal of in-country training of field agents and district and regional extension officers. Despite pressure from USAID/S, the GOS Project Management Unit (PMU) has not developed a system to account for commodity purchase, receipt, utilization, and inventory. Due to a reduction in TA, a significant amount of project supplies are now in excess of need. Routine maintenance of project vehicles is not performed and the PMU garage has been used to repair/service nonproject vehicles. Lastly, the USDA has not provided USAID/S with required reports on participants" academic progress.