Agricultural development

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries (MINALF) will implement the project. MINALF will sell 23 vehicles to small-farmer coffee, cocoa, and horticultural co-ops in Bioko and Rio Muni, extending full credit at 10% interest. Monies received by MINALF in payment will be deposited in a revolving fund and used for financing spare parts and co-op investments. A total of 32 co-ops will participate, using the vehicles to move products from members" farms to the co-op processing center and then to market. The vehicles will also be used transport agricultural inputs from Malabo to the farmers via the co-ops. Spare parts, tools, and Spanish-language maintenance manuals will be supplied as well. Since most of the co-ops have previously owned and maintained vehicles, no major maintenance problems are anticipated. The PPC will be repaired and renovated so that egg and poultry production can be resumed and training programs initiated. During the first year, 12 extension agents will be trained (one will be permanently assigned to the PPC) and the PPC manager will receive 2 months of U.S. or third-country training. During year two, 96 small farmers and their families will be trained at the PPC production through a series of twelve 1-week courses. As an aid in training, model farms will be built at PPC of the same materials and technology that the trainees will eventually use for their own poultry production operations; also, particular attention will be given to each family member"s role in production. The need for offering production credit to those who complete the program will be studied. PPC sales during year two are expected to number 408,000 eggs and 8,537 chickens. Heifer Project International will provide a long-term (24 months) advisor to the PPC and 3 months of short-term TA. Under component one, the Government of Spain will fund 2 long-term cooperative development advisors. Amendment of 9/82 provides: (1) fungicides, hand tools, coffee processing machinery, and vehicle spare parts to 31 cocoa and coffee co-ops; and (2) for the PPC, U.S. and in-country poultry production training, additional TA, water and electrical system rehabilitation, feed mill installation and utilization, and a guaranteed feed reserve. (PD-BAS-503)