Agricultural education development project, Sri Lanka : report of project evaluation

Special evaluation covers the period 1978-82 and is based on document review, site visits to experimental farms, and interviews with members of the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture (PGIA) and the Faculty of Agriculture (FA) of the University of Peradeniya, and with participant trainees. Project performance has been satisfactory. Indigenous agricultural education in Sri Lanka has been expanded, two new faculties of agriculture having been established. The annual output of B.Sc.'s should exceed 180 by 1985-86 and the targeted 200 be achieved in 1987/88. However, recent evidence of slackening demand for B.Sc's, however, although perhaps only temporary, makes imperative a comprehensive reassessment of present and future demands. As for postgraduate training, demand in this area should be satisfied by the mid-1980's, even though PGIA remains the only Sri Lankan institution offering postgraduate agricultural training. More than 20 subjects have been added to the FA undergraduate curriculum, and 15 new courses to the PGIA program. The total PGIA/FA staff complement has risen from 39 to 74, and should reach 87 by project end (vs. 91 targeted). Participant training outputs are estimated at 36 Ph.D's and one M.S. (vs. 38 Ph.D.'s targeted), but it will be impossible to complete all Ph.D. training by the present PACD; extension of the PACD for training is recommended, along with funding of two additional M.S.'s. Most participants will conduct dissertation research in Sri Lanka, further strengthening indigenous capacity. Satisfactory progress is being made in procurement of equipment and in construction; library acquisitions; the development of research programs, laboratories, and experimental farms; and technical assistance. Although the development of outreach programs is behind schedule, end-of-project targets appear achievable. Major problems have been: high inflation, causing reductions in some inputs; and an unrealistic and inflexible implementation plan, which has now been satisfactorily modified. Sixty recommendations are made.