Agricultural inputs support program

PES covers the period 6/84-8/85 and is based on document review and interviews with USAID/Z staff. The CIP is well designed, managed, and implemented, and is encountering few problems, but as it has only been in progress one year, it is too early to tell whether all objectives will be met. Some $7.5 million have been committed either directly or through bank letters of credit and there are requests from commercial importers for use of remaining funds. Realistic and attainable conditions precedent prevented long start-up delays and the first commodity imports have recently begun to arrive. The program"s implementation procedures, well thought out and thoroughly instituted, will facilitate progress in the coming year. Although almost no changes in the procedures have been required, some refinements - e.g., improvement in methods of communicating between USAID/Z and local banks, and in methods for preparing and reviewing program documentation - have been made as the need arises. USAID/Z has provided all required personnel support; its staff have established a good working relationship with host government counterparts, have worked closely with private sector importers, explaining the program and providing any necessary assistance, and, most importantly, have kept close control over the program. The CIP"s few weaknesses are addressed in recommendations to: prepare monthly reports on the program"s progress and status; finalize and implement procedures for end-use and arrival accounting; and determine at an early date those funds which have been allocated to importers but will not be used by the terminal date of the program, in order to re-allocate them. Future programs of this type should have a more all-inclusive eligible items list, in order to avoid issuing a large number of additional implementation letters.