Agricultural marketing development

A BR training center will be established in Lubumbashi for the training of personnel from the Shaba, Kasai Oriental, and Kasai Occidental regions. An existing structure will be renovated to house workshops, classrooms, and dormitories for 60 trainees. Once it is fully operational, the center will have the capacity to train at least 250 trainees yearly in civil engineering, mechanics (including soldering and electricity), and equipment operation. The civil engineering course will provide instruction in the construction and maintenance of paved and dirt roads and bridges, and in methods for conducting inventories and controlling stock. The mechanics course will provide training in the maintenance and repair of a variety of motors and heavy equipment vehicles (7 and 10 ton trucks, bulldozers, front end loaders, back hoes, and graders). The courses will vary in length from 2 to 6 months depending on subject requirements. TA, tools, equipment, heavy road maintenance vehicles, and spare parts will be provided. A training brigade will be formed to provide 2 months on-the-job training for trainees after they complete their formal studies. Pedagogical materials and TA (a master mechanic and an equipment operator) will be provided to assist the Zairian faculty. A chief technical advisor will act as the center"s director and will coordinate its activities with the other training facilities. Approximately 150 km of main arterial roads from Kikwit to Idiofa will be improved in order to provide small farmers better access to the Kikwit and Kinshasa markets. Construction and maintenance equipment (including spare parts) will be provided. In addition, 50 km of feeder roads which provide access to the main arteries will be upgraded. Amendment of 9/11/84 extends project 30 months and partially finances an additional 6 person-months of short-term TA to the Lubumbashi BR training center. (PD-BBC-161) Amendment of 7/29/85 finances additional TA for both components. (PD-BAX-046)