Agricultural marketing development project (660-0098)

PES covers the period 6/84-2/86 and consists of a facesheet attached to a special evaluation (XD-AAT-424). Action decisions in large measure follow evaluation recommendations and call for, inter alia: (1) a project amendment (including reprogramming for FY88 disbursements) once the Project Management and Monitoring Unit (PMMU) is familiar with the project; (2) joint evaluation of projects 6600098/6600102, before 7/31/87; (3) establishment of a formal accounting system, an adequate project information filing system, and separate accounts for management and implementation. (4) A PMMU/Office des Routes outline for expanding slope stabilization experiments; (5) research into sources of surfacing materials and aggregates; (6) investigation into expanding the road component, including authorization if necessary of recruiting a non-local PMMU road engineer; (7) regular 0098/0102 needs identification consultations, the first to occur before 4/87. (8) Priority in assistance to the Regie des Voies Fluviales accorded to boatyard rehabilitation and commodity procurement for the river navigation component (the hydrography study will be postponed until 1987); (9) execution if necessary of an amendment to allow non-local recruitment of a shop foreman; (10) reassessment of the need for the PMMU locally-recruited river enginer and consideration of filling the position with short-term TA; (11) continued construction of metal boats for transportation; (12) consideration of including assembly and berthing facilities and maintenance services for marine engines in river navigation activities. (13) Treating data collection on the socioeconomic effects of 0098/0102 as complementary, but using separate data collection systems to monitor performance and short-term effects; (14) a series of joint 0098/0102 community level and other impact surveys; (15) contracting which combines local research groups with short-term TA for data collection (information specialists on 0098/0102 will serve as advisors); and (16) purchase of IBM or compatible microcomputers with expanded data processing capacity to be installed at 0098/0102 offices. Continuing concerns are that there be close liaison among Mission staff responsible for projects in the region, especially projects 0098/0102, and that data collection be coordinated with that by the UNDP-funded agricultural statistics project and by interested Government agencies. Action has been taken to ensure USAID/Z, Office des Routes, and contractor collaboration on bridge and bridge access activities.