Agricultural resources inventory project : mid-term evaluation report

Special mid-term evaluation covers the period 3/79-3/84 and is based in part on interviews with USAID/N, contractor, NRSC, and other Nepalese personnel. Although provision of a permanent NRSC facility is far behind schedule, occupancy of the new building - which provides four times the space envisioned in the project paper - is now imminent. Equipment (including some - an Apple computer and a geoceiver - not called for in the Project Paper) has been procured, but has been underutilized - due mostly to lack of space in NRCS"s present facilities. Participant training is 2 years behind schedule, and as yet neither Master"s Degree training for an earth scientist nor managerial training have been provided. However, in-country training has reached a significant number of Nepalese personnel and agencies. Because the NRSC has, up to now, focused on establishing itself rather than on reaching out to users, dissemination of remote sensing data has not met expectations. Nepalese agencies" unfamilarity with remote sensing data has also hampered dissemination, as has the lack of guidance provided by the NRSC Advisory Committee. The NRSC has developed linkages with remote sensing organizations and receiving stations in other countries, but has had some difficulties in obtaining data, e.g., from the Hyderabad, India, station. Despite its problems, the NRSC has made considerable progress during the past 3 years. In order to facilitate data dissemination and user linkages, the NRSC must become established in its new facility as soon as possible. Institutionally, the NRSC would have access to more user agencies if transferred from the Forest and Soil Conservation Ministry to the National Planning Commission. Pilot projects should be initiated, based on priority Nepalese needs (e.g., agricultural and land use mapping). By continuing its support, A.I.D., with a relatively small investment, can enable Nepal to reap enormous development planning benefits. In considering its future role, A.I.D. should keep in mind that remote sensing projects should be user or need driven, not technology driven. Rarely are sophisticated data used simply because they are available.