AGRO-ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF THE GUIDIMAKA IRD PROJECT

This special evaluation, which is attached to a PES facesheet (PD-AAG-638-B1) covers the period 9/77-5/80 and is based on onsite review. The intent of the project was to develop replicable agricultural and livestock interventions in Mauritania's Tenth Region, the nation's bread basket. The two types of activities are integrated only in the sense that they are under the same management. The project paper emphasized the testing of cereals/legume crop rotation schemes in conjunction with the use of animal traction and fertilizer. However, little or no progress had been made. Demonstration plots are in the process of being fenced in, and no crops have been planted. Instead, the project management has added new elements -- a nursery, irrigated vegetable gardening, tree farming, and chicken farming. The evaluation team feels that there is little potential for success in these areas, and that they should be given lowest priority. The team equally discounts the likelihood of success for the planned cooperative development. Activities requiring irrigation should also be dropped. The evaluators feel that project management attempted too much, and that the slow pace of the project is due to a failure to set priorities. The project should be extended for 2 additional years. The major emphasis of the project during the remainder of its life should be on demonstrating improved and replicable technical packages. Innovations which do not show immediate replicability should not be tested. Future efforts should emphasize dryland cereal production and the testing of crop rotation systems. Greater efforts should be made to integrate agriculture and livestock. The idea of using tractors should be dropped, and animal traction and the use of manure as fertilizer should be promoted. Recommendations for future projects and studies are also included. A report on the livestock component is attached (PD-AAG-638-F1).