APPROPRIATE RURAL TECHNOLOGY

Evaluation covers the period 6/78-11/80 and is based on discussions with project personnel and a review of the revised project implementation plan. Because of institutional constraints noted below, serious implementation delays, which are hampering attainment of the project"s goal and purpose, exist in all substantive project components. The implementing agency, the Institute for Industrial Technology, Investigation and Technical Standards (ITINTEC), has conducted only four of the nine pre-feasibility studies planned; initiated none of the seven scheduled feasibility studies; and conducted neither of the two prototype tests nor any of the five programmed development activities. The proposed study for technology dissemination was rejected by ITINTEC"s Board of Directors (BD), and no training has taken place. Major institutional, technical, and human resource problems exist within ITINTEC which, unless ITINTEC changes its perception of this project, preclude its successful completion. The chances for such change seem remote. ITINTEC"s current BOD is industrially oriented and does not understand the rationale for the types of projects proposed; and its approval authority over all pre-feasibility studies is hindering the review and approval process. Four of five GOP personnel called for in the project agreement were hired on a temporary basis, which renders them ineligible to receive training provided under the project. ITINTEC"s project manager works on a part-time basis, and the fifth position remains vacant. Hence, the possibility of institutionalizing a permanant AT office in ITINTEC is remote. The project has thus far been unable to reach its intended beneficiaries, the mini-fundistas, members of associative enterprises, and landless laborers. Evaluators recommend that project be suspended pending a determination as to whether it should be cancelled or the implementing agency changed.