Assessment of Rift Valley pilot rice project and recommendations for follow-on activities

External evaluation covers 1981-84 and is based on site visits and interviews with key officials, planners, and engineers. Though the Rift Valley is a hostile environment for rice cultivation, the project, a 2-year accelerated impact program, has been very successful as a pilot project, not only for rice cultivation but for large earth-moving machinery rehabilitation as well. The outstanding work of the project manager and his skill as an engineer were crucial factors; if such capability is a requisite for success in similar programs, close attention must be paid in training of personnel. Three unique pilot perimeters were completed (101 ha total) and a 10-ha project is under construction. Overall, three approaches were tested: establishment of pilot schemes, construction of new plots, and rehabilitation of traditional plots. Of these, rehabilitation of traditional plots required the least time and expense; this approach, and the building of new traditional plots, were most popular in the villages. Training - especially hands-on experience in machinery maintenance and repair and in design and supervision of project work - was a significant accomplishment. People in the area had sufficient mechanical background to be readily trainable and personnel competence is now adequate for project continuation. Also, during the off-season, project machinery was used to aid other development efforts, providing additional observation of equipment performance as well as valuable experience for operators and mechanics. The first rice crop failed completely due to drought and it is too early to determine the project's long-term impacts. Of utmost importance is the need to determine labor constraints (e.g., lack of draft power) to full use of the paddy fields. Also, while the purchase of cultivation rights to half-ha plots is an attractive investment, the price is too high for most farmers; future projects might offer credit. Ongoing constraints are: low availability of water; difficulty in working heavy clay soils; scanty agricultural support services; and the lack of any tradition of rice cultivation. Attention should be given to potential crop disease and pest problems, as well as possible increases in human, water-borne diseases.