Assessment of the data collection and analysis project (263-0142) 1980 - present and recommendations for similar activities to support the Undersecretary of Agricultural Economics and Statistics, MOA, continuing and new responsibilities including the Official Agricultural Sector Information Service (OASIS)

External evaluation covers the period 8/80-2/87 and is based in part on document review. The project, which is due to end in 8/87, has not lived up to expectations. There has been no real progress toward a national data base, and the data analysis component has been a disappointment as well. Although the MOA's understanding of microcomputer technology has increased, the actual use of computers on real problems has been limited. Nonetheless, because of recent institutional, organizational, personnel, and management changes (especially by the MOA, but also by USAID/E), there is good potential for UAES to develop into a dynamic, cohesive data collection and analysis unit - provided that strong USAID/E support to the unit is continued under a related project, the National Agricultural Support Project (NASP), and that the existing PASA with the U.S.D.A. is extended. Several factors have combined to encourage this optimism, including inter alia, the recent establishment of UAES's Official Agricultural Statistics Information Service (OASIS), the relocation of the Agricultural Economics Research Institute to the same building as UAES, and the procurement for OASIS of a sophisticated mini-computer mainframe with several remote terminals. Recommendations for follow-on support under the NASP include, inter alia: focusing of data collection and analysis on activities that will contribute to establishment of a national agricultural data base; provision of top-level TA in policy analysis, commodity analysis monitoring, and assessment of ongoing agricultural reforms; and intensive training of agricultural economists. Several detailed recommendations are provided as well.