Assessment of the second integrated rural development project; part I : the impact of the project upon farmers

This first part of a special evaluation covers the period 1/79-4/81 and is based on a survey of 58 farmers and on field tests during site visits. The impact on farmers of two key project components - soil conservation (SC) and adoption of an agricultural production model - was found to be wanting (for reasons given in the report's second part). In regard to SC, it was found that although construction of the treatments was generally good, farmers have not properly maintained them and so have reduced their effectiveness. It was also found that a number of planned waterways have not been built due to implementation problems, and that completed waterways suffer from construction and maintenance difficulties. To improve project performance, it is recommended to: conduct run-off studies; lay greater stress on agronomic SC treatments and maintenance of SC treatments; educate farmers in SC treatments; revise the subsidy system to provide maintenance incentives; refine staff replacement procedures to ensure continuity; have field officers test treatment strength before paying construction bills; improve the training of field assistants and senior laborers; and make more frequent use of mini-convertible terraces and intermittent branch terraces. It was also found that the practices recommended by the project to improve agricultural production have not been widely adopted. Only 23% of fields were properly intercropped; incorrect fertilizer had been used in 66% of the cases; spray materials were used infrequently; and few farmers used continuous mounds in yam cultivation. A seedling mortality rate of 35% also reflected poor farming practices. These findings demonstrate a need for standard specifications for agronomic practices; more vigorous extension efforts; improved coordination between agronomy and extension efforts; agronomic research performed under actual farm conditions; the establishment of subcenter research stations; more farmer training sessions; and the establishment of a private sector supply store in the Pindars River area.