AUDIT REPORT ON REVIEW OF SELECTED AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS OF USAID/NEPAL

Evaluation covers the period 7/1/78-12/31/80 and is based on an audit and review of project files and visits to both contractor"s offices and project sites. Academic programs are proceeding satisfactorily. During 1980 the first group of 80 students graduated with diplomas in agricultural subjects and are now employed by the Department of Agriculture and other host country agricultural agencies. Overall enrollment of 434 students at IAAS compares favorably with the end-of-project target of 700 full-time students. In addition, 530 students are enrolled at two IAAS branch campuses which were established at Paklihawa and Lamjung. The IAAS professional staff increased to a total of 51, a 65% increase over the number of professional employees at the start of the project. Forty-eight long-term participant trainees were financed: 22 students earned M.S. degrees and 4 students earned degrees in educational administration; 15 other M.S. degree candidates, six Ph.D."s, and one educational administrator are still in training. Delayed during the first 2 years of the project by shortages of basic materials, questionable architectural designs, poor construction supervision, and insufficient host country funding, construction at the Rampur campus is approximately 18 months behind schedule and is not expected to be completed prior to mid-1982. USAID cancelled phase II construction because of inadequate funding resulting in part from cost escalations. Having had no provision for its maintenance since 5/80, a 9 km connecting road for the campus was deteriorating and requires immediate repair. Auditors recommend that USAID ensure that repairs are adequate and that GON provides for future repair and maintenance needs. Evaluation of the integrated cereals project is included (PD-AAI-214-A1).