Basic foods production and marketing

Evaluation covers the period 8/79-10/80 and is based on document review and site visits. While the project has been successful in achieving outputs, improving agricultural research, and developing needed new technologies, the currently deficient GOB extension service minimizes the project"s potential impact. Due to GOB budgetary restrictions and reduced A.I.D. grant funding, long-term technical assistance from the Consortium for International Development (CID) has been reduced, resulting in a concentration of research efforts in the Cochabamba area. In terms of technology development, achievement of specific outputs stands as follows: 240 versus 120 planned research studies; 45 versus 20 joint studies with universities; 81 versus 20 theses; 3 of 6 improved curriculum studies; 5 of 12 improved courses; 142 of 226 university personnel receiving Ph.D., M.S., or in-service training; and 183 of 1,200 students trained. Overachievements were due to the high quality of CID advisors and the great demand on the part of the GOB for agricultural research. Regarding technology extension, achievements are: 182 versus 40 planned field demonstrations; 20 of 150 short courses; 117 of 240 research bulletins; and 108 of 289 Department of Extension personnel receiving M.S. or Ph.D. degrees or short-term or in-service training. Shortfalls were due to limited GOB resources and frequent closings of universities for political reasons. The three extension centers and their 40 trained extensionists reached 4,000 small farmers, an estimated 15% of whom actually accepted recommended technologies. Improved seed distribution has increased by 1,859% (6 times target) with concomitant increases in crop production, most notably of soybeans and peanuts, but is still below full capacity due to farmers" distrust of unproven technologies and inadequate marketing. Due to lack of other agricultural inputs, however, crop yields have not increased as much as expected. Five action decisions addressing the above problems are included.