CARE : SOYBEAN PRODUCTION AND FOOD MIX PROCESSING (OPG)

Evaluation covers the period 3/79-4/80 and is based on document review, interviews with project staff, and site visits. A feasibility study concluded that SB is suited for commercial production in CR. A total of 188 ha of SB were cultivated by 21 small-, medium-, and large-scale farmers. Because the planted area was heavily damaged by rain, only 13 farmers harvested anything, and only half achieved the target of 1,130 kg/ha. Large farmers had the highest production costs but also had higher yields and lower losses. Small farmer cooperatives consisting of large single land units also obtained higher yields. SB financing and insurance is now available to project farmers through the Basic Grains Program financed by CR banks and an insurance firm. An SB processing plant was installed and produced Nutrisoy (processed SB and corn) and full fat soy flour at an average production level 17% above that proposed. Because of corn shortages and a sudden reduced need for Nutrisoy by the Family Assistance Program (DESAF -- supplier of PL 480 products to schools), the plant closed. Moreover, Nutrisoy was not delivered in the proper amounts to schools or to the National Production Council"s distribution centers. The large-size packaging of Nutrisoy is also a problem. Discussions at the University of CR"s Center for Investigations in Food Technology (CITA) on Nutrisoy"s acceptability to cooks and consumers indicated a need for further tests to establish the most effective use of Nutrisoy. The Department of Nutrition has published a Nutrisoy recipe book for cooks. CARE and CITA are testing the acceptability of using an SB beverage, horchata, in DESAF"s feeding program. It is recommended that: Nutrisoy production be resumed; Nutrisoy be packaged in smaller bags; and that CITA develop other SB products for project use. Problems of project coordination and CARE"s phase-out are being addressed. Two annual reports (PD-AAG-365-G1/C1) are attached.