Central Tunisia rural development : dryland farming systems research subproject; small holder irrigation subproject

PES covers the period 5/79-4/83 and is based on an attached special evaluation (XD-AAN-357-A). Although overall progress of the SP"s has been satisfactory, especially in irrigation improvement, many outputs are 2 years behind schedule due to an overly optimistic design and the delayed arrival of commodities. Also, water management and dryland farming problems have proven to be more intractable than anticipated and the implementing agency, the Government of Tunisia"s (GOT) Central Tunisia Development Authority, has tended to emphasize the construction of irrigation structures which can be seen, rather than research. Nevertheless, the irrigation SP had provided loans in 3 of 4 planned irrigation perimeters to improve 323 (vs. a targeted 300) and build 17 (vs. a targeted 200) wells, and to improve 20 (vs. a targeted 99) springs. However, well loan repayments have fallen into arrears; recovery procedures need to be reviewed. Spring improvement beneficiaries acclaim the greater and more sanitary water supply, but complain of water lifting difficulties, and irrigation impact has been minimal; resources for this effort should be shifted to the shallow wells component. Although the dryland research SP has defined 4 production environments as planned, no farming practices or crops have been fully tested or adapted, only 8 (vs. a targeted 160) farmers have participated in farm trials/demonstrations, and only 5 of 8 extensionists remain in their assigned posts. SP activities have been hampered by numerous delays - in the arrival (2/81) of the senior TA research advisor (a replacement will be needed for a second 2-year assignment), in the departure of participants for long-term U.S. training (3 of the 11 trainees have now returned), and in the renovation of the soils/research lab. The management of 7 disparate SP"s has placed a heavy burden on GOT capabilities; the project would benefit from greater focus and coordination. Both SP"s should be extended until 9/86; action decisions are listed.