Communication for technology transfer in agriculture project (AID/S&T 936-5826) : midterm evaluation

The evaluation covers the period 9/85-5/88 and focuses on subprojects in Honduras and Peru. The project concept and process have proved strong in many areas. Through high farmer participation in all stages, the project ensures that activities respond to concrete agricultural needs in the context of clients' current farming systems, technical knowledge, and socioeconomic realities. The project approach also takes previously uncoordinated research and extension activities and resource-allocation decisionmaking and places them in an orderly, efficient sequence. As a result of these achievements, the self-confidence, motivation, and job performance of extensionists is markedly improved. Extensionists also applaud the effectiveness of project broadcast and print media, which reach an estimated 30%- 40% of the target population, as compared with the 5%-10% usually reached by conventional training and visit methods. Farmer appreciation of extensionists has greatly increased, and qualitative findings suggest that the project process increases farm yields and income. In Honduras, the project has made great strides toward institutionalization, with the Honduran Secretariat of Natural Resources officially adopting the approach for all technology transfer operations. In Peru, institutionalization has been slowed by later project start-up, economic and political factors, and other problems. The project's shortcomings are associated primarily with funding and administration. Total project funding has been slashed to only 36% of that originally planned. Mission buy-ins have also been less than anticipated, perhaps due to a lack of knowledge about the project or a general reluctance to work with public sector extension. funding structure within S&T's Offices of Agriculture, Education, and Human Resources has complicated administration, while tensions between contractor and subcontractor personnel have also slowed progress. To date, beneficiaries have been predominately male subsistence or near-subsistence farmers, with little attention paid to more commercially oriented producers, suppliers/distributors, and women. The project also needs to improve analysis and monitoring of its impact.