Congo smallholders agricultural development II

Mid-term PES covers the period 8/83-7/85 and is based on interviews with project staff, a site visit, and document review. Learning from and improving on its predecessor, the project from the outset used numerous village meetings to involve villagers in selecting site and construction models for the warehouses. Also, instead of managing construction itself, the project has hired local builders; costs have proven lower and work is proceeding on schedule. The project has also defined the roles of CARE, the Ministry of Rural Programs and Cooperatives (MERAC), and the Project to Assist Small Farmers in the Lekoumou (PAPAL) more clearly; placing all extension agents under the jurisdiction of MERAC, not the project, increases the likelihood of project sustainability and allows the project to focus on improved crop marketing and on storage and cooperative development. CARE/Congo has created a positive U.S. presence in the Congo and is well regarded by the government. Training has been weak, however. Although PAPAL has provided effective village-level storage and warehouse training, instruction in cooperative development and agricultural extension has yet to materialize, and CARE has not upgraded PAPAL"s personnel and fiscal management capabilities. Due to underuse of the Mossendjo training center, a similar one has not been built in Lekoumou. Also, the Office des Cultures Vivrieres (OCV) - a parastatal marketing organization - owes the project 57 million Congolese francs for handling and transportation. The project"s seed farm component appears to be neither technically nor economically viable, and should be discontinued. Lessons learned are: (1) It is difficult to manage a project from another country (the project is managed from USAID/Zaire). (2) Lack of clear management responsibilities between USAID/Z and CARE raises doubts as to whether USAID/Z can fully discharge its responsibilities through PVO"s. (3) Alternatives are needed to working with the financially unsound OCV and to nonviable activities, such as the seed farm, which drain monies from viable activities.