Cook Islands : evaluation of IHAP project, Cook Islands agricultural diversification project, AID grant no. 879-0251-G-00-1001

(IHAP) to help diversify and expand agricultural production in the Cook Islands. External evaluation covers the period 5/81 through mid-1984 and is based on document review, site visits, and interviews with Cook Island Government (CIG) officials and IHAP staff. All 7 major project components are being effectively implemented and are on schedule. As some activities (greenhouse construction, the radio program, and land preparation for coffee planting) have been eliminated, there are funds remaining which could be reprogrammed to accomodate supporting elements for several activities not included in the original project plan. While the project has set the stage for increased production and overall economic growth, a favorable outcome will depend on the CIG"s ability to give priority to further development of the project"s institutional basis and to recover recurrent costs. Special attention should be given to the training of farmers and Ministry of Agriculture personnel and to the difficult task of helping the CIG develop a process to shift the carrying of recurrent cost burdens. The CIG"s constructive attitude, the small farm population, and the project"s widespread impact are conditions which favor success in these areas. Prospects for achieving the broader project goal of arresting emigration to New Zealand are less sanguine, given New Zealand"s attractive economic growth. The project should be redesigned to reflect a more modest and realistic goal. It is recommended that: (1) planning begin to address the issues of institutionalization, recurrent costs, and critical areas (processing, storage, marketing, transport) not covered by the present project; (2) unspent funds in certain components be used to support such activities as farmer training in coffee production, procurement of nursery equipment, and hiring of short-term experts in food preservation, livestock processing, and poultry feed production; (3) a modest interest rate be charged by the revolving fund for copra drying facilities; and (4) IHAP fulfill its funding obligation and initiate negotiations with the CIG and A.I.D. regarding recommendations 1 and 3. (Adapted from ANE Executive Summary, PD-AAT-669, pp. 129-130)