Development strategies for fragile lands

The project will be implemented at the country, subregional, and regional levels by a contractor in collaboration with Associated S&T Bureau (ASSIST) projects. Outputs at the country level will include: (1) rapid assessments to develop USAID Mission strategies for addressing fragile lands problems; (2) in-depth, strategic assessments to develop host country strategies; (3) resolving specific program and project problems for Missions and countries; (4) designing fragile lands research; (5) providing training (including participant training through project 5960130); and (6) evaluating and refining country strategies. This component will use a multidisciplinary approach and focus on the major themes of policy strategy, institutional arrangements, technology development and diffusion, and farmer incentives. LAC regional outputs will both draw upon and feed back into country activities. Activities will be to: (1) select methodologies for the rapid and strategic assessments and for team building; (2) establish research and information networks on fragile lands problems that are common to several countries; (3) establish synthesis networks to analyze fragile lands problems (e.g., steep slopes, lowland humid tropics), with attention to policy aspects; (4) link research centers via a computerized data base, to include country and regional data, case studies, evaluations, and policy analyses; (5) conduct studies on priority topics falling outside the scope of ASSIST projects; and (6) coordinate donor efforts. Activities targeted for the regional level may also be undertaken at the subregional (Andean, Central American, and Caribbean) level. Amendment of 3/29/91 expands the geographic coverage of the project from LAC. (PD-ABC-937)