Egypt farmer to farmer program : final report -- USAID grant no. 263-0225-G-00-4021-00

The Egyptian FtF program accomplished what it set out to do. It provided low-cost, short-term TA to Egyptian farmers and transferred appropriate and sustainable technologies from U.S. to Egyptian farms through hands-on training in Egypt and by sending selected Egyptian farmers and extension agents to the United States. It formed a core group of farmers and extension agents able to apply and disseminate newly learned farming techniques. The established monitoring system was modified to track the rate at which farmers adopted improved practices as well as the increase in yields resulting from them. FtF was very popular with U.S. and Egyptian farmers. Many Egyptian farmers requested repeat volunteer visits, and most agreed to set aside a portion of their land and experiment with techniques recommended by the volunteers. An appreciation of Egyptian culture on the part of U.S. farmers and of U.S. culture on the part of Egyptian farmers served to dispel some stereotypes and were major social byproducts of the program. The program established stronger links with the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) research facilities and staff, with the U.S. volunteers acting as liaisons by identifying problems experienced by the farmers and working with MOA staff to find solutions. FtF helped to change Egyptian farmers" attitudes. For example, a consultant"s notes taken during the 1996 Impact Assessment stated that one assisted farmer was taking the initiative to solve his own problems rather than writing complaints to government officials; was using a list of diseases prepared by a volunteer to recognize potential problems early and thereby reduce costs for treatment and increase production; and recognized the value of Integrated Pest Management as a way to reduce costs, improve health and environment, and meet a growing demand for organically-grown products for export. FtF field staff were a key factor in the successful implementation of volunteers" recommendations and, ultimately, the sustainability of the program. They worked closely and diligently with farmers -- answering questions, finding sources of materials and equipment, and acting as liaisons between the farmers and the U.S. volunteers. In conclusion, the Farmer-to-Farmer program successfully: (1) transferred new technologies to more than 15,000 Egyptian farmers; (2) increased the emphasis on on-farm, postharvest techniques; (3) highlighted investment opportunities in agriculture; (4) established links with other agricultural development activities in Egypt; (5) involved women farmers and extension agents; (6) stressed the need and the benefits of working in the New Lands; (7) worked with core farmers and agribusinesses to establish demonstration plots; (8) opened up new opportunities for aquaculturalists in Siwa and sheep and goat producers in the North Sinai; (9) developed an environmental awareness within Egyptian farmers and the extension agents; and (10) raised an awareness of the benefits of cooperatives and associations. (Author abstract, modified)