EMERGENCY FOOD PRODUCTION PROJECT

Evaluation covers the period 8/1/80-11/30/80 and is based on visits to project sites, an audit review of Mission files, and discussions with USAID personnel. A.I.D. provided $3.25 million for procurement of fertilizer, seeds, and hand tools. A PVO feeding and food crop production program were also financed. Only 60% of fertilizer supplies provided for the fall season were used. (The fertilizer arrived a little late, and seed supplies arrived after the planting season was over.) As a result, procurements for the spring season should be reduced. Future tool procurements should be reassessed since many of the tools purchased for the project also arrived late and are still in warehouses. In addition, USAID should review its support of transportation and distribution costs and reprogram any excess funds. The implementing agency, the Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development (DARNDR) needs to strengthen its operational procedures and accounting controls. USAID has not received copies of shipping documents necessary to monitor the arrival of commodities. DARNDR should be requested to submit receiving reports on all future shipments. USAID should determine the reason for differences between commodities reportedly shipped and the quantities received by DARNDR. It was discovered that DARNDR distributed AID-financed commodities outside of the project area and used some commodities for other-than-planned project purposes. DARNDR should be advised that commodities must be used for the agreed-upon purposes, unless prior written approval is obtained. DARNDR should also be requested to implement an inventory control system and improve its warehousing practices so that physical counts of commodities can be made. Locally purchased hand tools (at a cost of $72,300) should be accounted for. Inspection at the DARNDR warehouse revealed that no inventory records were maintained on these items. The Director General of DARNDR has agreed to implement the above recommendations.