Equatorial Guinea agricultural development

PES covers the period 8/82-9/83 and is based on document review, interviews with Government of Equatorial Guniea (GREG) and project personnel, and site visits. Progress has been uneven. Although vehicles were provided to both island and mainland co-ops to facilitate marketing of coffee and cocoa, neither maintenance assistance nor spart parts and tires were provided and as result most vehicles are in serious disrepair. Some vehicles are used for nonproject activities (only 5 of the 23 original vehicles are operable and used as intended). Vehicle availability has had no effect on the production of coffee or cocoa. On the other hand, the poultry production center (PPC) has developed rapidly. Four chicken houses, a residence, and offices have been refurbished, equipment installments are 90% complete, and PPC"s flock of 7,000 chickens produce 2,000 eggs daily, close to target. PPC"s long-term impact is questionable, however. The GREG, overwhelmed by foreign exchange and logistic constraints, is unable to continue supplying poultry feed. A feed supply system has not been developed and cassava, the only local material available for feed, could supply only 20% of a feed mixture. Due to lack of a generator, a grain mill and feed mixing machine were not installed as planned. Courses were delivered to PPC staff in poultry management and related functions and 2 (of 15 targeted) extensionists received short-term poultry management training in Puerto Rico. A model small farmer production facility was built, but due to the limited feed supply, no extension efforts have been made in small farmer commercial poultry production; rustic chickens have been distributed to island villagers, however, and unplanned extension in vegetable production has been successful. Pricing and marketing of eggs and broilers have neither covered production costs nor ensured equal access to PPC products; GREG should examine food price controls. Also, the issue of PPC autonomy has not yet been settled. It is recommended that future assistance to co-ops be provided in coordination with the Cooperative League of the U.S.A. project and that the PPC explore small farmer extension in root crops, pigs, goats, and rabbits.