Equatorial Guinea agricultural development

(IHAP) to help the Government of Equatorial Guinea (GREG) increase the production of poultry, eggs, meat and vegetables on small farms. Final PES covers the period 9/83-12/85 and is based on document review, site visits, and interviews with U.S., GREG, IHAP, and other-donor officials. Vegetable seed distribution has shown the greatest potential of the 5 project areas and has been successful and very popular; $1,500 worth of seed, tools, and extension services have been provided to 400 farmers in 10 villages. However, in other areas the project has not fully achieved its purpose. The Poultry Production Center (PPC) was established and produced poultry meat and up to 600 eggs a day, but was never financially viable and ceased all poultry operations in late 1985 after exhausting its feed resources. In response to losses of 50% of the rustic bird population from intestinal parasites, the immediate focus of poultry extension has shifted from breeding to parasite control; 1,800 birds have been treated in 13 villages, but it is not known if mortality will be reduced. The project is not hatching or distributing rustic chicks; the use of kerosene incubators, furthermore, was improperly researched. The 24 on-farm trials of 14 corn varieties showed that corn feed production is not feasible on Bioko; the trials should be discontinued. While the rabbit component was delayed a year and has received the least TA, a breeding stock is being maintained at the PPC. Lessons learned are: (1) with so many project components, it is unrealistic to expect the advisor to perform each task in any depth; (2) frequent communication among A.I.D., GREG, and the advisor is necessary to avoid misunderstandings; (3) the appropriateness and availability of critical commodities must be checked prior to implementation; (4) a study of production constraints should precede selection of what constraints a project will address; (5) a project in a country with serious economic problems and a weak administrative infrastructure should address a well-defined problem and propose simple, attainable solutions; (6) TA advisors should be aware of how international and regional research centers can assist in implementation and should encourage linkages between country programs and research centers; and (7) the GREG should not have been expected to contribute substantial inputs given dire economic conditions. Action decisions are to close out the project and for IHAP to allow the transfer of certain commodities to the Cooperative Development Project (653-0002).