Evaluation of marketing systems component of agricultural marketing project

Special evaluation covers the period to 12/83 and was conducted onsite. The project as designed has proven infeasible. The original building designs for the first 2 or 3 of the 25 planned Producer Market Organizations/Agricultural Grading Stations (PMO/AGS) were too elaborate and planned equipment too costly, and the concept employed in constructing PMO/AGS facilities resulted in their isolation, rather than integration, into a complete assembly, transportation, and distribution system. Further, there have been misunderstandings and barriers to developing effective PMO"s, which, according to contractual agreements with the Ministry of Agriculture, must precede development of an AGS. To date, feasibility studies have only been completed for 5 PMO/AGS; none have yet become operational. Finally, the plan to establish 4 Sub-Wholesale Distribution Markets (SWDM) to handle produce and meat at redistribution centers has been found impractical, although the concept of additional wholesale marketing facilities is sound. Recommendations are to concentrate on establishing 6 rather than 25 PMO/AGS facilities (at Christiana, Southfield, Busby Park, Ebony Park, Guy"s Hill, and Douglas Castle), with others coming online as the first six begin operating efficiently; and to use SWDM funds for three wholesale markets - two wholesale/retail livestock auctions (one with and one without an abbatoir) and a subterminal meat and produce wholesale market in Kingston (by conversion of the facility of the Agriculture Marketing Cooperative). The fourth SWDM should be held in reserve for a possible wholesale subterminal market for meat and produce in Montego.