Evaluation of project no. 519-0184 USAID/El Salvador, Office of small-scale Irrigation - small farm irrigation systems project

External evaluation covers the period 8/78-8/84 and is based on document review, site visits, and interviews with OPOR and USAID/ES staff, and with beneficiaries. Small-scale irrigation, relatively new to small farmers in El Salvador, is a useful tool for increasing agricultural production, and OPOR - although it has experienced a high degree of structural instability since its formation in 1979 - is developed into a viable institution for developing these systems. The project has become more manageable since changed in 1981 to work primarily with Phase I agrarian reform cooperatives, but the co-ops have not yet proven their long-term viability and lack both short- and long-range community and agricultural development plans, as well as management training for members. Design and construction of SP's - most are open channel systems - are mainly good; construction costs have averaged SV3,477 per ha, and internal rates of return 20-23%. The systems have been designed, however, without much farmer participation, and most are not easily farmer-manageable. Also, while farmers are enthusiastic about the new irrigation methods, they will need much help not only in the proper physical application of water, but also in fully utilizing the systems; to this end, close liaison among OPOR, the co-ops, and other supporting services and institutions will be essential. OPOR functions that are being executed well include intra-office coordination, delegation of authority, document processing, basic engineering and design, TA (as provided by Caribbean Technical Services), and budget management. Functions being executed moderately well include general management, agronomic and economic analysis, construction supervision, topographic surveying, and budget analysis. Substantial improvements are needed in the areas of interagency liaison and communication, postconstruction engineering follow-up, extension outreach (now definitely planned), hydrology, socioeconomic analysis of beneficiary needs, and use of SP selection criteria. Project continuation, with priority given to OPOR stabilization, is recommended.