Evaluation of soil and water conservation management

Special evaluation covers the period 1/78-2/81 and is based on site visits, document review, and interviews with USAID/G, project, and Government of the Gambia (GOTG) personnel. Project implementation is 12-18 months behind schedule due to a one-year delay in the arrival of U.S. Department of Agriculture's Soil Conservation Service (SCS) personnel, difficulties in establishing the SWMU in the GOTG Approved Budget Estimates, and an inability to locate participants for long-term B.A. training in the United States (which will take 4 years and not 2 as assumed in the project paper). As a result, it has not yet been possible to establish a permanent, functional SWMU sufficiently trained and experienced to benefit from SCS assistance. Good progress toward project goals has been made by temporarily forming the SWMU at Yundum, assigning approximately 10 technical staff, and providing vehicles, equipment, supplies, and the execution of work plans. The SCS team is now in the process of training eight conservation specialists in field practices and is performing soil surveys. A few soil conservation practices are in place on Mixed Farming Centers and villages in three locations. Work on plant data and on a technical guide is going well. It is recommended that: SCS technical assistance be scaled down to two full time specialists -- one to assist the Gambian head of the SWMU and the other responsible for interim field work and training of MANR officials and assistants; the SWMU be formalized as soon as possible and no later than 7/1/82; MANR provide a total of 9 personnel for long-term U.S. training (this is critical to 1982 decisions regarding funding and project continuation; SCS increase short-term in-country training (virtually non-existent to date), providing annually at least two short courses at Yundum College and general courses for MANR personnel; GOTG/MANR formalize their working relationships for the next year with a formal agreement further clarifying responsibilities; and that SCS use a standard reporting format permitting comparison of progress with work plans.