EVALUATION OF THE BOTSWANA RANGE MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT USAID PROJECT NO. 690-11-130-015 (PART I)

Purpose of project is to assist the Government of Botswana (GOB) to develop socially acceptable range and livestock production/management models. Evaluation methodology based on interviews and onsite observations. Project has enjoyed little success. Underestimation of the importance of sociological surveys and staff to conduct them have been the greatest reason for failure. In each of three communities chosen to benefit by the project all or some of the following situations exist: 1. conflict between farmers and herders as to who may benefit from the project; 2. disputes between neighboring villages as to the grazing rights and boundaries; 3. lack of communication since communities chosen are minority groups speaking minor languages & having been little studied as to their origin, customs, etc; 4. lack of help from government officials who were unsure as to what their responsibilities were; and 5. lack of a sense of directn and skills among personnel. Other minor problems have been poor grass species for fodder production, equipment shortages, inadequate living conditions for staff at the beginning of the project, and delays in vehicle repairs. It is believed that project may not be economically feasible even with the two year extension being suggested. Recommendations are to: 1. improve interaction between AID and the Botswana communities served by utilizing Peace Corps type volunteers, junior officers, and team members; 2. add a rural sociologist to the team; 3. place team in a coordinate position in the Department of Agriculture; 4. agree upon policies and guidelines governing the organization of communal groups; 5. provide better servicing of equipment; 6. study the economics; 7. find other forms of training for personnel; and 8. perform an early evaluation of the next program.