EVALUATION OF THE DIRECTED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION CREDIT PROGRAM IN ECUADOR

THE EVALUATION WAS DESIGNED TO MEASURE THE RESULTS OF THIS PROGRAM IN TERMS OF INCREASED PRODUCTION AND INCOME AND TO DETERMINE WHETHER PROGRAM PROBLEMS WERE RESULTS OF THE PROJECT OR DUE TO INHERENT CONCEPTUAL FLAWS. THE EVALUATORS CONCLUDED THAT ALL SPECIFIC INDICATORS SUPPORT THE CONCLUSION THAT BOTH PRODUCTION AND INCOME INCREASED, ALTHOUGH NOT DRAMATICALLY AND NOT NECESSARILY BECAUSE OF THE DAPC PROGRAM. THEY ALSO CONCLUDED THAT THE CONCEPT OF DIRECTED CREDIT IS VIABLE. THE PRINCIPAL PROBLEMS ARE: (1)LACK OF ADEQUATE CREDIT, (2)LACK OF EFFECTIVE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, (3)NEED FOR IMPROVED ADMINISTRATION, AND (4)INADEQUATE MARKETING PROGRAMS. PRIMARY RECOMMENDATIONS ARE: (1)FECOAC (NATIONAL FEDERATION OF SAVINGS AND LOAN COOPERATIVES) SHOULD ASSIST DAPC COOPERATIVES IN ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING RELATIONSHIPS WITH TECHNICAL SOURCES, (2)FECOAC SHOULD SET UP THE DAPC PROGRAM AS A SEPARATE ENTITY WITH SPECIFIC GUIDELINES, TRAINING COURSES, AND REQUIRE A FIELD INSPECTOR FOR EACH COOPERATIVE, AND (3)THE MARKETING PROBLEM SHOULD BE STUDIED IN DEPTH. THE EVALUATION DESCRIBES THE METHODOLOGY, THE DAPC PROGRAM, AND THE PARTICIPATING COOPERATIVES; GIVES AN ANALYSIS OF THE PROGRAM RESULTS AND AN ANALYSIS OF THE MAJOR FACTORS AFFECTING THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM; AND LISTS SPECIFIC PROBLEMS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.