Evaluation of the fruit tree crops improvement project

Final special evaluation covers the period 6/83-3/85 and is based on document review, site visits, and interviews with key personnel and beneficiaries. Due to the diligent efforts of the implementing Societe Haitienne d"Etude et d"Execution des Projets Agricole (SHEEPA), and effective support by USAID/H, most project objectives have been attained. Three nurseries were established, horticulture courses were provided to 25 monitors, considerable progress was made in extension and varietal research, and sophisticated techniques such as grafting were introduced. The project fell short, however, in seedling production and distribution, primarily due to drought and pest infestations; possibly objectives in these areas were overambitious. Nonetheless, 283,000-324,000 seedlings were produced and 160,000 outplanted, mostly by individual farmers; 50,000 of the plantings were of economically valuable Francis mango trees, with a 95% survival rate. environmental effects cannot be judged with certainty, the outplantings should help to stabilize the Plateau region"s erosion and deforestation problems. Overall, 829-1,192 farmers were reached; there is potential for substantial economic returns to these farmers and to the region as a whole - mostly from distribution of mango seedlings - in the not-too-distant future. Lack of TA was a serious constraint after the first 6 months, when the principal expatriate advisor resigned unexpectedly. The USAID/H project manager was unable to fully substitute for him, and the lack of professional TA for the remainder of the project affected both project outcomes and the ability of SHEEPA, a relatively young organization, to establish firm technical capabilities. In addition, interventions by the possibly envious Ministry of Agriculture slowed the importation of valuable plant propagation materials, and forced emphasis in seed production in favor of cashews, despite serious disease problems with these trees. Almost all the cashew nut trees will probably be lost; cashew cultivation should be halted immediately until disease-resistant seed can be obtained from Brazil.