Evaluation of the Ixcan colonization project (520-T-026), Guatemala

Special evaluation covers the period to 1/84 and is based on document review, site visits, and interviews with project personnel and beneficiaries. The project has encountered many unforeseen developments. Early on, support services from the National Institute for Agrarian Reform (INTA) were totally lacking, and lack of cooperation among participating entities nearly closed the project; these problems should have been anticipated at the design stage. In addition, the military closed the project for some months during 1982. Since that time, however, the situation has much improved. To date, 2,000 families have been settled in the 50 targeted settlements, only 32 of which, however, are completed. Although roads and trails were not completed prior to settlement by colonists, as was planned, the road system in the western part of Ixcan was virtually completed by 1/84, but no roads were completed in the eastern area due to its marshy terrain. Four schools have been built, but three others remain unfinished and under litigation between INTA and a private contractor. Construction - funds for which were reallocated from a proposed land use study - has not been labor-intensive, as planned, but a CARE Food for Work project has been very effective in sponsoring self-help activities. Further, only one of the participating cooperative federations, FECOAR, successfully carried out resettlement activities, and only one settlement had a functioning cooperative in 1/84, although cooperatives were to have been established in each settlement. Also, pressure from the military caused the project to replace the planned health centers with a hospital at Playa Grande, which is, moreover, understaffed and underequipped. Although extreme poverty and poor health and sanitation are still high in the settlements, over $1 million in BANDESA loans has enabled settlers to begin clearing land and to cultivate annual and perennial crops; community organization is vigorous, and hopes for the future are high. For recommendations, see the abstract of the attached PES (PD-AAP-925).