EVALUATION OF THE MASAI LIVESTOCK AND RANGE MANAGEMENT PROJECT

TO DATE LITTLE HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED WITH RESPECT TO ATTAINING THE CONDITION EXPECTED AT THE END OF THE PROJECT. THERE IS LITTLE EVIDENCE THAT PRODUCTION INDICES SUCH AS INCREASED CALF DROPS, LARGER ANIMALS, YOUNGER ANIMALS BEING MARKETED, AND INCREASED NET OFFTAKE HAVE MATERIALIZED. THIS SHORTFALL IS DUE TO SLOWER THAN ANTICIPATED PROGRESS IN PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION OF IMPROVED GRAZING PRACTICES, AND LAG IN THE CATTLE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. THE ASSUMPTIONS RESPECTING ACHIEVEMENT OF PROJECT PURPOSES HAVE NOT BEEN BORNE OUT. PROGRESS IS BEING MADE WITH RESPECT TO ANIMAL HEALTH AND DISEASE CONTROL, BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO EVIDENT CHANGE IN MASAI ATTITUDES ABOUT DEVELOPMENT OF A MARKET ORIENTATION. THE EVALUATORS MADE 21 RECOMMENDATIONS, INCLUDING: (1)THE CONTRACTOR FOR THE MASAI TEAM SHOULD BE CHANGED; (2)THE TRAINING PROGRAM SHOULD BE ACCELERATED; (3)THE PARTICIPANT TRAINING PROGRAM SHOULD BE MODIFIED; (4)THE RANGE MANAGEMENT CAPABILITY SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO BRING IT INTO BALANCE WITH THAT OF THE WATER COMPONENT; (5)THE SOCIOLOGICAL INPUTS SHOULD BE REDIRECTED TO PROVIDE A MEANS OF MONITORING PROGRESS AND CHANGE AMONG THE MASAI; AND (6)THE HYDROGEOLOGIST SHOULD GIVE PRIORITY TO IDENTIFYING PROMISING BOREHOLE SITES.