EVALUATION OF THE NATIONAL RANGE AND RANCH DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

THE GOALS TO INCREASE LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE, GIVEN SUFFICIENT TIME AND INPUTS, ARE WITHIN REALIZATION. THERE IS MORE PROGRESS BEING MADE WITH RESPECT TO CONTROLLING DISEASES AND DEVELOPING WATER AND BETTER CATTLE THAN TOWARD IMPROVED GRAZING MANAGEMENT PRACTICES. THERE IS NOT REASON TO QUESTION THE BASIC PROJECT DESIGN; EMPHASIS SHOULD NOT BE ON REDESIGN BUT ON MORE EFFECTIVE COORDINATED EFFORT. RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE: (1)PLACE INCREASED EMPHASIS ON ACCUMLATION OF BASE DATA; (2)AGREE UPON A GRAZING SYSTEM TO USE WHILE INCREASING RESEARCH TO DETERMINE WHICH SYSTEM IS BEST FOR TROPICAL CLIMATES; (3)MAKE GREATER USE OF THE EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE OF PLANNING TEAMS; (4)DOCUMENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND DEVELOP DATA FROM WHICH PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION CAN BE IMPROVED; (5)STRENGTHEN THE COORDINATION UNIT; (6)DEVELOP A MORE UNIFIED SYSTEM OF ADMINISTRATION AND SUPERVISION OF THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT EFFORT; (7)IMPROVE LOGISTICAL SUPPORT/VEHICLE MAINTENANCE; (8)ESTABLISH DEMONSTRATION AREAS; (9)IMPROVE TRAINING PROGRAMS; AND (10)HIRE MORE PERSONNEL.