EVALUATION OF THE PROGRAM PERFORMANCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM DIVISION OF THE NATIONAL RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE ASSOC. (NRECA)

THE EVALUATORS AGREE WITH IPD THAT COOPERATIVES ARE A PREFERRED METHOD OF DISTRIBUTING ELECTRICITY IN RURAL AREAS. A WELL-ORGANIZED COOPERATIVE CAN EXERT POWERFUL PRESSURES TO OBTAIN ELECTRIFICATION FOR ITS AREA AND IT CAN LEAD TO MORE EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT. IPD'S DECISION NOT TO INSIST ON OPERATING EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH COOPERATIVES IS QUITE PRACTICAL BECAUSE SOMETIMES SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC SITUATIONS ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL ARE NOT CONDUCIVE TO THE HEALTH OF COOPERATIVES. IN THESE CASES, RURAL ELECTRIFICATION THROUGH EITHER PRIVATE COMPANIES OR NATIONAL AUTHORITIES CAN BE PROMOTED. THE EVALUATORS MADE 14 RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH INCLUDE: (1)AID SHOULD CONTINUE TO FUND THE INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS DIVISION OF NRECA TO CARRY OUT RURAL ELECTRIFICATION PROMOTION, TECHNICAL PLANNING AND TRAINING; (2)THE COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES OF COOPERATIVES VERSUS OTHER ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD BE MORE THOROUGHLY STUDIED; AND (3)AID SHOULD SPECIFY THE IMPACT ASSESSMENT MODEL WHICH IT DESIRES NRECA TO ATTEMPT TO IMPLEMENT.