EVALUATION OF THE PROGRESS OF THE NATIONAL MAIZE PROJECT AT THE END OF ONE CROPPING SEASON IN MOROGORO AND ARUSHA REGIONS

THE PROGRAM WAS SUCCESSFUL IN TEACHING FARMERS ABOUT GOOD MAIZE PRODUCTION PRACTICES. HOWEVER, IN BOTH CONCEPTION AND IMPLEMENTATION, THE PROGRAM SUFFERS FROM SOME CRITICAL FLAWS. AT NO POINT IN THE PROGRAM IS SERIOUS CONDIDERATION GIVEN TO DEVELOPING A LOCAL CAPACITY TO CONTINUE THE PROJECT FUNCTIONS. AS IT NOW OPERATES, THE PROJECT REINFORCES A PATTERN OF PASSIVE VILLAGE DEPENDENCY ON THE GOVERNMENT. THE PROBLEMS CONNECTED WITH PAYING FOR INPUTS SHOULD BE CAREFULLY REVIEWED. THIS INCLUDES THE ECONMONIC RETURN TO INPUTS AT UNSUBSIDIZED PRICES, THE EXTENSION OF CREDIT, AND IMPROVING THE TRANSPORT AND MARKETING SYSTEMS. LOCAL PEOPLE AND LOCAL CONDITIONS MUST BE INCLUDED AS A CENTRAL CONSIDERATION OF THE PROJECT. RECOMMENDATIONS MADE TO FARMERS MUST BE LOCALLY APPROPRIATE. PACKAGE SALES MUST BE LOCALLY EVALUATED. THE LOCAL NEED FOR CREDIT SHOULD BE EVALUATED. THE EXTENSION EFFORT SHOULD BE ADOPTED TO LOCAL CONDITIONS. LOCAL PEOPLE MUST BE INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING AND OPERATION OF THE PROJECT. UNLESS THESE THINGS ARE DONE, NMP WILL BE JUST ANOTHER ONESHOT BANDAID PROJECT WHICH CONTRIBUTED LITTLE OR NOTHING TO DEVELOPMENT.