Evaluation of USAID Honduras agricultural research project, no. 522-0139, with the National Agricultural Research Program (PNIA)

Evaluation covers the period 2/80-3/81 and is based on document review and discussions with project personnel and farmers during an in-country visit. PNIA researchers have attempted to improve crop yields by conducting onfarm and station research on (regionalized) crop varieties that are high-yielding and disease and insect resistant, and by providing localized information about planting dates, fertilization, and pest control. Progress seems to have been made in maize (3 varieties), beans, sorghum, and rice, but data is inconclusive. Onfarm research is increasingly seen as necessary to the total research effort, but experience has shown that it must be primarily conducted not by interdisciplinary teams, but by individuals with the support of such teams. Major recommendations are to: (1) use project funds to purchase vehicles to increase logistical support for onfarm researchers; (2) reorganize the technical support units -- using Hondurans to fill the positions -- to include six disciplines (plant pathology, entomology, agricultural economics, biometrics, soil management, and weed control) in each unit; (3) provide laboratory equipment and short-term technical assistance (TA) to researchers; and (4) prepare long-, short-, and medium-range plans and obtain long-term TA for designing a planning system. Among the 14 recommendations for onfarm research are that: researchers stake out (at harvest) and measure a given section of the crop rather than try to simulate farmer technology experimentally; commodity programs be limited to varietal improvement; trained, full-time assistants be assigned to commodity program directors; the multidisciplinary concept of PNIA methodology be enhanced; fertilizer trials be focused on responses to an individual element, rather than a formula; non-basic grain commodity programs be supported; the economic impact of Cenicilla, Babosa, soil conservation, and post-harvest grain loss be determined; and the characteristics and stability parameters of native crop varieties be evaluated.