Evaluation of USAID Honduras agricultural research project with the national agricultural research program

Special evaluation covers the period 9/78-4/81 and is based on team review of project documents, interviews, and site visits. On-farm research is becoming more accepted and has proven more responsive to actual conditions than have traditional methods, as progress has been made in introducing and distributing new, high-yield varieties of maize, beans, rice, and sorghum and in developing localized recommendations for planting dates, fertilization, and pest control. In addition, PNIA has proven responsive to crop epidemics by developing chemical controls for Babosa in beans and Downy Mildew in maize and is stressing alternatives to expensive fertilizers and a technology transfer process involving both farmers and extensionists in research. Improved communications between the National Director of Research and regional directors and between regional research coordinators and their respective regional directors are needed to ensure that both national and regional research needs are addressed. A no less serious problem is the small Government of Honduras (GOH) research budget; outside funding to renew the contracts of researchers already hired and to contract current training graduates is needed, but should be seen only as a short-term solution. Project experience has shown the need not for several multidisciplinary teams conducting research (as envisioned in the project design), but rather individual researchers supported by a multidisciplinary team. The evaluators recommend efforts to consolidate PNIA's progress toward multidisciplinary on-farm research capability by: providing logistic support for on-farm researchers; helping to reorganize the National Technical Support Unit; enhancing researchers' responsiveness to farmers by purchasing (upon consultation with other donors to PNIA) laboratory equipment for plant breeders; helping researchers develop new ADP programs and acquire appropriate computer accessories; and developing PNIA's long- and short-range planning capacity. Fourteen secondary recommendations are provided.