Evaluation report for Malawi agricultural research project

Special evaluation covers the period 8/79-2/83 and is based document review, site visits, and interviews with MOA, contractor, and USAID/M personnel. Good progress has been made. The DAR's institutional evolvement has exceeded expectations and the project has engendered awareness of the need for a national research policy sensitive to smallholders. U.S. Ph.D. and M.S. training are being provided, respectively, to 12 (vs. 8 targeted) and 11 (vs. 25) DAR staff. Recruitment has been difficult due mainly to candidates' low scores on qualifying exams. Ph.D's will likely return to Malawi too late to benefit from onsite technical assistance (TA). Short-term in-country training in basic and farming systems research and inservice computer/calculator training have also been provided. TA has been overly specialized and short-term, but has - probably wisely - emphasized institution building over immediately improved research-extension linkages (a follow-on to strengthen extension is recommended). The lack of a horticulture specialist has jeopardized targeted outputs in this area. Farming Systems Analysis (FSA) and Agricultural Economics (AE) sections have been established within the DAR and are functioning, although with limited staff. FSA has defined and initiated a sound research approach, which, however, is not being actively pursued. AE has established a valuable economics data base. While these sections have interacted with other DAR efforts, this has been the exception to the rule; much more interdisciplinary research should be occurring. The AE, maize, livestock, and pasture research sections should be more oriented toward smallholder needs; more emphasis should be given to maize research. The project has suffered from a lack of clear research priorities. Due in part to delayed laboratory construction, procurement is behind schedule; there may not be time to train DAR staff to use new lab equipment. Construction is 70% completed; especially important are the Tsangano wheat facility and the Bvumbwe soils laboratory. The project has functioned well to date with rather diffuse management, but clear direction is now needed regarding resource allocation. A total of 66 recommendations are made.