Evaluation report : small farmer production program, Western Province, Republic of Zambia (grant # 611-G-3019)

Final evaluation covers the period 10/83-8/86 and is based on visits to Zambia by U.S. specialists in apiculture and economics. The apiculture specialist found that the project, while 12-18 months behind schedule due to delays in assigning a resident manager to Kaoma and in constructing a honey processing plant and personnel housing there, is basically well-managed and has excellent potential for further success. The project has made great strides since Kaoma received a permanent manager in 5/85. A total of 356 new beekeepers have been recruited and the number should exceed 500 by the end of 1986. Extension work has included hands-on training of village beekeepers in bark hive construction, honey collection and grading, and beeswax processing and 1-week courses at a Farmer Training Center (completed to date by 41 beekeepers). The honey and wax being sold are of good quality, the beekeepers are enthusiastic, and the project seems to fill a real need. On the basis of these successes, a 2-year extension is recommended. On a negative note, however, project sustainability is threatened by the fact that only 5 of the 30 persons in the Department of Forestry's Beekeeping Division have been suitably trained in beekeeping, and none of these are stationed in the project area. Also, the Kaoma manager, while very capable, also lacks significant formal training in either management or apiculture. Regarding economic aspects, after relatively poor showings in 1984 and 1985 - due in part to climatic conditions, inadequate logistic support, and scarcity of materials - performance picked up in 1986 and the potential for increased honey production from established beekeepers seems good. Overall, production will approach 42% of the projected level for the 1984-86 period, leading to increases for small farmers of nearly 85% in incremental per capita income and nearly 25% in nominal per capita income over the 1982 level. Market factors have not generally constrained output as much as delays in constructing the processing plant have. Local authorities have applied floor prices for honey and beeswax in an attempt to strike a balance between producer and consumer needs. Finally, although Africare evidently views the shortage of technical and managerial skills on the part of project staff as a situation that will gradually improve, training for the project manager and the accountant are critical to the project's success, as is Africare's own continued association with the Beekeeping Division. Also, no attempt has been made to repay the Africare loan for establishment of a revolving fund.