EVALUATION TEAM REPORT ON AGRICULTURAL CREDIT PROJECT NO. 621-11-140-117; TANZANIA

THE PROJECT'S PURPOSES ARE: (1) STRENGTHENING AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE TRDB AS A RURAL CREDIT INSTITUTION; AND (2)INCREASE FOOD CROP PRODUCTION AND SMALL FARMER INCOME THROUGH DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A TRDB SMALL FARMER FOOD CROP PRODUCTION PROGRAM. THE TRDB IS A BASICALLY SOUND FINANCIAL INSTITUTION WITH CAPABLE MANAGEMENT. THERE ARE, HOWEVER, FUNCTIONS OF THE TRDB THAT ITS MANAGEMENT WILL WANT TO STRENGTHEN IN ORDER TO EXPAND TO MEET THE GROWING DEMAND FOR AGRICULTURAL CREDIT. THE TRDB HAS THE POTENTIAL TO MEET THE CHALLENGES RELATED TO GROWTH AND IS A VIABLE INSTITUTION CAPABLE OF ADMIINSTERING A PROGRAM SUCH AS THE SMALL FARMER CROP LOAN PROGRAM. IN ADDITION TO THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE TRDB, OTHER FACTORS ARE FAVORABLE FOR AGRICULTURAL CREDIT PROGRAMS. AN IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF THE SMALL FARMER CROP LOAN PROGRAM INDICATES IT IS ADMINISTERED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PURPOSES AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM. IT GOT OFF TO A SLOW START AND, THEREFORE, IT IS PREMATURE TO FORECAST SUBSEQUENT PERFORMANCE. THE EVALUATORS DISCUSSED THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CONTRACTOR, THE CONTRACT FIELD TEAM, USAID, TRDB, THE GOVERNMENT OF TANZANIA, AND OTHER DONORS. THEY ALSO DISCUSSED OTHER FACTORS SUCH AS FINANCIAL POSITION, EFFICIENCY, PERSONNEL COMPETENCY, TRAINING PROGRAMS, LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS, AND THE LOGICAL FRAMEWORK, AND MADE RECOMMENDATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TEXT OF THE EVALUATION ON MANY MATTERS.