EXPANSION OF COMPLETENCE IN THE DESIGN AND EXECUTION OF RUMINANT LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR THE TROPICS

AID team evaluates the progress of four US universities -- Tuskegee, Purdue, the Univ of Florida and Texas A&M -- which received grant funds to improve the design & execution of ruminant livestock development programs in the tropics. The disciplines represented by the above consortium included animal diseases & parasites (Texas A&M), animal breeding & management (Texas A&M), animal nutrition (Univ of Fla), forage production (Fla), Delivery of technology (Tuskegee), sociology (Tuskegee), economics (Purdue) & marketing (Purdue). Guyana proved to be a good "laboratory." Excellent rapport was established with Guyanese counterparts. Additional visits by representatives of the four universities are planned (two or three visits for periods of up to three months). The African bureau requested assistance with a US-sponsored seminar for central West African livestock administrators. The consortium sent one representative from each institution to consult with AID, FAC & African govt leaders concerning the seminar (5/19-6/74). A brief outline of their observations & recommendations are attached. Evaluation team recommended that Purdue be provided with additional grant funds to serve as coordinator for the consortium.