FARMERS ASSOCIATION AND AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (FAAD)

Evaluation covers the period 9/77-5/80 and is based upon an accompanying special evaluation (PD-AAG-107-C1). Because of the project"s innovative nature, implementation has been somewhat diffuse; USAID has spent considerable time developing new guidelines. Delays were caused by late delivery of inputs, especially vehicles; and the unavailability of spare parts, petrol, and especially cement. All seven participating PVO"s have tried to deliver outputs as agreed. Some exceeded their targets; the Association of People for Practical Life Education, for example, developed a village development approach which can and should be replicated. Technoserve drastically altered its objectives, emphasizing assistance to other PVO"s. The latter, plus the development of a PVO consortium, was a positive unplanned effect of the project. Activites to date have directly benefitted 40,000 low-income villagers. In particular, the production of useful commodities has increased and has led to increased income and employment. The project is highly replicable: subprojects interface with priority Mission projects; subgrantees work together; and host government approval is simplified. Because of its umbrella nature, such a project needs a strong manager, although the need for USAID management should be much reduced once guidelines have been set. The project should have a second phase to support successful phase one activities as well as new PVO initiatives. This phase, to which all PVO"s in Ghana, including U.S.-based PVO"s, should be invited, should be modified according to PVO and external recommendations. USAID agrees with the strong PVO contention that the present flexible approach should be retained in phase two. Five action decisions on requests to AID/W regarding project funding, including increasing life-of-project funding from $3.4 to $4.35 million, are included.