FINAL REPORT ON BAHAMAS AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

PROJECT ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE: 1) ESTABLISHMENT OF A 500 ACRE EXPERIMENT STATION WITH RESEARCH GROUPS IN AGR ECON AND RURAL SOCIOLOGY, INCLUDING CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPPING OF AN OFFICE BUILDING, MACHINE SHOP, WAREHOUSES, TRAINING CENTER AND STAFF HOUSES; 2) TRAINING OF A COUNTERPART STAFF, WITH 12 SENT TO PENN STATE UNIV FOR PROFESSIONAL TRAINING; 3) COMPLETION OF RESEARCH TRIALS, WITH THE RESULTS OF 57 PUBLISHED EMPHASIZING FORAGE CROPS, FIELD CROPS, GRAZING OF LIVESTOCK AND ECONOMICS OF LIVESTOCK ENTERPRISES; AND 4) CONDUCTING OF 3 FARMER TRAINING COURSES AND ESTABLISHMENT OF 9 PILOT TEST FARMS. IN ADDITION, A FILM HAS BEEN PRODUCED WHICH DESCRIBES THE PROGRAM AND PROVIDES INFORMATION ON RESULTS. IT IS NOTED THAT LIVESTOCK ENTERPRISES WITH HIGH LEVELS OF MANAGEMENT CAN NEARLY COVER COSTS, BUT SPECIAL ASSISTANCE AND SUBSIDIES MAY BE NEEDED TO ENCOURAGE FAMILY FARMERS TO EXPAND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION. LARGEST NEGATIVE FACTOR CITED WAS INSUFFICIENT TIME TO ACCOMPLISH STATED OBJECTIVES.