Food assistance development strategy

Assesses the status of food sector and reviews food assistance from 1980 to 1987. Discusses the proposed strategy for program and project food aid and reviews implementation issues. Concludes that the growing structural deficit for wheat and rice cannot be met with commercial imports without jeopardizing the national development program, due to the shortage of foreign exchange (implying that food is not additional, but fiscal resources are). Cites progress since 1984 in privatization of imports, development of a plan to promote private sector marketing domestically, and counterpart programming. Concludes that the "developmental impact of the program has continued to be constrained by the fact that the Title I resources belong to the government, limiting A.I.D leverage on both programming counterpart and requiring strong self help measures". In addition, the Mission concluded that "the government"s performance has not been nearly as weak as its reporting of its own performance," because although many reforms have actually been undertaken, ineffective communication and a desire not to "answer to" the United States have prevented the reporting of this progress. Discusses strong (and to date effective) resistance by the GOK to joint programming of local currency, viewed as a GOK resource. Proposes integrated program of DA, P.L. 480, and other resources to promote domestic market privatization and expansion. During the first phase, Title I resources were used primarily for emergency relief, and Kenyan officials perceived the purpose of the program "to be political rather then developmental." Emphasis was put on moving the commodities, some of which sat in storage for more than a year, delaying balance of payment supports. (Author abstract, from PN-ABD-893)