Food technology for development -- nutrition and food technical services

The Food Technology Branch (FTB) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture"s Office of International Cooperation and Development was the project"s chief implementor. Evaluation covers the period FY83-FY88. The FTB has complied with the objectives of the RSSA. It has made several notable advances in food technology and provided clear, competent TA to several developing countries (seven during the last 6 months of 1988 alone). One of its biggest successes was the development of "Thriposha," a low-cost weaning food which is now available to poor mothers in Sri Lanka. The other six participating countries are adapting project technologies and marketing strategies for the local manufacture of weaning foods. Additionally, FTB made progress in fortifying monosodium glutamate with vitamin A, explored the possible use of pro-biotic microorganisms in foods to help prevent diarrhea in children, and developed a "catch-up" food for young children whose growth has been stunted by diarrhea. Further, the FTB responded to TA requests in a quick, efficient manner, and was led by a tenacious administrator who motivated the staff in all aspects of the project. The technical effectiveness of the FTB was enhanced by its utilization of experts from universities and private U.S. businesses. The Office of Nutrition notes that the evaluation contractor was exceedingly slow in completing the evaluation, causing difficulty in incorporating evaluation results in follow-on activities. This should teach A.I.D. not to conclude a contract, regardless of past experiences with the contractor, until expectations are discussed and the contractor"s responsibilities are spelled out. Although largely ignored, the field of food science and technology is critically important to the success of many development programs, such as agriculture, nutrition, health, rural development, and food assistance. The evaluation recommends that the Office of Nutrition create a bridging mechanism to hold onto the food technology expertise of the FTB until a permanent structure, i.e., an Office of Food Technology, is established within A.I.D. for the long-term food science and technology needs of the Agency. Action decisions, however, are to: (1) oversee an orderly closeout of the RSSA with the USDA, and (2) develop a new food technology project proposal built around private sector institutions.