Foundation seed production

The evaluation covered the period 6/81-9/83 and was based on document review, interviews, and observation of project activities. The NSP is meeting the targets needed to attain project goals. Notable progress has been made in establishing effective quality control seed and a seed pricing policy, limiting the volume of foundation seed produced and marketed to that needed by regional seed multiplication centers, assuring accountability for project funds, and providing on-the-job and U.S. short-term training. Progress has been moderate in developing overall policy for and coordinating the NSP, developing in-country technical skills, and nominating long-term trainees. Only limited progress has been made in determining farm-level demand for seed, conducting demonstrations and promotional activities, and sensitizing farmer advisors to the importance of seeds of improved varieties. Overall, the project has social relevance, as well as economic and technical validity, although the Government of Upper Volta (GOUV) is still financially unable to maintain essential project activities without donor support. Also, more GOUV involvement in revising the implementation plan is needed. Cooperation between this project and the SAFGRAD project has been indispensable in transferring to farmers research results on new varieties and practices. In less than 3 years, farmer demand for certified short-cycle cowpea seed produced on the basis of SAFGRAD research has increased to over 20 tons in Volta Noire alone. Several lessons were learned. (1) Realistic design is critical to project success. (2) Sound financial management is necessary in seed programs and demands daily attention if it is to be firmly entrenched. (3) An expatriate cannot serve as both technical advisor and project manager. (4) It is better to have a small, high-quality seed program than to try to meet national needs. (5) Use of an AID/W Cooperative Agreement with Mississippi State University for short-term TA in design, evaluation, and training has proved excellent. The key action decision is to extend the project from 5/29/84 to 6/30/86. Attached to the PES are: (1) a 7/86 USAID/BF addendum on two key issues not adequately addressed by the evaluation - the GOBF"s inability to effectively manage A.I.D. resources, and the large seed subsidy provided by the project; and (2) a 7/7/86 Project Implementation Letter extending the project from 6/30/86 to 5/31/87 contingent upon steps to be taken by the GOBF with regard to subsidies, recurrent costs, and financial management.