Gambia cooperative development evaluation

Special evaluation covers the period 7/80-4/84 and is based on a review of the final (1984) joint CLUSA/Government of the Gambia (GOTG) evaluation. The project successfully established a comprehensive member education program (MEP) and trained MEP field officers, known as Cooperative Inspectors-Education (CIE's), in nonformal education techniques and numeracy. To date, 24 CIE's have conducted 6-month functional numeracy courses in 40 villages, trained co-op committee members in 36 co-op marketing societies, initiated 18 radio learning groups, and worked with women's Cooperative Thrift and Credit Societies. All of these activities were conducted at the village level, with farmer members. The MEP exceeded expectations in developing materials and training staff, but given the project's short time frame, its overly ambitious farmer training goals could not be met. Although the project probably raised the consciousness and sensitivity of the GOTG toward farmer co-ops, it did not - and probably could not - increase GOTG support (due to inadequate means). The MEP will erode quickly without donor support. Proposals by CLUSA and the Livestock Marketing Board (LMB) for co-ops in this sector have merit, but are inadequate in scope to have much impact. Livestock marketing will be unable to expand significantly until the LMB overcomes key problems - inadequate infrastructure at buying points, lack of transport and operating funds, poor buying procedures, and inadequately trained staff. Constraints outside LMB control included GOTG pricing policy and strong market demand in Senegal, which fosters illicit exports across the border. The project should be terminated 9/30/84 as scheduled and the co-op mechanism made an integral part of downstream linkages in the Agricultural Research and Diversification Project (6350219). The GOTG should explicitly state that the Gambian produce and livestock boards' prices are support levels and that farmers may sell to anyone. Attached is a 5/31/84 rebuttal to the evaluation from a CLUSA cooperative education advisor.