Guidimaka integrated rural development

PES covers the period 6/80-3/82 and is based on an attached special evaluation (XD-AAM-487-A). Despite logistical problems, targets have largely been achieved. All four agricultural demonstration sites are fully operational, and many improved techniques have been tested and have proven valuable (especially regarding cereal varieties and cultural practices) to 1,000-2,000 farmers, even though intensive extension activities have deliberately been limited to 200 farmers in order to create an extension model. Training activities are on target and the project is fully staffed, with all counterpart extensionists and animal trainers in place. The planned livestock service is staffed and functioning, but there is a need to institutionalize within it areas supported largely by the project (sales of drugs, village veterinary pharmacy program). Also, range management activities will ultimately be hampered by the lack of a strong national range policy. Forestry work has been promising, with tree planting soon to reach 50,000 (the target of 100,000 was unrealistic), but an expanded extension program is critically needed. Unexpectedly, the project has been institutionalized as a major source of employment and of agricultural and veterinary materials, resulting in a need during the time remaining to shift administrative focus to local authorities. Lessons learned are the needs to investigate the types of commodities required and means of procuring them and to develop mechanisms to transfer managerial and financial responsibility for project-initiated activities to local and governmental entities. Means should be sought to continue the project, especially dryland agriculture and animal health activities. Action decisions are to: update the project"s financial plan (and revise the project agreement accordingly); consider extending the project using existing resources; develop a plan to record sociological observations/analysis; and review the training plan in order to strengthen host-country training activities.