HONDURAS SMALL FARMER TECHNOLOGIES : A REVIEW OF THE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT FOR USAID

This special evaluation, which is attached to a PES (PD-AAG-334-B1), covers the period 4/1/77-9/30/80 and is based on visits and interviews with project administrators. Only the farm system planning/evaluation component was functioning at the time of the evaluation; the other components are designed to establish an appropriate technology research and development unit, provide long-term credit for farm investments, and conduct farmer training programs. The project has no clear organizational structure and is hampered by a lack of binding commitments from the Government of Honduras agencies on which it depends for delivery of farmer services. Ineffective coordination is a major problem; nationally, the agencies implementing each component have not cooperated with one another, while the planning unit's regional teams have been inadequate. Project staff has failed to work closely with the existing national small farmer organizations and their local chapters, despite a mutual interest in the project's success. Administration is hampered by ineffective and excessive procedures, such as those required for credit distribution. Finally, an improved data analysis and accounting system is needed. Coordination of the information flow between all project components is vital for the effective transfer of appropriate technology to the farmers via farm plans and farmer organizations. Final recommendations are that project staff must be clearly placed within the Ministry of Natural Resources and given increased authority; selection of counterpart and expatriate staff must be improved; the information flow must be extended to include accurate financial data; an assessment is needed of the effect on beneficiaries of delays and failures; the planning skills of the regional units should be improved; teamwork in farmer assistance should be stressed; greater flexibility is needed in developing farm plans and granting credit; and small farmer organizations should be more involved in project activities.