HONEY PRODUCTION - OPG # 2/78 (11/21/79)

THIS FIRST EVALUATION COVERS THE PERIOD 4/78-10/79. THE ORIGINAL EVALUATION WASPREPARED BY ASAP WITH REVISIONS AND REDRAFTING BY USAID EVALUATION PERSONNEL. THE PROJECT AS ORIGINALLY CONCEIVED IS NOLONGER ALIGNED WITH THE PRESENT SETTING AND A MAJOR CHANGE IN THE PROJECT PROPOSAL IS REQUIRED. ASAP HAS SUBMITTED A REQUEST TO SUSPEND PROJECT PROVISIONS FOR TRAINING AND RESEARCH FACILITIES, WHICH THE MISSION IS CURRENTLY STUDYING. PLANNED OUTPUTS INCLUDE COURSES IN ASUNCION AND RURAL AREAS, GRADUATES FROM COURSES, PARAPROFESSIONALS FORMED AND TRAINED TO REPLICATE COURSES, AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SOURCE OF BEEKEEPING EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES. PROGRESS TOWARD ACHIEVING THESE OUTPUTS VARIES. AS LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE HEAVILY ENGAGED IN EXTENSION TRAINING IN RURAL AREAS AND THE OPERATION OF A MODERN RESEARCH LABORATORY AND CONSULTING CENTER, LITTLE PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN THESE AREAS. ASAP CONTENDS THAT THESE SERVICES ARE ADEQUATE AND THAT FURTHER PURSUIT OF THESE TARGETS MIGHT RESULT IN DUPLICATION OF EFFORTS. HOWEVER, CONSTRUCTION OF A TECHNICAL WORKSHOP FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BEEKEEPING MATERIALS IS PRESENTLY IN FINAL STAGES OF COMPLETION DESPITE FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS. RISING COSTS OF LABOR AND BUILDING MATERIALS THREATENED TO OVERRUN THE BUDGET. BOARD MEMBERS OF ASAP COMPENSATED FOR THIS PROBLEM BY WORKING VOLUNTARILY TO COMPLETE THE WORKSHOP. OTHER PROJECT ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDE THE GRADUATION OF 21 STUDENTS IN 11/78 FROM COURSES IN ASUNCION AND THE EXPECTED GRADUATION OF 80 STUDENTS IN 11/79. FUNDS SAVED BY ELIMINATING THE LABORATORY AND RURAL TRAING OUTPUTS WILL BE USED TO ESTABLISH A LOCAL WAX ROLLING MILL TO MANUFACTURE SHEETS OF FOUNDATION WAX. THESE SHEETS WILL THEN BE SOLD TO LOCAL BEEKEEPERS, REDUCING THE NEED FOR IMPORTS FROM ARGENTINA. BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE SMALL FARMERS THAT ARE EXPECTED TO ENGAGE IN BEEKEEPING ACTIVITIES TO SUPPLEMENT THEIR INCOMES.