Intercountry evaluation of agriculture sector programs : Colombia, Costa Rica, and Guatemala, vol. 1, summary report

THE TEAM"S PRINCIPAL FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS ARE: THE APPROACH HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE, IT HAS MADE POSSIBLE DIALOG CONCERNING SECTOR PROBLEMS, AND IT HAS PERMITTED THOSE PROBLEMS TO BE CONSIDERED IN A HOLISTIC CONTEXT. IT HAS DIRECTED ATTENTION TO THE NEGLECT OF THE SMALL FARMER. SECTOR ANALYSES ARE NOT YET ADEQUATE AS A BASIS FOR STRATEGY AND PROGRAM REVISIONS. EXISTING PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN MOST SUCCESSFUL IN STRENGTHENING THE INSTITUTIONAL BASE FOR DEALING WITH SECTOR PROBLEMS AND BRINGING SERVICES TO THE SMALL FARMER. HOWEVER, THE PROGRAMS HAVE NOT YET DEMONSTRATED THAT DIRECT PROVISION OF PRODUCTION CREDIT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SMALL FARMERS BY PUBLIC AGENCIES IS THE BEST MEANS OF IMPROVING THE WELFARE OF MOST OF THE RURAL POPULATION. THERE IS A NEED TO DO FOUR THINGS: (1) ESTABLISH IN EACH PROGRAM AN EVALUATION PROCESS; (2) CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO IMPROVEMENT OF THE WELFARE OF SMALL FARMERS; (3) REVIEW AID CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES AND ADAPT THEM TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE SECTOR APPROACH; AND (4) PROVIDE AID STAFF WITH THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO MEET TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL, ANALYTICAL, AND EVALUATIVE REQUIREMENTS.