Intercountry evaluation of agriculture sector programs : Costa Rica country program

THE BASIC PROGRAM CONCEPT AND DESIGN IS LOGICAL AND INTERNALLY CONSISTENT. IT FOCUSES ON PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO SMALL FARMERS WHO PRODUCE PRIMARILY FOR THE DOMESTIC MARKET. HOWEVER, THE RESULTS MAY FALL CONSIDERABLY SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS. THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CREDIT PROGRAMS MAY NOT PRODUCE PRODUCTION AND INCOME INCREASES FOR BROAD AREAS OF THE FARM POPULATION. MOREOVER, IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE FOR ONE AGENCY TO PLAN AND COORDINATE PROGRAMS EXECUTED BY AGENCIES OVER WHICH IT HAS NO CONTROL. THE CAN, CANCITOS, AND MINISTRY OPERATIONS NEED TO BE REORGANIZED AND INTEGRATED. A CONTINUING PROGRAM OF EVALUATION NEEDS TO BE INITIATED. THE MISSION SHOULD WORK WITH APPROPRIATE MAG OFFICIALS TO DEVELOP A CONTINUING INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR. CURRENT USAID ATTEMPTS TO USE EXISTING PRODUCER ORGANIZATIONS AS AN ADDITIONAL MEANS OF REACHING SMALL FARMERS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED AND EXPANDED. THE LOAN GUARANTEE FUND IN THE CREDIT PROJECT AND THE GUARANTEE FUND FOR LAND PURCHASES IN THE LAND TENURE PROJECT ARE IMAGINATIVE INNOVATIONS THAT SHOULD BE EXPANDED AND STRENGTHENED AS PILOT EFFORTS.