IRRI small farm machinery industrial extension project (Thailand), mid-term project evaluation

EVALUATION WAS COMPILED THROUGH 2 OPINION SURVEYS -- OF FARMERS AND MANUFACTURERS, INTERVIEWS WITH IRRI STAFF IN THAILAND AND WITH HOST COUNTRY STAFF IN THE DEPT OF AGRICULTURE. IT IS NOTED THAT THE LIAISON BETWEEN IRRI STAFF AND THE THAI AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT IS GOOD. IN ADDITION, THE PRESENCE OF IRRI STAFF HAS ENSURED THAT TESTS WERE COMPLETED AND REPORTS MADE. HOWEVER, SLOW RECRUITMENT OF THAI STAFF HAS RESTRICTED THE SCOPE AND EXTENT OF PROGRAM ACTIVITIES. SURVEY DETERMINED THAT ONLY 2 IRRI MACHINES HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED BY THAI FARMERS--THE POWER TILLER AND THE AXIAL BLOW THRESHER. THE POWER TILLER HAS SOLD WELL AND HAS REACHED THE SMALL FARMER. THE AXIAL THRESHER,HOWEVER, HAS BEEN PURCHASED ONLY BY WEALTHIER FARMERS. NEITHER OF THESE MACHINES HAVE BEEN PURCHASED BY THE POOREST FARMERS. IT IS NOTED FURTHER THAT CONCERN WITH IRRI DESIGNED MACHINES HAS LIMITED THE PROJECT. WHILE THERE ARE MANY LOCALLY DESIGNED MACHINES WHICH COULD BENEFIT FROM INDEPENDENT TESTING, LITTLE EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO DO SO BY THE AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING DIVISION. THIS IS AN AREA WHERE THE IRRI COULD LEND SUPPORT. RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: 1)THE PROJECT SHOULD CONTINUE AND THE SECOND PHASE SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED; 2)CONTINUITY FO THE WORK SHOULD BE INSURED AFTER IRRI WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED; 3)MORE EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO INSURE RECRUITMENT OF ALL STAFF AND EQUIPMENT PROVIDED FOR IN THE CONTRACT; 4)SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDIES OF MECHANIZATION SHOULD BE INITIATED; 5)TESTING OF MACHINES AND ADVICE ON DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE SHOULD NOT BE RESTRICTED TO IRRI DESIGNED MACHINES; 6)CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO OFFERING A SHORT TRAINING COURSE FOR THAI ENTREPRENEURS AND THEIR ENGINEERS; AND 7)A SMALL FARM MACHINERY WORKSHOP SHOULD BE CONDUCTED AT IRRI HEADQUARTERS.