IVS Botswana horticulture development project, OPG 78-633-30

Evaluation covers the period 10/1/79-9/30/81 and is based on site visits and interviews with project personnel. International Voluntary Services (IVS) is implementing the project. Seed sales, distribution outlets, and a market in Gaborone were set up to assist vegetable and citrus farmers. A National HC Conference Committee was set up to promote HC in the Ministry of Agriculture"s (MOA) Department of Field Services. However, only one of two planned training seminars, attended by 30 MOA agricultural demonstrators, was conducted. HC research was conducted on cabbage, onions, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, and green mealies to improve commercial crop production. Adaptive research using trickle and sprinkler irrigation methods has been directed towards variety screening, fertilizer responses, and time of planting experiments. Research constraints have included lack of priorities -- the HC Research Advisory Committee has contributed little in this area -- and chronic field labor shortages. An annual HC research report (1979-80) was drafted but has not yet been published. The Kweneng Rural Development Association (KRDA) was assisted in setting up a commercial garden. Fifteen tons of vegetables will have been harvested by the end of next month. KRDA plans to divide the garden into 40 family plots. Extension activities included collecting baseline data on and providing techical assistance to 64 families and primary school groups growing vegetables for home consumption. The lack of water during the dry season was a constraint. It is recommended that phase two of the IVS agreement be finalized through 1/31/82; that KRDA"s HC Unit Manager position be terminated at the end of the contract; that the activities of MOA"s HC Unit be prioritized; and that a final localization plan for the HC Research Officer position be prepared. Finally, IVS should focus on logframe-related activities, with emphasis on expanding the family vegetable garden effort. Adaptive research should focus on soil fertility problems and plant/water relationships.