Jordan Valley Farmers Association (JVFA)

Final PES covers the period 9/77-12/84 and is based on past project evaluations, a 5/83 special review, and discussions with JVFA and Jordan Valley Authority (JVA) staff. Although hampered by procurement delays and implementation problems, the project made considerable progress toward its purpose and goal. Since the JVFA"s creation in 1977, vegetable yields in the Jordan Valley have increased by about 115 percent. Production credit, farm inputs, information on improved cropping practices, and other farm services have reached roughly 4,700 farmers. However, the JVFA failed to realize its full potential under the project, partially because of external factors, such as budgetary constraints which limited Government of Jordan (GOJ) contributions, JVFA operation under temporary by-laws, and non-implementation of the marketing activity. The JVFA"s performance has also been hurt by negative internal factors, including staff lack of familiarity with A.I.D. regulations and procedures, late advisor recruitment, and, most importantly, delays caused by implementing the project through another agency (the JVA). Key findings are that GOJ commitment to continue support to the JVFA is essential, although JVFA"s program outline may be overly ambitious given its current management and financial constraints. Lessons learned are: (1) Avoid, whenever possible, working with more than one institution in administrative matters. USAID/J was working with the JVFA through the JVA; although the JVA gave excellent support and cooperation to the project, this arrangement contributed to delays in executing project activities. The actions required from both the parent organization (JVA) and the direct recipient (JVFA) should have been clearly delineated. (2) Evaluations should be conducted with "outsider"s" participation to allow more objectivity in measuring project progress and impact. (3) Host country project managers of AID-funded projects should receive training in A.I.D. regulations governing project implementation and evaluation. (NE Bureau abstract, modified)