Latin American and Caribbean agricultural planning network

Special evaluation covers the period 1977-2/82 and is based on site visits and interviews with A.I.D., IICA, and other project personnel. Most targets have been met. After development of a conceptual model of the planning process, a general planning survey was conducted in 23 targeted countries in the region. English versions of both were subsequently published. Case studies probing special aspects of planning were then conducted in five countries, resulting in the preparation of seven training publications. The number of publications prepared has fallen short of plan, however, and delays in the preparation of the seven have occurred. This resulted largely from a change in project direction away from the provision of formal training. A training manual was prepared by Iowa State University on price analysis and market intervention, but it is now being rewritten to be put into usable form. Seminars have been conducted for planning officials in Costa Rica, Peru, and Jamaica and the results published for wide distribution. Other seminars have been held in the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Dominica, and Panama in the areas of project evaluation and agricultural planning techniques. Technical cooperation activities have been conducted in nearly every country in the region to provide assistance in policy analysis and operational planning to local Ministries of Agriculture where needed, but these activities have now begun to wind down. As part of the network coordination and management component, the IICA has prepared reports for A.I.D., monitored project activities during 1981, and programmed future activities for the 1982-83 period. Network coordination activities have focused on both the inner IICA network and the linkage between IICA and country institutions or other international organizations. Four recommendations are made.