LIBERIA IMPACT STUDY - AGRICULTURE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

Evaluation covers the period 1/72-12/76 and is based on document reviews and interviews with key informants. The project failed to have a substantial impact on the MOA"s planning capability, primarily due to the unfavorable political and organizational climate in the MOA. The project design, though generally well-conceived, overestimated Liberian resources, thus overloading the outputs and cutting the project"s time frame too short. A planning unit was established, but was influenced by outside events to switch from a sectoral to a project planning approach. The planning unit is too weak and theoretical to have much effect on the direction of national planning. Because each project is implemented by a semi-autonomous agency and is planned without regard to sector needs, the project failure rate is very high. This approach is basically opposed to the coordinated effort which is necessary if food production on subsistence farms is to increase. Moreover, the project approach is protected by vested interests and any attempts to reorganize are met with strong resistance. The MOA was unable to take necessary research and extension actions because it lacked clear policy definitions. Training was the one aspect of the project which made a positive impact. A total of 32 MOA personnel were trained at the professional and technical levels. Unfortunately, almost all the trainees subsequently left the MOA due to underutilization of their skills. A competent statistical bureau was created within MOA, but its contributions have been ignored by the Minister. The soils technicians at the central agricultural experimental station were ordered to do studies of their supervisors" private farms rather than conduct a nation-wide soil survey. The marketing component was a failure due to the incompetency of the staff assigned, while the technology transfer function never developed at all. It is clear that this project, like several others in Liberia, suffered from U.S. unwillingness to allow adequate time for development.