Linking dairy products with development : dairy promotion project evaluation, grant no. PDC-0706-G-SS-6184-00

The project is implemented through CARE and Leche Industrializada CONASUPO (LICONSA). External evaluation covers the period 12/87-9/89. The objective to increase milk consumption among the marginally based population has been fulfilled. More than 165,000 children and 64,700 mothers are being reached by the project, while the entire LICONSA program is serving more than 1.5 million families. With the inclusion of 4,080 tons of U.S. donated non-fat dried milk, the project is providing milk to an average of 206,551 families per day. Beneficiary selection criteria have been used to ensure that the marginally poor are reached. The project has also been successful in extending the infrastructure for milk production and distribution. Accomplishments include: provision of bigger tanks to 19 milk distribution centers; installation of 4 raw milk collection tanks in Tlaxcala and Puebla; operationalization of laboratory equipment in the Santa Isabel, Tlaxcala Pasteurizing and Rehydration Plant; and the procurement of 3 Mack tanker trucks and 2 vehicles for use in providing supervision and TA. On the negative side, the project has failed to improve the milk production capabilities and facilities for the small farmer. Although LICONSA provided imported cows to small farmers, no project funds were used for this purpose. The project"s long-term sustainability is ensured by LICONSA"s wide network of milk distribution and milk processing centers. Both CARE and LICONSA recommend that the project scope be expanded.