Major cereals

PES covers the period 7/79-5/83 and summarizes an attached external mid-term evaluation (XD-AAQ-657-A). The project is making excellent technical progress, although much remains to be done. A number of implementation delays have occurred due to chronic management problems involving commodity procurement, construction, customs clearance, and a lack of participant trainees with adequate English language capability; these have been partially resolved. While progress in extension has been less significant than that in research, links between research and extension have been strengthened, which has created an enthusiastic and receptive atmosphere among participating staff and farmers. The yields of small farmer demonstration fields have increased significantly. The project is reaching 2,025 villages with over 12,000 farmers. Action decisions are to: (1) review and reach agreement on a comprehensive project logical framework to be followed by all parties in implementing the remainder of the project; (2) strengthen and institutionalize the integration of research and extension work; (3) improve statistical analysis capabilities and establish a utilizable data base; (4) emphasize improved management skills in technical assistance; (5) complete construction as soon as possible; (6) establish an inventory and receiving system for commodities; (7) establish a financial status reporting system for the project budget; and (8) complete current seed processing and production activities and increase efforts to strengthen seed production and distribution systems within project purview. (Near East Abstract)