Mid-project evaluation : agricultural human resources development project, Upper Volta

Special evaluation covers the period 10/77-4/81 and is based on document review, site visits, and interviews with staff. Despite certain shortcomings, the ISP is a fair success as a college. The quality of training has been admirably high; although only 12 of an expected 25 students graduated this year and there is little hope that the number will increase. The five-year program has had an 80% failure rate. There are no textbooks and the library contains few materials. Similarly, the CAP has its strengths and weaknesses. The training program is well designed, there is an adequate physical plant, practical experiences (excepting cereal crops) are well organized and productive; and the staff is competent. Among the weaknesses: academic staff is limited to part-time instructors; with the result that 25% of the classes cannot be taught; management and maintenance are very poor; there are no textbooks or lesson plans; wells run dry in the growing season making field crops unproductive; and less than 50% of the expected number of participants receive training. Recommendations are: (1) to separately treat opportunities at ISP and CAP, when ISP has openings they should not be jeopardized by limited CAP graduates; (2) TA and participant training should consolidate gains in curriculum development before entering new areas; (3) all participants should aim at delivering specific agricultural extension instruction that is necessary for improved training; (4) the Government of Burkina Faso (GOBF) should extend full civil service pay to the CAP and improve management; (5) to concentrate on institutional development, placing secondary importance on the quantity of graduates; (6) a larger number of trainees must be found; and (7) communication between USAID/BF, the GOBF, and TA staff must be improved.