Mid-term evaluation farmer training and production project

Special evaluation covers the period 2/79-3/82 and is based on field visits, interviews with project personnel and beneficiaries, and document review. Although implementation was seriously delayed and the project is 2 years behind schedule, good progress has been made. Survey instruments have been designed at the four FTW's and staff (27) and pre-extension students (398) have been trained to collect, tabulate, and analyze data. Using these data, the FTW's conducted demonstrations in surrounding villages and farmer training programs both in villages and at the FTW's. The number and type of training programs varied among the FTW's; farmer response was enthusiastic, except at the Nyegezi FTW, which for various reasons has the least potential for achieving project purposes. Unfortunately, planned linkages between the FTW programs and research and extension facilities have been weak. The project has also provided U.S. training to six participants. Major problems have been: differences among the MATI's in interpreting project objectives; impaired staff morale, due to implementation delays; shortage and late assignment of Tanzanian staff; commodity and transport shortages; and the serious shortage of extension agents in Tanzania.