Mid-term evaluation of the development of animal traction project in Upper Volta : entente fund food production subproject HV-V-1

Mid-term special evaluation covers the period 1978-79 and is based on field visits conducted by Voltaic project staff and a contractor team. The project has achieved most of its intermediate goals, with most difficulties due to design rather than implementation problems. The credit fund, which was planned to be disbursed to farmers over a 2-year period, was designed as a 5-year credit package, thus creating a liquidity squeeze after 2 years. Further, low interest rates threaten the fund"s ultimate viability. Monies obligated by the Government of Upper Volta (GOUV) will allow a third year of credit disbursement. Allocation of loan funds from the central credit office to the Regional Development Organizations (ORD"s) is well organized, but lack of a formal allocation system within the ORD"s themselves makes it uncertain whether the target population is being reached and whether credit is being used properly. Also, an improved calendar to ensure timely access to credit is needed. Major changes, necessary for implementing the project, have occurred in the budget allocations for credit administration. In the animal health extension component, the veterinary revolving fund has been little used, mainly due to problems in providing veterinary services, especially for draft animals, at the village level; one veterinarian should be assigned to each ORD to work exclusively with draft animals. Efforts to collect data on the impact of AT in Upper Volta remain incomplete. Training activities have generally been satisfactory, with training sessions held in each ORD for senior extension personnel who train village-level extensionists who in turn train farmers (2,500 to date). In the mass media component, the use of radio seems particularly valuable. While hard data are lacking on the project"s impact on farm production and income, the project has directly promoted local organizations and local participation in project decisions. Major contributions have helped in creating an agricultural credit bank (CNCA) and in providing small farmers access to credit. The CNCA will assume responsibility for all rural credit activities in Upper Volta in about 2 years; GOUV and donor funding will be needed to sustain the credit program until then.