USAID DEC
Mid-term evaluation report : seed production and input storage project, agricultural inputs corporation
Sign inEXPERIENCE, INC.
Mid-term evaluation report : seed production and input storage project, agricultural inputs corporation
Evaluates project to help the Government of Nepal (GON) Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Irrigation (MFAI) establish a labor intensive system, based on private growers, to produce and distribute major food crops and store/distribute all inputs used to produce the crops cheaply and effectively.
Sutherland, J. I.|Munankami, R. B.|Thapliya, J. N. · 1982
Sign in to readA free account is required to download.
Abstract
Special evaluation covers the period 12/79-10/82 and is based on site visits and interviews with MFAI, USAID/N, and other project personnel. Progress has been achieved, but implementation has fallen short of planned targets. As a result, the project completion date has been extended by one year to 8/84. GON red tape and ineffective coordination between implementing agencies have resulted in construction delays, slow personnel selection for training, and personnel shortages, and poor foundation seed production in targeted areas. Of 16 mini-seed houses plannned for construction, 4 have been completed and 4 others are under construction. While 6 of a targeted 12 warehouses are currently underway, none has been completed. Only 4 engineers and 9 overseers have been recruited to supervise the construction activity, an insufficient number to effectively monitor the work, thus contributing to delays in the final approval and turnover of completed structures. A shortage of foundation seed continues to exist in Nepal and quantities of seed produced on GON farms have not reached planned targets. Greater emphasis is now being placed on boosting seed production; seed marketing activities are soon to be initiated. Twenty baseline survey reports have been published and 13 others are underway; 25 operational plans and 2 socioeconomic surveys have been completed. Social science research has been conducted in 2 communities, and a study of seed analysis/quality initiated. Agricultural credit has been supplied to farmers by 2 Nepalese financial institutions, although it has often been diffult for them to obtain. Some 13 of a targeted 26 in-country training programs have been completed; but overseas training has suffered delays as a result of candidates who lack English language proficiency, a negative attitude on the part of the Government of India toward project activities, and problems in sending the students to study in Europe. Recommendations are set forth.
