Multiple - use planning and management of natural resources of arid/semi-arid developing nations; University of Arizona 211(d) fourth year review

Evaluation covers the period 6/74-3/78 and is based on interviews with personnel from the University of Arizona (UOA), the contractor. UOA has achieved in 4 years the outputs planned for 5 years. Informational outputs include expanding the computer-based Arid Lands Information System (ALIS) to include more LDC data; developing a roster of NR experts (a task slowed by the need to verify names); publishing an international newsletter on NR in arid lands and state-of-the-art reports on appropriate technology, desertification, technology application in LDC's, and groundwater development. To keep its graduate programs responsive to LDC needs, UOA has established a new minerals economics program and conducted weekly seminars on a variety of topics. Foreign workshops have also been conducted, and a number of research projects initiated. UOA has made a strong effort to involve faculty and students from a variety of disciplines in activities in the arid/semi-arid regions of Ghana, Niger, Peru, and Mexico, and has expanded its capability for providing technical advice -- a capability which, unfortunately, has been underutilized. UOA has pursued linkages with domestic and international organizations, and has made both informal exchanges and formal agreements with LDC's for joint research, training, and possible faculty exchange. UOA's emphasis on involving faculty and students in LDC field activities led to some problems in Niger, where the government expected UOA to provide manpower to act as government extension personnel, a role UOA did not envision for itself. To maintain the friendly relations between the two parties, a realistic work program which UOA could accomplish during the fifth year of the grant was designed. For recommendations, see the attached PES facesheet (PD-AAG-881).