National rural training system : evaluation report

Special evaluation covers the period 8/80-3/83 and is based on document review, site visits, and interviews with INCCA staff and officials in sectors related to INCCA. Implementation has been hindered by delays in project initiation and equipment arrival, as well as by internal and external organizational difficulties. Two A.I.D. conditions - that the nascent INCCA be established within the Ministry of Agriculture (MAG) and that a multi-institutional, multisectoral project advisory body be created - were not fulfilled until 9/81; a third, that guidelines for administering the rural training credit fund in support of training activities be developed prior to fund disbursement, is still unfulfilled. Four of the 5 project vehicles arrived and MAG printing equipment was installed only shortly prior to evaluation. Problems have also been caused by the GOE"s failure to specify direct support for SNCR in its counterpart contribution to INCCA and by MAG"s refusal to pay project per diem and transportation costs. More serious still have been INCCA"s in-house problems, including an untrained, overworked, and underpaid staff; inadequate facilities; and a lack of internal control - until recently, INCCA was dependent on MAG"s Division of Peasant Development and INCCA"s acting director, with very little power (or job security), was unable to press for SNCR development. Also, the Integrated Rural Development (IRD) Secretariat exerted a strong and unwelcome influence over INCCA activities. As a result of its weak development, INCCA has been unable to develop productive relationships with public and private institutions and so to implement the SNCR. Nonetheless, the appointment of a new director, increasing INCCA autonomy, the resolution of some personnel problems, the arrival of equipment, and the contribution being made to IRD by INCCA field personnel indicate that significant progress is probable. Major recommendations are to reassert and clarify the project"s institutional relationships; reprogram INCCA activities and expenses (with a budget increase from MAG); and extend the project 18 months.