Natural resources management support

country and regional programs in sub-Saharan Africa and in PVO programs supported by A.I.D. The Africa Bureau will manage the project, with some assistance from USDA experts. The project will provide flexible, wide-ranging financial and technical support to help Missions and PVOs to plan and implement NRM projects and activities. The specific assistance provided will vary according to individual countries" ecological needs and institutional capacities. In nine Group I countries (Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Gambia, Somalia, Sudan), the project will help Missions conduct detailed NRM assessments, revise their Country Development Strategy Statements, and implement a focused program of NRM projects and activities. In five Group II countries (Burundi, Cameroon, Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda), Missions will request focused assistance for specific NRM problems (much of this assistance will be provided by PVOs). In the remaining, or Group III, countries, the key project objective will be to strengthen indigenous NRM capacities through training. Project assistance to Missions will be provided through S&T service projects and through agreements with the USDA, U.S. National Park Service, nongovernmental organizations, universities, and contractors. TA and training will be provided to PVOs, both U.S. and indigenous, engaged in NRM in Group I and Group II countries, beginning with a limited activity offering S&T services to PVOs and culminating in a broader program of support (including strengthening grants). In support of these activities, the project will: conduct special studies, analyses, and workshops; and improve NRM information dissemination (via, e.g., surveying Mission information needs, initiating a monthly newsletter, and developing a database and related services for PVOs). The project will also, on a one-time basis, provide remote sensing equipment to Cote d"Ivoire. Amendment of 6/89 adds funding for a biodiversity activity and extends the PACD to 9/93. (Information taken from 4/91 amendment.) Amendment of 4/17/91 increases funding from $13.2 million to $27.9 million to continue NRM activities prior to approval of the Policy Analysis, Research and Technical Support (PARTS) project. The amendment reformulates project activities under five elements: (1) support to Missions in research and analysis in sustainable agriculture and NRM, policy and program analysis, technical coordination and networking, database development, and information/research exchange; (2) support to A.I.D./W"s Africa Bureau offices in the same areas; (3) support to PVOs/NGOs, e.g., through pilot programs, technical coordination/networking, information exchange, workshops, and small grants, to increase their NRM capacities; (4) direct grants to PVOs, universities, and other organizations for innovative research involving sustainable agriculture, tropical forestry, and biological diversity; and (5) establishment of methodologies and systems for improved impact measurement and analysis, information sharing, and understanding of NRM intersectoral relationships and development impacts. (PD-ABH-002)