Niamey Department development project, phase II

The National Credit and Cooperative Union (UNCC) will implement the project. Activities will be in seven areas. (1) Seven new farmer couple technical training centers (CPT) will be created (for a total of 10) and CPT"s will become support units offering extension, credit, and logistic support services. CPT"s will instruct 20 couples per growing season in improved millet, sorghum, and cowpea farming techniques. Extension services will reach 5,160 farmers, 1,160 of whom will receive short training courses. A pilot group of experienced farmers will receive added CPT training and serve as a control for future project adjustment. Farmer literacy training will also be supported. (2) To extend village self-management, 16 new cooperatives (for a total of 57) will be formed from 100 villages in Say Arrondissement. USAID will provide cooperative-related training and 12 buildings. (3) Delivery of credit by the National Agricultural Credit Bank (CNCA) will be upgraded by USAID inputs for in-kind loans and by a direct GON cash deposit. (4) Delivery of inputs will be improved by provision of vehicles, greater cooperation with UNCC"s Input Supply Center, GON review of input subsidies, and help from Project 6830234. (5) To ensure their participation, women will be trained to use labor-saving devices provided by USAID (e.g., millet grinding mills) and to run income-generating activities (e.g., poultry raising); 747 women will receive intensive CPT training; and $50,000 in credit resources will be earmarked for women. (6) The Monitoring and Evaluation Unit will be expanded and will conduct adaptive research. (7) Arrondissement project coordinators will be appointed and the Project Director"s authority increased. Beneficiaries will be the over 14,000 villagers receiving training and 420,000 people in the project area. Other donors include the Peace Corps. Amendment of 9/5/86 extends project 2 years to 12/31/88 at increased funding to permit completion of four components and integrate them into existing Nigerien structures. The additional time is needed to: (1) develop and extend improved cultural techniques adapted to the different agro-ecological zones; (2) establish Village Training Centers as the basis for agricultural extension and upgrade training of trainers at the CPT"s; (3) prepare villagers to use the local investment fund; and (4) make the cooperative system - a key agent of village development - viable. Activities will be confined to the project"s present boundaries, and the input distribution, CNCA assistance, women"s participation, and monitoring and evaluation components will be discontinued. Additional trainees include 480 farm couples, 100 rural artisans, 60 Village Development Councils and 200 Groupement Mutualiste and co-op officials. (PD-AAU-137).