Non-traditional agricultural export support

A 6-person TA contract team will implement the project. The project will complement A.I.D. bilateral projects by working with agricultural producer/exporter federations in Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Costa Rica, beginning relatively intensively in Guatemala during year one. All professional staff will receive on-the-job training in nontraditional agricultural production techniques, computer applications, export marketing, and postharvest handling and transportation; they will in turn train others, e.g., members of producer associations and farmer cooperatives. Each federation will develop: (1) work plans for serving members and working with local entrepreneurs and producer groups (emphasizing the skills of "channel captains" - i.e., persons highly skilled in coordinating marketing operations - in identifying weak points in the production and export process); (2) a training methodology and fee schedule for services (fees will be charged only when a sufficient demand for federation services has developed); (3) a technical/marketing data base (using mainly U.S. sources); and (4) publications on project-related topics. Microcomputers and software will be provided to the four major federations, one additional federation, and a TA team member, and specialized computer courses in reading market and production data will be available. In addition, the federations will establish linkages with regional training institutions. Each advisor will develop short-term, problem-oriented training courses, workshops, and TA activities in such areas as production technologies, export management, market information, postharvest handling, and distribution channels. At least 2 such courses will be offered each month to entrepreneurs, producers/producer associations, export brokers, etc., during the project"s first 12-18 months; also, a series of 1- to 3-day courses will be provided as needed to each federation, and 2 regional seminars will be held each year. Overall, some 50 members of each federation will be trained during this period, more thereafter. Special courses for public sector personnel will be developed in cooperation with regional training institutions. Amendment of 9/26/90 extends PACD 3 months to 9/91, and includes Panama and Nicaragua in the project. (PD-KAT-496)