OFF-FARM EMPLOYMENT

missions and developing country institutions (DCI"s) in implementing programs to stimulate off-farm employment and income opportunities benefitting the rural poor. Evaluation covers the period 8/1/77-3/31/80. No methodology is given. This project implemented by Michigan State University (MSU) has expanded due to an unexpectedly high demand for its services. The project has established indepth research relations in six nations: Egypt, Bangladesh, Thailand, Jamaica, Honduras, and Haiti (the latter study of which was abbreviated). Consultant services have been provided in Haiti, Barbados, Botswana, and Indonesia. A state-of-the-art paper has been finished and distributed, along with studies relating to off-farm activities in Sierra Leone. MSU has focused on the above activities, postponing the planned regional workshops and research papers for Africa and Latin America. Although the project"s impact cannot yet be assessed, it has provided much data indicating the efficient resource usage of small off-farm operations. Project issues include the need for specific mid-term outputs of indepth research, the packaging of information in a user-ready form, and the need to develop research approaches that are less costly to implement and provide quick feedback to operational personnel. Other project issues include the need to structure research to provide more immediate benefits to small firms and workers, project prioritization of USAID requests over research production, the inadequate dissemination of materials to A.I.D. and DCI personnel, and the inability of the current MSU staff and management to fulfill USAID demands. It is recommended that project funding continue at the agreed level through the fourth year; that MSU might devote more attention to developing simpler, less costly, and more responsive methods of data collection and output; that MSU upgrade its ability to respond to USAID and LDC needs for policy analysis assistance and identify and utilize personnel with area-related skills; and that DS/AGR projects with Tuskegee, Southern and Virginia State universities be reviewed.