PRAIRE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY 211(D) ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD JULY 1, 1976 TO JUNE 30, 1977

THE GRANT"S PURPOSE IS TO DEVELOP AND TEST A MODEL DELIVERY SYSTEM THAT CAN TRANSFER MODERN SOIL MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY AND PRACTICES TO SMALL FARMERS IN THE TROPICS. THE "INTENSIFIED FARM PLANNING PROGRAM" OF THE PRAIRIE VIEW COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE HAS BEEN USED SUCCESSFULLY IN ASSISTING SMALL FARMERS IN TEXAS. BASED ON THIS MODEL, PRAIRIE VIEW HAS CONSTRUCTED A PRELIMINARY MODEL FOR SMALL FARMERS IN LDC"S. TO TEST THE MODEL IN THE TROPICS, THE UNIVERSITY HAS ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE SOIL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF THE COUNCIL FOR SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH OF GHANA. STAFF FROM BOTH INSTITUTIONS WILL CONDUCT DEMONSTRATIONS IN THREE VILLAGES NEAR KUMASI, GHANA. THE DEMONSTRATIONS WILL COMPARE TRADITIONAL VERSUS INNOVATIVE PRACTICES OF CORN PRODUCTION. THE INNOVATIONS INCLUDE NEW VARIETIES (LAPOSTA, COMPOSITE 4, AND A LOCAL), FERTILIZATION ACCORDING TO SOIL TEST RESULTS (A 60-40-20 BLEND INSTEAD OF 15-15-15 WHICH IS CURRENTLY BEING USED), AND A PROGRAM TO CONTROL THE CORN BORER. RESULT DEMONSTRATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED ON THE FARMER"S FIELD USING RESOURCES AT HIS COMMAND. THE KEY ELEMENT IN THE DELIVERY SYSTEM IS THE VILLAGE FARM LEADER OR MASTER FARMER WHO WILL SERVE AS THE LINK BETWEEN THE PROFESSIONAL AND THE FARMER. THE STAFF IS DEVELOPING SELECTION CRITERIA AND A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS. PRIVATE VIEW HAS CONTINUED ITS STATE-OF-THE-ART WORK IN SMALL FARMER DELIVERY SYSTEMS. A REFERENCE FACILITY HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED AND A TRAINING PROGRAM CONDUCTED. THE REPORT LISTS INDIVIDUALS CONSULTED AND PAPERS PREPARED DURING THE REPORT PERIOD. AS EVIDENCE THAT THE UNIVERSITY"S CAPABILITY IS BEING UTILIZED BY LDC"S, A TABLE SHOWS REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE TO WHICH THE UNIVERSITY HAS RESPONDED.