Project assistance completion report : cooperative development and training project -- project no. 532-0180

The project made significant progress and had substantial impact on agricultural production in some areas. (1) The target number of 6 produce marketing organizations (PMO's) were formed, although 1 ceased operation in 11/87. With project TA and training, 4 of the PMO's succeeded in increasing the volume of produce marketed. This has encouraged expansion of cropping, diversification, and crop scheduling. The PMO's have also been investigating the possibility of a direct export joint venture. NUCS made loans totaling $255,000 to the six PMO's for farm input procurement. Combined with project TA, these inputs saved farmers time, improved pest and disease control, and raised yields. TA to JCCUL's mortgage lending program helped improve its member services with a resulting increase in mortgages issued to medium- and low-income groups. Strategies have been identified to further increase this program's profitability and efficiency. Project counterparts developed 10 curriculum packages for credit union leaders and 4 manuals on accounting, credit delinquency, and communications. A number of Jamaicans now have the skills to produce such materials. Several lessons were learned. (1) Jamaican small farmers must be involved in a project from the beginning stages, as they are usually slow to accept imposed changes. (2) A cooperative will not succeed unless there is a felt need among the members. (3) Jamaican farmers are slow in developing trust and confidence in others and thus tend to retain familiar outlets even though collective marketing by the cooperative could provide more stability. (4) Cooperatives are often slow in showing visible results. Thus, many of the efforts seen as failures by farmers could be successes if allowed time.