Project assistance completion report : project 519-0312-G-00-6376-00 -- rural small enterprise and cooperative development, TECHNOSERVE, Inc. (TNS)

Technoserve (TNS) was the implementing agency. The project was amended and extended in 8/88 to increase its emphasis on direct -- rather than intermediated -- assistance to co-ops. An evaluation conducted in 10/89 showed that TNS provided valuable TA in production, farm management, accounting, financial management, and marketing. Of 36 co-ops assisted, 20 (vs. 17 targeted) achieved the status of self-managed, self- sustaining enterprises. TNS met or exceeded almost all the project's numerical targets. The TNS approach is a highly participatory process that is tailored to the particular needs of each co-op. Constraints on converting the co-ops into self- managing, profitable enterprises were found to be largely at the co-op level. The project teaches that the most important factor in agrarian reform is the quality and quantity of the training of the affected campesinos. Co-op members must be actively involved in recognizing the co-op's problems and planning solutions. Project personnel should identify strongly with the co-op members' needs and the success of the organization as a business enterprise. Projects of this nature involve a constantly changing matrix of recipient groups as well as changing political, social, and economic parameters, and thus need to be evaluated frequently by the implementing organization. Also, because of their political and social ramifications, projects such as this need to keep relevant policymaking institutions informed. A follow-on project, 5190382, was authorized in 6/90.