Republic of Guinea-Bissau : food crop protection project -- final evaluation

In response to the findings of a 1988 mid-term evaluation, the project was amended in 8/88 to add $1 million for construction of zonal-level offices, warehouses, and for additional commodity procurement. As of 8/90, significant accomplishments had been realized: (1) participant training was complete or nearing completion for four Bachelors' and three Masters' degrees, with three additional project staff receiving Bachelors' degrees under a regional training project and numerous staff having received third-country and in-country training; (2) four zonal-level warehouses and office and residential facilities were constructed; (3) a national single side band radio net, with fixed and mobile units, was in place and functioning; and (4) over 80 national, zonal, and district-level personnel were providing crop protection services in such areas as storage, biocontrol, diagnostics in entomology and plant diseases, as well as technical support to other government agencies in plant protection, vertebrate pest control, pesticide legislation, and plant quarantine. Thus, the foundations for a solid crop protection research and service in Guinea Bissau exist. However, given A.I.D.'s decision to cease funding the CPS, the program's continued operations are in jeopardy. The GOGB is committed to continuing to fund CPS personnel throughout the country. A.I.D., however, has funded many of the service's operating expenses, including facilities maintenance and office supplies. Thus, although personnel will still be in place and will be paid, they may lack funds to carry out their work. Two primary crop production zones may continue to operate with other donor financing, through area-specific rural development programs, but the other two zones' operations are in question. The CPS also established impressive linkages with a number of regional and international research and service agencies under A.I.D. funding. Some of these, with U.S. and European organizations, will no doubt continue. Others, with African organizations more dependent on external funding, may cease as travel and communications funds cease. Thus the CPS' ability to diagnose and deal with emergency or new pest problems is in question. Finally, although the service has grown and developed a number of basic organizational systems in a remarkably short period of time, given conditions in Guinea Bissau, its basic administration and management are still limited. Withdrawing support now will have a serious impact upon the ability of CPS staff to maintain services and sustain the organization during what is to be a turbulent adjustment period. The evaluation recommends that, despite the imminent termination of the project, A.I.D. continue to maintain some level of oversight and concern for the CPS, specifically with regard to identification of other potential donors and to provide training and TA through regional A.l.D. mechanisms. Assuming that some level of other donor support is found, the evaluation recommends that the CPS maintain its links with regional and international agricultural research and training organizations which have provided support in the past, and continue its efforts to expand applied research in critical areas. Efforts to train farmers, CPS regional staff, and senior management must remain an area of strong emphasis. In the long run, the GOGB must assume primary responsibility for the staffing and operations of the CPS. A nation's food and fiber supply is dependent upon a strong, well trained, national CPS. Due to A.I.D.'s assistance over the last decade, Guinea Bissau now has such a service. The ability of the country to reach its goal of food self sufficiency will largely depend on the GOGB's willingness and ability to provide continuing support to the CPS. (Author abstract, modified)