Review of selected AID Bureau of Science and Technology, Office of Agriculture (S&T/AGR) centrally funded projects active in Thailand for USAID/Bangkok

Special evaluation is based on document review and interviews with project, AID/W, and GOT personnel; no time frame is specified. Centrally funded assistance is well suited to Thailand's agricultural needs, as the GOT now has the capability and resources to be an efficient user of TA and manager of host country contracts. Moreover, such projects leave USAID/T free to move into new development areas such as rural industry and environmental problems. Centrally funded projects can perform development tasks as well as bilateral projects, while offering lower cost and more accessible TA, broader access to top scientists, less need for Mission support, a wider range of access modes to meet specific Mission needs, and greater facility in exploratory studies to determine future needs. Disadvantages of central funding lie in long distance management (although this was not a problem in the projects reviewed, the potential exists), increased difficulties in communications with USAID/T and Thai agencies (conversely, international and U.S. technical exchanges are better with centrally funded projects), and administrative difficulties (with taxes, visas, etc.) for the resident advisor. It is recommended that both USAID/T and the Bureau of Science and Technology, Office of Agriculture (S&T/OA): maintain Mission capability to oversee centrally funded projects; promote ongoing U.S., Thai, and international linkages; and stress management training and long- and short-term, academic and informal training. USAID/T should also assure in-country technology exchanges and help contractors with visas, taxes, etc.; investigate Thai receptiveness to expert counsel on key problem areas (natural resource conservation, environmental protection, soil and water management); and promote activities in irrigation research, new crops, hybrid seed, and regulatory services. S&T/OA should accept Mission "buy-ins" as normal policy; have policies for dealing with GOT agencies lacking Mission contact; and be able to service high priority GOT requests that lack Mission priority and to explore future GOT needs.