RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Rural development program consists of a cluster of projects including 0285 (core proj), 0299 (Siliana Water Project); 0305 (roads and bridges); and 0307 (community development). Project implementation is about one year behind schedule. Delay was caused by inability of AID/W to provide key technical staff in a timely fashion and newness of the rural devel (RD) concept to Tunisian governmental units resulting in coordination difficulty. Progress in getting a baseline-data social science research project underway has been much slower than expected. However, no serious obstacles remain. The Ministry of Plan accepted the basic concept for a joint social-science steering committee which would manage the research. Delay in the road project had a serious impact. The delay in processing the loan negatively affected the attitudes of some Tunisian officials concerning AID sincerity in the RD venture and AID ability to follow through with a simple official commitment. A French-speaking agronomist, specialized in the agricultural development of mountain and steppe regions, essential for Phase 1, has not been recruited. If it becomes impossible to fill this position, it is recommended that the USAID food and agriculture office assume greater responsibility for technical inputs. Work was begun close to schedule on the Siliana Wells Project. 80 wells are expected to be overhauled and sanitized by 8/78. A new project manager was assigned to RD project 7/77. A second officer will be assigned by 8/77 making simultaneous management of projects possible at the Tunis and field levels. It was learned that a project of this type requires a lead-in or mobilization period much longer than that foreseen when the project was designed and approved.