RURAL ENTERPRISES DEVELOPMENT

EVALUATION COVERS THE PERIOD 12/77 TO 11/79. EVALUATION WAS CONDUCTED BY A USAID AND PFP REPRESENTATIVE, AND INCLUDED A REVIEW OF PROJECT REPORTS AND INTERVIEWS WITH 27 CLIENTS. THE PROJECT WAS IMPLEMENTED OUTSIDE OF EXISTING GOUV (GOVERNMENT OF UPPER VOLTA) INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURES. THIS FACT, IN ADDITION TO THE PROJECT"S SUCCESS, CAUSED RESENTMENT BY GOUV PERSONNEL TOWARD THE PROJECT. THIS RESENTMENT MAY PRESENT A PROBLEM IN OBTAINING GOUV APPROVAL FOR CONTINUATION OF THE PROJECT. THE EVALUATORS RECOMMEND THAT THE PFP SECURE AN ORGANIZATIONAL HOME SUCH AS A PRIVATE BUSINESS OR CULTURAL ORGANIZATION. SPECIFIC OUTPUTS INCLUDED PROVISION OF 120 LOANS TO RURAL ENTERPRISES TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF ENTERPRISES: AGRICULTURAL, PRODUCTION/LIVESTOCK, AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATIONS, ARTISANS, COMMERCE, AND TRANSPORT. INDIVIDUAL LOANS WERE MADE TO ENTREPRENEURS FOR GARDEN/ORCHARD IMPROVEMENT, RICE, MILLET, PEANUT, AND SORGHUM CULTIVATION; A PIGGERY; RABBIT FARMS; TAILOR SHOPS, WELDING, CARPENTRY, BLACKSMITH SHOPS; GENERAL STORES, PHARMACIES; BICYCLE/MOBYLETTE SPARE PARTS SHOPS; A BOOKSTORE, AND A PHOTO STUDIO. LOANS FOR THESE ENTERPRISES AVERAGED 125,000 CFA ($625) EACH. INPUTS CONSISTED OF 2 TECHNICAL ADVISORS FOR 2 YEARS EACH AND FINANCIAL AID ($32,000) TO FUND BOTH NEW AND EXPERIENCED ENTREPRENEURS, AS WELL AS $50,000 TO INTRODUCE NEW TECHNOLOGIES, FACILITIES, AND EQUIPMENT. A REMARKABLY HIGH LOAN REPAYMENT RATE OF OVER 90% WAS REPORTED. WHILE THE PROJECT EXPERIENCE DEMONSTRATED THE VALUE OF "GRASSROOTS" ASSISTANCE EFFORTS, IT ALSO HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE OF SOLICITING THE APPROVAL AND SUPPORT OF THE HOST-GOVERNMENT.