Small farm production systems

Evaluation covers the period 4/79-11/80 and is based on document review, site visits, and interviews with CATIE and A.I.D. personnel. CATIE has made progress in developing a cropping and animal production systems methodology. Baseline data have been gathered, training provided, recommendations developed for specific areas, and an advisory capability established. Unassisted diffusion of onfarm test results to small farmers by CATIE and cooperating national institutions is expected to be widespread; some of the 5,000 targeted farmers are already being reached. Nevertheless, CATIE has not adequately made its capabilities known to Central American governments and Missions, nor has CATIE developed the mixed farming systems research methodology, in part due to an organizational structure which impedes multidisciplinary efforts by having specialists work separately in different locations. Thus, although CATIE has developed a capacity to understand and improve the total farming system of Central American small farmers (a capacity which will be useful in similar future efforts in this or other regions), the evaluators recommend that CATIE: (1) initiate and improve contacts with high-level country officials and Missions in the region to increase awareness of CATIE"s capabilities and to obtain adequate budgetary and personnel support; (2) modify its organizational structure to be more conducive to multidisciplinary research; (3) install a financial management system for project activity leaders; and (4) hire staff for the project"s transfer methodology component in order to achieve objectives regarding non-traditional research techniques.