SMALL FARMER IMPROVEMENT, SMALL FARMER MARKETING

Evaluation covers the period 6/77-11/79 for project 5210073 and 8/77-12/79 for project 5210083 and summarizes the findings of several external evaluations. As a result of the SFI project, incomes and coffee production of participating farmers have increased by 70% and 40% respectively. Greater increases have been inhibited by delays in initiating coffee research programs which have delayed the extension of a technical package based upon the above research findings. The project taught farmers about fertilizer, but it did nothing to break the production constraints that have resulted from the Government of Haiti"s (GOH) fiscal policies. The GOH has not yet responded to suggestions made by the JWK Intl. 1976 report that high coffee export tax revenues should be used to establish a price stablization program, and to improve coffee productivity and transport. USAID should not invest further in coffee production unless the GOH improves the policy climate for coffee. The Bureau de Credit Agricole (BCA) has supplied credit, yet loan recuperation rates have been low and the BCA"s capital structure is already weak. Road construction is 43% completed, yet 76% of the allocated funds have been used. Road construction by may be improved if it is integrated into the Public Works Transportation and Communication Department. Investments made in infrastructure (roads and centers) should be protected. Regarding the SFM project, coffee centers are in use, yet have been adversely affected by low budgets. They could serve a broader function if they were used as multi-purpose farmer service centers. The development of cooperatives should be encouraged to assist small farmers with production and marketing services.