SMALL FARMER TECHNOLOGY AND MARKETING ANALYSIS

NCA&T has completed the second year of a five-year 211(d) grant designed to develop the institution"s capacity to assist LDC"s in the areas of small farmer technology and marketing analysis for rural development. The evaluation team based their findings on reviews of project documentation, university records, and interviews with university personnel. The project"s curriculum revision and development output has been met by the revision of five courses within the department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology (AERS). The courses, however, lack international scope. Four seminars have already been held, but only one new course has been developed because of delayed state approval of the Master of Science program in agricultural economics. Because of this delay, only 2 graduates and 8 undergraduates received assistantships. The evaluation team commended the project manager for his careful selection of exceptional students despite their low number. The addition of 2 full-time positions to the AERS staff has achieved projected faculty development and training output levels. Evaluators note, however, that NCA&T and AID/W should seek out appropriate short-term courses for faculty to increase their capability for development-related work. NCA&T has encountered difficulties in establishing linkages and networks. A changeover in project officers has created a discontinuity in grant management. "Marketing of Food Crops", NCA&T"s research project in St. Lucia, failed because of poor communication between USAID and university personnel. The evaluation team recommends that a full-time project manager supervise the program under the direction of the School of Agriculture. They also recommended that a coordinating committee be established consisting of project officers and USAID regional bureau representatives. A rapport between these two groups will inform NCA&T of USAID procedures, thereby improving NCA&T"s capacity to assist LDC governments, USAID regional bureau"s, and overseas missions.