Smallholder production preparation

small farm production program in Guinea by upgrading the performance of two key agricultural institutions - the National Agricultural Research Institute at Foulaya (INRAF) and the Tindo Training Center and Farm - and by developing a strategy for the proposed program. The Government of Guinea"s (GOG) Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research will implement the project. Resident and short-term advisors will upgrade the performance of the two institutions in regard to smallholder farming, particularly of foodcrops. Stress will be laid on operationalizing AID-financed facilities (e.g., the research laboratory at INRAF). A strong logistical and administrative base at the two institutions will be fostered by training some 40 GOG personnel in warehousing, inventory control, vehicle and equipment maintenance, fiscal administration, commodity procurement and reception, recordkeeping, and office management. Research capacity will be upgraded by providing M.Sc. training to five participants in the areas of crop science/agronomy, crop science/extension, agricultural economics/rural sociology, agricultural statistics, and agricultural research administration. Some short-term training of those already at the M.Sc. level is possible. The Tindo Center"s potential as a base for farming systems research (FSR) in smallholder production activities will be thoroughly analyzed with regard to organizational, personnel, and commodity needs and to the linkages needed among Tindo, INRAF, and Faranah Agricultural College, a third major agricultural institution in Guinea. Also, designs will be completed for future development of the Tindo perimeter, including an irrigation system appropriate to applied research. Preparations will be made for the proposed program, e.g., by exchanging information with other research centers, importing and experimenting with seed and plant materals, and initiating surveys and seed trials in the Faranah area. Finally, a TA team (preferably a joint U.S. university/private firm effort) will work closely with the GOG to design the proposed project; the design will be based on utilization of an FSR methodology and linked to the institutions being strengthened by this project. Amendment of 4/11/85 increases funding to: (1) fully finance long- and short-term TA; (2) upgrade the Tindo Center to a demonstration center and model for supporting small farm production; (3) equip the Foulaya and Faranah research and extension facilities; and (4) conduct a rapid appraisal survey of smallholders in the Tindo area to provide data needed for research and extension efforts in this and a proposed follow-on project. (PD-BAX-092)