Sub-tropical lands development; summary statement of evaluation

Special evaluation covers the period 1/78-9/79 and is based on site visits, document review, and interviews with project, Government of Bolivia (GOB), and USAID/B officials. Focus is on the San Julian settlement. While the project has experienced management problems and has fallen short of its economic targets, its most important and innovative component, an orientation program for new settlers, has been an unmitigated success. The 4-month program has evolved into a management device which provides colonists with essential resources while they establish economic independence, fosters socioeconomic integration, and promotes community solidarity. It has reduced the time necessary for adjustment and is responsible for San Julian's relatively low abandonment rate of 20%. Management problems have stemmed from three major causes: confusion resulting from designating an eight-agency committee as the primary management mechanism; failure to hire a project advisor; and the GOB administrative system, which stresses control rather than action. (The orientation program's success is due in part to its separation from the GOB system). In addition, not enough effort was made to evaluate previous settlements' successes and failures. A.I.D. was slow to approve contracts and workplans and badly strained relations by providing old and dilapidated excess property tractors for access trail construction. While the settlement has not met its economic production targets, it has produced an internal rate of return of 20%, a highly respectable figure considering that it represents only returns within project confines. For example, of the $4,200 cost per beneficiary family in 1975, $2,400 was for road building, which benefits others beyond the settlement. To increase economic production, development capital is badly needed. The Banco de Agricula Bolivia has loaned colonists only 20% of allotted funds. Moreover, land utilization has been low. Providing settlers with 25 rather than 50 ha lots would increase farm efficiency and reduce costs. Two other needs must be addressed: construction of farm to market roads and bridges and research on integrated farming systems. It is concluded that the project is replicable.