USAID/Lesotho"s farming systems research project needs to be extended to reach objectives

Audit report covers the period 5/78-1/83 and is based on document review, interviews with project personnel, and site visits. Little was accomplished during the first 2 years due to overly ambitious project design; an unqualified Chief of Party; inadequate USAID/L monitoring, especially of long-term participant training (PT) candidates; a lack of Government of Lesotho (GOL) PT candidates and counterparts; and multiple turnovers in top-level personnel in the Ministry of Agriculture"s Research Division (RD). Further, the contractor failed to complete the socioeconomic baseline survey on time and has not provided detailed financial data to the GOL and USAID/L. Nonetheless, the contractor did help incorporate the FSR Unit into the RD and establish both a national agriculture library and basic field knowledge in prototype areas. Progress has improved with a change of key contractor personnel and USAID/L staff increases. Research direction is lacking due to the absence of a basic GOL agricultural policy and strategy (the latter should be developed before further TA is provided), and the lack of trained GOL extensionists has prevented the dissemination of improved technologies to farmers; the RD"s scant capacity to publish research results worsens this problem. USAID/L has firm plans to help the GOL build a strong extension service, but further work is needed to integrate research and extension. Due to delays in sending PT candidates and in completing degree requirements, only 2 of 16 trainees will graduate by the end of the project; the project will have to be extended if trainees are to have an opportunity to work with the TA team. GOL contributions to the project have not been documented as required, and its restrictions on the use of vehicles by project technicians has been a major constraint. In response to the draft audit report, an RD organizational plan which details budgetary, research, personnel, training, and extension needs was developed and improvements were made or begun in other problem areas noted in the report.