USE OF TREATED SEWAGE FOR IRRIGATION

Onsite evaluation covers the period 4/77-8/80 and is based on interviews with participating farmers. The project has surpassed its targets in almost every area. Crops such as corn and squash are currently being grown on 136 ha and yields are far above both Tacna"s average and the projected totals. Incomes of the 40 participating families, totalling 350 persons, have surpassed projected increases. The internal rate of return of 43% indicates that the project is economically sound, while testing of experimental crops and soils has revealed no detrimental health effects from the use of treated sewage. In addition, drains, water intakes, and a Cooperative Service Center have been constructed. The creation of an independent unit within the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) with responsibility over all project activities has especially aided the project"s success. There have been some recent problems regarding health testing. Laboratory equipment donated by USAID has been held up in customs since its arrival in 2/80, while the Ministry of Health is trying to block the MOA"s efforts to centralize laboratory tests. The Project Manager should monitor both situations. Moreover, cultural attitudes toward sanitation have been difficult to influence -- sanitation and health problems still abound. Another problem is that only 20 farmers have sought agricultural credit, which may reduce their credit opportunities in the future. It should be noted that the Tacna area has several advantages, such as a nearby fluent treatment plant and the fact that no pumping of irrigation was necessary, which may affect the project"s replicability. It is recommended that health monitoring be continued to determine the feasibility of expanding the number of crops that can be cultivated with treated sewage. Also, an independent evaluation of all laboratory tests to date and of future monitoring procedures should be undertaken. The project has been extended one year to permit the continuation of laboratory testing.