Western Sudan agricultural research project

PES covers the period 9/78-9/82 and summarizes an (unattached) evaluation by USAID/S, the Government of Sudan, and the World Bank. The project is on track and should achieve its purpose and goal on schedule. The research station at Kadguli has been completed and farming system research (FSR) has begun there in livestock production and health, crop production, range ecology, and socioeconomics. Construction of the other three stations has been delayed due to drought, the need for fuel to transport imported materials, and, in the case of El Obeid, by the regional government"s ban, out of environmental concern, on the cutting of the firewood needed to fire bricks at the project site; research at El Obeid is just starting up. Postgraduate and nondegree training have been provided, and new extension thrusts proposed by USAID/S will be undertaken at the project research station where infrastructure is strongest and research sufficiently far advanced. National commitment to FSR is strong and the ARC staff are highly motivated and have established linkages through the project with other international research organizations. Major constraints to project success cited by the evaluation team are the lack of experienced, qualified Sudanese at all levels and the lack of a maintenance plan for research station vehicles, equipment, and facilities. Key recommendations, among the 24 listed by the team, were to: develop institutional and information linkages between the project and the ARC; recruit professional and support staff for all stations; establish a regular aircraft schedule; clarify the dual role of Deputy Director and Chief of Party to the technical assistance staff; and develop onfarm research with farmer input.