Yemen agricultural development support program, (ADSP) external evaluation project

Special mid-term evaluation covers the period through 10/83 and is based on document review, site visits, and interviews with USAID/Y, Consortium for International Development (CID), and YARG personnel. Emphasis has been on SP development and implementation, rather than on developing an overall agricultural support program. Nonetheless, advisors are in place and management and support systems operational. Major strengths of the project are: its collaborative workplans, which allow operational flexibility; preimplementation funding of SP's; and good CID-counterpart relationships. Weaknesses include slow recruitment of technicians and field personnel, poorly defined EOP's, and YARG staff shortages. The Ibb Secondary School and the Core SP have been implemented. The Ibb school has been operational, with expatriate staff, since 10/79, a curriculum has been developed, and 79 students have graduated. In addition, 7 Yemeni's are receiving U.S. Master's training and 10 are receiving B.S. training. Under the Core SP, administrative and logistics support offices have been developed, a Documentation and Learning Resource Center is being built, 37 persons have been sent for degree and nondegree training, and 2 SP's (Poultry and Horticulture) have been funded, with 2 others in the planning stage. Activities to date under the Poultry and Horticulture SP's have been achieved with preimplementation funding from the Core SP. The Poultry SP has constructed poultry houses, sent students for English-language and Ph.D. training, and trained 700 farmers. The Horticulture SP has: leveled the Al Irra site; begun to construct buildings and irrigation works; planted a "mother block" of 300 citrus trees; lined out apple, peach, and citrus trees; trained 64 Yemeni in budding and nursery management; and selected another 20 for training abroad. The former SP has been affected by a shortage of pullet-rearing facilities, the latter by inadequate housing and by its isolation. The YARG desires increased production emphasis in both. Two areas need attention: YARG capabilities in water resource development and soil conservation; and the role of the private sector.