Abstract
Evaluates project to develop fuelwood and alternative energy resources in Central America. Special evaluation covers the period from late 1979 to 5/82 and is based on document review, visits to the two implementing agencies, the Tropical Agricultural Research and Training Center (CATIE) and the Central American Resources Institute for Industry (ICAITI), and interviews with AID/ROCAP and local officials. The project is on track and should be continued. CATIE has turned in a stellar performance in the fuelwood subproject (SP), with some targets already met or surpassed. Working with national forestry agencies, CATIE has established demonstration plots in critical areas in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama and high-quality formal field trials in all countries except Panama; begun a financial and economic study of fuelwood production; produced a large number of publications and reports, including one on the 15 most promising fuelwood species; and maintains a seed laboratory and bank. The SP's key weakness is the lack of an effective integrated information transfer system. Moreover, current staff and funding levels are inadequate to meet the expected demand for expanded field activities. Given the inherent difficulties involved, ICAITI has performed adequately in the SP to develop prototype alternative energy technologies, although the evaluators question the SP's value within the Central American context. Currently, programs to construct domestic and industrial stoves, solar hot water demonstrations, and biogas systems are being implemented or initiated in the five countries (work in El Salvador has not yet begun), although the Panama program will involve only stove construction and the Nicaragua program only stove and solar technologies. Except for a stove construction manual, however, research results have not been published. Key shortfalls, all correctable, include lack of a full-time field staff (except in Costa Rica), the abundance of counterpart organizations, failure to adapt project paper targets to regional needs and capabilities, and weak linkage with CATIE. A total of 14 programatic and 9 technical recommendations are provided.