Abstract
Evaluates project to help the Government of Peru (GOP) develop a national soil and water conservation system. Special evaluation covers the period 7/83-11/84 and is based on document review, site visits, and interviews primarily with USAID/P and GOP staff. The project has made substantial progress, meeting or surpassing most of its training and extension targets. A total of 4,504 farmers have received farm conservation training (728 so far in 1984, vs. a targeted 500); 408 professionals (40 in 1984) and 394 paraprofessionals have been trained in conservation extension. Also, the director of the Directorate General of Water, Soils, and Irrigation is set to tour U.S. and Guatemalan conservation sites. Conservation extension activities have included: establishing 382 on-farm test sites in 1984 (with 116 in the pilot area of Cajamarca) for a project total of 2,529, and 12 farmer committees with an outreach to 3,500 farmers in 3 agrarian regions; collecting/evaluating technical and socioeconomic data from 1,164 test sites; producing and distributing 2,000 posters (on terracing), 8,000 pamphlets (promoting the national program), and 2,000 bulletins on gully control (7 bulletins on other topics are being developed); airing radio and television programs in Cajamarca, Huancayo, Cusco, and Puno (other radio programs, some in the Quechua, and Aymara languages, are ready for airing); and drafting a much-needed manual for technicians and cooperating institutions. Progress towards developing a national conservation program has been much slower. However, interinstitutional coordination has been strengthened with the agreement by 20 institutions (e.g., the Agricultural and Forestry Research and Extension Centers) to establish soil conservation test plots (only 43 plots have thus far been set up); by establishment of ad hoc soil conservation committees in several agrarian regions; and by conducting 3 regional meetings. Also, a draft proposal for a national soil/water conservation program will be discussed at the scheduled 11/84 convention of public agricultural agencies. The recent extension of limited project activities to the Costa is also a positive step toward a national system. Recommendations include to extend the project for 18 months.