Evaluation of the USAID-Kosovo SME and Agriculture - Economic ...

Development Associates, Inc.Based on this survey 44 , participating farmers have indicated their intention to use inputs andtechnologies learned from the project and have expressed their satisfaction with the technologytransfers from the project.The Benchmarks for the project have mostly been met (see Exhibit 23). The Benchmarks thathave not been met concern contracting with processors for participating farmers produce andparticipating farmers’ inability to obtain credit.2. What are the greatest accomplishments from these activities?The project has made considerable progress in convincing participating farmers that the newtechnology transfers are workable and profitable. There are limits as to how quickly andwidespread the new technologies will be adopted in such a short time span. But the groundworkis being prepared for future expansion of orchard production.There has been considerable success in establishing a working group, consisting of growers,faculty of agriculture staff, MAFRD staff, Peja Agricultural College staff, processors (e.g.,PROGRES), nursery cooperatives and the Swiss NGO “InterCooperation”. The project has alsoestablished municipal level ‘forums’ in six municipalities, involving staff from the municipalagriculture office, the MAFRD branch offices, university faculty staff and MAFRD. Some ofthese groupings might survive the project. For most, it will be difficult to survive the earlystages of development without the impetus that a project like SEEDS can initiate and maintain.Nevertheless, the Working Group presents a useful forum through which farmers and others inthe “producer-marketing chain” can learn about the fruit production and the marketing subsector.This group has presented ideas to policy makers in the government and elsewhere andalthough not much if anything has been acted on, inroads are being made to influence thinking.Others that are occasionally invited to these Working Group meetings include the Ministry ofTrade and Investment, Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Finance.There have been coordinating efforts with other projects and donors. They have served toprovide an exchange of information and trainings. These contacts are ongoing and seem to playa useful role in convincing participating farmers that there are benefits to be derived fromcollaborating with ones’ neighbors. This has longer-term importance for the establishment andsuccess of current and future Farmer Associations and the Farmer Clubs.44 See the Grower Technology Adoption Evaluation in Exhibit 20.Evaluation of the USAID/Kosovo SME 120 May 2004and Agriculture/Agribusiness ProgramsVolume I