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Unclassified CLASSIFICATION PROJECT EVALUATION SUMMARY (PES) - PART I Report -----Symbol U-447 1. PROJECT TITLE 2. PROJECT NUMBER ~~ MISSION/AIDIW OFFICE 682-0204 SAID/Nouakchott 4. eVALUATION NUMBER (enter the number meintsl_ned ~Y the Vegetable Production reporting unit 8.g., Country or AIDIW Admlnlstrlltlve COde, Flsca' Veer, Serial No. beginning with No. 1 each FV) FY 81-01

~ REGULAR EVALUATION o SPECIAL EVALUATION 5. KEY PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION OATES 6. ESTIMATED PROJECT 7. PERIOD COVERED BY EVAl.UATION FUNDING A. First B. Final Co Flnel From (month/yr.) 5/78 PRO.AG or Obligation Input A. Toul S2,720,000 Equivalent expected Delivery To (month/yr.) 4/81 B. u.s. $2,370,000 FY-1.B FYB..2... FY8...3- ~:~?~ t:valuetlon 23 'z\n1"'; 1 1 OR 1 8. ACTION DECISIONS APPROVEO BY MISSION OR AID/W OFFICE DIRECTOR

A. Lla1: decilioneend/ex unrelolved lauel; cite thOU Itllml needing further study. 9. NAME OF C. OATE ACTION OFFiCeR (NOTE: MIllion dllcillona which antlci~ta A10/W or raglonal offIce IICtlon .hould TO BE ReSPONSIBLE I, COMpLETEO Jl)IICHy tYpe of document, a.a., al"llram, SPAR, PIO,whlch will PreNnt detailed requnt.) FOR ACTION Extend proJect by 19 months, l.e., through July, 1983, to obtain results from an additional grow­ ing season which will provide more data and empirical evidence required to draw conclusions, to reinforce the demonstration aspects of the project and to initiate steps for institutional­ ization. This decision will require that the following actions be taken: 1. Amend the Project Paper. USAIDi PDE 6/30/81 J. Amend the Project Agreement. and RD 10/21/82. 3. Amend the PIO/T. bivisions 11/~/81 4. Amend the contract for technical services AID/W Con- , -,, with Frederickson, Kamine and Associates. r-racting OffcJf 12/24/82. 5. Organize and begin implementation of ~IRM, USAID/RIl>, participant training program. ~ID/W and !7/81 '- 9/81 ~ontractor I

...~..

-,, 9. INVENTORV OF DOCUMENTS TO BE REVISED peR ABOVE DECISIONS 10. ALTERNATIVE DECISIONS ON FUi'':-',E OF PROJECT Implementation Plan G Project PIpe, C a.a., Cpl Network EJ Other (Specify) I A. 0 Continue Prolect Without Changf' ~ Assista~~.e[J Change Project Desi;n and/or Flnenciel Plan WPiOIT Technical ~ Contract Change ImplementatiOn Plan D t..o;lCal F ramllWork GJ pIO/C O Other (Specify) [i] Project Agreement W1'10/1' Discontinue Project

11. PROJECT OFFICER AND HOST COUNTRV OR OTHER RANKING PARTICIPANTS AS APPROPRIATE (Nem.. and Titl••) James Hughes, Project Manager, USAID Anthony Wirtz, Chief of Rural Dev. Div.,USAID Bruno Quebedoux, COP, Frederickson,Kamine & Ass A. La~ Hamadi, Director of Agriculture, GIRM Thlam Youssef, Chlef of Veg. Production, GI&~ 25 June 1981

AID 1330.15 (3-78) •

-2- PES - PART II 13. Summary. Despite the delay in fielding a technical advisory team, the Vegetable Production project has been eval­ uated as being on target in its progress toward achieving the proposed purpose and outputs, with the exception of the parti­ cipant training and institutionalization aspect. Overall pros­ pects for achieving the project purpose and contributing to the sector goal are regarded as good~ In negotiating the final contract, only two year's funding for the three-year scope of work was provided. Inflation and underestimation of the original T.A. costs were factors in this situation. It is recommended that the project be extended by 19 months in order to achieve the full purpose of the project as envis­ ioned in the PP. This will require provision of additional funds to the contract to fully finance the three-year scope of service, plus additional advisory services not originally envisioned. This change will require a revision of the PP, submission of the PP to AID/W for approval, and amending the PIO/T and contract. ­ Further information on the relationship of project design to pro­ ject execution is contained in section B of the evaluation syn­ thesis which follows. 14. Evaluation Methodology. This evaluation was conducted to measure the progress of project activities against stated pur­ pose and outputs in the PP and to make appropriate recommenda­ tions on each aspect of implementation procedures. Data for the evaluation was collected from field visits to project sites . in the three regions of the country affected by the project. Additional information was obtained from documents and reports supplied by the contractor, USAID and the GIRM. The study design was based on PPC/E/PES guidelines for project evaluation and followed the outline of the evaluation synthesis which is attached. Key individuals contacted and a list of project sites visited are listed in Annex A. 15. External Factors. No major changes have occurred in the project setting since the initia~ project design was approved. Assumptions made at the time of project design were determined to still be valid. 16. Inputs. As originally designed, the project requires the financing of the third year of technical services to achieve its designed purpose. Additional tech services not envisioned in the original design are required as well, so that the full benefits of the project as designed may be realized. These inputs include the services of an additional agronomist/ horticulturalist (12 months - possibly to be supplied by Peace Corps), and a water management specialist (12 months). -3- Related increases in the quantity of commodities available to the project will also be required (see Section D of the Evaluation Synthesis). 17. Outputs. Four major outputs were designed: (1) data collection to test the feasibility of vegetable production, (2) establishment of pilot demonstration and field trial areas to carry out agronomic research, (3) analysis of the nutritional impact of proj ect interventions and the training of loc:~l popu­ lations in vegetable preparation, and (4) training of GI~~ personnel in vegetable production technologies. Assessment indicates that satisfactory progress is being made in the pro­ duction of all outputs with the exception of the training com­ ponent. Despite the noted progress, analysis also indicates that the objective of training 3,000 families in food preparation techniques is overly ambitions, given the allotted technical assistance. It is recommended that this output be scaled down to 1,500 families. 18. Puryose. "To determine the feasibility of expanded vegetable product~on among sedentary rural groups in the 3rd, 5th and 6th regions of Mauritania through an applied research and vegetable crop demonstration program". EOPS conditions include: (1) a body of data collected and analyzed concerning vegetable production in Mauritania, (2) 3,000 farmers instructed in improved production, seed preservation and marketing methods, (3) 3,000 families trained in optimum food preparation techniques. The development of research methodologies. is regarded as well advanced. These methodologies are now being utlized to begin the process of collecting the required agronomic, nutritional and economic data. At least 600 farm families are participating di­ rectly in vegetable garden demonstration activities, although a considerably fewer number, between 200 and 300, have been involved in food preparation demonstrations. Informal on-the-job training has taken place for some nine host country participants, but little progress has been made in the preparation of formal trai­ ning programs for the participants. The EOPS conditions are still regarded as good indicators of the status which the proj ec." will achieve at its completion (with the exception of the pre­ viously discussed food preparation demonstration) provided that a third year of contract technical assistance is supplied to th2 project. 19. Goal. "To promote the development and welfare of the rura}" population in Mauritania by increasing small farmer income, fooe productivity and contributing to family food security." Proper analysis of progress toward this goal will require further data collection in the field, which is now in progress. -4-

20. Beneficiaries. It is expected that with a four-year technical assistance effort, this project is capable of reaching 3,000 small farm families who may benefit from improved nutrition, a reduction in underemploYment and an increase in income. Since this project is research oriented, these potential benefits remain hypothetical and will be verified by analyzing data col­ lected over the life of the project by the contract technical assistance team and associated Peace Corps Volunteers. 21. Unplanned Effects. Project activities have had the effect of stimulating production of vegetables to a greater degree than had been anticipated. In many areas, demonstration plots have promoted the development of satellite garden areas not directly under the tutelage of the project. This outcome is regarded as nutritionally and economically beneficial to the local populatior­ involved. However, the long-term viability of this production activity has not yet been thoroughly analyzed. 22. Lessons Learned. The evidence collected for this evaluation indicates that the project is moving toward the achievement of its designed purpose. Howeyer, the inability to synchronize the 1 arrival of key inputs (Peace Corps Volunteers, technical assista~ce i team and commodities) created a situation which ultimately incre­ ased costs and led to misunderstandings between various groups i::..·­ 1 volved in project implementation. Most of the delay was beyond 1 the direct control of project management (discussion with the 1 host country government regarding the rights and privileges of Americans working in Mauritania retarded contract execution for many months). It is apparent, however, that the ultimate interests of the project would have been served by attempting to reschedule the entire implementation effort until all parties were capable of arriving simultaneously in Mauritania. This situation is discussed further in Section B of the evaluation synthesis. ---~..-._--- ~_.------_._-~------

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EVALUATION SYNTHESIS

A. ASSESSMENT OF CHANGES IN PROJECT SETTING 1. Economic Situation and Governmental Priorities During the years 1970-1978, encompassing the period of project design in 1976, the Mauritanian economy was stagnant, having experienced less than 2% real growth since 1970. The factors underlying that stagnation comprised severe drought, GIRM investments in unproductive fields and military spending connected with the war in the Western Sahara. During the last two years, there has been some improvement in the economy with a recovery in iron ore exports and extensive port and road construction activity. The country's gross domestic product grew about 5% annually in real terms. Continued moderate growth is in prospect under the GIRM's current program of expanding its productive investments even while following an austerity policy on less essential spending. During the last two years, the GIRM has made substantial progresJ j in slowing down the rate of increase in consumption spending and in redirecting investments to less capital intensive and poten­ ; .\ tially more productive projects. ··.1'··..· Rural development activities were allocated $3.1 million in the Government's budget for 1979. This allocation has increased to $3.7 million for each of the years 1980 and 1981. When account is taken of the rural development activities financed by foreign assistance, the trend is even sharper. Whereas $17 million was spent on rural development activities in Mauritania during 1979, sucq spending rose to $35 million in 1980. The GIRM's increased emphasis on rural development priorities follows a trend which was first set forth in the third Five Year Development Plan published in 1976. Despite economic improvemen~s and the GIRM's commitment, rural incomes have not increased si­ gnificantly since the design of the Vegetable Production Projec~. Further investment over a substantially longer period of time will be required to stimulate productivity, thereby increasing incomes in the rural areas which were severely affected by the Sahelian drought. Regarding vegetable production as a potential component of rural regeneration, the current 1981 GIRM budget allocates liM ~ million ($445,000) or about 12% of the total rural development budget. The amount of land devoted to vegetable production has in­ creased rapidly during the last several years under both GIRM and donor programs and through some emulation by farmers inde­ pendently. ------_._-----_._--_ ....._.- _.- ---_ ..---_._.

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The land planted to fruits arid vegetables amounted to some 320 hectares during the 1976-77 growing season, and now amounts to about 1,275 hectares. 2. The Environment While the most severe drought has passed, sup-normal rainfall has continued in Mauritania. The process of increased deserti­ fication which accelerated during the drought period is continuing. The trend among nomadic populations towards sedentarization that accelerated during the drought period, continues as well. Such populations, formerly heavily engaged in pastoral activities, have shifted a good deal of their effort toward agricultural pursuits including vegetable production. Vegetable production, in most cases, other than in those villages along the Senegal River, relies on water from hand-dug wells. Generally, the water is hand drawn and carried to garden plots. In a few areas pmmps have been installed to convey water to the crops. Knowledge of production technologies remains rudimentary.

In general, the physical environment is in mu~h the same condition as when the vegetable production project was initially designed. The constraints imposed by the degradation caused by the drought and its continuing effects have reinforced the reliance of the rural population on agriculture as a basis for subsistence. Vegetable production, with the support of the Mauritanian government and other donors, is becoming an incre­ asingly important aspect of agricultural practice in rural Mauritania. 3. Summation Review of the general economic and environmental situation in the Mauritanian rural environment reveals little change at the micro level from 1976 when the vegetable proj ect was designe,:~, However, macro-economic improvements in the past two years have allowed the government to place more emphasis on the rural sectc. and to give more support to activities such as vegetable pro­ duction. Due to the financial difficulties which the GIRM cont~. nues to face, its support remains limited. . r Original assumptions of the project have been analyzed and a determination made that they remain valid. No changes have occurred which would appear to invalidate the premise that increased vegetable production will contribute to an improved level of small farmer income and family food'security. -7-

B. REVIEW OF PROJECT DESIGN"VS. PROJECT EXECUTION TO DATE 1. PROJECT DESIGN a. Purpose The Vegetable Production Project was designed as a three- year pilot effort to determine the feasibility of expanded vegetable production among sedentary rural groups in three regions of Mauritania through an applied research and vegetable crop demonstration program. The fina~ Project Paper for the activity was approved in May 1978. A Project Grant Agreement with the Government of Mauritania was signed on August 28, 1978. b. Outputs To achieve the project purpose, four principal outputs were set: (1) The collection, compilation and analysis of data con­ cerning the technical and economic feasibility of expanding vege-­ i table production in the three regions. "1 I (2) The establishment of pilot demonstration and field trial J areas in each of the three regions to carry out applied research , and agronomic testing; (3) Analysis of consumer acceptance of new vegetable products, evaluating the nutritional impact of increased vegetable con­ sumption of the local diet and the training of local populations in vegetable preparation, and, (4) Training of GIRM personnel in vegetable production tech­ nologies. Project design documents anticipated that the development of pilot demonstration and field trial areas would create the necessary environment for collecting data required to analyze the agronomic feasibility of vegetable production in the three regions, to evaluate the types of agronomic technologies most suited to the Mauritanian environment, and to identify technical constraints on production. Information compiled from productio~ and marketing activities associated with the plots would form the core'of an analysis of the economic feasibility of vegetable production. It was expected that the demonstration and field trial activities would, by the end of the project, encompass some 200 hectares of land and involve 3000 farm families. Since the production of vegetables in quantity for local consumption in Mauritania is of recent origin, the project design documents called for an analysis of the nutritional impact of this dietary change on the populations affected by the project. -8-

This activity was to encompass the monitoring of food consump­ tion patterns and evaluation of the nutritional value of project interventions. Related to this research work, the project design called for the training of 3000 farm families in the preparation of new vegetable products for consumption in the local diet. To provide the project with the necessary technical support from Mauritanian institutions, a training program was envisioned for 11 officials of the GIRM. The training program was to include: (1) A two-year course of instruction in vegetable production techniques and related agronomics for the Chief of Vegetable Production of the Directorate of Agriculture; (2) A three-month couse of instruction in vegetable production technologies for the Chefs de Secteur for agriculture in the regions associated with the project; and (3) On-the job training for six members of the staff of the Directorate of Agriculture responsible for the extension of vegetable production technology at the local level. c. Inputs To meet the objectives of the project, it was envisioned that an institutional contract to provide technical assistance would be required. This technical assistance would involve principally the provision of 104 person-months of efforts over the three-year life of the project. Specialists called for included a Team Leader/Agriculture Extensionist (36 mos.), a Horticulturalist/Agronomist (36 mos.) an Agricultural Economist (12 mos.). a Nutritionist (12 mos.) a Soil Scientist (4 mos.), and hydrologist (4 mos.) Additionally, the services of nine Peace Corps Volunteers were planned to assist in carrying out field activities. Three Volunteers were to be assigned to specialize in each of the following fields: agronomics, home economics and cooperative development. The Volunteers were expected to work in associatic: .. with the contract team providing technical assistance to the proj ect.

GIRM counterpart support ~vas expected to be supplied by those officials designated for further training under the project: the Chief of Vegetable Production and the Chefs de Secteur and agricultural extensionists associated with vege­ table production in the three regions. Other major inputs to the project were expected to take the form of commodities to be supplied by both AID and the GIRM. AID supplied commodities were to consist of seed, -9- fertilizers, tools, insecti'cides and vehicles (four all-terrain vehicles and one three-ton stake body truck). Other AID inputs were to consist of contractor support items such as housing and a portion of the POL for project vehicles. GIRM contributions were expected to include the salaries of associated government officials, the cost of land for project garden sites, a portion of project POL costs, one truck, housing for PCV's, and office space for the contract team. d. Finance The global life of project budget was estimated at $2.245 million. Of this amount, the AID contribution was budgeted at $1,470,000. Project costs associated with Peace Corps activities were estimated at $405,000. The Host Country Contribution was budgeted at $370,000 in the PP, (although the PROAG notes that the GIRM contribution will not be less than $449,000.) e. Implementation Scheduling Project paper scheduling called for the fielding of the two principal contract team members seven months after the­ signing of the Project Agreement and the ordering of the first year's project commodities. The first Peace Corps Volunteers were expected in month ten of the project. Third country training for host country nationals was to begin in month 15. The PACD is noted in the current Project Agreement as Decem­ ber 31, 1981. 2. PROJECT EXECUTION a. Status of the Design Documentation All basic project documents remain in force as originally approved. No amendments have been executed for either the project Paper or the Project Agreement with the GlRM. Thus, the Project design still calls for the three-year activity originally proposed and approved in 1978. b. Implementation Due to protracted discussions with the Government concer­ ning the rights and privileges of U.S. employees working in Mauritania, the RFP for technical assistance for the project was not published until June, 1979, ten months after the signing of the Project Agreement. By September, 1979, nego­ tiations were begun with Frederickson, Kamine and Associates (FKA) to provide contract technical assistance to the project. However, further delay was caused by the AID requirement to do a financial audit of FKA as a new AID contractor. By No­ vember, 1979, some 15 months after the signing of the Project Agreement, the effects of inflation on project costs created further delays in negotiations as it became clear that the -10- project budget would no longer support a three-year technical assistance effort. Additional delay was caused by difficulties with the French language capability of the team members proposed by FKA. Financial and technical problems were not totally resolved until the spring of 1980 with the signing of a contract with FKA on May 30, 1980. Due to a higher cost of technical assistance than that envisioned in the PIO/T, only two years of funding was provided for in the contract. The first member of the contract team arrived in Mauritania in July, 1980. In the meantime, the Peace Corps had begun to field Volun­ teers to work with the Vegetable Project. By May, 1979, the first group of Volunteers was in the country. These Volunteers were thus working in Mauritania for roughly a full year prior to the arrival of the FKA contract team. This situation required the AID Project Manager to take on project implementation responsibilities. Training of host country nationals was also delayed due to the absence of the contract team. This task could not be undertaken by the AID Project Manager. The delay in fielding a contract technical assistance team for the Vegetable Project and the consequent increase in cost for the technical assistance component has created several implementation problems: (1) A contract with a three-year scope of work and only two years of financing, i.e., person-months of activity are reduced to 72 from the figure of 104 called for in the PPj the contract completion date is listed as July 31, 1982, while the current PACD in the PROAG remains December_3l-,_198l; . .. (2) The first year of project activity was carried out by the AID Project Manager without the support of the technical assis­ tance team as called for in the PPj also Peace Corps was unable to field required number of PCVts and reduced the number or Volunteers working on the project from nine to six. (3) The scope and magnitude of project activities remains the same as originally designed despite the ,reduction in the amount of technical assistance originally envisioned. Three possible alternatives are evident as solutions for resolving these problems. First, analysis may indicate that project objectives may be achieved with only a two-year contract technical assistance effort. Or, secondly, evaluation may sug­ gest that an extension of the project for another year is necessary to achieve the full objectives of the project. Or, thi±dly, project results to date may indicate that the scope of designed activities should be reduced to levels which can be effectively carried out during a two-year period of contract technical assistance. The following sections of this paper are designed, in part to describe the three alternatives. -11-

C. MEASUREMENT OF PROGRESS . 1. Evaluation of Agronomic Demonstration and Research Activities The table on the following page indicates the agronomic and research sites established to date in the three regions of the country affected by the project. Since little data is currently available on vegetable agronomics in Mauritania, baseline data collection at the on-farm level has been ini­ tiated. Additionally, a program of adaptive research is being carried out to measure the impact of the interjection of improved agronomic technologies and various types of vegetable seed on production. This approach, which takes maximum account of local farming conditions, is being used to test affects of various levels of fertilizer, differences in plant spacing, manure incorporation, insecticide utilization, cultivation pract~ces and the planting of a wide selection of certain vegetable varieties. Additionally, the impact of modifications in water management technologies is being tested. The need to examine water management techniques and to test possible improvements has proved to be of much greater signi­ ficance than indicated in the original project design. Given the scarcity of water in the Sahelian environment, this is not surprising. The technical assistance team has recognized the vital nature of this aspect of vegetable production and has made efforts to reinforce its ability to analyze the effects of the water constraint and to develop and test possible solutions to the problems presented. It is recommended that these efforts be reinforCed by providing an increased level of effort under the technical assistance contract to deal with water management problems. Initial data collection continues from the first cropping season in which professional researchers were involved with the project. Thus it is too early to evaluate the results of the data gathering process. The agronomic research methodology being employed to test varietal response and the effects of agronomic inputs and production methods is regarded, however, as sound and should produce the data necessary to analyze the agronomic constraints and feasibility of vegetable production in the three project regions. However, a sound analysis is expected to require, at a minimum, the services of professional agronomists over the three year period originally called for in the Project Paper. The full three-year period will provide the necessary time to form more accurate assessments Of the vegetable types and varieties which respond best in the differing climatic conditi.::... · of the three regions. Over this time period, research should also demonstrate the levels of inputs such as fertilizers, pest ~ ~"""_.O_ ~_ .... • __ •• ,l...., Jo •• _ ,~ ~~.~_...."J.", ______...... _._'_. .. ..,;.~ .....,.t1t"'" 4e'

VEGETABLE PRODUCTION PROJECT

AGRONOMIC RESEARCH AND DEMONSTRATION SITES*

Garden Site Area l'enc ed Organizational Participants Water Source Trials Brakna (ha) Structure

'Goural Guidal 1.0 Cooperative 38 women River, motor pump Variety, Manuring, Cultural 'Joural 0.3 II 21 women/4 men River, hand carried Variety 'Bagne 0.5 " 58 women II II Variety, Spacing,Fertilizing~Pesticide erallah 0.3 II 18 men/women Deep well, Variety, Irrigation agodin 0.4 II 22 men/women Deep well Variety ieneel 1.5 " 130 men/women River, motor pump Variety, Spacing, Cultural I oghe .5 Government trial ground River, motor pump Variety, Spacing, fertilizing/pesticide ssaba assi el Bekay .7 Cooperative 17 men/women Shallow wells Variety, planting/seeding leg III .4 II 19 men/women Shallow wells Variety ouchgag) enekiba) 4.0 " 86 men/women Shallow wells VarietYJSpacing~Processing ...... Variety~Processing uimba Sylla 0.6 " 14 men/women Shallow wells N ankossa 0.5 Individual/School 5 men, pupils Lake/wells Variety, Manuring, Processing :wi 0.2 Oasis trial Garden Shallow wells Variety~Processing rarza ~ur Macene 3.0 2 Cooperatives 25 men/3D women Lake, wells Variety 'ira 0.6 Cooperatives 53 women Shallow wells Variety/Pesticide ~ykane 0.5 Cooperative 88 women River Variety :>sso 0.1 Ho~pita.lGarden Piped Variety, Fertilizing :>uakchott 0.2 Government Trial ground Piped Pesticide I

@ 15 ha. @ 630 men/women

* Courtesy of Rosslyn Rappaport, Agronomist/l~rticulturalist, Frederickson, Kamine and Associates,

April, 19B1 -13-

management controls and agronomic knowledge regarding spacing, depth of planting and other techniques which will maximize quality and yield. Therefore, it is recommended that the current contract be amended to include a third year of technical services for agronomic research. Sound technical expertise is also required to demonstrate and extend proven vegetable production techniques to Mauritanian farm families. The Agronomist/Horticu1tura1ist curre~t1y in the field, in cooperation with the six Peace Corps Volunteers assigned to the project, has done an admirable job to date in carrying out demonstration activities. In a period of nine months since the arrival of the agronomist, a minimum of 600 farm families have been reached as direct participants in the project. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that given the geographic spread of project sites and related transportation difficulties, as well as the volume of work entailed, that a single profes­ sional can hope to achieve the project objective of providing demonstrations to 3000 project participants. It is therefore recommended that another agronomist/horticu1tura1ist be employed for a period of at least 12 months to assist in expanding projec~ activities to the proposed number of beneficiaries. Among the . primary functions of this individual would be the provision of assistance to PCV's in understanding and extending the technical details of agronomic demonstration activities. It is suggested that the provision of a second agronomist/horticu1tura1ist be explored with Peace Corps/Nouakchott to determine if an appro­ priately trained PCV could be located to fill this position. During the next two cropping seasons (1981-82 and 1982-83), it is recommended that greater emphasis be placed on trial work involving manure incorporation, fertilizer use, irrigation methods and nematode resistance. Further emphasis will also be required on the study of feasible seed preservation techniques since the availability of seed serves as an economic constraint on the expansion of production. This constraint is particularly acute in the case of potatoes, a very popu1a~ vegetable in Mauritania. Seed potatoes are not grown locally but are pur­ chased from foreign sources and shipped to Mauritania at high cost, The potato situation will require particular analysis to indicate possible solutions to the problem of obtaining and growing seed potatoes for local use. While the project documents call for the demonstration of . -~ the use of alfalfa as green manure, the crop is regarded as too valuable as animal forage to be used as a soil improvement. It is recommended that this aspect of the demonstration effort be reoriented toward studying the soil-enriching properties of alfalfa during growth, while ultimately serving as a forage cro~ In summary, the agronomic research and demonstration effort is regarded as being on target. To carry out the full purpose -14-

of the project, a third year of contract technical assistance at expanded levels of effort will be required. Several aspects of the program, including seed preservation, will require in­ creased emphasis in future years of project activity. 2. Evaluation of Economic Research and Feasibility Analysis The importance of the component of the project devoted to economic research and marketing analysis has increased because of the very success of the project in achieving significant production increases. A sudden surplus has arisen over and above present consumption needs of the Kiffa growing region. At the same time, the Nouakchott market is alao being saturated with increased production from the nearby growing areas of the Adrar and Trarza regions as well as from Senegal. The project gardens now obtain free seeds, tools and fencing. The question is whether the costs of vegetable production in the different project sites are favorable enough in the long run, together with possible transportation arrangements and marketing contacts, to make feasible the continued growing of production surpluses. If the marketing problem is not handled successfully and subs­ tantial spoilage of tomatoes and other crops takes place next season as well, farmers will get discouraged and cut back their production. The project's agricultural economist is basically seeking three kinds of information: 1) the costs of production at the three project sites by crop; 2) in cooperation with the nutri­ tionist, assessing the prospective trends for increased consumer acceptance in the growing areas of the new vegetables or va­ rieties; substantially increased consumption in the growing areas would both satisfy the nutrition component of the project and reduce the production surplus; drying of some quantities of such crops as tomatoes and their delayed sale is also being pursued to deal with seasonal surpluses; 3) evaluate trucking costs and availabilities and seek out market contacts in Nouak­ chott. Advice would be given to both the cooperatives in the growing areas and to the Nouakchott market outlets on arrangemeY~.:5 for contracts and delivery procedures. Health problems with the initial agricultural economist delayed research into these problems last fall, but the new agricultural economist has been tackling these research problems vigourously this spring. Attention has been particularly focussed on the contacts with truckers, merchamts in the growing areas, wholesalers in Nouakchott, and government officials, to ! j evaluate the possible marketing arrangement. Questionnaires -j have been prepared on the different production costs and survey~ on them are to be completed this spring and fall among the project farmers. Information on the growing consumption trends is scheduled to be compiled this fall. The promising marketing arrangements are to be entered into this fall for implementation -15- at harvest time. In short, an unanticipated benefit of the project in terms of marketable surpluses appears on the way toward being capitalized upon so as to expand the income of the farmers in the producing regions. 3. Evaluation of Nutrition Research and Food Demonstration Activities Analysis of the nutritional impact of vegetable production has also required the developement of a survey instrument for the collection of base-line data regarding food availability, consumption patterns, and food preservation and storage methods. The early months of technical services in nutrition were devoted to the development and administration of the baseline questionnaire as well as gathering what data exists on Mauritanian nutrition from various governmental and private sources. Final collation and analysis of the initial survey data has not yet been com­ pleted (expected by June, 1981), thus the efficacy of the nutri­ tion research effort remains difficult to judge. In general, after a revision of the basic survey instrument, the nutrition research component is regarded as progressing toward targetted objectives. Since the majority of the nutritionist's efforts have been devoted to survey research, little time has been allocated to the food demonstration component. As a consequence, only 200­ 300 persons have participated in demonstrations of vegetable preparation techniques. Recipes utilizing many of the vegeta­ bles being grown on the project's trial plots have been prepared and plans laid to emphasize this activity in the~ming months. However, time constraints imposed on the nutritionist (twelve months of work over the course of the current two-year contract) make unlikely the achievement of the objective of training 3000 farm families in vegetable preparation techniques. Further, if the PCV's currently in the field (five men and one woman) are to be effective in assisting in the extension of food preparatior:. methods, time must be allocated to train the Volunteers. At any rate, the effectiveness of PCV involvement in this aspect of the project is likely to be limited given the lack of more women in the group. Unless additional time is made available for technical assiJ ',­ ance in nutrition education, it is highly unlikely that the objective of training 3000 project participants can be achieved. An additional nine months of time, over the course of an expande, three-year contract, has been suggested as required to meet the designed output levels. If this time cannot be made available, it is recommended that this specific output regarding training in vegetable preparation techniques be reduced by half to a figure of 1500. Such a reduction is not regarded as having a critically negative impact on achievement of the project purpos~ In fact, if the utilization of new vegetables in traditional recipes proves popular, there is little doubt that the preparati(..~ '-'---._->_.. _----~--_ ..._------.. -- "'-"------_.- _.- --

-16-

techniques can and will be demonstrated by those members of the local population who have been introduced to the new techniques by the contract team members and PCV's. 4. Evaluation of Training Activities The training component of the project was designed to con­ sist of: two staff years of training in horticulture for the Chief of Vegetable Production at Hassan II University in Morocco; on the job training and 12 student months of intensive seminars in vegetable production at Cambarene, Senegal, for four agricul­ tural sector chiefs (Chef de Secteur)j and periodic training by the U.S. consultants for six agricultural extension agents. As of this date, the formal training component of the project remains largely unimplemented. Attempts have been made by the consultant team to provide some on-the-job training to the Chefs de Secteur and agriculture extension agents. However. the ma­ jority of this training has been of an ad hoc nature Xhe project technicians have been concentrating their time on the establish­ ment of demonstration sites and the development .of research methodologies for data collection and analysis. Discussions have been held with responsible GIRM officials on the organization of the formal training of the Chefs de Sec­ teur and the Chief of Vegetable Production. However, no concrete arrangements have been established. No offical contacts have been made with the institution at Cambarene. Given the current state of relations between Mauritania and Morocco, no possibility exists for utilizing a Moroccan university as a training site for the Chief of Vegetable Production. It has been suggested by the GIRM that this two-year program for the Chief of Vegetable Pro­ duction as proposed in the PP be changed to a degree-granting program (BS/MS) in the U.S. Since the technical field work of the project is now well underway, attention should be directed towerd the development of a formal plan for the on-the-job training of the Chefs de Secteurs and agricultural extension agents. As soon as possible an agreement should be made with the government on the classroo2 training component for both the Chefs de Secteur and the Chief of Vegetable Production. This component of project activity -1 requires rapid attention on the part of all parties, AID, GIRM and the contractor, so that the excellent results being obtaineo in other project activities will not be lost due to a lack of proper training for GIRM officials associated with the project. 5. Evaluation of Implementing Institutions a. AID Efforts by AID to field a contract technical assistance t2C:2 ---.._-.-_._ _---- .-_ .

-17- for the vegetable project by' early 1979 were blocked by the unexpectedly protracted negotiations with the Government regar­ ding the rights and privileges of U~S. contractors working for AID. While such a delay was unanticipated, closer communications with the Peace Corps and a more realistic assumption regarding the timing of the arrival of the contractors may possibly have allowed Peace Corps the option of delaying the arrival of the first group of Volunteers for the project. (It was anticipated tnat both the training and technical support of Peace Corps Vo­ lunteers working with the project would be coordinated through the project contractor.) With the arrival of the first PCV's in country a full year ahead of the technical assistance team, the Project Manager and Peace Corps/Nouakchott were faced with the task of organizing and supporting these Volunteers in the field. While these activities were undertaken to the best of both organization's abilities, the resulting loss of technical coor­ dination in the field reduced the effectiveness of project in­ terventions during the first cropping season. Distribution and effective employment of needed project commodities were also affected by the same set of circumstances. With the arrival of the project contractor, much of the dif­ ficulty regarding technical coordination h~s been dispelled. However, disparities regarding logistic support as specified in the technical assistance contract and actual practice in Mauri­ tania have arisen. While many of these disparities regarding such items as pouch privileges and medical facilities are beyonci AID's direct control, it is incumbent on the part of all AID personnel involved to insure that actual practice and contract ______la~g~~ge regarding contractor support services are consistent. b. GIRM Since its inception, the support of Government personnel associated with the project has been positive and consistent. Counterpart manpower has been supplied as envisioned in the project design, as well as the land for project garden sites. Administrative difficulties which originally arose concerning housing for Peace Corp Volunteers have since been resolved. Se-·~ financial difficulties have constrained the GIRM from supplying office space for the contract team and a portion of the POL for the project as planned in the design documents. In general, however, the government's interest and support of this project are regarded as very strong. c. Contractor - Frederickson, Kamine and Associates (FKA)

The experience of both AID and contractor groups working fo~ AID indicates that providing individuals who are both techni­ j cally and linguistically qualified to work in Sahelien countrie::: is a difficult and time-consuming task. FKA' s initial difficul-· i ties, before contract signature, in locating such individuals, is a typical case in point. It is to AID's and the contractor's -18- credit that this particular problem was resolved prior to the signing of the contract. Initiation of contract technical assistance in Mauritania, beginning in July, 1980, provided the project with long-awaited full-time technical expertise to support project activities in the field. While there are indications that the available tech­ nical support is insufficient to adequately cover the geographic area assigned (see Section C.l), the project activities initiated or elaborated upon by FKA are in harmony with the project design and are beginning to generate the results, in cooperation with the associated Peac~ Corps ~olunteers, envisioned in the project design. Field experience recently led FKA to request a modification in its manpower configuration to accommodate the need for a water management specialist. The need for such a specialist was recognized by USAID and the required change in the allocation of person-months under the contract was approved. (See Section C. I. for further.';°details.) Evaluation of the contract team's efforts to date as reflec­ ted by measurements of the projects' progress, 'indicates that the technical assistance provided has been competent and profes­ sional. It is expected that continued concentration in the area of nutritional research and demonstration activities, and a particular emphasis on the organization of participant training activities, will produce the same high quality performance which has been evident in the areas of agronomic research and demons­ tration. d. Peace Corps The Peace Corpsis to be commended for providing the initial group of Volunteers to work with the project as scheduled. Des­ pite the difficulties of working in the field without full-time technical guidance, the Peace Corps maintained its effort and continued to implement project activities to the best of its ability. The early presence of Peace Corps Volunteers in the field, prior to the arrival of contract personnel, has, however, per­ mitted the PCV's to develop a project philosophy which, in some respects, differs from that set out in the AID project documen­ tation. While the AID project purpose focusses on research and analysis of feasibility, the Peace Corps Volunteers, especially in the initial stages of the project, focussed their efforts on production. While this bias toward production remains in Peace Corps activities, a spirit of cooperation with the con­ tract team has now developed toward producing the sort of tech·· nical data which is required to fulfill the design requirements of the project. -19- Another philosophic difference which has affected project implementation involves the technical qualifications of Peace Corps olunteers. Project design documentation called for "Specialists" in three areas: agriculture, home economics and cooperative development. Subsequent modifications in the re­ quirements for PCV's created a special emphasis on Volunteers for the agricultural component. Initially, the Peace Corps did provide one Volunteer with a B.S. in agriculture who subsequently left the program. Since then all other Volunteers have had no particular background in agriculture. This is a conscious de­ cision on the part of Peace Corps management taken from the view that sort of tasks which the PCV's are called upon to carry out for the project do not require specific technical expertise. This view is disputed by some AID and contract personnel asso­ ciated with the project who indicate that some technical exper­ rise on the part of the PCV's would be helpful in implementing project activities with particular regard to agronomic data collection and the demonstration of agronomic technologies to the target population. D. CONCLUSIONS ~,~ 1. Summary of Results to Date Review and analysis of project activities indicates that the proj ect, after a shaky start in the first year due to im­ ~i.·~.;.·.,0 plementation delays, is now generally on target toward achieving . the designed purpose. Of the four major outputs, the agronomic demonstration and research aspects are the most highly developed. Eighteen research and demonstration plots have been established, involving the direct participation of at least 600 men and women (see Section C.l). Satellite garden sites have sprung up around many of the project sites as local inhabitants observe the success of project participants. It is estimated that at least 200 in­ dividuals are thus benefitting indirectly from the demonstration effects of the project garden plots. In fact, one unanticipated result of the project has been the generation of sufficient pro­ duction at peak seasons in certain regions that gluts have oc­ casionally occurred on local markets. Results fram field trials remain limited since the first season of professional agronomic research is yet to be completeci However, observations indicate that the research design and implementation practices a~e sound. All evidence indicates thac current efforts carried to fruition over a three-year research period, should produce the required contribution toward the pro-· ject goal, while simultaneously demonstrating agronomic skills , to some 3,000 families. j " The current level of enthusiasm of project participants and the unexpectedly high levels of production in some regions, poi::~: to the need for careful analysis of the comparative costs, pros­ pective consumption trends in the growing regions, and the -20- associated problem of marketing. Initial research is now being conducted on these problems. The research approach is regarded as sound, although implementation has been hampered by health problems on the part of associated team members. With the re­ solution of these minor difficulties, this component of the project is expected to move forward rapidly. Nutrition research is also beginning to make progress. Having redrawn the initial survey instrument to gather baseline nutrition data and having administered the survey, results are now being tabulated by the project nutritionist. Less concen­ tration has been placed on the demonstration of food preparation techniques to farm families. While the design documents call for demonstration to roughly 3,000 families, activity to date has reached no more than a tenth of that number. Additional effort will be required in this area on the part of the technical assistance team, in coordination with GIRM or Peace Corps re­ sources, if significant progress is to be achieved. Further attention must tie directed toward the training of host country participants as well. In total, 11 officials of the GIRM assosiated with vegetable production are expected to be trained. To date, only ad hoc efforts to train local offi­ cials have taken place, generally in conjunction with other agricultural demonstration work. Achievement of this project objective lags the farthest behind of any of the expected pro­ ject outputs. 2. Summary of Further Activity Required to Achieve Project PUrpose and Outputs - Analyze results of agronomic trials and demonstration activities for the current season. - Produce and analyze data from two additional seasons of agronomic research. - Expand demonstration of agronomic techniques to encompas.: approximately 2,000 more farm families. - Utilize research methodology already developed by the contractor's agricultural economist to produce market and economic impact feasibility analyses for vegetable production in the three regions. - Evaluate the hydrologic problems associated with vegetable production in the three regions and test techniques designed to overcome these problems. - Utilize research methodology already developed to analyze the nutritional impact of vegetable production in the three regic:J.s. ,------_.. _-" . ------_._------_.._-_._--_ ..----...--_. ------_... _. __ ..-.--_.... -_. - .

-21-

- Further develop and employ techniques for reaching farm families with information/demonstrations on vegetable prepara­ tion techniques. - Develop and initiateplans for the formal training of host c~untry participants. Carrying out these activities is expected to require an additional year of services of the technical assistance contract group beyond the two years currently budgeted. Since the first year of project implementation was carried out solely by the Peace Corps, a three-year technical assistance effort will effectively lengthe~;the project to a four-year effort. Addi­ tional commodities and services will be required to support this additional year of effort, as outlined in the following sections of this paper.

E. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Agronomics - Retain aggregate levels of output as currently designed. - Increase level of effort devoted to problems of water management for vegetable production.

- Place grea~er emphasis in future years on trials involving fertilizers, manuring, spacing, nematode resistance, and cul­ tivation techniques. - Reorient planned work with alfalfa toward its ability to enrich soil while ultimately serving as forage for animals. - Place greater emphasis in future years on the development and demonstration of viable seed preservation techniques. - Continue efforts to study and promote effective methods of preserving and storing vegetables (sun-drying, promotion of root crops, etc.). 2. Economics and Marketing - Comtinue compiling information on production costs for different crops at the three proj ect sites and on the prospectiv c; increased consumption trends in the adjacent villages. - Continue contacts with truckers, merchants, wholesalers, and government officials and advise or assist the different parties in making pilot arrangements for marketing the excess production. 3. Nutrition and Food Demonstration -22-

- Continue current research effort on the impact of vegetable production on nutrition. - Continue work with food preparation demonstrations. - Reduce expected level of output from food preparation demonstrations to 1500 persons trained. 4. Training - Develop and execute plans for formal training of Chief of Vegetable Production; accept the GIRM proposal to enroll indi­ vidual in a degree-granting program in the U.S. if additional funds required can be made available through the SMDP; review with the GIRM the prospect of replacing the current Chief of Vegetable Production during the training period with an indi­ vidual returning from long-term U.S. training. - Develop and execute plans for formal training of Chefs de Secteur, investigate curriculum and timing of programs pro­ vided py facility at Cambarene, Senegal. - CEeate specific training agenda and goals for the on­ the-job training of agricultural extension agents working in regions impacted by the project. 5. Technical Assistance and Commodities - Extend team leader to full 36 months period called for in PP and ProAg. - Extend current agronomist/horticulturalist to full 36 month period called for in the PP and ProAg. - Create l2-month position for irrigation engineer to examine problems of water management. - Create l2-month position for second agronomist/horticul­ t~ralist (possibly a technically qualified PCV). - Increase the budget for commodities and other services to support the third year of contract assistance. The changes in technical assistance are summarized in the table on the following page. As sOGiated bUdgetary modification.~ to support these changes and related increases in commodities and services are discussed in the following sections. 6. Documentation As a result of the recommendations made in the foregoing section, a number of changes in or additions to project docu- ~-~ ~ _~,;.. , .- •• _, •.•.. _~_. ". __ ._ .... * __ --yo •. _, __• .; .. ; ...... c.._,...... -......

V~ETABLE PRODUCTION PROJECT current contrqct: . xxxx TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Proposed contract extens1on:-----

Manpower Allocation I 1 1 I: ICurrent IProposedr Total ! PP I Pro-Ag I Team IJuly,1980-June,1981 IJuly,1981-June,1982 IJuly,1982-June,1983 IContract I Extens. Contract 1 Budget I Budget Member 1 1 I 1 1 1 I , 1 ~IE')()(?O( XX x)()( x x)( x )( ~1 24 I 12 36 36 ! 36 Team I( (24 I mas) 1 (12 mos) 1 I ! I Leader 1 1 1 1 I I r 1 24 I 12 36 36 I 36 I 1 I ~1~X 'lOr x lOOClOO( x XJ! 1 Agr(;momis t / 1(- (24 1 mos) 1 (12 mas) 1 1 1 Hortic.(l) ! 1 1 1 1 ! I I 12 12 - 1 - Agronomist/: 1<~~)(X K .x ~.~.a.,kA ~~..!.-2S'~~~x'"I I Hortic. (2) 1 (12 Imos TOY) -/ I I I 1 1 1 1 I I I 1 ~ 1 I 1 12 I - 12 12 1 9 Nutritionistl ------,- -{12-m;sToif -- ~I------7 1 I 1 1 1 1 I 1 I 1 1 12 I - 1 12 1 12 1 9 ~ -(i2-m~B-rDY) Agriculturall ------1- -- -1------7 I I Economis 1 1 --I I 12 1 12 1 8* ion 1/;4.?& 1 .x ~ ~4- ~ ~~I~!~ ~ .1( ~ ~.!~ ~~I.A.~~ ~ ~ 4 ~~ ~~,I Irrigat .L 1\ I (12 mos TOY). 1 1'1 1 Engineer til ! 1 . 1 1 1 - 1 1 1 72 1 48 1 120 1 104 1 90 1 -=------1 __ ------:=-----__ ------=- ---=- _

tv tv * Hydrologist - 4 mos III Soil Scientist - 4 mos , -23- mentation will be required: . - Project Agreement: Inputs, budget PACD - Project Paper: Inputs, budget, implementation schedule - PIO/T: Level of effort, budget - PIO/C: To order additional project commodities - PIO/P: To initiate formal participant training aspect of project - Contract: Level of effort budget, estimated completion date. 7. Budget Nearly two years elapsed between the signing of the Project Agreement for the Vegetable Production project (August 1978) and the arrival of the first contract technical assistance personnel (July 1980). The reasons behind this delay are consi­ dered elsewhere in this report. From a budgetary viewpoint, the inflationary effect of these changes has been significant. The delay is particularly important to increases in the cost of contract personnel, commodities and equip,ement Compounding the inflationary effects of delayed implementation is the GIRM's inability to furnish POL commodities, office space and drivers to the project. Housing costs were underbudgeted in the original design while the cost of local employees was not fully explored. As a consequence of these circumstances, project costs are expected to be some $135,000 over current LOP funding, levels without inclusion of ~dditional moneys to support a third year of contract assistance. As the table below indicates, the addition of a third year of contract technical assistance and related costs wili raise the total price by an additional estimated amount of $765,000. This figure was derived from the recommendations made as an outcome of this evaluation and by considering the various budget options shown in Annex D. Total project AID-funded LOP costs are thus estimated at $2.370 million. The present project LOP funding level is $1.470 million. Therefore, $900,000 in additional funding would be required to carry the project to completion. -24~

VEGETABLE PRODUCTION PROJECT AID BUDGET REVIEW ($OOO's)

CATEGORY TOTAL PROJECT ADDITIONAL COSTS TOTAL PROJECT COSTS THRU 7/82* THRU 7/83 PROJECTED PAPER COSTS BUDGET

1. Technical 785 485 1270 848 Assistance II. Participant 20 10 30 24 Training III. Commodities 215 70 285 185 rJ . Equipment 50 10 60 20 1 V. Vehicles and 100 20 120 90 Spare Parts VI. Other Costs i l. POL/Maintenance 135 90 225 51 2. Housing 250 40 290 60 3. Local employees, 50 40 90 other opera- tional support costs SUBTOTAL . 1605 765 2370 1278

.' 1 Contingencies and Inflation TOTAL 1605 765 2370 1470 Difference to be funded: $900 thousand.

* Estimated completion date of current FKA contract. ANNEX A

CONTACTS, SITES VISITED, TEAM MEMBERS

CONTACTS

Mr. Lam Hamady, Director, Directorate of Agriculture, Ministry of Rural Development

Mr. Thiam Youssef, Chief of Vegetable Production, Directorate of Agriculture

Mr. Diallo Adama Yero, Chief of Cooperative Development, Directorate of Agriculture

Mr. Manga Suba, Chef du Secteur, Directorate of Agriculture, Rosso

Mr. Yussaf Bathily, Chef du Secteur, Directorate of Agriculture, Kiffa

Mr. Toure Moussa, Gouverneur Adjoint, Assaba Region~ Kiffa 1 t1 I Farmers and Cooperative members at sites visited j Mr. Jerald H. Sternin, Director, Peace Corps/Mauritania I .,I Mr. Roger Conrad, Assoc. Director for Agriculture, Peace Corps/

Peace Corps Volunteers assigned to Vegetable Production'Work Dr. Bruno Quebedeaux, Team Leader, Frederickson, Kamine and Assocs (FKA) Contractor for Vegetable Production Project

Ms. Rosslyn Rappaport, Horticulturist/Agronomist, (FKA)

Ms. cynthia Reeser-, Nutritionist (FKA)

Dr. Kathryn Craven, Agricultural Economist, (FKA)

Mr. Ross Hagen, Hydrologist, (FKA)

SITES VISITED

Kiffa, Assaba (3 rd Region) 5 Garden sites Sani, Assaba (3 rd Region) Tieneel, Brakna (5 th Region) Jardin Forestiere, Brakna (5 th Region) Keur Massene, Trarza (6 th Region) 3 Garden sites Dara, Trarza (6 th Region) -~-_. ------_._--

A -2

EVALUATION TEAM MEMBERS

Mr. Charles Davis, University of Maryland, Agronomist

Mr. David Carr, PDE/USAID Nouakchott, Economist

Mr. James Hughes, RD/USAID Nouakchott, Project Manager

Mr. Barry MacDonald, PDE/USAID Nouakchott, Evaluation Officer

PRINCIPAL RESOURCE PERSONS Mr. Thiarn Youssef, GIRM

Mr. Bruno Quebedeaux, FKA

, J • j

, . , ANNEX B

REPORT OF THE TEAM AGRONOMIST - CHARLES L. DAVIS

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of the project is to establish a Vegetable Production Service within the Agricultural Directorate of the Ministry of Rural Development and to promote Vegetable Pro­ duction among small farmers and Cooperatives in Rural Mauri­ tania.

The original project design envisioned providing six person years of long-term'technical expertise for three regions in the country for 3 years. Due to funding limita­ tions, this has since been modified and reduced to four person years of long-term terchnical expertise for a two­ year period.

The vegetable production project acquired the services of the consulting firm of Frederiksen, Kamine and ~ssociates 30 May, 1980, to assist in implementing the activity. The FKA team leader arrived in Nouakchott 29 September 1980, the Horticulturalist arrived in mid-July 1980. Two short-term consultants, a~ Agricultural Economist and a Nutritionist, arrived in October, 1980.

FKA/AID contract now includes an additional short term irrigation Engineer.

Six (6) local project employees, including 3 chauffeurs, an administrative assistant·, a typist and a custodian, were employed in December, 1980 to facilitate project implemen­ tation. USAID provided the services of a project manager, coordinating his activities with the Director of Vegetable Production, within the Agricultural Directorate of the Minis­ try of Rural Development.

" REGIONS OF ACTIVITY: Three Regions are involved in project implementation, the 3 rd, 5 th and 6 th regions. Currently there are eighteen (18) demonstration gardens, six (6) demonstration gardens in each region, involving over 600 participants in the three (3) regions as follows:

TRARZA REGION

Keur Massene - 55 participants (3 gardens) Dara - 55 Rosso-PMI Tekane - 88 B-2

BRAKNA REGION

Tieneal.- 130 participants M'Bagne - 58 Ferallah - 18 M'Gaural Guidal - 38 members N'Jaral - 25

ASSABA REGION

Kiffa - 150 participants (5 gardens) Kankossa - 5

Six Peace Corps Volunteers are located in Kiffa, Kankossa, M'Bagne, N'Gaural Guidal, Tekane and Keur Massene.

In each region the project coordinates all of its demons­ tration trials in cooperation with a local chef de secteur (one in each region) .

• Mauritanians, working under each chef de secteur, -assist locally with demonstration trials.

Activities to improve vegetable production have included:

1. Varietal trials. Root crops and leafy vegetables are being emphasized.

2. Water conveyance and lifting (drip irrigation/pumps) .

3. Utilization of manure and local levels of fertilizer and cattle manure.

4. Plant spacing and culture.

5. Soil analysis/water quality.

GARDEN DEMONSTRATION ACTIVITIES

Brakna (5 th Region)

Fifty-eight farm families are involved in the M'Bagne demostration garden project and have been allocated plots of 6 M x 10 M to plant various varieties of vegetables of their choice for horne consumption, and the high quality surplus produce can be preserved and sold on the local market as an additional Source of income. ----- ~-~------._------

B-3

VEGETABLE VARIETIES PLANTED IN THE ~BAGNE DEMONSTRATION GARDEN

LEEKS S-V1EET PEPPERS CABBAGE SQUASH ONIONS EGG PLANT LETTUCE TURNIPS CARROTS MUSTARD GREENS BEETS TOMATOES TROPICAL SPINACH CHARD

Call irrigated)

Tieneel:

This is a fishermen's village on the river approximately 45 KM from M'Bagne.

One hundred thirty (130) farm families are involved in the Tieneel demonstration garden project and have been allocated plots of 6 M x 10 M to plant various varieties of their choice for home consumption. Any high quality surplus produce can be preserved or sold on the local market as an additional source of income.

Adjoining the garden demonstration plot within the agri­ cultural directorate of the Ministry of Rural Development, the forestry service has a garden plot testing numerous varieties of vegetables:

CARROTS CABBAGE LETTUCE ONIONS GARLIC SPINACH-A WIDE NUMBER OF --BEET~- CHARD VARIETIES TOMATOES EGGPLANT

It should be mentioned here that on the same demonstration plots Irish potatoes are being tested to determine yields with the application of fertilizer and without fertilizer (10-10-20). Farm families are provided fertilizers to incor­ porate into the soil to increase yields, and as a result can determine if the application of fertilizer is economically feasible •. _ .The. "Match Box" system-_for measuring the quantity of fertilizer to incorporate into the soil is utilized. Clientele are provided with insecticides to assist in con­ trolling insects.

OTHER VILLAGES:

In Bagodin, 22 farm families, in Ferellah, 18 farm families and in N'Gaural, 38 farm families are involved in the garden demonstration-project,

In the last three mentioned areas, the farm families plant the same vegetables, but different varieties as follows: ._-~------

B-4

LEEKS CHARD CABBAGE ONIONS TURNIPS LETTUCE CARROTS ZUCCHINI BEETS TOMATOES EGGPLANT SQUASH SWEET PEPPERS TROPICAL SPINACH MUSTARD GREENS

The garden demonstration projects are designed to observe fields days and to conduct demonstrations related to spacing, depth of planting and irrigat~on. One such demonstration was conducted in the Gudunie area with thirty-five (35) farm families in attendance.

ASSABA (3 rd) REGION

The agronomist consultant visited the Kiffa demonstration gardens to observe their operation.

Over 150 farm families are involved in the five Kiffa demonstration gardens and have been allocated plots of 6 M x 10 M to plant various varieties of vegetables of their choice for horne consumption. The high quality surplus produce can be preserved or sold on the local market as an additional source of income. Trials are conducted in each of the five (5) ae­ monstration gardens visited, potatoes, onions and tomatoes were planted with and without a commercial fertilizer, and farmyard manure. The region is one of dunes and oases. In most loca­ tions the soil is sandy loam to heavy clay. Soil preparation in some cases is very difficult. Small hand tools and sticks are used to prepare the soil for planting. Most gardens are watered by hand from wells. Experimental garden sites for the district include Hassi El Bikai, Guimba Sylla and Aleg Trois. Each experimental garden is approximately 1 ha. Farmers in the area are sun-drying their tomatoes and onion tops in their garden for sale in the local markets when a shortage exists for the fresh produce as a source of income.

Also, insect protection is a serious problem in this district. Extension field practices on insect identification, pesticides and spray rates were demonstrated.

Farm families involved in the demonstration gardens have already begl1n to harvest potato crops and a large quantity of locally grown potatoes was seen being sold in local markets; sun-dried onion tops were also being sold. Another problem observed was the over-ripening of tomatoes on the vines and eggplants remaining on the vines beyong maturity. The various vegetable varieties found planted in the demonstration gardens follows:

WHITE POTATOES TOMATOES CABBAGE SWEET POTATOES CARROTS BEETS SQUASH ONIONS OKRA B-5

TRARZA (6 th) REGION

KEUR MASS ENE The vegetable project is working with three cooperative gardens. The "Groupement" of women with a production garden of 4 ha has approximately 27 members, the youth groupement with a garden of 1 ha has 26 members, and a third group of indi­ vidual gardeners (about 25, most of whom are merchants) ,gar­ dening for home consumption and the high quality surplus produce sold on local market as an additional source of income. Production problems that are common to all gardens include: A. Water transport from the marigot (rain-fed lake) to the bordering garden sites. Water is carried by hand in buckets.

B. Lack of adequate protection from predators, i.e., wild pigs, goats, cows and camels. The project is providing some fencing for key administrative sites; however, the quantity allocated is limited.

j c. Water salinity. After the water in ~e marigots evaporates I or disappears, most shallow wells become increasingly J saline, limiting crop yields and production.

1 Demonstrations are directed to provide training and to obtair. needed information to base technical recommendations. Seven demonstrations have been established at the Keur Massene gardens. These include: vegetable variety trials-onions, cabbage, tomatoes, potatoes spacing and depthof planting trials. Potato pesticides trials, potato and cabbage fertilizer and barnyard manure trials. DARA:

This demonstration site is approximately 14 km east of KeurM2.~sen This cooperative has approximately 55 garde~ers who are res­ ponsible for rain-fed agriculture of beans/melons interplanted with sorghum "Dieris and Wadis". The rain-fed gardens are approximately 40 ha. An irrigated demonstration garden of approximately ~ ha was established. A new shallow well was dug and a hand pump installed. The following demonstration trials were in progress: potato spacing and depth of plant trials, potato fertilizer land trials and water management trials, potato pesticide trials, onions and cabbage field trials, surface and drip irrigation.

From observation it appears that onions, cabbage and egg­ plants grow best in this area and the real problem is the lack of water supply. PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS

The project was designed to engage nine (9) Peace Corps volunteers with some expertise in agriculture, however, there are six (6)' Peace Corps volunteers currently in the field assisting in implementing the garden project.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Careful consideration should be given to importing varieties of vegetable seeds not heretofore grown in Mauritania for several reasons: A) the people's eating habits; B) their adaptability to the area; C) the availability of the seeds after phasing out the activity by USAID.

2. Some consideration should be given to establishing a regional complex between Mauritania, Senegal and Mali within the same frame-work of collaborating with other research projects to conduct research on planting, harvesting and storing seed potatoes for wide distribution in each country.

USAID procures from Holland 20, 000 metric ton~epbtato seed for distribution to horne gardeners/cooperatives to determine yields per/ha,their adaptability to the areas, with a view to determine if it is economically feasibile to rely upon imports. To produce high quality seed potatoes, they must be stored under refrigeration for at least three months (3) before distribution to farmers. The cost of refrigeration for storing potato seeds in large quantities would involve a tremendous capital outlay, while the refrigeration requirements do not now exist within the three countries.

3. Farm families should be encouraged to establish roadside markets, "door to door" marketing of their high quality surplus produce as their major source of income and as a supplementary source.

4. Farm families need technical assistance in constructing and maintaining appropriate water management systems.

5. Farm families involved in the demonstration gardens should be encouraged to preserve some of their seeds for planting, and/or for sale to interested farmers, since most of the seeds distributed are not hybrid.

6. Consideration should be given to providing more seeds fo= the production of root crops such as onions, potatoes, carrots and turnips, and less of the seeds that produce perishable crops such as lettuce, chard, mustards, tomatoes and cucumbers. There are several factors relative to a high production of perishable produce in Mauritania due to: B-7

A) laak of refrigeration for adequate storage; B) markets and transportation systems have not been developed for immediate shipping to markets; C) highly perishable pro­ duce should be produced around highly populated areas. There is one other factor realted to market outlets in Africa. Europeans are bigger consumers of perishable produce at present than Africans. This is due in part to a higher average income, and also eating habits. Most Europeans are accustomed to eating lettuce, chard, cucum­ bers and mustards, so the best market outlets will be in areas containing large number of Europeans.

7. Further consideration should be given toward assisting clientele in the techniques of drying some of their surplus high quality produce.

There seems to be no problems with the villagers in sun­ drying okra. The same drying process can involve cabbage, beets, peppers, onions and tomatoes.

8. Prior to planting time considerable emphasis should be placed upon cultivation of the soil, proper spacing and aepth for plants. For soils known to be heavily infested with nematodes, the planting of marigolds may provide some control.

9. A high level conference with GIRM and USAID officials to discuss the possibility of limiting the imports of a wide selection of vegetables into M~uritania during the height of harvesting season and coordinate a transportation linkage to villages and urban areas where the produce can be assem­ bled and sold on the local market.

10. Yield data, consumption patterns or any other data released from the results of the demonstration gardens, should be considered with the national agricultural school at Kaedi for instruct~onal purposes to keep extension agents abreast of the results for disseminating this information to clientele with a view to creating an incentive on their part to want to become involvedin vegetable production for home consumption and for sale.

11. Leaflets, pamphlets and fact sheets related to the results of the demonstration gardens should be published for a wide distribution throughout Mauritania.

12. It would be highly appropriate to develop slides of the demonstration gardens from the day of planting until the time of harvesting the produce. Garden slide sets could be used as a tool to induce other villagers not yet involvec~ in the project to establish demonstration gardens in their villages. B-a These same slides can be utilized when conducting demons­ trations in spacing, depth of planting, application of fertilizers and herbicides.

13. Considerable emphasis should be placed on timely harvesting of the produce, especially the highly perishables such as tomatoes, squash and eggplants.

CONCLUS IO t£

I. PHASE I.

Data gathering and feasibility for expansion. The infor­ mation gathering aspect of the program is being initiated and will require two additional years beyond the current date.

II. PrIASE II.

Ongoing research, extension and increased production will require 3-5 years.

III.Short-term consultants should become long-term, including the agriculture engineer.

IV. The project as designed required ~eace Corps volunteers trained in agriculture coordinating and cooperating their acti­ vities in the various regions with the Chef de S ecteur and with members of the contract team. The Peace Corps volunteers have worked effectively with the contract team, in spite of their lack of formal technical training, and view this as their most successful agricultural project. v. The agronomist consultant visited each of the three (3) regions with the FK team and the Peace Corps volunteers. Con­ tacts, observations and conversations reveal that tre vegetable project is highly accepted by the GIRM, Directo-r:' of Agriculture, Chief of Vegetable Production and the chefs de s ecteur. Their desire is to expand the effort in the existing regions to be used as a model for expansion in other regions.

Farm families involved in the activity exclaim that they are receiving as benefits highly technical information and that the vegetable gardens are providing them with some of the basic human needs, nutrition and a source of income from sale of their high quality surplus produce. They have been involved in the production of a wide variety of vegetables not heretofore produced and consumed. Based upon these facts and observations, it is believed that USAID and other donors should continue its strong efforts and consider an expanded program in vegetable production for the people in Mauritania. ------_._-_.------

Further, it is believed that the cost for external training, facilities, equipment and long-term oersonnel for a complete program in vegetable production for Mauritania would be small in comparison to many other USAID projects and the speed with which a vegetable production program could be developed would be faster than with any other agricultural program.

i j I APPENDIX A

REPORT OF TEAM AGRONOMIST - VEGETABLE PRODUCTION

I­ Initial work plan: Frederickson, Kamine and Associates

II. Work plan: Irrigation Engineer, FKA

III. Work plan: Marketing and Production Economics, FKA

IV. Highest Vegetable Crop Yield (T/HA) for Three (3)

Years in southern Mauritania (FKA)

V. Vegetable seed collection in Mauritania (FKA)

VI. Vegetable Marketing and Transport (FKA)

VII. Food Habits in Mauritania (FKA) - ---.._---_._-----_._--- I

VEGETABLE PRODUCTION PROJECT 1/

Initial Work Plan - Oct. 27 . 1980 ______~----~--_------L-----

INTRODUCTION

The vegetable project contract T,01ith FK is for a tT,010 year period and this report T,01ill summarize the T,01ork plan established for the remaining 20 month period. The prdject is designed to provide necessary technical, economic, marketing, and nutrition information required to determine the feasibility of expanding vegetable production in the country and to serve as a basic guide in any future assistance activities by theGIRM and external.do­ nors in vegetable production. Information regarding improved vegetable production, seed preservation techniques and marketing systems T,01ill be developed. Improved vegetable food preparation techniques T,01ill be introduced and GIRM personnel T,01ill be trained in vegetable production and extension at the national, regional, and local levels.

The original project design envisioned providing six technical experts for three regions in the country for three years. Due to funding limitations, this has since been Eodified and reduced to four technical experts for a two-year period, Technical assistance to the project is also being provided for by one US AID agricultural specialist and five to nine Peace Corps Volunteers. The FK team leader T,01ill coordinate all project activities .....-ith the US AID mission, GIRM institutions, and Peace Corps A summary of the three major activities of the project, i.e. production, marketing, and nutrition, and a aia­ gramatic activity schedule are presented in the folloT,01ing pages. As indicated, some of the activities are essentially continuous, T,01hereas other inputs, for example from the nutritionist and the agricultural economist, are coordinated T,01ith their tT,01elve-month period scheduled throughout the remaining tT,01enty months of the project.

After the first three months of team operation a quar­ terly progress report T,01ill be presented to the AID mission to assess progress against the T,01ork plan objectives. A format fOT quarterly progress reports, a mid-project report and the final report T,01ill be established. These reports T,01ill summarize pro­ ject activities and include recommendations for consideration in folloT,01-up .programs. A discussion to involve minorities and T,01omen in the expansion of the country's vegetable production T,01ill also be included in the final report.

VEGETABLE PRODUCTION:

The task of an extension-oriented agronomist, T,01hich is T,01hat the project calls for, is to solicit problems from the fie=-'::'; that is, from the Agricultural Chefs' de Secteur, moniteurs,

1/ SOurce: Technical assista.nee contract team: Frederickson, Karnir:e and Associates. ----~----_._------_.

Peace Corps Volunteers, and the groupements, as well as giving consideration to research resule trom the Agricultural School at Kaedi~ Following this, trial situations are devised to solve these problems. .

Mauritanian agriculture is in that state in which the questions posed are necessarily simple and where the appropriate solution is the straightforward demonstration of practices that have been elsewhere researched,

Each of the project demonstration gardens therefore reflects questions posed at that site~ In the three ~onths that have passed since problems were first requested, response has grown geometrically and seventeen sites have been esta- blished~ It is expected that there will be at least six sites in each region.

Local interest is directed to four areas:

1) Cultural practice - how to maximize yield by improving manual work techniques, 2) Protection - how and when to use insecticides, etc, 3) Seed collection - how to secure the next year {s supply .. 4) Water - how can the present transport system (in bucketsl be improved.

Our demonstration will address these problems, and o~~ aim will be to double present production either in improved yields or lengthened growing period or increased acreage.

Each supervisor of trials will be visited monthly or as nearly that as is practical, his problems discussed and the next month's work formulated in accordance with the World Bank "Visit & Train" extension system.

A framework has been provided for the collection of data by moniteurs and volunteers, and all relevant informatio:'. will be set out into instruction manuals. These will be developed for the use of the Agricultural Extension Service and other interested institutions. Tools and all necessary trial equipment will be distributed and further purchases coordinated through the US AID agricultural specialist.

Finally, the demonstration plots and other agricul­ tural operations in their vicinity will form the basis of a teaching series of slides. These can be duplicated for proj2~­ tion in villages, schools and interested institutions • ~ ~iterature will be written to accompany these slides. . j i In this manner a basis will be laid for further GL~~ j activity in the fields of vegetable production and extension.

1 ----.. _------~------_._~------_._----

3

AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS

The objective of th~ project that is relevant to the work of the agricultural economist is "the collection of base data which will be used for management decision making for future expansion of vegetable production".

The tasks to be performed to achieve this objective gegin with familiar~ty with and understanding of data and information

already gathered and made available concerning agriculture t village life, marketing, and other essential aspects of the cur­ rent scene in Mauritania. Building on this foundation, largely through work in the field, a base of familiarity and understan­ ding of the activity of vegetable production will be developed ill the conte~t of the family or group that undertakes it. This context evidently includes women as the motivators, entrepreneurs, and primary sources of labor for vegetable production,

Answers to these and perhaps other questions should emer­ ge from the study, and will be discussed in the report to be prepared: - Are there any ethnic, cultural, traditional, legal or other insti~utional barriers that do or will interfere with production of vegetables on either a subsistence-or commercial scale1

- If so, how and to what extent can these barriers be overcome or removed?

- What is the availability of resources to support vegetable production, and what alternative uses for those resources pose claims upon them? Resources that are relevant in this contezt ~- ---are--~lari.a; -fa.mily labor; hired labor; purchased inputs such as seed, chemical fertilizer, manure, and necessary tools; and money or credit with which to purchase or hire that which is needed.

- What scale or volume of vegetable production appears to be desireable and feasible under conditions observed in the project area?

- What effect can the familyt s production and use of vegetable~ for subsistance (feeding the family) have on the family's econ~ mic situation? Relevant aspects are substitution of homegro~= i vegetables for other foods formerly purchased, and use of lane i labor and capital for vegetable production rather than for ott~~ j purposes, so that opportunity cost - the value of those resources l in other uses- must be considered.

Conceptually subsequent to production, although to be pursued concurrently, is the broad question of marketing of vegetables.

'! ------_.__._-._-_._------_..- --- _ _-...... -_.

4

Study of marketing will focus on the commercial-scale assem­ bling, preparation and transport of vegetables, and their sale at points both within and outside of the village where produced on a cash basis (as opposed to barter). rnvestigation of vege­ table marketing as it exists at present will be confined to basic and pragmatic considerations that w~ll ass~st in the development of a marketing program for the producers in the project. Seasonal variation in prices and the inverse relation­ ship of prices.to supply, transportation costs, marketing margLns, the role of ~ported vegetables in establishing prices for domestic vegetables, and the possibility of useful dispo­ sition of surplus puoduction will all be investigated, Thus consideration of processing, particularly by drying, cannot be avoided.

Answers to these and related -questions will be sought: - At what price can vegetables be sold at the points to which the produce of the project can be transported? What seasonal variations exist? What quantities can be absorbed at these prices? What minimal quantities must be available for efficien­ .,, cy in sales? What varieties or \.:::pecial characteristics (such as s~ze, degree of ripeness, etc) are desired?

- What activities o~ services must be performed to facilitate sale of vegetables? Are washing, tying in bundles, sorting by size, 'removal of tops/shells/skins, and/or bagging or boxing desireable? rf so, how can these services best be provided: at the moment of harvest and by the individual producer, or a~ some later time and/or by some intermediary?

A report of findings relative to marketing will be prepa­ red, describing and proposing a marketing program for the vege·· tables produced by participants in the project. This prograI:! will combine the features of seasonality, scale, assembly, preparation, packaging, transporting, etc•. ,that have been found in the studies to be most desireable. The program will be carried out under the supervision of the agricultural econ0~ mist, whose final report will relate this experience and give further recommendations for subsequent marketing, with or without continuation of the project.

In general, the visits of the agricultural economist to Mauritania will be timed to facilitate studies of vegetable production during the critical portions of the production se~_ Q, studies of marketing during the marketing season for domestic~~­ ly produced vegetables, and intervention in marketing when tt maximum of produce is expected to be available. Reports of these activities are programmed to be submitted at the end of the economist's visit relative to each activity. 5

NUTRITION

The nutritionist will collect, analyse, and report data on nutrition and food consumption which help determine the need and the potential for encouraging or increasing consu~­ ption of vegetables,

A baseline nutrition survey will be planned and conducted early in the project to compile existing data and to acquire and analyze new data at project sites. Baseline data will b~ compared and contrasted to subsequent data collected in a similar survey during the second year of the project, Compari­ son of data will permit evaluation of the impact of the project from a nutritional point of view, and determine consumer accep­ tance of and demand for vegetables, The baseline survey and the second, comparison survey will attempt to achiev~ the fol­ lowing objectives:

De t ermine a) availability of food supplies at project sites b) family access to food c) actual household food consumption d) distribution of food among individuals within the household e) food preferences, beliefs, and knowledge; factors affecting thase f) methods of food preparation and storage) esp. vegetables g) interest in eating more vegetables (Yearly averages as well as seasonal variations will be deter- mi.ned. )

Evaluate the nutrient content of diets (yearly average ana seasonal~ variability.)

Compare actual intake with the nutritional needs of the family; estimate dietary adeq'uacy; and identify nutrients inadequately supplied,

Determine what nutritional contribution could be made b~ vegetables produced for local consumption.

Compare cost of present diets to the cost of obtaining adequate diet:s.

Compare and correlate dietary intake data with informatic~ aquired from Ministry of Health, local hospitals, MCE centres, and other sources about actual health.and nutri­ tional status of the population at project sites, such as:

- Infant and maternal mortality rates I I------6

- Leading causes of death Percentage of infants born "low birth weight" Leading health problems Percentage of child population under age 3 treated at local malnutrition rehabilitation centers (CRENl - Standard measures of nutritional deficiencies, tor excesses) including, weight for age and height; mid-arm circumfe­ rence; clinical and biochemical indicators - patterns of infant feeding and weaning.

The services of an interpret:e. will be required to help conduct the surveys. PCV's may also be of valuable assistance in collecting some data.

Feedback from the first nutrition survey will form the basis of recommendations for the second year growing season, as well as a program of consumer nutrition education. The nutritio­ nist will work closely with other team members to identify which vegetables in what quantities will: a) contribute significantly to identified nutritional needs, b) have consumer acceptance, and c) withstand conditions encountered in transport and storage Nith minimal loss of nutrients.

Nutrition education will be planned and implemented at project sites following the baseline survey and again after the second survey. This will be conducted with assistance from appropriate people including MCH center monitrices, agriculture extension agents, and PCV's. The purpose of the education will be to teach new methods of preparing the vegetables growm local­ ly, the benefits of including vegetables in the diet, how to con­ serve their nutritional value in preparation and storage. Edu­ cation will be directed to the appropriate groups and level of comprehension, through the demonstration and tasting of various recipes using vegetables produced from that location. Consumer acceptance of vegetables prepared in various ways will be asses­ sed.

Results of nutrition surveys and education will be in-­ tegrated in the final report with findings of the agricultural 1, economist and results of the field trials. 1 ---_.__._.. _----.. -- _. -- -_.._- _ _-_ __._ .-. _ .

II February 25, 1981 Work-plan - Vegetable Project1/ Irrigation Engineer: Ross Hagan

The following is an outline of the approach that will be taken for the first visit, February through April. A second trip is planned for October or November, during the 1981-82 growing season, to assist in the implementation of the proposed systems.

1. Collect available data (see Table A for a'list of tfie data needed. Some of this information may not be available. A literature search will be made.

2. Visit the vegetable project demonstration plots. This will provide an opportunity to observe present water application methods. Discussions with the PCVs and Mauritanians working in the field will offer them an opportunity to outline their per­ ceptions of the problems and possible solutions.

3. Assess the various alternative methods of lifting water, temporary storage and application.

4. Assess the local availability of material and equipment that would be needed in implementation of the irrigation aspect of the Vegetable Production Project.

5. Decide on the most appropriate alternative through discussions with the GIRM officials involved in the project.

6. Compile lists of material needed for implementation. Locally available material will be separated from commodities that must be imported. 7. Complete a trip report. The draft report will be circulated for comments before the final copy is completed.

Obviously, several of these activities can be ongoing at the same time. Others may not necessarily be undertaken in this order. As arrangements are made, short courses on irrigation will be held for the PCVs and GIRM personnel.

A second trip is planned for the growing season (October/Novembe~ 1981) for the implementation of the irrigation systems.

1/ Source: Technical Assistance Contract Team - Fredericksen, Kamine and Associates -----_.__ ._------~------_.- -.. _- .-- - --~----- .- -

TABLE A. DATA

1. Maps: Topographic showing locations of water sources, plots

2. Meteorological: Rainfall, wind, temperature, humidity, sunshine 3. Geological: Potentials for ground water 4. Soil analysis: Infiltration rate, water holding capacity -5. Vegetables: Water demand, water quality tolerance 6. Water sources: A. Water quality over time* B. Reliability of supply* c. Quantity of water available* D. Lifting mechanisms E. Transport methods 7. Water application: 1 A. Methods B. Quantities applied J C. Frequency of application

1!

. -;

* An attempt will be made to set up a monitoring network using the PCVs and GIffi1 personnel. III 1/ February 25, 1981 Preliminary Work Plan - Vegetable Project Marketing and Production Economics - Kathryn Craven

The Agricultural Economist for the Vegetable Production Project arrived in Mauritania for a tour of duty that is to extend from February 23 to approximately May 15. Three different areas of economics for the project, i.e., marketing, consumption and production will be studied. The basic goal is to better define supply and demand for vegetables and the marketing link between the two. .

Much of this information will probably have to come from primary sources - interviews with vegetable vendors, transporters, farmers, Peace Corps Volunteers, and Mauritanian government offi­ cials. Some work may also be effected through questionnaire sur­ veys. Available secondary source material will naturally be sought out: RAMS, UNDP, EDF, Direction de la Statistique and relevant Ministries will all be consulted to see what information they have.

The outline below reflects the current thinking on both the sources and the kind of data the Agricultural Economist would like to consult over the next two to three months. At present, plans are to divide time spent between Nouakchott and the three J producing regions - two trips to each of the regions of about 6-10 days each. '1! I. Data-Gathering for Vegetable Marketing

A. Nouakchott

1. Discuss with Ministry of Transport and the Syndicat des Transporteurs about:

a) Types and quantities of transport available in Mauritania for:

- longdistance haulage - trucks, boats, buses, t;:'>:.:_s - regional transport - canoes, small trucks, car~~ b) Which kinds of transport go regularly to the vegetable project regions?

do any have empty back-haul? - do any now carry vegetables back? - what transport is available to go out that does not now do so?

c) Costs of transportation - both standing and ru~~~~g

- official government tariff - real costs and charges - distances to a~between vegetable projects -2-

- conditions of roads; traffic potential on river and marigots - seasonally - average life of vehicles.

d) Seasonality of current transport flows and any other peculiarities of Mauritanian transport (e.g., limitations due to number of refueling sites, availability of mechanics or spare parts).

2. Do informal survey of vegetable marketing facilities in Nouakchott.

a) Talk to wholesalers of imported produce.

- how much do they buy, of what, and how often - what prices do they pay and sell for throughout the year

b) Talk to retailers about above; also, do they note any seasonality in either supply or demand

- What are the handling and transport costs paid for sales in Nouakchott?

3. a) Get statistics at the Central Bank and Customs (or Ministry of Fincance) of all vegetable imports.

b) What is paid for vegetable imports, when imported, and what quantity?

B. Vegetable Marketing Data "en brousse"

1. Talk with villagers about

a) the connection between the village and Nouakchott: what transport goes by, how often, and what does it carry? b) transport linking the village with the river: canoe and barge traffic - how often? how many? what do they carry?

c) local means of transport (other than boats or motor vehicles) donkeys, carts, camels, etc. are any of these rented? how transported? for how much?

2. Find out about the local vegetable markets.

a) where are they? how far from plots?

b) How much is sold? over what oeriod? ____-_.__ ••+ • ~. • • k. ._~ • __• • __._•• .~ __

-3-

c) What prices hold in what season?

d) If taken to nearby market, how transported? for how much?

3. Did village experience glut - now or recently?

a) When?

b) How much was sold? How much wasted?

c) What was price at beginning and end?

d) What did farmers do? Didn't produce again?

II. Data Gathering on Consumption

A. For Nouakchott see I.A.3. For project areas:

B. Talk to Cindy Reeser, PAMS, PC, Glru1 officials and other ., j FK team members about amounts purchased or consumed daily: 1 a) by vegetable farmers

b) by non-vegetable producing neighbors 1 c) by people in village or town who can purchase vegetables.

C. What is the acceptability of the various crops, by crop? Peace Corps, Project Team, moniteurs, and farmers' opinions?

III. Local Production

A. From Chef du Secteurs, PCVs, FK team members: a) Area by crop, by site b) Yield by crop, by site

c) Harvest time for various crops, last year, this yecL

B. From same sources as above:

a) What are major agronomic constraints in each area? (salt, wind, water, seed, fertilizer, pesticides)

b) What are major economic constraints? (labor, land, area or soil fertility, capital)

- if this is a constraint does anyone lend money? at what interest rate? -4-

- what are the alternative uses of labor wages, etc.?

c) Prepare production budgets (costs of production) for major-vegetables - tomatoes, potatoes, onions.

IV. Prepare end of tour report and present Seminar on results to USAID, GIRM, PC and FK team members.

,I . ···',,1·-1

" - ·'1······

,~!

1/ Source: Technical Assistance Contract Team - Fredericksen, Karnine and Associates. - IV - High~st yegecab1e Crop Yields (T/ha) for 3 years in Southern Maur~tan~a.l(

Crop 1976* 1977* 1981fF

Lettuce 12.5 3.6 Potatoe 16.0 88.0 Cabbage 25.0 16.0 31.8 Tomato 20.0 17.0 19.0 Onion 35.0 26.0** 42.0 Beet 6.0 12.0 19.3 , ,., Carrot 7.5 14.0 18.0

I Okra 15.0 j Eggplant 104.0** 72.0 .:1 Melon 17.0 Squash 1.6 Sweet Pepper 21. 0

* Yields taken from annual reports of the regional agricultural chiefs to the Ministry of Agriculture.

; l j # Yields taken from project vegetable gardens.

** Yields taken from Kaedi Research Station. M. Henri de Bon, Horticulturist.

11 Compiled by technical assistance team agronomist - Frederickson, 1 Kamine and Assosiates. j 1 {

1 I I

\ - v -

VEGETABLE SEED COLLECTION IN MAURITANIA1/

Seed Variety Local practise.* Lettuce Not collected Onion Collected from a few bulbs kept for the purpose at the end of the season Tomato Collected from selected fruits Parsely Not collected Hot Collected from selected fruits Sweet pepper Not collected Zuccini No information • Carrot Collected and replanted for 2 generations but the third generation of seed does not yield the swollen tap root charactaristic of the carrot, only an ordinary tap root. Cabbage Not collected Beet Not collected Okra Collected from selected pods. Haricot Selected from main harvest Pumpkin Selected from main harvest Egg plant No information Melon Collected in the past, but did not breed true and is no langer collected ~ossibly the original fruit was hybrid).

* Information obtained from observations of from talks with farmers.

l/Source: First Quarterly Report - Frederiskson, Kamine and Associates, December, 1980. ------

VI Vegetable Marketing and Transportl /

Mauritanian farmers are growing increasing quantities of vegetables both on individual and cooperative plots. In some areas, production has exceeded local demand and this has led a number of people to explore the possibilities of marketing veg­ etables beyond the immediate production area. In order to do this successfully, a number of things must be considered. These can be most reasonably divided between technical transport and organizational problems, and economic obstacles. The following discussion will focus on the problems of marketing Kiffa vegetables. Technical Difficulties The technical difficulties that Kiffa faces in marketing its current s¥pply of vegetables include 1) instructing farmers in proper quality control; 2) packing; 3) organizing farmers to seek out transport themselves; and 4) finding sufficient and timely transport to Nouakchott (or other towns). A few runs to Nouakchott with vegetables should give the Kiffa farmers a good idea about what is and is not acceptable in terms of vegetable quality. The project may be able to aid in this flow of information by interviews with vegetable buyers concerning what kinds of things they are looking for in vegetable type and quality. Packing vegetables for market is a more difficult problem to solve. Cardboard boxes were purchased in Nouakchott for one trial sale, but unless one of the farmers goes regularly to Kiffa to purchase these boxes, they will not be available. Two possible alternatives exists: packing materials of local manufacture (straw baskets) may be available, or farmers might persuade a Kiffa merchant who receives regular supplies from Nouakchott to order the boxes for them and bring them out. For some vegetables, jute sacks may be sufficient, and efforts should be made to see if these can be procured locally. since many products are shipped out to Kiffa in these sacks (sugar loaves, rice, millet, etc.), they should be available for re-sale. Farmers should be encouraged to seek out all the means available for marketing their vegetables outside the Kiffa region. The experience they gain in dealing directly with

11 Source: First Quarterly Report - Freder.icksen, Kamine and . Assoeiates, December, 1980. --_.. _.----~--_. __._--~-- --_._------_.--_._--.._-_._ .•.._- - .

-2- truckers or commercial middlemen will provide them with invaluable information that they will need in making production decisions next year. They will rapLdly acquire the knowledge they need concerning the type of vegetable being demanded outside of Kiffa, the prices that are being paid for those vegetables, and the quality desired. In this vein, the farmers should be encouraged to find transport that fulfills the following ideal specifications: 1) a truck that will take just vegetables; 2) will go directly and rapidly to Nouakchott; 3) will travel at night. All of these things will prevent spoilage and will help guarantee a higher return to the farmers. Obviously, finding such ideal conditions in transport will be difficult, but farmers should seek as many of the above specifications as they can. The travel distance from Kiffa to Nouakchott is not inordinately long, as long as the trans­ port vehicles don't take too many rest stops. For all but the most perishable vegetables (spinach, chard, lettuce), the current transport system should be adequate. A great many of the vegetables in the limited states are trucked much greater distances without refrigeration. The most perishable should not be sent to Nouakchott from Kiffa, anyway. Although few J trucks appear to leave Kiffa empty, truckers there told us j that they often have to wait several days before getting a , sufficient load to leave. Transport prices from Kiffa to Nouakchott are less than Nouakchott to Kiffa, which is another indicator-that there is excess capacity in the return journey. So farmers should not have difficulties in finding space to ship their vegetables. They will have difficulties if they must always accompany their vegetables back to Nouakchott, because this is very time-consuming. With some luck, commer­ cial middlemen will start to get involved in the vegetable

.. , marketing. They will buy the produce, assuring quality control, and take care of transport and re-sale. The price differential between imported tomatoes in Nouakchott (100 UM/k; and the price received in the Kiffa market (30 UM/kg) gives plenty of room for profit for farmers, truckers and merchants. One merchant has already expressed an interest in getting involved with Kiffa produce sales in Nouakchott. Economic Obstacles Potentially greater obstacles to the long-run viability of vegetable marketing from the interior to Nouakchott, are the economic, rather than technical ones. Many people throughout Mauritnia are now growing vegetables Tomatoes are grown in Nouakchott, and they come in from Rosso, Senegal, and elsewhere. Carrots come into Nouakchott from ------

-3- Atar more cheaply than those from Rosso. So even with low production costs (free seed and tools), the competition of vegetables grown closer to Nouakchott may prevent places as far as Kiffa from being able to market its vegetables here. In order to make a long-run assessment of which areas can supply Nouakchott cheaply and which cannot, we will need to look at the costs of vegetable production in the various areas that will potentially supply Nouakchott, and the costs of trans- port from those areas into the capital.

- ., VII

VEGETABLE PRODUCTION PROJECT

FOOD HABITS IN MAURITANIAI /

The general impression from studies of food habits and the food supply is that the southern regions of Mauritania along the river, where agricultural production is concentrated, e.g., Regions 4 and 10, have a more balanced and varied diet. Wide seasonal fluctuations in food consumption exist, particu­ larly in isolated areas poorly supplied from the outside. Lim­ ited supply, storage, preservation and transport of foods makes distribution uneven and prices high. There is a heavy dependence on imported foods, e.g., wheat flour, rice, milk, oil, sugar, etc.

A whopping 75% of household monetary expenditure is for food in the rural sedentary population, and 85% in the nomad popula­ tion, based on data collected by the R&~S project for November, 1979 - November, 1980. 2/ Thirteen percent of all consumption by rural sedentary groups and fifty-one percent for nomadic groups is non-monetarized, in the form of auto-consumption, gifts and exchanges (barter). Much of this non-monetary con­ sumption may also be foodstuffS: 1 Limited supplies of cooking fuel, equipment and utensils, and an unpredictable food supply make meal preparation necess­ arily simple and spontaneous. Wood and charcoal are both used, and cooking pots are cast aluminum. Almost every meal features either a cereal grain or bread. Noon and evening meals are I usually one-pot affairs, with the meat or fish and vegetables cooked together first in a stew or sauce, and served with either rice or couscous. Porridges with milk are often made for break­ fast. Milk is usually consumed between meals, rather than with meals. Food is served in large platters or porcelain enamel bowls and eaten with the hands. Men and women often eat sep­ arately. People do not dawdle over a meal, or converse while eating, but socialize leisurely afterwards over glasses of sweet tea.

The mean calorie intake is approximately 2,200 calories per person per day. Calorie intake is highest in Regions 4, 9 and 10 and lowest in Region 3, according to the data collected in the second and third passes of the Household Food Consumptio~~ Survey conducted by the RAMS project in eight regions of Mauri-

* Due to incomplete and often contradictory sources of data, frequent references will be made to the specific sources. RAMS data is unpublished and unofficial as of this writing.

I 1/ Source: Second Quarterly Report - Fredericksen, Kamine and 1 Associates, April, 1981 i I 2/ RAMS Rapport Preliminaire, La Consommation des Produits Alimentaires et Non-Alimentaires dans Ie Secteur Rural S1aur­ ftanien, December, 1980. --- ._-----_._-----~_._... -_._--_. -_ .. -.-

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3 tania in 1979-80. / This level of intake appears to be slightly low by FAO standards, despite that there are few adult males in most households. The RAMS survey reported that calorie intake met estimated household requirements 47% of the time in March/ April, and .54% of the time in June/July.

Cereal Grains and Products

Cereals are the staple of the diet. The most commonly eaten foods include the following:

sorghum - considered by some white Maures as food for animals, not people.

- preferred in the south and Mali border areas by Haratine, Wolof and Toucouleur. It is said that an acceptable meal can be made from it at lower cost than wheat, which must be accompanied by meat.

pounded into flour, then rolled into couscous and steamed, served for the evening meal. Sorghum-is boiled into porridge often for the morning meal.

rice - now commonly consumed by all groups at the noon meal, with fish ("Thiebu Dien") or meat. In high demand.

wheat - preferred by white Maures and in northern regions, a higher status grain. Growing in popularity over sorghum.

- made into couscous or porridge. Wheat flour consumption is highest in Region 12.

bread consumption depends on presence of bakeries; is highest in Regions 4, 12 and 6. Often eaten for breakfast.

Mean cereal and cereal product consumption amona the seden­ tary rural population is 476 gm/person/day, or 173 kg/person/y~­ contributing 7~% of mean daily calories and 38% of mean daily - --j protein intake;/ Daily per capita cereal intake is highest in Regions 10 and 3. Cereals provide the most calories to the die-:: in Regions 2, 3 and 10 and the most protein in Regions 2 and 3. In Region 3, cereals provide 95% of all calories and protein intake is still adequate.

3/ Calculated from RAMS Report La Situation Alimentaire et Nutritionelle en Mauritanie, Nov. 1980, Table 1, pp. 48-50

4/ This figure is based on passes 2 and 3, RAMS Survey, recal­ culated from data in tables 1,2 & 5, La Situation Alimentaire et Nutritionelle en Hauritania, Nov. 1980. Thelr flgure or 15S kgJpersonJyr excludes some cereal products. ------_._.. -_.. -_. - - -_.

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As total calories intake- increases, the percent of calories from cereals decreases.

. Cereal .i~7ake is slightly higher in June/July than in March/April, accompanied by a slight decrease in animal protein intake at that time.

Preliminary RAMS data indicated that the greatest percentage of mon tary expenses of the rural sedentary groups went ~or cer­ eals,67 ~n the average, with Regions 10 and 3 spending more than average. 7 It was also reported that sorghum consumption is declining in all ethnic groups in favor of rice, which is linked to diminishing sorghum production and increased rice production. Compared to sorghum, rice (particularly white milled rice) is inferior in protein, calcium, iron, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. Sorghum dishes are prepared from the whole grain. Some traditional sorghum recipes are no longer made "now that rice is available."

r1eat

Consumption of meat and fresh milk has declined since the drought, due to reduction in the size of herdz(of camels, goats; sheep and cattle), diminishing supply, and rising prices. How-~ -;.- ever, more money is spent on meat than any other single item, accounting for twenty percent of total purchases, among the rural sedentary. Meat intake varies considerably. The RAMS Survey found that meat is consumed in larger amounts by Maures and Toucouleur than the Wolof. The rural sedentary population of the Tagant spend a higher than average percentage of g?eir food budget on meat, compared to other regions surveyed. Sedentary groups consume 33 k~/person/yr on the average. 9/ Dried meat, called "tichtar" ~s consumed, particularly during the hot, dry season when herds are moved to greener pastures and meat is scarce.

5/ Calculated from Table 3, pp. 55-57, op. cit.

6/ RAMS Rapport Preliminaire T La Consomn1ation des Produits Alimentaires et Non-Alimentaires dans le Secteurs Rurale Mauritanien, RAMS, December, 1980.

7/ Quelques Elements del'Enquet.e de BUdget/Consomrnation, Rapport de Synthese, ~~S, September, 1980.

8/ Quelques Elements de l' Enqu.ete de Budget/Consomrnation, Rapport de Synthese, RAMS, September, 1980 .

.9/ Rapport Preliminaire T La Consommation des Produits Alimenta::.::2s et Non-Alimentaires dans le Secteur Rural Mauritanian, Dec. 19 :;;) . -4-

Commercial milk is fairly widely available canned, dried, and in extended shelf-life cartons. The supply and consumption of fresh milk has dropped since the drought. Average milk con­ sumption in sedentary groups was reported by RAMS at 20 litres/ person/year,lO/ (79 gm/person/day), although this varies widely from housI£~ld to household. Calcium intake has been judged adequate. Milk intake was found to be higher in June/July than in March/April and is higher among Maures, and higher in the Tagant and Assaba Regions. Nomadic Maures are highly self­ sufficient in their milk supply~ virtually all the 166 1~tres consumed per person per year are from their own herds. l I

The wealthy white Maure practice of force-feeding girls from a young age with as much as twenty litres of milk a day to develop body fat and hasten maturity has diminished some­ what as the drought has reduced milk availability. Milk is most often consumed in the form of "zrig," made from powdered milk, water, sour milk culture, and sugar. This is consumed between meals. Milk is also added to porridges.

Fish ; ~ . Fish is not traditionally consumed by Maures from northern regions, partly due to lack of availability. City living is changing traditional food habits, however. A~study of immigrants in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou from northern regions of the country foundl~?at eighty-five percent regularly ate rice and fish at noon.

Fish is widely consumed in the river region, particularly in the Kaedi and Guidimaka Regions. Rural sedentary groups consume an average of 7 kg of fish per person per year. But fish consumption is insignificant or nil in the Hodh el Charbi, Assaba and Tagant Regions.

Eggs and Poultry

Eggs are not usually eaten but are allowed to develop into chicks, chickens being more valued. Eggs are seldom fed to young children due to the belief among Toucouleur, Wolof and

10/ Ibid. (A figure of 31 kg was cited based on passes 2 and 3.)

11/ La Situation Alimentaire et Nutritionelle en Mauriteanie, ? 54.

12/ RAMS Rappor Preliminaire, La Consommation des Produits Ali­ mentaires et Non-Alimentaires dans Ie Secteur Rurale r1auritanien, RM1S, December, 1980.

13/ FAO, Hanual de Nutrition Scholaire , R.I.M., Nouakchott, 1976, p. 48. -5-

Peulh that this will prevent -them from learning to speak well.

Poultry is scarce and expensive and not usually eaten except on special occasions, when it is served with rice. Chicken is popular with the Toucouleur.

Altogether, animal sources provide, on he average, twenty­ nine percent of total protein in the diet. 14! Region 12 has the highest intake of animal proteins an~ Region 2 the lowest. Mean protein intake is 68 grn/person/day, which is adequate. (FAO recommends 53 grn protein/day when the Net Protein utilization is 70%, as is estimated in the Mauritanian diet.) Protein intake is the highest in Region 10, but this is related to high cereal intake, not meat, in that region. Proteins provide about twelve percent of total calories consumed, overall, which is quite adequate.

Fats

Fats prov~de a variable contribution to the diet. Although Maures seem to value animal fat, they use very little oil in their diet, compared to Wolof and Toucouleur, who consume it to excess. The difference is due to the frequent consumption of Thieby Dien (fish and rice) ~mong the latter, which is prepared with a large amount of peanut oil. Variations in caloric intake among different groups result primarily from the different amounts of oil consumed.

Legumes and Oilseeds

Legumes and oilseeds include cowpeas ("Niebe"), watermelon seeds ("beref"), and peanuts. Peanuts are more common in the diet along the river in Regions 4 and 10. They are eaten grilled (often for breakfast), or pounded into meal added to certain dishes. Peanut butter is also used in some dishes. Melon seeds are collected from the melons, dried, and pounded into a meal, which is often cooked in combination with cowpeas and a vegetab19 and served with rice or couscous. Melon seed consumption was noticeably higher in March/April than in June/July. Dishes involving these foods are considered poor man's food, consumed when other foods are scarce.

Sugar

Sugar consumption has increased due to the growing p09ulari~:! of tea, which is imbibed strong and sweet three times a day, three small glasses at a sitting. The elderly population appear3 to drink more than anyone else, due probably to more leisure time and as a social ritual. Sugar is also added to the sour milk beverage "zrig." Average sugar intake bY15~ral sedentary pop- ulations surveyed is 13.6 kg/person/year. Tea intake was

14/ Protein intakes calculated from Table 2, La Situation Aliment­ aire et Nutritionnele en Hauritania, ~1S), Nov. 1980. 15/ A figure of 12.4 kglpersonlyr was reported based on passes. and 3 only. _.------_._----_._-_._----

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higher in the Tagant and Assaba Regions than elsewhere. Nomadic Maures reported a 7 kg per person per year sugar intake. 16/

Fruits and Vegetables

Vegetable intake has increased along the river, particularly in Regions 2 and 10, since vegetable production has been encour­ aged there, and as nomads have become sedentarized and begun to practice agriculture. The most popular vegetables are onions, potatoes, okra, carrots, cabbage and cowpea leaves ("hacco"). Not well liked are the sour and less sweet vegetables including radishes and cucumbers, although these are grown in.places and are~om~times discovered cooked in sauces and stews.

Vegetables are not prepared individually as separate dishes, but are incorporated into the main dish. Small quantities of available vegetables are usually boiled in sauce and served with rice or couscous. A meat and potato stew called "bonava" is popular and served with bread. Lettuce salads are known and eaten in some places, but vegetables are rarely eaten raw.

Vegetables are not much appreciated by Maures, but are liked by Wolof, Toucouleur, and other groups. Where consumption is low, availability has usually been limited and thus vegetables and their ~ses are unfamiliar. Their nutritional importance in the diet is not recognized, even where they are well eaten, but vegetables are appreciated by many for the variety they add to 2~ otherwise monotonous diet. The RAMS 'survey reports an average consumption of fruit and vegetables at 24 kg per person per year, equaling 65.7 gm/person/day by rural sedentary populations and only 5 kg/person/year by nomad~c Maures, 5 kg of which was fruits, mostly dates and melons. 17/ Vegetables still make a very small contribution to the diet.

Fruits are in very limited supply. Although a variety of imported fruits is available in Nouakchott markets, fruit else­ where is limited to various melons, dates, bananas in some areas! wild fruits called "jujube" and "toug~'" and ~pain de singe" - t~e fruit of the baobob. For most of these fruits, availability if limited to the season. Jujube, pain de singe, and fresh dates (not dried) are significant sources of Vitamin C in the local diet. Potatoes also add Vitamin C to the diet where they are consumed in significant quantity.

Other plants consumed include hibiscus flowers ("bissap"), also high in Vitamin C from which a beverage is prepared; baobo~ leaves (" laalo"), a very good source of Vitamin A and iron, whic:­ is added regularly to couscous to improve the "mouth feel;" and 16/ and 17/: RAMS Rapport Preliminaire, La Consommation des Produits Alimentaires et Non-Alimentaires dans la Secteurs Rurale Maur­ ltanien, ~~S, December, 1980. -7- water lily seeds and bulbs ("ninuphar"), whose nutritional value is unclear, which are collected from the marigots and sometimes eaten with fish.

There are several indications that Vitamin. C and A in the diet is inadequate. This could readily be corrected if vegetables were more widely and more regularly available and consumed. Vegetables not currently consumed in significant amounts, which should be encouraged for their potential con­ tributions to the diet of primarily Vitamin A, Vitamin. C and iron, include the following:

parsley green leaves (mustard greens, turnip greens, spinach, beet greens, swiss chard) green peppers tomatoes turnips sweet potatoes squash

Initial experiences have shown that these vegetables can be easily adapted to the taste preferences and familiar recipes of different ethnic groups, but must be demonstrated and promoted. ANNEXC REPORT OF THE PROJECT MANAGER - JAMES HUGHES

The adaptive research being carried out at the village level for the vegetable production project is based on the "farmer research approach". Due to little or no adaptive research data available Mauritania for vegetable produc­ tion, a farmer research appro&~h is necessary. The farmer research approach takes into consideration the traditional methods of farming practices in areas influenced by the project. Interjection of selected improved technologies designed to enhance traditional production methods on a progressive basis are then introduced on a trial basis. Once groups of improved technologies (ex. - new varieties plus low levels of fertilizers) have been proven worthwhile in demonstration gardens they are introduced to other farming communities. It is imperative that an understanding of local farming conditions be developed prior to .inserting improved technologies if they are to be successful. In this project adaptive agronomic research is being carried out on: variety testing, fertilizer levels, spacing, irrigation, the use of a limited number of insecticides, and manure incorporation. Demostration gardens serve as extension multipliers for farmers as well as G IRM agricultural officials. A Chef de Secteur responsible for agricultural extension in each of the three project regions aided by local village moniteurs extend better farming practices at the village level. Due to lack of transportation (Land rovers, and gasoline/ oil) Chef de Secteur and moniteurs are limited in their ex­ tension endeavors. The planting of alfalfa for SQil improvement, rather than for forage for village animals has not been investigated to date. Planting of alfalfa during the dry season is antici­ pated which will contribute to feed for animals during the off-season. Much research remains, however, to be investi­ gated with soil improvement and forage/composting techniques. Seed preservation is an important aspect of a viable vegetable production project. Most of the seed planted by Mauritanian farmers is imported from France. Imported seed is expensive for the traditional farmer and is oftentimes not available. More effort needs to be carried out on seed preservation techniques suitable for acceptance by villagers. C-2 Seed preservation is a rather specialized technique. Workwith a few better motivated farmers in each region to learn the techniques of seed preservation has yet to be initiated. The amount of water which can be hand-drawn from a village well and carried to a garden site is one of the major production constraints. Investigations are now underway to introduce a simplistic gravity flow irrigation system which would be practical for village farmers. Field tests to date indicate that with incorporation of manure and fertilizer, one-half less water for gravity flow irrigation compared to hand watering has resulted in 2 times more potato production in one site. These trials will be expanded during the 1981-82 growing season since a short-term irrigation engineer has been added to the consultant staff. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. More emphasis on inputs such as: I A. Manure incorporation j B. Low levels of fertilizer I C. Diff~~~nt irrigation,materials - 1 D. Nematode resistant varieties including nematode control­ ling plant varieties.

E. Emphasis on fewer vegetable variety trials based 00 growing seasons remaining.

2. ~~ere market potential looks promising, concentrate on a large cooperative for production. Maximizing white potato production for example, with inputs of fertilizer, manure, insecticides if npeded, - deducting costs of production, transportation, marketing - to determine if farmers can make a profit .. 3. Study use of small rototillers along Senegal River where labor constraints, cash markets might warrant such intermediate technology. 4. Alfalfa and other soil building crops should be investigated for forage particularly during the hot, dry season. 5. Seed preservation studies. Mississippi State University has been contacted for 30 day consultation on seed preserva­ tion. No cost to mission or project. 6. Determine number of wells to be reinforced (cemented) and study other hydrologic problems. ANNEX D VEGETABLE PRODUCTION PROJECT - BUDGET ADDITIONS FOR THIRD YEAR OF CONTRACT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND RELATED COSTS

OPTIONS

ITEM HIGH MEDIUM LOW

1. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Team Leader (12 mos.) .125,060 125,000 125,000 Eort./Agronomist #1 (12 mos.) 55,000 55,000 55,000 Hort./Agronomist #2 (12 mos.) 90,000 75,000 Agricultural Economist (9 mos.) 75,000 Irrigation Engineer (12 mos.) 95,000 95,000 95,000 Nutritionist (9 mos.) 70,000 ------~-- SUBTOTAL 510,000 350,000 275,000

--I Home Office (1 mos.) 5,000 5,000 5,000 Overhead 335,000 230,000 180,000 Fee 50,000 35,000 25,000 _.'.J..' ------,. '1 TOTAL 900,000 620,000 485,000 II. PARTICIPANT TRAINING 110,000* 10,000 10,000 III. COMMODITIES 90,000 80,000 70,000 (Seed, Fert. Pesticides) IV. EQUIPMENT 20,000 15,000 10,000 (Teaching Aids, Tools, Fenc.) V. VEHICLES SPARE PARTS 20,000 20,000 20,000 VI. OTHER COSTS 1. Pol/Maintenance 90,000 90,000 90,JOO 2. Housing/Maintenance 40,000 40,000 40:00 3. Local Employees 50,000 45,000 40 ~ ,JOO Other Operational Costs . , -; TOTAL $1,320,000 $920,000 $765 .. COO ======

* Includes possibility of 4-years U.S. based training program for Chief of Vegetable Production.