AGRIC. DEVELOPMENT

closed

The project would expand and improve the country's agricultural support services in the areas of research, education, training and extension services, and foster development of rural enterprises. The credit would finance expenditures for civil works; equipment, furniture and vehicles; salaries of expatriate and national staff; travel expenses; operational expenses, such as materials and supplies, utilities, and operation of vehicles; consultancies; and fellowships. The main benefits expected from the project are: (a) increased productivity from investment in research, extension and rural infrastructure; (b) an increase in cost effectiveness and operating efficiency of government services; (c) greater availability of suitably trained manpower; (d) increased participation of the smallholders in the growth of the cash economy; (e) expansion and diversification of agricultural production and exports; (f) increased foreign exchange earnings and government revenue as a result of export taxation; and (g) development of off-farm skills.