1 - (PDF, 101 mb) - USAID

66 

ACTION MEMORANDUM FOR THE ASSISTANT APMINISTRATOR FOR AFRICA 

FROM: AFR/DR hn W. Koehring 

-Y26 ~ 

Problem:. Your authorization is required to execute a grant of One 

Million Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand Dollars ($1,470,000) under 

the Sahel Development Program (Section 121 of the FAA) to the Islamic 

Republic of Mauritania for the Vegetable Production Project No. 682-0204 

and for certain coamodity procurement waivers described below. 

Discussion: 

A. Description of the Project: 

1. Project purpose: The purpose of the proposed project is to 

determine the feasibility of expanded vegetable production among sedentary 

rural groups in the Third, Fifth, and Sixth Regions of Mauritania 

through an applied research and vegetable crop demonstration program. 

2. Conformance to A.I.D. Country Strategy: This project constitutes 

one of six experimental efforts that A.I.D. plans to undertake in 

Mauritania over the next five year period. Due to the fact that A.I.D. 

does not have prior project experience in the country (except for the 

Drought Recovery and Rehabilitation Program), the A.I.D. Affairs Office/ 

Nouakchott has developed a strategy that rests upon implementing these 

experimental efforts before initiating major investments and committing 

the Government of Mauritania to a specific pattern of development. This 

strategy was approved by AID/W at the ECPR on the Sahel Development Program 

Strategy Review held in AID/W during November 1977. 

3. Beneficiaries of the Proect: The initial beneficiary 

project 

of 

will 

this 

be the extension service of the Directorate of 

Ministry 

Agriculture, 

of Rural Development which will be better prepared to provide 

information and services on vegetable cropping systems to 

out 

farmers 

the 

through 

country. Eleven Mauritanian officials will benefit from 

training 

the 

component of this project. Later beneficiaries of this 

research 

adaptive 

project will be those farm families who work with the 

tionimplementa 

team in testing techniques and providing information on marketing 

nutrition. 

and 

They will have the opportunity to use improved practices they 

develop with the team through the provision of inputs 

Ultimate 

via this 

beneficiaries 

project. 

will be Mauritania's farmers who will have 

access 

greater 

to information on appropriate production techniques and marketing 

practices.

3. Financia Sm-ary 

-2 

One Million Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand Dollars ($1,470,000) 

are requested from FY 1978 funds for life of project costs. These funds 

will be spent as follows: 

($000's) 

FY78 LOP Funding.* 

Cocoodities $ 214 $ 214 

Technical Assistance 975 

975 

Participants 

28 28 

Other 253 253 

TOTAL $1,470 $1,470 

Peace Corps 135 405 

Host Country Financing 123 370 

GRAND TOTAL $1,728 $2,245 

*Includes 15% inflationary and contingency factor pro 

rated between the line items on a proportional basis. 

Host country and other donor contributions: Other 

the project 

contributors 

besides 

to 

A.I.D. will be the Peace Corps 

Peace 

and 

Corps 

the 

contribution 

GIRM. The 

will consist of nine volunteers 

one 

in 

agricultural 

the form of 

specialist, one home economist, and one cooperative 

specialist for each 

of the three regions where the project will be active. 

The total value of their input is calculated to be approximately $405,000. 

The Mauritanian Government, on the other hand, will participate by providing 

the organizational framework and the eleven extension personnel 

through which the farmers will be reached. Other inputs include office 

space, training facilities, housing for the PCVs, well construction, a 

truck for input delivery, and the land and water resources for the 

demonstration areas. The total value of the GIRM inputs will be approximately 

$370,000. 

C. Soci6-economic, Technial and Environmental Description: 

1. The major socio-economic acceptability of the project; technical 

analysis: Vegetable gardening is a well-entrenched activity in several 

regions and an activity that has provoked a great deal of enthusiasm in 

those areas where it has recently been introduced. The challenge of this 

project will be to respond to the enthusiasm by (1) testing techniques to 

improve production, nutrition levels and incomes; and (2) establishing 

demonstration areas in each of the three regions. The specific technical 

approaches will be determined by the implementation team and their backstopping 

agency.

-3 

2. Environmental analysis: It baa bean determined in the .IR that 

thw project is enviroumentally sound end that no future environmental' 

vAlyses are required. 

D. Waiver Requests and Impaentation: 

1. Waivers: Waivers of A.I.D, ls source and origin requirements 

requested are as follows: 

1. Waiver of FAA Section 636(1) to permit Code 935 

procurement of five vehicles. 

2. i.-.'orzation for local procurement of up to 

,55,000 of POL products and minor comodities. 

Justification for these waivers can be found in an attachment to this 

authorization memorandum. 

2. Malor Implementing Agencies; The najor implementi ng agencies 

will be the Directorate for Agriculture within the Ministry of Rural 

Development and a U.S. contractor who will be selected through the A.I.D. 

competitive bidding process. 

E. Congressional Apprisement, 

There. is an increase in the- Y 19278 funds being requested from what 

appeared in the original FY 1978 Congressional Presentation. The project 

is also switching funding categories from Food and Nutrition to the Sahel 

Development Program. For these reasons a Congressional Notification is 

required. The Congressional Notification was submitted on June 8, 1978 

and the notification period expired on June 22, 1978. 

F. Responsible Project Officers: 

Doris Mason, AFR/DR/SFWAP, will be responsible for implementation 

actions within AID/W, while Charles Edwards will be responsible for 

implementation within the AID Affairs Office/Nouakchott until a full-time 

project manager is assigned to post. The full-time officer is currently 

in French language training. 

Rec mnendations: (A) That you sign the attached PAF II and thereby authorize 

both the proposed project and the requested waivers; (B) That you 

concur in a Negative Environmental Determination by your signature on the 

LEE facesheet. 

Attachnent: as stated 

AFR/DR/SFWAP :AReed:5/13/78 moa: 28242

Clearancest: 

ArWR/ SP: JRcCabj!j 

ArR/DR:H~ones (draf)ZF 

&rR/DR/SDP:DDibble (draft) 

APR/DR. CAngrsan (drAft) 

DS/ENGR: JMorgjan_(draEft) 

Asr/Swx: FJohnson (draft) 

XFRSFWA: Gray (draft) 

PiPESFW:Jflierke (draft) 

GC/APR: STisa (draft) 

APB/DP:WIate (aft) 

DA/R: Wiorth_____ 

-4-

Project Authorization and Request for Allotment of Funds 

Part II 

Country : Mauritania 

Project : Vegetable Production 

Project No.: 682-0204 

Pursuant to Part 1, Chapter 1, Section 121 of the Foreign Assistance Act 

of 1961, as amended, (the "Act"), I hereby authorize a Grant to the 

Government of Mauritania ("Cooperating Country") of not to exceed One 

Million Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand Dollars ($1,470,000) to assist 

in financing certain foreign exchange and local currency costs of goods 

and services required for the Project as described in the following 

paragraph. 

The project shall consist of an effort to determine the feasibility of 

expanded vegetable production among sedentary rural groups in the 

Third, Fifth and Sixth Regions of the Cooperating Country'through the 

provision of technical assistance, training, commodities and support 

costs for (a)the collection, compilation and analysis of data related 

to the technical, economic, marketing, nutritional-consumer acceptance 

feasibility of expanded vegetable production, (b) the establishment of 

pilot demonstration areas and a central field trial area in each project 

region to conduct applied research and a range of basic agronomic testing, 

(c)utilization of participant interest groups to actively involve the 

local population and to provide individual farmers with the techniques, 

services and commodity support required for execution of the project, 

(d)training of personnel of the Cooperating Country to assist in 

planning, coordination and implementation, and (e) training of the local 

population in palatable, low cost food preparation techniques which 

preserve the nutritional content of vegetables (hereinafter referred to 

as the "Project").

I hereby authorize the initiation of negotiations and execution of the 

Grant Agreement by the officer to whom such authority has been delegated 

in accordance with A.I.D. regulations and Delegations of Authority, 

subject to the following terms, together with such other terms and 

conditions as A.I.D. may deem appropriate: 

4- 

a. Source and Origin of Goods and Services. 

Except for ocean shipping, goods and services financed by A.I.D. 

shall have their source and origin in the United States or the Cooperating 

Country, except as A.I.D. may otherwise agree in writing. Ocean shipping 

financed under the Grant shall be procured in any eligible source country 

except the Cooperating Country. 

b. Condition Precedent. 

Prior to the first disbursement of funds under the Grant, or to the 

issuance of commitment documents with respect thereto, the Cooperating 

Country shall furnish to A.I.D., in form and substance satisfactory to 

A.I.D., evidence of the availability of adequate amounts of funds required 

to finance contributions being made to the Project by the Cooperating 

Country. 

c. Covenants. 

The Grant Agreement shall contain covenants providing in substance 

as follows: 

1. The Cooperating Country shall assign to the Project adequate 

number of personnel to ensure the effective implementation of the Project 

and the accomplishment of the objectives of the Project; 

2. The Cooperating Country shall contribute, or cause to be contributed, 

to the Project land and water rights necessary for the effective implementation 

of the Project. 

3. The Cooperating Country shall provide, within 90 days after the 

execution of the Grant Agreement, a plan satisfactory to A.I.D. for the 

assumption by the Cooperating Cotitry of a portion of the costs of POL 

required for vehicles and for equipment used for the Prjject. 

4. A.I.D. shall be designated the agent of the Cooperating Country 

for the purpose of procuring goods and services required for the Project.

-3 

5. The procurement and use of pes.ticides under the Project shall be 

in accordance with A.I.D. pesticide regulations as in effect at the time. 

6. The Cooperating Country shall agree to conduct, together with 

AID and the contractor within six months of the time the contractor 

arrives in Mauritania, an evaluation of the staffing and organizational 

arrangements planned for the Project and to make any adjustments thereto 

which are identified during such evaluation as important for the effective 

Implementation of the Project. 

d. Waivers. 

Notwithstanding paragraph a. above and based upon the justifications 

set forth in Annexes D and E of the Project Paper. I hereby 

I. Approve a procurement source waiver from A.I.D. Geographic 

Code 000 (U.S. only) to Geographic Code 935 (Free World) for motor 

vehicles and spare parts; provided, that the amount of such waiver 

shall not exceed $90,000; 

2. Certify that exclusion of the above described motor vehicles 

and spare parts from the requested source country in Code 935 would 

seriously impede attainment of U.S. foreign policy objectives and the 

objectives of the foreign assistance program; 

3. Find that special circumstances exist to waive, and do hereby 

waive, the requirements of Section 636(i) of the Act; and 

4. Approve the procurement of shelf items imported into Mauritania 

from countries included in Code 899 of the A.I.D. Geographic Code Book 

in the amount of $55,000. 

Clearances: As Shown on Action Memorandum

INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION 

Project Country: Islamic Republic of Mauritania 

Project Title: Vegetable Production 

Funding: FY(s) 78 $ $1,470,000 

Period of Project: FY 78 through FY 81 

IEE Prepared by: Doris Mason, AFR/DR/SFWAP 

Environmental Action Recommended: Negative Determination 

Concurrence: I 

David Dibble, A: I/DR/SDP 

Assistant Administrator Decision: 

APPROVED 

DISAPPROVED 

i 

DATE , 1 

(For full discussion of environmental impact, see IEE included in PP).

CoutrTy: Mauritania 

AGENCT FOR INTERNATZIONAL DEVELOPMENT 

ADVICE OF PROGRAM CHANGE 

Proj act Title: Vegetable Production 

Proiect Number: 682-0204 

FT 1978 CP Reference: Africa Programs, p. 324 

ftpropriation Category: Sahel Development Program 

Intended Obligation: $1,470,000 

We are advising that we intend to obligate $859,000 more than the amount 

($611,000) included in the FY 1978 Congressional Presentation and that we 

intend to change the appropriation category from Food and Nutrition to 

Sahel Development Program. 

The increase from an original estimate of $611,000 is due to a basic 

change in the orientation of the project. It was originally assumed at 

the time of the FY 1978 Congressional Presentation that sufficient data 

existed to enable AID to move directly into a lower cost project to 

develop the capability of the Mauritanian Agriculture Directorate to 

disseminate information and commodities to farmers to enable them to 

increase vegetable production. As the project was developed it became 

apparent that there was insufficient data upon which to base this type 

of program. Therefore, an applied research and pilot vegetable production 

project was developed. This project will assist farmers through small 

pilot efforts while at the same time generating data on production techniques, 

seed preservation, marketing, nutrition, etc., which is required 

as a basis for making future decisions about expansion of vegetable 

production. The change in appropriation categories is consistent with 

the AID policy of funding Sahel activities which meet Club du Sahel 

criteria through the Sahel Development Program. 

Annex: Grant Activity Data Sheet

All/SFVA:DShear(draft) 

AMU: Mlason (draf0 

AYR/DP: Mud 

AA/AFR:GM tcher 

GCAPWDLPressfey. 

LZG/PPD: 

PPC/DPRE-.-?-In-foT 

PPC/RB: (Info) 

AFR/SM :BChassin:5/18/78

CoAmiy: 

TITLoE 

MAURITANIA 

NEW ACTIVITY 

regetable Production 

WMfElI682-0204 Sahel Development Program 

Goal: To promote the Aevelopment and welfare of the rura'l 

population in Mauritania by increasing small farmer food 

productivity and nutrition levels, and by contributing to 

family food security. 

Purpose: Develop Improved vegetable production, aeed preservation 

and vegetable food preparation techniques among 

sedentary inhabitants of the third, fifth, and sixth regions 

in Mauritania, and generate the data required to launch an 

expanded program in vegetable production. 

Background: Historically, vegetables have occupied a 

relatively unimportant place in the Hauritanian diet, 

the population has depended 

and cereals 

heavily 

as 

on 

their 

meat, 

staple 

milk 

foods. 

products 

In 1974, the Goverment 

of Mauritania, with A.I.D. and World Bank assistance,launched 

a vegetable production project In several regions of the 

country as one of the measures taken to help the population 

recover from the drought. Results were encouraging in terms 

of the quantity of vegetables produced 

of 

and 

legumes 

general 

in 

acceptance 

the diet. The project showed, however, 

further 

that 

actions had to be taken before vegetable production 

would become a self-sustaining activity for farmers. 

Major Ouuts 

analyzed concerning vegetable 

production in auritania 

Farmers instructed in improved 

FY 81 

(cumulative as of end of FYI 

production, seed preservation 

and marketing methods 3000 

r rnorIsto O OlAInI(ln 

?a 

INI1AL 1,470 

.. 

_.31 

OLVON 

rY RoL"r1OI 1978 rP 

MAtlroNAL 

tRI9y" 

Families trained in optimum food 

preparation techniques 

Mauritanian officials trained in 

tl.ne. of 

vegetable production and extension 

services 

Host Country and Other Donors: 

.orVSIF 

ry 

I iAInupur:, 

3000 

11 

TaLl. v 

Government of auritanla. Staff, agricultural inputs, vehicles 

and other administrative support ($370,000). 

Peace Corpst Three home economists, three agriculturists, an 

three cooperative specialists ($405,000). 

FY 78 Programs A.I.D. will provide technicians and other support 

to help the Mauritanians gather and analyze farm data, 

more 

demonstrate 

efficient vegetable growing techniques, train villagers in 

vegetable preservation and use, and train a core of Mauritanian 

officials in extension methods. 

Personnels 

Training: 

Commodities: 

other Costs 

Total: 

A.I.D.-financed Inputs 

($ Thousands) 

four long-term (96 im) 

two short-term (8 pm) 

one long-term U.S. (12 Im) 

four short-term Third country (12 pm) 

*Seeds, 

Vehicles, 

tools and fertilizer 

spare parts 

Vehicle operations and maintenance 

Other local support costs 

FY 78 

768 

g0 

12 

12 

295 

100 

71 

7 

132 

1,.47

ACTION MEI.r.w.UM FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR FOR AFRICA 

FROM: AFR/D PJ5COW.4'erng 

SUBJECT: Request for Increase in Amount of Shelf Items That.May 

be Procured for the Project 

,MA'( 26 '198 

Problem: A waiver is needed of the limitation set forth in paragraph 

4(b) of Chapter 18 of Handbook 1B, that shelf item purchases for the 

project from Code 899 countries cannot exceed 10 percent or $10,000 

of the total value of local currency expenditures. 

a. Cooperating Country : Mauritania 

b. Nature of Funding : Grant 682-0204 

c. Project : Vegetable Production 

d. Description of Goods : POL products and cement 

e. Approximate Value : $55,000 

Discussion: 

(1) Shelf items are defined in Chapter 11 of Handbook 15 and Section 

18a4 of Handbook 1B as commodities which are normally imported into 

the cooperating country and kept in stock in the form in which imported 

for sale to meet a general demand in the country for the item. 

(2) Shelf items from Code 899 countries are limited to items that cost 

$2,500 or less per unit and cannot exceed ten percent of the local costs 

of the project or $10,000 - whichever is greater. 

(3) Section 18D of Handbook lB indicates that the Assistant Administrator 

may approve waivers of local cost financing policies. 

(4) An increase in the tctal amount of shelf items that may be procured 

for this project is required for procurement of up to $55,000 for POL 

products and cement. 

(5) These relatively small amounts make procurement in the U.S. and 

transport to Mauritania both unreasonably costly and Impractical.

-2 

Itco-mandation: 'For the reasons stated above, it is recoamnded that 

you approve this request for waiver of the limitation from $10,000 to 

$55,000. 

Drafter: AFl/DR/SFWAP:ARaed:jM:4/19/78:282 4 2 

Clearances: 

APR/DR/SNAP :3RMeCabe (draft) 

AnR/DR/SFAP: Iason (draft) 

AFR/SFA:BChessen (draft) 

APR/SFWA:HGray - (draft) 

APR/DP:FWTate (draft) 

GC/AFR: STisa (draft) 

SER/COH/ALI:PHagav, (draft) 

DAA/AFR: WHNorth

ACTION MEMORANDUM FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR FOR AFRICA 

FROM: AFR/DR, .JoW1T.Koehr~ng 

SUBJECT: Procurement Source Origin Waiver 

'IIV( 2 6 ~7 

Problem: Request for a Procurement Source Origin Waiver from Geographic 

Code 000 (U.S. Only) to Geographic Code 935 (Free World). 



c. Project : Mauritania Vegetable Production 

U. Description of Goods : (Four) 4x4 all terrain vehicles 

(One) 3 ton Stake-bed Truck 


f. Probable Source : France, England 

Discussion: Section 636(i) of-the Foreign Assistance Act of .1961, as 

amended, prohibits A.I.D. from the purchase or long-term lease of motor 

vehicles unless such vehicles are manufactured in the United States. 

However, Section 636(i) does provide that "...where special circumstances 

exist the President is authorized to waive the provision of 

this section in order to carry out the purpose of this act." No 

facilities exist in Mauritania to service U.S. manufactured vehicles. 

Efforts have been made by the U.S. Ambassador and the A.I.D. mission 

in Mauritania to interest U.S. manufacturers of four-wheel drive vehicles 

to enter this market, and specifically to establish after sales servicing 

facilities in Mauritania. Despite these efforts (over a 15 month period), 

only one U.S. manufacturer ever responded. However, that firm showed no 

evidence of further interest after a brief investigation of the problems 

and potentials of the local market. 

The project sites are located in isolated areas outside of the capital 

city, Nouakchott. Experience has shown that given the extremely difficult 

road conditions in these areas, vehicles require frequent repairs. 

Even local mechanics with formal training are not familiar with U.S. 

vehicles. On the other hand, the capability to maintain Landrovers and 

Peugeots exists not only among formally trained mechanics, but also among 

self-trained mechanics in Selibaby as well as many other isolated areas 

of Mauritania.

-2- 

Secondly, the most basic spare parts do not exist for U.S. vehicles. It 

Is inconceivable that the resient team required by the project can undertake 

work with vehicles for which no spare parts exist. 

Finally, the vehicles procured under this project will be provided to the 

GIRM upon project completion. Given the current situation in Mauritania 

as outlined above, U.S. manufactured vehicles will prove to be more of a 

burden than a benefit to the GIRI. However, excellent maintenance facilities 

exist for British and French manufactured vehicles. 

Recommendation: For reasons outlined in this memorandum, I conclude that 

the exclusion of procurement of the non-U.S. manufactured vehicles mentioned 

above from the sources requested above would seriously impede attainment 

of U.S. foreign policy objectives and the objectives of the foreign assistance 

program, and I recommend that you certify by approving this request 

for waiver. 

AFR/OR/SFWAP:DMason:moa :3/1/78 ::X-28242 

-- Clearances:. , 

AFR/DR/-SFNAP:JRMcCabe 

A. 

// 

GC/AFR:STisa (draf 

SER/COM/ALI:PHagan (raft) 

AFR/SFWA:BChessen '.draft) 

DAA/AFR:WHNorth 

AFR/SFWA: HGray 72at

a,"" " ' "" 3:11 j Nov, ,o 10, 1976 j6C(2).1 

6C(2) - PROJECT CHrECKLST 

Listed below are. first, statutory criteria 

then 

applicable 

projeC criteria 

generally 

appicable 

.to proJects 

to 

with 

individual 

FAA funds, 

fund sources:andcateayry 

Development 

for criteria 

Assistance 

applicable 

(with 

only 

a sub 

to loans): and Security Supporting Assistance funds, 

CMOS REFERENCS: IS CUNThRY CHECIST UP'TO DA T? IO TITrr. HAS STAkOARO ITEM CHEC.ZST BEEN 

RMYIUE.. FOR THIS PROJECT? 

GEMI AL CRITERIA FOR PROJECT. 

1. Aoc. Unnumbered: FAA Sec. 653(b) 

(a) Describe how Conmitees on Appropria- T-"r ouh Conqession'a iNotification 

tions of Senate and House have been or 

will be notified concerning the project; 

(b)is assistance within (Operational ns 

Year Budget) country or international 

organization allocation reported to 

Congress (cr. not more than $1 million 

over that figure plus 10m)? 

2. FAA See. 1(a)(1). Prior to obligation 

inexcess of Si00,000, will there be (a) 

engineering, financial, and other plans Yes 

necessary to carry out the assistance and 

(b) a reasonably firm estimate of the 

cost to the U.S. of the assistance? 

3. P Se. 611(a)(2). If further legisl 

e action isrequired within recipient N/A 

countr,/, what isbasis for reasonable 

expectation that such action ;will 

completed in time to permit orderly be 

accomplishment of purpose of the assistance? 

4. FAA Sec. 611(b); Am). Sec. 101. If for N/A 

water or wacer-reiatea land resource 

construction, has project met the standards 

and criteria as oer Memrandun of 

the President dated Sept. S., 1973 

(replaces Memorandu of May 1S, 1962; 

see Fed. Register, Vol 38, No. 174, Part 

III, Sept. 10, 1973)? 

5. FAA Sec. 611(e). If project iscapital N/A 

assistance Ie.g., construction), and all 

U.S. assistance for itwill exceed 

$1million, has Mission Director certified 

the country's caoability effectively to 

maintain and utilize the project?

FM See W9 1.I rjc susceptible 

orexecution as pt of regional or multilateral 

projc*? If so is plject not 

so executed? Information and.conclusion 

whether assistance will encourage 

regional development programs. If 

assistance is for newly indecandent 

country, is it furnished through multilateral 

organizations or plans to the 

nximAn extent appropriate? 

7. FAA Sec. 601(a); (amd Sec. 201(f) for 

develooment goansi. Information and 

conclusions wnetner project. will encourage 

efforts of the country to: (a) increase 

the flow of international trade; (b) -foster 

private initiative and competition; 

() encourage development and use of 

cooperatives, credit unions, and savings 

and loan associations; (d)discourage 

monopolistic practices; (e)improve 

technical efficiency of industry, agriculture 

and comerce; and (f) strengthen 

free labor unions. 

8. FAA Sec. 601(b). Information and conclusion 

on now project will encourage 

U.S. private trade and investment aoroas 

and encourage private U.S. participation 

inforeign assistance programs (including 

use of private trade channels and the 

services of U.S. private enterprise) 

9. FAA Sec. 612(b); Sec. i36(h). Oescribe 

$teps aKen to assure tnat, to the 

maximum extent possible, the country is 

contributing local currencies to mee 

the cost of contractual and other 

services, and foreign currencies owned 

by the U.S. are utilized to meet the cost 

of contractual and other services. 

10. FAA Sec. 612(d). Does the U.S. own excess 

foreign currency and, if so, what arrangements 

have been made for its release? 

S. FUNOING CRITERIA FOR PROJECT 

1. Develooment Assistance Project criteria 

a. FAA Sec. lO(c); Sec. 111; Sec. 281a. 

Extent to wnicn activity wi II (a) effectively 

involve the poor in development, 

by extending access to economy at local 

level, increasing labor-intensive production, 

spreading inveswent out from 

cities to small towns and rural areas; 

and (b) help develop cooperatives, 

especially by technical assistance, to 

assist rural and uroan poor to help 

the selves toward better life, and otherwise 

encourage democratic private and 

local governmental institutions? 

Project is best suited !or 

bla al assistance 

ly 

Of these efforts project will 

mon . likely have impact on (c) 

and (e 

Project will finance technical 

Serices from private. Al i 

U.S. 

Mauritanla's contribution repre 

sents the maximum that it can 

manqe 

The po)ect will directly invo1,_ 

th. rural poor through' local 

farmer organizations. Improved 

vegetable production techniques 

will be demonstrated and if 

adapted by these farmers will 

increase vegetable yields, 

9rouivi~y and output In 

addition, far=ers will be train( 

in low-cst, high-nutritive 

vegetable food preparation 

techmiques.

AI ,IOMM 3,A0 6C 3:11 WN 04iO.M S71 IC 

b. FA Se,. 103. 103A. 104. 105, 106, 

ssistance 

a being MGO availaoio: 

fl-aclude only applicable paragraph 

!A.,a, b, Cc. -. which 

sowrce 

corresponds 

of 

.to 

funds used. If more than one 

fund source 

2relevant is used for project, 

paragraph include 

for each fund source.] 

(1) C103] for.agriculture, miral develop- 

Nimit or nutrition; if so, extant t 

which activity is specifically 

designed to increase productivity 

and income of rural poor; C103AJ 

if for agricultural research, Is 

full account taken of needs of small 

farmers; 

(2) C104] for" poculation planning or 

health; if so, extent to which 

activity extends low-cost, integrutad 

delivery systes to provide health 

and family planning services, 

especially to rural areas and poor; 

(3) [1051 for education, public administration, 

or human resources 

development; if so, extent to which 

activity strengthens nonform I 

education, makes formal education 

more relevant, especially for rural 

families and urban poor, or 

strengthens management capability 

of institutions enabling the poor tj 

participate in development; 

(4) [106) for technical assistance, 

energy, researh, reconstruct.ion, 

and selected development problems; 

if so, extent activity is: 

(a) technical cooperation and development, 

especially with U.S. private 

and voluntary, or regional and international 

development, organizations; 

(b) to help alleviate energy problem; 

(c)research into, and evaluation of, 

economic development processes and 

techniques; 

(d)reconstruction after natural or 

manmade disaster; 

(e) for special develooment problem, 

and to enable prooer utilization of 

earlier U.S. infrastructure, etc., 

assistance; 

(f) for programs of urban development, 

especially small labor-intensive 

enterprises, marketing systems, and 

financial or other institutions to 

help urban poor particioate in 

economic and social develooment. 

N/A 

N/A 

Z/A 

N/A 

/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A

Iwaerl 1. ins 3:11 

(5)(107] by grants for coordinated 

private effort to dovelop and 

diusminate intermediate technologies 

approprl ate for developing countries. 

C. F Sec..0(a); C. 

recipient country 

ZO& 

w ng to contribute Is theN/ 

funds to the proJr., and in 

has 

what 

or will 

mNNWe 

it Provide assurances 

will provide 

that it 

at least 2S% of 

the 

the 

Program. 

costs of 

project, or activity 

respect 

with 

to which the assistance 

furnished 

is to 

(or 

be 

has the latter 

requirinnt 

cost-sharing 

been waived for a "relatively 

lest-developedu country)? 

d. F ___,_1100(b. Will grant capital 

stancerse 

more 

for 

than 

project 

3 years? 

over 

If so, 

cation 

has justifi 

satisfactory to Congress 

and 

been 

efforts 

made, 

for other financing? 

e. FAA Sec. 207: Sec. 113. 

which 

Extent 

assisrance 

to 

riffect- appropriate 

emphasis on; (1)encouraging development 

of democratic, economic, political, 

social 

and 

institutions; (2)self-help 

meeting the 

in 

country's food needs; 

improving (3) 

availability of trained 

powerworkev 

in the country; (4) 

designed 

program 

to meet the country's 

needs; 

health 

(5) other important 

economic, 

areas of 

political, and social 

ment,develop 

including industry; free 

unions, 

labor 

ccoperatives, and 

Agencies; 

Voluntary 

transportation and communication; 

planning and public administration; 

urban development, and modernization 

existing laws; 

of 

or (6) integrating 

into 

women 

the recipient country's national 

economy. 

f,. FAA Sec. 281(b). Describe 

which proaram 

extent 

recognizes 

to 

the particular 

needs, desires, and capacities 

people of 

of 

the 

the 

country; utilizes 

country's 

the 

intellectual resources to 

encourage institutional 

and 

development; 

supports civic education and training 

pation 

in skills 

in 

required 

governmental for effective 

and political partici 

processes essential to self-government. 

JUOaagmO t 3. App. C 

N/A 

N/A 

project should make a contribution 

togoe c o (2o), (3) and (6) . 

(2), 

Vegetable production in Mauritania 

is presently characterized on a 

whole aslaw-yielding 

whole t iade ustbuistence) 

a.ricu.tue with inadequate exten.L 

sion service. The project will 

test and introduce techniques which 

adll increase yields and outputi 

addition to 

existing 

upnsin 

extension skills of 

service. the

. . Z).) and-(8); Sec. 

the dutivir-Y give 1 ressonacle e . 3Ji a. nd promise . ) of0oes 

es 

Cantributinq tothe deaelogment: 

e'"*Mic relousres, 

of 

or to the increase 

VpIductiv* 

of 

Ca40citits and s$If-sust imning 

econOmIC growth; or of 

,ither 

educational 

Institutions or 

directed tard 

Org"s? 

.socia 

Cs it related to and 

tentconsis 

with other develaomnt activities, 

and will it contribute to realizable 

long-range objetives? And does 

Paper 

project 

Provide infore.tion and conclusion 

on an activity's economic and technical 

soundness? 

ht.FAA Information Sec. 

and 2 7(b)(6); conciusion Sec. 

on 2(a 

possiole (). (S) 

effects of M.e assistance on U.S. 

with 

economy, 

special reference.to areas of 

stantialsub 

labor surolus, and 

which 

extant 

U.S. 

to 

comiodities and assistance 

are furnished in a manner 

improving 

consistent 

or safeguarding 

with 

the U.S. balance. 

of-payments position. 

2. OevelotmentAssistance Project Criteria 

tLoans onLy-) 

a. F.A See. 071b)(1). rnformation 

and conciusidon on- vability of financlag 

from other free-world sources, 

including private sources within U.S. 

b. FAASe. !(b)(2); go(d). tnformation 

ana cOnc~usion on (I1caaacity of 

the country to repay the loan, including 

reasonableness of repayment prospects, 

and (2)reasonadleness and leqality 

(under laws of country and U.S.) of 

lending and relending ter.s of the loan. 

c. FA Se. gol(e). rf loan is not 

made pursuant 7o a multilateral plan, 

and the amount of the loan exceeds 

$100,000, has country submited to AI 

an application for such funds together 

with assuranet.s to indicate that funds 

will be usedlin an economically and 

technically sound manner? 

d. FAA Sec. 201(f). Does project paper 

describe now ec:tro.I prmoce the 

countr7's economic development taking 

into account :he count.-/'s ".uman and 

mterial resources requirements and 

relationship beteen ultimate objectives 

ofthe project and overall economic 

development? 

I:NttnWgu IV/6 I(Zob 

RO" Sigmificant *ffe 

a ic

I£t4 INW~ 1O,136 3:11 

e lEc. 20214). Total amunt of 

oweunder in wich is going directly 

to private enterprise, is going to 

interuediate credit institutions or 

other borrowers for use by private 

entrprise, is being used to finance 

isots from private sources, or is 

otherwise being used to finance procure. 

ments from private sources ? 

f. FAA Sec. 620(d). Ifassistanc is 

for any productive enterprise which will 

comte inthe U.S. with th.S. enterprise, 

is there an agreement by the recipient 

Country to Prevent export to the U.S. of 

more t4an 20% of the enterprise's annual 

production during the life of the loan? 

3. Project Criteria Solely for Security 

SuoportinQ Assistance 

FAA Sec. S31. Howwill this assistance 

support promote economic or political 

stability? 

4. Additional Criteria for Alliance for 

Proqress 

[Note: Alliance for Progress projects 

should add the following two item to a 

project checklist.] 

a. FA Sec. 25l(b)(1), -(8). Does 

assistance take into account pr:tiniples 

bf the Act of Bonota and the Charter of 

Punta del Este; and to what extent-will 

the activity contribute to the economic 

or political integration of Latin 

America? 

b. FAA Sec. 2Sl(b)(8); 251(h). For 

loans, has there oeen taken into account 

the effort made by recipient nation to 

-repatriate capital invested in other 

countries by their own citizens? Is 

loan consistent with the findings and 

recommendations of the Inter-American 

Committee for the Alliance for Progress 

(now "CEPCIES,w the Permanent Exeutive 

Conmittee of the OAS) in its annual 

review of national development activities? 

5. Project Criteria Soley for Sahel 

Developument Prosram 

FAA/Sec. 121. How Will this 

assistance contribute to the longterm 

development of the Sahel . 

in acoordance with the long-term 

multi-donor development plan 

for that ou-aza.- 

AMVNB 3 App. C 

This.proj.ect will provide a bojse 

for decerminfng the extent to which 

vegetable production can contribute 

to sel8f-sufficiency in food production 

and increase small farmer income

6CM3 --STANDARD MTC4 CHECX.IST 

Listed below are statutory itms wtch normlly 

assistance will 

agreemnt 

be covered 

dealing 

routinely 

with its 

in those 

implemenutton, 

provisions of 

or covered 

an 

where 

in the 

cerotin 

agreement 

uses of 

by 

fufts 

exclusion 

are permitted, 

(as 

but other uses not). 

These 1ts are arranged under the general headings of (A) Procurement, (8) Construction, and 

(C)Other Restrictions. 

A. Prcurment 

1. FAA Sec. 602. Are there arrangements to 

persit U.s sal business to participate 

equitably in the furishin. of goods and 

services financed? 

2. FAA Sec. 60M(a). Will all commodity 

procurement rfnanced be from the U.S. 

except as otherwise determined by the 

President or under delegation from him? 

3. FAA Sec. 604(d). If the cooperating 

country discriminates against 

marine 

U.S. 

insurance companies, will agreement 

require that marine insurance be 

placed in the U.S. on commodities 

financed? 

4. FAA Sec. 6 04(e). Ifoffshore procure-. 

ment of agricultural commodity or 

pqroduct is to be financed, is there 

provision against such procurement when 

the domestic price of such commodity is 

less than parity? 

S. FAA Sec. 608(a). 'Will U.S. Government 

excess perscnai proverty te utilized 

wherever practicable in lieu of the 

procurement of new items? 

6. MMA Sec. 901(b. (a) Comoliance with 

requirement nat at least 50 per centum 

of the gross tonnaae of commodities 

(comouted secarately for cry bulk 

carriers, dry cargo liners, and tankers) 

financed shall be transported on privately 

owned U.S.-flag commercial vessels to the 

extent that such vessels are available 

at fair and reasonable rates. 

7. FAA Sec.621. If technical assistance 

is financed, will sucn assistance be furnished 

to the fullest extent practicable 

as goods and professional and other 

services from orivate entarprise on a 

contract basis? If the facilities of 

other Federal agencies will be utilized, 

NIA 

Technical Assistance requests 

will be advertised through A.I. 

Small Eusi.ness Office. 

Pocureent will be in accrda 

w ,o e glabins. 

witk A.Z.D. reulations. 

The project agreement 

st.pulate. 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

will so

are they particularly suitable, not 

compeIt ive with private enterprise, 

and ade available wtthout undue interformce 

with dom tic poram? 

6. Internationl" Air Trmnscort. Fair 

ti:ive Practices ACt, 1974 

If air transportation of persons or 

property is financed on grant basis, will 

provision be made that U.S.-flag carriets 

will be utilized to the extent such 

service is available? 

|. Construction 

1. FAA Sec. 601(d). Ifa capital (e.g., 

construction) oroject, are engineering 

and professional services of U.S. firms 

and their affiliates to be used to the 

mmximum extent consistent with the 

national interes.t? 

2. FAA Sec. 611(c). If contracts for 

construction are to be financed, will 

they be let on a competitive basis to 

mximu extent practicable?' 

3. FAA Sec. 620(k). If for construction 

of prooucve enterprise, will aggregate 

value of assistnce to be furnished by 

the 1.S. not exceed S100 million? 

Other Res tri cti ons 

1. FAA Sec. 2M1(d).' If development loan, 

is interest rate at least 2: per annum 

during grace period and at least 3 per 

annum thereafter? 

2. FAA Se. 301(d). If fund is established 

solely y U.S.contribu.tlions and administerd 

by an international oreanizaion, 

does Comptroller General have audit 

rights? 

3. FAA Sec. 620(h ) . Do arrangements 

precluoe promoting or assisting the 

foreign aid projec:s.or ac:ivities of 

Communist-Bloc countries, contrary to 

the best interests of the U.S.? 

4. FAA Sec, 636(1). Is financing not permittea 

to oe used, without waiver, for 

purchase, long-term lease, or exchange 

of motor vehicle manufactured outside 

the U.S. or guaranty of such transaction? 

I , M . W 

N/A 

Yes 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

Yes 

Yes

AIMUSU 3, APP 6C 3:11 foer10, HIS6 IC3j)3 

S. Iill arrangef ts preclude use of 

financing: Yas 

A.FAA Se . 114. to pay for perforwmnce 

of rtions or to motivate or coerce 

persons to practice abortions? 

b. FAA See. 62Oja). to compensate 

owers tar expropriated nationalized 

property? 

c. FAA Sec. 660. to finance police 

training or other law enforcement 

assistance, except for narcotics 

programs? 

d. FAA sec. 662. for CrA activities? 

a. Aoo. Sec. 103. to pay pensions, etc., 

for m1ltary personnel? 

f. Aoo. Sec. 106. to pay U.N. assess- 

Ment37 

g. App. Sec. 107. to carry out provisions 

of FAA Sections 209(d) and 251(h)? 

(t.nsfer to multilateral organization 

for lending). 

h. Aoo. Sac. 501. to be used for 

publ1iTEy r propaganda purposes 

within U.1 not authorized by Congress?

ACTION MEMORANDUM FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR FOR AFRICA 

FROM: AFR/DR, James Kelly 

-o m: Your authorization 

Mlon 

is required 

Four undred 

to execute 

and Seventy 

a grant 

Thousand 

of One 

the Sahel Development Dollars 

Program 

01,470,00Q) 

(Sectir.n under 

Republic of Mauritania 

121 of the 

for 

FAA) 

the Vegetable 

to the-Islamic 

and for certain 

Production 

comodity Project 

Procurement 

No. 682-0204, 

waivers described below. 

Discussion: 

A. Description of the Project: 

1. Projectpurpose: 

determine 

The purpose 

the 

of 

feasibility 

the Proposed 

of expanded 

project 

vegetable 

is to 

tary rural groups in the 

production 

Third, Fifth, 

among 

and 

sedenthrough 

an applied Sixth 

research Regions 

and 

of 

vegetable 

Mauritania 

crop demonstration program. 

2. Conformance on of 

one 

six to 

of six 

A.I.D. 

experimental Count*y Strate : 

efforts 

This Project constitutes 

Mauritania that A.I.D. 

over the 

plans 

next 

to 

five 

undertake 

year period. 

in 

does not have prior project 

Due to the 

experience 

fact that 

in 

A.I.D. 

Drought Recovery the 

and 

country 

Rehabilitation (except 

Program), 

for the 

Nouakchott has developed 

the A..e. 

a strategy 

Affairs Oftfce/ 

experimental efforts 

that rests 

before 

upon 

initiating 

implementing 

major 

these 

l he Government of 

investments 

Mauritania to 

and 

a 

committing 

strategy was 

specific 

approved pattern 

by AID/W 

of development. 

at the ECPR on 

This 

gram Strategy Review 

the Sahel 

held 

Development 

in AID/W during 

Pro- 

November 1977. 

3. Beneficiariesof project 

heProject: 

will be 

The 

the extension 

initial beneficiary of this 

Ministry service 

of Rural 

of the 

Development 

Directorate 

which 

of Agriculture, 

information and 

will 

services 

be better 

on 

prepared 

vegetable to 

cropping 

provide 

out the country. Eleven 

systems 

Mauritanian 

to farmers 

officials 

through 

training component of 

will 

this 

benefit 

project. 

from the 

research project Later 

will 

beneficiaries 

be those farm 

of 

families 

this adaptive 

tion team in testing who 

techniques 

work with the implementanutrition. 

and providing 

They will 

information 

have the opportunity 

on marketing and 

develop with the 

to 

team 

use 

through 

improved 

the 

practices 

provision they 

Ultimate beneficiaries of 

will 

inputs 

be 

via 

Mauritania's 

this project. 

access to information farmers 

on appropriate 

who will have 

production 

greater 

techniques and 

practices. 

marketing

B. Financial Sua-y 

-2- 

One Mi.lion Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand Dollars ($1,470,000) 

are requested from FY 1978 funds for life of project costs. These funds 

will be spent as follows: 

($000's) 

FY78 LOP Funding* 

Comodtes $ 214 $ 214 

Technical Assistance 975 

975 

Participants 

28 28 

Other 253 253 

TOTAL $1,470 $1,470 

Peace Corps 135 405 

Host Country Financing 123 370 

GRAN TOTAL $ 258 $2,245 

*Includes 15% inflationary and contingency factor pro 

rated between the line items on a proportional basis. 

Host country and other donor contributions: Other contributors to 

the project besides A.I.D. will be the Peace Corps and the GIRM. The 

Peace Corps contribution will consist of nine volunteers in the form of 

one agricultural specialist, one home economist, and one cooperative 

specialist for each of the three regions where the project will be active. 

The total value of their input is calculated to be approximately $405,000. 

The Mauritanian Government, on the other hand, will participate by providing 

the organizational framework and the eleven extension personnel 

through which the farmers will be reached. Other inputs include office 

space, training facilities, housing for the PCVs, well construction, a 

truck for input delivery, and the land and water resources for the 

demonstration areas. The total value of the GIRM inputs will be approximately 

$370,000. 

C. Socio-economic, Technial and Environmental Description: 

1. The major socio-economic acc3ptability of the project; technical 

analysis: Vegetable gardening is a well-entrenched activity in several 

regions and an activity that has provoked a great deal of enthusiasm in 

those areas where it has recently been introduced. The challenge of this 

project will be to respond to the enthusiasm by (1)testing techniques to 

improve production, nutrition levels and incomes; and (2) establishing 

demonstration areas in each of the three regions. The specific technical 

approaches will be determined by the implementation team and their backstopping 

agency.

-3 

2. Environmental analysis: It has been determined in the IE that 

the project is environmentally sound and that no future environmentl 

analyses are required. 

D. Waiver Requests and Implementation: 

1. Waivers: Waivers of A.I.D. 's source and origin requirements 

requested are as follows: 

1. Waiver of FAA Section 636 (i) tc permit Code 935 

procurement of five vehicles. 

2. Authorization for local procurement of up to 

$55,000 of POL products and minor commodities. 

Justification for these waivers can be found in an attachment to this 

authorization memorandum. 

2. Major Implementing Agencies: The zrjor implementing agencies 

will be the Directorate for Agriculture within the Ministry of Rural 

Development and a U.S. contractor who will be selected through the A.I.D. 

competi.tive bidding process. 

E.--Congressional Aporisement: 

There is an increase in the FY 1978 funds being requested from what 

appeared in the original FY 1978 Congressional Presentation. The project 

is also switching funding categories from Food and Nutrition to the Sahel 

Development Program. For these reasons a Congressional Notification is 

required. The Congressional Notification was submitted on 

and the notification period expired on 

F. Responsible Project Officers: 

Doris Mason, AFR/DR/SFWAP, will be responsible for implementation 

actions within AID/W, while Charles Edwards will be responsible for 

implementation within the AID Affairs Office/Nouakchott until a full-time 

project manager is assigned to post. The full-time officer is currently 

in French language training. 

Recommendation: That you sign the zttached PAF II and thereby authorize 

both the proposed project and the requested waivers. 

Attachment: a/s 

AFR/DR/SFWAP:AReed: 5/13/78:moa: 28242

cisavan-": 

A"MR/SW: JRMCCabet.-Lt 

AMI)R/~ :DKasolm MH*l 

ArwDR: isiones 

ibb (draft ArpMR/SDP: M le 

AE,/DR:CAndersm 

ZZ) 

DS/ENM:Jmolgan- dr&A, 

Aw'mf+l 

AWSMtIPJohnson,_Iftaft. 

aWspwAA: ffGra5%_&af t 

AwsmtjBierka dratt) 

GC/AFR:STisa draft 

AFR/DP:WTate Waft) 

DWAFR:WMrth----

Project Authorization and Request for Allotment of Funds 

Part II 

Country : Mauritania 

Project : Vegetabl e Production 

Project No.: 682-0204 

Pursuant to Part 1, Chapter 1, Section 121 of the Foreign Assistance Act 

of 1961, as amended, (the "Act"), I hereby authorize a Grant to the 

Government of Mauritania ("Cooperating Country") of not to exceed One 

Million Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand Dollars ($1,470,000) to assist 

in financing certain foreign exchange and local currency costs of goods 

and services required for the Project as described in the following 

paragraph. 

The project shall consist of an effort to determine the feasibility of 

expanded vegetable production among sedentary rural groups in the 

Third, Fifth and Sixth Regions of the Cooperating Country through the 

provision of technical assistance, training, commodities and support 

costs for (a)the collection, compilation and analysis of data related 

to the technical, economic, marketing, nutritional-consumer acceptance 

feasibility of expanded vegetable production, (b)the establishment of 

pilot demonstration areas and a central field trial area in each project 

region to conduct applied research and a range of basic agronomic testing, 

(c)utilization of participant interest groups to actively involve the 

local population and to provide individual farmers with the techniques, 

services and commodity support required for execution of the project, 

(d)training of personnel of the Cooperating Country to assist in 

planning, coordination and implementation, and (e)training of the local 

population in palatable, low cost food preparation techniques which 

preserve the nutritional content of vegetables (hereinafter referred to 

as the "Project").

1 hereby authorize the initiation of negotiations and execution of the 

Grant Agreement by the officer to whom such authority has been delegated 

in accordnce with A.I.D. regulations and Delegations of Authority, 

subject to the following terms, together with such other terms and 

conditions as A.I.D. may deem appropriate: 

-2 

a. Source and Origin of Goods and Services. 

Except for ocean shipping, goods and services financed by A.I.D. 

shall have their source and origin in the United States or the Cooperating 

Ocean shipping 

A.I.D. may otherwise agree in writing. 

Country, except as 

be procured in any eligible source country 

financed under the Grant shall 

except the Cooperating Country. 

b. Condition Precedent. 

Prior to the first disbursement of funds under the Grant, or to the 

issuance of comitmllt documents with respect thereto, the Cooperating 

in form and substance satisfactory to 

Country shall furnish to A.I.D., 

A.I.D., evidence of the availability of adequate amounts of funds required 

to finance contributions being made to the Project by the Cooperating 

Country. 

c. Covenants. 

The Grant Agreement shall contain covenants providing in substance 

as follows: 

1. The Cooperating Country shall assign to the Project adequate 

number of personnel to ensure the effective implementation of the Project 

and the accomplishment of the objectives of the Project; 

2. The Cooperating Country shall contribute, or cause to be contributed, 

to the Project land and water rights necessary for the effective implementation 

of the Project. 

3. The Cooperating Country shall provide, within 90 days after the 

execution of the Grant Agreement, a plan satisfactory to A.I.D. for the 

assumption by the Cooperating Country of a portion of the costs of POL 

required for vehicles and for equipment used for the Project. 

A.I.D. shall be designated the agent of the Cooperating Country 

4. 

for the purpose of procuring goods a idservices required for the Project. 

.

-3 

5. The procurement and use of pesticides under the Project shall be 

in accordance with A.I.D. pesticide regulations as in effect at the time 

6. The Cooperating Country shall agree to conduct, together with 

AID and the contractor within six months of the time the contractor 

arrives in Mauritania, an evaluation of the staffing and organizational 

arrangements planned for the Project and to make any adjustments thereto 

which are identified during such evaluation as important for the effective 

implementation of the Project. 

d. Waivers. 

Notwithstanding paragraph a. above and based upon the justifications 

set forth in Annexes 0 and E of the Project Paper. I hereby 

1. Approve a procurement source waiver fronm A.I.D. Geographic 

Code 000 (U.S. only) to Geographic Code 935 (Free World) for motor 

vehicles and spare parts; provided, that the amount of such waiver 

shall not exceed $90,000; 

2. Certify that exclusion of the above described motor vehicles 

a,,. spare parts from the requested source country in Code 935 would 

seriously impede attainment of U.S. foreign policy objectives and the 

objectives of the foreign assistance program; 

3. Find that special circumstances exist to waive, and do hereby 

waive, the requirements of Section 636(i) of the Act; and 

4. Approve the procurement of shelf items imported into Mauritania 

from countries included in Code 899 of the A.I.D. Geographic Code Book 

in the amount of $55,000. 

Clearances: As Shown on Action Memorandum 

Assistant Administrator 

for Africa

Countr auxiania 

'AGENCY FOR flITATIONAL DEVLOPENT 

ADVICE OF PROGRAM CHANGE 

Pro ect Title: Vegetable Production 

Proiect Number: 682-0204 

FTY 1978 CP Refarees: Africa Programs, p. 324 

Approriation Category: Sahal Development Program 

Intended Oblijaton: $1,470,000 

We are advising that we intend to obligate $859,000 more than the amount 

($611,000) included in the FY 1978 Congressional Presentation and that we 

intend to change the appropriation category from Food and Nutrition to 

Sahel Development Program. 

The increase from an original estimate of $611,000 is due to a basic 

change in the orientation of the project. It was originally assumed at 

the time of the FY 1978 Congressional .resentation that sufficient data 

existed to enable AID to move directly into a lower cost project to 

develop the capability of the Mauritanian Agriculture Directorate to 

disseminate information and commodities to farmers to enable them to 

increase vegetable production. As the project was developed it became 

apparent that there was insufficient data upon which to base this type 

of program. Therefore, an applied research and pilot vegetable production 

project was developed. This project will assist farmers through small 

pilot efforts while at the same time generating data on production techniques, 

seed preservation, marketing, nutrition, etc., which is required 

as a basis for making future decisions about expansion of vegetable 

production. The change in appropriation categories is consistent with 

the AID policy of funding Sahel activities which meet Club du Sahel 

criteria through the Sahel Development Program. 

Annex: Grant Activity Data Sheet

'D-ItIY* MAURITANIA 

I fe"niorusrip 

legetable Production Sahe Dvoe 

an~meol LOAN[]~bM __ _r _ _ _ 

Goals To promote the develornt and welfare of the rural 

population in Mauritania by increasing small farmer 

productivity 

food 

and nutrition 

family 

levels, 

food 

and by 

security. 

contributing to 

Purpose_ Develop Improved vegetable producticn,, need pre- 

servation and vegetable food preparation techniques among 

sedentary Inhabitants of the third, fifth, and sixth regions 

In Mauritania, and generate the data required to launch an 

expanded program In vegetable production. 

Background! Ilstorically, vegetables have occupied a 

relatively unimportant place In the Mauritanian dieti 

the population has depended 

and 

heavily 

cereals on 

as 

meat, 

their 

milk 

staple 

products 

foods. In 1974, the 

of 

Government 

Mauritania, with A.I.D. and World Bank assistance,lunched 

a vegetable production project In several regions of the 

country as one of the measures taken to help the population 

recover from the drought. Results were encouraging in terms 

of the quantity of vegetables produced and general acceptance 

of legumes In the diet. The project showed, however, that 

further actions had to be taken before vegetable production 

would become a self-sustaining activity for farmers. 

Major Ouputs 

f end 

(cumulative an of end of rY) 

ady ofdat collected and 

analyzed concerning vegetable 

production In Mauritania X 

Farmers instructed in Improved 

production, need preservation 

and marketing methods 3000 

HEW ACTIVITY 

#ont II:Atuowag~. &rAoI.&J. 

... ... 

_9 . JointI IS 

__.. .1 _ _.. . .| _ . 1 L 

Families train- in optimm food 

preparation techniques 

Mauritanian officials trained In 

vegetable prcduction and extension 

services 

loat Country and Other _Dors I 

Government of Mlauritana, Staff, agricultural inputs. vehicles 

and other administrative support (S370,00). 

Peace Corps, Three home economists, three agriculturista, ani 

three cooperative specialists ($405,f)01. 

FY 78 Programi A.I.D. will provide technicians and other smuport 

to help the Mauritanlans gather and analyze farm data, demonstrate 

more efficient vegptable growing tecimlques, train villagers in 

vegetable preibervntion and use, and train a core of Maurltanan 

officials in extension methods. 

personnels 

A.l.O.-fnanced I ts 

.If housand.) np 

four two short-term long-term 196 

(8 

pot) 

pm) 

78 

768 

90 

Training, one lonq-term U.S. (12 Tm) 12 

four 

o deonoditlese 

short-term Third 

Seeds, 

country 

tools and 

(12 pm) 

fertilizer 

12 

Vehicles, spare parts 

295 

100 

Other Costs, Vehicle operations and maintenance 71 

Other local support costs 132 

Totals 

11 

1,470

41 ACTION MEMORANDUM FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR FOR AFRICA 

FROM: AFR/OR, James M. Kelly 

SUBJECT: Procurement Source Origin Waiver 

Problem: Request for a Procurement Source Origin Waiver from Geographic 

Code 000 (U.S. Only) to Geographic Code 935 (Free World). 



c. Project : Mauritania Vegetable Production 

d. Description of Goods : (Four) 4x4 all terrain vehicles 

(One) 3 ton Stake-bed Truck 


f. Probable Scurce : France, England 

Discussion: Section 636(i) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as 

amended, prohibits A.I.D. from the purchase or long-term lease of motor 

vehicles unless such vehicles are manufactured in the United States. 

However, Section 636(i) does provide that "...where special circumstances 

exist the President is-authorized to waive the provision of 

this section in order to carry out the purpose of this act." No 

facilities exist in Mauritania to service U.S. manufactured vehicles. 

Efforts have been made by the U.S. Ambassador and the A.I.D. mission 

in Mauritania to interest U.S. manufacturers of four-wheel drive vehicles 

to enter this market, and specifically to establish after sales servicing 

facilities in Mauritania. Despite these efforts (over a 15 month period; 

only one U.S. manufacturer ever responded. However, that firm showed no 

evidence of further interest after a brief investigation of the problems 

and potentials of the local market. 

Tlhe project sites are located in isolated areas outside of the capital 

city, Nouakchott. Experience has shown that given the extremely difficult 

road conditions in these areas, vehicles require frequent repairs. 

Even local mechanics with formal training are not familiar with U.S. 

vehicles. On the other hand, the capability to maintain Landrovers and 

Peugeots exists not only among formally trained mechanics, but also among 

self-trained mechanics in Selibaby as well as many other isolated areas 

of Mauritania.

-2- 

Secondly, the most basic spare parts do not exist for U.S. vehicles. It 

is inconceivable that the resident team required by the project can undertake 

work with vehicles for which no spare parts exist. 

Finally, the vehicles procured under this project will be provided to the 

GIRM upon project completion. Given the current situation in Mauritania 

as outlined above, U.S. manufactured vehicles will prove to be more of a 

burden than a benefit to the GIRtI. However, excellent maintenance facilities 

exist for British and French manufactured vehicles. 

Recommendation: For reasons outlined in this memorandum, I conclude that 

the exclusion of procurement of the non-U.S. manufactured vehicles mentioned 

above from the sources requested above would seriously impede attainment 

of U.S. foreign policy objectives and the objectives of the foreign assistance 

program, and I recommend that you certify by approving this request 

for waiver. 

AFR/DR/SFWAP: DMason:moa:3/1/78 :X-28242 

Clearances: L 

AFR/DR/SF.AP:JRMcCabe , 

GC/AFR:STisa draft / 

SER/COM/ALI:PHagan (Vaft) 

AFR/SFWA:BChessen (dratT 

DAA/AFR: WHNorth 

AFR/SFWA:HGray (drart 

4

ACTION MEMORANDM FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR FOR AFRICA 

FROM: AFR/DR, James M. Kel.ly 

SUBJECT: Request for Lncrease in Amount of Shelf items That Mav 

be Procured for the Project 

Problem: 

of 

A waiver is needed of the limitation set 

4(b) 

forth 

Chapter 

in paragraph 

18 of Handbook 1B, that shelf item purchases 

project 

for 

from 

the 

Code 899 countries cannot exceed 10 percent or $10,000 

of the total value of local currency expenditures. 



c. Project : Vegetable Production 

d. Description of Goods : POL products and cement 


Discussion: 

(1) Shelf items are defined in Chapter 11 of Handbook 15 and Section 

18a4 of Handbook 1B as commodities which are normally imported into 

the cooperating country and kept in stock in the form in which imported 

for sale to meet a general demand in the country for the item. 

(2) Shelf items from Code 899 countries are limited to items that cost 

$2,500 or less per unit and cannot exceed ten percent of the local costs 

of the project or $10,000 - whichever is greater. 

(3) Section 18D of Handbook 1B indicates that the Assistant Administrator 

may approve waivers of local cost financing policies. 

(4) An increase in the total amount of shelf items that may be procured 

for this project is required for procurement of up to $55,000 for POL 

products and cement. 

C5) These relatively small amounts make procurement in the U.S. and 

transport to Mauritania both unreasonably costly and impractical.

-2- 

Recoendatiou: For the reasons stated above, it is recomended that 

you approve this request for waiver of the Limitation from $10,000 to 

$55,000. 

APPROVED 

DISAPPROVED 

Drafter: AFR/DR/SFWAP :AReed:DMB:4/19/78:28242 

Clearances: 

APR/DR/SFWAP: JRHcCabe 

AFR/DR/SFWAP :DMson Waft) 

AFR/SFWA: BChsseaft. 

AFR/SFWA: HGray draft) 

AFR/DP:FWTate 

(draft) 

GC/AFR: STisa (draft) 

SER/COM/ALI: PHagan draft) 

DAA/AFR: WHNorth_, _, 

DATE

::TztAL E.IVIROt4ENTAL 3XA14NATION 

q5 Project Location: :s1amic Republ.ic Of Mauritania 

Project Ti.le: Veqeta,.e Production 

Fundinq (Fiscal Year and Amount): 

Life of Project: Ty 78 to Ty 8. (Three Years) 

ZEZ Prepared by: Doris Mason, AZR/DR/SFfAP Date: "/24/78 

Environmental.Action Recommended: Negative DeOae-mination 

Concurrence: Date 

Assistant Administrator's Oecision: Date: 

For full discussion of environental impact , see ZEE included 

in ??),

AO OM 3. Apo C ": T". a 0 o r 10, 1976 ;EC(2)-1 

SC(.) - PROjECT CHEC.IST 

Listed below are, first, Statutory Criteria applicable 

then 

genm 

proj 

lly to 

criteria 

projects 

applicable 

with FAA 

to 

funds, 

individual 

and 

fund soures:. Oevelooment Assistance 

catem 

(with 

for 

a 

criteria 

sub 

applicable only to loans): and- Security Supporting Assistance funds. 

CXOSS REFEWICS: !S COUNTRY CHEMC.ST UP TO CA-?. I00TIFY. HAS STAKOARf IT04 CHEC rsT BEEN 

REYVW.E FOR THIS PROJECT? 

GENERAL CRITERIA FOR PROJECT. 

1. Aco. Unnubered% FAA Sec. 653(b) 

(a) Describe how Coittees on Approria- Th.%ough Cong-essiona -Not±.cation 

tions of Senate and House have been or 

will be notified concerning the project; 

(b) is assistance within (Coerational .re3 

Year Budget) country or international 

organization allocation reported to 

Congress (or. not more than $1 million 

over that figure plus 10%)? 

. FAA Sec. (). ior to obligation 

in excess of S10O00, will there be (a) 

engineering, financial, and other plans 

necessary to carry out the assistance and 

(b)a reasonably firm estimate of the 

cost to the U.S. of the assistance? 

3.. PAA Sec. 611(a)(2). If further legislacive 

action is required within r.cipient N/A 

counti-/, what is basis for reasonable 

expectation that such action will be 

completed in time ?, permit orderly 

acc=mplishment of purpose of the assistance? 

4. FAA Sec. 611(b) Ao. Sec. 101. If for N/A 

water or ,ater-reIa:ea iand resource 

construction, has project met the standards 

and criteria as zer Memorandum of 

the President dated Sept. S.,1.73 

(replaces Memorandum of !lay 15, 1962; 

see Fed. Register, Vol 3a, No. 174, Part 

11, Sept. 10, 1973)? 

S. FAA Sec. 611(r). If project is capital /A 

assistance .e.g., construction), and all 

U.S. assistance for it will exceed 

$1 million, has Mission Oirector c.rtified 

the country's caoacility effec.ively t 

maintain and utilize the project?

1. . p"JW-e¢ 

e ~~Is lusceatible 

or Motu of reional or maultti. 

lateral 0"Jocz? If so why is :nJK. not 

so executed? Information ind.canclusloni 

whether assistance will encourage 

regional develamment ogrips. . if 

Assistance is for newly indevendent 

country, is it furished trmah multi. 

latmal otanat~ons or plans 'to the 

nXmIfm extent Appropriate? 

7. cSf.. 601(j): (and S*c. 201(f) for 

O.jcfMent ioansi. 

C=nd 

informlat1on 

uslons 

ano 

nether orajec: will encourage 

effons of the cuntry to: (a) Increase 

tie flow of lnt-rl'ational trade; (b) -fostv" 

private initiative and couoetltion; 

(c) encourage develoomen and use of 

coOertives, credit uni'jns, and savings 

and loan associations; id)discourage 

mnoolistic prac:ices; (e) irnorove 

tcnnical efficiency of indust-.y, agriculture 

and comlmerc; and (f)s:rengthen 

free labor unions. 

8. FAA Se. 601(bi. Information and cancluulon 

on now prjec 

U.S. private 

will encourage 

trade and investmunt abroad 

md encourage private U.S. partcipation 

in foreign assistance programs (including 

use of private trade cnannels and the 

se-fices of U.S. private enterprise). 

9. FAA Sec. 612(b): Sec. 636(h). €escribe 

Iteps :axen :0 assure :unat, to tile 

mximum extent 'oossible, the count y is 

Contributing local currencies to meat 

'he cost of contractual and other 

Services, ahd foreign CUrencles owned 

by the U.S. are utilized to Mt the cost 

of contractual and other ser-icas. 

10. FAA Sec. 12(d). Does the U.S. own excess 

foreign currency and, if so, what arrangements 

have been lade for its release? 

3. FUnDgc~irruA '; MR PRJECT 

Develocnent Atsistance Protect Criteria 

a. FAA Se--.lO(c) Sec. '17: Se. 281a. 

EXtnt to wnlcn dc:1v1:y will ta efectively 

involve the poor in develoement, 

by extendino access to economy at local 

duct.ion, level, increasing sporeading loor-intensive inves',ent our. pro. from 

cities to small towns and rural areas; 

and (b) help develoo cloperatives, 

especially by technical assistance, 

assist 

to 

rural and unan poor to helo 

themslves toward bet:er life, and other. 

wise encourage democratic private and 

local govern mental institutions? 

LoJ -. ea m.-i • 

bilateral assiscancs 

04 thes ... or-- Croject Wil. 

mos Lkely have i:act on (c) 

and (e) 

-. jec will fin e "-i .ca. 

s.ic s f"m ; . . f i 

:U.S. 

-au tz;;na's conte.-butn 

Sl~ft2 the Ma~c=m 

madaqe . .. 

t:2Lt i.t 

-epr 

can 

The roject will di±-"y i'nvo 

the r.ual. o=a thrdugh local 

fa.--e- o-"a .t ns. Z=ove: 

will eqetable .bedemonstrate roaductin 

and' ts c 1.1ue: -T 

adapted by these f-es "ll 

l l 

=ceas veg 

productivity and Output. Z1 

addition, fA.ers will be t ai.: 

in low-OSt, high-.titive 

vegeaLe food .repeamartiv 

technlues.

. FAA See. 103, 103A. 104. 105. 106, 

S assistance Doing Mac* availaole: 

Arfl~ o only applicable paagraon - 

1L.,, bg ec.' - whicn corresponds to 

source of funds used. If mort than one 

fund source is used for project, include 

rtlevanc pangrtr. for eacn fund source.] 

(1)[1031 for agi-icultur, rural development 

or nutrition; if so, extent to 

which Activity is so.xcifically 

designed to incTIse P"Oudctivit7 

and income of rural poc,; [103A] 

if for agricultural research, is 

full &counttaken of needs of small 

farme-s; 

(2) [1041 for paoulation planning or 

health; if so, ex:en., to which 

activity extends low-cost, integrated 

delivuy systems to provide heith 

and family planning services, 

especially to rural areas and poor! 

(3) [105] for education, public administration, 

or human resources 

development; if so, extent to which 

activity strengthens nonformal 

education, makes formal education 

more relevant, especially for rural 

families and urban poor, or 

strengthens management capability 

of institutions enabling the poor-t 

participate In develooment; 

(4) [106] for tecnnical assistance, 

energy, researt, reconstruction, 

and salected develocment problem 

if so, extent activity is: 

(a) technical cocceration and develooment, 

especially wi:h U.S. private 

and voluntary, or regional and international 

development, organizations; 

(b) to helo alleviatae energy problem; 

(c) research into, and evaluation of 

economic development processas and 

techniques; 

(d)reconstruction after natural or 

nnmade disaster; 

(e) for soecial cevelooment problem, 

and to enable prooer utilization of 

earlier U.S. infrastruc-ure, etc., 

assistance; 

(f) for progran of urban develooment, 

especially small labor-intensive 

enterprises, rmrketing systems, and 

financial or other institutions to 

help urban poor particioa:e in 

ecnnomic and social develooment. 

I3:11 NMver 10. 193 6(Z. 

N/A 

N/A 

T/A 

N/a 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A

In . s~ev -go 

(5) [107] by grants for Cordinated 

Privat* effort to develop and 

disseminate intermediate technologies 

Appropriate for developing countries. 

c. FA sec. 1(a)! sec. 2%(e,. s the 

recipient country willing to con stbute 

funds to the project, and in wnat unner 

has or will it Provide assurances that it 

will provide at least 25% of the Costs of 

the program, project, or activity with 

respect to which the assistance is to be 

furnished (or has the latter cost-sharina 

requireent been waived for a "relativel 

least-developed- country)? 

d. FA See. 110(b). Will grant capital 

assistance oe Olsoursem for project over 

more than 3 years? If so, has justification 

satisfactory to Congress been made, 

and efforts for other financing? 

e. FAA Se. 207; Sec. 113. Extent to 

whic assist-ance F-iects appropriate 

enphasis on; (1)encouraging development 

of democratic, economic, political, and 

social institutions; (2)self-help in 

meeting the country's food needs; (3) 

improving availability of trained workerpower 

in the country; (4)programs 

designed to meet the country's health 

needs; (5)other important areas of 

economic, political, and social development, 

including industry; free labor 

unions, cooperatives, and Voluntary 

Agencies; transportation and communica. 

tion; planning and public administration; 

urban development, and modernization of 

existing laws; or (6) integrating women 

into the recipient country's national 

economy. 

f,. FAA Sec. 281 (b). Describe extent to 

which program recognizes the Particular 

needs, desires, and capacities of the 

people of the country; utilizes the 

country's intellectual resources to 

encourage institutional development; 

and supports civic education and training 

in skills required for effective participation 

in governmental and political 

processes essential to self-government. 

mw de a*eAMe 

ob 

/A 

N/A 

Project should make a contribution 

o .Z4os. (2), (3) and (6). 

Vegetabie production in Mauritania 

is presently characterized on a 

whole as 10w-yielding subsistan 

a with inaequ a ext.an 

a . . te inadeq-ate exten 1 

s .on service. The project will 

test and introduce techniques whic! 

will inease yields and Output in 

ad. itio to upgr a ng l O f th' 

addlt.on toupgrading skils of t 

exist.ing extension service.

t. FAA Sec. .(.)4)(b)nd -18). See. 

ZO1(c. Sec. in, d). Ooas 

the ac'.ivty jive rnasonlaie rmise of 

cont-tbuclnq : rie de'rveiooent: of 

economic rmsour .s, or to :ne incrtse of 

poduc:t.iv caoact11es and self-sustaining 

economic growth; or of euca:tional or 

other nst:turcions direc d tmvard social 

proqgrss? Is It rtiatad :a and consistawt 

with a.her daveloauqnt ac:ivities, 

and will itczntributs tz rialiiuble 

long-range objec-ives? And does prJec. 

paper qrvide informatIon and conclusion 

an an actIvity's econamic and technical 

soundness? 

ht.FAA Sec. 7ZO1(b)(i): See. Zla() 

information ana conciusion on possioie 

effect3 of ~I-I sistancs an U.S. itconomy, 

with special rifsr-nca ta ireas of substantial 

Labor surjo us, ind -xtant to 

which U.S. ¢cou tles and assisatncs 

are furnished in a rnner 

improving or safeguar3ing 

of-payments posit-on. 

cznslstent with 

the U.S. balanca. 

Oeveloement Assistance Pc-.ec Crier a 

(Loans oni') 

a. FAA Sec. 01(b(1). rnformation 

and conciusion on avallaility of financf:g 

frm o:er fine-warld source!!, 

including private sourtzs within U.S. 

b. FAA Sec. V~) 21.11(d). Enforation 

ana conciusion an (1Jcaoacity of 

the country! :z reoay cle loan, including 

riasonableness of repayment zroscects, 

and (Z) r-easonaoleness ind lecalit7 

(under laws of country and U.S.) of 

lending and relencing :arns of vie loan. 

c. FAA Sec. .01(e). tf loan is not 

wade pursuant :oa 'uitl!ateral plan, 

and the aMunt of the loan excaeds 

SiC000, has czunt~r sucmit:d It Ai 

.naoolication !*r such funds ':get.er 

00 assurauils to indicate that funds 

1,,ill e used in an economically and 

technically sound Tanner? 

d. FAA Sec. 1('!. Coes orJec. paper 

descrioe now projec: will orlmote- :he 

count7-r's ecznomic di.velooment zaking 

into account :'e count.-'/s -uman and 

-atarial resourcss recuirr.ents ana 

relationsnio becween ultimata objectives 

of the orojec: and overall economic 

development? 

7s 

r~~n.~.z ~s~ 

e!!~ 

~ ± 

zczt a

I. FAA Sec. 202(a). Total amunt of 

MOry unaer Vain wnich is going directly 

to private enterprise, isgoing to 

inte mediate credit institutions or 

other borrowers for use by private 

entorprise, is being used to finance 

imports from prvala sources, or is 

othervisa being used to finance procurements 

from private sourts ? 

f. FAA Sec. 620(d). If assistana is 

for any productive enterprise which will 

compete in the U.S. with 0.S. enterprise, 

Is there an agruent by the recipient 

Country to Prevent export to the U.S. of 

mre than 201 of the enterprise's annual 

production during the life of the loan? 

3. Project Criteria Solely for Security 

Suooorting Assistance 

FM Sec. 531. How will this assistance 

support promote economic or political 

stability? 

4. Additional Criteria for Alliance for 

Proares s 

[Note: Alliance for Progress projects 

should add the following two items to & 

Project checklist.] 

a' FMA Sec. .S()() (8). Does 

assistance take into ac-ount principles 

bf the Act of Bonota. and the Charter of 

Punta del Este; and o what extent will 

the activity contribute to the economic 

or political integration of Latin 

America? 

b. FAA Sec. 2SI(b)(8): 2S1(h). For 

loans, ',as there oeen taKen into account 

the effort made by recipient nation to 

repatriate capital invested in other 

countries by their own citizens? Is 

loan consistent with the findings and 

recommendations of the !nter-American 

Committee for the Alliance for Progress 

(now "CZPC:S,o the Permanent Executive 

Committee of the OAS) in its annual 

review of national developiment activities? 

Project Criteria SoleY for Sahel 

Development Proram 

FAA/Sec. 121. Eo will this 

assistance contzibute to the longterm 

development of the Sahel 

in acoordance with the long-term 

multi-donor development plan 

for that purpose. 

N/A 

N/A 

This project will provide a bd ss 

for determining the eatent to hich 

52 

vegetable production can contribuce 

to self-sufficiency in food producion 

and increase small farmer incom

60(3) * SANDOARD MM CHr.ZS' 

isted blow are statutory item 

Assistance agrunt dealing with which norgelly will be covered routinely in those provisions 

its implementatlon, 

of An 

or covered in the 

where 

agreemen 

Ce.tain 

by. 

uses 

exclusion 

of funds 

(as 

are permitcad, but other uses not). 

These Items art arranged under the general headirgs of (A) Procurement, (8) Construction, and 

(C) Other Restrictions. 

A. Procurment 

1. FAA See. 602. Are there arrangements 

peit 

to 

U.S. sm11 business Tsc:!nicaj 

to participate Assistanuce requests 

equitably 

will be 

in 

advertised 

the fumishing 

tbxugh 

of goods 

A.:. 

and Sm... * 

servtces financed? 

Off-ns . 

-IT Business offi.s. 

2. FAA See . 604 a). Will all cmm odity -- o -. m ae t w ill b e i n a ccardi_ 

procurejnent financed be fram the U.S. we ina . 

except as otherwise determined by the Wi.. A.I.D. -!.a.±ons. 

President or under delegation from him? 

3. FAA Sec. 604(d). If the cooperating Le p= jec aqsemen: will so 

country dscrminaes against U.S. siplat. 

nurine Insurance comoanies, will aoreement 

require that marine insurance'be 

placed in the U.S. on commodities 

financed? 

4. FAA Sec. 604(e), If offshore procurement 

of agricul :ral comnodity or 

prduct is to be financed, is there NIA 

provision against such procurenent when 

the domestic 'rice of such commodity is 

less than parity? 

S. FAA Sec. 6Cm). 'dill U.'Z. Government 

excess perscnai prooerty :e utilized Yes 

wherever practicable in lieu of the 

procurement of new items? 

6. MMA Sec. 901(bl. (a) Conoiiance with 

requirement :na: at least 550per 

centuw Yes 

of the gross tonnage of commodities 

(comout , secarateiy for ary oulk 

carriers, dry cargo liners, and tankers) 

finance-a shail oe transoorted on ;rivately 

owned U.S.-flag commertial vessels to the 

extent :hat such vessels are available 

at fair and reasonable rates. 

7. .AA Sec. 621. If technical assistanc Yes 

is financea. will such assistance be furnished 

to the fullest extent practicaole 

as goods and professional and otner 

services from private enterrise on a 

contract oasis? If the facilities of 

other Federal agencies will be utilized

are they par-icularly suitable, not 

cimetittvi with orivate ntavise, 

adW MO. available Without undue interference 

vth domes:ic p"orams? 

. ]. aCtionil"Air InnScort. FIr 

If air transportation of P.Or; or 

prperty Is financed on grant basis, will 

prevision ae made that U.S.-flag carri -s 

will be utilized t he extent such 

service isavailable? 

B. Construction 

1. FAA Sec. 601(d). Ifa capital (e.g. 

construction) p-ject., art enginering 

and professional services of U.S. firms 

and t t ir affiliates to be used to the 

maximum extent consistent with the 

national interest? 

2. FAA Se. 611(c). Ifcontracts for 

construction are to be financed, will 

they be let on a cometitive basis to 

mximum extent practicable? 

3. FAA Sec. 620(k). Iffor construction 

of proauc:ive enterprise, will ag;regate 

value of assistance to be furnished by 

the U.S. not exceed SlO0 million? 

C. Other Restrictions 

1. FAA Sec. Z01(d).^ Ifdevelopment loan, 

is interest rate at least ZZ per annum 

during grace period and at least ra per 

annum thereafter? 

2. Sec. 301(d). Iffund isestablished 

solety oy U.S.contributions and administered 

by an international orcaniz tlon, 

does Comptroiler General have audit 

rights? 

3. FAA Sec. 620(h). Do arrangements 

precluoce promoting or assisting the 

foreign aid projects or ac:ivities of 

Ccfmunist-aloc countries, contrary to 

the best interests of the U.S.? 

4. FAA Sec. 36(i). Is financing not permittea 

to ze used, without waiver, for 

purchase, long-cerm lease, or exchange 

of motor vehicle Panufactured outside 

the U.S. or guaranty of such transaction? 

N/A 

yes 

'N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

NIA 

N/A 

yes 

Yes

w,,uu3,Ap IC - 3:11 ovew 10, 1976 6C().3 

S. Will arrangemets preclude use of 

537 ffI nancing: Yes 

a. FM Sec. 114. to pay for prfor"mnce 

of abortions or to motivate or coerce 

persons to practice abortions? 

b. F S.c. 620l . to comensate 

Owners ?or expropriated nationalized 

property? 

c. FAA Sec. 660. to finance police 

training or oM-er law enforcement 

assistance, except for narcotics 

progrWs? 

d. FAA Sec. 662. for CZA activities? 

a. Aoo. Sec. 103. to pay pensions, etc., 

for military personnel? 

f. Aoo. Sec. 106. to pay U.N. assessments? 

g. Aao. Sec. 107. to carry out provisions 

f FAA S:ions 209(d) and 251(h)? 

(transfer to multilateral organization 

for lending). 

h. Aoo. Sec. 501. to be used for 

publicity or propaganda purposes 

within U.S. not authorized by Congress?

a4 .V y Pop inrinwaTi &,. o vct.epmwc r C] AP "GIIIIION Arc C SX) 

PROJECT PAPER (7ACLSHE.TC 

To kC Cv."T= By cotI ,I HAT'cC*Cr 

68ZOx0 

Z. CCUMM~h/gC ICAL EW,I -TT/GRANrE- 

67 Mauritania 

T 

I 

A00 OC1.zC 

143 ?"-1 A I. 

CAA0 

oi"UNVIT R.YISICN '&tE.3 

3 

P~.OJCT 'M4IEa 

682-0204 

3. SuRCAU 

A. aY"MOL 

AFR 

10.O 

06 

6. CSTIM.AiTf FY OF PROJECT COMPUTION 

FY 17 ISI 

T.PROJECT "ItU - SRORT (?srT wi1"4t# RAGCrXCJ) 8. .STIATED FY CF AUTHCRIZATIOWC/OLIGATION 

.Me0 YR. 

_Vegetable Production A,.INITIAL I 7 1 8 I N. FYN 7 1 9 

9. SCOWRMMY uC~ CC (P.AAp.JJ4si COrC coac rmtc PasNC ir. icon ChC) 

arm. 

u.s. 

_o___ 

________________10. CST IMATE- TOTAL CWST (SCO on cCAjivALT'rI. $Is 4 

.L 

FM.-,. I 

Yrj.-q 78 _ALL YARS _ 

I Iq-____C. _L/C 0. ?OTAL C. r% I P, L/C C. rOAL 

(GRANT) ______I SH H 39S I I______170._139 ( !(WL 75 U] 

Pac 

a.____ 

_'__. __ 

Coros 1 53 

A. AP, ,o-E..' 

II, 

,MAY!--.RIM.&,'r 

ANIA"IO;J PURPOPOSC 

jL.A A - 

C coOC 

SH 1 25 7 1 2 4 5 

-- 

1 83 

( )__ __ 

f_9_ 

________I________ 

_9 1_ 

139 

__ _370 _ 370 

ToTALS -75_ _81 1745 1____0 j 695 1 Z245 

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TO"7ILS ( L'+,JU 1 14'-70 

13. PROJECT PQRPOSJE() (37AT WIT1411 SMACKC73:) C mc1€x ir oirTrentmT r~om ,PIO/ P. 

To determin.e the f=easibility of expanded vegetable production among 

L_ edenazri rural groups _ in he Third, I _ 

Fi_=th _ 

and Sixth egions of Mauzritania 

t.hrough an applied research and pilot program. 

( 

_ ___ 

WE.AE C.HAPGES MAOE IN THE PIO/PRP rACZESHE- OA7A IT IN1CLLMEO AS0VE? IF ." ,ATTACN CXOCED PiO 

4,Z C R FI:CZ3I-THEZ7;I ¢L..A(Cio.3 za¢ ={ i..0' 

I" OR G1.117 I~T 1 r F7ICT LAANE..%tRc zI 

,410( 1330 (1573 

-LA 

CA 3,°Z 1"i °WNZ'

TABU or coNTMS 

PART I SU4MARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS 

A. Face Sheet Data 

Page No. 

B. Recommendations 1 

C. Summary Description of Project 

D. Sumary Findings 3 

E. Project Issues 4 

PART II. Background and Detailed Description 

PART III. Project Analysis 

A. General Background 6 

B. History of A.I.D. Involvement 8 

C. Detailed Description 10 

A. Technical Analysib 18 

1. Initial Environmental 

Examination 24 

2. Other Programs: 

a) Vegetable Preparation 36 

b) Training 40 

B. Financial Analysis and Plan 42 

C. Social Analysis 44 

D. Economic Analysis 70 

PART IV. Implementation Arrangements 

A. Administrative Arrangements 84 

B. Implementation Plan 99

ANNEX 

C. ProcuzeMent Plan 

-2- 

103 

D. Equipment and Commodities List 104 

E. Source and Origin 

F. Method of Procurement 

G. Shelf Item Procurement 

H. Waivers 

I. Evaluation Arrangements 

104 

10S 

105 

105 

106 

J. Conditions, Covenants and 107 

Negotiating Status 

Logical Framework Matrix 

References for Financial Analysis 

References for Economic Analysis 

References for Technical Analysi

6I 

B. RAcomnendations 

1. Grant Funding 

It is recomended that the Vegetable Production Project be 

authorized by AID grant funding as follows: 

Two Year Project Funding for FY 78 through FY 81: $1,470,000 

(FY 78 Grant Financing) 

2. Waivers 

a) Waiver of FAA Section 636(i) to permit Code 935 

Procurement of S vehicles; 

($795,000) 

b) Authorization of shelf item procurement of up to $55,000 

of POL products and minor commodities.

C. Oe0gciPtion of the Project 

I. Scope and rnputs 

The project is designed as a three-year experimental intervention 

which will generate the data required to determine the feasibility of 

an expanded program in vegetable production among sedentary inhibitants 

of the Third, Fifth and Sixth Regions in Mauritania. 

Project support activities include: (a) collection, compilation 

and analysis of data related to the technical, economic, marketing, 

nutritional-consumer acceptance feasibility and desirability of expanded 

vegetable production; (b) establishment of pilot demonstration areas 

and a central field trial area in each region in order to carryout 

applied research and to conduct a range of basic agronomic testing; 

(c) utilization of participant interest groups (grouppments cooperatif) 

to actively involve the local population and to provide the individual 

farmers information, techniques, services and commodity support required 

to execute the project; (d)training of GIRM personnel to assist in 

the planning, coordination and implementation of the project; (e) train 

ing of the local population in highly palatable, low-cost food preparation 

techniques which preserve nutritional content of vegetables. 

Specifically, the project will provide: 

A. Technical Assistance 

- A.I.D. 

- Project Manager/Agricultural Extentionist 

- Horticulturist/Agronomist 

- Agricultural Economist 

(36 pm) 

(36 pm) 

(12 pm) 

- Nutritionist 

- Soils Conservationists 

- Hydrologist 

(12 pm) 

(4 pm) 

C 4 pm)

Peace Corps 

-2- 

- Agricultural Specialist (108 pm) 

- Rom Economists 

(108 Pa) 

- Cooperative Specialists (108 pm) 

B. Participant Training 

- Two Staff years training at Hassan II 

University in Morocco 

- 12 student months training at Camberene, Senegal 

- Periodic training by U. S. Consultants in vegetabl 

production techniques for 6 extension agents. 

C. Commodities 

- Vegetable Production Inputs 

D. Vehicles 

(seed, fertilizers, tools, insecticides) 

- Four 4x4 all Terrain Vehicles 

- Two three-ton stake bed trucks 

E. Other 

(includes local personnel and labor, land and facilities, POL) 

2. End of Project Status 

By the end of the project, it is expected that Mauritania will have: 

(a) the necessary technical, economic, marketing and nutrition information 

required to determine the feasibility of expanded small-scale vegetable 

production and to serve as a guide in any future assistan,.-e activities 

by the GIRM and external donors in vegetable production; (b) developed 

a body of knowledge regarding improved vegetable production, seed preserva 

tion techniques, and marketing systems; (c) households trained in improved 

vegetable food preparation techniques; and (d) GIRM personnel trained in 

vegetable production and extension at the national, regional and local levels.

C. Sumna Findinga 

-3- 

An analysis of the various findings in Paxtz IZ and IV herein.. 

conflzm that the project is ready for implementation. Findings 

revealed that: 

1. Fazuers are eager and willing to participate in vegetable 

production providing that information, training, materials and comnodities 

are supplied. 

2. Those farmers who presently grow vegetables eat them, although 

the proportion of vegetables devoted to auto - consumption as opposed 

to sale cannot be determined and varies widely. 

3. For many groups now engaged in vegetable production, vegetables 

have been a part of their traditional diets. This is especially true 

for groups living along the river valley who have long prepared millet, 

sorghum, and rice dishes with sauces topped with or made with vegetable. 

4. Field observations reveal that the demand for and consumption 

of vegetables is increasing in Mauritania. However, due to lack of data, 

the magnitude of this increase cannot be measured. 

5. Those farmers presently involved in vegetable production view 

it primarily as a viable means for increasing their incomes and as a 

means for providing variety to their diets. 

6. In order to insure success the intervention should integrate 

itself into existing organizational structures and channel its 

resource support through existing centers for implementation. 

7. The GIRM extension capacity must be up-graded if techniques 

introduced by the project are to be successfully diffused to the target 

population.

-4 

8. The primary obstacles related to production of vegetables in the 

target areas have been identified. However, much remains to be learned 

about the economic and technical conditions conducive to increasing 

vegetable production and consumption. This project as presently conceiyed, 

represents a practical means by which A.I.D. can provide a basis for 

determining how vegetable production can be successfully expanded. 

9. The Government of Mauritania is strongly committed to the success 

of the project and to increasing vegetable production. 

D. Issues 

A number of issues were raised during the January, 1977, PRP review 

and the Project Paper review in November, 1977. Reviewers are requested 

to bear in mind that this project is experimental in -nature. 'Trust 

worthy data are literally non-existent in Mauritania. The project, as 

presently designed, will provide the information required to answer many 

of the questions raised. In particular, questions raised concerning 

economic benefits and viability, market structure and demand are ones 

that can be answered with any degree of certitude only upon project 

completion. 

In view of recent field observations lack of peztinent data and 

findings by the design team, the primary focus of the project has been 

altered from one of institution building and production to one of 

irlformation gathering and trial testing. This approach will provide 

a basis for determining how and to what extent vegetable production 

should be expanded. In addition, the scope of the project, in terms of 

size of the target area, has been reduced from nine to three regions 

in Mauritania. This change is the result of concerns raised regarding

-5 

the logistics, costs and security problems associated with such a 

large target area. Additional data gathered by the consultants, 

consultations with USA/I/Nouakcott and recommendations made by the 

GIhNindicated that the target area should include the Third Region 

(Kiffa), Fifth Region (Boghe) and the Sixth Region (Rosso). These 

now choices have the advantage of being best adapted for vegetable 

productLon because, (a) water for agricultural purposes is more 

abundant in these regions than in others; (b) in these regions 

vegetables have been grown and therefore there it will not be necessary 

to overcome the difficulties inherent in introducing a new crop; and 

(c) commercialization possibilitie- and techniques can be observed 

in the three regions as the markets of !Rasso, Aleg, Boghe and Nouakchott 

are accessible from these regions.

-6- 

PA ' : MCROUND AND DETAZLM DESCRPTON 

A. Gaeneral Background 

Nauritonia, situated on coast of Africa latitud i 15 o 

the west between 

and 250 north, has an area of approximately 1.1 million km 2 . The population 

in mid-1976 was estimated at 1.4 million and to be increasing at a rate of 

2.3 percent a year. The northern two-thirds of the country in desert and sub 

desert, and is virtually uninhabited. Some 80 percent of the population, 

including the farmers and livestock herders are situated within a zone not 

more than 180 km in width along the southern border. About 24 percent of the 

population is oriented toward the modern and trading sector of the economy, 

with the remaining 76 percent dependent upon subsistence livestock and agri 

culture production. 

The economic and social structures have been greatly affected by the 1968-74 

drought, which resulted in crop failures, losses of livestock due to starvation, 

and.premature slaughter. These events have been primary causes for increasing 

sedntarization of the population, and have placed emphasis on vegetable produc 

tion as an viternative means of earning a livelihood. Although the gross per 

capita income in Mauritania is estimated at $310, in the rural areas, it is one 

of the lowest in the world at less than $70. Trade patterns for Mauritania have 

relied heavily upon imports in the form of live animals, consmr goods and 

services, and food stuffs from Senegal and Mali. 

Agricultural Regions 

Mauritania can be divided geographically into four agricultural regions: 

the Saharan zone, Sahelian zone, Sudano-Sahelian zone, and the Senegal River 

Valley.

Oahaxan Zone 

-7- 

The Saharan zone (sub-desert and desert, 

- per year) comprises 70 to 80 percent of 

kqricuLt=al production is Limited 

with rainfall less than 

the land area of Mauritania. 

250', 

to date cultivation, livestock production, 

and seasonal nomadic grazing with sheep, goats, and camels in scattered oases. 

Sahalian Zone 

The Sahelian zone (250 to 500 m 

rainfall per year) QLuprise" 10 to 15 

percent of land area. Transhumant livestock production by Maure 

primary economic activity. 

groups is the 

Wet season grain production, on a limited basis, 

does occur with the use of short season millets. Transhumant herds leave this 

zone during the dry season for grazing sites in the Senegal valley and the 

Sudanian zone. 

Sudanian Zone 

The Sudanian zone of Mauritania (500 to 750 mm rainfall,per year) comprises 

less than 4 percent of the lan 

area of Mauritania. A large variety of locally 

adapted sorghum and millet varieties are grown with maturity dates varying from 

90 to 180 days. Family subsistence production units are of three types: trans 

humant pastoralists (Maures and Peuls), livestock-dependent semi-transhumant 

groups (Maures and Peuls), and stentary crop-dependent households (Toucouleur, 

Peuls and Soninkes). 

The zone is normally "self-sufficient" in food grain pro- 

duction, yet it does some trade with drier areas to the nortai. 

cash income into the zone is generated by the export of live animals. 

Project zone falls largely in the Sudanian eco-climatic zone.) 

Senegal River Flood Plain 

However, most 

(The 

The Senegal River Flood Plain (250 to 750 mm rainfall per year) is the most 

important agricultural region in Mauritainia. 

The Mauritania side of the valley

-8 

extends back froa the river 20 to 50 kI. in addition to sorghum and aillat, 

m rice and vegetables are grown on seasonally flooded lands. According 

to the DAP, 20 per=ent of the population of Mauritania lives in the valley, 

and it produces 80 percent of the country's food grains. Several major irriga 

tion schemes are in various stages of development planning. The valley is also 

an important dry season grazing area for the transhumant herds of centrPl and 

western Mauritania. 

B. History of A.I.D. Tzvolvement 

A.I.D. 's role in providing extensive bilateral development assistance to 

the rural sector of Mauritania dates from early 1973. It became apparent at 

the time that substantial assistance from A.I.D. and other donors in the 

international community was needed in order to plan and implement programs and 

projects that would lead to sustained economic growth and social and political 

stabiliS.y in face of the enormous difficulties resulting from the 1968-74 

drought. 

The initial A.I.D. efforts in Mauritania were confined to emergency measures 

undertaken in FY 73. These bilateral efforts, which were stop-gap in nature, 

were initiated to prevent starvation and to reduce diseases stemming from 

nutritional deficiencies. A.I.D.'s commitment 6f foodstuffs was initially 

15,000 metric tons, supplemented by 48,250 metric tons, 4,000 metric tons and 

5,500 metric tons respectively, during 1974, 1975 and 1976. During FY 74, A.I.D. 

contributed non-food emergency assistance in the form of medicines and vehicles 

valued at $252,000. In the same year A.I.D. also negotiated the Sahel Drought 

Recovery and Rehabilitation Program with the Government of Mauritania. A total 

of $2.915 million dollars was obligated in fiscal years 1974, 1975 and 1976

if 

-9 

unde this program to support range management, livestock and water, agricul 

tural production, storage, transportation and health. 

At the request fo the Government of mauritania in February 1974, A.I.D. 

under the umbrella of the Sahel Relief and Rehabilitation Grant Agreement 

financed "Operation Vegetable Prod=uction" in the amount of $600,000. The 

project targeted primarily on the nomadic populace that had lost their means 

of livelihood - Livestock - due to the drought. Garden plots (family) were 

established to supplement losses and to attempt to maintain some measure of 

self-sufficiency. The project supplid water pumps, seeds, fertilizers, garden 

tools and vehicles to farmers. A total of 800 families in six regions planted 

150 hectares which produced almost 1,500 tons of vegetables. There was no 

formal evaluation of the project. However, verbal evaluations indicate: (a) 

cultivator interest was high everywhere and farmers were responsive to new 

production techniques introduced by the project; (b)faxres were willing to 

support a group cooperation arrangement as long as they felt it as to their 

advantage; (c)harvests averaged 12 tons/hectare for potatoes and 13.5 tons/ 

hectare for other vegetables. The project gei,..rated an awareness and desire among 

farmers to become involved in vegetable production and substantially increased 

vegetable production and consumption in areas previously limited largely to 

herding. This effort set the framework for the proposed project. 

A PFP design team was fielded during mid-1976 to develop a logical long-term 

vegetable production proposal. The January 1977, ECPR review of the PRP and the 

November 1977 review of the PP raised several issues. These issues axe 

addressed in the Detailed Description and Project Analysis Sections of this 

paper.

C. Detailed Description 

1. Goal 

- 10- 72 

The overall sector goal of the project is to promote the development 

and velfare of the rural population in Mauritania by increasing small 

farmer income and food productivity; thereby contributing to family food 

security. 

2. Purpose 

The purpose of the project is to determine the feasibility of expanded 

vegetable production among sedentary rural groups in Mauritania through 

an applied research and pilot vegetable production program. 

3. End of Project Status and Outputs 

By the end of the project, (a) A body of information will exist which 

will serve as a basis for making future decisions about expandion of 

vegetable production; (b) Improved practices in production, seed preserva 

tion and marketing of vegetables will be identified and demonstrated 

to local farmers; (c) The local population will be trained in vegetable 

food preparation techniques which are optimum in terms of cost, nutrition 

and palatability; (d) Eleven GIRM officials will have been trained in 

vegetable production and extension services to work at all levels 

within the Agriculture Directorate of the Ministry of Rural Development. 

4. Inputs 

The total inputs for the project are detailed in Table I. As the table 

reveals, the major A.I.D. input is U. S. tecnmical assistance ($848,000). The

-11 

second lagst A.I.D. inputs include commodities (sies,o0o) and vehicles 

($90,000). The A.Z.D. contibution to participant training is $24,000. 

Peace Corps inputs w*lfl consist of nine volunteers ($405,000). From 

Mauritania the primazy inputs aze POL ($105,000) and personnel and labo 

($90,100). 

A. A.I.D. 

Table I 

Project Inputs -. Mauritania 

Vegetable Production Project 

($ U.S. 000's) 

I. Tochnical Assistance 

a. Project Maager/Agricultural Extensionist 

b. Horticulturist/Agronomist 

c. Agricultural Economist 

*d. Nutritionist 

300 

228 

120 

Sentist 

cbi 40 

11. 

?: 

H 40 

~ Sub-Total 

Participant TrainigS 

a. Chief of Vegetable Production 

2 staff-years university training 12 

b. 4 regional sector chiefs, 3 student 

months each 12 

.Sub-Total 24 

II. Commodities 185 

IV. Eouipment 20 

V. Vehicles and Spare Parts 

a. 4 4x4 all terrain vehicles 62 

b. 1 3-ton state bed truck 28 

Sub-Total 90 

V1. Other Costs 

a. POL (Fuel, Oil, Lubricants) 51 

b. Housing 60 

Sub-Total ill 

Project Total 1,278 

Contingencies & Inflation 192 

GRAND TOTAL 1,470 

B. PEACE CORPS 

I. Three Home Economists 135 

I. Three Agricultural Specialists 135 

II1. Three Cooperative Specialists 13 

TOTAL 405

C. PIAORTANUZ 

5. Linkages 

- 12- 

1. Personnel and Labor 

90.1 

I. Land 

25.0 

z1. water 

30.2 

IV. Training 

5.4 

V. POL 

105 

V1. Vehicles 

i8 

V'?. Housing for PCVs 74 

VIZ. Office Space 

12 

A. Purpose to Goal Linkages 

PROJECT TOTAL -- 25 

The purpose of the project will contribute to sector goal 

achievement by providing a data basis for determining it or to what 

extent 

vegetable production can become a viable enterprise for small 

farmers, increase 

small 

farmer 

family food security. The project is an 

gathering and will promote 

370 

food productivity and contribute to 

exercise in information 

the welfare of the populations in the 

target areas by identifying and developing vegetable production techniques 

and practices which are optimum to the social, physical, 

climatological environments. 

B. Inputs to Outputs Linkages 

The experimental design approach 

economic 

and 

of the project is necessary 

to provide reliable guidance with respect to the feasibility of 

future activities. 

Testing of major agronomic options and collection 

and analysis of sufficient economic, marketing and consumer 

nutritional data will be undertaken. The Horticulturist/Agronomist 

acceptance 

will conduct carefully controlled trials and develop a research design 

to provide for collection and analysis of agronomic data. 

In addition,

750 this pexson, along with the Project Manager, will be responsible for, 

.13 

advising and in-service training of extension agents as well as 

instructing and supervising extension agents and PCVs in data collection 

techniques to be used. 

The Agriculture Production Economist will develop a research 

design to determine the marketing, ecor- mic and financial feasibility 

of expanding vegetable production in the region. Analysis of consumer 

acceptance and use and other nutrition related factors will be elenments 

of the final economic analysis. 

The Nutritionist will conduct an assessment of the nutritional 

impact o the project on the target population. This activity will 

include: .(a) nutritional surveillance cf the target population; 

(b) nutritional monitoring; (c) collection of food consumption data 

for analysis of the nutrient value of the diet. The Nutritionist 

will also provide guidance and supervision to the home economics 

PCVs on nutrition data collection and training of the local population 

in vegetable food preparation. 

Short-term consultancy of a Soil Scientist and a Water 

Resource Specialist will be provided early during the project. These 

consultants will conduct an assessment to determine soil management 

practices that promote efficient water use, productive potential of 

the major soil types and potential exploitation of various water 

sources. 

A.I.D. will provide commodity support in terms of seeds, 

fertilizer, pesticides and tools to carryout pilot demonstrations.

-14- 

Project beneficiaries Viil contribute the labor to construct and cultivate 

pilot areas. Production from the pilot, expeiment-l plots will be 

consumed to satisfy food needs of producers, or bartered or marketed 

for cash, yielding income (goods or cash) for producers. A.I.D. will also 

provi4e four 4x4 all terrain vehicles for transpor ation of consultants 

and counterparts to and from project sites and one three-ton (four-wheel 

drive) stake bed truik to the office of the Chief of Vegetable Production 

for transport of commdities to the Third and Fifth Regions. The Govern 

ment of Mauritania will provide transportation for input delivery to 

the Sixth Region. 

The A.I.D. input into participant training includes: (aY two 

staff years of university training in vegetable production for the Chief 

of Vegetable Production ; (b) three-month intensive seminar on vegetable 

production' and on-the-job training for four agricultural sector chiefs; 

and (c) periodic training in vegetable production and data collection 

techniques with primary emphasis on training in the field will be 

provided to six agricultural extension agents by the U.S. technicians. 

The officals slated for training are presently working within 

the Directorate of Agriculture. In Nouakchott, at the national level, 

the Chief of Vegetable Production is assigned full-time to plan and 

coordinate all vegetable production activities throughout the country. 

The sector chiefs represent the Directorate of Agriculture at the 

regional level and are responsible for coordination of all agricultural 

activities (including vegetable production) in their regions. The 

agricultural extension agents, at the local level in coordination 

with the sector chief have the ultimate responsibility for dissemination

ii of technical inputs and information to farmers. The training provided 

by this project will increase the Directorate's capacity to serve as an 

effective means by which to channel production inputs and technical 

information to participating farmer groups, as well as upgrade officials 

data collection and analytical skills. 

The Peace Corps input will consist of nine volunteers, i.e., 

for each. of the three regions - one, agriculture specialist, one home 

economist (female) and one cooperative specialist. The volunteers will 

assist the U.S. technicians in raw data collection on the agronomic, 

economic/marketing and nutrition factors related to vegetable production 

and provide extension support to the existing government structure. The 

Agriculture specialists will work under the agriculture sector chiefs 

and will assist in establishing the pilot plots and conducting experiments. 

These volunteers along with the extension agents will receive on-site 

technical supervision from the Horticulturist/Agronomist. The Cooperative 

specialists will work directly under the sector chiefs with participating 

farmer groups. In Boghe, where a cooperative extension agent is 

assigned, the PCV.will attach himself to this agent. They will assist 

farmer groups on organizational matters and will provide administrative 

support which will consist primarily of bookkeeping. The home economists 

under guidance of the Nutritionist will develop and train members of 

the local population in low-cost, high nutrient vegetable good 

preparation techniques. Complementary to the food preparation component, 

the home economists with the guidance of the USAID Staff Sociologist in 

Nouakchott will collect data in an effort to identify the parameters of 

the woman's role in the production of vegetables in Mauritania.

The GZIP 

-16 

input consists primarily of personnel. Ten GZIR officials will be 

directly associated with the project. in addition, 

The GZM will provide one 3 ton stake body truck 

six drivers will be assigned. 

for input delivery to the 

Sixth Region and fuel for all project vehicles during the last half of the 

project (11 years). 

PCV , well construction, 

Implementation of 

A.I.D. to 

Other inputs include office space, training, housing of 

land and water, resources for the demonstration areas. 

the project will be evaluated annually by the GIRM and 

determine the major technical, administrative, sociological and 

economic constraints. The project as proposed, in and of itseif, will not 

provide 

substantial development in the target areas. It is hoped that by the 

end of the project, a substantial body of knmwledge regarding vegetable produc 

tion will have been garnered 

which will provide a basis for determining strategies 

for expansion of vegetable production to more farmers in other regions. 

6. Assumptions 

a extent on managerial control 

Achievement of outputs depends to large 

of inputs, namely insuring that the GIRM, contractors, supplies and shippers 

make inputs available on time as required. 

in the Logical Framework, the following may be singled out 

critical to achievement of project success. 

A. 

GIRM support of vegetable production programs 

Among the assumptions included 

as being particularly 

in terms of policy, 

funding and personnel support is essential both during the project and 

it ends. 

B. It is vital to project success that GIRM Ironnel trained 

in the project areas 

after 

are retained 

until project completion. The probabilityof this assumption

-17 

is beinq fulfilled is relatively high since all official. designated for 

training are presently living and working in project areas. 

C. It is necessary that farmer. understand and accept techniques intro 

duced by the project. 

D. The achievement of ouputs and the provision of inputs depends heavily 

on the assuuption that the technical assistance personnel will bd available 

and willing to work in Mauritan4a. Not only are conditions extremely difficult 

in Mauritania, there is the added requirement for language abilitZ and, with 

recent changes in the tax laws, the uncertainties of how willing American 

contract personnel will be to undertake overseas employment increases. 

E. Finally, it is assumed that the political and security situation will 

remain stable throughout the life of the project.

PAW U.. PRJ Aouza 18- 

A. Technical Analysis 

The average vegetable 

garden in Mauritana varies in 

frm one to ten ,Acres. Vegetable Production is an off season (dry 

season) exercise to supplement rainfLd grain farming, primarily for 

auto-consumption. A typical garden has a fair variety of vegetable 

types: tomatoes, onions, carrot, turnips, beets, lettuce, eggplant, 

cabbage, etc. IZrrigation is by watering - cans from wells, ponds, or 

size 

the Senegal River. Water is the limiting factor, as much so because of 

the arduousness in transporting it to the garden, as because of its 

relative scarcity in areas away from the river. With the exception of 

animal manure, no soil fertility amendments are made. Data on crop 

yields exist in the form of seasonal reports from the regional 

agriculture sector heads, with accuracy being questionable. 

Fundamentally, vegetable farming in Mauritania can be 

viewed as subsistence level, low-yield agriculture that has experienced 

little outside (or government) intervention. Virtually, systems 

no of 

modern technological inputs (fertilizer, pesticides, pump irrigation 

system, etc.) have been provided. 

The present project as designed includes testing of major 

agronomic options in the target areas. Present production practices 

will be studied as a significant guide to specific design of project 

actions. This is considered the base from which work must start in 

attempting to identify more productive systems. Collection of detailed 

information on current practices, jointly by expatriate and local* 

staff, will promote two-way communication on local needs and c. jectives.

-19- 

The basic &gronomic considerations are the specification 

of crops, major cropping patterns and soil management practices considered 

logically applicable in the target areas. Attention should also be given 

to other crops asa they relate to production of vegetables. The 

fol.lowingc outline of some aspects of vegetable and other farming suggest 

the extent of potential choices among production and related practices: 

1. Soil and Water Management: 

A. Soil Fertility and Structure: 

1. Crop rotations (to fully exploit soil fertility). 

2. Soil fertilizer amendments: 

a. Animal manures 

b. Compost 

c. Green manure and incorporation of crop residues 

d. Chemical fertilizers 

e. Tillage practices 

B. Water Economy 

1. Relationship of soil fertility, soil type and yield per 

unit of water. 

2. Use of mulches, compost or manures. 

3. Water application methods. 

4. Shading of some high value crops. 

2. Pests and Diseases 

A. Relationship of Pest and Disease Problems With: 

1. Various crop rotations 

2. Control of weeds by various practices

-20 

3. Use of sone deterrent species (i.e., marigolds) 

3. Cropping Practices: 

1. Crop variety selection (variety trials) 

2. Planting depth 

3. Planting density (spacing) 

4. Transplanting and pruning techniques. 

5. Date of harvest and planting. 

6. Intercropping especially using niaeb, millet, torghum, 

with vegetables. 

7. Timing of fertilization. 

The implementation team should take into account the followin,. 

thrusts of activity. They should however, based on field experience 

during implementation, exercise professional judgement in accepting 

or modification of each: 

1. Establish central field trail areas for applied research in 

each region to do a range of basic testing. Some of this will be on 

plots of cooperating farmers, and there will be additional extensive 

follow-on tests on farmer plots. 

2. Carry out soil tests on field trial areas and farmer plots 

to determine fertility levels and plant food needs. 

3. Emphasize vegetables that have a longer shelf or storage 

life under feasible local conditions. Understanding of nutritionist 

as well as production specialists should be applied. 

4. Emphasize vegetables that make a maximum contribution to, 

caloric intake, protein and specific vitamin needs, such as potatoes, 

02

-21 

peas, beans, other food legumes, squn Ihand cri.rots. 

5. Attempt to identify systems relating veget-tles to other crops, 

identify which system. are technically and economically viable, and will 

meet total food needs minimize risks due to perishability and that are 

suitable to demands in the producing villages, nearby towns, and urban 

markets, including consideration of transport conditions. 

6. Execute field trials that involves choices among practices: 

a. Give production levels using fertilizer (two or more 

levels), insecticides, improved seed, specified husbandry practices, 

water supply, etc. 

b. Use local materials available and affordable to farmers, 

such as plant materials, compost, and manures. 

c. Vary input levels as appropriate, all within a range 

that can be made available to farmers. 

7. Train several artisans/farmers in each area in skills to 

service sprayers, dusters, and to maintain hand tools by sharpening, 

replacement of handles, etc. 

8. Test seed production in each region to determine feasibility 

of locally self-sufficient systems. 

9. Provide a systematic non-formal training element of farmer 

training in all villages involved. 

10. Pesearch techniques of preserving seed, storage of root 

vegetables, drying, etc.

INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION 

Project Country: Islamic Republic of Mauritania 

Project Title: Vegetable Production 

Funding: FY(s) 7 $ $1,470,000 

Period of Project: FY 78 through FY 81 

IEE Prepared by: Doris Mason, AFR/DR/SFWAP 

Environmental Action Recommended: Negative Determination 

Concurrence: J r 

Assistant Administrator Decision: 

APPROVED 

DISAPPROVED 

DATE 

(For full discussion of environmental impact, see IEE included in rT).

-25 

81 . Examination of Nature, Scope and Magnitude of -nvironmental 

A. Description of ProJect 

Although vegetables have been grown in Mauritania over 

several decades, vegetable farming can be fundamentally viewed as 

subsistence level, low-yield agriculture that has experienced 

minimum outside (or government) intervention. The present 

project is designed as a three-year experimental intervention 

to generate data which will determine the feasibility of 

expanding vegetable production in the country. To accomplish 

this objective, test pilot areas will be established in each of 

the three regions. These areas will be worked by the project 

beneficiaries themselves, and will serve is field trial areas 

for applied research. 

Project support activities include: (a) utilization of 

participant interest groups ('groupments coopertif") to ac 

tively involve the local population and to provide information 

techniques, services and commodities to ffarmers; (b) training 

of GIM personnel to assist in the management and implementation 

of the project, and (c) training of the local population in low 

cost food preparation techniques which maintain optimal nutri 

tional value of vegetables. 

The original project design envisaged providing technical 

experts in nine of the twelve regions in the country. This has 

since been reduced to three regions in order' io provide a more 

concentrated effort.

-26. 

Although specifc site selection. and extent of local 

atopation (in terms. of numbers of people) will be deter, 

mined during implementation, it Is expected by the end of the 

Project, 200 hectaeGS' foland will have- been brought under cul 

tivation and an estimted. 3,000 farm householdas, will h., been 

involved in the activity, . The. total population of the. three, 

regions is estimated at approxim'sly 250,000 people- 

Implementation of the project will- be evaluated annually 

to determine&the majr economic, technical, administ ative and 

sociological constraints, in an effort to Provide guidance 

for future project development. The project will be an exercise 

by which it is expected to gain knowledge upon which to base 

decisions on whether or how the project should be expanded to 

more farmers in new regions,.

B. 

n ad EYaluati of Env romenal Import. 

1. fitot-In, Natural Resouroeq 

All of the three regions concerned, have traditionally 

used shallow, hand-dug wells as a source of water for vegetable 

garde=L±. These wells generally f ,ow good quality. In sites 

to be selected where wells already exist, these wells,will be 

improved by lining and capping them with reinforced concrete. 

This will result in a limited beneficial environment impact as the 

Possibilities for well contamination will be reduced. it is 

expected, however, in some sites wells will have to be constructed. 

These wells will be handdug about 10 meters and linned and capped 

with concrete caisson. Specific site selection for well con 

struction and selection of wells to be improved will be made 

during implementation of the project by a REDSO engineer in 

collaboration with the U.S. technicians and the GaUM. Precaution 

will be taken during selection to avoid any negative environmental 

impacts resulting from extraction of water resources in the project 

areas. In addition, the Horticulturist/Agronomist assigned to 

the project will be responsible for monitoring water resources 

to insure that no negative impacts results. It is expected 

that a total of ten wells will be improved or constructed over, 

the three year period. 

2. Land Clearin 

As is well known, the soils in this area of the world 

are fragile and care must be taken not to harm them through

-28- 

QsW e8 Prelsa.tion f l.antin or not allowing the periods for 

reGeuati.on. The project is designed to encourage fhrmrs to use and 

develop good sound gaz dening and land preparstion practices. 

3. Soils 

Demonstration Will be-cMied out on land- already Under cultivation. 

A cmrp ro'ation system will be introduced using crops which wilL replenish 

the soil nutrients or generate it with deep root penetration and in general 

maintain or improve soil properties. 

4. heica.. and Biolonicat States 

a) Insecticides 

The project envisions the use of insecticides, rodenticides and 

fertilizers in limited quantities. Obviously the judicious use of these 

products is of utmost importance to protect individuals, the water, animal 

and plant life from harmful effects which might result from abusive use of 

these chemicals. Generally, insects do not constitute a major problem for 

vegetable production in the country. They are used principally to control 

attacks of caterpillars, lice, and grasshoppers. Prior to procurement of 

insecticides a risk/benefit analysis of their use will be conducted in 

accordance with prevailing A.I.D. regulations. 

b) Rodenticides - Rats are the only serious predator which threaten 

vegetable plots in the project areas. Prior to the serious attacks of 1975, 

the population controlled them principally by clubbing and site selection. 

To cope with the serious 1975 attack anti-coagulant baits were imported 

into Mauritania and the Government has created stocks in most regional

-29- 

AficultUral service wamehouses. Rodenti~ides will be dstrAibuted in 

limited quantities by the project when the seriousness of the problem 

command their use. The U.S. technicians will be responsible for insuring 

that safe handling techniques are employed. Again, in view of Limited 

quantities to be used and despersion of geographic areas no significant 

environmental impacts are anticipated. Any use of rodenticides in this 

project will be in accordance with A.I.D. pesticide regulations. 

c) Fertilizers - To date very few chemical fertilizers have been 

used for vegetable pzoduction in Mauritania. Given the animal populations 

around villages in the south of the country, goat and sheep manure has 

been the principal soil enricher. Continued use of these natural fertilizers 

is envisioned in the project. However, limited experimentation will be 

carried out with chemical fertilizers (10-10-20). These nutrient elements 

will be added to the soil, dissolved in the water and will'be picked up by 

plants from the soil. 

A portion of the fertilizer will be fixed by clay particles; another 

portion leached by Infiltrated water through the profile. Given the limited 

use of fertilizers envisioned it is not expected that serious environmenzal 

damage will occur. 

5. Air Additives 

(See 4 above) 

The spraying of insecticides could possibly cause harmful effects 

particularly to those individuals in the immediate area of application. 

However, appropriate measures will be taken to minimize this possibility, e.g. 

nstructions on use, masks.

6. D vsagon, Altered Is. of Watr 

(Se Statement on WTIating Natuzl Resources) 

7. Soo*ooono c 

Givem the nature of the intervention, impact on the social 

enviroent should be minimal. In any event, no negative consequences 

are. expected, Care will. be- taken ij,. selection specific project sites, so 

an not to disupt either the local population or government authorities. 

The nature and scope of the proposed activities were discussed with the 

local populations and the interventions and techniques proposed were 

welcomed and well received. The number of persons directly involved with 

the project is relatively small since the project is focused on only 3 

regions in auritania. 

The aim of the project is to demonstrate to the local population the 

best means of improving vegetable production while preserving and improving 

the physical environment in which they live. Different sectors of the 

population will undoubtedly benefit in varying degees from thL intervention. 

At any rate the project is not expected to have signifIcant negative impacts 

on socioeconomic environment. 

8. Changing . Natural Environment 

(See st.-ment on Chemical and Biological States)

95 

A. [,AD USE 

-31- 

INV=A TLrr:-&IF:C:ArTOf AM- EVALUATIor, Fn?14 

1. Changing the character of the land through: 

a. Tncreasing the population N 

b. Extracting natural resources L 

c. Land clearing - 

d. Changing soil character 

2. Altering natural defenses 

3. Foreclosing important uses N 

4. Jeopardizing man or his works 

5. Other factors 

is. WATE QUAL.'fY 

___L 

1. Physic'Ll ztatc of water - N 

:. Chemi.il and biological states - L 

.,. Eeu, ica1 balance , ___ 


/ "... xlaat :!oes for this form. 

/ lJ,, the following symbols: N No environmental impact 

T- Little environmental impact 

Ausuct 1'Hb 

___ 

- Moderate environmental, impact 

H - h environmental impact 

U -Unknow n environmental impact 

T=Gct 

Identltation 

L 

L 

N 

N 

_

11IPACT! MMM'flATION 

C. ATMOSPHIIC 

".6 Air puflution 

3. Noise pollution. 

I. Other factors: 

D. NATURA.L IESOURCES 

1. Diversion, altered use of water 

AND EAIA&ZON FORK 2 

2. Irreversible, inefficient counLtments 


E. CULTURAL 

1. Altering physical symbols .... 

:. Dilution of cultural "*ditions 

3. Other factoru 

V,. JO. £OECONOMIC 

1. Changes in economic/employment patterns 

2. Changes in population - 

.i. Changes i a cultural patterns -_ 


, 

___ 

L 

N 

N 

N 

L 

N 

N

Ae-33- 

4'~UACtispIc ww~' rON A=~ zVAUATurOu FORM3 

r,. HL4LTXH 

1. Ch.nin. n r-l enirinent 

2. Eliminating an ecosystem element 


H. GEMMAL 

1. International impacts 

.. Controversial impacts N 

3. Larger program impacts . 

S. Other factor.- 

I. OTHER POESIBLE IMPACTS (not listed above) 

.'42 .t, Lachcd Discussion ofImpacts. 

L 

N 

N

a) Vegetable Preparation 

&Lthouqh very little is known about the nutritional situation in 

Mauritania, sutdies. which do exist indicate that the nutritional probl 

is linked to both insufficient caloric intake and vitamin deficiencies 

(particularly deficiency of vitamin A evidenced by the prevalanse of 

nyctalopia or might blindess among faers). Most of the vegetable included 

in th, project are comparatively good sources of vitamin A. Legumes and 

niehe beans provide complimentary protein for a cereal-based diet, as 

well as calories. However, if not properly cooked and prepared, the 

nutritional value of vegetables cam diminish considerably. Improper 

preparat=n also makes them unpalatable, thus, reducing the likelihood 

that they will be used for direct human consumption. In interviews 

with national and local government officials the lack of knowledge 

concerning proper food preparation of vegetables was constantly raised. 

It was noted last year in the Sixth Region that many newly sedentarized 

Moors did not know how to prepare the vegetables they grew, and ended 

up feeding them to animals - not because they did not want the vegetables, 

but because the ways they had improvised to prepare them (dried 

lettuce leaves, for example) were clearly unpalatable. 

In order to assess the impact of the project on the target population 

and to provide accurate technical assistance to the other technicians 

and extension agents, the nutrition consultant, in cooperation with the 

home economists PCVs, will gather nutrition status and consumption data. 

Nutrition surveillance of the porulation, and perhaps a control group should

e initia&ted At the very begirang 

of the project in order to evaluate 

any change. in nutrition staus of the ildividuals. At the minimum, 

weiqht-for height monitoring and avitaminasis A screening, along with 

relevant socio-onomic data that will point out high risk individuals 

should be done regully and especially at the inception and the end 

of the project. Nutrition monitoring may include other factors such 

as age (possibly as using a local events calendar) iron deficiency, 

anemia (correlated with work productivity) and arm circumference 

height). The entire suk-population of children under 

(for 

five and women 

of child bearing age from the 3,000 families, or a sub-sample, could 

be surveyed for all or some of the factors and compared to a control 

group. 

In addition to the surveillance of the nutritional well-being of the 

population, food consumption data should be gathered at the onset and 

throughout the project. There are various techniques for gathering 

such information (24 hour recalls, dirrct observation with measurements, 

etc.) However, a quarterly seven-day consumption record completed with 

a sub-sample of families may be ideal in this instance. Detailed 'informa 

tion on breast feeding and weaning practices should be obtained as well. 

The nutrition consultant should develop standardized questionaires for tne 

home economist PCVs to gather data for analysis and calculation of the 

nutrient value of the 

Food 

diet. 

consumption data will reflect acceptince of vegetables grown as part of 

the project. The nutritionist can combine this data with knowledge of the 

nutrient content of the various vegetables, legumes and fruits, and make 

recommendations to other team members on which vegetables are optimum in

ter. of nutient content. 

It- is- recmmended that &Peace Cozps; volunteer (home economist) traveL with the 

PCV agricultural specialists and the GPMJ extension agents in each of the' 

thee regions giving practical demonstrations in. lw-co st cooking and 

preparation techniques. which preserve the nutrient content of vegetables. 

Given the sharp six.dstinctions, and restrictions of Xauritanian society 

(especially among Maues) and the fact that women decide how to prepare the 

family's food, it. is suggested that female PCVs fill this role. Women 

wouA be chary of accepting a man's advice in their domain. It would be 

a socially uncomfortable relationship. 

The nutrition aspect of the project should be developed wi h the women of 

the local villages and. the PCVs working with the nutritionist. The PCVS 

should attempt to stimulate group creativity and involvement in order to 

encourage lasting change in vegetable preparation behaviors. Recipes should 

be developed and discussed or local ones modified for improved nutrient 

conservation the village women and their availabe seasonings (herbs, 

bits of meat or fish) included. If the participants are interested, the 

vegetable preparation techniques component could be expanded to include 

preparation of weaning foods, discussion and application of improved food 

preservation and processing methods, infant feeding or other aspects of 

nutrition education.

The nutrition consultant should attempt to see if time allocated to fbod 

preparation is a Iunction of agriculture Production and/or other deands. 

Information on the time spent on food preparation may be gathered and 

variatles including seasonal variations examined. A clear under-standing 

of time avd energy constraints for women can be helpful for designing 

the types o .! interventions proposed for this project as well as for 

other related actiivitias. 

The nutritionist, PCVs and local project participants should give 

some though early on in the project to continuation of the educational 

process which hopefully will not end when the PCVs depart. Female 

counterparts can be identifiad to work with the PCVs. These counter 

parts could be regional in scope or within each community. 

Complementary to the food preparation component, the home economist 

with the guidance of the USAID staff Sociologist in Nouakchott will 

collect data in an effort to identify the parameters of the woman's role 

in the production of vegetables. Considerable attention should be given 

to the following factors: 

1. The traditional sex-role division of labor and decision-making 

power with respect to vegetable production, for ethnic groups in the 

target area (including access to land, size and location of plots, 

choice of seeds and allocation of harvest); 

2. What women want (access to land, kinds of seeds, aids to production, 

labor-saving devices, allocation of harvest); 

3. The role of women's cooperatives in vegetable production;

4. Trainlin of women as. well as. men, as extension agents, to build upon 

tradtional roles with respect to division of labor and control of resodrces. 

Thea traning-required to carry out this intervention has been 

identified by project designer3 and the GIRM. This consists of: (a) two 

staff years of training in. horticulture fr.the. Chief of Vegetable Production 

at Hussan =l University in Kccfocco ;.(b) on-the-job traJning and twelve 

student months of intensive seminar in vegetable production at "Centre Du. 

Development Hrticole" at Camberene, Senegal for four agicultural sector 

Chiefs; and (c) periodic training by the; U.S. Consultants for six agicultura. 

extension agents. 

University and upper level training of technicians must occur outside 

Mauritania since there is no institution within the country to provide such 

training. The GIRM favors 3rd-country training and has good political 

relationships with Morrocco. In addition, skills obtained at Hassan II 

Institute of Horticulture and Agriculture (adgir) should prove practical for 

the Mauritania physical environment since the schoolis located in an arid 

zone. The Chief of Vegetable Production will also receive advisory training 

from the Project Manaer/Extensionist. 

Four regional agricultural sector chiefs are slated for training at 

the "Centre Du Development Horticole" at Cmberene, Senegal where a special 

three-month intensive seminar in vegetable production techniques will be

-39 

designed for them. The Center is an FAO financed project located 10 

kilometers from Dakar with production activities planned for the Senegal 

River Valley. Three of the individuals to be trained are presently 

working as agricultural sector chiefs in the regions where the project is 

to be implemented. The fourth is the agricultural sector chief in the 

10th Region (Selibaby) and has been included as a result of a special. 

request by the GIRM. This request seems reasonable in view of agricultural 

activities planned for the 10th region (including the A.I.D. funded 

Integrated Rural Development Project which is in its early implementation 

stage). The sector chiefs will also receive on-the-job training from 

U. S. technicians. 

Six agricultural extension agents (two per project region) will 

receive periodic training in vegetable production techniques and 

extension from the U. S. Consultants. The frequency of this training 

will be worked out by the team members and the GIR4 officials during 

project implementation. The U. S. technicians will develop simple audio 

visual techniques for use in training of GIRM officials. The officials 

in turn will be trained in how to use these techniques to disseminate 

technical information to farmers. 

The GIM4 officials slated for training are presently working within 

the Directorate Agriculture and represent the government structure 

through which the present intervention will be channeled. In order for 

the project to obtain its objectives, the skills of these officials 

must be upgraded.

3- Fiancial.Analysis and Plan 

The- p-oject-is designed as a tachnicaL assistnce,intevention which 

wilL exmie feasibilit or. expandinq. veetable Production JJL . aur'.ania 

Th pupose of*the- p=oJect in. itself, is not focused on, revenue. producIng 

in the, shOrt-tarm. Ga uaring of. iformaton and knowledge can be 

considered a long-tez. investment. At_ the. same. time; physical output 

will. result from. demonstrations; conducted and accrue to project. 

Participants. This' outPut, wiLL be used fo auto-consumption by producer 

and. whatever surplus results will be either sold or marketed. However, 

th. financial affect of this project on beneficiaries will depend on 

several variables some. of which are unknown at the present. These un 

known.variables, relate primarily to commercialzatuion possibilities and 

constaints and uncertainties,about output (for furthe= discussion, 

See. Section on Economic. Analysis). Analysis of information generated 

by th, project will either affiim or disaffirm the financial and economic 

viability of vegetable production in the target areas. 

The following tables present the financial details of the project. 

Detailed cost estimates. broken down by donor type of financing are 

included as Annex A, Table Z.. Accomo-anying explanatory notes show 

how these, were derived. 

The.sources and. uses.of project funds-are.analyzed in Table IV. Zn 

the- A. I.D. portion, technical. assistance- repre.ents 

the major input 

co-,odities and vehicles representing the next largest A.I.D. portions. 

with

03 

In Table 7Z Project outputs anp measured against total inputs. 

These figures show that financial resources axe properly allocated 

toward achieving the project purpose with 88.2% of total funding 

supporting the pilot program and information gathering component of 

the project. 

Rural Development Budget Analysis 

The G3tM National Budget for 1977 totals approximately 7.9 billion 

Ouquiyas (UM) or $175.8 million. This is a 42% izncease amounting to 

2.3 billion UKV ($50.9 million) compared with the 1976 budget. Of this 

increase 21.4 million dollars has beim budgeted for defense or defense 

related purposes. 

In the years 1975 and 1976, the Ministry of Rural Development (which 

includes the Aqricultx:e Directorate) controlled 3.4 and 3.2 percent 

respectively of the Hatiunal Budget. However, in 1977 with less 

emphasis placed on development and more spent for defense purposes, 

only 2.6 percent of the National Budget was allocated to Rural Develop 

ment. Even with this increase in expenditures by the GIRM for defense, 

the government still supports development and is not unduly diverting 

resources frcm development efforts. These expenditures should have 

minimal impact on the proposed Veqetable Production Project.

9ouree1 

TABLE IV - Budget/Financlal Plan 

AID 

. L 

(ooo's) 

GIRM 

LU 

. Tecbnicti s~99 to -90.8 

Peace 

1_________ 

2. Training 

241 

5.4 

29.4, 

3. Oommoditiee 

ti0 4o 

1..5 

14. Vehicles 

90 

28 

118 

5. Equipment 

20 

20 

6. POL 

51 

105 

156 

7. Personhel and tabor - - 

90.1 

155 250 

495.1 

6. Vater 

_ 

30.2 

30.2 

9. Land 

_ 

25 

25 

106 kousing for MCV - 

74 

74 

11. Office Space 

- 

12 

12 

Sub-Total 1213' 65 

)70..-:, 155 250 

2053 

12. 0ontingebce A 

Inflet1o 15% ib. 16 192 

tow 1i 5 75 221.5 

Corps 

L_ 

Total

05T 

-43 

Table 5 has been om±nted

Project 1hputs 

AID Appropriated 

(Percent) 

Host Country 

(Percent) 

Other U.S. Peace Corps 

(Percent) 

I 'eir, nt) 

table VI - Costing of Project Outputs / Inputs 

No. 1 

1,371 

(93.2) 

3-",k 

(92) 

270 

(66.7) 

19M. 4- 

(88.2). 

I/Project Outputs as follows, 

No.l-Demomistration/Mtperuental 

ho.2-TraItng 

No. 3-rood Preparat on 

($000's) 

No. 2 

30 

(2.0) 

-. 4 

(1.4) 

- 

35.7 

(1.6 

Areas/Information base 

.4 

No. 3 

69 

(4.8) 

4.6 

16.6) 

135 

(33.3) 

220D.6 

(10.2)0) 

Total 

1,470 

370 

405 

2,24t5

-J45- 

ProJect Procurement List 

No. Item Source Estimated Cost 

Technical Assistance and Const 

1 Project Manager/Ag Extentionisl U.S. 300,000 

1 Horticulturist/Agronomist U.S. 228,000 

1 Ag Production Economist U.S. 120,000 

1 Nutritionist U.S. 120,000 

1 Soil Scientist U.S. 40,000 

1 Hydrologist U.S. 40,000 

1 24 ft. wide, 60 ft long mobile 

Trailer Home U.S. 50,000 

1 Contract for Installation of Tz Local 10,000 

Vehicles and Soare Parts 

4 4x4 all terrain vehicles 9a5 waiver 60 

1 Three-ton stake bed truck 935 waiver 28,000 

Equipment 

200 B.ck Pack Sprayers 2 - $25 eact U.S. 5,000 

200 Masks @ $15 each U.S. 3,000 

5 Vehicle Maintenance tool kits U.S. 500 

1 SKW Generator U.S. 7,000 

Teaching Materials* U.S. 2,000 

2 12,000 BTU Air-Conditioners (f( U.S. 1,200 

storage) 

Commodities 

90,000 kg Seed Commodities U.S. 90,000 

150 tons Fertilizer 

U.S. 60,000

No. Item Source Estimated Cos- 

Camodities (Continued) 

500 lbw Rodentcide.(A.L.D. approved) U.S. 4,500 

each 

525 Watering.Cans (metal) 7,500 

750 Hoes (Iong-handled garden) U.S. 9,900 

750 Rakes, regular U.S. 4,200 

750 Trowels U.S. 2,625 

750 Liters liquid insecticide (A.I.D. 

Approved) U.S. 25,500 

40 tons Cement Loca.. 4,000 

*Teaching Materials 

POL Products Local 51,000 

(a) 12 Flannel Boards 

6 Rolls Flannel (for attachment) 

(b) 24 Reams of Paper 8 x 11% for action posters 

24 Boxes of Crayons

109 

-47- 

SOCIL ANLYSI 

Kiffa, Bobas, ad Rosso are situated in different adminagtx=-e 

resi;ms; th 3rd, 5th, and 6th, respectively. KIffa and Rosso are 

rueg1rm arhdni tative seats and Boghe is a 14-t-4,t with its regional 

seat at Aleig. They also fall in different gegrpiclnfes; Kiffa 

In the SAWe zone, and Boghe and Rosso in the Senegal valley =one. 

Me dsrict of Kiffa has a populaion of 18,000; Boghe's p=ola 

tion is app ralmtely 11,800, and Rosso has an approdmta population 

of 19,600. Hectares under vegetable cultivation for the 1976-77 season 

1/ 

were 14.39 for Kiffa, 28.74 for Boghe, and 267.41 for Rosso: 

Etsical -zvrii 

Sabel is the Arabic word for border or edge, mning the Sahara 

border, and i Maurtm iais characterized by scrub trees, rainy season 

grasses, stable and semi-stable sand &.res and savmma grasslards. The 

3rd region, as part of the Sahel belt, contains a concentration of 

acacia senegal or 9= trees, which were, in the past, a source of revme= 

for Mmre traders. This rmined the case before the cumlative a -etron 

mental effects of the drougt; for exmple, the Kiffa dist-ict recorted 

a g= production total of 633,502 kilos for the December 1977 to July 1978 

season. 

Rainfall agriculture is the basis of the subsistence cereals crops. 

Rainfall in the Sahel ranges frm an aMual m of 6 inches in the 

north to a mmi of 18 inches in the southe= district of Kankossa. 

Rain normally begins inearly to mid-July and ends inSeptember. 

I/ The figures on vegetable production are fron the Direction Agriculture 

3ffice in Nouakchott for the vegetable production selsE 'Tbn7. re 

approxmatis. The agricultural sector chief inRo-so had figures for 

total vegetable production in the 6th region for 1976-77 which was 801 

hectares.

-48 

2 belt .1 also cmtar the sylvo-pastoral reser'ms whid 

x p t.the vast m,,orzit- of the coumy s herds of cattle, sheep, 

ma pats; an wl as large-xi.er of c=3 -s. There is a regular 

tza. am seasonl.. ",imnh,, pattmm in the 3rd regim. During the 

dry seaon Qtdber-Jim thrzre is tranhanna- fr= the =drthm 

districta to the sour"s= disricts such as Fankossa. 

Sfen Se, l Valer zone is a narrow strip of fam land extendIg 

tm to twenty miles north of the Senegal River. The river crests at 

12 feet at Rosso br md-Otober and inundates the entire valley far 

a width of 15 to 20 rles, filling several lakes. and seasonal ponds. 

W the flood recedes from the bott= lands, recession agriculte 

begins. 

Te river s floods have det ned the-ebb and flow of life in 

the cmmities here for cetixies and an understanding of the social 

organization and activities of goups in this zone will shed scm light 

on their relato the land. It is equally =ue that rainfall 

a ,Icultrzeand -mashmi c-cycles dete=ne the rhytbm of life for 

social rups in the Sahel. 2/ 

The m calenda for rainfall agicult=l activities is 

broadly outlined below: 

y,to mid-June - Clearing fields of s=Ws 

Cleaning 

Mid-Jume to July - Con ---in of .cl.eaminthe fields 

Preparation of fences 

Waiting for rains 

2/ Me Lind here is ref red to as dier±.

-49- 

IU~fri Jul to~d uly - Tu=&*2 the soil 

Sowing; illet; sorgh=, co= 

First weeding 

Bo i n n Augus to end - 2nd and 3rd weeding 

Aujmtn AU- Wtching of fields by chilre (boys &girls 

End of Septeber - Heresting of con by m 

Thd October t - Harvesting of millet and sorgu by me 

beizing Novemer 

Frm May to early Nover the mjority of the time of households 

Is devoted to ralmfall agricultue. People are occupied fra the omst 

the firat rains fall which is a critical period in the agicultural 

cycle. 

In the valley zone the above agricultural cycle is also the oram, 

but there is in addition another cycle which is rezilated by the floods. 

Below is a broad ouuline of recession agricultuxe-activities: 

October - Ceaning and then sowi.g; sorghun, corn, 

niebe, sweet potatoes, calabash melons, squash 

November - Weeding 

December to mid- - Watching of crops 

JMM_" Harvesting of corn, niebe 

February - Harvesting of sorghu 

March - Preparing sorgh to tak to village 

There is an overlap or superiaposition of soma rainfall agricutture 

activity with recession activity. These periods generally require all 

available household unmpnwer, including children. 

3/ The land here is referred to as waalo.

Tm& ab0 v out1±n raflect the-nomma subltm= apmicurl, - 1 

aciitm Sf. the drought, the goen~t has. made a cm~wt 

ac o~rhw1z±w9 vastabla proucti as: a viable apiultuaL 

actVity amid at- a4a the c and food sitation of 

s~u~yan&.sedaizing social groups. -Vegetable proci 

projects. ba be inexistence In my regicts. i. the cotm=y since 

1973 and sem to enjoy a hi degree of srccess and interest amg 

those actely p- In.g the activity. An obvious reason for 

ba interest in and success of my of these projects is the motivation 

lewl ,f ptcimts hfrch is sustained because the activift7 is a 

shrt-tem invewMt, the yield of %bichincreases incim. An exhale 

of project acceptace is the Soninke village, Toulel, in theM4a 

district of the 4th reguin, vhose ppumaon wa approached by repre 

sentativw_ of the govit nt in 1976. The initial response w'as that the 

activit7 would be too fatiguing gie the'diei and waalo agricultural 

acttvities they wee already cmitted to caerr out. Nevrtheless, 

abot twet7 of the villages decided they should ry out this new 

activity. They orgized themse.ves into an interest group (ot to be 

costued as a cooperative) for the pu-pose of receiving agricultural 

Input such as the had vater spzrinkes, seeds, and. fertilizer. 

Gavezal support was provided inthe tansport proble for the sale 

of surplus. Those who had been reluctant to partciate were convinced 

that partc ion in this activit7 was in their interest as it could 

bring in additional =oez. It seem that themotor force sustaining 

and Iicreasing interest in vegetable productioni is the desim for 

Increased spending Rawe.

-51 

iyseMWm t' s effort ns chmmu11ed throu thd edz~ A 

*Sinotce hgm utgi in Nmoakchott and represented at the local level 

-,,a "-,, , h sCto" , r secto head whse office is charged with the 

d slvof: sa7 ca ints ad 0)1 technical assist aned 

counsul.ig to EsP r The td sicu ,ethrouhwhich the ixiova 

t~j 'ma dbmil ed mas the * . evc again hdutered 

:in Nouachott and represented. at the =loc l by a oordliator of 

m~ilgmet (this includes the bookkeeping funzctions for the interest 

groups). and Utr tinal fomatim 

in tie nature and fictions of the 

iteest grous. Thee two struccural Units, in tum chmelled their 

objectives though the existing village stuctures in order to get 

their responses concerning such crucial issues as level of comitment 

and participation, and the assignation of land for the"inmovation. 

(jeling the Irnovation through these stuctures has obviously 

met with enough success to stogly indicate that the preset inter 

vnti should be chamelled thou the sam structures. 

Cotrary to previous reporting, there does not exist a Vegetable 

F=esion Service per se , which "should be stzenagthned" through this 

interventon. what does exist is a civil servant, Ynsieu Raane Gueye, 

who 

isattached to the Aicultre Service and responsible for coor 

dinating vegetable production activities. He is a one-man operation at 

this point whose functions and activities probably increase begi.-ming in 

late June/early July in preparation for distributin of vegetable seeds, 

4/ 

materials, 

4/ 

and fertilizer in August and September- (see attached avpendix). 

- D=Ing site visits to each region we were infomed that one of the ost 

serious weekIesses in the agricult=al delivery system has been the ext 

tardiness of seed arrivals which meant that the grouPs made aangements 

themselves to purchase their own seeds.

IX- - be mmbmmzsd that em.activites-am part a parcel of 

the a-93g Wcani task and activitius of 'the -SV 

-,,it ftme of a.separate ervice; thm, deare DOxvegetable 

-tibit~ctaimagentr. Mere. ae, rathw, extension 

-azimg.mbom faccics amfsl es rmcb1de attention to vegetabla 

--oducddm activities.- 

Cm of the prlmy issues raised by nacal and local officials 

of tbotb the 'Serice and the fOptAdd .:SerVce is that 

th do hnot ban adeq.ate persmmel at the ett sin level which has 

severe17 bmeed thef data collecting and aalyzing capabilit, as 

well as the feedack capacitry. Afather issue of cci n wams the lack 

of mss kcawledge c=ening the.proper food preparation of many of 

the vegetables grown, portiins of which ae ccmmmd. 

In this regrd,- attention should be focused on the possibility 

of assigning tree Peace. Corps Volunteers to each regiim (the logistics 

of specific plac,t is an inpleeti question, but we did talk 

with M, Patrick. Dut=, the .mritani Peace Corps Directr who 

expresed an interest in cooperating with this Int rvention). The first 

one should wnk as an agr cul ural exrtnsion agent under the direction 

of the. local agricultre sect= chief; the second, as a ccoperation ex 

tensiorzagent; and the third as a vegetable preparktrion agent. A funda 

mm=aL point to be made here is that intervention perso lmarerno 

filling a void; they are, rather, providing extension support to alread7 

existing structues. Teaching, most always, mans also learning, and should 

therefore be viewed as the interaction between the experience and know 

ledge that each participant and extension personmel brings to the situation.

-53- 

Wa heav diessd sammeat frm the eLier discussion of 

paviouz projtect edstwc, a successful exmmple of which is In the 

SmdnM village of Toulel. Kiffa was the site of a previcus AMh 

Acclerated Mmact vegetable prodchtim int-vention which started 

in 1973. It sem that it ws a odities intevtion which did 

not bmw aa evaluation caqment built into it. Howver, wew~e 

able to talk witL soe haratine Y4mes who piarticipated, and of equal 

rance, with the govemitnt official Cis is now Econmc Assistant 

to tha Gover of Aleg and was living in Kiffa at that time)who co 

ordinated the allocation process. Both sources of verbal evaluations 

we quite positive, the latter pointing out that thee ware just, not 

enough tools to meet the demad. Thogh we have no foml evaluation, 

of ths intevention which could have indicated how the resources we 

allocated, who benefited, and outlined the decision-making hierarchy, 

it seems that the Intervention was enthusiastically received. 

One of the intevention pilot/demonstration activities mtioned 

for this project is the cultivation of alfalfa for soil ericmet and 

livestock food. A previous reporting menions the distribution of 

alfalfa seed for planting "as a gree mamre, doubling as forage for 

livestock." An initial sociological response to this activity may be 

a adtinl perceptio.n that the nt is the nattal provider 

of livestock food and one should not tire oneself growing food for 

animals. However, we were informed by Monsieur Bocar Thiam, a v.mxi 

tanian sociologist, that in 1963, he worked on an exprimntal dmznstra 

tion alfalfa project in a village in the Rosso region which was highly

usminUl. It wrn cmduted by Professor Iiin Diack Seek who is 

Cm iy ,, Gwwal Dvectr of E ,c,,-imin N b ott. If it 

cam 5, for COl, VrAsafUUy d1 Pe tmough a cP11-11 

amWl of alfaLfa-fed trlhA=a tl= alh- daily liter yield 

Inassi sladfimmeet a f who keeps livestoc or a. herder 

wil.l probably acc t that real benefits will acru to than. The 

is also th. fact that alfalfa-fed. livestock will be fatter, and 

Probably bealthier, which shauld incorea a their mnket value (fm- 

Itmia does a fairly large shee and goat volum business with 

-54 

Senal, for the religious festival of Tabaski), 

An alfalfa denstration activity should have as mach participa 

tim as Possible and ommm visibilit-. The 3rd region lying within 

the. Sahel. probably needs soil erichment and livestock food more tha 

either of the other t target regins, yet it is most likel amng 

herders in the regio that resistance my initially be met since their 

response to a shortage or lack of g grasses is n'm'ishumance. 

rmrastnmmce is at the sa time a c cial activity (the chance 

to sell or exchage milk for cereals and trade In livestock) and a 

wy of iUfe. In the 3rd region tanshlace is fron the northern 

districtz to the southern districts such as the Kakossa dis---ict. 

Tanshmnce is also a rational patter of cyclical avment in that 

the pattern and radii of obility rarely vary f=n one year to the next. 

e Kankossa district is a raditional zone of Ianshcumae and for 

that reason wmvld be a good site for an alfalfa demnstration activity. 

114

II? T(mgal ha establisbed a pilot dairy project in the K.AcLack reim 

-55- 

bacas thea region receives -a, y large nbers of Peul herders 

fr= MkuwitamUa d zorth= Seniegal.) High visibility does not 

g'wte diffusin, but it is a start in thit direction. 

Ate emple of p eimn project Meriece addresses 

directly the question of wbere the land for this inte :tion will 

cme fr . Me previous reporting refezred to earlier sugested 

in me place a project-en product goal of 200 hectares and 3000 

famers; and i another, an end prod goal of 400 hectares and 

3000 fandl .ia. Final cl"arification of hectare size and participation 

size seem to be iplemtatn issues. Som light can be shed on land 

availability and potential participation t1rough ezamples of on-going 

govenmmt interventions. One In particular is the cuzrrnt rice cul 

tivation project (Ctreis also a vegetable production activity) in 

the 6th region district of Cuedakhare. There are five villages in 

volved in this intervntion; four of than set aside 20 hectares and 

the fifth set aside 40 hectares making a total of 120 hectares. The 

point is that land fur an intventin may become available after 

(1) the villagers, hrough their authority figures, have been informed 

of intervntimn objectives and (2) the villagers agree amcng then 

selves h o much land they can commit to the inte vntion. Past inter 

vention experiece sees to clearly indicate that availability of 

land will not presant a problem as long as the intervantion channels 

the request first through the govzmmt officials, after which itwii 

then be channelled through the village decision-making structure.

-56- 

UK C=Ml4 set f~t ar positiva ±I.ctoz that the AID 

Pz=o aed.atw .cm, in all. WkLibwd, mt t goals of 

the prject an wU. as tosa of the partimiumte. It cm t be 

Cruszind that th. Inrnt7i will be.succesful provided. 

it ibteratas itself ito existi g structal tasks ad act±iitie. 

an chmels its resouce si.pports- though eadsting cntr for. 

imlnatan. Dat niig these cmtrs is extrraly Import= 

and at last tw of them, Aru r Serv and the Coooratin 

Servi bam been discased. 

PtbIW cls ,- of the Cooperatio Service iscalled for 

simce there should be no confusion cacerning the object of its 

exstence-. First of all, there are no full-fledged cooperatives in 

Mmitenia of ay sort - produc=, mrketing, or credit. Nhat 

des edst is a Cperation Division (Direction de la Cooeratin) 

and coordinated by Dz sisu Mhamed El Hasmon, Sy in Nouakchott. 

Miat is aed the ""groupemstmsprecooperatif' represented 

at the locall level by a coordinator for managmet and attitudinal 

and ed=cado fob=tian. 

It mst be clearly understood that a "groupeme cooperatif" 

is cimly a fmticn of people for a specific econoic purpose. 

Me definitin set forth in Title III, Articles U. tbrough 14 of 

the Projet de Cahier des Marges, is essentially a mnimum gou of 

seven people engaged in the saw econodc pursuit, be it farming, 

fishing, or crafts who live in the sam village, and profess the

-57- 

Mam go l.s ad ordcti needs. Tis roing must elect a boad 

of dlreozs for the cordination of its activities and it is dwo*g 

this board that the gou's decdsis concerning specific famng 

Inus a plot, seeds, tools, or fe lizer are chaielled to the 

apprpriae cooperati repre at-ves. Tmse groups have no legal 

aid ab== status. The gover, mt provides the tum--t for 

these groupings. The idea was that they wuld be a sructral begin 

ning for the fortion of attitudes, ideas, and knmledge concerning 

the naure, functios, and responsibilities of collective decision 

making conc ing Production goals and needs. Since the goezmmnt 

provided sme producticn inputs the idea of forng these goupings 

was popularized, so much so that nsMie Sy informed us that .here 

wrover 500 of these groings throuout ie countuy, but several 

of them were 'false groups' which cae together for the purpose of 

profiteering or benefiting fro receipt of production inputs. They 

usually mat none of the basic riteria for formation and often con 

sisted of one persor. Monsieur Sy's epression for this type of grouping 

was that: "its font le cinema" which is a French idiomatic expression 

memin they edxhbited pretentious behavior for the sole purpose- of 

receiving inputs whichwere not for farming. Contar to previous 

reporting, his statement did not mean that these 'false' cooperatives' 

"activities rarel7 exceed viewing films." In 1977 the goverment 

started an active census of these groupings to determine their validity.

-58 

gIat they Simlvs- tato ct- be anserd at this ti=, bi± it 

Se UILikaly that they will aim the for of the 'classical ' 

.. 11 r dhich ban. its origins in Sazmop. Accfdig to M22ieur 

Sy, if after t or f e years, thaeyte bas mastered 

tha tacbquee of-moagu , is I wledgeahia of the natre-and fumc 

t of a collUtive up, a has raised its, proeduim level, 

it- cm. qualify as a 'coopeatif apege.' Tis is a gouping u-re 

stI in t of its am 'iu-house capabilities' thmn tha 

fa. vch. is still dependent on the govmmmt stucti'a for 

bookIkepinlaccouing fUnctim s ad sme advice on ove-all purpose. 

Mere we aireerd in the Boghe district tw "cooperatif a eges" at 

Toulde Drbmgo nd Vinding (Vinding was one- of the first mvcooer 

atives in the cOint7). 

It is quite possible that they may assum the form of formal 

state-mmaged cooperatives. Whatever for the "goupement cooperatif" 

evolves into or assumes in the fut e, the concim of the interveer 

should be with the fxist!n strmctues alreadyon the =mmd as one of 

the frvatin channels. The ini!rventin should not address itself 

to the creaion of an7 new organzabns. It shold, rather, concm 

tata on Providing suport in the fore of assistance to the bookkeeping/ 

accouing c=mnmt of the go.pings as well as to the local c=din 

ating office. Tis will also serve as a built-in project evaluation 

ilslumnit in term. of Production iput and outut. Inteuwvtion per 

sornmal should not "org ize and develop pcmooperatives and cooperative

124 

-59 

fms== VMo ., ," First of all, ths go)ings bave tended In 

ft pat to f= bpactamoly out of a felt need for colctv 

My , and sacdmly, and proiably se Importantly, the InItIal 

dam]l I r and Orgenzation, of coprtvswhich are outsmidet the 

scope of a donor finterven of this sort. 

avIhg discused some centers for the iplemtation of decisions, 

wa cam te to a discussion of decisi-making centers whi' means 

lookrig at the etbmic goups in the dfe regions and their basio 

social s=z e. 

Rosso Disrict: Ethmic Groups 

Mmes CBiane)lof 

Halpulaar CTucouleur and Peul) 

Lmguages spok are Hassanya Arabic, Wolof, and Pulaar. The Maiaes 

6/ 

consist of two clans, the AwadBegnouk and the Awlad Ban Ely. The 

formar is mostly engaged in ading (wholesale and retail) and the 

latter, which is a smller cLan, is engaged in tading and farming. 

Mese two clans habve been installed in the region since long before 

the colonial period and Intere iage with the Halpulaar they found 

already installed has resulted in a 'metissage" or stridngly large 

nmber of dark-c lexicmed bidame Maures. 

In broad outline the model social st=uctue of the Maure clan is 

to mjor pattilimeages - the hassanis and the a - each made up 

of segment7 lineages which oppose and colemEnt each other. Zawava 

S/ Bidane refers to a Miue of noble ancestry; also refers to "Wite" NZIm 

6/ l-ad"is the Arabic plural for son; more specifically, it means 'descen, 

Mmn -o ,' e.g., the descendants of Benouk. Wuld is the singular form 

Could in Fretch).

:Lt th Arabic. plur&L for the pacifist noble brach ofa__ln 

iU.tba sinuler) as opposed. tz the warrior noble brach-or'huganis. 

It Is the peopla of th&book (QEa) and the peopla of the s rd; the 

noble priests and the noble, warriors. Directly under-th, grt.ae 

traa-chnt-or tributary scows who, accordin~g to oral tradition, survived. 

.a.snu raids and. attacks by- paying 'Protection ,,ey'/tribute 

which took. the foe of produce or livestock. They became incorporated 

IntortheMaze custom and. language. Today, they e. referred to as 

ha-adine M:urs and arer fa ms and herders. In the Sa el zone the 

also are te g=u collectors. 

The hessani and zaaya. have a diferent system of decision-umking. 

Fst of all,,-the clan is seen as a corporate unit and resources of 

the clan belong to all clan meers. Decsion-mking is also sean as 

a corporate decision. Among the hasani the decision-making body 

is the am.'a. Historically-, the hassani leader was recognized as a 

teoral authority figure whose authm ity emanted f:r his. prerogative 

to lead wariors and collect tribute; but his authority was dependent 

upon the powrInveted in him by the g of elders, the 

who elected him He could not taka a unilateral decision or action - 

these rested with the j~ 'da. 

Within the zaaya, ul:te atrhoI ty and decision-makiung rests 

with the head of the zawiya lineage. He can make the final decisu.n 

without a co ,cil. of elders, though the decision is for the unit.

-61 

ba c1 is a corporate unit holding trritorialrights to land, 

wl, and in th Sabel zx, to *sememlor gun trees. The 

clAn makas a corporate decis io based on what it considm to be 

In.its best Interests. Since clan ;ers do not reside all inthe 

son locale, there are m of both Rosso dist r cIIla living 

in tet camps outide Rosso (between fouakchott an Rosso), scme of 

4= have a seasonal patte of trang durng the dy..seas o and 

se f,'-zng ding the rainy season. Th fact that these goups 

are undergoing sedEntarlzation should not be attibuted solely to 

the recent drought. Other factors, such as wealth from whlesale 

and retail tading and the education of their children whih has led 

to positions in the govermmt, have led to the increasing sedentar 

izing process. 

Mntevention persomnel may wish to contact so ot triese groups 

concer-ng possible interest in vegetable production before final 

village selections are made. 

The Halpulaar ad Wolof decis in-makng stucture is ccapletely 

differm't fr n that of the Maures. They are statified into the 

nobles, freeborn, servile or slave goup, and the occ.ational caste 

groups. Marabouts or religious leaders have an et:re 7 powerful 

funmcon in these societies. In general, village chiefs (post often 

referred to now as the res onsable de Ia ccmnmaute) belong to the 

nobility and so do the esrabouts. Mrasbouts are ccnciliators inthe 

sense that they often arbitrate disputes and their opinions are almost

-62 

a4MYw &.dWCdfng b= In sol-fi a pzoblm1bt&or - utilag 

=& cben=z == tha e w . zwi2 of eldu is Mt at the 

bum of th duam-oki c-mntW. 

L3 Is- ~PorAIY held. by- a. Halpulwa or Wo~lof linupg, but± 

tbw am. tvdliull plots,. Daciti= czcergd±g t±±lizat.i of my 

IRM not tIi eq1ttt is- de& by the- linage. tbougi its: coU.CCI 

of aldww. 

'BebaDIstdit Ethic '.va 

Mapulaw 

(a) Bid ne 

( ) Faa 

Mhe dm.dnt grow seem to be the HAlpulaar and amm the largest lne 

ages ame the Ba and Tia familIe. We talked at-length. with Mslick Ba, the 

secet~a7 general of the political party section in the district d 

Boc= Tia, who is also a party representative in chag of youth orgmniza 

ti= They each belcog to the large Ba and Tia fh.dIng famle± and 

as dis=±ct parCy representa .es are part of the canxmicat=s network 

for both the Itplmentatin cters amnd the decqsion-making cmnters. 

They do not the elves make decisions concerning land utilization, or other 

resouce ut-llzatim but they do serve as the Info o gat ing and 

dis,,n-tn coaponents for both the taditionaland codern structues. 

They, of course, should be contacted before any decisions are finalized 

cOncerning iterVention, sites for the distict, but their surtmtual 

roles as sinpl co-micrs between and within traditia. and modern 

structures aust be understood.

KLf D.Lst.ict: Etbc Grows 

(a) Bid=& 

Cb) Huatlzua 

Swnke Cwterin appelatimo is Sarakolle) 

Ma ME&f district falls within the Sahel zone which suports large 

xmibe= of livestock. The dcmltnt population is bidame Mais who 

ae ra ml t pastoralists and wholesale or retail traders. Accord- 

Inig to fm" ton received duiing the field visit to Kiffa, the 

haradne maes am the most seriously involved in vegetable prodution. 

Ths is lerstadablereasons: for tw (1) haratine ftues are tradi 

t'n-uy farmes by occupation and (2) since the drought the tradit 

patron-cliai relationship between bidane and h.rtne aure has broken 

dow. sIg.ificantly. Me bidane Maure has lost a large percentage of 

bis herd and also a large amont of revenue from gun tr exploitation. 

He no longer has control over a sizable mmis of Production which main 

tamned the bidane-haratine relationship. The haraine Mamure had no 

choice except to seek another source of livelihood. He is, in all 

.7/ 

Likelihood, fa=:dng other land. 

7/ Land fammed iL usually done with the following understakding: 

Ca) zakat, an Arabic wrd ferring to the Islamic tradition of 

gving--71 of the yield to charity. It is most often considered 

to be an Islac obligation, but has taken on a temporal relevance 

via-a-via land, livestock, gun exploitation, etc. The Pulaar 

defozrtio of the word is assakal. ReDetien is the Pulaar word 

meaning "Fa, and let us sfe."TRh is i .erative of cultivate 

or fao and petien means "let us shoe." It is a 50-50 sharing 

be:tee the owner and the producer. It is the French Mtite. 

his sharing is often done after the 1/10 has been extacted. 

We were I formed that this relationship may not be so iortant 

for vegetable prcduction since the yield has a unor iportance 

in both the diet and the economy.

Or& of't ft dig UnVq,, of MEfa s th.e , SMIdZkA SY1las. 

LUiam. It isa of tha 1avaat fjmlias at Kff and tha dis- 

INIt pol ical, pat. rI"rttattvae3 a ef of the famly. 

In M&, Islf't w visited a pam oa owned by the Sylas in 

*dc i r ere am In .gaged v -egetable p eoduct n . 

Svizke da L in-mirlg is again- d ffe t fr that fmmd 

Sthe Mms, Halpulaar, or Wlof. In a single Soninke village, 

the fzd.y ruling (within which power is hereditary) includes three 

or foi. branches, each with a chief. The oldest memer of the fan 

ily azt~tcally becms village chief in the case of a vacancy 

due to death or physical disability. Decisions am taken In. the 

village. cotmcil which is made up of anle.Te mnl~a 

suprem cocil of the villages is cm osed of the ruling family and 

tw or tbee senior Frs o.C the other rble f mlies, All matters 

of great importzc to the village are discussed at this coucil. 

For the ruling family, there is the large famly plot which 

passes fr= cne household to another depeding on which household head 

is in power. This plot is worked by the faly, bLt the head is 

entitled to rent it ou if he wishes. Te family head. decides whether 

the barvest will be sold or stored in the granary, but this yield 

belongs to the entire family and is managed by the head of the family. 

The individal fields belong to each household head who disposes of 

the yield according to his own decisions.

-65- 

W bave dicussed both the decisicn-imdig centers ad the 

tmplmsta censirts. It zs tbr the latter that m we 

idbma of sam of the mJor problem facin the on-oing veget 

able prodctic activities, suh as (1) lack of an effient 

delivexy system. for seeds C2) Inadequate tools, (3) shortage of 

tools a hmd sprayer cans, C4) 

lack of msks for the utllization 

of Insecticires, 5) transport problems for the marketing of surplus; 

C61 lack of knowledge conerning the preparation of those vegetables 

not mc:eted.ad need for wIxe fencing.9 

3h several conversatons with. officials and small fa s, the 

need for motor pumps was expressed. In all probability, the question 

of the proper care and operation of the machine and spare parts had 

not been addressed in either of the deci.ion-aking oiimletation 

centers already on the gou=d. Some type of mamally operated pum 

wuld probably be core suitable for the present awiront. 

8/ We were, however, infi that an DAM snack called bounafa 

ith is mat, is sometimes prepared with potatoes and caros. 

9/ It wn ewplained to us that barbed wire fencing would not necesa-ily 

keep out goats and ould also be a health danger to children 

and livestock. This was the position of the agricultual agent 

in KiFfa.

-66 

so~a= AA&WYSIS MMWflra AIM RZCOM_=DTliCS 

The. main points gleaned from the. infomation gathering done in. 

Alog, Boghe, ,iffa, and Rosso is- as. follows:. 

I. Vegetable production has gained"a great deal of interest and 

diffusion since-its early 1970s beginning,. it has to be pointed out, 

however, that for-many groups now engaged in vegetable production, 

vegetables have been traditionally grown and eaten by them. This is 

especially true for ethnic groups living along the river valley who 

have long prepared millet, sorghum, and rice dishes with sauces toppect. 

with or made with vegetables. 

2. A fundamental point is that intervention personnel will not 

filling a void; they will be.providing extension support + already 

existing social structures. 

3. An obvious reason for the interest in and success of many of 

the vegetable production activities is the motivation level of 

participants which is sustained because the activity is a short-term 

investment,. the yield of which increases income. 

A not so obvious reason is the dissolution of the patron-client 

relationship between bidane and harative Maures. The loss of a 

significant portion of their means of production (livestock and gum 

trees) during the drought has left the bidane Maures unable to maintain 

his economic states vis-a-vis the harative Maure. The latter may very 

well remain in the relationship but is now obligated to find a means 

to support himself. We found that in the Kiffa district most of the 

vegetable production activity was amorg harative Maures.

121 

-67 

4. A look at how the government channeled its vegetable production 

support activities sum up quite simply how this project's activities 

should be channeled: the government's effort was channeled through the 

Agriculture Service headquartered in Nouakchott and represented at the 

local level by a "chef du sector" or sector chief whose office is charged 

with the dilivery of (a) agricultural inputs, and (b technical assistance 

and counseling to farmers. The tandem structure through which the 

innovation was channeled was the Cooperative Service, again headquartered 

in Nouakchott and represented at the local level by a coordinator of 

management (this includes the bookkeeping functions for the farmer interest 

groups) and attitudinal formation in the nature and function of a collective 

interest group. These two structural units, in turn, channeled their 

objectives through the existing communications and decision making 

centers in the villages in order to get their responses to s uch crucial 

issues as level of commitment and participation, and assignation of land 

for the innovation. 

There is, therefore, no need to create any new structures for 

vegetable production activities. The activities should be viewed as 

support activities which integrate into on-going structures. To do 

otherwise would be to risk failure, or at the least, an ineffective project.

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The objective of the proposed technical assistance intervention, 

in. v etable production is. to.determine. the feasibility'of expandinq 

vegetable productinq among rural groups in Mauritania. Thus, the 

primary benefit resulting from. the project will be. in the- form of informa 

tion. While it is possible to estimate the project cost, it is not 

possible, to quantify the. value of information generated by the project. 

In view of this &more appropriate method than benefit - cost analysis 

of economically justifying the project- would be cost effective analysis. 

An effect of demonstrations and experiments conducted by the 

project will be secondary benefits-derived from the physical output of 

vegetables. This output will be consumed by participating households 

and surplus above what the household can consume will be bartered 

or. marketed for cash yielding income (goods or cash) for producers. 

The- Economic Analysis is divided into two sections: (1)an 

examination of alternative project designs which might achieve the same 

objectives at a lower cost; and (2) a discussion of benefits and 

implications.. 

1. Cost Effectiveness 

Elsewhere in this paper the reasons for concluding the proposed project 

design in highly appropriate for achieving project objectives are presented. 

The specified inputs are also justified as necessary to achieve the targets. 

Implicit in the analysis is the conclusion that the indicated investment is a

-69 

low-coat method of conducting the proposed applied research and pilot 

progrm. This sartion will examine alternatives to proposed project 

design. 

A first and, on the surface, hi~yly cost effective alternative is to 

conduct the intervention through an Accelerated Impact Project (AP). Under 

an AlP, the co t to A.I.D. could be reduced considerably (by more than 50 

percent), inputs could be delivered to participants and GIRM officials could 

be trained under the AMDP. However, the required information gathering, 

monitoring, technical assistance and evaluation would be lacking. Thus 

probability of achieving project objectives is all but negated. 

A second lower cost aleernative would be to reduce the length of time 

technical assistance personnel provided. 

are This is nor a viable alternative 

because: (1) it is expert technical judgement that the development of 

procedures required to adequately familiarize project participants with the 

new agronomic techniques will require at least three years; (2) it will 

require at least one year of the project alone for technicians to acquaint 

themselves with the social environment and gain the acceptance and confi 

dence of project participants; (3) in each year of the project, it is 

expected that new participants will become involved which will require 

strating from step one in the demonstration and testing process; (4) activities 

within the Directorate of Agriculture related to vegetable production are 

expected to require full-time year-round attention of the technicians; neither 

does fewer technical personnel present a practicable alternative. 

In view of the logistical factors associated with achievement of project

-70- 

objectives, the preent design r'epresents the minimal number- of teat.lctang 

required. 

Another alternative woulc be to reduce the mount of training provided 

by the project. Since training represents a minor cost component, a reduc 

tion would- have & very minimal impact on project costs. Channeling of the 

proposed intervention through existing government structures hasi been deter 

mined as. crucial, to project-success.. Previous findings indicate the. GIRM's 

agricultural extension capacity must be upgraded if services and information 

are to be effectively delivered to farmers on a timely basis. The training 

designed is considered adequate and the least cost method of upgrading skills 

of the GIRM officials required to support the project. 

Finally, an alternative would be to eliminate the vegetable food 

preparation component.. Like training, this component is minor in terms of 

total project costu. However, this has been raised continuously by Mauritanii 

as a need. In addition, this activity will provide information which will 

assist in determining the potential. for encouraging or increasing consumption 

of vegetables, particularly among those groups who do not traditionally eat 

be vegetables. 

In view of the above and. analysis contained elsewhere in the paper, it 

is concluded that the project design and costs thereof are appropriate. It 

is not likely that costs can be reduced while still achieving the project 

purpose. 

Project Benefits 

Primarily, the benefits accruing to project participants are not quanti 

fiable in the short-term and appear will in the form of improved production 

/3

-71 

techniques and a more efficient extention service. A secondary benefit' 

intrinsic to the intervention will be the output of vegetables. It is not 

possible at this time to measure the value of this output to the farmer 

v'ithout making several erroneous assumptions in terms of yields, additional 

input, and participation of each project year. In addition, although it is 

expected that 200 hectares will be brought under demonstration by the project, 

the precise amount of land to be involved is yet an implementation issue. 

For the most part, it is expected that the output which results from 

the demonstrations will be consumed locally. Findings indicate the, vege 

table production by representative target groups, in the three regions 

is largely for consumpticn of farmers and their villages. Vegetable surplus 

above what households can consume will provide the opportunity for partici 

pating subsistence farmers to earn cash income through cash sale or through 

bartering. Lack of information on consumption of vegetables and the paucity 

of data on prices and commercialization costs negate the utility of attempting 

the calculate a return to the farmer. 

At present vegetable production is a very small activity in the country's 

traditional sector. It is probably regarded by most farmers participating 

under existing projects as an "off season" activity. It is useful at this 

point, however, to discuss current conditions relating to vegetable production 

and commercialization in an effort to get a reading on what ,mightbe antici 

pated if the present activity increases in scale substantially: 

a.) The Vegetable Production System. There is some type of vegetable

-72 

production- Activity im practically alil regions within Mauritania.. in those 

areas. where the average annual rainfal . meets a minim requirement = ground 

water resources are-able to: be tapped. That is., vegetable production occurs 

in all regions except: the Eight, Eleventh and Twelth. regions. located in the 

country'! northern section. Zn the First and Second regions of. the Southeast, 

in the procximity of Aiun. and Wema, small-scale- production of potatoes for 

the local.market takes place in addition to the traditional subsistence crops 

of millet and sorghum. In the seventh and Ninth regions, vegetable production 

activity occurs. around oases. In the years before the drought, the Adrar 

area of the region had a tradition of small-scale vegetable farming. The 

Tenth region, with nomadic and semi-nomadic populations, carries on little 

aqricultural activity apart: from. the production of millet and sorghum. 

But even he some vegetables, such as cabbage, are grown for household consumption 

and some production of tomatoes takes place as well. Vegetable production is 

concentrated in the Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth regions,* representing the 

agricultural areas of the River Valley and around the permanent mares, bas fonds, 

and oases of the Third region. These regions repres ent the focal points of the 

traditional agricultural sector--millet and sorghum production -- but all to 

varying degrees have a tradition of small plot vegetable production. 

The range in scale of holdings planted to vegetables startsfrom the 

Then regions include the towns of Kinbossa and Teffa, Kaedi, Aleg, Boghe 

Rosso, respectively.

-73 

small household qardn-"le petit jardin villaqeois"-where vegetables 

ace grown primarily for home consumption and are limited to those varieties 

which reflect local dietary preferences and tradition, e.g. neibe', sweet 

potatoes, okra, peppers. Seed is preserved by the household and plannted 

during the rainy season. At the other end of the range are private, 

comrical operations located in the Sixth region. Here individual farmer 

entreprenuers operate vegetable farms employing somewhat high-level production 

techniques, as for example, motor pumps and sprayers for the distribution of 

pesticides. A considerable variety of vegetables are cultivated by these 

operations including, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, beets carrots. Between 

these two extremes lie the target group for which vegetable production 

projects are concerned. 

There are limitations on the amount of land that a single farm unit will 

put under vegetable production. The individual farm unit faces a constraint 

in terms of labor-time available to be allocated to any given output. Vegetable 

production may compete with millet and sorghum production for labor-time. It has 

been observed, in fact, that periods of abundant millet and sorghum harvests 

tend to coincide with a diminishing interest on the part of farmers in vegetable 

production. An expansion in the level of production (measured in terms of he 

hectarage cultivated might be expected to occur if there is substantial 

unemployment of agricultural labor. 

In addition to limitations on the scale of farm facing the individual 

farmer, physical and technial constraints set the upper limit on the total 

land area that can he brough under cultivation in a geographic zone. The 

techncial constraints manifest themseleves in the form of low-yielding, low 

productive techniques and inadequate extension service. A major physical

-74 

constraint on the total hectarage that can be supported within a given area. 

is the availability of water. For any specific area, the scale of vegetable 

farming. and, hence, the number of farmers producing for the market will depend 

upon water supply conditions. In some areas, (e.g., R'Kiz and Medredra. in 

the 6th Region) water conditions- are such that new producer entrants into 

vegetable production are reported to be. limited to the production for home 

consumption.* The actual areas, under vegetable cultivation by small farmer 

during the Campaigne 1976-77 for two regions is shown in the Economic Appendix. 

Land area reported under production in the Third Region (Kiffa) amounted to 

14.39 hectares (34.78 acres). Data for the 5th Region include only the town 

of' Boghe and surrounding villages. Information from the Office of the Regional 

Adjoint Economique indicates that land allocated to vegetables by small farmers 

amounted to approximately 15 hectares for the. region as a whole. When the 

number of producers. provided in the Appendix, Table 2 are related to total 

land area planted in each locality, it shows that plot sizes cultivated by 

producers are quite small. Information on area cultivated by "Grouppments 

Cooperatives" is available for the 3rd Region where 42,000 square meters are 

reported to be worked by 30 groups. In the region as a whole, holdings planted 

by farmer groups have averaged about one-tenth of a hectare. In general, the 

extent of the diversification of output varies directly with the area cultivated. 

*The Direction de 1'Agriculture has issued a summary of activities on vegetable 

production, be region, which provides information gathered in the course of 

field interviews with the Chef du Secteur and field personnel on the progression 

of vegetable production. (GIRM, Direction de l'Agriculture, Mission de 

Maraichage, Jan to Feb 1977. The Report derives from the IBRD-financed project 

Continuation and Extension of Vegetable Operations.) Recently, under a scheme 

which involved the redistribution of land in the 5th Region, vicinity of Boghe, 

farmers were allocated four hectares of land for vegetable production. This 

action was taken unilaterally by the District Prefect and unfavorably viewed by 

the Direction de I'Agriculture. Water supply in the area would not be sufficient 

for a substantial number of farmers to put four hectares of land into 

veaetable nrduntinn 

3

-75- 

If the area is very small, only one crop may be planted (e.g., onions, 

potatoes). As the area increases in size, several types of vegetable products 

may be grown. 

B. The International Market for Vegetable Products 

In the future, there may be a possibility of exporting vegetables 

to neighboring countries, but under present conditions of supply, costs, and 

relative prices, commercialization must be aimed at the internal market. The 

internal market includes local markets located in principal towns in each 

region and the more expansive enclaves of Nouakchott, Zouerate, Akjoukt, and 

Nouadhibou. 

In the Sixth Region, there is a geou rud which links Rosso to 

Nouakchott. Villages near Rosso, Keur-Macene and along the roaa nave access 

to the Nouakchott market and, therefore, an outlet for surplus vegetables 

produced above local demand. However, it was stated by several contacts 

that for most of the year all vegetables raised in the Sixth Region are 

consumed. But, during the peak season, there is an over supply problem. 

This problem is aggravated by the influx of cheaper vegetables from the SAED 

plantations on the Senegalese side of the river. Production for the local 

European market is not the major aim of this cultivation. There are a few 

prosperous farmers who grow largely more than they can sale. These farmers 

have their own truck for transport of produce. There are also merchants 

with trucks who will buy farmers' excess production at a very low price and 

resale in Nouakchott for a tidy profit. But, for the most part, local con 

sumption is the aim of the farmer. 

The Fifth Region (Boghe) has a somewhat long growing season (October to 

May), with two full crops harvested per season. An inadequate transportation

-76 

ihave, hamPers evacuation of produce to larger makutsnd 

timly provision of production inputs. As a consequence local markets are 

glutted dinq the peak production season. 

The- Thir-d Pegions (KMiff a) was Limited, to local. markets principally- Kiff a. 

and uzkoa8.. Wtth the recent cpletion. of a road to-Nouakchott, that more 

eqmuasvr mnarket is nov acceteiWbo. However,. infrattucture within the reqim- 

is still inadequate. Production in the region is mainly for auto-constmption 

and. barter. 

Zn Mauritanian at present, mst consumer damand; •for vegetables on the 

enclaw,. -markets is being met by imports. The enclave markets axe largely 

supplied by fresh vegetable imports from Senegal and France and processed 

(canned) vegetable imports from other EEC countries and Spain. in volume 

term, vegetable imports ae-re ore. R aveage uo... ,.juu mari= mons a year.. 

the estimated value of imported vegetables (and fruits) in 1976 was as follows: 

Vegetable and Fruit .mports 

(C.I.F. Value in 1TM, Millions) 

Tota.l Senegal ance Other Countries 

92.0 21.0 36.0 35.0 

Source: Banque Centrale 

The reliance upon imports for a range of basic commodities typically occurs 

in industrial enclave sectors in developing countries where management - as well 

as private traders - are concerend to insure supplies in face of uncertain local 

food production and distribution systems. However, enclave markets alone are not 

the sole importers of vegetable products. Local markets such as that of Rasso, 

an important trading town in the Southern region, are reported to be heavily

dominated by imports. 

-77 

Zn,-principal thee is potential for growth in the internal market for 

domestic vegetables output given properly organized production, distribution, 

adequate storage and marketing system. The widening of the market would be 

traced to such factors as the gradual sedentaization of nomadic population 

rural to urban migration, and a growth of employment in the urban enclaves. 

The latter implies a gradual increase in the number of wage earners and salaried 

personnel both in the informal and modern sectors. Such groups are currently 

estimated at 10 percent of the total labor force employment. A recent 

deographic 

survey issued by the Planning Ministry in may 1977 shows that a significant 

percentage of the country's population can be classified as town dewellers. 

Roughly 20 percent of the population resides in towns of 5,000 or more. Local market 

towns as a group offer a source of potential buyers of domestic vegetable output. 

The critical problem, however, facing icoal producers is the availability of 

transport. What transport is avaialbe to large markets through middlemen is very 

expensive, (almost 20 per kilometric ton).. In many cases for lcoal markets 

located shorter distances, produce is transported by donkey carts or piroques (along 

the river). In these instance constraints exist in terms of overall carrying 

capacity. 

Mauritania faces a virtual absence of basic transport infrastucture linking, 

on a year-round basis, food-exporting and food- importing regions of the country. 

Regional isolation constitutes a major obstacle to an efficient internal 

marketing system for any product. The relationship between transport and marketing 

activities is to bring about a change in the location value of goods. That is, to 

move goods from areas where they are produced and prices are low, to distant

-78-/4 

Ues whe- prices ae higher. The regions of -the River Valley are poorly 

equipped vith road'trnspor. Prom the 3.1 tCwn of Tekane in the 6th Regn 

for the length of the distance to the southwst, "roads" are tracks, and impossible 

for parts of the ye=. Hmoveer, because of current levels., of planned investment 

in road, tmansport, the World Bank , "=utjouslr optimistic of prospects. 

for improved conne-.c s. and greater movement, of good- south to north over 

the coming -decade. 

Since-a miuin standard of road tXansport wil. only be ralized over 

the long tez, for the imediate fture the vegetable farmer must adjust to the. 

exgancies of the present situtation which is ch-ariaezed by the sataricon 

of local markets, uneven rate of flow of supplies 'to market and by shar 

flucuation in market prices for vegetables. While vegetable production in highly 

seasonal, there are soma means of cont ollin factors which adversely affect 

marketing potential. 

One means is to sacrifice diversification of output to the cultivation 

of crops which are able to sup;t longer and rougher shipment. There is evidence 

that farmers removed fr direct access to markets have tended to concentrate on 

such cz-ps. This explains the non-culture which prevails in some areas for 

such crops as onions, potatoes, and tuniips. 

As in the case where fazmars grow relatively less perishable types 

of vegetables to facilitate longer distance transport, these same types could 

be grown with a view to storage for a time after harvest and gradually 

marketed. This would permit farmers to benefit from a change in the termporal 

value of output.

-79- 

A staggered sbhedule of input distribution under externally-financed 

projects to fazMrs located in the same area is another possibility. Although 

it is administratively convenient to distribute inputs to all farmers in a 

given area according to the same schedule, it would be possible to spxead out 

distribution of seed, for example, so that all producers would not plant and 

harvest identifical products at the same time. 

Ideally, the price structure of vegetable products should be relatively 

high to producers so as to cover current market prices of inputs in order 

to stimulate production, and, at the same time, relatively low to consumers 

in order to increase consumption. There is little that can. be said concerning 

price elasticities in the domestic vegetable market. Such price data as exist 

are sketchy and show fairly sharp seasonal swings in prices of Vegetable pro 

duction season is short and it leads to a bunching up of production. In the 

Sixth Region the growing season is December to March. The growing seasons 

in the Third Region and Fifth Regions are longer -- October to April in the 

Third Region and October to May in the Fifth Region. Price data are shown in 

the Economic Appendix. There is no information on quantities traded. It 

should be noted that prices shon for Nouakchott market reflect primarily 

retail prices of vegetable imports. Tables A and B reflect more accurately 

prices paid for domestically produced products. 

Retail price datareed to be supplemented by information on the farm-value 

of vegetable products, the farm-retail price spread, marketing margins, in

-80- // 

order to detezunetfarers share of uszektinq costs. The Directoate of 

&I-culture. does nor collect data of this nature. Sam production data awe 

gezted by the Directorate of Aqric t,-e. Such information is available 

has been provided in the Appndix- Koever, averag, yields by type of crop 

a the basis of m sitandard. acroaqe harvested, are-not available.. Day to 

day observation to be carried out -Ae the present project by the PC7 and 

U.S. technicians will provide data required to address thee factors. 

Rural Credit 

There are no fomal. credit institutions for small vegetable producers. 

Zt is expected that informal and traditional credit arrangements do mxst. 

ZntAzventions in vegetable production ust be designed to mInimize need for 

credit. 

cmnents on Economic Benefits 

The size of the- area cultivated under sal-farmae vegetable production 

schemes, in Mairitan' a even under the. assumption of a doubling or tripling ot 

area cultivated, does not justify an attempt to develop an estimate of the 

relative margins of benefits over costs. Such measures are supposed to indi 

cats the impact on the economy as a whole given amount of investment under a 

project in comparison with some other use of investment resources. 

The primaz economc benefIt, f±= which the project is- aimed include the develop 

ment of improved techniques and more reliabla information regarding vegetable 

production. These benefits, however, can not be quantified. This project can 

show norma.l returns only in the long run. 

There will undoubtedly be some econmic return from the physical output of 

the project and some opportunity costs associated with the project as well.

lPJ The latter would arise, for exxle, from the use of domestic resources 

such as the Directorate of Agricultural's limited extension service and 

MInpOaer, by this particular project. The problem of attaching a numerical 

value to benefits, however, arise from the small magnitudes involved :z Vell 

as the valuation of project output. Secondary benefits derived from physical 

output and yields are difficult to value since it is not possible to estimate 

amount of additional output will result and even if it were, a rapidly growing 

supply of vegetable produce relative to existing market, might lead to a 

fall in prices of vegetables sold on local markets. 

Other secondary benefits may be attributed to the project. First, there 

would be some amount of substitution of domestic production for imports of 

vegetable. The extent of this substitution would depend on amount of surplus 

which results and the costs (and availability) of transport from vegetable 

producing areas to enclave markets. Another source of benefits would arise 

from an increase in on-farm consumption of vegetable produce. This is not 

an unimportant benefit since the economic value of home-consumed food represents 

a real return to the economy as much as market production. The problem is that 

realization of this benefit is dependent upon the continuing provision of free 

inputs. Producers will pay market prices for inputs only if assured of 

outlets for production at a return which will cover production costs.

IV. Iiplinntation Axangements 

A. Admins-trative Arrangemants 

1. Gin 

The government of Mauritania is administratively divided into 

seven "State Ministries" which in tuxn are responsible: for a total of 

twenty "Ministries." Three ministries constitue the:.Satae- ministry for 

Rural Advancement. (Promotion Rurale. (see attached organization chart). These 

three are the ministries of Rural Development (Development. Rural), Construc 

tion, and Hydraulic Resources. This project will be under the aupicies of 

the. Ministry of Rural Development. Within the Ministry of Rural Develop 

mant, there are three operating directorates,. i.e., the Livestock 

Directorata, the Environmental Protection Directorate, and the Agriculture 

Directorate. The GIRM administration of the project. will be within the 

Directorate of Agriculture;. Within the Directorate of Agriculture, the 

Office of the Chief of Vegetable Production will play an important role in 

the project. 

The Agriculture Directorate 

This Directorate is led by a Mauritanian Agronomist and has 190 positions 

budgeted throughout Mauritania. Located within the Directorate in 

Nouakchott is the Office of the Chief of Vegetable Production. which consists of 

one person. This person functions at the national. level as co insliator of 

vegetable production activities and manages the distribution of vegetable 

seed, tools and fertilizer. The Chief of Vegetable Production will be the 

counterpart to the Project Manager/Agriculture Extensionist. At the regional

ORGANIZATION CHART OF MAURITANIAN 

AGRICULTURAL MINISTRIES 

Ministare d'Etat a 

La Promotion Rurale 

(State Ministry for 

Rural Advancement) 

Ministate des Resources Hiniste~re do Developpe- Ministate de ]a con 

comn S Hydrologiques ua, tuto 

(Ministry of Water Resources) (Ministry for Rural 

Development) 

(Ministry of Construction) 

Direction de l'Elevage /Directorate de l'Agrt- Service de la Protection 

(Directorate for Livestock) 

culture 

(Directorate of Agri 

culture) 

de la Nature 

(Environmental Protection 

I 

(Office of.Chief 

Vegetable 

of 

Production) 

Service)

-84 

and local levels within the Directorate (respectively) are the. Sector 

ciefs and Agricultural extension agents. The. activities of thee 

officials include the coordination and implemmntation of agricultural 

activities (inc.udin/ vegetable, production) and delivery of production 

iMUtta and technical. infouation to fazmeru. The, Sector Chiefs. (one per 

region) within each. of the. three project regions will. serve as counter 

parts to the Borticulturist/Agroast. As with other Directoratesr 

policy is set in Nouakchatt by tha-Director while operational responsi 

bility rests in the- field.. 

.thb r a . review- 7f .teadequdcay; f the above mentioned staffing 

and organizational arrangements will be made jointly by the Mins'y of 

Rural Development, AM and U.S. contractors six months after the contractors 

arrive. If a realistic appzaisal indicates that there are deficienices 

in staffing quantity, or that the administrative arrangements need improve 

ment, AID and the GIM will settle upon corrective measures, to be 

implemented with a minimum of delay. 

The field activities to be implemented by the project requires 

coordination at the regional and local levels. This involves dealings 

between the Agriculture Directorate and the local government chiefs and 

traditional leaders. As the lines of conmmunication already exist, no 

special arrangements will be required for the purposes of implementing this 

project. 

The participant training programs.will be developed by GIRM and 

training institutions with the assistance of the U.S. technicians. Partici 

pants have already been selected by the government from present Agriculture

Directorate staff. 

2. AM 

-85- 

Due to lack of administrative capability within the Ministry of Rural 

Development, Directorate of Agriculture, the GIRM cannot carry out 

effectively and expeditiously the various contracting, procurement and 

logistical support activities that are normally involved in an AID 

financed project. However, to be certain that the USAID in Nouakchott is 

not overburdened with administrative details of the project's implementation, 

once in the field the U.S. contractor will have considerable latitude in 

project matters, procurement of project commodities, vehicle maintenance, 

personnel support items which are legitimate project costs, etc. An 

assigned USAID project manager will assist contractors with procurement, 

transport and other implementation actions. However, the USAID role will 

be primarily one of monitor and evaa.tor. 

In preparation for arrival of the U.S. technicians the USAID/Ncuakchott 

must carry out several activities. These activities concern housing, 

procurement of project vehicles and procurement of those commodities necessary 

for the timely implementation of the project. The procurement plans below 

details these activitie,,. 

3. Contractors 

The implementation of the project will be principally carried out under 

contract with a U.S. institution. The contractors will seek to determine the 

feasibility of expanding vegetable production among sedentary rural groups 

in the Third, Fifth, and Sixth Regions in Mauritania through an Applied 

research and pilot program over a three-year period.

-86- 

An experimtal design &Msoach is necessary to povide reliable guidance 

with respect to feasibility of future activities. The design will include 

testing and identification of ajor. agonomic: options (optimum production, 

preservations and prepsartion techniques) and collection of sufficient 

economic, marketing and consumer acceptance - nutrition data. to allow con 

clusions. The.pilot, experimental plots.and central field trial*. eas. to be. 

established in each region will serve as points- for data . collection. Production 

from these areas will be consumed to satisfy food needs of producers, or 

bartered or market for cash, yielding income (goods or cash) for producers. 

Data collection will be carried out in collaboration with GIh! officials and 

PCs. The contractor will be responsible for poviding work sheets and guidance 

to extension agents and PCVs on raw data collection. Research findings will be 

disseminated to farmers by extension methods to include audio-visual techniques. 

Complete records should be kept on all project actions to facilitate ongoing 

analysis and final evaluation. 

A.I.D. will contract with a U.S. institution to provide for a Project 

IManager/Agricultural Extensionist (36 pm), a Horticulturist (36 pm), an 

Agricultural Production Economist (12 pm) and a Nutritionist (12 p=). Short 

term consultancy will consist of a Hydrologist (4 pm) and a Soil Scientist 

(4 pm). The Project Manaer/Agricultural Extensionist will be the team leader 

and for two years of the Project will. act as Chief of Vegetable Production 

during which time he Aill consult directly with the Director of Agriculture. 

The Directorate of Agriculture (the GIRM implementing agency for this project) 

is understaffed with only 190 positions budgeted throughout the country.

-87- 

Prior to FT 78 there were no A.I.D. development projects on the ground in 

Mauritania. By the end of FY 78, four new A.I.D. projects (six by the end 

of FY 79) will commence implementation in Mauritania. Implementation and 

coordination of these projects represent a new experience for the GIhM with 

the greatest burden falling on the Directorate of Agriculture. These projects 

will involve five different contractors providing up to sixty-one contractor 

personnel which would require a. substantial amount of contractor monitoring 

and supervision. Cognizant of this, the GIM has requested A.I.D. assistance 

in the implementation of A.I.D. projects. In order to assure timely and. 

effective implementation of this project, as well as achieve the necessary 

coordination, it is essential that A.I.D. have some control over the 

implementation of this project beyond design. Therefore, this will be a 

direct contract with A.I.D. 

As directed by USAID/Nouakchott, the technicians will provide guidance 

for future assistance in vegetable production activities by the GIRM and 

external donors. The technicians' services will start early FY 79 with 

mandates and requirements for position as follows: 

A. Project Manager/Ariculture Ectensionist (36 Pm) 

L. A masters degree in an agricultural related field or equivalent; 

2. Minimum of 2 years experience working in a state extension 

service or equivalent; 

3. Experience with management and administrative exposure to less 

developed areas, preferably Africa; 

4. Working level of French, preferably FSI S-3/R-3 level. 

5. Is able to work effectively with ministries, organizations and 

institutions in formulating specific projects and programs 

involving both formal and non-formal education and training and 

on-the-job training.

-88 

1. AA.a & mtimum, & B.S. degee in. Horticulture with traning im 

2. At leat three years experience in Horticulture as it relates 

to vegetable- poduction and soil-watear naagement in semi-arid 

drylan&i farming. 

3. Working level of French, preferably FSI S-3/R-3. 

C. Nutitionist (12 m) 

1. Master's degree in clinical nutrition, piblJc health r related 

nutrition field or equivalent; 

Z. Practical experience preferably in Africa involving nutrition 

analysis,. surveys and. monitaring. 

3.. Working level- of French, preferably FS S-3/R-3.

-89- 

D. Agriculture Production Economist (12 pmo) 

I. M.S. degree in Agricultural Economics with course work 

inmarketing and production economics or equivalent. 

2. Practical experience preferably in Africa involving 

economic research, and survey methods in discrete 

agricultural fields. 

3. Working level of French, preferably FSI S-3/R-3. 

E. Soil Scientist (4pm) 

1. Master's degree in agronomy with a specialization in soil 

chemistry and fertility or equivalent; 

2. Demonstrated field experience in soil survey and 

soil and water management, preferably in arid or semi-arid 

areas. 

3. Some familiarity with French, preferably FSI S-2/R-2 level. 

F. Hydrologist (4 pm) 

1. Master's degree in hydrology with concentration in water 

resources management. 

2. Demonstrated field experience in conducting water resource 

surveys preferably in arid or semi-arid areas. 

3. Familiarity with French, preferably FSI S-2/R-2 level. 

Technical design of field activities will be based on a thorough 

search for and review of relevant experience including: 

(a)Research by the contractor concerning small-scale vegetable 

experience in semi-arid tropics. This will include search for 

information on relevant research activities in sub-humid tropics, 

gathering of information and documents available on U.S. past and

-90 

current experience throughout the world, gathering of relevant technical 

reference materials, aqd gathering of information relating to 

research design. (Contractor 1-2 months.). During project implementation 

considerable attention st.. uld be given to relevant information and 

findings generated by the A.m.O. funded Rural Sector Assessment and 

Manpower Employment Survey (RAMS) in Mauritania.. 

(b) Extensive briefing of implementation team by their backstop 

agency. This briefing will include (1) a study of preceeding materials,. 

(2) briefing with social scientists familiar with Mauritania rural and 

agricultural systems, (c)meetings with consultants proposed for 

short-term assistance. (Team members, 1 month). 

(c) Study tour of research and field situations in sub-humid areas 

of Africa. This F!,ould include but not be limited to vegetible crops 

experiment station in Sudan, Amadu Bello University in Northern Nigeria 

and IRAT in Senegal. (Team members, 2-3 months within first 6 months 

of in-country activity). 

The implementation team will build further bases for guidance on 

technical implementation in-country. This will include working 

relationships with Mauritanian officials and local leaders. Itwill 

also include linkages with other expatriate specialists, particularly 

these relating to soil and water resources. Advice will be sought 

on minimal procedures and facilities, for soil testing. 

The responsibilities of the U.S. contractors are outlined below:

-91 

a. Project Manager/Agriculture Extensionist 

(1) The Project Manager as team leader will have the ultimate 

responsibility for assuring that project objectives 

are met as well as overall responsibility for project 

administration and reporting. 

(2)Provides professional counsel, extension advice and guidance 

on project and program strategy; 

(3)Manages AID's input and monitors project operations, giving 

particular attention to the role of each implementing entity 

and promoting realistic measures to enhance coordination and 

project operations at all levels. 

(4)Assists in formulating curriculum for formal and non-formal 

training and will provide on-the-job training. 

(5)Reviews data related to project activities; 

(6)Assists GIRM inmanagement and implementation of vegetable 

production activities; 

(7)Maintains liaision in Nouakchott with relevant GIRM officials 

and A.I.D.; 

(8)Orders project comodities and maintains project accounts 

for all expenditures of foreign exchange and local 

currency. 

(9)Maintains a local currency account with a Nouakchott bank. 

(10) Reviews and authorizes data collection systems and work 

sheets developed by consultants. 

(11) Reviews and concurs in work plans for PCVs.

. Horticulturtst/Agronomist 

-92 

(1) Assists regional Sector Chiefs in selecting sites and 

estabi shing demonstration areas for vegetables for 

field trials and. basic testing; 

(2) Sapervises. vegetable cropping system and other techniques 

introduced. by project- such as. usa of fertilizers mulch, 

improved seed, use of insecticides and fungicides,, preservation 

of seed, storage., drying improved practices, preparation 

of seed bed, weeding use of sprayers, and determines 

adaptability of these technique.to local conditions; 

(3)Monitors water resources in pilot areas; 

(4)Develops material and methodology for collection, compilation 

and analysis of vegetable production agronomic data in 

consultation with the other team members. The basis 

consideration of the agronomic research design includes 

specification of crops, major cropping patterns and soil 

management practices considered logically applicable in 

the. target areas. 

(5)Provides non-formal extension and on-the-job training to 

extension agents and PCVs. 

(6)Develops worksheets for agricultural PCVs to collect raw 

agronomic data. 

c. Agricultural Production Economist 

(1)Develops a research methodology for collection review and 

analysis of existing marketing and economic data pertinent 

to vegetable production in the three regions.

-93 

(2) In collaboration with other team members, analyzes data 

collected and organizes it in a comprehensive report that may 

be used to determine the feasibility of expanding production 

of vegetables inthe target areas. Particular attention 

should be given to: marketing potentials and options, 

value of land to be used, value of farm labor, transportation 

availability and costs, storage facilities, consumption, 

cash sales and barter, all costs (monetary and inkind), 

all returns (montary and inkind), analysis at factor 

cost levels and also at the social level, competitive 

advantage of each vegetable in terms of costs and returns 

to the producer, price analysis, credit (requirements, 

costs, availability), farm planning relating vegetable 

production to grain production and livestock production, 

the domestic currency cost of producing the output at 

optimum aRd other levels, and the benefit/cost ratio at 

optimum and other levels. 

(3)Develops worksheets for collection of raw economic and 

d. Nutritionist 

marketing data by PCV Cooperative Specialists 

(1)Develops a research methodology for determining the 

feasibility of expanded vegetable production from a nutritional 

standpoint. 

(2)Collects and compiles food consumption and nutritional 

data and conducts nutritional monitoring before, during and 

by end of project.

(3)Incollaboration with other team memers, analyzes data and 

organizes it into a comprehensive report that may be used. 

to determine which vegetables should be encouraged in 

each target location and assesses the impact of the project: 

from. a. nutritional point of view. 

(4) Develops nutrition education with home economist PCVs and 

women-of the community to include improved vegetable food 

preparation techniques for household consumption. 

(5) Develops work sheets for and supervises home economist 

PCVs in collection of food consumption and nutrition 

related data.

Z. Soils Scin" 

-95- 

1. Collects and reviews all soils studies and data carried out 

in the three regions concerned. 

2. Sets up cmplementary soils studies and data collection in 

these three region. 

3. Collects, campiles and analyses all soil data. 

4. Organizes the analysed data in a comprehensive report that 

may be used to determine which vegetables ma,, be grown in each 

of the locations involved in the project. 

5. The report will pay particular attention to: land 

capability, crop adaptability, productivity ratings, suitability 

for irrigation and drainage, fertilizer and lime requirements, 

soil erosion potential, chemical properties and, specifically 

vegetable production capabilities. 

F. Field Hydroloqist 

1. Collects and review all available hydrological surveys, 

reports and data for the three regions concerned. 

2. Sets up hydrological studies and data collection in the target 

areas. 

3. Organizes the analyed data in a comprehensive report that 

may be used to determine which vegetables may best be 

grown in each of the locations involved in the project.

-96 

4. Te repo= will pay particular attentiom to: climate,precipitation, 

4. Peace-corps 

evaporation, transportation, infilt= tion and movement of soil 

moisture, surface and ground water flow, channel flow, sedimentation, 

chanqes in chmiocal and physical quality ald salvage of water. 

Peace-Corps volunteers have been requested to provide field support and 

supervision and collect data on production and comercialization of vegetables 

Work sheets for data collection will bw developed by U. S. technicians 

(and the USAM Staff Sociologist for collection of data on roles of women 

in production of vegetables). Peace Corps has strongly expressed interest 

in furnishing field personnel for ,this project and requires nine months 

from the receipt of the official letter of request until the arrival of 

trainees in-country. The exact-relationship between Peace Corps volunteers 

and. U. S. technicians and precise work plans. will be developed by U. S. 

technicians and the Peace Corps Director once volunteers arrive in-country. 

B. Implementation Plan 

1. Prior Actions 

In order to assure a relatively smooth flow to the implementation 

of this project, the following actions should be taken before the project 

agreement is signed: 

a) Approval of PP and all waivers requested need to be obtained 

by AID/W. 

b) On the basis of description of duties contained in this 

section of the PP, AID/W should begin identifying possible 

candidates for the project staff as soon as the PP is 

signed.

-97 

c) after having been officially advised by the GIRM that 

Implementation Schedule 

it wishes AID to undertake procurement actions on its 

behalf, the CDO will prepare all necessary procurement 

documents prior to signing of the Project Agreement. 

This will enable requests for proposal and invitations 

for bids to be issued 15-3Q days after the PROAG is signed. 

(Dates are illustrative, to indicate relative timing. Any slipeage 

in initial start will require similar adjustment throughout.) 

4/78 - PROAG singed - USAID - GIRM 

- Vehicles and first year commodities ordered under 

Pio/C - USAID 

- Receipt request for Vols from GIRM - PC 

- Request for proposals for technical assistance 

contract published - AID/W 

7/78 - Technical assistance proposals received and reviewed 

AID/W - USAID 

8/78 - Technical Assistance contract awarded - AID/W USAID 

mobile trailer ordered under PI0/C - USAID 

10/78 - Local contract for installation of mobile trailer 

awarded - USAID 

11/78 - .,roJect Manager and Horticulturist/Agronomist in 

field - AID/W second year commodities order under 

PIO/C - contract. 

- Site selections made (including well sites) - GIPR4 

Contractor/REDSO

- WeIL c -struction begins - GIRK 

12/78 - Annual. work plai submitted by contractors - Contractor- 

USAm 

1/79 - PCVs arrive- in country for 12. week training - PC 

- Soil Scientist and Hydrologist- in field - contr. 

- Distribution. of inputs, for, first year planning, - 

GIEM/Contr. 

2/79 - Economist and Nutritionist in field - Contr. 

4/79 - PCVs at assigned sites - PC 

- Home Economist PCVs trained by' Nutritionist 

- Soil Scientist and Hydrologist depart 

5/79 - First harvest (march-May) GIRM - PCV - Contractor 

- Soil Scientist and Hydrologist reports completed and 

sent to field 

6/79 - Training in third country begins for Mauritanian 

counterparts at national and regional levels - GIRM/USAID 

- Nutritionist and Economist depart - Contr. 

7/79 - First evaluation complete 

8/79 - Additional site selctions made for year (including wells) 

- GIRM -Contractor - FCV regional level trainees return 

GIRM/USAID 

10/79 - First planting, second year GIRM-Contractor.PCV 

- Nutritionist and Economist return contrator 

11/79 - Order inputs for 3rd year under PIO/C - contractor 

1/80 - Second planting for 2nd year - GIRM/Contr/PCV 

- Economist and Nutritionist depart - contractor

-99 

2/80 - First harvest second year GIRM/Contr/PCV 

5/80 - Second harvest, second year - GIR/Contr/PCV 

7/80 - 2nd evaluation complete GIR1/Contr PCV 

9/80 - 3rd year inputs distributed - GIRM/Contr/PCV 

10/80 - Nutritionist returns - Contractor 

11/80 - Economist returns - contractor 

1/81 - Second planting, 3rd year GIRM/Contr/PCV 

- Nutritionist departs - contractor 

2/81 - First harvest, 3rd year - GIP./Contr/PCV 

5/81 - Second harvest, 3rd year - GIRM/Contr/PCV 

- Nutritinist and Economist return 

6/81 - Counterpart at Nat'l level returns from third country 

training - GIRM/USAID 

7/81 - 3rd year evaluation complete - GIRM/Contr/PCV 

8/81 - All U.S. technicians department - contractor 

10/81 - Final evaluation complete USAID - Contr/GIRM/AID/W

Th. a.s. technicians =de. s~-x-7si= of the 17A 2=jec%manaqez 

-dill.hava Pr±2a7~- rapns~±L~ an? t7- :!or 

af 9=oJlec-- di as,* 

30weeu, those =Cdiss. and.. 70hiclas whiCh, axe necessary ta tiJmely 

impleantimion of project activities wl be. ordar~d by rUSA.= beforw az±-7a 

of the con~ac tec-l-c-ans . =%aess 'dil.i'e2.udrn, bt ae not lltsd to 

&.U projac- vekiles bousaq-aznqnmnts !or tah- ~a.,and C==ditas 

meeded iz the 1f-xst year of thea proj ect. 

GS=/Ncuacho-It- willi a--snga !for ruui!4. or !ass* o~f a house for 

the Prozjaw so aaqM/qr asionist ta Uauakchot. (;A wil-. 

also =uchaso one doi~ble-.ida, a±.condit-ioned =billa ,x=e toaila: &md 

a =7( hack-mp genexator !or the 3oz~iclt~is:/qoninist.' 

The tniiae. wi2..! :e Lsziadat AlIsq, the 6conomC=ic Capital Q1 -6g 

Filth± Region. Spec±.ic sits selection vii.!. b datxaied by U-Ain and. 

the- G.M. The admanqes ct placizg tte t=±aile in ala a=* clarly 

logi tics.!. ones. Aleg -s cant.2U-y 1ocatad !=- :elation to BEo!Gh, ±f. 

and ?osso., i= addition --a *"eing easily access-oLe to IdmLkchatt 'by r:ad. 

The coo: w4~T ii1. sac=% --!a sevic-as c:! a 1-cal c cto:c--- :z 

=az-=-6c=ia -- Lc c nt Lakz. -- = Ali . ii n.t 

!:ass -= sax-7e as a _fotdalaton, intzaj..L .on and semti:= -.3-- an~d

-101 

comac te = ~are to Loca.L. Olao_"&.c SUTPLq. A back-upi geneaor will. 

Ibe z.iqmixd to izzu~s a czzious ava.llabil' t,- of *lact-xca2. cow. The 

total cos% of ;uxcasizq, stir-ing and Lasta.WI-ng the '-aiUex Is. 

acaed at $60,000. 

Za additi±on th.a 00 wlI± I order al. prolac- veixic-as- and ao~o±n 

izp= reqized for the lixst year of the poject. Both of then* codities 

should be ordarad as soon as possible after the 2--oect Aqzzeament Ls sighed. 

0. Zcoi~t and C-dities List 

Accord q to cu--nz Projecti.os: the. Itac.lze equ±pment and cc~mdltias 

included as part of the section on Financil. Aalysis will be purchased -4c 

rjtus.Project-nesmyriuti io shl ts f-c onec-dity 

to another but a not e~eczad to altxthe, ove--A.U puchase costs. 

3. Scuxose and 0oi.:n 

T!he authorize soca and crigiz !or c_-:md_4ties_- !_±naniced by A=D 

=dax 1-na 9poject is the Uni2ted States. Li addit-4an, procurement i 

H!aitsr 4- is authazized Li acco~dance with Handbook 1.5 Seczicns 11.32 and 

1134A of equiient and =ataeials. . Ma±2.e =xim ettaxrt will.I be made 

zo buny all zr.tabla nazzeas and equi±:enz i= the U.S., the zratal. r 

athe q:o jGc_ W4.IT requixr t:at so=e of theo Ltes shown in the pce 

':nt ILst, a-, wdell1 as FOL ;oducts, be -purchased f-2wm Czda 935 sour-e and 

or.qi. Aiuthxized she±.2 itz ;zoc=!snt is descoiLed t=do= sacoion G 

:. CW. Re-_UeSZs --Z Wa._.es 02. Czde a 0 (U.S .) Source and oi e±~ 

=en= axe i-C.lzdad =ndo= Seco.±c. S.

. Nethod of Procurement 

Procmement of U.S. source equipment will be conducted. accordng to 

S.r.D. Handbook 11 competitive Solicitation (n'P) procedures. Procurement 

of non-major equipment. and. materials under this project, when estimated 

landed cost is leas than $50,000 is exempt from formal 3 requirements 

and, may be conducted on the basis of good commercial. practices. and 

reasonable, informal solicitation offers. Local or third country purchases, 

when authorized., will be conducted in accordance with good commercial 

practices and, as far as practicable, on the basis of competitive solicitation 

of offers. 

G. Waivers 

Waivers of AID's source and origin requirement is requested as follows: 

(a) Waiver of FAA Section 636(i) to permit Code 935 procurement of 

5 vehicles; 

(b) Authorization for local .rocurement of up to $55,000 of POL products 

and minor commodities.

-103- 

H. Evaluation Arranqte.,. 

Continued evaluation of all technical aspects of the project is 

of critical importance to the achievamt of project purpose. This is 

especially true, given the fact that the vegetable production program is 

Limited in scope and area, and that it is anticipated that the principal 

outputs and practices will be used in the fut 

feasibility of expanding vegetable production. 

e to to determine the 

1. Annual Work Plans 

The U.S. technicians will complete detailed evaluations on 

the project. These evaluations will include testing of intemediate results 

and the final successes accomplished during the interim period. Results 

of those test will form the basis of the following year's wod- plan 

consistia q of what will and should be done. These- annual work plans will 

be combined into an overall evaluation with appropriate recomnendations, 

changes in practices, and direction required to successfully complete 

the project. 

This information will also be included in the final evaluation report 

for A=D/W. The ariuajl work plans from the technical consultants will 

provide information required for specific goals and methods for deter 

mining the success of the project. 

2. Quarterly Proress Report 

In addition to annual work plans, the project technicians and GIRM 

officials will submit a Quarterly Progress Report covering details of 

the program and action towards achievement of projects in relation to 

annual work plans.

3. Project AlgraisaL. pApo,. 

,104 

Te CO and Projec manager will. submit, based. an inputs from rI.S. 

techniciam. and GI personnel, annual. project appraisal reports consisting, 

of detals. of project progcess toward, meeting goals, purposes, outputs-, and 

inputs&at the project. These evaluationr, made after thorough consultation 

with GI offici.als, will assist 1). making sound budgeting, management and 

progrm decisions. concerning the, project. 

4. Special. Evaluation 

Prior to completion of the project-, an evaluation team from A.D/W 

should be. fielded to detsin.e whether the project was sufficiently 

successful to warrant an additonal design team-to implement a follow-up 

activity. This team will consul,: with the USAID Project Manager, U.S. 

technicians and GIRM in conducting its evaluations. 

I. Conditions, Covenants and Negotiating Status 

In principle, the terms and condi;tions of the proposal, have been discussed 

and agreed upon by the Minister of Rural. Development, in coordination with 

the Directorate of Agric tie. However, the Grant Agreement will serves 

as the fomal document which outlines the roles and the GIRM and USAID 

during project implementation. Conditions precendent to disbursement of 

funds are in substance: 

1. The GIRM how in satisfactory form and substance that personnel 

required are budgeted for and will be assigned to the project; 

2. GIRM formally donate land and water rights required to implement 

the project;

-105 

3. Th aI, within 90 days after becution of the Grant Agreement 

provide a plan to A.I.D. for the asstption of a portion of the 

costs of POL required for vehicles used for the project; 

4. A.I.D. will be designated the Agent of the GIPM for the purpose 

of procuring goods, and services required for the project; 

5. The procu=emant and use of pesticides and other chemical additives will 

be in accordance with prevailing A.I.D. regulations.

-41C~~~t-4-Lm44 ho? -' 

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A-1 

Annex A Table 1. Detailed Cost Estimates 

t. Grand Total 1555 ,245 

A. A.I.D. 

B. Peace Corps 

C. GIRM 

I. A.Z.D. 

($000's) 

Foreign Exchange Local Currency Total 

1400 

155 

- 

70.2 

250 

370.0 

1470 

405 

370.0 

A. Technical Assistance 848 660 

1. Project Manager/ 

Agri. Extension 

2. Horticulturist/ 

Agronomist 

3. Agricultural 

Economist 

4. Nutritionist 

5. Soil Scientist 

6. Hydrologist 

B. Participant Trainig 

1. 2 Staff years- 

University 

2. 12 Student months 

C. Commodities 

1. 90,000 kg seed 

commodities 

2. 150 tons Fertilizer 

3. 500 lbs. Rodenticide/ 

insecticide 

4. 525 Watering cans 

5. 750 Hoes 

6. 750 Rakes 

7. 750 Trowels 

8. 750 liters M1alathion 

liquid pesticide 

9. 40 tons Cement 

10. One Mobile trailer 

home 

300 

228 

120 

120 

40 

40 

24 

12 

12 

181 

90.0 - 

60.0 

4.5 

7.5 

9.0 

4.2 

2.6 

25.5 

- 

50.0 

- 

- 

- 

- - 

- 

- 

300 

180 

90 

90 

24 

12 

12 

4.0 185 

90.0 

- 

4.0 

80.0 

9.0 

10.0 

13.2 

5.6 

3.5 

34.0 

4.0 

50.0

Foreign. Local 

D. Vehe.l d nare Pat. 

I s - 90 

1. Four 4z4 all trrail,n vehicles. 

11,000 each + 40Z spare parts 67 -. 67 

2. One: 3-on.sake bed. truck 

* $20,000 + 402 @par* parts 28 28 

. . 

1. 200 buck pack sprayes 

0$ 2 5 each 5 - S 

2. 200 masksi$15 each 3 - 3 

3. Five vehicle ma-innance kits 2.5 2.5 

4. One SKW back-up generator 7.0 - 7.0 

5. Teaching Materials 2.0 2.0 

F. Other Local Costs - 61 61 

1. Contract for installation of 

trailer 

10 10 

2. POL - 51 51 

G. Contingencies- & Inflation 

@ 15% 162. 10 172 

AID Total 1250 77 1327 

II. GIRM 

448.7 

A. Personnel and Labor.. - 90.1 90.1 

B. Personnel Support for Trng. - 5.4 5.4 

C. Vehicles 

- 28 28 

D. Water Resources -, 109.2 109.2 

E. Land 

F. Housing 

25 25 

74. 74 

G. Office Space - 12 12 

H. POL 

- 105 105 

III. Peace Corjs 155 250 405 

8.5

Conversion Rate: US $1 - 45 UM 

A. A.Z.D. 

A-3 

Explanatory Notes 

Co t Estimates 

Mauritania Vegetable Production Project 

1. Techical, Assistance: Estimates includes salaries, travel and per diem 

for personnel and dependents, applicable allowances (education, transfers, etc, 

fees for passports visa, health examinations, imnunizations and vaccinations, 

housing. Calculated as follows: 

- Project ManagerExtionist - $100,000 per person years. To full of 30 

person years. Salary estimate at $35,000 1 yr. 

- Horticulturist/Agronomist - Salary estimate $35,000/year plus other 

allowances (excluding housing to be provided by A.I.D.) total equal 

76,000 per year for three years. Costhousin-, $60,000. 

- Short-term consultant: Cost calculated at $70,000/person month. 

2. Participants: Two - year university training calculated at $6,000 per 

year. Shortterm seminar training calculated at $1,000 per student month for 

twelve student months. Normally cost for short-term training would average 

$400/student month. However, since a 3 month training program must be 

developed for participants at Cumberene. Cost increases have been calculated 

at $1,000 per student month. 

3. Vehicles: (4)Six cylinder, 4X4 all terrain vehicles and (1) six 

c linder 4-wheel drive 3 ton state bed truck. No power options, 4 

speed manual shift, includes spare parts. 

4. Commodities and Ecuipment - Commodities and equipment includes seeds 

fertilizers, insecticides production tools, etc. For detail breakdown 

and costs see arocurement list page of PP.

A-4 

5. P=s Cost of PM estimated, at $.L7/.m for 300,000 IW4 for 

L 1/2 years of project. 

3. GI 

I. Personnel and Labor calculated as follows 

a. Chief of:Vegetable Production (1)salarT equals 6 ,1 0 0/yr 

budgeted for 12 months/yr. for 3 yeSrs. 

b. Aricultural.Sector Chiefs (4): Salazy equals 4 ,500/yr budgeted 

for 6 mom/yr for 3 years. 

c. Agricultural Extansion aents (6): Salary- equals 3550/yr. 

budgeted for 6 months/yr for 3 years. 

for 3 years. 

d. Drivers (6): Salary equals 2,000/year budgeted for 6 months/yrs 

e. Labor for well construction: Labor valued at'$4/day times 2 people 

per well times 18 days to construct well times ten wells. 

2. Personnel Support for Training: Estimated at 30 days training 

per project year per person for 6 people (agricultural.extension agents) 

based on $10 per diem per person per-day. 

3. Vehic2ss (1): 3 ton stake bed truck valued at 20,000 plus operating 

cost at $.25/km for 10,000 km. per year. 

4. Water: Assuming 66.75 hectares for year I, 1.33.3 hectares year II and 

200 hectare year III, 250 liters of water required per hectare at a cost of 

$.006 per liter, cost of water calculated as follows: 

- Year r: 66.75 hectares X250 liters X 182 days X $.006. 

- Year I: 133.3 hectares X250 liters X 182 days X $.006 

- Year IMZ- 200 hectares Z 250 liters X 182 days X $.006

A-5 

5. POL Estimated at 15,000/vehicles for 5 vehicles 11/2 yrs. plus 

30,000 for I vehicle for 3 years. 

6. Land: Value of land estimated at $50/acre assuming 500 acres or 

200 hectares. 

7. Housing for PCV: Housing estimated 8,300 per volunteer for 9 

volunteers. 

8. 8. Office Space (1): Estimated at $4,000 per project year. 

Peace Cors: Nine volunteers estimated at cost of $15,000 yr. for 3 years.

17 

ANNEX 3 

References fr Ecnomic Analysis

AMM4 4 , 3 - Table t 

179 Area Reparead. indear 4egcabla Cu1.=va=±o€, Ca=Paspae 1976-77 

(I. hectares) 

A. Tbhrd R,gou (n±.fa) 

Ara at begiig Additicna.L ae 

Deoa=ant of Csans c. e vated To ca 

Kiffa . 4.68 0.93 5.61 

MML-sa 2.12 0.21 2.33 

Cuero 0.84 -0.08 O.92 

Bac.kaol 1.13 0.13 1.24 

3otm. 0.08 - 0.08 

A.rea uidar 

Praccoperac±ves 3.00 1.20 4.20 

3. Filth,Region (3oshe and Su-aoumd-ng V±1.ages, 

Locali r? krea 

Baghe & Vicinic 7 

0.86 

Aleg 0.13 

Be-L.aria 0.14 

Ranere 0.54 

Dar El 3&rka 1.03 

CIo Oloso 0.24 

WVGora! 0.24 

Other 71llages 0.06 

Sou.r : Che.s de-s Sectaurs .9=-"ola, Uttor: T! da Ca=azs 1976-77 

Aar'.Ij 3, 1977 (CLfa); Yia7 3, 1977 (3oghe).

AVOSA± 3- - 7ibis 2 

Nuiber of Pmducers: Rapoatad, C=ama. 1.976-77 

A. Pmducws in the Third-leion ~efa 

cue= 

Zaukoasa345 

701 

117 

iackAOL 171. 

3oumid. 

109 

Yumhbzr of 2U-cccpet:17hs 30 

3. P~vducr3a im Boghe =d. Suz-otmdiag Vi1.Laes 

Locz.lit: N{=bar 

Baghe 

382. 

Alag 

B44 l2nia 

168 

39 

)az El Bazkca 1-30 

010 Ologo so

8g3 

Price Rance of Selected Vegetables inNouakchott Market 

(UM) 

October, 1977 

Potatoes 35 UM 

Onions 38 

Carrots 60 

Tomtoes 60 

Watermelon 60 

Squash 60 

Beets icO 

Pepper 90 

Melon 70 

Cabbage 70 

Eggplant 40 

Leek O0 

Cucumber 60 

LettUce so 

Radish - 

Cauliflour - 

N~eba 

Februarv, 1978 

29-30 

30-35 

40-iQ 

20-30 

40 

- 

140 

100. 

60 

20-40 

70-80 

70 

20 

10 

60 

30

AcandxzTabie C 

A. IMSOut of ?-.±ces. 0bsae&d on acaso. '!arlec, October-Decamber-P 1.976- / 

(UML per unog 

lau. ocer74-sa. =cad) 

P-.G~t mtis=%'A':L==AvercEi 

0uOni 30:. ST. 36 

Pocacos rsack. of ZS: kg) 1.400i 2000: 1400-1.500 

Cabbage- (f. head) 1530 :. 

C= t'20' 40* 3T 

8'30; 10 

Ea3p.lanC 40 7 

Pazsztey (L. bolc) .1.08 

Source: Che du Sec:zur 4z~~,Sixth Reg-Joi, Rabuay 1977. 

3. H.ac P:±ces 0bserved am Ml±lfa M~ac Winrcar fouch~s 1976 

(=I(per k±1.ogam. unless other1sa mocad) 

?-.-duct aua- ?ebrzr %,=chOctober Noember December 

-a--c 6a. 60 

~caos-45 25-30 - - 

?Ocacoes 70-680 70-60O 70. 70 60 

Laa. Lactc. 

(I bun.(h) 

Cabbage 

-3 3 -- 

(I 'head) ZO2-25 30. -- 

(I !-U±:) - 5 5 

Beacs 

(2.roo a) -22 

- 

30 50 50 4& 50 70 

Source: o±:ac:±on da V.J:ta '!z~rctazas K.. 

-ou i.a 

Apr.L 4, 1977.

193 Appendix Tabla 3. (cont,) 

C. 3Rac 4" Price of 'Fresh Vegetables in SuPer-Ark.os, !rouakchoct 1975 

(UH per k±ogzm) 

comd-4ta Jan ?eb 1ar AOc-i. X.av June JU,_ AuK S!a _ c: eO Der. 

Cabbage .60 60 60 60 40 40 40 40 40 40 60 60 

ESSlant .90 90 100 100 40 40 40 40 40 45 45 45 

Lactace 278 278 400 400 330 330 330 330 330 330 330 34 0 

3eetj 6.1 100 100 120 40 40 45 4-5 45 45 45 50 

Turnips 30 30 90 90 35 35 40 40. 40 40 40 45 

Tomatoes L08 108 50 50 80 80 80 ,60 80 80 80 80 

Carrocs 43 43 36 36 35 35 35 40 40 45 45 45 

On ons 3030 30 30 20 20 Z525 2 5 30 30 30 

Sour:: D .ec-,ion de la Sirisnique e des . dudes 7counomiqes, BuJletin 

. mnaue. Sta:istiue, 1975,

Apuendix Table L. 

A. P--'duaczio. by Type of 7egecabla Crop, Thid. Reglarr (,.ffa) 1976-77 

(.±- mt=c cons) 

(;mw P-'Oduc:icns 

Zmoatods. LZ.Z 

Potatoes. 7.3" 

0nm.ous 7.0 

Beem 1.5 

Suee ?oaa 175 

Cabbage "405 

Lac=a.. .35 

Odmw ( uding.. egpla=t, oL-.z) L.35 

TOTAL 35.0 

Souzrt: Chef du Sec eur.i-le, R.aeort FU de Ca=ague. 1976-77. 

3. x:t-nacad ?rductiou by Area 

Plantead in Seven Locxacies in che F?:Lch Ragion " 

(in :s=ati cons) 

Area ?Imnt:ad 

alit-v (hec:zres) Onions Tomacoes Ca=Tocs Cabbage Tu.-:is 3eets otizces Latcce 

. 0.86' 4.9 11.6 5.1 5.9 1.5 L.6 1.7 4.9 

Z O.i3 0.5 i.7 1.2 0.7 0.8 0.5 0.5 

3 0.$1.4 1.1 L.5 - .0 - 2.9 1.1 

4 0.34. 1. 1.0 . ... - - l.2 

5 1.05 8.5 0.9 0.7 - - 0.5 

6 0.24. 2.6 5.2. - 1.9 0.5 1.4 0.3 

T 0.24 1.5 3.2 - 0.5 -" 0.3 - 0.3 

-,ca1 .as C,.as.otd : -osm -i4xacad 7 .Iaca--.ame . Ap.endicas I and Z. 

=a: Repoar= da Ca. du Seccaur Ag=_uola da 3 oghi, April L977.

Retwoncom f=Tc=,clAayi

97 

DECIaAL REFRENE 

A. Introduction 

C-I 

A.U three regions selected have known vegetable production and there 

has been enthusiastic support for it. Each region has its own distinctive 

physical characteristics which necessitate a differing approach. Two of 

the regions border the Senegal River and as a result, include some of the 

most productive agricultural land in the country (Senegal Valley); with 

the highest rainfall, soils ranging from sandy to clay, and a guaranteed 

water source (the river). The Third Region (not on the river), although 

not as favorable, agronomically speaking, nevertheless has a positive 

potential for vegetable production. Success in this region ccuid be of 

special consequence for the future expansion of a vegetable procuction 

program in other more northern areas because of intermed..ate so'-., water, 

and social conditions. 

B. Productive Factors - Sixth Region Basic Characteristics 

1. Climate 

In the Sixth Region (see Diagam 3) temperatures range from 300 

340C at maximum to 200C at minimum. The average relative humidity is in 

the range of 40 percent at noon. Maximum percipitation is about 325mm/year. 

(See Dia6Ta- 1). 

2. Soils 

2.1 Soil Crouvs and General Descrition of Profiles 

The soils of the 6th Region belong to the brown and reddish-brown 

soils of the arid and semi-arid groups. They can generally be described as

.lood plains and young alluvial soils of varying dep-L.s. Some are darkish 

saltyT othors are light brownish and not salty. Proftles in general are 

hoaogeneous with a sLightly- developed. B horizon. Except in. Wadis, the 

homogeneit7 goes all, the way down to 5 or 6 feet. 

2.2 Physical Characteristics 

2.2.1 Soil !roes 

The soil types vary from clay loam (Senegal River Basia), silty 

clay loam, loam, sandy loam, loam sand, to silty loam. However, in the 

lower horizons, B and down, the texture tends to get coarser with higher 

percentages of coarse sand and increased porosity. This will result in 

good natural drainage if water can be managed well on the surface. The 

experimental areas will be chosen so as to represent the variety of soils 

in each region since each will differ in natural fertility and water holding 

capacit7 and so result in different research results. 

2.3 Soil Fertility 

Throughout the area fertility levels are low. Notrogen is required, 

as is phosphate, sulphate, and potassium, but determination of appropriate 

fertilization methods 'will depend on the results of the soil survey and 

testing. The agronomy consultant encountered farmers who use 10-10-20 or 

10-10-10 or Amonium phosphate in some cases, or Amonium sulphate -- as on 

the "sy farm", where the application of Amonium sulpnate showed good results. 

The alluvial soil fertility also tends to be low, probably, due to 

the intensive use of the land, coupled with 7,l1age practices, and high 

temperatures. For example, there is the 3aghdad tyme soil (opposite to

C-3 

Richard Toll of Senegal) . . . These soils will require reclamation, due 

to the salinity and alkalinity conditions that exist. 

2.4 Soil 'dater 

With water as the limiting factor of production, soils with the 

better water-holding capacities will be identified early in the project. 

The soil survey group will pay particular attention to the water absorption, 

holding and drainage characteristics of the soils. Research will emphasize 

determining soil management practic3s that promote efficient water use. 

3. Water Sources 

3.1 River Senegal 

Water is pumped from the Senegal River by various local or mechnical 

means (pumps), into small canals, or ditches, or directly to the head of 

the fields. The water shows good quality and a good neutral pH value. 

However, in the low yearly seasons, the water level drops down and thus 

invites the salty ocean water to advance up the river towards the east, 

almost to Podou. (See Diagram 2). The water samples taken from the river 

a4 * . different localities -- such as Ben, Baghdad, and Sabaria -- showed 

different pH values, on the high side, sometimes even alkali (8.4 value). 

The total soluble salts are variable and very high -- the electrical 

conductivity is as high as that of the ocean water or higher. The sulphate 

content is double and its chloride content is three times the normal levels, 

while the calcium content remains the same.

C-4/ 

3.2 Other Sources of Water 

Little information has been collected on the extent and nature 

of other watr sources. This will be part of the Scope of Work of the 

water resources consultants to be-done within the first 9 months of 

project operation. In addition they will evaluate the potential 

exploitation of the various water sources. 

4I. Faxming Systems 

In region 6, many different kinds of field and vegetable crops 

are grown, a few with fertilizers to which the response is good. Detailed 

information on present practices will be gathered by the team in order to 

understand the base from which all work must start, to determine those 

local practices which would also fit into a more. productive system and 

to promote 2 ,ay communication on local needs and objectives of the project. 

C. Productive Factors in the 5th Region - Its Differences from the 6th Region 

1. Climate 

The field visit to the 5th Region (Aleg and Boghe) included towns 

and over 15 earth dam sites. The climate here is warmer and potential 

evapotranspiration greater than at Rosso. The relative humidity is lower. 

also. 

2. Soils 

The soils show the same characteristics as those 1n the 6th Region. 

In Boghe, alluvial deposits overlay sandy profiles -- profiles are 

homogeneous and permeable. The two distinct types are the A.leg soil t.1e

c-5 

which is mainly loamy sand over sand, with loose and fragile soils -- the 

other is silt loam over sand. Both show variable degrees of thickness 

depending upon the location. The root zone may be thin to as much as 

three feet deep. Productive potential and fertility are less at Aleg 

than at Boghe. A detailed soil survey of the research ,xeas in the first 

year of the project will define the productive potential of the major soil 

types. 

3. Water Sources 

Water sources are the River Senegal at Boghe, and rain and wells 

at Aleg, Water quality is good in both the river and the wells (pH, total 

salts, salt distribution); but, water quality at Aleg depends upon rain 

and recharge of ells. Some of these are 4.5 meters and others are 45 

meters deep. Indications--lead one to the conclusion that the water at 

the bottom of the basins is shallow, and that is why there is no change in 

the types of salts found in the different waters. An assessment of water 

sources and potential exploitation will be carried out by short-term 

consultants simultaneously with the detailed soil survey so that maximum 

collaboration can occur. 

Therefore, the factors for successful crop production are similar 

to those in the 6th Region. At Aleg a third and limiting factor outweighs 

all others: the quantity of water available for irrigation. 'Water 

management research here will determine how large an area can be cultivated, 

what crops grown, and what yields expected.

C/94 

..Productive Fqctors in the 3r.Region - Its Diff'erences from 

the 5th and 6th Reciogns 

In this region, Kiffa resembles Aleg, in the sense that it 

is inland and desert land. 

I.. ClImt. 

Some averag, climatic factors include:about 300 mm 

average rainfall; average maximum temperature is higher than 

35 C; average relative humidity is about 30%.. Average evaporatio, 

is 350 mm/month, and sandstorms: occur 19 days within the year 

(1974 data). 

2. Soils 

The soil has a different geological parent material than 

the other regions, and the agricultural.land shows different forma 

tions. the basins filled with alluviah deposits from the rain 

have formed richer soils, which depend upon irrigation from the 

lowest part of these depressions for crop production. Soil 

types are loamy silt, dark in color, sometimes reaching down to 

four meters. Baum Lana is a characteristic soil. It has a good 

structure, being crumbly and granular. Another soil type is the 

Hassey Bekaye. This shows more homogeneity all the way through 

than the previous one. It is lighter in texture on the surface 

and gets relatively heavier with depth. A third type is Doud 

Rhoda, where the soil is finer and shows more clayed material 

on the surface; and, the texture gets coarser with depth. 

'

C-7 

Water from wells in Kiffa and vicinity have high pH's 

and are moderately high in total salts (with the exception of 

the administratin well used mostly for domestic purpose -- the 

chloride contents ot that particular one is over seven times the 

average value of the area). Water from the Baum Lana area is 

available all year round and is of good quality. The pH value 

is 7.6 with low salt content: the chloride is low, moderate 

in sulphate and moderate in calcium. 

Hassey Bekaye well water shows a moderately good quality 

with a higher content of chloride and pH 7.8. Total salts are 

higher than in the Baum Lana water. Finally the water from Doud 

Rhoda is intermediate in quality between Baum Lana water and 

Doud Bokaye. Obviously, the usage of any of these waters 

will produce differing reactions on different soils. Therefore, 

these three water types should be taken into consideration, and 

treated independently from the waters from Kiffa wells. (Kiffa 

palm plantation water sample was also analyzed, and it shows 

similar characteristics and quality to tke administration well, 

used for domestic purposes. 

Rain is the other source of irrigation, in areas that 

recession cropping can be practiced. 

General Planning 

The general planning for putting soils into cultivation in 

Mauritania should first be done in well-identified, analyzed and 

described areas.

N.ew Pro-b-Iems 

C-a* 

Upon: putting soils under cultivation, fertility problems 

will be created and encountered. These problems must be 

identified, diagnosed, and evaluated. Then, solutions will have 

to be outlined, adapted. and applied to the corresponding locality.. 

Accordingly the projects soil survey is scheduled within the 

first 9 months-of"in-country project activities. A minimal 

soil testing capability will be developed early. 

2. Policy of A=lied Develoment 

The direction taken by agriculture programmers in the field 

in Mauritania is governed by factors totally different from those 

of other areas, as well as on specific experimental sites. 

Climate, evaporation, temperature, length of day (sunlight for 

photosynthesis) manpower, local farming equipment, lack of 

machinery, availability and. quantity of water, soil texture, and 

inherent fertility status of of soil profile - are factors that 

determine the success of agriculture. Therefore, the resulting 

developments in agriculture and production will depend upon the 

interaction of these factors and the techrical ability to recognize 

and exploit this interaction at a given time, on a specific land. 

T'he participant training and the training of local personnel. i 

the research work will be emphasized. 

3. Irrigation 

The Senegal River serves as a source for irrigation. 

Its water is generally of good quality. Use of motor pumps for 

irrigation purposes is not recommended.. The associated problems 

of proper maintenance, operation and spare arts of motor pumps

C-. 9 

make their use unpractical. It is recommended instead that wells be 

used to provide a water supply. Wstlls already in existence can 

be Improved and used. In cases where wells are to be constructed, 

they should be hand dug, approximately 10 meters in size, lined 

and capped with reinforced concrete. The specific site sel-,tions 

fon construction of wells will be made by the U.S. technicians, 

a REDSO engineer and GIRI officials. 

4. Water Quality 

Quality of water measurements have meaning only in 

relation to the particular use being made of water. In agri 

culture, qualty of water is related to its effects on soils, crops 

and the kind of manageme. necessary to compensate for any pro 

blems. Although not all agricultural problems are related to 

water qualty (salinity, soil permeability, toxicity, etc.) it 

must be placed in the right perspective with all other factors 

affecting productivity. 

Water analysis is essential to water quality improve 

ment efforts, and therefore thi water sources survey group 

is scheduled for work within the fir-t 9 months of in-country 

project arl 1vity. 

Crops also vary in their tolerance to poor quality 

waters, and therefore the suitability of a water for irrigation 

will varyi with the crops. The soil survey group, the water 

sources consultants and the implementation team will together 

address the questions of choices of species, varieties and 

management practices.

8 

5. Establishment of a Labotu - 

A mll water and soils analysis laboratory will be 

established at Nouakchott under the Rural Land Reclamtion project. 

It will serve all projects, and. will perform the following 

services: 

a) Water analyses of monthly samples from: irrigation 

wells, drinking wells, River Senegal at critical areas 

where excessive salinity shows. 

b) Monitoring quality of these waters as an index of flow, 

to advise on use before harm takes place. 

c) Routine soil analyses and fertility tests: for soil 

chemistry production capacity, study of the role of 

nutritional elements, soil effect upon plant and 

animal nutrition during life of the project. 

d) to serve as a training center for field technicians 

and prepare a GIRM cadre of workers in soil and water 

analyses. 

e) Study comparative values of soils before putting them to 

agricultural use. 

f) Use of the laboratory as a tool to identify and diagnose 

*Laboratory to be established as a part of the Rural Land Eeclamatior 

Project. Meanwhile, portable laboratory field kits should be used.

C.. 1). 

soil fertility problems, and prevent their spread. 

The soil survey and water resources consulting groups 

.ill keep in close cnntact with the lboratory personnel and 

provide them with copies of their final reports.

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