Essentials of Overseas Agricultural Development: Implications for the U.S. Agency for International Development
| Published date | 01 December 1970 |
| Date | 01 December 1970 |
| DOI | 10.1177/004711787000300901 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
ESSENTIALS OF
OVERSEAS
AGRICULTURAL
DEVELOPMENT:
IMPLICATIONS FOR
THE
U.S.
AGENCY FOR
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
DOUGLAS D.
CATON
The United States has achieved a world reputation for
assistance
to
developing nations, both by virtue of the magnitude
of the resources we have contributed, and by the manner
in
which
our government has managed these efforts. With that reputation
has come certain responsibilities. Our own people, and observers
in
other countries, expect
us
to
produce significant results.
US.
Overseas Agricrtltriral Assistance
The
U.S.
program for agricultural assistance in developing
countries
is
carried out by the Agency for International Develop-
ment as follows:
Within broad policy guidelines, projects and agricultural sector
programs are first decided between the country government and
USAID,
at the country level. The planning is supported by
analyses of the various components
of
the agricultural sector
relative to the country's stage of development, the critical value of
the undertaking, and the amount of manpower and financial
resources available. The country plans proposed by the USAID
Mission are reviewed in Washington and approved,
or
modified, or
adjusted as required. Thereafter. the implementation and manage-
ment of field projects is the primary responsibility of the
U.S.
Country Missions and the host country. Support by,
or
coordination
with other donors and international agencies, is an integral part
of
the evaluation and selection of technical support activities.
From
the start of agricultural technical assistance overseas the
emphasis was placed upon the production side of agriculture,
primarily concentrating upon food grain cereals, such as wheat,
corn, and rice. However,
it
soon became evident that temperate
zone, western type of agriculture technology. could not be simply
transplated. Starting with a search for new and improved crop
varieties, the production approach soon took on enlarged pro-
portions, becoming popularized as a "package"
of
inputs: seeds.
fertilizers, disease and pest control. and improved cultural
practices.
As
crop production reached the point of marketable
surplus, assessment of effective demand became necessary to
development evaluation. This
in
turn led
to
concern about inter-
locking production
-
marketing mechanisms, including penetration
of external markets.
Emerging Problems
A
whole cluster of second generation problems suddenly came
to
the forefront. Among these were how to extend technology from
initial development centers. the building of the supporting
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