SARD - March 1999

This fourth issue of the SARD Newsletter provides an update on the compilation of project profiles, based on the receipt of completed Format A questionnaires, and the procedure for applying for FAO Telefood grants. As in previous issues, we also present profiles of some agricultural and rural development projects in the wider Caribbean.

In continuing recognition of the importance of adequate water supply for the sustainability of many agricultural and rural development projects, we are once again featuring an aspect of water supply. On this occasion, our focus is on a low-cost water pump.

Readers are invited to suggest other topics for subsequent issues of this newsletter.

During March, two completed Format A questionnaires were received from Grenada. The Format B questionnaire has been revised and will be used to compile more detailed information on projects selected for inclusion in the final project document of case studies. Projects selected as case studies will be those demonstrating evidence of sustainability in contributing to agricultural and/or rural development.

Spanish translations of the December and January issues of the SARD Newsletter (ISSN 1561-5340) were sent by e-mail to network members in Spanish-speaking countries. The Spanish edition of the February 1999 issue is ready and will soon be dispatched. Both English and Spanish editions of the Newsletter will soon be posted on the SARD Web Site.

Please send your ideas on the type of information you would like to see posted on the proposed Web Site.
PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS: sard@networksgy.com.

Many of the projects for which the Format A questionnaire had been completed addressed crop production, community development and natural resources management (Table 1).

Table 1
Agricultural and Rural Development Projects for which profiles are available.

Type of Project	No. Submitted
Agro-processing	4
Community Development	10
Crop Production	14
Livestock Production	3
Natural Resources Management & Utilisation	8

Table 1 reflects the diversity in rural and agricultural projects in the Caribbean and Latin America, as well as the diverse opportunities for micro-businesses.

A review of the 56 project profiles received indicates that support has been provided to the direct beneficiaries of those projects by more than 25 different sponsors. These include private individuals, groups of producers/rural residents, private-sector companies and national, regional and international organisations. Sponsorship includes technical and/or financial support.

In a recent workshop exercise at Lethem, in the south savannah of Guyana, over 100 Indigenous people participated in the formulation of a Strategic Plan for their region. As part of the exercise, participants identified 35 community groups, organisations, NGOs, government institutions among the types of groups that could contribute to developmental activities and projects. Already, many of these groups have agreed to sponsor particular actions or projects identified in the strategic plan. One of the keys to successful SARD is effective coordination in the use of available, but scarce, resources. However, when all stakeholders are moving in the direction of a common goal, there is a much higher chance of success.

Another selection of profiles, taken from projects submitted as examples of innovative experiences of SARD, is presented in Table 2.

For many of the projects received, the number of direct beneficiaries is known but indirect beneficiaries are often not quantified. It has also been observed that economic and social impacts are readily recognised, while the contributions of technology and institutional strengthening (GOs and NGOs) are not.

Hydraulic Ram Pump
This Hydraulic Ram Pump uses the force provided by a head of water (as low as 45 cm/18 inches) to force water to as high as 30 m (approximately 100 feet). The Hydraulic Ram Pump can provide water for household, vegetable cultivation and agro-industrial purposes.

This pump which can be fabricated for less than US$40.00 is made of parts which are readily available. It has only two moving parts which are a one-way valve and a cut-off valve. This Hydraulic Water Ram Pump can be operated 24 hours daily without the use of electricity or petroleum products to power an engine. Thus, in addition to its low-cost, the pump does not pollute the environment.

Additional information on the Hydraulic Water Ram Pump can be obtained from:
Dr Leslie Chin,
Guyana Volunteer Consultancy Inc.,
Georgetown, Guyana.
E-mail: ceso-gvc@solutions2000.net

Funding Small-scale Agricultural Projects
The Telefood Special Fund is an initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations. The fund seeks to increase the accessibility and production of food in developing countries by providing support to vulnerable groups (e.g., poor farmers, women and children) to enable them to produce the food they need, instead of relying on food aid. Funds can be used only for the purchase of physical inputs such as materials or small-scale equipment.

Target Beneficiaries/Applicants: Low-income Persons in Rural Communities.
Key elements of successful applications: Group Participation and Sustainability. Maximnum amount of Telefood funds per project: US$10,000.
Additional information can be obtained from your local FAO Office, local Ministries of Agriculture or from the Coordinator of this SARD Project.

Table 2 Examples of Experiences/Projects of Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Name of Project	Type of Project	Direct Beneficiaries	Indirect Beneficiaries	Areas of Impact ^**
Name of Project	Type of Project	Direct Beneficiaries	Indirect Beneficiaries	Econ.	Soc.	Instit.	Tech.	Env.
Grenada: Chicucaleto Farm.	Crop production, livestock production, human development	24 persons
Costa Rica: Hydroponic Women of Pavas	Human development, livestock production, technology development/transfer	100 families	5,000 persons
Dominican Republic: Association of Youth Producers of Neuva Renacer, Salcedo.	Human development, marketing, agro-processing, livestock production	60 youths
Dominican Republic: Vallejuelo Cooperative, San Juan de la Maguana.	Credit, crop production, livestock production, human development	2,000 men 500 women
Dominican Republic: Manufacture of Cigar Tins.	Human development, agro-industry	60 men 60 women 120 youths
Mexico: Carichi -Rural Development	Livestock production, technology development/transfer, human dev.	400 producers

Become an active participant in our SARD Network! Your participation can be by way of identifying examples of innovative SARD experiences and/or agencies which support SARD activities. Additionally, please send your ideas on the type of information you would like to see posted on the proposed Web Site. The SARD Project at IICA's Guyana Office can be contacted via: