Evaluation Research and Agricultural Development: A Tunisian Case Study
Driss, Sadok
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/69872
Description
Title
Evaluation Research and Agricultural Development: A Tunisian Case Study
Author(s)
Driss, Sadok
Issue Date
1986
Department of Study
Agricultural Economics
Discipline
Agricultural Economics
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Economics, Agricultural
Abstract
The primary purpose of the study was to retrospectively evaluate the Integrated Livestock Project in Tunisia. The central question asked was: what has been the effectiveness of the Project in line with its chief goal, namely an increase in the rate of livestock production. Project-derived data are supplemented by the summer 1985 special survey; with respect to project participants' opinions and attitudes toward the project, two hypotheses were advanced: (1) participants do not have homogeneous attitudes toward the project; and (2) participants' opinions and objectives are different according to farm characteristics and source of income.
Data were derived from two sources: (1) cross-section data for the 1979-1980 agricultural year related to 16 participating farms; (2) personal interviews conducted with 75 participants in summer 1985 about their assessment of project effectiveness. A single Cobb-Douglas production function was fitted to the data. Farm level variables or their averages were used in testing alternative estimating equations: gross value of output or net farm income as the dependent variable, and labor value, capital value and variable expenses as the explanatory variables. Statistical significance was highest for labor value and least for the other two. Returns to scale were found to be constant. While these findings did corroborate previous empirical studies, questions remained unanswered due to data limitations. Survey data analysis showed that participants' responses were significantly related to farm size and source of income.
Three conclusions were derived: (1) the project has had an undeniable and a lasting impact on the participants; (2) the creation of regional agencies by the Office De L'Elevage Et Des Paturages, during the project life (1972-1981), has been instrumental in facilitating livestock extension activities; (3) opinions about the future were mixed. While government policy is leaning toward less subsidization and more free market orientation, participants are demanding further government assistance.
Two recommendations were made: (1) participants' knowledge, behavior, and attitudes need be assessed in future projects; (2) the statistical system should focus on performance monitoring through further evaluation research in order to better assess project impacts.
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