ROCA

Activity to increase the availability of environmentally sound agricultural technologies and marketing services to primary-level organizations and low-income small producers through sustainable secondary-level organizations. The activity will consist of two major components, the first managed by a U.S. institution, the second managed directly by USAID. The estimated number of small grower beneficiaries and/or cooperative members to be assisted under both components is 15,000. The U.S. institution will provide sub-grant assistance, along with TA in the areas of management, environment, finance-accounting, marketing, and technology transfer, to approximately five secondary-level rural organizations. The latter will be responsible, in conjunction with the U.S. institution, for developing a self-sustaining marketing and production technology unit to provide services in these areas to its small producer membership and other primary-level groups and individuals. Potential sub-grantees include, among others, PROEXSAL, AGRODESA, UCRAPROBEX, REDES, CORDES, Fundacion Campo, and PROESA. To expand access to technology/marketing services, this component will also promote active affiliation

Source: DEC abstract, PD-ABQ-391 (1998). The source's own text.