CAP

Project to increase agricultural product marketing in the Fianarantsoa and Mahajanga high potential zones (HPZs) of Madagascar. The project, to be implemented by Malagasy ministries and a contracted TA team, will (1) provide TA to agribusinesses and associated producer groups in the HPZs; (2) establish a foreign exchange fund for the purchase of agribusiness inputs; and (3) establish a local currency fund to support rehabilitation of transportation infrastructure. Under the first component, the project will provide some 30 small and medium-sized agribusinesses and associated producer groups with business support services in such areas as market research and planning, business and investment planning, accounting and finance (including assistance with credit applications), technical and management problems, and training and staff development. The project will also collect and disseminate market information; assess agribusinesses' market information needs and suggest options for meeting them; and, possibly, develop a market information system. The project will also develop a program which places young Malagasy agriculture graduates as agribusiness apprentices, who will work under di

Source: DEC abstract, PD-ABJ-221 (1994). The source's own text.