tion of the low viability of such activity. This, in turn, reflects the
low acreage in arable cropping in the Windward and Leeward
Islands. Government-run farm machinery pools and workshops
have been established in all of the countries to encourage the ex-
pansion of this kind of farming through mechanization, but
results so far have been disappointing. In some countries the
highly subsidized government services offered to farmers have
been slow, unreliable and frequently non-functional. Indeed
they may well be counterproductive since, because they are subsi-
dized, they serve as disincentives to private entrepreneurs in-
terested in investing in this important aspect of the farming
business.
 Efforts are being made by CARDATS to assist in upgrading the
skills and services provided by support personnel such as tractor
mechanics and operators, especially those located in rural
districts. Training is being accomplished by means of on-the-job
instructions, field demonstrations, attachments, workshops,
group discussions and formal lecture courses. Encouragement will
also be given to suitable individuals and/or groups who may be
interested in investing in the farm machinery business with a view
to offering custom service to farmers.
 Concern about the appropriateness of the technology available
to small food crop growers in the project area has been growing in
recent years. This has been especially so in farm mechanisation,
where capital and variable costs have escalated to the point where
only highly efficient farming operations can economically justify
the use of gasoline powered tractors and other machinery. Con-
siderations are now being given to the use of less expensive and
more appropriate methods of plowing small plots on rocky
hillsides, and distributing scarce volumes of irrigation water.

Other Production Inputs
 The confidence and interest which the developing farmer must
have in order to produce successfully can be badly shaken when
his best efforts to secure essential inputs like seeds and
agricultural chemicals are partially or totally frustrated.
 In Phase I, CARDATS moved production inputs into its target
areas as these were needed, thereby ensuring timeliness of
availability and usage. On a number of occasions, inputs were
purchased in bulk to reduce costs and to predetermine the
regularity of supply to farmers. All these efforts were ad-hoc
responses to breakdown in the local supply systems. In its second
phase, the project is upgrading the level of supply intelligence
available to supply institutions and is promoting the establish-
ment of improved supply systems.
 However, notwithstanding any role it might play in the
upgrading of traditional agricultural service institutions, CAR-
DATS recognizes the fact that the resolution, resourcefulness
and self-reliance of the farmers themselves could be the most
meaningful determinants of the quality of the services they
receive. It is believed that by organizing themselves into groups
(associations and cooperatives), farmers can develop these at-
tributes and enhance their self-reliance in farming operations.
CARDATS is assisting in this process of organization to develop
and establish common services in land preparation, acquisition of
farming inputs, marketing of farm produce and the general pur-
suit of better farming conditions.

Black Bay Project--St. Lucia
Comments on Farming System
Location
 The Black Bay Project, comprising some 40 acres, is located
between 61 W Longitude and 13"50' N Latitude on the
southeastern section of the island of St. Lucia. It lies in proximity
to Laborie and Vieux Fort, two major towns in the south of the
island.


History
 The project was originally conceived in the early seventies by
the British Development Division (BDD) and the Department of
Agriculture in St. Lucia.
 The objective was to initiate an irrigated vegetable production
scheme for small farmers in which inputs and services were pro-
vided to the participants while their produce was sold and
receipts handed over after deductions were made for the inputs
and services provided on credit.
 The government provided a project manager, but it was ex-
pected that after receiving cooperative education, the farmers
would form a cooperative society and assume responsibility for
the management of the project.
 According to the original Project Document (1974)'a grant was
made available by BDD for the purchase and/or construction of a
building with facilities, tractors/tillage and irrigation equipment
along with working capital from the Agricultural Association.
 The scheme finally started in 1974, and although there was
some measure of success, it completely collapsed in 1977.
 The major reasons for the project's failure were:
 1. a misunderstanding between management and farmers
 about the objective of the scheme and responsibilities of all
 parties concerned;
 2. selection of a project area which flooded easily during the
 rainy season, causing considerable damage to crops; and
 3. lack of proper planning, coordination/delivery of services,
 inputs and the marketing of farmers' produce.

CARDATS Support
 When CARDATS assumed responsibility for the project in
 1978, no cooperative society was formed, no cropping activities
 were taking place, and some equipment and machinery were
 missing or in need of repairs. The working capital also expired
 while the project manager was still being provided by the govern-
 ment. In fact, the whole area had reverted to grassland and was
 being utilized for livestock grazing.
 CARDATS support/approach included:
 1. Farm planning was implemented. Production was pro-
 grammed so that only peanuts and sweet potatoes would
 be grown between July-December on the land, this coin-
 ciding with the period of flooding which normally would
 last for 1-3 days. On the other hand, in the January -June
 period, farmers put emphasis on those vegetables which
 could be sold in reasonable quantities, and which at the
 same time gave a good return, e.g., cabbages, onions,
 tomatoes, carrots, and cucumbers.
 2. Farmers were guided, advised, and trained in the technical
 aspects of production.
 3. Assistance was given in the timely provision and overall
 coordination of services (e.g., irrigation, tractor, etc.) and
 material inputs needed by the project.
 4. Supervised agricultural credit was promoted and utilized
 along with proper record keeping.
 5. Marketing outlets for farm produce were identified in rela-
 tion to determined farm plans.
 With this unbroken chain of services, skills and materials,
along with the markets, the farmers were being trained to be able
to operate on a self-sustaining basis. CARDATS also assisted in
the coordination and training of personnel within the institutions
supporting small farmer production and development.
 CARDATS' support to the project over the last six years has
achieved:
 1. Changes in cropping activities--With the planning of a
 cropping pattern, (taking into consideration market, gross
 margin, flood hazard, irrigation, soil type and rotational
 constraints), farmers were willing to grow mixed
 vegetables, sweet potatoes, peanuts, etc., as compared to


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