About the Evaluation
Baseline, Midterm, and Final Evaluation
The Project: LINC conducted a five-year baseline, mid-term, and final evaluation of the USDA-funded Trade-Facilitating Agricultural Systems and Technology (T-FAST) project implemented by IESC in Paraguay.
The Trade-Facilitating Agricultural Systems and Technology (T-FAST) project was a five-year, $12.7 million initiative under USDA’s Food for Progress Program, implemented by the International Executive Service Corps (IESC) in partnership with Paraguay’s key trade and sanitary agencies.
The project aimed to simplify, modernize, and harmonize Paraguay’s import, export, and transit procedures for agricultural goods, helping the country strengthen implementation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement. Through investments in data systems, laboratory infrastructure, and capacity development, T-FAST sought to improve compliance with international sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards, enhance coordination among public and private actors, and increase the efficiency and transparency of agricultural trade.
Timeframe: 2020 – 2025
Evaluation Approach:
LINC was contracted by IESC to conduct an independent, multi-phase evaluation of T-FAST across three stages:
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Baseline (2020) – establishing initial conditions and key performance indicators;
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Midterm (2022) – assessing progress and implementation effectiveness; and
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Final (2025) – measuring outcomes, sustainability, and lessons learned.
Working with Paraguayan research partner Instituto Desarrollo, LINC applied a mixed-methods design tailored to Paraguay’s trade and institutional context. Data sources and methods included:
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Quantitative analysis of transactional data from the SOFIA customs system and other trade databases;
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Stakeholder surveys of National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) members;
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Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with customs, SPS, and private-sector representatives; and
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Document review of national and international sources, including USDA, OECD, World Bank, and World Customs Organization reports.
The evaluation documented measurable reductions in clearance times and trade costs, alongside institutional reforms that improved coordination among border agencies and strengthened the NTFC’s role in sustaining progress. Recommendations from the final evaluation were adopted by USDA and the Government of Paraguay to guide continued modernization of SPS and customs systems.
Insights: Observations and findings from the evaluation indicated the following:
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System-level reform delivers lasting gains. The most enduring results came from coordination across customs, SPS, and inspection agencies—rather than isolated procedural fixes.
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Data transparency reduces friction. Inter-agency data sharing through SOFIA and NTFC mechanisms cut clearance times and built trust between public and private stakeholders.
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Phased evaluation improves learning. Conducting baseline, midterm, and final evaluations within one framework provided continuity, accountability, and real-time feedback for adaptive management.
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Local collaboration strengthens impact. Partnering with Instituto Desarrollo ensured that findings were grounded in Paraguay’s institutional context and contributed to local analytical capacity.
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