Examples of "Data Needs" and "Data Sources"

TELEFOOD SPECIAL FUND PROJECTS

Introduction

In preparing projects to be funded by the TeleFood Special Fund (TSF), there is a need to take into consideration the kinds of "Data Needs" and "Data Sources" that will produce a technically-sound project document. Some suggestions are given below to follow while preparing your document in accordance to the "Guidelines for Projects to be Funded by the TeleFood Special Fund (TSF)".

"DATA NEEDS" AND "DATA SOURCES" EXAMPLES:

TARGET GROUP

Data Needs:

• Number and size of small farmers’ groups
• Main activities
• Average size of farm, income level, food security, gender factors
• Name of village(s) and location (district/sub-district)
• Access to resources

Data Sources:

• Local NGOs
• Villagers’ Associations
• Government, Ministry of Agriculture/designated national officer, national SPFS staff
• FAO Representative/UNDP Resident Representative, FAO field staff

BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION

Data Needs:

• Type of farming system, agro-ecological zone/soil quality, average annual rainfall and its distribution, topography
• Main crops grown, animals kept, fish produced
• Average yield levels, performance of animals
• Specific constraints (e.g. poor quality of seeds/planting material, existence of pests/diseases)

Data Sources:

• Ministry of Agriculture/District level extension staff
• Local NGOs, Villagers’ Associations
• FAO Representative/ UNDP Resident Representative, FAO field staff, national SPFS staff

PREREQUISITES

Data Needs:

• Origin/Originator of project request
• Name/identification of implementing unit (e.g. a women’s or producers’ group)
• Identification of advisor/extension staff
• Improved seed/planting material locally available, feed resources

Data Sources:

• FAO Representative/ UNDP Resident Representative
• Ministry of Agriculture, Provincial/District/Sub-district Administration

OBJECTIVE

Data Needs:

• Quantitative indicators to monitor a specific situation; scope for replication of project actions
• crop yields (e.g. type/quantity of high-yielding varieties in use)
• performance indicators of animal production, yields in aquaculture

Data Sources:

• Ministry of Agriculture/Extension Service, Dept. of Statistics
• FAO Representative/ UNDP Resident Representative

DURATION

Data Needs:

• Project objectives/constraints to be addressed

Data Sources:

• Local NGOs, Villagers’ Associations
• FAO Representative/UNDP Resident Representative

OUTPUTS

Data Needs:

• Number of farmers using improved and/or disease-free seeds/planting material
• Changes in yields, in performance of animals
• Quantities marketed, changes in returns to farmers

Data Sources:

• Local NGOs, Villagers’ Associations
• Ministry of Agriculture

ACTIVITIES

Data Needs:

• Number of farmers participating, size of project area
• Specific problem(s) to be addressed (e.g. water control, intensification, diversification)
• List of project activities

Data Sources:

• Farmers’ groups
• Ministry of Agriculture/Extension Service

INPUTS/BUDGET (in US$)

Data Needs:

• Details of goods (e.g. type and quantity of fertilizer, unit cost), services (nature, length of period and cost, equipment (type, quantity, specification, unit cost)

Data Sources:

• Ministry of Agriculture/Extension Service
• Local NGOs, Villagers’ Associations
• FAO Representative/UNDP Resident Representative
• Local suppliers

LINKAGES WITH OTHER (FAO) PROJECTS

Data Needs:

• List of ongoing relevant projects in the country
• Identify scope for collaboration

Data Sources:

• Ministry of Agriculture/Extension Service
• Local NGOs
• FAO Representative/UNDP Resident Representative

MONITORING AND REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

Data Needs:

• Actual implementation as compared to budget/activities, type and quantity of inputs delivered
• Identification of specific problems and constraints
• Project expenditures

Data Sources:

• Project records
• Ongoing participatory monitoring
• Ministry of Agriculture/Extension Service, designated national officer
• FAO Representative/ UNDP Resident Representative, FAO field staff, national SPFS staff

RISKS

Data Needs:

• Examples of events that negatively effected similar types of projects in the past and information on corrective action taken at the time (refers in particular to outbreak of pests/diseases)

Data Sources:

• Ministry of Agriculture/Extension Service
• Office of FAO Representative/ UNDP Resident Representative concerned
• FAO technical division concerned