NORMATIVE FRAMEWORK

TCP PROJECT FORMAT

"Small-scale Livestock Products (Milk and Meat) Processing, Training and Enterprise Development"

I. PROJECT SUMMARY

This is a concise statement of the results stemming from the problem statement (below) that are expected by the end of the project.

Data Needs

Main features of the project with emphasis on expected outcomes.

Data Sources

Individual sections of project report

II. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION

Identify the problem for which assistance is requested and provide evidence that TCP criteria - which govern eligibility for TCP funding - are met. Text should cover the following issues:

- state the current situation in the sub-sector and current import levels of livestock products;
- detail the current level of local resources available and qualify the demand for livestock products in the country;
- state the factors (technical expertise, know-how etc.) limiting the development of the small-scale processing sector;
- describe the primary target groups or associations, with special reference to existing groups or producers organization and the contribution of the sector to food security;
- clearly document the importance given to the sector by the government and identify why the Government cannot effectively deal with the improvement of the sector.

There should be a clear element of capacity building in order to ensure a sustainable project approach after completion of the project. One paragraph should state how the Government and the Ministry of Agriculture/Department of Animal Resources intend to build upon the technical assistance provided. That should include the long-term and sustainable advantage that is expected to result from the TCP assistance. The Government contribution to realizing this advantage should be described.

Data Needs

Amount of livestock in the country, location, breeds and characteristics.
Production levels (milk yields or carcass weights).
Market demands including indicative prices and product safety requirements.
Estimates of improved food security or income generated through training in improved technologies or enterprises.
Outline training programme.

Data Sources

Ministry of Agriculture/Department of Animal Resources
Ministry of Planning/Finance
Ministry of Commerce/Foreign Trade
Farmers' groups

III. OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSISTANCE

"This section will state briefly but in specific terms, the particular objective(s) which the project is expected to achieve. The project objective is defined as a specific aim to be achieved and formulated as the expected future improved situation after the successful completion of the project. The statement should be drafted wherever possible in terms permitting subsequent verification of project accomplishments." (TCP Guidelines)

This status would normally include the level of training and quantity delivered or enterprises established. Training and equipment inputs should result in: (i) improved capacity to process livestock products into added value or low-cost products tailored to the local market; (ii) more efficient processing techniques or enterprise set up and management instituted; and (iii) quicker response to market demands and fluctuations using locally adapted technologies or rapidly responsive market led product development and supply including public health and food safety considerations.

Quantitative indicators should allow verification of: (i) training delivery (numbers and locations), and (ii) achieving stated outputs by the end of the project.

Data Needs

Quantitative indicators to monitor training delivery and participation (gender disaggregated).

Data Sources

Ministry of Agriculture/Department of Animal Resources
Processors Groups/Associations

IV. PROJECT OUTPUTS (RESULTS)

"Outputs (results) to be defined in this section, are the specific products of activities undertaken, the combined use of which by project beneficiaries will achieve the objective of the project, provided assumptions about external factors are correct. They should be defined in terms that permit their verification in quantity, quality and time, and should be consistent with the project objective and design, and provide the basis for the elaboration of a clear, detailed work plan." (TCP Guidelines)

This section is a simple, concise listing, using quantitative terms, of the specific outputs expected from the project. These tangible outputs can be elaborated in bullet points.

Data Needs

Number of staff/farmers trained.
Number of workshops held.
Details of improvement to processing facilities and rural jobs created.
Specific, quantified interventions related to livestock.
Specific technologies applied and adapted.
Names and types of manuals or reports published.

Data Sources

Ministry of Agriculture/Department of Animal Resources
Processors Groups/Associations
National Project Coordinator

V. WORK PLAN

A timetable, sufficiently specific to serve as a practical guide for national experts and technical consultants on what activity should be carried out at what time, what place and be implemented by whom.

The timetable and any accompanying narrative should also serve as an instrument for monitoring project implementation and achievement for both the Government and FAO. This should be supported by a detailed Project Inception Report.

Data Needs

Estimate and logical sequence of the major project activities and input needs.

Data Sources

Ministry of Agriculture/Department of Animal Resources
Processors Groups/Associations
Ministry of Planning

VI. CAPACITY BUILDING

A paragraph describing how TCP assistance is expected to enhance the capacity of national expertise and/or consultants in terms of future development of the sector to meet growing consumer demands for improved and safer livestock products. It should include details of how the use of such experts will contribute to building capacity in the national institution/country.

Data Needs

Numerical data on livestock product training under the project.

Data Sources

Ministry of Agriculture/Department of Animal Resources
Processors Groups/Associations

VII. INPUTS TO BE PROVIDED BY FAO

See TCP Guidelines, Annex 1, pages iii to vi.

A concise description of each input under the respective numbered line items below. Sufficient detail on each budget line should be provided. The sum of related amounts of each sub-category under each line item should add up to the total for the line item. Supplies and Materials and Equipment line items can be detailed, item by item, in an annex. The number to be procured and estimated costs of each item need to be shown.

a) Personnel services
Technical services of international and/or national experts/consultants
- International consultants/experts
- FAO Advisory Technical Services (ATS)
- National experts and consultants
- International expertise under Partnership Programmes (i.e. TCDC/TCCT or Retired experts and consultants)
- Administrative support
- Supervisory Technical Services (STS).

Priority and preference should be given to the employment of competent experts under the TCDC/TCCT programmes in countries that have signed these agreements. There are specific limits to the use of international expertise at UN rates.

b) Official travel
c) Contracts, Letters of Agreements or Contractual Service Agreements
d) General operating expenses (GOE)
e) Materials, supplies and equipment
f) Direct operating cost (DOC)
g) Training: Study tours, In-country workshops, Fellowships and academic training and Young Professionals for on-the-job training.

Data Needs

Number, type and cost of each input (numbers of staff participating, of items, internal trips, cost per day, DSA rate, monthly consultant rate etc).

Data Sources

Ministry of Agriculture/Department of Animal Resources
Processors Groups/Associations
FAO
UNDP
Local suppliers

VIII. REPORTING

Periodic and Mission reports are required for operational monitoring of projects so that technical and operating divisions of FAO can monitor the delivery and utilization of inputs. These reports give a TCP project the required flexibility to meet changing needs and are used to make decisions about project extensions and budget revisions. Technical reports add to the body of technical knowledge about efficient and safe small-scale livestock product processing.

It is essential that the document specify who is to prepare these reports and at what intervals. This is particularly true for the Terminal Statement. If the writer of this document is not specified, the FAO officer of the Lead Technical Unit assumes this responsibility.

Data Needs

Operation-related data/information on specific pre-project challenges related to limited capacity and capability etc. related to the country concerned.
Findings and facts relevant to the project approach.
Consultant's itinerary, persons met, terms of reference, lists of additional equipment, etc.

Data Sources

Project records
Project staff
Records from Processors Groups/Associations
Participatory rural appraisal exercises
Ministry of Agriculture/Department of Animal Resources

IX. GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION AND SUPPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

This paragraph needs to clearly set out: (i) the resources to be contributed by the Government; (ii) designation of Government responsibility for arranging for duty-free customs clearance, full access to laboratories and their test results, and access to the field - which may be under provincial or district authority. All need to be included in this section as they might apply.
See in particular TCP Guidelines, Annex I, page vii and the following excerpts:

Request must be accorded high priority by the Government, which must also ensure that the required local support facilities and services will be available and that follow-up action will be taken...

Requests must provide assurance of the fullest possible participation of the Government in project execution, through such means as the use of national institutions, personnel and resources. (Annex IVa, page i).

Each project should be supervised by a National Project Coordinator nominated and paid by the Government. National Project Professional Personnel or consultants recruited by FAO are fully accountable to the Organization and cannot be on the Government payroll at the time of their assignment (page 10, par. 46). They may not be recruited from the counterpart institution/cooperating agency (Annex 1, page iv).

Data Needs

Government contribution in terms of cash, personnel time, facilities, vehicles, building and office space (for workshops and other), secretarial and translation/interpretation expertise.

Data Sources

Ministry of Agriculture/Department of Animal Resources/National Animal Health Authorities
Ministry of Public Health

X. PROJECT BUDGET

The project budget covering the FAO contribution is prepared by FAO, based on elements received from the requesting country. See TCP Guidelines for explanatory details.

Data Needs

Numerical details on FAO contribution in US$ by budget line.

Data Sources

National and international project staff
FAO/UNDP Regional Office
FAO Technical Division concerned
Equipment suppliers

XI. ATTACHMENTS TO PROJECT AGREEMENT

1. Description of the training programme.
2. Description of Advisory Technical Services and Supervisory Technical Services.
3. Description of services to be provided under contracts.
4. Itemized list of equipment.
5. Itemized list of materials and supplies.
6. Terms of reference including description of required qualifications for each international and national consultant/expert and where appropriate for the National Project Coordinator.

Data Needs

Quantitative estimates and descriptions/specifications as relevant to the above attachment.
Terms of Reference (TOR) for each national and international project staff member including FAO technical staff members contributing to the project. TORs for short-term staff inputs (weeks to several months) need to describe precise, time-bound activities and outputs expected. Longer-term staff inputs should be more generally phrased to allow some flexibility and cover unforeseen occurrences.

Data Sources

National and international project staff
Ministry of Agriculture/Department of Animal Resources
Processors Groups/Associations