NORMATIVE FRAMEWORK

SPECIAL PROGRAMME FOR FOOD SECURITY PROJECT FORMAT

"Intensification of Crop Production Systems Component"

INTRODUCTION

Present a brief summary of the overall activities of the intensification of crop production systems component as part of the FAO Special Programme for Food Security in the country.

Data Needs:

Main features of the component with emphasis on expected impact on farm income.

Data Sources:

Individual sections of the project report
National Programme Document

RATIONALE

Provide a brief rationale for implementing the intensification component in the country, highlighting the key constraints and potential.

Data Needs:

Average yield levels of major crops.
Share of production marketed.
Estimates on post-harvest losses.
Major factors/constraints affecting crop and livestock performance including soil fertility limitations, incidence of pests and diseases, lack of knowledge and skills.
Examples of improved technology to which farmers have no access.

Data Sources:

Ministry of Agriculture/Department of Research/Extension Service

OBJECTIVES

State briefly how the component will contribute to income generation in support of (household) food security in the country.

Data Needs:

Level and composition of average farm household income (farm/off-farm).
Contribution of crops/livestock to household income.
Current use of improved seed varieties.
Current use of drought-resistant or short-season varieties.

Data Sources:

Ministry of Agriculture/Marketing Department/Extension Service/Agricultural Research
Farmers' Groups

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Describe the approach that will be adopted to achieve the objectives and include elements such as:

- reasons for the selection of specific activities under the component/sub-component, including interest of participating farmers;
- the design of participatory demonstrations of viable technological interventions for farmers adoption;
- who will be the main beneficiaries and how will they be targeted;
- the extension approach to be adopted: master farmers, producer groups, Farmers' Field Schools, etc;
- other relevant government or donor-supported activities;
- duration of the project and brief explanation as to why; and
- social acceptability of demonstrated technologies by farmers' households, including women.

Data Needs:

Main characteristics of existing cropping system.
Specific weaknesses in supporting services.
Main features of current extension approach.
Relevant ongoing programmes/projects.
Crops that offer scope for incremental income generation.
Number and location of farmers interested in participating in demonstrations.

Data Sources:

Ministry of Agriculture/Department of Research/Extension Service

DEMONSTRATION AREAS

Describe the selected areas for demonstrations, and briefly explain the criteria for selecting these areas: high potential, importance in national food supplies; replicability; availability of suitable technologies for demonstration; interest of the farming community and willingness to participate. Describe procedures followed in selecting demonstration areas, underlining participation of concerned partners, especially farmers and their communities; and briefly indicate the relationship to the expansion areas.

Data Needs:

Location and relevant characteristics of demonstration areas.
Main features of present cultivation practices.
Importance of crops grown for food security at national level.
Types of technologies available for demonstration.
Share/number of farmers willing to participate in demonstrations/danger.
Scope for large-scale replication.

Data Sources

Ministry of Agriculture/Extension Service
Farmers' Groups

ACTIVITIES

Classify key activities into: production-related activities, i.e. activities directly related to participatory demonstrations of technological interventions to enhance productivity and production (e.g. improved seeds, fertilization, farming practices); and activities for strengthening the enabling mechanism, i.e. activities related to the Programme's focus on farmers training, extension, stakeholders' participation, etc.

Data Needs:

List of production-related activities.
List of capacity building activities.

Data Sources:

Ministry of Agriculture/Extension Service
Farmers' Groups

OUTPUTS

Indicate the major outputs expected from the Phase I activities, e.g. increased productivity and production by component/sub-component; improved farmers' income, improved post-harvest technologies; enhanced training and extension, etc.

Data Needs:

Data on yield increases resulting from intensification measures.
Number of farmers trained in the use of IPM and integrated plant nutrition techniques.
Type of appropriate post-harvest handling, storage and processing technologies introduced.
Support provided to functional marketing and credit scheme.

Data Sources:

Ministry of Agriculture/Extension Service/Marketing Service
Farmers' Groups
National Coordinator/Team Leader

INPUTS

Provide a summary of the main inputs to support the component for each investment scenario. These would include the project's cost estimates; the Government's contribution; FAO and other donors' contributions. The budget sheets provide details for each budget level.

WORK PLAN

Prepare an overall work plan for the entire project period, using a chronological diagram (bar chart) as shown in the example. The work plan will include the objectives, activities, outputs, resources required and persons/entities responsible for project implementation. Once the project is operational, annual work plans along the same lines will be prepared every year.

BUDGET

Prepare a budget for the project's entire duration.

EXPECTED BENEFITS OF TECHNOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS TO BE DEMONSTRATED

Show that the proposed technological interventions to be demonstrated to farmers are financially viable. This will ensure the farmers' adoption and replicability of the technologies. This can initially be done by comparing Gross Margins "with" and "without" the project. To assess the risk to the producer, the same calculation should be undertaken for the "with" analysis but with increasing the major costs (say by 10-15%) and decreasing the value of the outputs (sales or consumption).

MANAGERIAL ARRANGEMENTS

Describe managerial arrangements including:

- Who will be responsible for the implementation of the component/sub-component at the village, district, regional, national levels within the institutional structure set-up for the entire SPFS programme in the country; and
- Possible involvement of NGO's, private sector or bilateral agencies, etc.

REPORTING, REVIEW, MONITORING AND EVALUATION

Describe reporting obligations of the management team and FAO as outlined in SPFS/Doc/24/ Annex 3.

a. Six-monthly progress reports containing:

i) actual implementation of activities compared to that planned;
ii) provision of planned inputs;
iii) identification of problems and constraints (technical, human, financial etc.) in implementation and recommendations for corrective measures; and
iv) detailed work plan for the following reporting period.

b. Technical Reports that arise from consultant studies, will be issued as foreseen "outputs".
c. Terminal Report. Towards the end of Phase I, a draft terminal report will be prepared by the project management and sent to FAO for finalization and submission to the Government and the donor, if any.

Reviews and Evaluation
Reviews and evaluation may include but not be restricted to mid-term review and final evaluation. The project document should include, as appropriate, criteria and indicators that will be used to measure the progress of the SPFS project towards achieving its objectives and planned outputs.

ANNEXES

Include a number of annexes to provide more details on certain aspects of the project as appropriate. The following are some examples:

- Equipment: Expendable and Non-expendable
- Training, Seminars and Extension Programme
- TORs for Consultants

Maps
Maps showing the agro-ecological zones and the selected pilot areas in the country should be provided.

Data Needs:

Quantitative estimates and descriptions/specifications as relevant to the above attachments.
Terms of reference for each national and international project staff member, including FAO technical staff contributing to the project.

Data Sources:

National Coordinator/Team Leader, national and international project staff
Ministry of Agriculture/Department of Research/Extension Service