NORMATIVE FRAMEWORK

TCP PROJECT FORMAT

"Integrated Pest Management of (Crop) Pests"

I. PROJECT SUMMARY

This is a concise statement summarizing the problems for which assistance is requested and the project objectives.

Data Needs:

Main features of the project, including its justification and objectives.

Data Sources:

Individual sections of the project document

II. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION

See FAO TCP Guidelines.

Identify context and background to the request and briefly describe the specific problem for which the TCP assistance is requested, highlighting its causes and effects on the concerned agricultural sector. The importance of the crop, cropping systems, the problem to be addressed and the urgent need for assistance should be stressed. Text should cover as many as possible of the following concerns:

- importance of agriculture in the economy;
- role of specific crop in the agricultural sector;
- role of large-scale commercial and/or smallholder producers;
- cropping systems in use with special reference to smallholder agriculture;
- institution(s) presently involved in the sector;
- critical issues (pest problem and/or yield decline, and/or pesticide misuse and/or cases of poisoning, etc);
- why the Government is not able to address this problem - critical gap (lack of capacities, lack of means, etc.);
- why TCP assistance is urgently needed - what happens if no immediate intervention;
- how the proposed strategy fits into the Government development plans and strategy;
- need for sustainable integrated pest management (IPM) strategies;
- need for training in IPM for crop pests in the country;
- possible follow-up action (projects, funding) foreseen, to ensure continuation after the project.

There should be reference to capacity building as a tool for the Government to help smallholder farmers in addressing crop pest problems.

One paragraph should state how the Government and the Ministry of Agriculture/National Plant Protection Service 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.

If any follow-up project is foreseen this should be indicated to express potential for sustainable action.

Data Needs:

Contribution of agriculture to the GDP.
Area cultivated under target crop (large-scale commercial/smallholders); share in total area cropped.
Cropping patterns with emphasis on smallholder conditions.
Average yield levels in smallholder agriculture.
Recommended and actually utilized application rates of pesticides in the country on commercial and smallholder production.
Main causes of major pest problems.
Institution(s) involved in pest management, including the agricultural extension service.

Data Sources:

Ministry of Agriculture/Department of Crop Production/National Plant Protection Service (central and provincial levels)
Association of (target) crop growers
National Research Institute
Farmers groups
FAO Technical Division concerned

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)

Provide a concise statement describing status after the project, in terms of better management practices in place, improved sustainability of agricultural production, enhanced human capacities.

Data Needs:

Priority expressed in request for assistance from the Government.

Data Sources:

Ministry of Agriculture/National Plant Protection Service
National Research Institute
FAO Technical Division concerned

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 IPM trainers trained and capable of establishing and operating IPM Farmers' Field Schools (FFS).
Number of farmers trained in applying IPM in the target cropping systems.
Increase in sustainable production (yields, net profits, decision-making capacity by farmers).
Reduction of pesticide use and misuse.
Number of Open Field Days held.
Crop and post-harvest losses minimized.
Identified pest(s) population significantly reduced.
Catalytic effect in training established (trainers planning to expand to a number of FFS in following seasons, including other crops or regions).

Data Sources:

Ministry of Agriculture/National Plant Protection Service
FAO Technical Division concerned

V. WORK PLAN

A timetable, sufficiently specific to serve as a practical guide for inputs delivery, implementation of activities, involved/responsible person/institute.

The timetable and any accompanying narrative should also serve as an instrument for monitoring project implementation and achievement for both the Government and FAO.

Data Needs:

Estimate and logical sequence of the major project activities and input needs.
Logical framework matrix for project implementation.

Data Sources:

Ministry of Agriculture/National Plant Protection Service
FAO Technical Division concerned

VI. CAPACITY BUILDING

A paragraph describing how this TCP assistance is expected to enhance the national capacity to develop and implement IPM development and training activities in the country. It should include details of how the use of project inputs will contribute to building capacity in the national institution(s) and country. It should also outline how the enhanced human capacity will be a tool for achieving sustainable production.

Data Needs:

Numerical data on national staff that would be trained in undertaking a larger IPM programme for smallholder farmers.

Data Sources:

Ministry of Agriculture/National Plant Protection Service

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.

Annexes should provide details for:

- Terms of Reference of consultants and national technical staff (supervision, duties, qualifications, duty station, period of work)
- Supplies and Materials and Equipment (number and cost estimate for each item)
- Training activities (details on process, participants, duration, location, costs)

1. Personnel services

Technical services of international and/or national experts/consultants
- International consultants/experts (only if strictly necessary as require strong justification for approval vis a vis TCDC experts)
- Regional experts (SSA all inclusive contracts to IPM training experts generally from the same Region, to provide technical support during training activities)

- FAO Advisory Technical Services (ATS)
- National experts and consultants (maximum 11 months/ year)
- International expertise under Partnership Programmes (i.e. TCDC/TCCT or Retired experts and consultants if possible; difficult to identify qualified candidates for organizing and conducting during IPM field training activities)
- Administrative support
- Supervisory Technical Services (STS).

Based on TCP criteria, priority 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. Project drafters are advised to consult with the TCP Unit before preparing the staffing inputs and budgets.

2. Official travel: sufficient budget allocation should be made for all travel of project staff (international travel and local travel), and for travel related to training
3. Contracts (Letters of Agreements): these can only be arranged with non-profit organizations to provide services as needed by the project
4. General operating expenses (GOE): covering communication costs, fuel, general miscellaneous, etc.
5. Materials, supplies and equipment:

- Materials and supplies
- Equipment

6. Direct operating cost (DOC): this amount is set by TCDT (US$13,000 or 21,000) based on the total amount of the budget
7. Training: this should consist of 40% of the budget, because it represents the core activity of IPM programmes. If less allocation is made, there is no basis for continuation after TCP project termination.

- Study tours: mostly for exchanging visits among IPM programmes within the region (3-5 participants to 1 country for 1 week)
- In-country workshops: aiming to define a national strategy (policy workshop) and/or to develop training curriculum (3 days meeting with 10 participants)
- Fellowships and academic training: (very limited in IPM projects)
- Young Professionals for on-the-job training: the most important part in an IPM project, includes season-long residential Training of Trainers (TOT) (20-30 participants for 4-5 months, cost up to US$20,000), and season-long village-based Farmers' Field Schools (1 or 2 trainers from TOT organize 2 FFS in the same season and in the following season).

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/National Plant Protection Service
FAO Technical Division concerned
Local suppliers

VIII. REPORTING

See TCP Guidelines.

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 specific diseases.

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. This can be drafted by a national consultant or national project coordinator, and finalized at headquarters. If the writer of this document is not specified, the technical officer assumes this responsibility.

A part on "Lessons Learned" should be included in the Terminal Statement, under section 2: Results and Conclusions, referring to Article 126 of the FAO Strategic Framework 2000-2005 that indicates: ".... to increase the synergy between the normative and operational activities, and to enhance the Field Programme's dual function of, on the one hand, translating into operation and action the concepts and findings developed through normative activities and, on the other hand, enriching normative work through the feedback from field experience."

Data Needs:

Operation-related data/information on specific pests, areas and crops affected.
Outcome of Open Field Days, national workshops, study tours.
Experience with Training of Trainers and Farmer Field Schools.
Results from field trials on IPM practices compared to current farmer practices.

Data Sources:

Ministry of Agriculture/National Plant Protection Service
Project records and project staff
Records from Agricultural/ Extension Service at national, provincial and local level
Stakeholders

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, laboratories, building and office space (for workshops and other), secretarial and translation/interpretation expertise.

Data Sources:

Ministry of Agriculture/National Plant Protection Service

X. PROJECT BUDGET

The project budget covering the FAO contribution is prepared by FAO, based on elements received from the requesting country.

Data Needs:

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

Data Sources:

Team Leader, plus national and international project staff
FAO
UNDP
Equipment suppliers
Travel agents

XI. ATTACHMENTS TO PROJECT AGREEMENT

1. Description of the IPM 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:

Team Leader, plus national and international project staff
Ministry of Agriculture/National Plant Protection Service