NORMATIVE FRAMEWORK

TCP PROJECT FORMAT

"Sustainable Crop Production through the Use of a Location Specific Nutrient Management Decision Support System"

I. PROJECT SUMMARY

A concise statement summarizing the problems for which assistance is requested, the project objectives, its main activities and results that are expected by the end of the project. Particular emphasis should be given to the project outcome (desired improved situations or changes) expected from 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

"This section will contain the background to the request and a brief description of the specific problem, highlighting its causes and effects, in the particular sector or sub-sector in which the project will be placed. It should specifically explain the sector's importance, the critical gap to be filled and the urgency of the problem to be solved in the context of the relevant Government's sector and sub-sector strategy and policy. It should also explain the consequences caused by non-action on this specific problem, and outline how the assistance requested will be utilized to fill a particularly urgent need which cannot be met from other sources. Mention should be made of other related activities supported by the Government or by other assistance agencies.

The justification should highlight the follow-up action expected after completion of the project and the expected project's catalytic role in connection with the Government's development efforts. It should, in particular, clarify how the Government intends to ensure realization of the planned project results in a sustainable manner, and the extent to which this will depend on national budgetary or policy decisions or funding decisions by other donors."
(TCP Guidelines)

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 in particular the following issues:

- describe the main features of the land resources the country is endowed with, with particular emphasis on maize cultivation;
- assess the contribution of maize production to the country food security;
- define specific nutrients and fertilizers used for maize cultivation;
- define the need for the development of site-specific nutrients and the importance of soil testing;
- provide the present results of research in the nutrient field;
- use of existing knowledge on the topic available in other countries;
- draw attention to possible unsustainable fertilizer use practices;
- describe the roles of the Government ministries, research institutes and parastatals involved in nutrient management, mention eventual training needs;
- state why the TCP assistance is needed and how it fits into Government development plans and strategy.

There should be a clear element of capacity building that would allow Government to adequately address issues related to nutrient management and fertilizer use, and environmental protection. One paragraph should state how the Government and the Ministry of Agriculture 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:

• Area and geographical location of the country.
• Main physical features of land resources (topography, soil quality by agro-ecological zones).
• Size of population, its distribution, annual growth, densities.
• Share of agriculture in the GDP.
• Land use (arable area, pasture land, forest and wood land);
• Key features of farming systems
• Indications of fertilizer use
• List of institutions involved in agronomic research, nutrient and fertilizer management
• List of relevant ongoing programmes/projects.

Data Sources:

• Ministry of Agriculture (central and provincial levels), in particular Research Institutes
• Ministry of Planning/Finance
• FAO Technical Division concerned (in particular site: www-data.fao.org)
• Office of FAO Representative concerned
• 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)

A concise statement of present and future maize production status (with reference to specific constraints to be addressed) to be reached by the end of the project.

Quantitative indicators should allow verification of: (i) increase of maize productivity and production; (ii) increase of farmers' income through practices recommended by the project, and (iii) achieving stated outputs by the end of the project.

Data Needs:

• Quantitative indicators to monitor the maize production.

Data Sources:

• Ministry of Agriculture

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:

• Statistics on maize annual production, and fertilizer use.
• Number and type of studies prepared on decision support systems for nutrient management.
• Number of extension technicians and workers trained.
• Number of workshops held.
• Number of study tours undertaken to areas with conflicts over land.

Data Sources:

• Ministry of Agriculture/Research Institutes
• Team Leader, National Project Coordinator

V. WORK PLAN

A timetable, sufficiently specific to serve as a practical guide for the national experts and consultants on what activity should be carried out, by who and when. An important aspect is to define the linkages between activities which condition the overall implementation (ex. either Activity B cannot start before Activity A ends, or Activities A and B are independent).

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:

• Time estimate and logical sequence of the major project activities and input needs; linkages between activities.

Data Sources:

• Ministry of Agriculture
• Ministry of Planning
• Project staff
• FAO Technical Division concerned.

VI. CAPACITY BUILDING

A paragraph describing how TCP assistance is expected to enhance the capacity of national experts and/or consultants in terms of future tasks relevant to nutrient management/fertilizer use. 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 nutrient management/fertilizer use related training under the project.

Data Sources:

• Ministry of Agriculture

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 "miscellaneous" item is not accepted but "miscellaneous laboratory glassware" is acceptable.

1. 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. Project drafters are advised to consult with the TCP Unit before preparing the staffing inputs and budgets.

2. Official travel
3. Contracts, Letters of Agreements or Contractual Service Agreements
4. General operating expenses (GOE)
5. Materials, supplies and equipment:

Materials and supplies
Equipment

6. Direct operating cost (DOC)
7. Training:
- Study tours
- In-country workshops
- Fellowships and academic training
- 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
• FAO
• UNDP
• 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. If the writer of this document is not specified, the technical officer assumes this responsibility.

Data Needs:

• Operation-related data/information on specific land use planning problems related to the country concerned.
• Findings and facts relevant to the land use planning constraints in question.
• Consultant's itinerary, persons met, terms of reference, lists of additional equipment etc.

Data Sources:

• Project records
• Project staff
• Records from Ministry of Agriculture/Department of Land Resources at regional, national, provincial and local level
• Participatory rural appraisal exercises

IX. GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION AND SUPPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

This paragraph needs to clearly set out: (i) the resources to be contributed by 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/Department of Land Resources
• Ministry of Planning

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 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/Department of Land Resources