NORMATIVE FRAMEWORK

TCP PROJECT FORMAT

"Conservation and Management of Agriculture Plant Germplasm"

PROJECT SUMMARY

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

Data Needs:
  • Main features of the project with emphasis on expected outcomes.
Data Sources:
  • Individual sections of project document


II. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION

(See TCP Guidelines.) This section needs in particular to identify the problem for which assistance is requested and to provide evidence that TCP criteria, which govern eligibility for TCP funding, are met.

To be completed with the assistance of the national authorities that have responsibility for plant genetic resources (PGR) conservation and use and who will implement the TCP project. Text should cover the following issues:

- information on local PGR and the importance of the local diversity to the agricultural production and food security;
- the current situation of use and conservation of local PGR in the country;
- the justification for emergency assistance and needed training in PGR training in PGR conservation and management - How urgent is action needed and what would happen if action was not taken?
- the impact of the project to the increase in crop production, local farmer income and food security;
- the Government high priority of this request, the sustainment of the activities proposed and the fullest possible government participation;
- linkage to the Global Plan of Action for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture; and
- other complementary activities funded by the Government and/or other donors.

Data Needs:
  • Names of crops and numbers of accessions conserved in national collections.
  • Methods of PGR conservation used in the country.
  • Uniqueness of native PGR.
  • Current situation of conservation and use of local PGR.
  • Training needs.
  • Estimated affect on crop production and farmer income.
Data Sources:


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)

Data Needs:
  • None.
Data Sources:
  • Not applicable


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 workplan." (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 and duration of workshops/study tours held.
  • Upgraded conditions on germplasm conservation
  • Number of germplasm accession collected, regenerated and/or characterized.
  • Name and type of manuals or reports prepared.
Data Sources:
  • Ministry of Agriculture
  • Ministry of Natural Resources
  • National Committee on PGR
  • Team Leader


V. WORK PLAN

A timetable of the best estimate and logical sequence of the major activities needs to be drawn up by month. This may be in an annex.

Data Needs:
  • Estimate and logical sequence of the major project activities and input needs.
Data Sources:
  • Ministry of Agriculture
  • Ministry of Natural Resources
  • Ministry of Planning


VI. CAPACITY BUILDING

A paragraph is required describing how national experts and/or consultants will receive enhanced capacity for their future jobs as a result of the assistance.

Data Needs:
  • Numerical data on PGR-related training under the project.
Data Sources:
  • Ministry of Agriculture
  • Ministry of Natural Resources


VII. INPUTS TO BE PROVIDED BY FAO

See TCP Guidelines. This section needs to concisely (1 to 5 lines) describe the number, type and cost of each input under the respective numbered items below. It is helpful to the TCP Unit to specifically state the numbers (of staff participating, items, internal trips, cost per day, etc), itemize the cost of each (DSA rate, monthly consultant rate, etc) and total the amount for each sub-category cost item. The budget for equipment should be kept low and supply materials may be under training, if essential for training. 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 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.

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)
b) Official travel
c) Contracts, Letters of Agreements or Contractual Service Agreements
d) General operating expenses (GOE)
e) Materials, supplies and equipment:
- Materials and supplies
- Equipment
f) Direct operating cost (DOC)
g) Training:
- Study tours
- The budget of in-country workshops
- 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/Natural Resources
  • FAO
  • UNDP
  • Local suppliers


VIII. REPORTING

See TCP Guidelines. Reporting is an integral part of any TCP project. Periodic reports are required for operational monitoring of projects. Thus sufficient reporting must be described such that those in FAO responsible for successful execution of the TCP (technical and operating divisions) can understand how the inputs are being delivered, how they are being absorbed and utilized at the national level. These operationally related 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 the specific diseases and the specific country or region.

It is essential that the TCP 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 PGR related to the country concerned.
  • Findings, facts and recommendations relevant to the PGR conservation and utilization.
  • Consultant's itinerary, persons met, terms of reference, lists of additional equipment, etc.
Data Sources:
  • Project records
  • Project staff
  • Participatory rural appraisal exercises
  • National Committee on PGR
  • Ministry of Agriculture
  • Ministry of Natural Resources


IX. GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION AND SUPPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

See TCP Guidelines. This paragraph needs to clearly set out the resources to be contributed by the Government in terms of cash, personnel time, facilities, vehicles, laboratories, building and office space (for workshops, and other), secretarial and translation/interpretation expertise and the like. Designation of government responsibility for arranging for duty-free customs clearance, full access to laboratory 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.

If the Government is responsible for some project activities, these responsibilities should be clearly stated (e.g. germplasm regeneration, because it normally can not be completed in 1 to 2 years). The sustainment of the conservation and use of germplasm after the completion of the project should be ensured.

Clear designation of national counterpart personnel needs to be specified including the need for the Government to designate a qualified National Project Coordinator (NPC). There are TCP rules for the employment status of the NPC (cannot be paid under the project) and national consultants or experts (cannot be government employees during the time they work on the project).

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
  • Ministry of Natural Resources


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. Descriptions 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
  • Ministry of Natural Resources
  • National Committee on PGR