(TCP PROJECT EXAMPLE)

I. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION

The population of Country XXX is almost completely dependent on the availability of natural resources, especially productive land. The agricultural development strategy of the Government is to assure food security to all people of XXX. Efforts are made to increase productivity of farmlands and to find new productive lands for landless families.

The population is growing steadily and there is widespread land degradation, because land is frequently put to uses that are not suited to the agro-ecological conditions and due to deficient and inappropriate land husbandry practices. A proper land use policy is the key to control land degradation and to ensure a sustainable use of land according to their productive capabilities and constraints. Up to now such a policy is lacking. The Government has set the formulation of a soil and land use policy for the sustainable use of lands as a prerequisite for the successful implementation of current policies and strategies for food production. The objective of the policy would be to promote the wide scale adoption of sustainable agricultural practices by farmers to increase production and reduce land degradation also by enhancing the technical and managerial capacity of the national land resources management institutions at national, regional and local levels.

Formulation and implementation of soil and land use policies require a proper institutional framework and reliable as well as up-to-date information on the potential and constraints of the various agro-ecological zones. The existing institutional framework in the country is weak. The production potential of each zone for different crops and livestock species is based on systematic and quantitative land suitability and productivity assessments. However, at national level, a detailed assessment of land use potentials according to the different agro-ecological regions have not been done in XXX.

The XXX Government needs to implement an over-embracing framework based on an integrated approach to land resources management. The link between national level (policies and decisions) and regional and local level has to be institutionalized and coordinated by a Government agency concerned with land use related matters. FAO's integrated approach to interactive land use planning (framework and implementation tools as land evaluation etc.) would be most appropriate for that purpose. The guiding principles of the approach are: removing constraints to increasing production, providing incentives and developing improved technology; strengthening the institutional basis to ensure stakeholder involvement in negotiation and decision on resource management; creation of land resources information systems which are accessible to all; establishing a land resources management network at all stakeholder levels; provision of technical advice and information to support decision-making.

One of the main reasons for the inappropriate use of the land resources in the country is a lack of knowledge on a framework for land evaluation and thus also a lack of land evaluation tools to enable an analysis of the potential incl. capacity of the land. The determination of the potentially optimal use or alternatives is required for the formulation of land use plans and policies at all levels. To determine the potential of the land there is a need for a reliable, up-to-date and profound land resources database. In XXX, there are continued problems of inadequate supply of information, uncheckable data, different standards or different interpretation of the same data by the various authorities. Land resources information used by Government authorities for decision-making on land resources planning and management shows a serious deficit in both, quantity and quality. It is recognized that the development of a uniform land information system could provide the standardized key information required for planners and producers to accelerate agricultural development programmes in the country.

One of the main reasons why such work could not be done so far is the lack of a central database at XXX Agricultural Service (MAS) Land-Use Division (LUD). This central database should include information on soils, landform, crops, climate and socio-economic conditions, all elements required in land evaluation as a prerequisite for land-use planning. Existing information is scarce. MAS is the only institution undertaking soil survey and soil analysis in the country. A national soil map was made in the …ties, but since then it has not been updated, and only little progress was made in the creation of a land resources database, due to financial and technical reasons. Young staff members need urgently training, as the experienced personnel are getting retired at the moment.

Sustainable land use needs to be promoted through on the one hand, the involvement of stakeholders in a participatory way (information gathering, process of decentralization or local area development) from the early beginning in the planning process. On the other hand, it needs policy reforms, the appropriate institutional capacity, infrastructural improvements and incentive systems to remove the existing constraints to a sustainable land use. Adequate technologies and availability of inputs are key elements of the solution of the problem, in particular in the areas with a dominance of fragile soils. Such technologies should aim at replacing the existing practices of uncontrolled pastoral and shifting cultivation, unplanned deforestation by more integrated and diversified systems such as agro-forestry and agro-silvo-pastoral systems, with maximum use of local resources and a mix of indigenous knowledge and modern technologies.

Over the last decade, FAO has not only developed and successfully applied an improved approach to integrated planning and management of land resources. At the same time it has also reinforced the development of land resource information systems (LRIS) based on the agro-ecological Zones (AEZ) methodology as useful tools to support the implementation of the integrated approach. The tools include geographic information system (GIS) hard and software, soil, climate, crop and land use databases, Agro-ecological Zoning (AEZ) models and software for land suitability and land productivity assessment, land and water management and conservation technologies, multi-criteria procedures for the interactive analysis of land use options. The systems also include the information products as well as the tools, including electronic media tools, for the dissemination of land resources information products to farmers and decision-makers and land users.

FAO has been assisting various countries in learning the AEZ methodology and LRIS techniques, applying and adapting these to analyze problems related to land, food and people at national and sub-national levels. This includes the link between land use issues and related development goals in such areas as food production (e.g. cash crop requirements), food self-sufficiency or land degradation (loss of soil fertility, soil erosion risks, etc.).

The FAO LUP approach adequately addresses all the objectives of a sound land use policy as urgently needed by the XXX Government. The Government has therefore placed a high priority on the formulation of an adequate land-use policy for the country. The development of a multi-purpose land resources information system as necessary basis for the formulation and implementation of the policy is as well of major importance. The activity is anchored in the current programme of the national centre for agro-ecological and land evaluation research of the Ministry of Agriculture in order that the required local support facilities and services will be available to ensure sustainability of the system in the future.

It is against this background that the Government of XXX is seeking urgent assistance to initiate the establishment of a land resources information and management system which will provide the basis for planning and policy formulation both at national and sub-national level. The emphasis of the TCP assistance is to demonstrate the practical and economic use of such a system in improving rural land use decisions in XXX.

Based on the FAO integrated approach, the project is designed to provide a rapid response to a long-standing need affecting the country's food production, in particular rainfed agriculture and the degradation of its natural resources. The results of the project will also provide the basis for investment in sustainable agricultural development projects that are expected to attract funding from international and bilateral sources.

II. OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSISTANCE

The objective of the project is to develop an improved land use policy by supporting the establishment of a land resources information system as a prerequisite.

II.1 Outputs

1. National staff of planning-related institutions is familiar with and trained in the improved approach to integrated planning and management of land resources. That includes the knowledge of the FAO approach to planning and management of land resources, the FAO framework for land evaluation and training in land evaluation procedures to identify land use options for each identified land unit, in terms of potential performance or yield, cost/benefit ratio, and long term environmental impact.
2. A computerized national land resource information system, consisting of thematic databases covering topography and physiography, soils, agro-climatic factors, vegetation and present land use is established. It is linked to a GIS which is able to display combinations of these, and other data, and print maps showing different combinations of the information relevant for land resources management.
3. Appropriate national staff is trained in all the aspects of the system and capable of maintaining and developing it further as required.
4. A study on current farming systems in the country and proposals for improving them.
5. Procedures for land productivity and land degradation assessment are established.
6. Demonstration of the capacity of the installed system to assist in identifying and mapping the best mix of land uses (including forestry) and mapping land degradation.
7. Training in using participatory methods for information gathering at local area level for a pilot area.
8. A first draft of the national land use policy for XXX is presented and discussed at the national workshop by end of the project.

III. WORK PLAN

The project is divided into a series of sequential modules of various duration, executed over an extended period. Four international consultants (Land resources consultant/team leader, GIS/database consultant and two TCDC Experts: one soil expert and one PRA/RRA expert) and one national consultant (farming systems) will make several visits to the country to discuss, explain successive modules, and plan, in collaboration with local staff, the next phase of the work to be carried out.

The consultants will then:

• introduce the necessary concepts, methodology, and software;
  
• thoroughly train the local staff in their use and in the gathering of field data;
  
• supervise the entry of part of the necessary work to complete the module or set of modules before their next visit. When necessary their visits overlap in such a way as to provide a maximum presence in the country.

Additionally six national counterparts will assist the project in data gathering, storage and validation, preparation of land resources applications and verification of results.

The above approach has been found to be the most cost effective in terms of consultant time, and more importantly, the most effective in terms of the transfer of technology and effectiveness of the project. This is so because the major part of the work is carried out by local staff, who, in the process, themselves become expert in the methodology, fully understand and appreciate the concepts, and have created their "own" system, modified to suit local conditions.

The time schedules for the five modules in the present project will be as follows:

June 19..

Module 1: Project start-up Activities

1.1 Identify what facilities, and what hardware and software are available in the country, and placing of orders for the additional equipment, including field equipment, which will be required, while paying due attention to necessary possibilities or agreements for future maintenance and to compatibility with other systems and databases already existing in the country.

1.2 Identify actual data situation, data requirements, six national counterparts and discuss institutional arrangements with MAS, including the nomination of National Project Director and other counterpart staff.

1.3 Present and discuss project activities and work programme with relevant institutions and national project staff.

1.4 Discuss with relevant staff authorities and prepare the outline of a follow-up proposal.

June 19.. - December 19..

Module 2: Explanation of overall framework, design of land resources database, commissioning of GIS system, study on farming systems; data collection and training in soil survey and field data gathering

2.1 Visit of the Land Resources Consultant (2 months), the GIS /Database consultant (1 month), the TCDC Soil Expert (2 months), the TCDC participatory land-use planning (2 months) and the national consultant on farming systems (1 month) during which the following activities will be carried out:

a) Introductory seminar on land use planning to create awareness for current problems in the country related to land use and the need for a land policy and an improved planning system (June 19..);

b) Explanation of concepts (starting with the improved FAO approach on integrated land-use planning as general framework) and discussion and agreement with government and local technical staff on details of the design of the overall system (including the question of map scales) which will be created (June - July 19..);

c) Identification of data sources and agreement on local responsibilities for data acquisition, verification and digitization (June - July 19..);

d) Study on current farming systems in the country, evaluating its potentials and constraints related to sustainability and propose alternatives (July-August 19..);

e) Practical training in field data gathering using participatory methods (July 19..);

f) Soil survey and mapping of a selected pilot area (July - August 19..);

g) Identification, ordering and delivery of GIS equipment; commissioning and testing of hardware and software (June - October 19..);

h) Practical training in the use of the equipment and software, particularly as regards digitization and map production (November - January 19..);

i) Installation of databases, particularly those which will contain soil and climate data, and inputting of data. FAO will provide necessary software including soil, climate databases free of charge (March - June 19..);

January 19.. - May 19..

Module 3: Creation of functional database, including land resources, land use and socio-economic data

3.1 Visit of the Land Resources Consultant (2 months) and the GIS/database consultant (2 months):

a) Introduction of the digitized land resources data (base map, soils, slopes and physiographic units, agro-climatic factors, vegetation cover, and present land use, based on the existing limited information (February-April 19..);

b) Testing and correcting the digitized maps listed above (April - May 19..);

c) Installation of the crop environmental requirements and production systems databases, and provision of suitable interface with the GIS, so that information from these databases can be displayed and analyzed (March - May 19..);

d) Collecting and inputting environmental requirements and land use/production systems information (March - May 19..);

e) Development of the database containing socio-economic information, including data from the pilot area (March - May 19..);

f) Staff training in the field to gather data and training on GIS/computer operation and land evaluation procedures (February - May 19..).

The local technical staff will complete these activities after the departure of the international consultants, especially field training for other MAS staff members.

April 19.. - August 19..

Module 4: Identification and quantification of land use options and preparation of land use proposals

4.1 Visit of Land Resources Consultant (1 months), GIS/Database consultant (1 month) and TCDC Soil Expert (2 months) and TCDC Expert in participatory land use planning:

a) Validate models for the crops, production systems and land uses currently existing in the country by comparing calculated results with collected results from field observations (April - May 19..);

b) Demonstrate the use of the results in the preparation of a land use policy at national level and related activities at sub-national level (May - June19..);

c) Demonstrate the results of the land evaluation and the results of the field survey in the pilot area to emphasize the need for a sound and adapted planning system using a participatory approach (July - August 19..);

d) Staff training in advanced use of soil/terrain databases, FAO soil classification, models and results (July - August 19..);

The local technical staff will complete these activities after the departure of the international consultants, especially field training for other MAS staff members.

August 19.. - September 19..

Module 5: Documentation and Demonstration of the system

5.1 Visit of the Land Resource Consultant (1 month) and GIS/Database consultant (1 month):

a) Preparation of a procedures manual describing the land resource information system, including methodology, GIS database and information products and their use in the preparation of land use guidelines (August19..);

b) Preparation and execution of a national workshop for decision-makers in land-use planning and land management, at which applications of the system and follow-up activities are demonstrated, presented and the results of the field survey and experiences using methods and tools of the improved LUP approach are discussed. Recommendations for an improved land-use policy for XXX are given and follow-up activities are monitored and scheduled. (July - August 19..);

c) A first draft of an improved land-use policy is prepared. (August - September 19..)

c) Preparations of project terminal Statement (September 19..).

Note:
The above programme of activities will be applied in a flexible manner. The general rule should be that the consultants should ensure that local staff thoroughly understands the details of what they will be expected to complete between the consultants visits, and that a new module will not commence before satisfactory completion of the previous module. The initial lack of basic data will have its impact on the system during the period, but as the field staff is trained the system will gradually become operational.

IV. INPUTS TO BE PROVIDED BY FAO

Personnel:
International Consultants - (TORs in Annex I)
- A Land Resources Specialist who will be the lead technical consultant and will be responsible to FAO for the successful completion of the project. The consultant will collaborate closely with the government and the National Project Director.
Duration: A total of three months spread over two visits.

- A GIS/Database Specialist, who will be responsible for technical aspects of the design, installation, and functioning of the electronic databases, GIS system, and evaluation and decision support system.
Duration: A total of 1.5 months, spread over two visits.

- A TCDC Soil expert who will be responsible for training relevant national soil staff in soil survey and mapping techniques, soil classification and the use of soil/terrain databases; field data collection and assist in the preparation of an updated national soil map.
Duration: A total of four months spread over two visits.

- A TCDC expert in participatory land use planning who will be responsible for training of relevant national staff in using Rapid Rural Appraisal and Participatory methods as tool in planning and management of land resources. The expert will organize training in methodology and field data collection and the practical exercises in the pilot area including the analysis and interpretation of the field data.
Duration: A total of three months spread over two visits.

- A national Farming Systems Specialist, who will be responsible for conducting a field study on current farming systems in the country, its evaluation related to sustainability and proposals for better alternatives.
Duration: 1 month.

FAO HQ staff
- 1 Land resource/LRIS officer
Duration: 4 weeks in two visits.

- 1 Land use officer
Duration: 2 weeks, 1 visit.

Equipment, Supplies and Materials (up to US$80,000):
The following equipment and supplies will be purchased:
- 3 microcomputers and 2 printers;
- 1 voltage stabilizer and 1 back-up power system;
- 1 map plotter;
- 1 digitizer and associated equipment;
- various computer software;
- GIS/computer supplies;
- Field/Survey equipment.

Training - (up to US$40,000):

- (two) national workshops: (30 participants, during five days) - cost US$15000;
- (two) local training courses (10-14 days) - cost: US$15000.

• The project will organize two workshops, one at the beginning and another at the end of the project, at which a wider group of technical and managerial staff from the Ministry will become familiar with the land-use planning approach including the land resources information system and its range of application.
  
• In addition to the on-the-job training in land resources assessment methods and GIS for the counterpart staff, the project will organize two training courses, one in soil survey, field data collection, soil classification and mapping and the second in applications of RRA/PRA methods to gather field information at village level in a participatory way.
  
• One group study tour will be arranged for the National Project Director and three other national staff to visit …. in XXX, to study GIS-based land resources information systems and their application.
• Study Tour (3 persons for two weeks): travel expenses - US$500 per person + DSA US$1,500 per person
  - FAO HQ staff travel: 3 visits of two weeks each: (Travel + DSA) cost: US$6,000 per visit
  - Official travel: US$15,000
  - General operating expenses: US$15,000
  - Direct operating expenses: US$20,000.

V. REPORTING

Each consultant will provide, at the end of each mission, a concise report on his activities, including conclusions and recommendations.

The Land Resources consultant will prepare a draft Terminal Statement according to TCP procedures. After finalization by the responsible technical services at FAO HQs, this Terminal Statement will be submitted by FAO to the Government.

The TCDC expert in participatory approaches will prepare a manual on participatory methods in land use planning focused on the specific situation in the country.

VI. GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION AND SUPPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

The project will be placed under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Agriculture Service Land Use Division.

A National Project Director will be responsible for its execution. The government will assign six counterparts to work full time on the project. At least one of these should be a computer systems specialist, at least one agronomist, at least one soil expert and the rest land use experts. The Government will provide the national staff at no cost to the project.

The Government will establish a permanent, adequately staffed unit or committee to follow up, to develop, maintain, and administer the system developed by the project; and allocate the financial resources necessary to maintain and further develop the system beyond the end of the project.

The Government will make available to the project, office space and the necessary background documentation, and will facilitate the project team's work with all the means at its disposal. In addition, it will cover the costs of office functioning (accommodation, electricity, communication fees, telephone, telex, office maintenance, etc.).

The Government will facilitate the holding of the planned training courses and national workshops, by designating and grouping the participants and by providing adequate meeting rooms.

The Government will provide transport and facilitate official internal travel by the consultants.

PROJECT BUDGET COVERING FAO INPUTS
(in US Dollars)

ANNEX 1
Schematic representation of project activities

ANNEX 2

LIST OF EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS

1) GIS/Computer Hardware

- 3 microcomputers/GIS workstations and 2 printers;
- 1 voltage stabilizer and 1 back-up power system;
- 1 map plotter;
- 1 digitizer and associated equipment;

2) Software, including GIS, database, spreadsheet, statistical, word processing and automated land evaluation programs

- GIS/computer supplies.

3) Field/Survey equipment, including:

- Augur set;
- soil chemical analysis kit;
- pH meter;
- conductivity meter.

4) Cartographic equipment and materials.

ANNEX 3

TERMS OF REFERENCE

In addition to the responsibilities listed below, all the international consultants will pay particular attention to the need to ensure that local staff fully understand the concepts and structure of the systems being installed by the project, and that by the end of the project they are fully capable of maintaining and further developing it according to the needs of the country.

NATIONAL PROJECT COORDINATOR (to be provided by the Government at no costs to the project)

Duration: one month full-time and 17 months part-time

In close collaboration with the international team leader and the FAO Representative in XXX, the National project coordinator will be responsible for the overall execution of the project. Specifically he or she will:

1. Be responsible for establishing and maintaining contacts, and with carrying on a dialogue with government officials in various concerned ministries and others whose interests and responsibilities are related to project objective and activities, and for developing the mutual collaboration that is essential for project success.

2. Make practical arrangements locally for implementation of the two workshops to be implemented by the project, in collaboration with appropriate officials and local leaders. This will also include sending out invitations, organization of necessary equipment, and inputs to the programme and agenda.

3. Assist in development of the GIS system, and support the study on farming systems, and monitor implementation of these activities, providing assistance if and when required.

4. Assist and facilitate the work of the international and local consultants, for example in the location of information, the setting up of meetings, or provision of advice on the most appropriate procedures to adopt.

5. Provide inputs and editing for project reports and technical documents as mutually agreed during project implementation.

6. Make a periodic report on project implementation, as laid down in the project agreement.

Essential qualifications: The person appointed to this post should be a senior officer with long experience and a technical background in the subject matter. The ultimate success of otherwise of the project will depend to a very large extent on the enthusiasm and organizing ability of the individual selected to fill this post.

INTERNATIONAL LAND RESOURCES CONSULTANT/TEAM LEADER

Duration: 3 months, two visits

The Consultant will act as team leader, and will be responsible to FAO for the successful execution of the project. The consultant will make practical day to day arrangements with the Government for the operation of the project, and will work in close collaboration with the National Project Director and appropriate local experts. Specifically the consultant will have technical responsibility for the following project activities. He/she will be responsible

1. to organize an introduction seminar on the FAO land-use planning approach as the framework for the project and to create awareness for the specific situation in the country related to land use issues.

2. for taking care of details of the design and logic of the overall land resource information and land use planning system, on the technical basis, using the methodological approach and software developed by FAO.

3. for the training the staff of MAS to collect input data needed to characterize the physical environment (climate, soil, vegetation and present land use).

4. to collect of any additional information required for the crop environment database.

5. to identify and describe the present land use types in the country.

6. to train appropriate staff in the overall methodology for the quantification and evaluation of land use options.

7. for the demonstration of the use of land resources information in land degradation assessment and participatory land use planning.

8. for the preparation and presentation of the results in a national workshops.

9. for the drafting of field manuals for land-use planning staff, according to the project requirements and the demands.

10. for the preparation of the draft of the project Terminal Statement, and brief progress reports on completion of each visit.

11. for the preparation of the final workshop with the presentation of the project results and outputs with the orientation to an improved land use policy for XXX.

12. for the draft of an improved land use policy for XXX in collaboration with appropriate staff of relevant Ministries.

Qualifications:

1. M.Sc. or higher degree in Earth Science or Agronomy.
2. At least 10 years experience in land resource assessment, land evaluation and land use planning (incl. land policy issues) in tropical countries.
3. Experience in project management and leading a multi-disciplinary team.
4. Experience in teaching and training of counterpart staff.
5. Fluency in English.

INTERNATIONAL GIS/DATABASE CONSULTANT

Duration: 1.5 months, two visits

In collaboration with the team leader, National Project Director, and appropriate local experts the consultant will be generally responsible for the smooth operation of hardware and software systems. In particular the consultant will:

1. Install, test, and commission GIS equipment, include computers, peripherals, and software.

2. Install and create appropriate interfaces for the climate, land resources, crop environment requirements, and land use information databases, train local staff in their use, and supervise data entry.

3. Assist in the development of the economic and sociological databases.

4. Train at least three persons in GIS data, storage, analysis and map production.

5. Assist in the development of the land evaluation and land use planning methodology.

6. Take the lead in drafting any user and maintenance manuals that may be necessary.

7. Provide inputs to a land use planning training manual.

8. Ensure the smooth functioning of the overall computerized system and the production of outputs such as maps.

9. Produce a GIS user's short guide for future use and reference.

10. Prepare a GIS database report at the end of the project and progress reports at the end of each mission.

Qualifications:

1. M.Sc. or higher degree in Computer Science or Physical Geography or related environmental Science with specialization in GIS application to natural resources.
2. At least 7 years experience in the use of GIS in the development of computerized spatial land resource databases.
3. A sound knowledge of computer programming and database management systems.
4. Experience in teaching and training of counterpart staff.
5. Fluency in English.

NATIONAL CONSULTANT (Agronomist/Farming Systems)

1. Conduct a study on existing cropping/farming systems in the country, to pinpoint the reasons why they are non-sustainable under present conditions, and to propose alternatives.
2. Definition of the most suitable improved farming systems in the major ecological zones of the country, and check wherever possible the extent to which these would be acceptable to farmers.
3. Training of at least 2 national experts in identification, evaluation, and introduction of alternative sustainable farming systems, laying emphasis on the need to create awareness of the seriousness and practical effects of environmental degradation.
4. Will participate in two workshops and contribute with a paper covering the results of the study.
5. Will prepare written proposals for the final project document.

Duration: 1 month

TCDC EXPERT ON SOIL RESOURCES MAPPING

Duration: 4 months

The expert will work in close collaboration with the International consultants, the National Project Coordinator, the national counterparts and the appropriate local experts and assist the project in the elaboration of soil maps. Specifically the will assist in the following activities:

1. Investigate availability of soil data and maps and make a summary report on existing soil data in the country.

2. Collect and compile the available data, to create a national soil map a small scale, for storage in the GIS.

3. Conduct a training course in all relevant aspects of soil survey in tropical areas, including seminars on cartography, aerial photography interpretation, soil genesis and soilclassification, paying particular attention to the FAO-Unesco-ISRIC Revised Legend.

4. Carry out field work and elaborate with the project soil team a semi-detailed survey of a pilot area at a scale between 1:25,000 and 1:50,000 for storage in the GIS.

5. Train counterparts in the use of the SOTER Soil and Terrain database and the FAO soil database software SDBM.

The consultant will submit a report at the end of each assignment.

Qualifications:

1. M.Sc. or higher degree in Soil Science or Earth or related Science.
2. At least 7 years experience in soil survey and mapping and soil correlation in tropical countries.
3. Knowledge of soil classification methods, particularly the FAO Soil Classification system.
4. Experience in field training of soil survey staff.
5. Fluency in English.

TCDC EXPERT ON PARTICIPATIVE METHODS IN LAND USE PLANNING

Duration: 3 months

The expert will work in close collaboration with the International consultants, the National Project Coordinator, the national counterparts and the appropriate local experts and assist the project in introducing and training of participative methods. Specifically she/he will assist in the following activities:

1. The work will be focused for demonstration purpose on the pilot area which was already identified for the soil survey.

2. Organize a field survey in the pilot area to identify and investigate socio-economic/ traditional conditions that affect present-day land use.

3. Through interaction with farmers and other local people, identify and analyze the reasons for low agricultural productivity in the areas visited, particularly as these relate to attitudes, local needs, constraints, incentives, and local cultural or social factors (esp. gender-issues).

4. Collect information on the influence of land tenure/land allocation (legal aspect) on land use, to decide whether or what kind of legal input is required for the project.

5. Discuss and collate additional relevant information, identify key factors and draft a discussion-paper on reasons for low agricultural productivity for the final workshop.

6. Prepare a draft report including a manual containing survey results, conclusions, and proposals for any following action which is considered necessary.

Qualifications:

1. M.Sc. or higher degree in Earth Science or Agronomy.
2. At least 5 years experience in land resource assessment and rural land use planning in tropical countries.
3. Experience in the use of rapid rural appraisal and participatory land use planning methods.
4. Experience in teaching and training field staff.
5.Fluency in English.

FIRST TECHNICAL BACKSTOPPING (BY FAO LAND RESOURCE/LRIS OFFICER)

Duration: two weeks at the start of the project.

In close collaboration with the National Project Coordinator and other relevant Government officials, the backstopping officer will carry out the following tasks:

1. Identify what facilities, and what hardware and software are available in the country (pre-project), and placing of orders for the additional equipment which will be required, while paying due attention to necessary possibilities or agreements for future maintenance and to compatibility with other systems and databases already existing in the country.

2. Identify data requirements and availability and of counterpart staff, and discuss institutional arrangements with the Ministry of Agriculture.

3. Prepare a work programme for the project.

4. Write a report.

SECOND TECHNICAL BACKSTOPPING (BY FAO LAND USE OFFICER)

Duration: two weeks during the first month of the project.

1. Prepare in close collaboration with the TCDC Expert an introduction training on the role and importance of peoples participation in the integrated approach on land use planning.

2. Select field team with appropriate staff members of relevant ministries or government agencies including the extension service.

3. Conduct the RRA in the pilot area and training of the field team in using the methods.

4. Analyze and interpret collected field data as database and for the presentation in the final workshop at the end of the project.

THIRD TECHNICAL BACKSTOPPING (BY FAO LRIS OFFICER)

Duration: two weeks during the last month of the project

In close collaboration with the team leader, GIS/database consultant, the National Project Director and other local staff, the backstopping officer will perform the following tasks:

1. Review and assess results of the project.

2. Assist in the preparation and execution of the final workshop to present and discuss the results of the project and follow-up activities.

3. Assist in finalizing the training manuals.

4. Prepare a report.

ANNEX 4

Workshop 1: Local level workshop

Duration: 2 days
Participants: 15
Location: Village in the pilot area (to be decided in project month 1)

Workshop 2: National workshop

Duration: 2 days
Participants: 30
Location: YYY

Training on Land Evaluation and Land -Use Planning

Duration: 1 week
Participants: 20
Location: pilot area