(TCP PROJECT EXAMPLE)

I. PROJECT SUMMARY

(Brief description of the project expectations and outcomes.)

II. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION

XXX is a small country but has considerable differences in land conditions. About 30 percent of the population (of about one million) live in the capital where there are pressing problems of land tenure and allocation. There are numerous conflicts over land, particularly in the urban and peri-urban area and where communal dry season grazing and cattle tracks to drinking places are occupied by rice farmers. Consensus in these cases cannot be achieved with present methods, and that provision of improved negotiating and arbitration procedures are required.

Sustainable management of the lowlands (or wetlands) for mangrove wood, coastal protection, rice production, seasonal grazing and oyster and fish production has received some attention, although degradation still occurs. There is less experience of conservation management of the upland for production of groundnuts, food crops, fuel wood and communal grazing. In order to increase agricultural production to support the increasing population, and to diminish land-related conflicts, it is necessary to apply modern concepts and technology to planning and management of land and associated resources. The Government agencies are aware of this and welcome the new approach to land use planning proposed by FAO and UNEP, which is similar to that already partially adopted in XXX but which has suffered from severe constraints in recent years. The Agriculture and Natural Resources Project, intended to provide a reliable basis for planning, was terminated prematurely leaving a serious gap in the basic knowledge required for rational planning.

As in many countries, there has been a lack of coordination among the large number of Ministries, Departments and Agencies involved in the various aspects of land use and management. Recently this problem has been addressed by the formation of the National Environment Protection Agency (NEPA) which reports directly to the Office of the Head of State. Most of the agencies concerned with land management are satisfied that the National Environmental Protection Agency will in time be able to achieve coordination among the agencies, and that they will be able to use its (national) GIS when it becomes operational. However budgetary provision for interdepartmental cooperation is not specifically provided, so it is necessary to bring the agencies together (in a workshop) to work out appropriate strategies and plan future activities.

The uncertainties surrounding land allocation, and the resulting insecurity land tenure, is a hindrance to prompt action and to any large investment in land development. An important part of reducing this insecurity will be to reform the legal framework to ensure better integration between (a) State Land Law and (b) the Customary Tenure Systems that continue to define land relations in many parts of the country.

A major aspect of the new FAO-UNEP approach to land use planning is the involvement of male and female farmers and other land users from the early stages of planning, so that they regard the plans as their own and are enthusiastic about their implementation. All the agencies with responsibility for land management have agreed on the need to encourage such stakeholder participation. However experience in bringing modern methods of land management planning to the farmers and their representatives and village authorities is limited, so training in participatory land use planning is needed.

Four major constraints to implementation of this new FAO-UNEP approach in land use planning have been identified as follows:

The Government has, therefore, requested FAO/TCP assistance in this request.

III. OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSISTANCE

The objective is to strengthen the capacity of the Government to apply modern concepts of land use planning and management to increase agricultural production, achieve food security, reduce conflicts related to land, facilitate investment, preserve natural resources, and contribute to enhanced prosperity.

IV. PROJECT OUTPUTS (RESULTS)

V. WORK PLAN (timetable in Annex 1)

The following activities will be implemented: PROJECT MONTH

VI. CAPACITY BUILDING

The main objective of the project is to enable the Government to apply modern concepts of land use planning and management in order to increase rural agricultural production. Therefore, several training courses on methodological, technical as well as sociological aspects essential in land-use planning are foreseen to train the staff of relevant governmental and non-governmental agencies.

As one project output is to have trained a core group of extension staff, male and female farmers and farmers’ representatives (male and female) as well as village and district land authorities who would form a nucleus for continued expansion of new methods after the termination of the project.

VII. INPUTS TO BE PROVIDED BY FAO

Personnel

International experts (TORs in Annex 2)

- International expert in land use planning (3 months, 2 visits).

- International expert in land law (1 month, 2 visits).

Consultants under TCDC arrangements (TORs in Annex 2)

- GIS Expert (1 month)

- Land-use information expert (1 month)

- Expert on participatory rural development (3 months, 2 visits)

National consultant (TORs in Annex 2)

- Land Law (3 months)

- Farming Systems Specialist (1 months)

Technical backstopping (TORs in Annex 2)

- One week in country

Official travel (up to US$16 000)

General operating expenses (Up to US$15 242)

- Costs of local publication of project reports and other printed outputs

- Miscellaneous expenses

Equipment (Up to US$60 000) - list in Annex 3

Material and supplies (up to US$10 000) - list in Annex 3

Training/workshops (Up to US$40 000) - breakdown in Annex 4.

VIII. REPORTING

Brief progress reports will be made every six months beginning with an initiation report in the first month. A final report will be submitted to FAO for the Government in the last month of the project. These reports will be prepared by the Project Coordinator with assistance from the consultants. Consultants will prepare technical reports at the end of their consultancies. In accordance with TCP procedures, the relevant division at FAO Headquarters will prepare a Terminal Statement for submission to the Government.

IX. GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION AND SUPPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

The Government will provide the services of an appropriate official as Project Coordinator and will provide other full-time staff to work with the international staff so that the activities constituted by the project are in every sense a government programme assisted by FAO. The government will also provide the office space and equipment required by the staff of the TCP project and for workshops and training periods.

The Government will provide internal transport to local and international staff working on the project to enable them to efficiently carry on the activities required of them in a timely manner.

All publications, maps and computer data required by the project will be made available without delay.

PROJECT BUDGET COVERING FAO INPUTS

(U.S. Dollars)

* Including $1 500 for reporting and evaluation.

Schematic representation of project activities. Annex 1

Annex 2

TERMS OF REFERENCE

National Project Coordinator (to be provided by the Government at no costs to the project)

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 within the NEPA. Specifically he or she will:

• 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 which is essential for project success.
• 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.
• Assist in development of the GIS system, and the land law and customary land tenure study, and monitor implementation of these activities, providing assistance if and when required.
• 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.
• Provide inputs and editing for project reports and technical documents as mutually agreed during project implementation.
• 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.

International Team Leader and Land Use Planning Expert

In close collaboration with the National Project Coordinator and other members of the project team, and in consultation with the FAO Representative in the country, the International Team Leader and Land Use Planning Expert will be responsible for the following:

• Be responsible to FAO for the successful execution of the project in so far as its activities are controlled by him or her, both from the conceptual and the practical points of view.
• Advise and assist other members of the implementation team, coordinating their inputs and timetables.
• Take major responsibility on behalf of FAO for developing the programme for the national workshop, and for its implementation, providing significant personal inputs.
• Support the expert in participatory rural development in undertaking 4 to 5 Rapid Rural Appraisals in different villages on customary land tenure and land use followed by preparing and implementing the workshop on mechanisms for participatory management of local resources, and provide personal inputs.
• Coordinate and activate the national GIS system.
• Assist in identification and hiring of local consultants as required.
• Draft, edit, provide inputs to and take major responsibility for technical aspects of the reports and publications to be produced by the project.
• Assist the National Project Coordinator to prepare the project terminal report according to TCP procedures.
• Prepare a short factual report on activities and recommendations at the end of each visit to the country.

Essential qualifications: University degree in natural science, agriculture, or related subject and at least seven years of practical experience in developing countries. Previous experience in the implementation of FAO projects as well as in land use planning would be an advantage.

Duration: 3 months, 2 visits

International Expert on Land Law

Will be responsible for the following, in collaboration with the International Team Leader, National Project Coordinator, and competent local officials:

• Drafting terms for, and advising on implementation of the study and report on the legal framework (statutory and customary) governing land allocation, land tenure and land use in XXX.
• Advise and provide methodological and substantive guidance, based on comparative experience, to the local consultant/contractor.
• In consultation with local consultant/contractor and government authorities, make appropriate recommendations for changes to the legal framework based on findings of the study and on other relevant findings of the project.
• Final editing of the final report and recommendations of the study.
• Prepare a short factual report on activities and recommendations at the end of each visit to the country.

Essential qualifications: University degree in law and experience of evaluating statutory and customary law, covering land tenure and land use.

Duration: 1 month, 2 visits

GIS Expert (TCDC)

In collaboration with the International Team Leader and National Project Coordinator the GIS expert will:

• Assist in installation and commissioning of equipment purchased under the project, and any other equipment necessary for the achievement of project objectives.
• Provide on the job or semi-formal training to government staff as required in setting up, operating, and maintaining the GIS system.
• Provide inputs to one or both of the project workshops as required.
• Provide inputs to reports and other written outputs as required.
• Prepare a short factual report on activities and recommendations at the end of each visit to the country.

Essential qualifications: Wide practical knowledge of computer related systems and GIS. It would be an advantage to also have experience of digitized map production.

Duration: 1 month

Land-use information expert (TCDC)

The individual or institution concerned will be responsible for the preparation and input of the land use maps and other relevant geo-referenced land data into the GIS. Among other things this will include the following:

• Collection and checking of existing land and land use data in whatever form it is available.
• Discussion and agreement on an appropriate classification system and legend.
• Bringing the land use and relevant land data for land use planning into digitized form (either by digitizing or scanning of hard copy maps).
• Production and checking of final digital databases.

The maps should initially be brought into digitized form on a GIS system so that they can be modified and brought up to date as required.

Essential qualifications: Diploma in Agronomy or related science. Wide and practical knowledge of farming systems approach particularly in West Africa.

Duration: 1 month

Expert on Participatory Rural Development (TCDC)

In collaboration with the International Team Leader, National Project Coordinator and other members of the project, the Expert on Participatory Rural Development will:

• Undertake Rapid Rural Appraisals in 4 to 5 villages on customary land tenure and land use.
• Organize and provide inputs to the workshop to discuss local level land tenure and land use planning and management mechanisms to be organized by the project.
• Be responsible for collating, drafting and editing the outputs and recommendations of this workshop.
• Provide inputs and advice to the national level workshop designed to develop an institutional structure for sustainable natural resources development.
• Provide other advice and inputs as may be appropriate.
• Prepare a short factual report on activities and recommendations at the end of each visit to the country.

Essential qualifications: University degree in sociology or related subject and at least five years of field experience, preferably in Africa, including experience in using participatory approaches.

Duration: 3 months, 2 visits

National Land Law Consultant

Under the supervision of FAO’s Development Law Service and in collaboration with the International Land Law expert, with whom a detailed work plan will be prepared and agreed upon, the consultant will:

• Make an annotated list and comprehensive study of previous work on laws and customary practices concerning land allocation, land tenure and land use.

• Prepare a study of the existing legal framework and the principal customary practices governing land allocation, land tenure and land use in XXX. The study should, inter alia, focus on (a) the relationship between statutory and customary systems, highlighting important areas of tension and incompatibility between the two systems, types and significance of land conflicts, and identifying opportunities for better integration with the objective of improving security and equity in land access and use; (b) legal obstacles, if any, that might interfere with the development of a modern land information system in the country; and (c) legal constraints to improving stakeholder participation in the land use planning process.

• Participation in Rapid Rural Appraisals exercise with other team members and draw up the results of those exercises in concluding the study.

• In consultation with Government authorities, make appropriate recommendations for changes to the legal framework based on the findings of the study and on other relevant findings of the project.

• Prepare a technical report, setting forth the principal findings of the study and recommendations, including an executive summary.

Essential qualifications: University degree in law and expertise in land law; ability to converse in and write good English.

Duration: 3 months

National Consultant (Agronomist/Farming Systems)

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Will participate in two workshops and contribute a paper covering the results of the study.
• Will prepare written proposals for the final project document.

Essential Qualifications: University degree in Agroeconomics with at least five years experience in farming systems approach.

Duration: 1 month

Technical Backstopping

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

• Participate as a FAO resource person in the national workshop. Present a paper on FAO’s methodology of land use planning and animate discussion.
• Assist in the preparation and editing of all proceedings of the various workshop.
• Supervise and clear technically all technical reports produced during the lifetime of the project.
• In collaboration with project team assist in the elaboration of a document including activities and a work plan for follow up.
• Review and assess project results in the form of a substantive report which focuses on the strength and weaknesses of the new land use planning approach applied.
• Prepare secondment report and back-to-office reports as required.
• Assist in technical briefing, task force meetings and other duties related to the project as necessary.

Annex 3

EQUIPMENT LIST

Personal Computer

Total 4 units of Personal Computer

2 Units of Laptop Machines

Printers, Plotters and Digitizer

(one year warranty with parts and service)

Software:

(All quoted software must be of latest version)

GIS Software

u PC ARC/INFO, 2 users

u PC ARC/VIEW, 2 users

u IDRISI, 2 users

Dbase (PC): Quantity - 2

Microsoft Office Professional: Quantity - 4

Correl Draw: Quantity - 1

SPSS (PC) including all module: Quantity - 1

Visual C++: Quantity - 1

ALES: Automated Land Evaluation (from Cornell University, Ithaca , N.Y.)

Miscellaneous Items (Supplies):

• Ethernet cables and connectors
• One 16 port Hub
• Toolkit including a multimeter
• Computer vacuum cleaner
• LAN meter
• Backup facility (for pc)
• Computer tables/desks plus chairs (quantity-12)
• CD/Disk storage cabinet.

Annex 4

Details of Training Costs

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: Capital

TOTAL = US$20 000

Training on Land Evaluation and Land - Use Planning

Duration: 1 week

Participants: 20

Location: Capital / pilot area

TOTAL = US$20 000