(TCP PROJECT EXAMPLE)

Country: XXX

Project Title: Disease-Free Seed Potato Multiplication to Increase and Sustain Food Availability

Project Number: TCP/XXX/....

Starting Date: December 199-

Completion Date: November 200-

Government Ministry responsible for

project execution: Ministry of Agriculture

FAO Contribution: US$357,500

I. PROJECT SUMMARY

(Brief description of the project expectations and outcome.)

II. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION

The Republic of XXX currently faces a serious food crisis. This problem is exacerbated by the scarcity of agricultural inputs, including improved planting materials. International efforts to ameliorate the situation through double cropping of barley and wheat in order to augment cereal production have started showing the impact on increasing food production. In an attempt to further broaden the base of national food security, and under the umbrella of the Special Programme for Food Security in the country, the Government has embraced the strategy of crop intensification and diversification in which potato plays a major role.

In October 199-, the Government declared the "start of a nation-wide potato revolution campaign". Under this policy, new varieties, new production methods and cultivation technology, production of fertilizer, including organic fertilizer, immunization from virus, etc. have been introduced. This thrust is based on the premise that both the natural and geographical conditions of the country as well as the demand of the people would support increased potato production.

Potato production in XXX dates back to the late 19^th century, when it was cultivated on a limited scale. Due to its high yield per unit area (currently estimated at about 20 tons per hectare), the crop fits very well into the strategy of producing more food per unit of land area. Two potato crops are possible annually, one by April, seeding in the major part of the country, and another by July, seeding in selected areas. Virus-free potato cultivation will have a positive impact on food self-sufficiency and diversification that XXX is pursuing. The Government of XXX intends to extend potato cultivation area from its current level of about 50,000 ha to 200,000 ha (150,000 ha in Western plains, and 50,000 ha in the northern mountainous region).

In support of these endeavours, international organizations, and Non Government Organizations (NGOs) are actively involved in the procurement of seed potatoes under the framework of emergency activities. A number of donor agencies brought in seed potatoes during 199-. It is estimated that through all these agencies, a total of 6,000 tons of seed potato was brought into the country to plant about 3,000 ha.

A number of the tubers brought into the country through this massive seed imports have been found to be contaminated with a serious disease causing organisms. For instance, the Plant Quarantine Services of the Ministry of Agriculture of XXX indicated that 8 viruses (A, F, L, M, RY, S, X, Y) out of the 22 kinds of virus and virus-like diseases known to attack potatoes, have now been reported in XXX. Furthermore, many bacterial and fungal diseases in addition to insect pests are now reported to cause heavy losses in the field. In order to prevent that the imports of seed potatoes do not create an even bigger emergency and catastrophe than they are trying to solve, the Government has taken some initial steps. However, the depth and extent of the measures available to the government are not adequate to prevent accidental introduction of these and other virus-caused diseases.

The above situation raises the issues of how to avoid the need for large scale and rushed seed potato imports and emphasizes the need to produce disease-free seed potato within the country. The foreseen strategy is a sustainable, systematic scheme for local seed potato production. This will entail incremental in-country limited generation system of potato seed production starting with disease-free in-vitro plantlets. This could be accomplished through an internationally recognized procedure comprising two major steps:

• the isolation of disease-free tissue and production of disease-free seedlings through tissue culturing procedures;
• the production of microtubers, followed by minitubers, followed by seed potatoes.

In learning from current developments and available knowledge, the Government of XXX recognizes that:

• Introduction of virus-free potato seed will make it possible to plant two crops per year with virus-free potato seed injected into the crop production system through tissue culture on regular basis to prevent disease build-up.
• The tuberlets subsequently produced will be further multiplied into seed potato, which will be distributed to trained potato seed growers for mass propagation to generate enough seed for ware potato growers.
• In order to achieve these objectives, systems for cleaning adapted potato varieties, introduction of improved potato germplasm and tissue culturing will need to be established and nationals (professional staff, technicians as well as farmers) trained in various aspects of the operation.

An outline of such a programme was conceived in the FAO/UNDP proposal document for xxxxxxxxx programme. Consistent with Government policy and needs in the context of sustainable agricultural development and food security, and in view of the fact that the Government of XXX lacks the necessary expertise and facility to address the various problems, it has requested FAO to provide a technical assistance for the development of an efficient programme for the production of virus-free seed potato, including systems for seed potato production.

The project will aim at strengthening government's facilities such as the one in xxx province where due to mild climate, two crops of potato can be produced at a reasonably high yield of 20 ton/ha per crop. This facility is located in the centre of the area targeted for the growing of 150,000 ha of potato and where the aphid population (vector for viruses) is low and peaks only during June when the spring crop has matured, and the main season crop has not been planted yet.

III. OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSISTANCE

The developmental objective is the rehabilitation of potato production for subsistence and commercial purpose through a comprehensive and sustainable system of improved potato seed production by tissue culture.

This long-term objective is to be achieved through:

• the production of virus-free seed potato of superior varieties in order to avoid any disease catastrophe;
• the creation of a model pilot seed potato multiplication programme in XXX; and
• the provision of superior planting material nation-wide, thereby increasing and sustaining potato production in the long run.

IV. PROJECT OUTPUTS (RESULTS)

• A tissue culture facility for potato virus indexing and micro propagation.
• A system for disease-free potato seed multiplication.
• A nucleus stock of disease tolerant, well adapted, high-yielding potato varieties.
• A total of 52 persons (32 technicians and 20 farmers) trained on various aspects of potato micro-propagation and clean tuber seed production.
• Farmers contract growers scheme established for quality potato seed production and storage.
• A farmer-based potato seed multiplication and storage scheme.

V. WORK PLAN

The project activities will cover the following areas, which will be undertaken in collaboration with the national XXX Department. Project activities will be performed according to the following schedules:

Month 1

• Recruitment of a national project coordinator (Government).
• Recruitment of an international tissue culture consultant (FAO).
• First visit of the international tissue culture and seed potato consultant to the field.
• Recruitment of a national tissue culture consultant (FAO).
• Consultations with Government authorities and all potential stakeholders in potato and preparation of a detailed programme of activities (international tissue culture and seed potato experts and national tissue culture consultants).
• Identification of equipment needed to complement those available in XXX for tissue culture activities (international tissue culture and seed potato production and National tissue culture consultants.
• Identification of superior potato cultivars from records of previous crop seasons and initiation of introduction trials/production of improved potato commences (international tissue culture and seed potato production consultant; national tissue culture consultant, and national counterpart staff).
• Development of a comprehensive plan for the establishment of a functional virus diagnostic laboratory and modest but efficient in-vitro plantlets weaning facility, including the recipe of the tissue culture reagents to be used (international tissue culture and seed potato production consultant.
• Initiation of a programme for the production of mother plants of the local potato cultivars, which will be the source of ex-plants and the elaboration of plan and procedures for the micro-propagation activities (international tissue culture and seed potato production consultant; national tissue culture consultant and national counterpart staff).
• Compilation of lists of equipment to be ordered by FAO (international tissue culture and seed potato production consultant).
• Detailed assessment and identification of supplementary equipment required to establish a 500 sq. meter green house for the weaning of in vitro plantlet (international tissue culture and seed potato production consultant).
• Identification of professional staff to be sent on training to the International Potato Centre (CIP), the Liaison Office in YYY, c/o The YYY Academy of Agricultural Sciences, to learn about potato seed production system and potato seed production (international tissue culture and seed potato production consultant, and national project coordinator).
• End of the first mission of the international tissue culture and seed potato production consultant.

Month 2

• Order of equipment begins (FAO).
• Recruitment and first visit of the TCDC potato production and promotion consultant (FAO).
• Identification/introduction of a superior potato cultivar continues (national project coordinator and national tissue culture specialist).
• Recruitment of a national horticulture consultant.
• The national tissue culture consultant completes his first mission.
• "Cleaning" of identified superior potato cultivars commences (TCDC potato production and promotion consultant, and national counterpart staff).
• Production of mother plants of the local potato cultivars, which will be the source of ex-plants (the TCDC potato production and promotion consultant, and the national counterpart staff).
• Development of a programme for the evaluation of local and introduced potato varieties to identify high-yielding and disease-tolerant materials (TCDC potato production and promotion consultant, and national horticulture consultant).
• Departure of two (2) professional staff to YYY, CIP Liaison Office for training in potato seed production (FAO).

Month 3

• Order of equipment completed (FAO).
• Identification/introduction of superior potato cultivar continues and "Cleaning" of identified superior potato cultivars continues (potato production consultant, and national counterpart staff).
• Continuation of activities related to potato variety trials and production of mother plants (sources of ex-plants) for micro-propagation of crops (national horticulture consultant and national staff under the leadership of the national project coordinator).
• End of the first mission of TCDC potato seed production and promotion consultant.

Month 4

• Shipment and clearance of ordered equipment commences.
• Potato field trials and "Cleaning" of identified superior potato cultivars continues (counterpart staff led by the national project coordinator).
• Continuation of activities related to field production of potato to produce mother plants (sources of ex-plants) for micro-propagation of crops (national staff under the leadership of the national project director).

Month 5

• Shipment and clearance of ordered equipment continues.
• Identification of superior potato cultivar from field trials and "Cleaning" of identified superior potato cultivars continues (counterpart staff led by trained fellows).
• Continuation of activities related to field production of potato to produce mother plants (sources of ex-plants) for micro-propagation of crops (counterpart staff led by the national project coordinator and FAO fellows trained in YYY).

Month 6

• Shipment and clearance of ordered equipment continues.
• Identification/introduction of superior potato cultivar continues and "Cleaning" of identified superior potato cultivars continues (counterpart staff led by FAO fellows trained in YYY).
• Excision of tissue from "mother" plant to produce tissue culture plantlet (counterpart staff led by FAO CIP fellows).
• Second visit of the national horticulture consultant.

Month 7

• Second visit of TCDC potato production and promotion consultant (FAO).
• Shipment and clearance of ordered equipment continues.
• Identification/introduction of superior potato cultivar continues and "Cleaning" of identified superior potato cultivars continues (TCDC potato production and promotion consultant and counterpart staff led by trained fellows).
• Weaning of tissue culture plantlets commences (TCDC potato production and promotion consultant and trained counterpart staff).

Month 8

• Shipment and clearance of ordered equipment completed.
• Identification/introduction of superior potato cultivar continues (project consultants and national counterpart staff).
• Weaning of tissue culture plantlets continues (trained counterpart staff).

Month 9

• Second visit of International tissue culture and seed potato production consultant (FAO).
• Installation of equipment procured for tissue culture laboratory (international tissue culture and seed potato production consultant and trained counterpart staff).
• Initiation of tissue culturing procedures and weaning of imported in-vitro plantlets (international tissue culture and seed potato production consultant and counterpart staff).
• Installation of equipment ordered for the in-vitro plantlets "hardening" facility (international tissue culture and seed potato production consultant and counterpart staff, including FAO fellows).
• Identification/introduction of superior potato cultivar continues (project consultants and national counterpart staff).
• Production of microtubers of potato (potato production consultant).

Month 10

• Identification/introduction of superior potato cultivar continues (national counterpart staff).
• Production of microtubers of potato continues (trained national counterpart staff).
• First in-country training for technicians (potato seed production consultant and trained national staff).

Month 11

• Continuation of the identification/introduction of superior potato cultivar continues (trained national counterpart staff).
• Harvest of potato microtubers (trained national counterpart staff).
• Commencement of the production of potato tuberlets (trained national counterpart staff).

Month 12

• Continuation of the identification/introduction of superior potato cultivar continues (trained national counterpart staff).
• Production of potato tuberlets continues (trained national counterpart staff).

Month 13

• Continuation of the identification/introduction of superior potato cultivar continues (trained national counterpart staff).
• Harvest of potato tuberlets begins (trained national counterpart staff).
• Production of seed potato starts (trained national counterpart staff).

Months 14 -15

• Production of seed potato starts (trained national counterpart staff).
• Continuation of potato field trials (trained national counterpart staff).
• Micro propagation of identified superior varieties (trained counterpart staff).

Month 16 - 17

• Harvest of the first cycle of seed potato begins (trained national counterpart staff).
• Preparation for the second national training course to be carried out in month 17 of the project (trained national counterpart staff).

Month 18

• "Cleaning" of crop from the last cycle of harvested potato (trained national counterpart staff).
• Second national training course of the project (trained national counterpart staff).

Months 19 -20

• "Cleaning" of crop from the last cycle of harvested potato (trained national counterpart staff).
• Production of cleaned good "mother" plant for tissue excising for the next cycle of tissue culture plantlet (trained national counterpart staff).
• Production of tissue culture plantlets of improved cultivars of potato (trained national counterpart staff).

Months 21 - 22

• Weaning of tissue culture plantlets of second round of micro-propagation commences (trained national counterpart staff).
• The last national training course for 15 people (trained national counterpart staff).

Months 23 -24

• Production of second cycle of microtubers (trained national counterpart staff).

VI. CAPACITY BUILDING

The project’s aim is to build national capability through training of counterpart staff and joint operations between project consultants and national counterparts. The various activities will provide national experts with the opportunity to be part of the team responsible for the assessment of virus-free seed potato needs, identification of equipment needs, initiation and execution of the processes leading to "virus", micro-propagation and mass propagation of disease-free seed potato cultivars.

VII. INPUTS TO BE PROVIDED BY FAO

International Consultant

• Tissue culture laboratory and potato propagation specialist (team leader - 2 months in 2 missions).

TCDC Consultant

• Potato seed production and promotion (2 months in 2 missions).

National Consultants

• Horticulture specialist (6 months - WAE basis).
• Tissue culture specialist (4 months - WAE basis).

Technical Backstopping

• One officer from AGPS in two five-day missions: one at the beginning and one at the end of the project.
• One officer from AGPC for one five-day mission at the beginning of the project.

Administrative Support:

Secretarial assistance, translators, etc.

Official Travel (up to US$10,000)

Equipment (up to US$150,000)

Two sets of desktop computers and printers, as well as laminar air flow, water filtering apparatus, autoclave and other equipment as per tentative list in Appendix 8.

General Operating Expenses (up to US$17,534)

Direct Operating Expenses (up to US$20,000)

Training (up to US$37,500)

i) National course for technical/extension staff on virus-free potato seed production through tissue culturing

Duration: 5 working days.

Content of training: seed potato production, quality control and certification technology.

Type and number of trainees: 20 professional and technical staff.

Unit cost per trainee: US$100 (US$20/day x 5 days) = US$2,000 for 20 trainees.

Transport + other costs: US$4,200.

Total cost of the training session: US$6,200.

ii) National training course for farmers on potato mini-tubers production

Duration: 2 working days.

Content of training: theoretical and practical training on greenhouse potato minitubers production.

Type and number of trainees: 20 selected farmers to be involved in seed production programme unit cost per trainee: US$100 (US$20/day x 2 days x 20) = US$800 for 20 trainees.

Transport + other costs: US$2,500.

Total cost of the training session: US$3,300.

iii) On-the-job training for technicians in the area of seed potato micro-propagation

Two two-day training sessions on different technical operations during various stages of virus-free seed potato production, involving 10 high ranking national seed staff both from public and private sectors.

Cost US$1,000/session = US$1,000.

Total for two (2) sessions US$2,000.

iv) Over-seas training for professional staff

Two-month over-seas training of two professional staff in the areas of potato seed system development and operation and mass propagation (US$26,000).

VIII. REPORTING

Upon completion of their missions, all consultants will submit technical reports in line with FAO procedures. In addition, the Mission Leader will prepare a draft terminal statement.

In order to give coherence to the project activities and ensure that acceptable project execution standards are met, the responsible AGP officers will assist in the finalization of a detailed work plan, review mission findings of the consultants and finalize the terminal statement after the completion of the project.

IX. GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION AND SUPPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

The Government of XXX will be responsible for:

- The designation of a National Project Coordinator and National Counterparts to participate in the project activities and will assure their full-time involvement throughout the duration of the exercise at no cost to the project.

- Making the necessary information and data concerning agriculture and seed-related issues available.

- Providing secretarial assistance and office space for international and national staff involved in the project.

- The salary of the national coordinator and national counterparts.

- Providing vehicles for international and national staff and FAO officers.

- The provision of equipment not covered by FAO with a view to ensure full and effective utilization of the facilities strengthened by the project.

- administrative arrangements for the clearance of experts with Government and ordered equipment through customs.

 

PROJECT BUDGET COVERING FAO INPUTS

(in U.S. Dollars)

Country: XXX

Project Title: Disease-Free Seed Potato Multiplication to Increase and Sustain Food Availability

Project Number: TCP/XXX/....

APPENDIX 1

TERMS OF REFERENCE

International Consultant - Potato tissue culture laboratory and propagation

(Team Leader)

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Regional Operations Service, the technical guidance of AGPS/AGPC, and direct supervision of the Team Leader, the consultant, in close collaboration with the relevant national counterparts and other consultants, will:

• Consult with Government authorities and all potential stakeholders in potato seed industry and prepare a detailed work plan for systematic virus-free potato seed production.
• Assess the country’s tissue culture facility, revise the lists of equipment and other material inputs provided in the FAO project document with a view to prioritizing those required for both tissue culture laboratories and the in-vitro plantlet green house/acclimatization (weaning) facility and make recommendations on additional equipment and chemical reagents required for potato micro-propagation.
• Make a listing of techniques and media to be used in each step of the seed potato multiplication process (initiation, multiplication, elongation and rooting).
• Evaluate the facilities for the acclimatization (weaning) process of in-vitro potato plantlets and identify additional materials and equipment required.
• Make detailed studies of techniques presently in use for virus indexing and identification, and recommend studies to determine the best procedures.
• Recommend studies on the identification of local potato virus and recommend appropriate procedures for developing sera to test for the viral strains.
• Suggest appropriate adjustments to the tissue culture laboratory to provide a wing to be appropriately equipped for serum production.
• Make necessary contacts with CIP and YYY for over-seas training of six professional staff of the Government to be trained in the areas of seed potato system development (in CIP, YYY) and massive asexual propagation of seed potato also in YYY.
• Install the equipment ordered for potato micro-propagation and the weaning of invert plantlet.
• Prepare manuals on techniques for micro-propagation, virus indexing, and weaning techniques for in-vitro plantlets of potato.
• write a final report containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.

Qualifications: Advanced University degree in horticulture with specialization in the area of molecular biology. A minimum of 10 years of experience in tissue culture propagation and molecular biology work in the area and execution of potato micro-propagation programme. Field experience in developing countries, and ability to work harmoniously with people of different cultural background will be useful. Fluent in English with adequate word processing skills.

Location: Capital of XXX and other sites as required.

Duration: A total of 2 months, split into two visits.

APPENDIX 2

TERMS OF REFERENCE

TCDC Consultant - Potato seed production and promotion

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Regional Operations Service and the technical guidance of AGPS and AGPC, and in close collaboration with the potato tissue culture laboratory and production consultant, concerned national authorities, national experts, the potato seed production and promotion specialist will perform the following tasks:

• Review the present programme for potato seed production and prepare a time course for potato micro-propagation, taking into account the country’s need in planting material.
• Initiation programme to produce mother plants of the local potato cultivars, which will be the source of ex-plants.
• Arrangement for the sanitation of existing improved/adapted cultivars or clones of potato.
• Preparation of a simple but efficient plan and programme for virus-free seed potato production, involving research station, extension station, and contract potato seed producers.
• Prepare manuals on techniques for potato seed multiplication.
• Planning and execution of national training courses for farmers in the areas of seed potato production.
• Carry out training needs assessment for farmers and design in-country training programme/curriculum aimed at building the capacity of farmers in the areas of virus-free seed potato production.

Qualifications: Advanced University degree in Agronomy with specialization in the area of seed technology. At least ten years progressive experience in planning and execution of seed production programme, including potato and sunflower crops, will be required. Field experience in developing countries and ability to work harmoniously with people of different cultural background will be useful. Fluent in English, with adequate word processing skills.

Location: Capital of YYY and other sites as required.

Duration: A total of 2 months, split into two visits.

APPENDIX 3

TERMS OF REFERENCE

National Project Coordinator

The national project coordinator, under the direction of the Government of YYY, in liaison with FAO and in close collaboration with the Mission Leader and the project staff, will:

• Give the necessary assistance for the study and assessment of the existing situation in the potato seed sector (status of agricultural research and plant breeding, variety registration and maintenance, in-country seed potato production and distribution components, including quality control and certification institutions and facilities) and identify the existing problems and constraints.
• Assist with the detailed assessment and identification of supplementary equipment required to establish a multi-purpose tissue culture laboratory and set up a model weaning house for acclimatizing and multiplication of in-vitro plantlets.
• Make arrangements for discussions among the project experts and stakeholders in both the public and private sectors, on a range of options for addressing the problems, defining the priorities, and advising the Government on the rehabilitation of the sectors.
• Development of a comprehensive plan for the establishment of a functional virus diagnostic laboratory and modest but efficient in-vitro plantlets weaning facility (including the recipe of the tissue culture reagents to be used).
• Assist the tissue culture laboratory and potato seed production (Mission Leader) and other international consultants with the formulation of a sound self-sustaining policy with an appropriately regulated strategy for in-country virus-free seed potato production, distribution, and marketing.
• Assist with equipment/materials’ clearance and delivery.
• Facilitate the consultants' introduction to key officials in the relevant Government Ministries and Departments and to key stakeholders in these industries; and make arrangements for local transport, accommodation and services of local interpreters.
• In the absence of international experts, continue with activities related to field production of potato to produce mother plants (sources of ex-plants) for micro-propagation of crops.
• Prepare regular progress reports for submission to the Government of XXX (English translation to be submitted to FAO.
• Carry out any activities required for the success of the project.

Qualifications: Agronomist, with a minimum of 10 years experience in Potato industries. Fairly good in English and word processing skills.

Duration: A total of 24 months.

Duty Station: Capital of XXX and other sites as desired by the project.

APPENDIX 4

TERMS OF REFERENCE

National Consultant - Horticulture

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Regional Operations Service, the technical supervision of the International tissue culture laboratory and potato seed production consultant, and in close collaboration with the TCDC consultant on seed potato production and promotion, the national horticulture expert will perform the following tasks:

• Assist in the assessment of the existing infrastructure and logistics for virus-free seed potato production.
• In the period intervening between the two visits of the seed potato production and promotion consultant, play the lead role in the cultivation and day-to-day care of potential potato mother plants.
• Assist the international experts in identifying potential seed potato growers to be trained in the area of virus-free massive potato seed propagation.
• Assist the international consultant (tissue culture laboratory and potato seed production with the cleaning of the existing/adapted cultivars or clones of potato).
• Facilitate the promotion of suitable potato cultivars and multiplication/production of seed potato.
• Assist the project international experts in the planning and execution of national training courses for farmers in the areas of seed potato production.

Qualifications: Advanced University degree in agronomy. At least five years’ progressive experience in planning and execution of potato seed production programme will be required. Field experience and ability to work harmoniously with people of different cultural background will be useful. Fairly good in English with adequate word processing skills.

Duration: A total of 6 months.

Location: Capital of XXX and other sites as required.

APPENDIX 5

TERMS OF REFERENCE

National Expert - Tissue Culture

Under the supervision of the Team Leader and in close collaboration with the TCDC, the expert will:

• Assist in the assessment of the country’s tissue culture facility for micro-propagation work.
• Provide all necessary information required for the review of the on-going programme for seed potato rapid propagation.
• Assist in the evaluation of the facilities for the acclimatization (weaning) process of in- vitro potato plantlets with a view to identifying additional materials and equipment required.
• Assist in the identification of equipment and personnel training needs in the country to initiate antiserum production.
• Assist in the development of studies on the identification of local potato virus.

Qualifications: a minimum of 5 years experience in tissue culture propagation. Fairly good in the use of English with adequate word processing skills.

Location: Capital of XXX and other sites as required.

Duration: Four months.

APPENDIX 6

TERMS OF REFERENCE

AGPC Technical Backstopping Officer

In close collaboration with the Regional Operations Service, FAO XXX, and the national project coordinator, and in cooperation with international consultant, tissue culture laboratory and potato seed production and TCDC consultant on potato seed production and promotion, the AGPC officer will carry out one mission of one week as detailed below:

- One mission at the beginning of the project to:

• Assist in the detailed development of activities, the finalization of the work plan and definition of responsibilities of parties involved in various aspects of the project implementation.
• Advise on the training (programmes and materials) and the integrated crop management to be adopted for the project.

Technical mission reports will be written for the two missions. Prepare a technical mission report.

Duration: 5 days (excluding travel time).

Duty Station: Capital of XXX and other sites as required.

APPENDIX 7

TERMS OF REFERENCE

AGPS Technical Backstopping Officer

In close collaboration with the Regional Operations Service, FAO XXX, and the national project coordinator and in cooperation with the international consultant, tissue culture laboratory and potato seed production and the TCDC consultant on potato seed production and promotion, the AGPS officer will carry out two missions of one week each as detailed:

- First mission at the beginning of the project to:

• Carry out technical briefing of TCDC consultant (seed potato production and promotion).
• Review the terms of reference of project staff and finalize work plans.
• Define responsibilities of parties involved in the various aspects of project implementation.
• Advise on the development of a potato contract seed growers scheme to be followed in the course of the project.

- Second mission at the end of the project to:

• Evaluate the project achievements and participate in technical discussions with Government officials on the elements to be included in the follow-up project proposal in support of the Special Programme for Food Security in XXX.
• Finalize the terminal statement after the completion of the project.

Technical mission reports will be written for the two missions. Prepare a technical mission report.

Duration: 10 days (excluding travel time).

Duty Station: Capital of XXX and other sites as required.

APPENDIX 8

List of Equipment