(TCP PROJECT EXAMPLE)

I. PROJECT SUMMARY
(Brief description of the project expectations and outcome)

II. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION

General Introduction and Importance of Agriculture
Country X has a population of some _____ million people and a land area of _____million square kilometers. Over _____% of the land area is classified as agricultural land of which _____% is pastureland, _____% arable and _____% meadowlands. The agriculture sector accounts for some _____% of Gross Domestic Product (year) and is the main means of livelihood for the rural population, estimated at some _____% of the total population.

Description of the Agricultural Sector
At the time of Independence, the agricultural sector comprised some 2,120 state farms.
Since Independence, a rapid process of privatization has taken place and these large-scale agricultural enterprises have now been mostly allocated (leased for 99 years) among their workers, or among those citizens interested in starting their private farm business. The end result is that in ____ there were estimated to be more than 87,000 peasant farms and 4,200 agricultural cooperatives and partnerships and only 53 state owned farms. Compared with the situation under the former administration, there is, therefore, a significant change in the structure of the land users and agricultural producers in the country. To identify correctly these changes and to assist the Government with shaping its new agricultural policy, reliable and complete information on the current structure of the agricultural sector is urgently needed.

Previous Censuses and Statistical Organization
X has already undertaken a Population Census in ___. The Project was carried out with the strong support of the UN Population Division and under the technical assistance scheme the National Statistics Office received significant support to build up/improve its computing facilities both at the central computing center and in 4 regional centers. The experience of the population census will be very valuable in planning for the agricultural census. Much of the equipment and facilities provided for the population census can be used for the agricultural census.

Existing Preparations and Funding Arrangements for the Agricultural Census
Recognizing the need for up-to-date information on the structure of the agricultural sector, the Government issued a decree on _____ to conduct the First National Agriculture Census in ____. According to this decree the National Statistics Office is fully responsible for the census organization, data collection, processing, tabulation and dissemination. Under the same decree, the Ministry of Finance was instructed to include the cost of the Agricultural Census into the state budget for the years ________ amounting to some US$7.5 million in three installments (___- US$2 million, ___ - US$3 million and ___ - US$2.5 million).

The Government of X has already implemented a broad range of measures creating a good environment for the successful undertaking of the First National Agricultural Census. The legislation adopted tentatively approved budgeting and active work of the National Agricultural Census Working Group should be particularly mentioned as should the Government Resolution No. 830 which defines the responsibilities of statistical offices, local administration bodies and other organizations in carrying out the Census.
However, the Government and its National Statistics Office responsible for the Agricultural Census is concerned about the lack of skills and experience with the following technical matters related to the preparations for the agricultural census:

- the full harmonization of the agricultural census methodology with the internationally recommended concepts and definitions;
- the need for training of the census managers and supervisors;
- the organization and implementation of the pilot census to test the census instruments;
- the strategy for the data processing and dissemination.

Given that this is the first time since Independence that a national agricultural census will be implemented in X, the Government is requesting FAO assistance with the preparations for the Agricultural Census, through the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP).

III. OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSISTANCE

The long-term development objective of the project is to establish a flow of reliable and timely data and information on food, agriculture and livestock in support of the national agricultural development strategy and for the effective planning and monitoring of the agriculture sector and for food security planning.

The immediate objective of the assistance is to support the preparations for the Agricultural Census to ensure it is methodologically sound and in line with FAO recommendations for the Programme for the World Census of Agriculture of (year).

IV. PROJECT OUTPUTS (RESULTS)

By the end of the project the following outputs will have been achieved:

- census data requirements and priorities determined;
- a report on the methodology to be used for the agricultural census and census instruments prepared, tested and finalized (questionnaires, manuals and tabulation plan);
- a system for the processing and storage of the census data;
- a training program and training materials and a cadre of trained staff capable of training supervisors and enumerators; and
- a detailed plan for the implementation of the census and a proposal for external assistance to support the conduct of the census (if required).

V. WORK PLAN

The following major project activities will be undertaken to achieve the expected outputs during the project's lifetime of fifteen months.

Output 1: Census data requirements and priorities determined

1. Review existing data available on the agricultural sector;
2. Discuss with major data users, data availability and perceived current and future data needs and priorities paying particular attention to food security, environmental and gender issues;
3. Organize a workshop with the main data users and producers to determine the scope of the Agricultural Census.

Output 2: A report on the methodology to be used for the Agricultural Census and census instruments prepared, tested and finalized (questionnaires, manuals and tabulation plan)

1. Review the methodology proposed for the Agricultural Census to ensure its consistency with international recommendations;
2. Advise on the scope and coverage of the Census and the advantages/disadvantages of full or sample enumeration;
3. Examine the material available for developing the census frame (cartographic materials and village/household lists);
4. Review the census questionnaires and manuals and suggest improvements in-line with the recommended methodology;
5. Prepare a draft tabulation plan for discussion and review.
6. Conduct pre-tests and a pilot survey to test the census design and instruments
7. Finalize the census plan and census instruments.

Output 3: A system for the processing and storage of the census data

1. Review the arrangements for processing the census data, taking into account the experiences of previous censuses and large scale surveys;
2. Develop a system for processing the agricultural census data;
3. Estimate the volume of census data to be processed and tabulated;
4. Identify the necessary staff inputs, equipment and software requirements;
5. Test the data processing system, finalize and document;
6. Make recommendations for an appropriate database system to provide easy user access to the final data set.

Output 4: A training program and training materials and a cadre of trained staff capable of training supervisors and enumerators

1. Prepare a national training program to ensure adequate training for the field team.
2. Prepare training manuals and materials to ensure the training is carried out to a high standard and in a consistent manner.
3. Train senior field officers to create a cadre of trainers.

Output 5: A detailed plan for the implementation of the census and a proposal for external assistance to support the conduct of the census (if required)

1. Make a detailed assessment of the resource requirements for the Census;
2. Prepare a detailed plan for the implementation of the Census;
3. Prepare a proposal for external assistance to support the conduct of the census (if required).

VI. CAPACITY BUILDING

National capacity building is a particular feature of this project. A series of training activities are planned to create a cadre of senior staff capable of training the census field teams (training of trainers) and to support these personnel with their training of supervisors and enumerators at the regional level. Training will also be provided for personnel responsible for the processing of the census data at the national and regional levels.

An overseas study tour is also planned to enable key national staff to study all aspects of agricultural census planning, design and implementation in countries that have recently conducted an agricultural census.

VII. INPUTS TO BE PROVIDED BY FAO

Personnel Services (see TORs in Annex I)
- International Expert (to be recruited under the FAO Partnership Programmes) Specializing in Agricultural Census Planning, Design and Methodology (4 p/m in 3 missions)
- International Expert (to be recruited under the FAO Partnership Programmes) Specializing in Agricultural Census /Survey Data Processing (3 p/m in 3 missions)
- International Expert (to be recruited under the FAO Partnership Programmes) Specializing in Statistical Field Operations and Training (2 p/m in 2 missions)
- National Consultant in Agricultural Census/Survey Methodology (4 p/m in 2 assignments)
- National Consultant in Statistical Data Processing (6 p/m in one assignment)
- National Consultant in Field Operations and Training (3 p/m in one assignment)
- FAO Advisory Technical Services in Agricultural Census Methodology (5 p/w in 2 missions)
- FAO Field Mission (one week)

Official Travel: (up to US$ _____)
For in-country travel for project staff.

General Operating Expenses:
(up to US$ _____ including US$1,000 for the production of the Terminal Statement) - To cover all miscellaneous expenses.

Materials and supplies: (US$ _____)
To cover materials and supplies for training and for testing the census methodology (pilot census).

Equipment: (US$ _____)
- 3 High capacity personal computers (PCs) - Minimum specifications Pentium IV, 1.4 Ghz CPU; 256Mb RAM; 20Gb Hard Disc; CD-ROM Read/Write drive; FDD; 17" Monitor, Keyboard; (US$_____)
- 4 Laser printers (US$ _____)
- 4 Uninterruptable Power Supplies (UPS) (US$ _____)
- Software (US$ _____)
- 1 plain paper copier (heavy duty) (US$ _____)

Direct Operating Costs: (US$ _____)

Training: (US$ _____)

- One two-week overseas study tour to two countries that have recently conducted an agricultural census (one week in each country) for two persons to study all aspects of agricultural census planning, design and implementation.
- Two-day workshop for data users and producers to identify priority data to be collected in the agricultural census (30 participants).
- Training of trainers (50 participants) - in-country training for central (18 staff) and regional offices (32 staff) for two weeks.
- Assistance with training of the national staff at central and regional levels on data entry, data processing and dissemination.

VIII. REPORTING

Reports will be prepared by the International and National Consultants and Experts at the end of each mission. Such Consultants and Experts will also prepare the documents as specified in their respective TORs. FAO Staff members will prepare back-to-office reports at the end of each mission, as well as the technical documents specified in their TORs.

The draft Terminal Statement will be prepared by the International Expert Specializing in Agricultural Census Planning, Design and Methodology with contributions from the other Consultants/Experts, as required.

IX. GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION AND SUPPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

The project will be based in the National Statistical Office and will be carried out in close cooperation with other Government Institutions and Agencies concerned with agricultural statistics.

The Government will nominate a National Project Coordinator who will work full-time for the project. The Government will further make available to the project the necessary counterpart and support staff, including field staff, to ensure the smooth implementation of the project.

The Government will make available suitable office space for staff and consultants and facilitate in-country travel of consultants and project staff. The Government will provide necessary facilities and equipment for the training components of the project.

Where necessary, the Government will provide translation and interpretation facilities.

PROJECT BUDGET COVERING FAO INPUTS
(in US$)

Country:

Project Title: Preparation for the Agricultural Census

Project Number: TCP/XXX/_____

1200 FAO Advisory Technical Services (2) (5 p/w in 2 missions)
1700 National Consultants (3) (13 p/m in 4 assignments)
1800 International Expertise under FAO Partnership Programme (3)
(9 p/m in 8 missions)
1900 Supervisory Technical Services

1910 Standard Supervisory Technical Services
1920 Supervisory Functions of LTU
1930 Field Missions by Technical Officers
1950 Thematic Evaluation

Personnel

2000 Official Travel
4000 General Operating Expenses
5000 Materials and Supplies
6000 Equipment
7000 Direct Operating Cost
8000 Training

TOTAL

Annex 1

TERMS OF REFERENCE

International Expert Specializing in Agricultural Census Planning, Design and Methodology

Under the general supervision of the (FAO to insert), and the technical direction of the Statistics Division (ESS), the International Expert will assist the National Statistics Office with the planning, design and methodology for the Agricultural Census. The assistance will be provided in three missions up to a total of four months in duration. Specifically, the Expert will:

First mission (6 weeks)
- review the plans and documentation for the agricultural census;
- discuss with major data users, data availability and perceived current and future data needs and participate in a two-day workshop on this subject;
- summarize the main data requirements for the Census;
- examine the material available for developing a list frame of rural households (cartographic material and household lists);
- develop and document an appropriate methodology for the Census taking into account the advantages/disadvantages of sampling;
- develop the census questionnaires and manuals prior to pre-testing;
- prepare the draft tabulation plan;
- make a detailed assessment of the staff and equipment requirements for the census;
- assist the Government with the estimation of the local cost component for the Census;
- prepare a draft project document for the main Census including resource requirements, training needs, budget and work plan;
- provide on-the-job training as required;
- prepare a mission report with an account of the work done, findings, conclusions and recommendations for follow-up as well as an updated project work plan.

Second mission (4 weeks)
- Review work carried out since the previous mission;
- modify the census instruments and the census plan in the light of the pre-test exercise;
- review the training program and training materials;
- assist with the training of trainers;
- monitor the pilot census field work;
- advice on the manual processing of the completed questionnaires and the computer edit checks;
- update the draft project documents as needed;
- prepare a mission report summarizing the work done, findings, conclusions and recommendations for follow-up as well as an updated project work plan.

Third mission (6 weeks)
- Review work carried out since the previous mission;
- review the results and experience of the pilot census and the tabulations produced;
- modify and finalize the census plan, the census instruments and the tabulation plan;
- review the training program and make suggestions for improvements;
- prepare a first draft of the Terminal Statement according to the established format;
- prepare a mission report summarizing the work done, findings, conclusions and recommendations for follow-up.

Qualifications:
University degree in statistics or economics with specialization in statistics and at least 10 years of experience in the design and conduct of agricultural censuses and surveys. In-depth knowledge of the FAO Programme for the World Census of Agriculture 2000 (WCA2000). Experience in training staff in different aspects of agricultural census taking. Ability to communicate and write effectively in English. Knowledge of (local language) desirable.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

International Expert Specializing in Agricultural Census/Survey Data Processing

Under the general supervision of the (FAO to insert), and the technical direction of the Statistics Division (ESS), the International Expert will assist the National Statistics Office with the planning and design of the data processing system for the Agricultural Census. The assistance will be provided in three missions up to a total of three months in duration. Specifically, the Expert will:

First mission (one month)
- Review the data processing and database system used for statistical processing systems currently in use;
- taking into account the sampling scheme proposed, develop a plan for a suitable and practical system for processing and storing the census data, to the extent possible, making use of commonly available software;
- estimate the volume of census data to be processed and tabulated;
- identify the necessary equipment and software requirements;
- identify the staff inputs required;
- provide guidance to the national consultant in statistical data processing;
- provide on-the-job training, as required;
- prepare a mission report with an account of the work done, findings, conclusions and recommendations for follow-up.

Second mission (one month)
- Review progress since the first mission:
- review the system design and the supporting documentation and suggest improvements;
- test the data processing entry and editing system with data from the pilot survey;
- provide guidance to the national consultant in statistical data processing;
- provide on-the-job training, as required;
- prepare a mission report with an account of the work done, findings, conclusions and recommendations for follow-up.

Third mission (one month)
- Review progress since the first mission:
- review the system design and the supporting documentation and suggest improvements;
- if the census includes an element of sampling, ensure that the expansion factors are properly applied and the sampling errors properly calculated;
- test the data tabulation system and ensure a full set of draft tabulations is produced from the pilot census data;
- provide guidance to the national consultant in statistical data processing;
- provide on-the-job training, as required;
- prepare a contribution to the draft Terminal Statement covering the data processing component of the project;
- prepare a mission report with an account of the work done, findings, conclusions and recommendations for follow-up.

Qualifications:
University degree in computer science or statistics. At least ten years experience of statistical data processing and management. Experience of processing large statistical surveys/censuses using micro-computer systems and related software packages. Ability to communicate and write effectively in English. Knowledge of (local language) desirable.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

International Expert Specializing in Statistical Field Operations and Training

Under the general supervision of the (FAO to insert), and the technical direction of the Statistics Division (ESS), the International Expert will assist the National Statistics Office with the planning of the census field operations and the training of trainers for the Agricultural Census. The assistance will be provided in two missions up to a total of two months in duration. Specifically, the Expert will:

First mission (one month)
- Review the plans to conduct the census and the field organization;
- prepare a detailed training programme and training materials;
- assist with the training of trainers for the pilot census;
- prepare a mission report summarizing the work done, findings, conclusions and recommendations for follow-up.

Second mission (one month)
- Review activities carried out since the previous mission;
- review the results and experience of the pilot census as they affect the training programme;
- review the training programme and make improvements, as necessary;
- provide further training to trainers in areas found to be below standard;
- prepare a contribution to the draft of the Terminal Statement as it relates to the training activities of the project;
- prepare a mission report summarizing the work done, findings, conclusions and recommendations for follow-up.

Qualifications:
University degree in statistics or economics with specialization in statistics and at least 5 years of experience in the operational aspects of the conduct of agricultural censuses and surveys. Experience in training staff in different aspects of agricultural survey/census taking. Ability to communicate and write effectively in English. Knowledge of (local language) desirable.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

National Consultant in Agricultural Census/Survey Methodology

Under the general supervision of the (FAO to insert), and the technical direction of the Statistics Division (ESS), and working closely with the International and National Consultants and Experts assigned to the project, the National Consultant in Agricultural Census/Survey Methodology will assist the National Statistics Office with the design of the agricultural census and the preparation and testing of the census instruments. The duration of the assignment will be four months in two assignments. Specifically, the National Consultant will:

First assignment (2 months)
- discuss with major data users, data availability and perceived current and future data needs and organize and participate in a two-day workshop on this subject;
- summarize the main data requirements for the Census;
- examine the material available for developing a list frame of rural households (cartographic material and household lists);
- assist to develop and document an appropriate methodology for the Census taking into account the advantages/disadvantages of sampling;
- further review the census questionnaires and manuals prior to pre-testing;
- further review the tabulation plan;
- assist with the assessment of the staff and equipment requirements for the census;
- assist the Government with the estimation of the local cost component for the Census;
- assist with the preparation of a draft project document for the main Census including resource requirements, training needs, budget and work plan;
- provide on-the-job training as required;
- prepare an end-of-assignment report with an account of the work done, findings, conclusions and recommendations for follow-up as well as an updated project work plan.

Second assignment (2 months)
- Review work carried out since the previous assignment;
- assist with the training of trainers who will participate in the pilot census;
- participate in the pre-testing of the census instruments and the pilot census;
- assist with defining the checking, coding and editing instructions for the manual processing of the questionnaires;
- assist with defining the edit checks for the computer processing;
- review the data processing output and the draft tabulations from the pilot census;
- modify the census instruments and the census plan in the light of the pre-test exercise;
- prepare an end-of-assignment report summarizing the work done, findings, conclusions and recommendations for follow-up.

Qualifications:
University degree in statistics or economics with specialization in statistics and at least 3 years of experience in the design of agricultural censuses and/or surveys. Ability to communicate and write effectively in English.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

National Consultant in Field Operations and Training

Under the general supervision of the (FAO to insert), and the technical direction of the Statistics Division (ESS), and working closely with the International and National Consultants and Experts assigned to the project, the National Consultant in Field Operations and Training will assist the National Statistics Office with the planning of the census field operations and the training of trainers for the Agricultural Census. The duration of the assignment will be three months.

Specifically, the National Consultant will:

- Review the plans to conduct the census and the arrangements for the field organization;
- assist with the preparation of a detailed training program and training materials;
- assist with the training of trainers for the pilot census;
- assist with the coordination, monitoring and supervision of the pilot census field work;
- review the results and experience of the pilot census as they affect the training program and make improvements to this program, as necessary;
- provide further training to trainers in areas found to be below standard;
- prepare an end-of-assignment report summarizing the work done, findings, conclusions and recommendations for follow-up.

Qualifications:
University degree in statistics or economics with specialization in statistics and at least 3 years of experience in the operational aspects of the conduct of censuses and/or agricultural surveys. Experience in training staff in data collection techniques. Ability to communicate and write effectively in English.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

National Consultant in Statistical Data Processing

Under the general supervision of the (FAO to insert), and the technical direction of the Statistics Division (ESS), and working closely with the International and National Consultants and Experts assigned to the project, the National Consultant in Statistical Data Processing will assist the National Statistics Office to develop a data processing capacity for processing the data to be collected in the Agricultural Census. The assistance will be provided in one assignment of six months.

Specifically, the National Consultant will assist with:

- reviewing the data processing systems currently in use in the National Statistics Office;
- preparing a plan to process the agricultural census data taking into account any needs to decentralize aspects of the data processing system;
- estimating the resource and equipment requirements for processing the agricultural census data;
- designing a suitable data processing system to process the agricultural census data;
- testing the system using data collected in the pilot survey and generating a full set of draft tabulations;
- training of staff in data processing techniques and applications;
- preparation of an end-of-assignment report summarizing the main findings, conclusions and recommendations.

Qualifications:
University degree in computer science or statistics. At least three years experience of statistical data processing and management. Experience of processing statistical surveys using micro-computer systems and related software packages. Ability to communicate and write effectively in English.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

FAO Advisory Technical Services in Agricultural Census Methodology

The FAO Statistician, Statistical Development Service, ESSS, will assist the National Statistics Office to develop an appropriate methodology for the Agricultural Census, in line with FAO's recommendation for the Programme for the World Census of Agriculture 2000 (WCA 2000), and ensure the census is properly supplied with resources. The input will comprise two missions to a total of five weeks including two weeks' deskwork at HQ.

Specifically the FAO staff member will:

First mission (1 week at Headquarters plus one week in-country)
- Review the plans for the Agricultural Census in X and the methodology proposed;
- review the census instruments (questionnaires and manuals) and advice on their consistency with the WCA 2000 and suggest improvements, as necessary;
- review the methodology used for other large-scale statistical exercises in X (Population Census, etc.) and advise on the most appropriate methodology to be used for the Agricultural Census (year);
- prepare a back-to-office report presenting the findings, results, conclusions and recommendations for follow-up.

Second mission (2 weeks in country plus one week at Headquarters for project formulation)
- Review developments since the first mission;
- review the results of the pilot census and suggest improvements to the census instruments, as necessary;
- review the tabulation programme and advise on a dissemination plan;
- review each of the components of the census plan (budget, staffing, data processing; training; etc.) and identify any shortfall between the requirements and the availability of resources;
- prepare a back-to-office report presenting the findings, results, conclusions and recommendations for follow-up.
- review the budgetary plans for the census and formulate a project proposal for external funding for submission to the donor community, if required; and
- prepare a back-to-office report presenting the findings, results, conclusions and recommendations for follow-up.