Reporting Officer



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BACK-TO-OFFICE REPORT


REGIONAL OFFICE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

Reporting Officer: Gamini Keerthisinghe, Senior Plant Production Officer
Country Visited and Dates: Pakistan, 19 – 27 August 2006
Purpose of Visit: To undertake a mission to backstop the project on “Food Security/Poverty Alleviation in Arid Agriculture Balochistan - Pilot Project Phase” (GCP/PAK/095/USA).
Program Entity/Project: GCP/PAK/095/USA
Date of Report: 31 August 2005
Executive Summary:
An STS mission to Islamabad and Quetta, Pakistan was undertaken from 19-27 August 2006 to assist the FAOR and the project staff to review the progress of the project in accordance with its objectives and plan future activities. Field visits were made to project sites at Kardigap, Sadiq Abad, Kandawa and Ghous Abad in Mastung district. Met with members of Community Organizations (COs) and discussed the needs, constraints, opportunities and priorities of each community, so that the project activities could be planned accordingly. Detailed discussions were held with the Project Manager and National Staff to review the proposed activities under each project component and resources available for implementation. Meetings were held with the senior Government officials including the HE the Governor of Balochistan who strongly supported the project and discussed the possibilities for expanding its activities. The RO briefed the progress of the project and main findings of the mission to the FAOR, AFOR, and to the donor USAID. The new Project Manger is working in close collaboration with the National Staff in implementation of the project activities and significant progress has been made towards achieving the expected outputs.
Key words: community organizations, arid agriculture, crop diversification, water harvesting, water use efficiency, range land management.

Technical clearance: …………………………………. Date: ……………………

E. Kueneman, AGPC

Operational clearance: …………………………………. Date: …………………….

Memed Gunawan, FAOR, PAK

Approving officer: ……………………………..…... Date: ……………………..

H. Konuma, DRR

Distribution:

FAO/RAP FAO/HQ Others

ADG/RR Pandey, Director, AGPD FAOR-PAK



DRR Kueneman, Chief, AGPC

Coordinator, RAPR Griffee, AGPC

RAPG Officers Sayour, AGPC

PR 12/51-Keerthisinghe Voortman, TCOT

1. Mission Purpose
An STS mission to Islamabad and Quetta, Pakistan was undertaken from 19-27 August 2006, with the purpose of assisting the FAOR and the project staff in reviewing the progress of the project in line with its main objectives.
2. Main Activities
A meeting was held with Mr. Memed Gunawan, (FAOR), Mr. Mohammad Ali, AFOR and Mr. David Doolan, Project Manager at the FAO office. Mr. Doolan highlighted the progress of the project and the planned future activities. The RO briefed the main purpose of the mission. The discussion was focused on progress made so far, major constraints to implementation of the project activities, role of ICARDA supporting the applied research component of the project, and future plans.
The RO visited the Project Office at the Arid Zone Research Center (AZRC) in Quetta and detailed discussions were held with the Project Manager and the National Experts responsible for implementation of different components of the project namely, Applied Research, Water Resource Management, Range and Livestock Management and Crop Enhancement and Agro-processing. Discussions were also held with the senior Governmental officials of Ministry of Food Agriculture and Livestock (MINFAL), Civil Secretariat, and HE the Governor of Balochistan, Mr. Owais Ahmed Ghani, who strongly supported the project. The RO visited and discussed with the senior staff of the main institutions and centers collaborating and supporting the implementation of the project activities such as Arid Zone Research Center (AZRC), Agriculture Research Institute (ARI) and Balochistan Rural Support Programme (BRSP).
Field visits were made to project sites at Kardigap, Sadiq Abad, Kandawa and Ghous Abad in Mastung district. Met with members of Community Organizations (COs) and discussed the needs, constraints, opportunities and priorities of each community, so that the project activities could be planned accordingly. Visited Integrated Research Sites (IRS) selected by ICARDA in collaboration with AZRC, Agriculture Research Institute (ARI) and Technology Transfer Institute (TTI) and discussed the on-going activities on field testing of promising drought tolerant cultivars in conjunction with various fertilizer and water regimes.
The main findings of the mission were discussed at the debriefing meeting held at the FAO office. The FAOR, AFOR, Project Manger and Mr. Farid, National Economic Growth Officer (USAID) participated. The RO highlighted the importance of the project in addressing the needs of the resource poor farmers in Balochistan and the progress made so far in implementation of the project.
3. Main Findings
The main purpose of the project is to improve the livelihood and food security of the rural people of Balochistan by strengthening the capacity of the Balochistan applied research and technology transfer system to provide sustainable market oriented arid agriculture interventions for the farming community focusing on the three districts of Loralai, Quila Saifulla and Mastung. The project is USAID-funded, with FAO as the executing agency and the project duration is three years. The project office is located in Quetta, Balochistan at Arid Zone Research Centre (AZRC). The project is headed by an International Project Manager, assisted by four National Experts to cover the following main components of the project:


  • Sustainable management of scarce water resources in arid agriculture;

  • Improve range management, livestock and dairy productivity and livestock marketing;

  • Enhancement of crop productivity an agro-processing on a sustainable basis;

  • Strengthening the capacity of applied research and technology transfer to beneficiaries.

The research component of the project is implemented by ICARDA.


The project activities commenced in November 2004 with the arrival of the International Project Manager, Mr. Len Reynolds and appointment of the National Experts. During the first year of project implementation, excellent progress has been made in establishment of the project office, recruitment of national staff, formulation of LoAs with ICARDA for applied research component and BRSP for community development activities and initiating the field activities in line with the work plan. The project suffered from the departure of the Project Manager after completing his first year’s assignment. However with the arrival of the New Project Manager, Mr. David Doolan, in July 2006, the project activities have been reviewed and appropriate measures have been taken for implementation of planned tasks in accordance with the work plan.
In the area of water resource management, a number of activities have been initiated in all target districts to improve water storage, conveyance and introduction of simple technologies to improve the water use efficiency. A number of activities are in progress in range and livestock sectors such as capacity building on rural poultry production and marketing, sheep production and animal fattening techniques, organization of livestock shows and provision of over 1500 Fayyumi chickens to women in community organizations on cost sharing basis for earning additional income. In the crop sector, 60 demonstration orchards have been established in collaboration with project communities and a number of promising drought tolerant species such as almond, pistachio and olives have been introduced. Over 150 female beneficiaries from the project communities across the three districts have benefited from training in simple home based agroprocessing techniques that helps them to preserve temporary surplus production for later use by the family. The applied research component of the project is implemented by ICARDA in collaboration with FAO and national institutions such as ARZC, ARI and TTI. A number of field investigations have been initiated at 6 Integrated Research Sites (2 in each district) on identifying promising technologies and practices to improve water productivity, crop-livestock integration, range rehabilitation and management and introduction of economically important high value crops into cropping systems.
The RO held detailed discussions with the Project Manager and National Experts with regard to the achievements made so far in line with the project objectives and planned future activities. The project Manager gave a presentation providing an overview the project activities and the National Experts presented the achievements and future plans for each component of the project. A brief summary of the main achievements of the project prepared by the Project Manager is attached (Annex 4).
The discussions with the Senior Staff of MINFAL, Civil Secretariat and national institutions were mainly focused on identifying the challenges and opportunities in implementation of multidisciplinary activities with participation of the beneficiaries. The meeting with His Excellency the Governor of Balochistan, Mr. Owais Ahmed Ghani, was useful in briefing him the project activities, for which he expressed his full support. The Governor also expressed his interest in accessing technical support from FAO for a technical appraisal for their proposed shrimp farming along Makran coast, possibilities of commercial floriculture in the Province and high value seed production. The discussion also covered aspects of a consultancy on possibility of growing tea in parts of NWFP that have slightly acidic soils and suitable climate.
The main findings of the mission were discussed at the debriefing meeting held at the FAO office. The FAOR, AFOR, Project Manger and Mr. Farid, National Economic Growth Officer (USAID) participated. The Project Manager supported by the national project staff is doing a credible job working in close collaboration with ICARDA and national institutions in implementing the project activities. It is encouraging to note that the project team is working in close collaboration in real team spirit and it is essential for smooth implementation of a complex project of this nature with a wide range of tasks. In general, the project is progressing well in accordance with the work plan. The FAO-PAK is providing all the possible support to facilitate the implementation of the planned activities.
4. Conclusions and Recommendations:


Conclusions & Actions for Follow-up

Responsible Agency/Person

1. The Project Manager Team is working in close collaboration with the national staff and has established a conducive environment for effective team work. The RO participated at one of the Staff Meetings held monthly to discuss various administrative and technical issues related to implementation of the project activities. The meeting is conducted in a professional manner (agenda, minutes, action items, etc) and it is an effective approach for addressing various issues (problem solving, decision making, monitoring and evaluation of the project work in line with its main objectives) as a team.

Detailed discussions were held with the Project Manger and National Staff responsible in implementation of the proposed activities under each project component (Applied Research; Water Resource Management; Range and Livestock Management; Enhancement of Sustainable Crop Production and Agro processing) and the project is progressing well in accordance with the work plan.


2. The decisions taken at the last Steering Committee Meeting (9 August 2006) need to be translated into action. The Project Manger in consultation with the National Experts needs to prepare action plan with time frame for each proposed activity in the work plan. Prepare a separate work plan for the proposed one year extension (cost neutral basis) as agreed at the meeting.

As recommended, an increased emphasis need to be placed on Community Mobilization and Marketing (particularly determining market opportunities and provision of market relevant information to the project communities).


3. A technical back-stopping mission by David Hitchcock, Senior Farming Systems and Farm Management Officer is recommended to investigate the use of simple monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and impact monitoring assessment (IMA) tools best suited for the local conditions.

Technical assistance will also be needed to identify appropriate post harvest operations and agro-processing techniques to enhance income generating activities. For this purpose a mission should be organized in consultation with the LTO and Alastair Hicks, Senior Agro-Industry and Post harvest Officer.

With regard to Water Resource Management, a technical backstopping mission needs to be organized in consultation with Mr. Zhijun Chen, Technical Officer, Water Resources Development & Conservation.
4. Community development activities needs to be further strengthened to establish a strong link with the farmers. Review and evaluate the role of BRSP in supporting these activities.
5. Fulfill the commitments made to farmers in provision of technical support and inputs in a timely manner. This also includes the payments to the seed suppliers, so that farmers would be able to obtain seeds on time for planting.
6. In implementation of activities such as distribution of seeds, selection of appropriate crop species best suited for local conditions, consult with the relevant national authorities before making decisions.
7. In organizing field activities, training programmes etc., for the Community Organizations, explore possibilities of combining them with other activities such as medical check-up for community participants as lack of medical care facilities has been often mentioned as one of the major problems the communities are facing. The Project Manager is requested to contact the WHO-office in Islamabad and check the possibility of organizing a doctor to visit project sites. Although this activity is not within our mandate, it would certainly help to strengthen the links with the community groups.
8. The Project Management is requested to send inputs to RAP-website to highlight some of the main achievements of the project.
9. The Project manager in consultation with FAO-PAK, LTO, ICARDA and USAID should fix suitable dates for a Mid-Term Evaluation Meeting.


Project Management Team.


Project Manager, LTO

Project Management Team, BRSP

Project Management Team

Project Manager

Project Management Team

Project Management Team.

Project Management Team, LTO, ICARDA, USAID.


5. Acknowledgements:


I wish to thank all those who helped in organizing the mission and for the kind hospitality shown to me during my short stay in Pakistan. I wish to thank Mr. Memed Gunawan, (FAOR), Mr. Syed Mohammad Ali, Assistant Representative; and all the support staff of the FAO Office in Islamabad, Pakistan, Mr. David Doolan, Project Manager, National Experts, Group Organizers, and Project Admin staff for their kind support and inputs. I also wish to thank Mr. Farid, Economic Growth Specialist, USAID for his very helpful discussions and inputs.
Annex 1: Itinerary
Tentative Visit Schedule of Mr. Gamini Keerthisinghe to Pakistan

(19 to 27/08/006)


Date & Time

Purpose

Venue

Saturday 19th August

22:00

22:45

Arrival from Bangkok by TG 509 – FAO driver to meet Mr. Gamini at the airport and transfer him to Jasmine Guest House, House No. 29, Street 26, F6-2, Islamabad

051-282406464-5



Islamabad airport and Jasmine Guest House




Sunday 20th August







Briefing in Guesthouse and working lunch with Mr. David Doolan, Project Manager, FAO, Quetta.

Jasmine guesthouse




Monday 21st August

10:00




Meeting with Mr. Memed Gunawan, FAO Representative & Mr. S. Mohammad Ali, AFAOR.


FAO Representation Office

12:00




Dr. Kausar Abdullah Malik, Member (Food & Agriculture), Planning Commission, Islamabad.




14:00




Discussion on recommendations of Project Steering Committee Meeting

FAO Representation Office

18:00




Farewell Dinner to Agric. Attaché, US Embassy hosted by the Secretary, MINFAL







Tuesday 22nd August

10:30




Meeting with Mr. Muhammad Saleem Kahn, Additional Secretary, MINFAL

Ministry of Agriculture

12:00

13:00

Leave for the airport – FAO driver




14:00

15:25

Arrival from Islamabad by PK 0329 & travel to project offices.




16:00

18:00

Meeting with FAO National Experts -

FAO Offices

18:00

18:25

Transfer to Quetta Serena Hotel (081-820073)

Traveling

20:30

21:30

Informal dinner – Project Team







Wednesday 23rd August

09:10

09:15

Leave from Serena for Civil Secretariat

Traveling

09:30

10:00

Meeting with the ACS (Dev:)/

Mr. Muhauddin Marri, Chief Economist GOB



Block 6, Civil Secretariat

10:00

12:00

Travel to Kardigap

Traveling

12:00

13:00

Meeting with the MCO members

Kardagap Mastung

13:00

14:00

Working lunch & Prayer Break

Kardagap Mastung

14:00

14:40

Travel to Sadiq Abad

Traveling

14:40

16:00

Visit Integrated Research Site

Mastung

16:00

16:45

Departure for Kandawa

Traveling

16:45

17:15

Meeting with WCO members (to see the Rural Poultry, Agriculture and Water activities)

Mastung

17:15

17:30

Departure for Ghous Abad

Traveling

17:30

18:15

Meeting with WCO member & tea

Mastung

18:15

19:00

Departure for Quetta

Traveling

19:00




Arrival at Quetta Serena

Quetta




Thursday 24th August

07:45




Leave Hotel & Travel to the Project Offices

Traveling

08:00

09:00

Staff Meeting

FAO Offices

09:15

09:30

Leave for the Governor House

Traveling

09:30

09:50

Deal with the security measures at Governors’ house

Governors’ House

10:00

11:00

Meeting with His Excellency Mr. Owais Ahmed Ghani, the Governor of Balochistan

Governors’ House

11:15

11:45

Meeting with Mr. Abdul Salam Baloch, Secretary Livestock & Dr. Azam Kasi, DG Livestock

Block 4, Civil Secretariat, Quetta

11:45

12:15

Leave for DG Agric. Extensions’ office

Traveling

12:15

12:45

Meeting with Mr. Ghulam Rasool, DG Agric. Extension

Rani Bagh, Sariab Road, Quetta

12:45

13:00

Leave for the BRSP office

Traveling

13:00

13:30

Meeting with Mr. Irfan Kasi, Chief Executive Officer, BRSP

BRSP Offices, Sariab Road, Quetta

13:30

13:50

Travel back to the Project Offices

Traveling

13:50

14:20

Working lunch with the project staff/prayer break

Project Offices

14:20

14:45

Leave for ARI

Traveling

15:00

15:45

Meeting with Mr. M. Riaz Khan, DG Agriculture Research and Field Walk to see ARI activities.

ARI, Sariab Road, Quetta

15:45

16:00

Travel back to the Project Offices

Traveling

16:00

16:20

Meeting with Mr. Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, DG, AZRC

DG AZRC Office

16:20

16:45

Meeting with Mr. M. Islam, Research Expert, ICARDA

Project Office


16:45

17:00

Meeting with the Group Organizers BRSP – district Mastung

Project Offices

17:00

17:25

Meeting with Mr. Aijaz Hussain, Water Expert, FAO

Project Offices

17:25

17:50

Meeting with Mr. Mohammad Aslam, Livestock Expert, FAO

Project Offices

17:50

18:15

Meeting with Mr. Hakeem Shah, Crops Expert, FAO

Project Offices

18:15

19:00

Discussion

Project Offices

19:00

19:25

Transfer to Quetta Serena Hotel

Traveling

20:30

21:30

Dinner with GoB Officials

Quetta Serena




Friday 25th August

07:45

08:00

Check-out from hotel and travel to the Project.

Traveling

08:00

09:00

Wrap-up meeting with FAO Team.

FAO Offices

09:00

09:20

Leave for the Airport

Traveling

09:20

09:30

Check-in

Airport

10:20

11:45

Departure for Islamabad by PK 0324 – FAOR to arrange pick-up from the airport.




11:45

12:30

Transfer to FAOR Office for debriefing with Mr. Memed Gunawan, FAOR & Mr. Mohammad Ali, AFAOR.

FAO Representation Office

13:30




Transfer to Jasmine guest house.

Traveling







Saturday 26th August

10:00




Discussion with Project Manager

Preparation of work plan, ToRs for future work



Jasmine Guest House

20:00




Check out from the guest house - FAO to arrange transfer to the airport.




23:10




Departure for Bangkok by TG-510







Sunday 27th August

0615




Arrival at Bangkok




Annex 2
Terms of Reference for Mission to Pakistan
by
Gamini Keerthisinghe

FAO/RAP Senior Plant Production Officer

19 - 27 August 2006

To backstop the GCP/PAK/095/USA Project on Food Security / Poverty Alleviation in Arid Agriculture Balochistan – Pilot Project Phase.
Duration: 8 days
Duty Station: FAO-Islamabad (Field visits in consultation with FAOR and Project Manager

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