Project will review the system of supplying equipments at the call of FBOs. Set up technical committees to vet all requests to ascertain technical, financial and economic feasibility of subprojects. DICs are not performing this role appropriately
Replace faulty equipments with appropriate ones to reduce frustration among some FBOs. As a matter of urgency progressive groups should be retooled to fulfill signed supply contracts. The project should consider supplying full complement of machinery for rice processing, e.g., de-stoner, especially for the first batch of FBOs - to make them equally competitive.
Project will engage agro--processing specialist on a short term to provide Technical guidance to the PSUs and the FBOs on agro-processing, and make recommendations for appropriately retooling the existing cassava processing facilities.
RPSDP will facilitate linkage of FBOs to markets. Marketing specialist should work to link FBOs to potential markets. The project with the advice of the Marketing Specialists, identify 3 members of the PSU staff and redesignate them as regional marketing officers to support the process of ensuring that the marketing tools developed at the PCU level are fully implemented and monitor progress on a day to day basis until the first trading cycle for the FBO’s is implemented. They will devote full attention to providing support to the Marketing Specialist on a regional basis to the FBOs to access markets and enhance the group formation activities for purposes of marketing.
RPSDP will retrain groups based on skill gaps (operation of machinery, group dynamics, benefit sharing, etc). Need for additional support for FBOs on development and use of business planning and financial management skills. Engage the leader of the Moyamba group (Bonday Rural Development Association) to assist other FBOs in this direction. Further engage notable gari processors to provides training to other FBOs
Plan for social accountability training at the district level for Council members and staff, FBOs, NGOs, traditional authorities and other key stakeholders
PSUs should undertake constant follow-ups on activities of the FBO to identify issues and propose solutions on time as they arise
Retrain groups based on skill gaps (operation of machinery, group dynamics, benefit sharing, etc)
Ensure that acquisition of land market construction is properly done. Project should ensure proper assessment of sites, if there are impacts, do the socio-economic surveys and develop Abbreviated Resettlement Action Plans (ARAP) or Resettlement Action Plans (RAP) for the project. The issue of communities signing indemnity clauses/submitting indemnity documents should be carefully considered to avoid backlashes
Undertake a thorough review of the cassava-based FBOs in the seconds round to determine whether they meet the criteria set in the grants manual and make recommendations for the Bank’s approval for the purchase of equipment for the successful groups.
MAFFS will issue a formal response to the aide memoire
PENDING ACTIONS/NEXT STEPS
Action Description
Timeframe
Responsible Entity/Official
1
Ensure the project has in place a team to perform fiduciary responsibilities
Rehabilitate laboratories for installation of Equipment
December 10, 2011
Njala University
4
Complete MOU between NU and SB
December 30, 2011
Dr Bashiru and
5
Identify class B roads that require spot improvement for the consideration of the Bank
December 30, 2011
Director SLRA
6
Complete the recruitment process for the engagement of consulting services for strengthening farmer-based organisations; rice processing, distribution and marketing.
January 31, 2012
MAFFS/MTI
7
Complete the recruitment of M&E officer and WAAPP personnel
January 30, 2012
MAAFFS
DISCLOSURE
“The Bank and The Republic of Sierra Leone confirm their understanding and agreement to publicly disclose this aide-mémoire. The disclosure of this Aide Memoire was discussed and agreed to with Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security led by Dr Sam Sesay at the wrap-up meeting that took place on December 1, 2011, in Freetown.” The Chair for the wrap-up questioned the need for the public disclosure and it was explained to him that this has been the new Bank Policy since July 2010. He indicated that the MAFFS will issue a response to the Aide memoire in due course.
ANNEXES Annex 1. List Mission Members and of Persons Pet