Protocol for the Role of FOD
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, IRRIGATION AND LIVESTOCK
National HORTICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK PROJECT
Protocol for the Role of FOD
in relation to the activities of the horticulture and livestock components
Table of Contents
Abbreviations. 2
A Introduction. 3
B Objectives. 3
C Methodology. 4
C-1. Social and Economical Mobilization of Producer Groups. 5
C-2. Selection of Farmer Trainers. 10
C-3. Organization of Extension Services according to the Farmer Field School11
C-4. Participation of DAIL Extension Staff in Extension Activities. 12
C-5. Integrated Service Delivery to Producer Groups (2nd Mobilization Phase)14
C-6. Regular Monthly Coordination Meetings of FOD, FPs and DAIL. 18
D Monitoring of FPs and Performance of Producer Groups. 18
E Guidelines for Savings, Inter-Loaning and Credit Components. 20
F District Agricultural Services Provision System (DSAPS)21
Attachments. 22
1. HLP Integrated Extension Service Model22
2. TOR for FPs for 1st and 2nd Mobilization Phase. 23
3. Job Description of FOD District Project Facilitators. 29
4. Job Description of RoP Extension Workers. 31
5. References Regarding the Mode of Operation of the FOD Component33
Abbreviations
AREDP
Afghanistan Rural Enterprise Development Program
ARTF
Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund
CDC
Community Development Council
DAIL
Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock
DASPS
District Agricultural Services Provision System
DFID
Department of International Development (UK)
EC
Extension Coordinator
ESSF
Environmental and Social Safeguard Framework
EW
Extension Worker
FFS
Farmer Field School
FOD
Farmer Organization Development
FP
Facilitating Partner
FT
Farmer Trainer
GM
Gender Mainstreaming
HFP
Horticulture Facilitating Partner
HIG
Horticulture Interest Group
HLP
Horticulture and Livestock Project
ICB
Institutional Capacity Building
M&E
Monitoring and Evaluation
MAIL
Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock
PASPS
Provincial Agricultural Services Provision System
SY
Solar Year
TOR
Terms of Reference
VFU
Veterinary Field Unit
WB
World Bank
A Introduction
The National Horticulture and Livestock Program (NHLP) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) has been implementing its operations since the year 2006 financed by the World Bank, DFID and ARTF.
The Project Development Objective of NHLP is to assist producer households in adopting improved practices so as to increase horticulture and livestock productivity and production in focus areas. FOD is supporting this by forming male and female producer groups in order to increase their self-help capacity, for organizing horticulture and livestock extension services, and common activities for the supply of production inputs, savings and credit and marketing services.
The target groups of NHLP are those smallholder farm families who are engaged in horticulture or livestock, and or the one and the other. In all cases these households are engaged in the two sub-sectors with different intensities. But NHLP holds it important that the project integrates these technical components and views the farming household in a holistic manner. Farm families are composed of male and female members. In both horticulture and livestock the male and female parts have their specific roles and responsibilities in the production and processing lines. Thus, NHLP addresses male and female members of the households alike and provides supporting services to both. As result; the gender balance is maintained and practically enforced.
The FOD component of NHLP is facilitating the services which the horticulture and livestock components are delivering to the project beneficiaries. FOD also supports the other components of NHLP in the field, as Institutional Capacity Building (ICB), Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and the cross-cutting sections of Gender Mainstreaming and Environmental and Social Safeguard.
Objectives
The HLP Project Development Objective is:
To assist producer households in adopting improved practices so as to increase horticulture and livestock productivity and production in focus areas.
The Farmer Organization Development (FOD) is a sub-component of the Institutional Capacity Building efforts of HLP. In order to meet HLP’s development objectives, FOD aims
to organize the project beneficiaries into groups to enable them collectively address their common needs for extension services, quality inputs, credit and marketing services towards increasing productivity and income in a sustainable manner.
The Intermediate Outcomes have been determined as:
Village based producer organizations (male and female) established and strengthened in 11 focus districts (1st mobilization phase)
Indicators:
Around 1032 male and female producer groups operating.
At least 60 % of (or 619) producer groups achieving at least 50 % of their group action plan.
Male and female producer groups have an improved access to services in 5 selected focus districts (2nd mobilization phase)
Indicators:
40 % of the members of 300 male and female groups (120 groups) organized in 5 focus districts confirm having an improved access to the supply of production inputs.
20 % of 300 male and female groups organized in 5 focus districts confirm having an improved access to marketing services.
First Mobilization Phase
During the 1st mobilization phase, male and female producer groups are being formed and trained in organizational development. HLP is sub-contracting Facilitating Partners for delivering a training cycle of 10 modules to the groups. Afterwards the groups are being supported in the organization and management of extension services according to the principles of the farmer field school (FFS). The horticulture extension services are delivered by the horticulture facilitating partner (HFP). The livestock extension services are delivered by HLP employed staff only in the 5 focus districts, where groups get assisted through the 2nd mobilization phase.
Second Mobilization Phase
In the 2nd mobilization phase, 300 selected groups (male and female) in 5 focus districts get additionally assisted in the organization of integrated services, for the supply of production inputs, savings and credit and marketing. Facilitated Partners are providing intensive technical assistance and training for building up the self-help capacity of groups, group leaders and farmer trainers.
Developing linkages to public and private service providers (agricultural cooperatives and associations, nurseries, traders, microfinance agencies, banks, wholesale and exporting companies) and the mobilization of local savings through the development of collectively organized Savings Boxes would enable the groups to cover their common requirements by mutual help and cooperation.
This process is backed by FOD staff based at the DAIL district facilities. One male and one female FOD project facilitator in the above mentioned 5 focus districts are assisting the producer groups in organizing their common activities. At the same time, FOD staff is facilitating and coordinating the different efforts of HLP and FPs at district and village level, together with the district DAIL and local CDC structures. In a monthly coordination meeting convened by FOD, and mostly moderated by the DAIL director, all HLP activities are being monitored and work plans of FPs harmonized.
Methodology
HLP has been working in 11 provinces, 4 of them located in the Central Region, and 7 in the Northern Region. In each of the 11 provinces, one district was identified as a focus district, where FOD group formation and mobilization activities take place. The provinces and the respective focus districts are shown in table 1, which indicates also the FPs working in the FOD mobilization and training process, and the number of male and female producer groups formed and trained by spring 2011.
Table 1: Producer Groups in Focus Districts
HLP Focus Districts
FP
Producer Groups
Province
District
Male
Female
Total
Central Region
1
Kabul
Mir Bacha Kot
SDO/GPFA
75
68
143
2
Kapisa
Mahmood Raqi
SDO/GPFA
24
16
40
3
Panjsher
Bazarak
SDO
25
25
50
4
Parwan
Sheikh Ali
SDO/GPFA
50
40
90
Northern Region
5
Baghlan
Pul-e-Khumri
-
0
0
0
6
Samangan
Ayback
Afghanaid
49
40
89
7
Balkh
Khulm
Hand in Hand
75
65
140
8
Jawzjan
Sheberghan
ZOA
48
42
90
9
Sar-e-Pul
Sozma Qala
ZOA
25
15
40
10
Kunduz
Imam Sahib
-
0
0
0
11
Takhar
Farkhar
ACTED
50
50
100
Total
421
361
782
A total of 782 producer groups were mobilized, 46% being female. After having gone through the group mobilization process, all these groups get assisted by providing horticulture extension services according to the principles of the FFS, organized by the HFP. Due to security restrictions group formation and mobilization was only implemented in 9 of the 11 focus districts. Pul-e-Khumri and Imam Sahib have not been accessible because of ongoing clashes between armed opposition groups and national and international military forces.
Additionally to the provision of the FFS extension services, the groups are trained by FPs in the organization and management of common activities for the supply of production inputs, savings and credit and marketing services. The development of collectively organized Savings Boxes is of special importance for women groups, getting access to finance according to Islamic rules. To strengthen local and district based institutions, both public and private, would contribute to build up social capital and to open the access of small and medium producers to markets by increasing their bargaining power.
FOD project facilitators, in close cooperation with the district DAIL and local CDC structures are supporting this process and facilitating all activities of the different HLP components and FPs at district level. Monthly coordination meetings are convened for harmonization the horticulture and livestock extension services, provided by both HLP staff and the FPs. FOD is also facilitating and supporting the DASPS development at district level, and facilitating the M&E outcome, process and geo-location monitoring.
C-1. Social and Economical Mobilization of Producer Groups
HLP is working with producer groups, male and female alike. Each group is composed of 25 members (average), which decide about their leadership and sharing of specific responsibilities. These producer groups become the drivers and managers of their own development. HLP is assisting them to form their groups around their common interest of horticulture and livestock production.
The social structure of the HLP target group was analyzed by the Baseline Survey 2008-09, and updated by the Annual Outcome Monitoring and the specific case studies to be developed by the HLP M&E section as well. Table 2 is providing a spot on the ownership of orchards, and indicating the social structure of the members of producer groups in the 5 main focus districts of HLP. Farmers own orchards from 0.5 up to 100 jeribs, on average 1.7 to 4.7 jeribs. Though the project target group is smallholders, it is important to include also medium and bigger farmers into the group activities. For the introduction and adoption of new and improved practices by the FFS, the medium and bigger farmers taker over a lead function in the groups. Also for the joint provision of services, the smallholders can benefit from the better market access of medium and bigger farmers.
Table 2: Size of Orchards of Farm Households in Focus Districts
No.
Province
Focus District (Clusters)
Size of Orchards (jeribs)
Variance
Average
1.1
Kabul
Mirbachakot 1
0.5 - 20
2.4
1.2
Mirbachakot 2
0.5 - 50
3.3
1.3
Mirbachakot 3
0 - 28
2.6
2.1
Kapisa
Mahmood Raqi
1 - 14
2.3
3.1
Samangan
Aybak 1
0.5 - 40
3.4
3.2
Aybak 2
0.5 - 40
2.4
4.1
Balkh
Khulm 1
n.a.
n.a.
4.2
Khulm 2
1 - 12
2.1
4.3
Khulm 3
1 - 12
2.2
5.1
Jawzjan
Sheberghan 1
0 - 10
1.7
5.2
Sheberghan 2
0 - 100
4.7
The group members are active in the Community Development Councils (CDCs) of their villages, which care for general community development issues. Most of the group members have also joined the local and district farmer organizations, as Agricultural Cooperatives, Producer Associations and Savings and Credit Cooperatives.
Organizing rural women into groups have a considerable impact on the improvement of farm income and livelihood. In this way, HLP addresses to the entire farming household for achieving most of synergies. Male groups are mainly dealing with orchard management, irrigation and the supply of inputs, credit and marketing. Female groups work with poultry, cattle and small ruminants, assist in orchards and agricultural activities and are involved in food preparation, conservation and processing. Male and female groups are also dealing with small businesses and stimulate local savings through the establishment of savings boxes.
This process has shown results in terms of building social capital, increasing social cohesion, increased capacity for self help and self management. The groups have developed basic skills of planning and management. However the groups require more mobilization support and facilitation to participate actively in implementation and management of the extension and technology adoption for horticulture and livestock programs through the network of farmer field schools.
HLP on behalf of MAIL has been contracting Facilitating Partners through an open competition, based on general Terms of Reference and the World Bank procurement procedures. The selected Facilitating Partner (FP) starts the group formation process by addressing to the previous lead farmers and the Community Development Councils (CDC), the local Departments of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (DAIL) and local cooperatives as well. Eligible farmers are going to be identified by applying specific physical and social selection criteria as such:
Availability of orchard, sufficient water supply, fruit and nut should be suitable to the area, site accessible by road.
Farmers willing to cooperate and to adopt and adapt key technical practices.
Project beneficiaries representing the social structure of the community, giving priority to the small and medium farmers.
The FP implements a training program of 10 modules in the community. The first module invites the community to a role play (river code) which focuses on the importance of mutual self-help and the formation and social mobilization of producer groups. It is desirable that during this first meeting the horticulture and livestock extension workers attend for getting acquainted with the community and the group formation process. This requires that for the assistance of each producer group a specific horticulture extension worker is assigned, who is developing the farmer field school activities together with the group during the whole season.
During the second module, the male producer groups are going to be formed. Afterwards, men discuss and agree upon the formation of female groups, according to the tradition and culture in the community, and considering the important and valuable contributions of women for the household income and sustainment. The group members are selected according to the criteria of eligibility, and the group leaders (chair person, treasurer, secretary) are going to be identified and democratically elected. Of specific importance are the appointments of the farmer trainers for both horticulture and livestock issues, who assist group members in the implementation of extension messages for their adoption and adaption of the improved technical practices. Therefore, the presence of the extension workers in this second training module is absolutely compulsory.
In total, 10 training modules are being carried through with each producer group. After concluding the training cycle provided by the FP, the groups continue working with the horticulture and livestock extension workers. The group formation and mobilization process and the different steps to be taken are summarized in table 3.
Table 3: Procedure of the Group Formation and Mobilization Process
Steps
Designation
Actors
1
Addressing to Lead Farmers, Shuras and CDCs; invitation to a community meeting for informing about the program and the criteria of eligibility
Community leaders, farmers
FOD / FP trainer
2
1st training module: Mobilization for Self-Reliant Self-Help Actions - “The River Code”
Information about HLP
Awareness about the advantages of being more self-reliant
Eligible and interested farmers
FOD / FP trainer
3
2nd training module: Formation of Producer Groups
Election of group leaders: Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer
Assignment of Farmer Trainers for both horticulture and livestock
Agreement on forming a separate female producer group
Members of newly formed male producer group
FOD / FP trainer
Horticulture extension worker
Livestock extension worker (only in selected focus districts)
4
1st training module: Mobilization for Self-Reliant Self-Help Actions - “The River Code”
Information about HLP
Awareness about the advantages of being more self-reliant
Women belonging to the households of the members of the male producer groups
and
female headed households
FOD / FP trainer
5
2nd training module: Formation of Producer Groups
Election of group leaders: Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer
Assignment of Farmer Trainers for both horticulture and livestock
Members of newly formed female producer group
FOD / FP trainer
Horticulture extension worker
Livestock extension worker (only in selected focus districts)
6
Having formed male and female producer groups focusing on the farm household and farmer trainers for both horticulture and livestock assigned
Further training program to be developed together with male and female groups
Extension workers start with provision of extension services to the groups according to the principles of the FFS
Male and female producer groups
FOD / FP trainers
Horticulture extension workers
Livestock extension workers (only in selected focus districts)
7
3rd training module: Identification of Priority Needs and Appropriate Self-Help Actions
Weaknesses and shortcomings in the horticulture and livestock production
Options for improvement and the appropriate self-help actions
Male and female producer groups
FOD / FP trainers
8
4th training module: Savings and Financial Management
Management of saving box and revolving fund, internal lending and book keeping
Options how the group can get prepared for qualifying for group credit schemes
Male and female producer groups
FOD / FP trainers
9
5th training module: Supply of Agricultural Inputs
increased access to good quality inputs and services at a reasonable cost to the members
benefits of building linkages with input suppliers like Ag-depots, Cooperatives, Veterinary Clinics and Veterinary Field Units
Male and female producer groups
FOD / FP trainers
10
6th training module: Post Harvest Activities and Marketing of Agricultural Produce
production according to market requirements / demands: quality, quantity, time
importance of reducing post harvest losses (appropriate storage)
transaction costs and the role of traders
Male and female producer groups
FOD / FP trainers
11
7th training module: Development of a Group Action Plan “Annual Calendar”
determined the activities which need to be done during each month of the year
determined which activities they as a group or community will do as self-help activities
determined which kind of external assistance they need for which improvement
Male and female producer groups
FOD / FP trainers
Horticulture extension workers
Livestock extension workers (only in selected focus districts)
12
8th training module: Principles of Farmer Field School (FFS)
Concept of Experiential Learning
FFS as an extension service approach; strengthening of knowledge and skills
Organization and management of FFS on village and district level
Male and female producer groups
FOD / FP trainers
Horticulture extension workers
Livestock extension workers (only in selected focus districts)
13
9th training module: HLP Services for Producer Groups
information on the technical assistance and training activities in horticulture and livestock provided by HLP (extension service)
information on the service packages in horticulture (new orchards, rehabilitation of existing orchards, other) provided by HLP and criteria of eligibility,
information on the services accessible in livestock (poultry program, extension and veterinary services) provided by HLP and criteria of eligibility
Male and female producer groups
FOD / FP trainers
Horticulture extension workers
Livestock extension workers (only in selected focus districts)
14
10th training module: Organization and Management of the Farmer Field School – the Way Forward
further clarified the role and responsibilities among group members (executive committee, other volunteers i.e. farmer trainer etc.)
been prepared and organized their active participation at the Farmer Field School, both in horticulture and livestock issues, in close cooperation with the HLP extension service
clarified how they interact with other organizations such as CDCs and local development organizations (DAIL agricultural directorate, agricultural cooperatives and associations)
Male and female producer groups
FOD / FP trainers
Horticulture extension workers
Livestock extension workers (only in selected focus districts)
15
“Hand over” of producer groups from FOD to the HLP horticulture and livestock components
FOD / FP trainers
HFP extension workers
Livestock extension workers
DAIL district agricultural director and extension staff
C-2. Selection of Farmer Trainers
HLP is in the process of applying a participatory extension and technology dissemination approach using farmer field schools. This involves farmer trainers from every producer group in order to participate in a farmer field school and to get trained in key technologies and practices related to the key tree and field crops in case of horticulture and similarly in the livestock sector. These farmer trainers are expected to become farmer extensionists and support experimentation and extension of the recommended practices for the farmers who are members of the producer group in their own fields.
The producer group is expected to take an important role in deepening, management and monitoring of the extension efforts at the group level and ensure that both extension worker and farmer trainer deliver extension services at the village level. The producer group is also expected to provide feedback to extension workers on the issues faced by the farmers in adoption of practices. This mobilization effort would lead to an increased participation of the members of the producer groups in extension and experimentation of the recommended practices.
Criteria for the Farmer Trainer (FT) – who has to
live and stay in the village during the week (as he should prepare and attend the FFS meetings, which are organized during the week),
be the owner on the orchard / vineyard and thus able to make decisions, e.g., regarding pruning (not a share-cropper who only irrigates),
be literate as FFS also considers economical issues (record keeping),
be experienced in orchard / vineyard management,
be interested to learn and try new technologies,
be respected in the community as an example for others to follow.
Criteria for the orchard / vineyard of the FT – who has to
be close to the village so that farmers carry through the FFS meetings at this site,
be young or middle-aged (not more than 20 years), so that the potential of the orchard / vineyard can be developed and productivity can be increased,
have a variety of two and more crops as it should be used for training purposes,
have reliable access to irrigation water,
nothave the perfect orchard / vineyard with no salt in the ground, perfect spacing of the trees, soil mulched and with no pests and diseases, in order to use it for demonstrating improvements.
For the livestock activities, the farmer trainer provides the facilities (cow shed, poultry coop, site for fodder production and storage, etc.) for carrying through the extension activities according to the principles of the farmer field school.
The farmer trainers should be elected amongst the group members and should be committed to organize and prepare the extension activities conducted by the extension workers. His responsibilities comprise:
Provide facilities for developing the demonstration activities of the Farmer Field School (orchard/vineyard for horticulture; shed/coop for livestock).
Record and disseminate the observations made and achieved results of the demonstration and extension activities.
Train the group members on the application of the improved practices and promote their adoption by them.
Each male and female producer group appoints 1 farmer trainer for horticulture and 1 farmer trainer for livestock. Although the demonstration sites provided by the farmers trainers are in the focus of the jointly implemented measures, the farms of the group members play an important role for the dissemination of the extension messages and thus for the adoption of the intended improved practices.
C-3. Organization of Extension Services according to the Farmer Field School
Based on the prioritization of their basic needs, the groups identify which problems they are able to solve by themselves either individually or by group effort, and for the solution of problems they need external assistance. The results of this analysis enter into a group action plan which determines the activities of the group during the whole agricultural season. Following the vegetative period and livestock production cycle, the main activities on farm and group level, and the required interventions of the extension workers as well, are considered in the group action plan. Due to the importance of the group planning and implementation process, the presence of the extension worker is compulsory.
The FFS approach represents a radical departure from earlier agriculture extension programs, in which farmers were expected to adopt generalized recommendations that had been formulated by specialists from outside the community. In this regard, the role of the extension worker changes from teaching towards facilitation. The frequency of the visits of the extension worker depends on the necessities of the specific crops and the agreements made with the group:
First, the extension worker assists in developing the group action plan and agrees upon his contribution to the regular group meetings.
Secondly, the extension worker is prepared to work with the group with at least three key technical practices, which should be adopted.
Third, according to the conditions of the season, the extension worker agrees to participate regularly in the group meetings. His presence is mandatory when the improved practices are applied.
Fourth, the farmer trainers organize the FFS meetings and call the extension worker to be present in the group meetings. The extension worker assists and trains the farmer trainers in the FFS management and documentation of the activities and results.
As it was mentioned, extension workers for both horticulture and livestock activities have been assigned to each producer group. In horticulture, the group meetings are organized bi-weekly with the male groups and monthly with the women groups during the whole season. Following the peculiarities of each crop, the schedule of these meetings is determined by the vegetative period. Extension workers, farmer trainers and all group members need to develop the appropriate method for implementing the main elements of the farmer field school, which consist in the observation, experimentation, documentation, dissemination, adaption and adoption of the improved practices.
In livestock, the extension services are provided to the producer groups in the 5 focus districts, where FOD is present with staff and FPs assisting the groups in the 2nd mobilization phase. The extension workers meet each producer group every month for delivering extension messages as per the seasonal calendar.
In order to assist the female groups with the same frequency of interactions like the male groups, the numbers of female extension workers need to be increased. Due to the disadvantages which girls and young women suffer in their formal education, female extension workers and farmer trainers need additional and specific vocational training for compensating the deficiencies of the formal education.
At district level, the meeting and visiting schedules of the different HLP services are being coordinated and harmonized. The aim is to agree with each group on a fixed week-day, when the groups meet and the extension workers and FPs are delivering the FFS and training activities. Table 4 (on next page) is showing a template for the meeting and visit schedule at district level, which integrates the weekly interventions of horticulture, livestock and FOD at group level.
C-4. Participation of DAIL Extension Staff in Extension Activities
In order to increase the sustainability of the extension efforts, local government extension staff is invited to join the project activities. HLP provides the opportunity to take the government staff along with the extension workers in the field, interacting with producer groups and farmer trainers, and making their knowledge and skills available for the development of the rural communities. This includes both the development of extension messages according to the seasonal calendar of specific crops and livestock cycles and the participative implementation of the messages through the farmer field school methodology.
In this way, the applied extension methodology will be widely disseminated and the district agricultural department (DAIL) staff gets first hand trained in their duties. On the other hand DAIL regularly lacks funds and transport means for the implementation of any activities. It will be necessary to providing allowances and transport facilities to the DAIL extension workers equal to HLP/FP staff. Furthermore, DAIL extension staffs need to be included into the regular HLP training programs.
Table 4: Meeting and Visiting Schedule at Group Level (Template)
District
Mirbacha Kot
Month
June 2011
Village
Subgroup in village
Farmer Trainer
Training provided by
Person in charge
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15 - 27
28
29
30
Day of the week
W
T
F
S
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
M
T
T
W
T
Qala-e Malak
1
Ami-nullah
HLP, LS
Mahmood
Thursday
RoP, HC
Habibullah
FOD
GPFA
RoP, HC
Habibullah
Kharoti
1
Haji Zafar
HLP, LS
Mahmood
Saturday
RoP, HC
Habibullah
FOD
GPFA
RoP, HC
Habibullah
2
Mokhtar
HLP, LS
Mahmood
Sunday
RoP, HC
Habibullah
FOD
GPFA
RoP, HC
Habibullah
Issues to be considered:
bazaar days in which FFSs should not take place…. Suggestion that on those days the EWs stay in the office to prepare reports, attend the monthly coordination meeting, attend the PC-to-EWs workshop and check new and old orchards / vineyards
Bazaar day in MBK on Tuesday - no FFSs will be implemented
C-5. Integrated Service Delivery to Producer Groups (2nd Mobilization Phase)
Organizing farmers into groups means organizing common activities. First, male and female group members, learn to speak and to listen to each other in a structured way and to sharing responsibilities. Carrying through common activities require commitment, reliability and responsibility of each of the group members, and delegation of responsibilities to the group leaders. Criteria of trust in each other, reputation for honesty and cooperative personality of the group leaders are important factors in the group building process.
First, the groups need to increase their social cohesion and communication, for being able to agree upon common action plans throughout the agricultural year. This includes regular meetings for developing Farmer Field Schools, and analyzing advantages and disadvantages of group actions for the supply of production inputs and marketing. Groups learn to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of taking credit offered by several microfinance institutions and banks. Groups also learn to mobilize savings for financing common needs and to provide small loans to each other.
Second, the groups start to organize common activities by purchasing production inputs, applying for loans at microfinance institutions or banks, and jointly offer their produce to the provincial and national traders. Farmers increase their negotiation power by offering their products in a bigger quantity and quality. Sorting and grading can be organized at the farm or village level, using original brand packaging materials ready for the wholesale market and export. Both farmers and traders benefit by the direct negotiations. Transport costs decrease and through bypassing potential intermediaries better profit margins can be achieved.
The next step of cooperation is the transformation of the informal producer groups to formal and officially registered farmer organizations. In 2008, a new cooperative law was promulgated, which provides the framework for agricultural cooperatives and rural savings- and credit cooperatives as well. A considerable number of agricultural cooperatives are registered in Afghanistan, but most of them are not active, or depend on some benefits from the government and other organizations. The modern concept of cooperatives as efficient and effective service providers is different. Cooperatives act as independent and self managed business units and rely on the active participation of their members.
Producer associations are non profit and also profit oriented sector organizations, for setting technical standards, promoting their products in the national and international markets, advocating for the improvement of the legal framework, and lobbying. These types of associations operate on district, provincial and national level.
Organization of Integrated Services
Additionally to the facilitation of the extension services according to the principles of the farmer field school, FOD is working with selected groups in 5 focus districts to develop intensive models for community management for the last mile service delivery including:
input supply and management,
savings and credit services and
marketing services
This includes building linkages with district extension services, input suppliers, like Ag-depots and functional cooperatives, VFUs in case of livestock, traders and other commercial organizations, microfinance agencies and other rural finance organizations. In a later stage, producer groups may become federated for achieving economies of scale in delivering services and aggregating demand for services, inputs, credit and commodities (mid-term goal: setting up of Farmer Service Centers).
Selected groups in 5 of the 11 focus districts are getting assisted by the 2nd mobilization phase. The respective districts, producer groups and FPs involved are mentioned in table 5.
Table 5: Group Mobilization 2nd Phase in 5 Focus Districts
Nr
Focus Districts
FP
Male
Female
Total
Central Region
1
Mir Bacha Kot
GPFA
50
43
93
2
Mahmood Raqi
GPFA
24
16
40
Northern Region
0
5
Ayback
Afghanaid
25
15
40
6
Khulm
Hand in Hand
50
40
90
7
Sheberghan
ZOA
25
15
40
Total Groups
173
129
303
MAIL through HLP has been contracting facilitating partners who are providing technical assistance and training to the selected producer groups. The expected outcomes are as follows:
Farmer organizations are enabled to develop an integrated one stop service delivery to members.
Farm households have an increased access to good quality inputs and services at a reasonable cost.
Members of producer groups get better prices for their produce.
Public and private agencies are enabled to provide services to farmers with decreased transaction costs and increased effectiveness.
FOD has prepared a manual to be used by the FP trainer teams for the delivery of the technical assistance and training during the 2nd mobilization phase.The contents are outlined in table 6.
Table 6: Training Modules of the 2nd Mobilization Phase
Modules
Designation
Actors
1
Participatory Self-Assessment of Group Performance
Having a clear understanding of the group needs in terms of horticulture and livestock.
Having reviewed the role and functions of the group leadership (chairperson, secretary and treasurer) and having re-defined its responsibilities.
Having reviewed the role and functions of the farmer trainers for both horticulture and livestock.
Having analyzed the implementation of the group action plan and the importance of such planning for organizing the group activities.
FOD / FP
M&E
2
Development and Update of the Group Action Plan
Determined the activities which need to be done during each month of the year
for horticulture
for livestock
for getting the kind of services needed for the proper accomplishment of the planned activities
FOD / FP
Horticulture extension workers
Livestock extension workers (only in selected focus districts)
3
Organization and Management of FFS Activities
Established the modality of working together according to the farmer field school principles.
Agreed with the farmer trainers to using their facilities (orchards, coops, farm houses) for meetings and demonstration activities.
Agreed on being exposed to at least three key technical practices both in horticulture and livestock.
FOD / FP
Horticulture extension workers
Livestock extension workers (only in selected focus districts)
4
Specific Skills Training for Group Leaders, Office Bearers and Farmer Trainers
Group leaders know and apply improved techniques on group management and planning
Farmer trainers and group leaders keep records of FFS observations and conclusions
Office bearers know and apply basic book keeping and calculation
FOD / FP
5
Supply of Production Inputs: Facilitation of Group Actions
learned on the different steps how to agree upon and to organize common actions for the purchase of production inputs,
learned on how to identify the proper products according to the required ingredients and to discard faked, inactive and outdated products
FOD / FP
6
Microfinance I: Assistance for the Development and Consolidation of Savings Boxes
Learned on the purpose of savings boxes for
providing small and short-term loans for group members
financing common activities, e.g. the purchase of production and veterinary inputs
providing financial assistance in case of emergency situations of group members
FOD / FP
7
Microfinance II: Facilitation of Bank Loans
Learned on the conditions of banks and microfinance institutions, which offer seasonal and investment credit
Learned how to address the institutions and apply for individual loans
FOD / FP
8
Marketing I: Facilitation of Group Actions
Learned on how to forecast the harvest and to develop marketing plans
Learned on how to get reliable and updated information about markets, volumes and prices
Learned on the quality requirements of the markets regarding sorting, grading and packaging
FOD / FP
9
Marketing II: Facilitation of Market Linkages
Decided on contacting traders and wholesalers on provincial and national level for offering their products
Discussed the marketable quantity as well as the quality of their crops and the possibilities of sorting, grading and packaging at farm, village and district level
FOD / FP
10
Federated Structures: Farmer Organizations on Village, District and Provincial Level
Understood the importance of the mutual cooperation of producer groups on village and district level
Assessed the possibilities of organizing the needed services through the local agricultural cooperatives
Discussed the need for organizing producer groups into district and regional associations for advocacy and for developing common standards of a specific crop on district level
FOD / FP
The above outlined process is supported by FOD staff (1 male, 1 female) in each of the mentioned 5 focus districts. Their role is the following:
Facilitate extension meetings according to the principles of the farmer field school, together with the FP in charge of the HLP extension service.
Facilitate the coordination of the different FPs’ activities on district level.
Develop linkages between producer groups, HLP-FPs and other service providers.
Develop linkages between producer groups and district and provincial administrations.
Facilitate ongoing activities as group formation, mobilization, and organizational development.
Facilitate the self-assessment of producer groups, and assist them to identify their needs and to find appropriate solutions.
Support local governments and other stakeholders in the planning and implementing of community development issues.
FOD staff and FPs are sharing the efforts for the integrated services delivery. The regular visiting schedule is one meeting per month for each of them, the FOD staff on supporting the collective group actions, and the FPs providing assistance and training for increasing the self-help capacity of the producer groups. Both, FPs and FOD staff cooperate in collecting data for the verification of performance indicators (see separate chapter below).
C-6. Regular Monthly Coordination Meetings of FOD, FPs and DAIL
At the last week of each month FOD staff in 5 focus districts convene a regular coordination meeting, inviting all FPs for the provision of horticulture and livestock extension services and the poultry program, the delivery of FOD integrated services and the DAIL extension staff. The standard agenda of this meeting contains:
Reports about the implementation of the last month’s agreements
Coordination of work plans of the following month of HLP extension workers for both horticulture and livestock, FOD and DAIL extension staff
Agreements made upon:
group visiting schedules planned for the bi-weekly visits of male and female producer groups by extension workers,
visiting schedules planned for FOD - FPs (monthly visit) and
visiting schedules planned for the facilitation of services delivery (monthly visit by FOD staff)
Having established this practice since half a year, the DAIL district officials are often chairing the meetings. Afterwards FOD prepares the minutes of meeting and distributes it to the participants.
Monitoring of FPs and Performance of Producer Groups
By concluding contracts with FPs, a systematized reporting scheme is in place. FPs report monthly about the activities developed and the work plans for the following month. FOD national, regional and district staff are verifying the reported activities in the field. These reports are used for the monitoring of the deliverables agreed upon in the service contract. The monitoring of the FP activities is outlined in table 7.
Table 7: Monitoring of Activities of FPs
Steps
Activity
Modality
1
Inception Report
Report after one month of starting the project implementation
2
Monthly Reports from the FPs
Regular reports according to the contractual obligations
3
Producer Group Data Sheet
Maintenance of FOD Data Base
4
Analysis of Priorities of Needs
Report as basis for the development of the group action plan
5
Group Action Plan
Report as planning of FFS and provision of services
6
Quarterly Assessment of Group Performance
Report on verification of performance indicators
7
Intermediate and Final Evaluation
Workshops with FP teams of trainers
Additionally, the situation of each group is quarterly assessed by gathering information for verifying the main indicators of the HLP Result Framework and the Performance Indicators agreed upon after the World Bank supervision mission in March 2010. The data is available for each of the 5 districts where FOD staff is based, and for each contracted FP as well, and is managed in cooperation with the M&E component of HLP. This is to monitor the performance of the groups, the FPs and the overall FOD component. The group performance indicators are shown in table 8.
Table 8: FOD Group Performance Indicators
1
Number of Farmer Trainers
2
Number of Farmer Field Schools (FFS) Organized
Percentage of group members attending FFS
3
Percentage of farmers in the group exposed to the three key technical practices
4
Percentage of farmers in groups adopting recommended practices
5
Total amount of savings
Savings per group
6
Amount of inter-loaning and credit mobilized
Percentage of group mobilizing credit
7
Percentage of groups undertaking collective activities
The results, conclusions and lessons learnt are periodically summarized in the FOD Monthly and Quarterly Reports. The Quarterly Progress Report contains the verification of the group performance indicators based on the 303 groups assisted in the 2nd mobilization phase in 5 focus districts.
Guidelines for Savings, Inter-Loaning and Credit Components
Access to finances is crucial for investment and adoption of new technologies in horticulture and livestock farming. At the current stage, formal credit is not available for the big majority of the farmers. Generally farmers are not eligible for any commercial credit due to the lack of collateral and the high risk of the investment. On the other hand farmers expect credit without any interest payments according to the Islamic rule.
International donors financed banks and agencies provide some credit facilities to specific target groups, while in the rural areas there is no financial infrastructure for providing financial services and for financing investments and seasonal credit in the agricultural sector.
In this situation, local savings groups, called “Savings Boxes”, play an important role for mobilizing local savings for investing into viable economic activities. HLP has been supporting savings boxes, which arise from the middle of the mobilized producer groups. The group members agree on regular monthly payments and jointly decide how to use the collected money. The main purpose of the savings are spent for financing common group activities in horticulture and livestock and craft activities, e.g. preservation of fruits by female groups. The groups have also started with inter-loaning by giving small and short-term loans to members without interest, and provide financial support to group members in need.
Savings Boxes are informal organizations. This allows them to collect savings at group level and to use the deposited funds without state interference and control. In this way the groups administer the collective funds and are autonomous in their decisions. On the other hand, the scope of activities remains very limited and is bound to the available funds, and the groups are on risk of losses by negligence or theft. This informality also prevents banks and micro-finance agencies dealing with the groups, e.g. lending to the groups on the basis of mutual liability. Nevertheless, in some cases groups have learned to address to financial service providers and to get loans on an individual basis. table 9 indicates the number of male and female savings boxes established by the producer groups in the 5 FOD focus districts. Of a total of 503 groups, 371 are maintaining Savings Boxes with a total of 9002 members. The total savings have been 1,931,059 AFN (42,900 USD)
Table 9: Savings Boxes in Focus Districts
District / Groups
Groups
Group Members
Male
Female
Male
Female
Mir Bacha Kot
22
36
675
925
Mahmud Raqi
16
16
389
285
Aybak
42
38
944
921
Khulm
59
63
1.446
1.438
Sheberghan
38
41
925
1.054
Total
177
194
4.379
4.623
HLP has developed coarse statutes for structuring and regulating the groups’ operations. These statutes refer to the eligibility of the members and their rights and duties, general rules for savings and expenditures (how to use the funds for different purposes: production, loans, emergency aid), and rules for the repayment and safeguard of the funds. All operations of savings and lending are held in public during the group meetings. Each group member holds a passbook, which indicates the individual share, and the total operations are recorded in the group ledger.
The World Bank financed “Afghanistan Rural Enterprise Development Program” AREDP plans to develop formal Village Savings and Loan Associations. These associations would formally register and apply for a license of the Central Bank for keeping savings deposits. The village associations would be supported by the program with grants which would increase their abilities for providing loans at local level. HLP will cooperate with the AREDP in the district of Khulm, Balkh province, where both programs are going to develop their activities. It is planned to achieve a specific Memorandum of Understanding between the two programs, in order to benefit the groups supported by HLP with a matching grant in relation to the group savings and observe the impact through AREDP.
District Agricultural Services Provision System (DSAPS)
FOD is supporting the efforts for assisting the district government and DAIL structures in planning and coordinating the different services for farmers and farmers’ organizations in the focus districts. Government administration, private service providers and international donors and last, but not least, representatives of producer groups and farmer organizations (cooperatives) are coordinating their different activities. These multiple efforts result in the District Agricultural Services Provision System (DSAPS) and may be extended on provincial (PASPS) and national (NASPS) level. The supported process is the following:
Carry out assessment of organizations working in agriculture sector in HLP focus districts, what they do, how much, where in the district, who they collaborate with, what capacity they have and what they need to improve their capacity.
Hold workshops to provide feedback from the surveys, secure consensus as to desirably for the DASPS and to plan for the development of institutional arrangements to give effect to the coordination and collaboration of agricultural activities in the district.
Hold workshops in the districts to set up structures for effective coordination and collaboration of all organizations and institutions participating in the District Agriculture Service Provision System (DASPS) enabling structure such as the DASPS Assembly (comprising senior representatives of collaborating institutions) and the District Agriculture Coordination and Collaboration Committee (DACCC).
Facilitate the implementation of coordination and collaboration provision in the DASPS Action Plan in each district in line with the seasonal calendar.
Facilitate DASPS report- back workshops where the DACCC reports back to the larger DASPS body of senior representatives of participating organizations and institutions (DASPS Assembly) in each district in line with the seasonal calendar.
Facilitate holding of monitoring and review of DASPS workshops in the district to gauge progress and adjust provisions of the Action Plan as necessary.
In a first stage, this process is going to be developed in the 5 districts where FOD staff is located and able to provide the required support.
Attachments
1. HLP Integrated Extension Service Model
2. TOR for FPs for 1st and 2nd Mobilization Phase
Terms of Reference for Facilitating Partners for Group Formation, Social Mobilization and Economic Mobilization of Horticulture and Livestock Producer Groups in the District of xxx, Cluster x, xxx
Introduction
HLP has been working with smallholder horticulture and livestock producers to increase production and productivity in focus clusters. The project has also facilitated formation of producer groups. More recently under the Farmer Organization Development (FOD) component, HLP has worked on an intensive process of group formation, mobilization and training enabling formation and strengthening of 175 male and 107 female producer groups in seven districts. This process has shown results in terms of building social capital, increasing social cohesion, increased capacity for self help and self management. This process has also resulted in increased awareness among members about HLP activities and operations. In some cases this has resulted in increased participation of these members in HLP extension efforts. Female producer groups have been supported in establishing 170 new orchards. Some women groups have been facilitated to take up semi intensive poultry production. The groups have developed some skills of planning and management. However these groups require more mobilization support and facilitation to participate actively in implementation and management of the extension and technology adoption for horticulture and livestock programs through the network of farmer field schools. There is also the need to develop intensive models for community management for last mile service delivery including extension services, input supply and management, savings and credit services and marketing services.
Building on the existing efforts at mobilization around self help and self management, HLP is in the process of developing a participatory extension and technology dissemination approach using farmer field schools. This would involve farmer trainers from every producer group participate in a farmer field school and get trained in key technologies and practices related to the key tree and field crops in case of horticulture and similarly in livestock sector. These farmer trainers are expected to become farmer extensionists and support experimentation and extension of the recommended practices for the farmers who are members of the producer group in their own fields. Producer group is expected to take an important role in deepening , management and monitoring of the extension efforts at the group level and ensure that farmer extensionist delivers extension services at the village level. The producer group is also expected to provide feedback to extension functionaries and the extension workers on the issues faced by the farmers in adoption of practices. The mobilization effort would lead to increased participation of the members of the producer group in extension and experimentation of the recommended practices and should lead to adoption and adaptation of the improved practices. This process of mobilization would be undertaken with most groups formed in 11 districts.
The second type of mobilization would be taken up only in selected districts and farmer groups. This would revolve around service delivery for horticulture and livestock sectors. This would include to facilitate extension services, input supply and management, savings, credit and financial services and marketing services. This mobilization would involve enabling farmer organizations to develop an integrated one stop service delivery to members leading to lower transaction costs and increased effectiveness. This would involve building linkages with input suppliers like ag-depots, VFUs in case of livestock, district extension services, microfinance agencies, functional cooperatives and other rural finance organizations, traders and other commercial organizations. This mobilization effort would lead to increased access to good quality inputs and services at a reasonable cost to the members and also ensure that members get better prices for their produce. This mobilization would include federating the producer groups to achieve economies of scale in delivering services and aggregating demand for services, inputs, credit and commodities. This would enable public and private agencies to provide services to famers in a cost effective way and enable the producer groups to emerge as franchisees for various public and private service providers.
The process of mobilization would be taken up in training and implementation modules with the initial module focusing on self help, self management, savings and financial management. The second module will focus on participatory technology dissemination and extension through farmer field school and farmer extensionists and group management of extension and dissemination. The third module will be taken up in limited locations and will focus on management of service delivery including input supply, credit and marketing services. Depending on the progress made, these farmer organizations could be federated to achieve economies of scale for service delivery and could develop linkages with district extension system and CDCs/DDAs. This could also lead to setting up of Farmer Service centers at the federated level.
Objectives of group formation, social mobilization and economic mobilization
To consolidate the work done in setting up of male and female producer groups to enable them to emerge as strong self help and self managed institutions based on quality indicators developed and shared with the members.
To mobilize the male and female producer groups to participate actively in all extension, technology dissemination, activities including the farmer field schools and enable farmer extensionists to deliver services to members leading to high rates of adoption of improved practices according to agreed indicators.
To develop strong self managed community institutions for service delivery enabling better access to input supply and management, savings, credit and marketing services.
To develop coordination and linkages with public and private service providers e.g. microfinance agencies, ag-depots, VFUs, district and other extension services, NGOs.
Expected tasks of Facilitating Partners
Strengthening Group Cohesion, Building Social Capital
Formation of new groups (development of bye laws,) and strengthening of the existing groups( leadership,grading, auditing, etc).
Monitoring of activities carried through by groups without facilitators.
Monitoring of implementation of group action plans (seasonal calendars).
Training in group processes:
Principles of peaceful conflict resolution (“do not harm”) and consensual decision making
Information about Services and support needed and offered by HLP
Thematic Micro-planning with focus on horticulture and livestock
Improvement of Management and Planning Capacities of Groups / Farmer Organizations
Training of the key functionaries of the group in planning and group management.
Provide continuous recording and reporting of the realized activities.
Keeping a “minutes of meeting book” for the documentation of activities of each group
Provide monthly reports on the activities realized
Contribute to the evaluation of the activities in form of
(i) a summary report and
(ii) sharing of experiences during an evaluation exercise.
Management of the Farmer Field School, Community management of extension and technology experimentation and adoption process
Support the participation of the male and female producer groups in the activities of the farmer field school, both in horticulture and livestock issues, in close cooperation with the HLP technical components (extension service).
Facilitate the linkage between producer groups and veterinary clinics and Veterinary Field Units (VFUs) as well for the provision of animal health services.
Developing a calendar and plan for technology dissemination and extension for the group members.
Management of the farmer trainer and extensionists in close coordination with the HLP extension service.
Organisation of field days and localised famer field schools within the group using participatory extension methodologies in close coordination with the HLP extension service.
Arranging for farm trials within the group in close coordination with the HLP extension service.
Monitoring of the adoption rates.
Providing feedback to the extension services and the experts.
Input supply management
Training in business abilities and commercialization (input supply, marketing).
Training in administrative and management skills.
Facilitating the linkages with private input providers (e.g. Ag Depots, VFUs).
Facilitating the collective purchase of agricultural inputs at federated level.
Promoting the cooperation between producer groups on village and district levels.
Supporting the creation of registered farmer associations (or cooperatives).
Development of Savings Mobilization , Microcredit and other financial services including “Savings Boxes”
Training in organization, member participation, leadership, financial management and book keeping.
Training in management of savings boxes and internal lending and repayment (eligibility criteria, clear savings norms, minimum amounts, withdrawal rules, appraisal, prioritization, repayment schedules, actions to be taken at every stage of delinquency, internal audits and frequency etc).
Assistance in developing rules and regulations for management of revolving funds, micro-lending procedures, taking into consideration known experiences and best practices.
Developing linkages of producer groups with external agencies including microfinance agencies and other financial service providers.
Provision of marketing services
Support development of marketing plans for various commodities being produced in the orchards through group level collection of data on produce and prices.
Develop and train group functionaries who would specialise in market information access and dissemination to members.
Develop links with traders and other agencies interested in building fair price and trade relationships with groups.
Facilitate aggregation, grading , quality control and local level value addition to get better prices for the produce.
Work on federating the groups to be able to aggregate produce and get market linkages.
Development of the Farmer Service Centres at the Federated level
Methodology
The Farmer Organization Development (FOD) team has developed an outline for forming and strengthening of horticulture and livestock producer groups, which serves as a guideline for carrying through the group formation and mobilization process (“Community Operational Manual for Facilitators”). In a series of ten meetings the groups – male and female – will undergo awareness creation about HLP services (1st phase of 6 months).
In response to the “Request For Proposals”, the Facilitating Partner will develop its methodology and will submit its technical and financial proposal, which will form basis for contract award. The above mentioned objectives have to be interpreted and the respective tasks described in the application proposal, technical and didactical documentation included. The principles of sustainable rural development, active target group participation and equal opportunities of male and female beneficiaries need to be respected (2nd phase for service delivery facilitation).
The activities have to be carried through within the given budget limitations and time frame with the respective 50 producer groups (25 male and 25 female groups). The activities will be implemented in close cooperation with the HLP extension service (meetings of “Farmer Field School”).
Requested Key Staff and Qualification
Project Director
The Facilitating Partner is assigning a project director who is responsible for the proper implementation of the agreed activities and reporting. The following record of qualification and experience is required:
Academic education in social sciences, economy and/or agriculture
Experience of at least 5 years in the implementation of social mobilization and rural development projects.
Pool of trainers (3 male / 3 female)
For the implementation of the activities, the provision of qualified technical and pedagogical staff is required, considering gender parity. National and local professional staff (native speakers) is given preference.
The following record of qualification and experience and is required:
Academic education in the respective fields of work (social sciences, rural economy, agriculture)
Prior experience of training and working on participatory extension programs in areas of agriculture, horticulture, livestock sectors.
Prior experience of working on economic mobilization of groups including credit, marketing and other livelihood support services.
Deliverables within the contract period
The Facilitating Partner will carry through meetings with each of the respective 50 producer groups, considering a given topic (according to the expected tasks of this TOR). During the meetings, all mentioned aspects will be dealt with in an appropriate manner. The specific issues which the groups are mostly interested in should be taken into consideration. Both these TOR and the time frame as well provide opportunities for focusing those topics.
Submission of inception report after one month of signature of the contract.
Continuous monthly submission of reports (activities, observations, required adjustments) to be submitted to the Project Director of MAIL through the FOD component of HLP.
Delivery of the following information about each producer group in a written form:
General information according to the Producer Group Data Sheet
Analysis of Priority Needs Assessment
Group Action Plan (Seasonal Calendar)
Quarterly updated information for the verification of the following Performance Indicators:
Number of farmer trainers identified from the group;
Number of farmer field schools organized and percentage of group members attending the farmer field school;
Percentage of farmers in the group exposed to the three key technical practices e.g. pruning, etc;
Percentage of farmers in groups adopting recommended practices;
Total amount of savings and savings per group;
Amount of inter-loaning and credit mobilized/Percentage of groups mobilizing credit;
Percentage of groups undertaking collective activities and actions e.g. input procurement, collective marketing;
Contribute to the group formation process (25 male and 25 female producer groups with 25 members each) in close cooperation with the HLP extension service.
Carrying through 500 meetings with male and female producer groups (10 meetings per group during the first 6 months of the assignment according to the HLP outline “Community Operational Manual for Facilitators” (1st phase).
Carrying through 600 meetings with male and female groups (2nd phase: 12 meetings per group).
Delivery of a project completion report at the end of the contract, providing the corresponding information according to the list of Group Performance Indicators.
The organization of a concluding workshop for reporting, presentation of results, observations and recommendations, including a PowerPoint presentation, will be expected.
HLP/FOD will provide the corresponding templates for the required reports.
Timeframe
The activities should be carried through during the period from xxx 2010 until 31st of December 2011.
HLP/FOD_16-09-10
ToR_1st+2nd phase
3. Job Description of FOD District Project Facilitators
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAIL)
Horticulture and Livestock Project (HLP)
Farmer Organization Development (FOD)
Job Description: District Project Facilitator (male / female)
The Horticulture and Livestock Project (HLP) is the first comprehensive agricultural project, which the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) has implemented since the 1970s. The project is financed by the World Bank, ARTF and DfID, and aims at stimulating marketable output of horticulture and livestock in focus areas by: (i) improving the incentives framework for private investments; and (ii) strengthening institutional capacity in agriculture.
Components of HLP:
HLP has two major components which are horticulture and livestock. The project areas are one Focus District in each of 11 provinces in the north and center of Afghanistan. Rural smallholder farm families join into producer groups for horticultural and livestock products. For both components gender issues are important to be recognized since roles and responsibilities are shared among farm families between men and women.
Farmer Organization Development (FOD)
During the first rounds of HLP’s implementation it became obvious that the two technical components need to be supported and complemented by an additional one which is Farmer Organization Development (FOD). Lessons learnt in HLP and other projects revealed clearly that the lack of capacity, capability and competence of farmers’ groups to lead and manage their own organizations has caused struggles up to the point of total collapse of the groups.
FOD is led by an expatriate specialist and supported by male and female national and regional coordinators in the central office and the regional office in Mazar-e-Sharif as well. Additionally, there are 10 FOD Project Facilitators working for the development of service delivery structures in 5 districts of 5 provinces (1 male and 1 female staff per district). Some of the specific activities (formation, mobilization and training of producer groups) are being implemented by Facilitating Partners. The 5 districts are:
Region Province Focus District
Central Kabul Mir Bacha Kot
Kapisa Mahmood Raqi
North Samangan Ayback
Balkh Khulm
Jowzjan Sheberghan
Tasks of the Project Facilitator:
The ultimate goal of the FOD team is to contribute to HLP's objective to uplift the livelihoods of rural smallholder farm families in an integrated and holistic way. In order to accomplish this objective, the district project facilitator is expected to perform the following tasks:
Facilitate ongoing activities of group formation, mobilization, and organization of group activities.
Develop linkages between the producer groups and the local and district committees for community development (CDCs, DDAs).
Develop linkages between the producer groups and the district and provincial administrations (DAIL, PAD).
Provide training to producer groups and group leaders in organizational development, and management of common group activities.
Facilitate the organization and management of the Farmer Field School (FFS) of male and female producer groups, together with the farmer trainers and the HFP extension workers.
Develop linkages between producer groups and
AgDepots, Agricultural Cooperatives and private traders for the supply of production inputs
Microfinance agencies and banks for the provision of seasonal credit
Wholesalers and exporters for improving the conditions of marketing of local horticulture and livestock products
Support the creation and functioning of Savings Boxes for mobilizing group-savings and inter-loaning activities
Develop linkages between producer groups, HLP-FPs and other service providers, and support the efforts for the establishment of the District Agricultural Services Provision System (DASPS).
Facilitate the self-assessment of producer groups, for identifying their needs, and planning and monitoring of group activities.
Regular reporting to the regional and national FOD and HLP coordinators.
Professional Qualifications and Experience:
BSc degree in the relevant competence areas.
General understanding of Community Development and Farmer Organization Development issues.
At least two years of rural development experience in the relevant development agencies or the public sector.
Perfect Dari and Pashto language and Intermediate English language skills.
Excellent communication skills and social competency.
Other:
Motivated, hardworking, creative and strong team worker.
Willingness to travel and to work in the rural area.
Ability to form professional relations with farmer groups; relevant experience with community groups is an asset.
AD_14 December 2010
4. Job Description of RoP Extension Workers
SCOPE OF WORK
HORTICULTURE EXTENSION WORKER
Position: Extension Worker
Level of Effort: 12 months renewable
Period of Performance:July 01st, 2010 to October 31st, 2011
Base of Operations: Different Provinces where program is implemented
Reports To: Directly to Provincial Coordinator
Work section: Horticulture Component – ROP Extension service
I. Background
Perennial crops are a key sub-sector for the development of the economy of the country. Planting and or rehabilitating orchards impacts on the livelihoods of thousand of rural households. It increases local fruit production, and generates revenues, and also provides a foundation for local agribusiness development, and supplies environmental benefits.
Roots of Peace under the Emergency Horticulture and Livestock Program (HLP) will be implementing an Integrate Extension Service involving the following components: Horticulture, Livestock and Gender. This program will run from July 01, 2010 until October 31, 2011. For this purpose Roots of Peace is seeking for motivated Extension Workers (male and female) interested in working in any of the following provinces: Kabul, Parwan, Kapisa, Panjshir, Baghlan, Kunduz, Takhar, Samangan, Balk, and Sar-e-Pul provinces.
The program will focus on increasing the productive capacity of perennial crops (almond, apricot, grape, pomegranate, as main crops: and apple, plum, peach, and cherry as minor crops); introducing modern orchard management production practices, and profitable crop annual crop-varieties combined with farmers’ organization for input supply and marketing. The program will design and implement activities with small, medium and large farmers.
II. Purpose:
The Extension Worker will be responsible for successfully implementing ROP-HLP extension activities in the field; this involves the establishment of new orchards, the re-planting of the old ones and the training of the farmers in the districts where program is implemented.
The program is part of a strategy for the dissemination of modern orchard production, post-harvest handling and marketing practices to enable orchard growers to increase productivity, improve quality and reduce market inefficiencies.
III. Duties:
Establish new orchards, re-planting old ones and/or rehabilitate orchards already established:
Selection-registration of the farmers to be involved in the program
Distribute the inputs package (saplings, fertilizer and intercropping seed) to the farmers involved in the program
Assist farmers in the establishment of new orchards/vineyards
Collect farmers’ contribution in the field
Technical assistance:
Prepares and delivers training activities following the Farmers Field School (FFS) approach to farmers organized by FOD (Focus districts) and HIG (non Focus districts) on orchard establishment and management, annual crop production, postharvest handling and marketing.
Follow up the implementation of the HLP/ROP orchard management extension practices recommended.
Support to marketing:
Facilitate, in collaboration with HLP team the establishment of market linkages between organized producers, wholesalers and processors.
Support the organization of the farmers groups in the field
Coordinates activities with FOD Implementing partners to organize farmers groups at the village level in the district where Ew is working.
Other
Introduce the program to the local authorities at the village level.
Provide constant feedback to the Provincial Coordinator about the different issues in the field.
Participate on the training activities organized by HLP/ROP to improve the technical level of the Extension team.
Provide written reports on accomplishments, needs and plans as required and submits them to the Provincial Coordinator.
All other duties assigned by supervisor
IV. Outputs and Deliverables:
Monthly work plan updated every fortnight.
Successful implementation of the monthly work plan
Records of farmers trained, farmers receiving agricultural inputs, number of Ha of new orchards planted and/or rehabilitated in the district under his/her responsibility.
Reports and monitoring data produced as required and in a timely manner
5. References Regarding the Mode of Operation of the FOD Component
The mode of operation of FOD and the interaction with the other HLP components is based on by the following documents:
Aide Memoire, Project Restructuring Mission (June 10-30, 2009)
HLP Results Framework 2009 – 2011; as of 18th July 2009
Terms of Reference for Facilitating Partners for Group Formation, Social Mobilization and Economic Mobilization of Horticulture and Livestock Producer Groups, July 2009
Aide Memoire, Supervision Mission (February 22 - March 9, 2010)
HLP Activity Plan for SY 1389-90 [2010-11]; Component 3: Farmer Organization Development (FOD)
The Role of FOD in relation to horticulture and livestock extension activities of HLP, June 2010
Community Operational Manual For Facilitators - Training Modules on Group Formation, Social Mobilization and Economic Mobilization; revised version September 2010
Community Operational Manual For Facilitators II - Training Modules on the Provision of Integrated Services for Horticulture and Livestock Producer Groups (2nd phase), September 2010
Gender Mainstreaming Strategy for the Horticulture and Livestock Project (HLP), January 2010
Environment and Social Safeguards Framework for the Emergency Horticulture and Livestock Project (HLP), October 2009
There are about 50 more districts in the 11 provinces where HLP is planting new orchards at individual farms. The FOD group mobilization approach does not apply to these districts.
1 jerib equals 0.2 ha
In the beginning of HLP activities, “lead farmers” according to the “train and visit” approach were appointed and 24 “radial farmers” gathered around each of them. These groups were called “Horticulture Interest Groups” (HIG).
Referring to the training modules see: Community Operational Manual For Facilitators - Training Modules on Group Formation, Social Mobilization and Economic Mobilization; revised version September 2010
Community Operational Manual For Facilitators II - Training Modules on the Provision of Integrated Services for Horticulture and Livestock Producer Groups (2nd phase), September 2010
Situation in April 2011
DASPS activities have been carried through in Mir Bacha Kot (Kabul) as a pilot district, followed by activities in Mahmud Raqi (Kapisa), Ayback (Samangan) and Khulm (Balkh) districts. The PASPS has been developing in Panjshir province at a pilot stage.