| General Information |
Project/Program |
Project |
| Project Name |
The Battambang Rural Area Nurture and Development Project |
| Duration |
30 November, 2006 - 31 March, 2010 |
| Donor |
JICA |
| Implementiong Organization |
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and Battambang Provincial Department of Agricultrue (PDA) |
| Sector and/or Subsector Classification |
Agriculture |
| Region |
Battambang) |
| Financing |
300 Million Yen |
| Analytical Information |
Stakeholders |
JICA, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Battambang Provincial Department of Agricultrue (PDA) and farmers. |
| Cross-cutting Issue |
Environment |
|
| Gender |
|
| Impact Analysis |
This project was highly successful and most of the outputs were achieved. Agricultural extension plan was formulated and improved according to monitoring and evaluation of implementation. Also information was regularly delivered to and gathered from farmers using the information board. As a result, the fundamental goal of enhancing agricultural service delivery to farmers was accomplished. The evaluation team considers that the overall goal being achieved after the completion of the project would have a great impact if the relevant authority is able to follow up the activities. |
| Effectiveness |
Ownership/Partnership |
Evaluation |
In the evaluation report, the issue of ownership was not specifically mentioned. But it seems that farmers actively participated in some activities and applied new plans to their farming. Almost 2,680 farmers participated in extension activities about rice and vegetable products and more than 50 % of the farmers who participated in the workshops, seminars and Famers’ Field Days (FFDs) adopt at least one of the improved techniques. However, the project was hindered by inadequate coordination and management at the regional level due to unclear responsibilities of relevant staff in the project. |
| Rating |
3/5 |
| Policy Coherence/Harmonization |
Evaluation |
This project is highly relevant to the national policies of Cambodia, needs of farmers and government officials in the Battambang Province and the official development policies of Japan. In Cambodia, Agricultural production accounts for about 35 % of the country’s GDP and 75 of the national population makes their living from agriculture.So the RGC has seeked ways to improve its agricultre. Also, the overall goals to support the farming system of farmers are greatly related to the interest of local communities. |
| Rating |
4/5 |
| Evaluation Framework |
Evaluation |
The evaluation team consisted of 5 experts. The period of the evaluation was from 6 December 2009 to 21 December 2009. Results are subdivided into 4 outputs; 1) extension plans are formulated according to the agricultural potentials and extension needs of farmers in the target communes, 2) improved agricultural techniques and methods are developed for extension according to the needs of the farmers, 3) agricultural extension activities are carried out in the target communes according to the needs of farmers, 4) collaboration among parties involved in agricultural production, marketing and policies is enhanced. |
| Rating |
4/5 |
| Alignment/Composition of Finance |
Evaluation |
The findings of the sustainability of the project were mixed. The project has encouraged communes to include extension plans in their CIPs. Although there have been no positive signs of funds from NGOs or other donors, the commune chiefs showed their commitment to seek funds. However, the technical skills introduced by the project were of a basic level and they did not have great influence in farmers’ agricultural activities. What’ worse, the financial constraints were the biggest challenge to overcome in order to make the project sustainable. |
| Rating |
3/5 |
| Other Remarks |
One of the main development goals in the agricultural sector is “To increase productivity and diversification of agriculture” in the country. The project is a step of the path to the national development goal but plans heading to the goal should be clearly specified |
