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Technology change for livelihood development This Note relates to KSF3: Alignment of design features with IFAD Strategic Objectives and lessons learnt; analysis and results framework Core issues Project Formulation should result in:
Depending on circumstances, technical changes may involve more efficient use of existing resources, intensification using new inputs, diversification into new products or markets, or adoption of advanced technologies such as biotechnology. The poor may benefit directly by upgrading their subsistence or commercial production systems, or through changes by the less poor that create jobs for the poorer. The Technical Strategy should be based on an analysis of the agro-ecological and socio-economic setting including technical potentials, precedents for change, trends, constraints and opportunities. The Technical Strategy should also take account of relevant issues concerning input supplies and markets; infrastructure; the environment and policies for resource management; and the evolving role and importance of farming and agriculture-based employment in the livelihood strategies of the target group. Benefits should be demonstrated using a few realistic, well-chosen, illustrative crop/farm models. Where the poor are to be reached indirectly through job creation, their share in benefits should be calculated. Organisation of technology change will usually involve contributions from the potential adopters themselves, facilitated and supported by the best available sources from the public, private or voluntary sectors or via commercial associations, depending on circumstances. These aspects are covered in Learning Note 4.3 – Rural Technical Support Services. Key tasks for design and review
An outline for the presentation by agriculturalists of proposals for technology change A summary of the agro-ecological setting, stressing biophysical opportunities and constraints to agricultural progress in the project area (e.g. soils, climate, topography, vegetation etc.). A description of the role of agriculture in the livelihoods and survival strategies of the target group. Show how farming and/or employment as farm-workers contribute towards their livelihoods. Describe trends. A description of the main farming systems in the project area, especially those practised by the target group. Show how current husbandry practices reflect their risk-avoidance strategies and explore opportunities for the project to exploit: e.g. to accelerate on-going changes in farming systems, crop diversification, and non-agricultural changes, or to exploit new roads, and/or marketing opportunities. A summary of the main socio-economic opportunities/constraints relevant to the agricultural activities of the target group. Issues may concern gender, age, social structure, access to land, water or markets, and inputs or services (e.g. seeds, agro-chemicals, extension) infrastructure, environment, health, nutrition, education, or the influence of government policies. Stress those constraints, opportunities and issues that the project could logically and feasibly address through investment. A technical strategy that exploits the opportunities that are realistically achievable, whilst addressing constraints that can be realistically remedied (emerging from the previous analysis). Summarise changes in technology and production practices that might be advocated/facilitated/promoted for which categories of rural people, indicating how they would respond to current and future needs of the target group and why the proposed technologies would be adoptable. A facilitation strategy that identifies measures needing investment support in order to achieve the technical strategy. Include information on any need to generate and/or improve access to new technologies; test/disseminate improved technology. Identify actions required to remove/reduce “upstream” constraints, (e.g. credit and inputs); and remove/reduce “downstream” constraints (e.g. market access). Include any capacity building and/or institutional-strengthening requirements. An organisation and management proposal showing how the strategy would be implemented. Propose means of involving beneficiaries both in planning and implementation of change, to ensure relevance of new technologies and delivery arrangements. Focus on the allocation of organisational and individual responsibilities to promote and facilitate participatory technical change. Indicate how capacity of managers and/or service providers would be enhanced or supported. Show how a focus on the needs of the target group would be ensured. A list of investment vategories and physical quantities that includes the main items required to implement the proposed technical changes, (for use in calculating aggregate project costs). Evidence of adoptability of technology changes of the sorts envisaged through a small number of illustrative crop budgets and farm models. Highlight changes in returns to labour (especially family labour) cash costs and cash flows for typical members of the target group that would realistically result from project interventions within an acceptable period. The issue of marketing and prices for incremental production should also be taken into account. Where appropriate, estimate impacts on job creation. |
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