The country programme evaluation looks at results achieved in the last 17 years (since the last CPE in 1992). Overall these have been positive, with IFAD making a significant contribution towards improving agriculture and rural development in some of the country’s poor, remote and least developed areas, and in gaining a solid reputation for specialized expertise and country experience. The evaluation found that IFAD has made a positive impact towards promoting participatory development and supporting social mobilization in rural areas. In many areas agricultural productivity has improved through enhanced irrigation systems, soil conservation, crop improvements, the diversification of production and the development of small-scale fisheries. Despite the challenges of a conservative society, IFAD has helped to empower women by providing them with economic opportunities and increasing their participation in community decision-making. However, IFAD had only limited success in enhancing poor rural households’ access to financial services, even though some progress has been made in establishing community-based savings and credit groups. Despite severe water shortages, relatively few investments have been made in improving surface water management. The country portfolio has also been affected by capacity constraints in government. Finally, despite the country’s large proportion of children and youth and high youth unemployment, few projects/programmes have focused on youth.