The Sivas-Erzincan Development Project in Turkey, implemented between 2003 and 2011, aimed to increase agricultural productivity and income levels of the rural poor, expand employment opportunities and encourage smallholder initiatives. The project made an important contribution in terms of supporting the communal infrastructure including new irrigation schemes and improvements to dairy-related activities led to a significant increase in agricultural productivity and income levels for the rural poor in the less developed parts of the project area. The project also financed non-repayable grants which created a secure and steady income from dairy production. Despite important steps taken and contributions made, the overall achievements fell short of the set objectives. The late and incomplete establishment of properly functioning monitoring and evaluation systems led to severely hindering the analysis of project results. Training of project support staff also needs attention.