Stocktaking and development of South Sudan Agriculture Sector Development and Investment Plan
Donor: AU/NEPAD and the Government of Swaziland.
Duration: April – December 2012
Purpose: The project was an effort by the Government of South Sudan to align its agricultural development strategy and Investment plan to the CAADP Framework, Principles and Targets (CAADP 2003).
The work focused on analysis of the current agricultural sector situation, as a requirement for developing the investment plan. It provided a synthesis on the status of agriculture sector in the country, its progress over the last years and an assessment of the country’s agriculture potential, opportunities and constraints/challenges as well as possible investment areas for accelerated growth. Further, examined baseline issues in key performance analysis areas such as ecosystem services and gender mainstreaming; the institutional and capacity development issues, investments levels and financing mechanisms, including a look at agricultural sector development programs, projects and other external assistance efforts. The current level of private sector participation in agricultural development and the government’s strategy to attract more private sector investments is also reviewed.
The stock taking work was followed by in depth analysis of challenges, constraints and opportunities in the agricultural sector. Wide stakeholders’ consultations at the agricultural sector level, national and states levels were undertaken to build consensus on constraints and interventions and investment priorities and other issues.
A draft investment plan was prepared and shared with a wide stakeholder group to build consensus before finalization.
Impact Evaluation and Lessons Learned of the ASARECA ‘s First Operational Plan and Development Objectives, 20014
Introduction. The Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) is a regional intergovernmental institution set up by ten member countries in eastern and Central Africa. The organization supports and coordinates agricultural research in the region. It decided in 20014 to carry out an impact evaluation of its First Operational Plan (OP-1) 2008-2013. The Africa Innovations Institute and the Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, UK implemented an Impact Evaluation of this plan.
Objectives of the evaluation. The main objectives of the evaluation were to: (1) Assess the quality of the OP-I design and implementation arrangements;
(2) analyze effectiveness of OP-I in addressing the agricultural challenges of the sub-region and present lessons learned;
(3) critically undertake economic analysis and assess achievements of the implemented projects;
(4) critically assess the performance of ASARECA in meeting its Development Objective as stipulated in the OP-1 and Results Framework;
(5) obtain an objective evaluation of how proponents of projects are complying with environmental and social safeguards (ESS) requirements and enforcing policy and or legislative requirements;
(6) examine the strategic positioning of ASARECA as a knowledge hub in agricultural research and development in ECA;
(7) generate key lessons learned that may be helpful in the implementation of the ASARECA OP-II.
Methodology of the Assessment. To achieve the above objectives, the evaluation assessed the relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, achievements and sustainability of selected projects and the extent of performance towards fulfilling the Development Objectives of ASARECA.
The methodology included qualitative and quantitative methods: desk review; key informant interviews of around 50 project stakeholders (with visits to 7 countries); focus group discussions with beneficiaries and stakeholders; household survey of project beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries, including 1,072 farmers in four representative countries (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda). Twenty five percent (25%) of the respondent were female-headed households)
