ECOSORN at a Glance

 

Progress towards achieving objectives

The ECOSORN project started operating in December 2005, with first activities visible on the ground during the second half of 2006, implemented as so-called small “Quick Impact Projects”. These served the double purpose of being a measure of confidence in project delivery for villagers and RGC agencies, and for practical capacity building of project staff.

At the time of the d+3 deadline (November 2007) the project was able to have 94.1% (€ 24.5 million) of the total EU contribution (€ 25 million) contractually committed. Delivery of the contractual commitments took place through 44 centralized contracts (signed by DEU) and 187 decentralized contracts (signed by EPTF). At end December 2010 the actual expenditure was 91.6 per cent of the total budget available in the FA.

Since early 2008 the project showed an impressive expansion of field activities, and was able to accumulate a total physical achievement exceeding 100% of all contractually agreed outputs, with some irrigation rehabilitation works and some specific outputs (e.g. number of beneficiaries engaged into a savings scheme) remaining slightly below the expected output. By end of October 2010 the deliverables from all contracts were completed, with the exception of one contract having a duration period until 12/12/2010 (Vocational Training). It is almost certain that the physical outputs of this contract will also be delivered by that date.

Progress Overall Objective (“Poverty Reduction”):

The ECOSORN repetition baseline survey in August 2010 confirmed that 41% of households in the target villages have lifted off from the poverty line (0.39$), in which ECOSORN contributed to a net change of 11% of the alleviation.  The project had a very significant impact on the poverty reduction among its 1,800 direct farmers. It contributed to a net reduction of poverty among these groups of up to 21%.  Precisely, the survey found that around 50% of overall households in the target villages have increased their household incomes.

Progress Project Purpose (“Economic and Social Development”):

Rice consumption security has progressed to 52 % (project target: 50%) of households with no shortage compared to a baseline of 29% in 2006. The average rice shortage period has been reduced from 4 months to 2.4 months. 88% of community members interviewed declared a substantial improvement in engagement and participation on community matters (“community empowerment”), and the number of women consulted for community development (“gender equity”) has doubled (61% compared to 33% in the 2006 baseline survey). There is an increase of 23% of households having a more optimistic outlook for the future (2006: 11.6% / 2010: 34.9%). But the recent economic crisis and Typhoon Ketsana have resulted in a very significant increase in seasonal migration out of the country over the past two years from 30% to 42%. A further analysis after 2010 would be required to better understand this rural development pattern.

By the end of OPE4, the LogFrame Matrix of the project was revised to concentrate impact analysis on economic and social benefits.

Result 1 (“Economic Development through Primary Agricultural Production”):

The physical targets for improved pre-conditions for agricultural production (issuing land-titles, accessing credit, supplying improved rice seed and other inputs, providing  training) were met in all related contracts. The project effects on agriculture intensification and diversification are the increase of rice production of 80% or a net increase of 1,639.11 tons per year from all 90 target villages. The net increase of fish production is 34 Tons. Whereas, livestock production has also increased (Cow 9%, Swine/Sow 6%, Chicken 6%, Duck 0.12 %) on average with a net increase of survival rate around 40%. The area for vegetable growing has been widened from 19 ha to 26 ha, and production of main crops has a net increase from 38% to 139% respectively.

Some 42,214 land titles were issued to 11,697 hh. Around 30% of the beneficiaries revealed that they will use the land titles as collateral for obtaining credits for expansion of their agricultural productivity. Credit service has reached around 11,000 clients in the target villages, in which 84% get loans for agricultural purposes.

Result 2: (“Economic Development through Value-added Products/Off-farm Activities”):

The indicators for contracts under this result (fish processing, silk production, vocational training) are met (for details see page 15). Establishing market linkages has led to increases in agricultural products’ prices and greater stability. Farmers were formed into a group in each village so that they could discuss and share market information. Project contributed to an added value of around 50% to agriculture products, especially vegetables.  For 2009, 9,200kg of fish were processed by 56 fish processing demonstration plots in the target villages for both household consumption and sale. Each plot member received around $10 to $30 from selling the processed fish in addition to his/her regular household income. 19 silk producer groups were formed after technical trainings and inputs have been given to 478 members of the groups. The economic impact is demonstrated, as beneficiaries have generated USD 27,000 from the production of Golden Silk yarn, and $24,000 from weaving activities. The productivity has increased (for example 0.5 kg / breeding cycle at the beginning of the project for persons trained in year 1 to 1.65 kg / cycle at the end of the project), as well as the selling price (16% of increase with the project), and therefore the revenues of the target beneficiaries. Vocational trainings were provided to 2,000 unemployed youths in the target communes. After completion of training, more than 70% have confirmed having been employed in either self or wage employment. On average, they earned from $30 to $80 per month.

Result 3: (“Social Development”):

All indicators for contracts under this result (rehabilitation of roads, domestic water supply and sanitation, construction of village halls, support to CBOs, de-mining of land, health, gender and safeguarding land awareness) have been achieved. More than 22,000 people benefiting from improved roads. On average, they can save a third of the time they used to spend before to go to market or public areas. In return, they can use this saved time to spend on health, education and other social and economic activities. Water and sanitation facilities provided cover more than 8,000 households. The facilities provide safe water sources and sanitation for around 50% of total population in the 90 target villages. More than 10,000 people have safe access to demined land. A community hall has been established in each village for community meetings and other social events. 335 Community Based Organizations were created and strengthened to ensure sustainability of economic and social development activities in the areas.

Count and analyses of beneficiaries

The beneficiaries defined in the Financing Agreement account for some 68,000 households of 40 communes in 14 districts, in which 55,000 were identified as agriculture households, with around 50% of them facing  a four-month food deficit per year and 30% not having sufficient income to purchase minimum food requirements. There are 67,000 adult women and 25,000 youths, including mine/UXO victims required to be covered by the project as well.

These figures have somehow been met but to different degrees. Benefits related to public awareness through mass media, for example gender and land safeguarding have covered all villages in the target communes and even more than just the target communes, which may not necessarily influence the household’s economy. Thus, more than 72,000 households, including some 100,800 adult women and 126,000 youths were covered by the project.

When focusing on immediate economic benefits to the households through the project, the various project activities were directly interrelated, namely agriculture extension, vocational training, fish processing, land titling, access to finance, silk development, de-mined land, irrigation and improved road access.

Agriculture extension covered 36% of total households (including direct beneficiaries and those who received animal vaccination services) in the target villages and 88% of them were poor. Based on the nature of extension strategy (those who have land between 0.5-2ha and have enough labor), it- mainly covered the poor families but not the very poor ones, who have less than 0.5 ha of land and normally are not available in the village. According to the findings of the Wealth Ranking Exercise of ECOSORN, the poor families normally face around six months of food shortage (rice).

Vocational training absorbed more than 1,833 of the unemployed youth in the target communes. Most of them are from poor and very poor households. The precise figures confirm that, almost 100% of the youth families are not able to gain access to credit. Silk development and fish processing trainings benefited up to 7,000 women in some target communes.

Credit services are available for the target villages and communes, accessible to all households in the target communes and currently around 10,000 households have already received credit.

24 improved rural roads linking 143 villages, provided benefit to around 22,000 households, in which around 30,000 are adult women aged between 18-61 years and 38,000 are youths.

Sanitation and safe drinking water facilities contribute to some extent to household economics. These covered about 11,000 households who directly benefited or equivalent to about 55,000 individual people, including some 30,000 women and 20,000 youths.

Main achievements

Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries:

The project trained 1,800 pilot farmers in 37 different extension packages. 615 further master farmers have been trained, plus 2,000 direct beneficiary farmers. The adoption rate for new technologies is an excellent 52-80% (rice, upland crops, animal and vegetables). Yields (rice, vegetables) increased by 70% on average, which is outstanding. Livestock in 12,550 hh have been vaccinated. 341 households have been trained and supported in fish pond raising and rice fish culture. These households produce and supply up to 34 tons of fish every year. The project also trained and supported three fish hatcheries and three fish nurseries. They produce and supply around 2,000,000 fish fingerlings per year.

Through the four Integrated Rural Development Modules (IRDMs) substantial training was provided and a large variety of extension inputs were delivered. A limited selection of adaptive research was undertaken on demonstration plots, improved planting material was made available and an all-embracing capacity building programme for PDA staff was executed.

Economic and Employment Opportunities:

The project completed vocational training for 1,833 youths. 229 silkworm breeders, 106 silk weavers, and 43 group leaders were trained. 1,057 people received training in fish processing. 16 branches or sub-networks were set up to provide financial services, serving more than 10,000 borrowers and 6,000 saving clients. Extensive market linking for 2 vegetable producer groups was supported, and market information was made available. All 40 commune councils were trained on inclusion of vocational training into future local development plans and budgets.

Activities in the related contracts focussed on creating off-farm job opportunities. Off-farm income, ranging from $30 to $60 per month was generated for 30% of all beneficiaries under this component. The average loan provided was $250 and the average amount of savings per client was $0.50 per month.

Gender and Community Empowerment:

Founded by ECOSORN, 3 cross-departmental gender technical working groups (42 members) are operating in the provinces. Gender issues were promoted through these groups: 1,500 newsletters, 40 radio broadcasts, white ribbon campaigns (domestic violence), and events on international women’s day with 2,300 participants. Improved literacy activities addressed 1,410 adults (80% female), early childhood activities referred to 739 children (386 girls). Health promotion through 146 commune health centres and 181 village health volunteers was organized; in total approximately 50,000 people have received health awareness messages. The project’s Mobile Training Unit was used in touring the villages to present a mix of educational materials.

All activities focused on capacity building of organizational, technical and social skills. Members of the Local Integration Platform (LIP) committees - de facto sub-groups under the Commune Councils - formed the beating heart of the community empowerment approach, being in strong support of the RGC’s National De-concentration and Decentralization (D+D) Strategy. Through 90 CAP/VAP meetings with communities, 42 District Integration Workshops, 8 Planning Workshops with LIP Committees, and 90 Gender Awareness Sessions in the villages the ECOSORN community empowerment approach became manifest and routine. More than 260 Community Based Organizations (CBOs) were set up across all contracts during the implementation period and are in different phases of institutional development.

Development of Rural Infrastructure and Domestic Amenities:

The full target of 155 km of rural road construction was achieved, linking 143 villages and 22,252 households. 6,694 latrines were built for sanitation, 1,309 rain water jars constructed, 142 wells and 8 ponds dug for domestic water supply. Eight of nine irrigation schemes were completed; one scheme was integrated into a more recent master plan by the Ministry. The completed 8 schemes have the potential to irrigate approximately 2,600 ha of agricultural land. In one case an error in assessing the actual flow in the water regime required corrective measures, which are supposed to be undertaken under the EU/FAO food facility project during 2011.

A strong focus was given on future operation and maintenance of the assets. More than 300 farmers were trained in practical and organizational operation and maintenance matters involving 86 institutionalized Farmer Water User Groups (FWUG) / Committees. 240 farmers in 24 Rural Road Committees underwent on the job training to ensure basic road maintenance after December 2010. 3,500 villagers were trained on basic sanitary issues through the water supply and sanitation contract.

The unauthorized use and damage of rural roads by overloaded and unsuitable trucks remains a serious and long-term issue for the sustainability of the investment.

Improved Access to Land:

All physical targets of this component were achieved (de-mining, land-titling, curricula development, public awareness). 513 ha of land have been cleared and the land was allocated to 1,309 households with an additional 8,484 households indirectly benefiting from the clear land. 42,214 land titles were distributed to the owners in 43 villages in target communes. The safeguarding land curriculum is an ongoing activity and so far it has been taught in 43 schools to 20,651 students (10,700 girls). Informal vocational training was provided to 200 mine victims, and a massive public awareness campaign with 47 events in the villages and 107 hours of radio broadcasting was implemented.

The project successfully linked rural development with mine action. All contractors under this component showed a strong performance and ensured that “land” was a core subject in the target villages during the implementation period. There are a number of interesting options for all contractors to replicate or duplicate activities outside the ECOSORN target area after 2010.