Sustainability

Sustainability There is a possibility for sustainable gains through synergies between agricultural technologies and other elements of the Project – titled land, credit availability, rehabilitated irrigation. It is most unlikely, given current Project schedules, that these synergies can be realised during ECOSORN‟s lifetime. Project management needs to give more thought to how agricultural extension shall continue in the future to encourage wider adoption of agricultural technologies introduced, how CBOs, especially pilot farmers groups, might have incentives to remain as groups, and how irrigation O&M might be strengthened to safeguard future benefits. Documents on exit strategy do not currently reflect these concerns. The trainees in vocational training, fish processing and silk production will use their skills. The contract for PRASAC has jump-started the process of its expansion. Rural areas (perhaps not the more remote) will benefit from the proximity of more credit. Direct beneficiaries, especially pilot farmers, receive multiple support from the Project, but international experience suggests that groups will need continued support if they are too survive and prosper after ECOSORN. On the upside, the experience and skills gained by LIPs can contribute to both village and CC. Irrigation maintenance should be within the capacity of competent FWUCs, if able to generate revenues from water fees. Unfortunately, O&M training for FWUCs will now be delivered in the last Project irrigation season allowing little time for procedures and practices to bed in. As the best-available option, PTF intends to hand over completed roads to CCs. In the longer-term, strengthened CCs may develop enhanced road maintenance capability, but inadequate levels of repair can be anticipated on a 5-10 year time horizon. Titled land remains titled for good and demined lands hopefully remain demined for good. Sustainability of intended impact of land titling and demining such as increased productivity of the land depends on the farmer having the labour and agricultural inputs, including extension. Sustainability towards purpose lies with the other components.