Sub-Regional Steering Committee (SRSC) Meeting for South Asia plus China

Hotel Marshyangdi, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal

03-05 April 2019

Contents Day 1, 03 April 2019, Wednesday ................................................................................................................ 2

Ceremonial Opening ................................................................................................................................. 2

Session 1a. Management Information System ......................................................................................... 3

Session 1b. MIS Ways Forward ................................................................................................................. 3

Session 2a. Financial Status ...................................................................................................................... 4

Session 2b. Review of Financial Guidelines .............................................................................................. 5

Day 2, 04 April 2019, Thursday .................................................................................................................... 7

Session 3. Country Updating of Implementation Status ........................................................................... 7

Session 4. Emerging Trends and Concerns ............................................................................................. 10

Response from IFAD ................................................................................................................................ 11

Remaining Targets .................................................................................................................................. 12

Session 5. Identification and Calendaring of Common National and Regional Activities ....................... 13

Day 3, 04 April 2019, Friday ....................................................................................................................... 14

Update on APFP and EU negotiation for FOs4Asia and Latin America ............................................... 14

Discussion on Prioritization and Budget Allocation ................................................................................ 15

Annex 1. Program Design ............................................................................................................................ 16

Photos ......................................................................................................................................................... 18

Day 1, 03 April 2019, Wednesday

Ceremonial Opening

Representatives from different countries (from left): China, Pakistan (hidden), Sri Lanka, India,

Bangladesh, the consortium La Via Campesina (hidden) and Asian Farmers’ Association, and the Nepal

hosts and guests conducted the ceremonial opening of the Sub-Regional Steering Committee meeting for

South Asia plus China.

Ms. Bharati Pathak, Chairperson of FECOFUN wished the meeting a success, and hoped that all farmers' organizations will be moving forward and transcending challenges. Mr. Zainal Arifin Fuat, International Coordinating Committee of La Via Campesina, shared the journey of farmers' organizations (FOs) with IFAD, the rightful partners for rural development. He emphasized the role of FOs in pushing for the implementation of farmers and rural development programmes. Mr. Binod Saha, country director of FAO Nepal acknowledged the importance of supporting family farming. He said that most small farmers in Nepal are family farmers. He expressed his excitement to know the results of MTCP2 from the different countries in South Asia and China. He said that the MTCP2 platform is a great venue to discuss and promote and identify interventions for small holder farmers. Mr. Keshav Lal Shrestha, Chairperson of ANPFa, said that private ownership of land is a big challenge towards agricultural development involving small holder farmers. Mr. Hari Prasad Parajuli, Agriculture Minister and Vice Chairperson of ANPFa addressed the SRSC South Asia plus China at Kathmandu, Nepal

Ms. Lany Rebagay, Program Manager of MTCP2, shared the program for the SRSC South Asia plus China (refer to Annex 1 for the program design of SRSC SA).

Session 1a. Management Information System

Ms. Bernice Galang discussed the logframe structure, as an introduction to the MIS session. She

explained that the logframe has four levels of results – activities, outputs, outcomes, and impact.

Planning starts from thinking of the desired impact down to activities, while evaluation starts from

identifying activities and their outputs up to the outcomes and impact.

MTCP 2 aims to contribute to the poverty alleviation in Asia and the Pacific Region through

strengthened capacities of the rural poor and their organisations that leads to improved livelihoods and

positive socio-economic impacts in the rural development. To achieve this, there are three components

to it with the following desired results: (1) Component 1 - Institutional and operational capacities of the

FOs are effectively strengthened in correspondence with their roles and functions in policy process and

services to the members; (2) Component 2 - Smallholder farmers’ interests are promoted and their

concerns are addressed in related policy process thanks to the strengthened capacities of the FOs; and

(3) Component 3 - Strengthened FOs providing effective pro-poor services and actively participating in

agriculture and rural development, in complement with Agriculture development programmes’

interventions where applicable.

The diagram above shows the MTCP 2 logframe structure. Ms. Galang emphasized that the logframe

represents the FOs’ commitment to their members and the implementers’ commitment to donors.

Thus, the logframe represents the results from implementing the activities at the FO, platform, sub-

regional and regional levels.

Session 1b. MIS Ways Forward

Ms. Galang explained the three priority menus in the MIS: performance indicators, activities and FO

profile. The performance indicators menu shows the results of programme implementation through the

years, vis-à-vis the targets. The activity menu is the AWPB – encoded at the start of the year and

updated monthly – and the SAGDD which is updated every month.

The FO profile has two parts – the detailed FO information and the growth chart. The first part consists

of basic information such as address and contact person, and other vital information including the

organization’s VMG, membership, network and alliances, KM products, and services provided to

members.

Bernie shared the status of the online MIS system for South Asia and China:

Activity FO Profile

Bangladesh Complete AWPB and SAGDD for 2017 and 2018 Complete

India Complete AWPB but not SAGDD Incomplete

Nepal Complete AWPB but not SAGDD Incomplete

Sri Lanka Complete Complete

Pakistan Not yet included in the MIS

For the performance indicators, Ms. Galang advised the NIAs to encode it manually instead of linking it

to activities. This is because performance indicators measure the outputs, but the activities are mostly

process.

MIS completion, as agreed during the RSC in Yogyakarta, will be part of the requirements for releasing

the last tranche for 2018.

Session 2a. Financial Status

Ms. Maru Ventura shared the status of expenditures per country from 2014 up to present. Based on the

audited financial statements, China has completely disbursed its budget. South Asia has a total

expenditure of 93.3 percent. Sri Lanka spent 98.4 percent of their total budget. Bangladesh spent 96.8

percent. India disbursed 97.2 percent. Nepal disbursed 94.5 percent of their total budget. (refer to the

table below for details)

Session 2b. Review of Financial Guidelines

Ms. Ventura reviewed the financial guidelines to iterate the financial requirements of the project,

especially coming from the audit results and in preparation for the end-of-project report and audit.

Important points she mentioned are the following:

Regarding Transaction List

1. There has to be detailed list of transactions not only at NIA level but also at FO level

2. The format of the date in all transaction lists should be date/month/year (dd/mm/yy)

Regarding Salary and Consultancy Fee

1. Attach proof of receipt – payslip, deposit slip, acknowledgment receipt, bank statement, copy of

checks or validated bank payment form

2. Attach timesheet showing allocation to all projects if not 100% charged and deliverables or

accomplishments

3. Attach recruitment process showing how the staff was selected, explaining the relevance of

position, time allocation and employment/consultancy contract

BUDGET & FUND STATUS as of December 31, 2018

Budget Item

Total Budget

SA Bangladesh India Nepal Sri-lanka Pakistan China

Total Project budget for SA (a) 1,133,162 274,356 350,848 234,479 233,479 40,000 325,186

Less: 2013-2018 Actual Expenses (b) 1,057,796 265,689 340,853 221,524 229,730 - 325,185

2014 (audited) 92,330 20,047 31,911 18,253 22,119 - 45,186

2015 (audited) 235,442 40,200 92,688 65,384 37,169 - 35,000

2016 (audited) 251,433 79,399 77,824 46,220 47,990 - 105,000

2017 (audited) 346,857 98,140 99,001 69,265 80,451 - 100,000

2018 (unaudited) 131,734 27,903 39,429 22,402 42,001 40,000

2019 -

Budget Balance (c= a-b) 75,366 8,667 9,995 12,955 3,749 40,000 1

Funds Received (d) 1,078,008 275,775 353,675 220,306 228,252 - 320,186

2014 123,618 25,000 35,000 35,604 28,014 - 45,186

2015 227,358 55,125 79,481 45,450 47,302 - 35,000

2016 218,913 60,728 80,093 45,450 32,642 - 94,500

2017 347,035 98,290 104,650 64,802 79,293 - 100,500

2018 144,390 27,939 54,451 21,000 41,000 30,000

2019 16,693 8,693 8,000 15,000

Fund Balance (e=d-b) 20,212 10,086 12,822 (1,218) (1,479) - (5,000)

Fund unreleased (f=a-d) (1,419) (2,827) 14,173 5,227 5,000

4. Evidence of recording to ledger such as Journal Voucher with Debit/Credit entry, Ledger

generated from the accounting system

Workshop/Activity Expenses

1. Completeness of the supporting documents to account the total expenses

2. Evidence of procurement selection of hotel or venue such as quotations or proposals from at

least 3 hotels. If 1 quotation only, give explanation

3. Proof of payment such as Official Receipt or invoice, copy of check cleared, bank statement

4. Boarding passes, Attendance Sheet, Narrative report, photos

5. Evidence of recording to ledger

Procurement of equipment

1. Procurement Request duly approved, quotations from at least 3 suppliers, analysis of selecting

the winning supplier

2. Purchase Order

3. Evidence of delivery receipt such as acknowledgment on the invoice or delivery receipt, who will

be accountable on the equipment

4. Justification on the use of the equipment, proof on the exclusive use of the equipment

5. Evidence of recording to ledger

Litigation expenses related to policies

1. Relevance of the expense to project

2. Selection process of the facilitator

3. Contract & results or output

4. Proof of payment

5. Evidence of recording to ledger

Office Supplies

1. Relevance to the project

2. Evidence of recording

Office Rent

1. Relevance of the expense to project

2. Selection process of the lessor and/or location

3. Lease/Rent contract

4. Proof of payment, acknowledgment

5. Office space allocation

6. Evidence of recording to ledger

Day 2, 04 April 2019, Thursday

Session 3. Country Updating of Implementation Status

1. Ms. Maureen Wang from Agricultural Management Institute of China sharing updates of MTCP2 implementation in the country. AMI conducted seminars, field visits and symposium among Agricultural cooperative leaders and managers. The Chinese government is encouraging young people to be involved in agriculture. Some educated young people go back to their hometown to share what they learned from the university, learn from farmers and share innovative ideas in agriculture. For component 1, NIA China targeted to have a clearer picture of the relevant policies for the rural revitalization strategy and a better understanding of the amended law of the People's Republic of China on Specialized Farmers Cooperatives. To do this, they conducted a training program where 127 cooperative directors participated. For component 2, the platformed targeted enhancing the integrated development capability of cooperatives; collecting feedback of cooperative supporting policy for the revision of Law on Specialized Farmers Cooperatives and standardization of cooperatives. To do this, they conducted 1 seminar, 1symposium and 1 field visit. For component 3, NIA would like to update regional program information; exchange experience and knowledge on coops development; discuss the further implementation of the program; understand the development situation of local cooperatives; clarify the challenge as well as problems they face up with; give guidance and advise to co-NIA on program implementation. Summary of progress for China may be gleaned from the table below:

Mr. Hubert Boirard asked the China delegates how they can account for the MTCP2 contribution to the success of agri-coops in China given the very small amount of money allocated to the country. Ms. Wang shared a concrete example from a coop leader’s experience. The farmer leader attended

Indicators Baseline As of Dec.2018 Realistic 2019

deliverable

No. of NFO 1 1 1

No. of SNFO 10 10 10

No. of individual

members

- total

- women

- men

78,221,640 80,100,500 80,100,500

No.of Agri.coops Almost 30,000 Almost 30,000 More than 30,000

No.of Agri.Coop

reporting increase

in income

Nearly

30,000*50%=

15,000

Nearly

30,000*50%=15

,000

Nearly

30,000*50%=15,0

00

a marketing skills training and learned the need for focus – so he did focus in strawberries. Before the program, he was able to sell strawberries for only RMB 1.5M; but he is now selling up to RMB 100M through e-market. She explained that with the online marketing being in trend in China, AMI teaches them not only on how to do it, but in providing resources as well. She cited an example of inviting companies doing online sales like Alibaba so that they can be introduced to the farmers as well. After the training program, the farmers immediately do it. Techniques are taught during the training but the institute provide resources and techniques at the same time. Mr. Boirard mentioned that capability building in most projects are limited to training. He emphasized the process of first identifying the problem and providing appropriate training so that farmers would know how to deal with their situation. He said that the next financing is focused on how to better collaborate in investment programs in the region. He said that most of IFAD money is in the investment programs in the countries – e.g. USD100M in Pakistan, etc. The grant can focus on capacity and partner with country projects so that the investment program can finance the economic aspect. He affirmed that the model in China is something that can be replicated.

2. Mr. Mujibul Haque Munir, Coast Trust Bangladesh, shared the progress of MTCP2 implementation in Bangladesh. He said that the NIA conducted training including financial management and other capacity building to empower the farmers' organizations towards managing their own cooperatives. Mr. Munir shared the key achievements that the programme has reached, such as: 4 FOs are getting funds from other donors; 12 FOs have been reformed with new set of leadership; 3 FOs are engaged with projects funded by IFAD; 1,000 fishers affected by Hilsa fishing ban were included in the government ration program; 165 farmers were trained on seed banking; 12 seed bank groups have been established; 11 poultry groups are active; and 130 farmers are producing pesticide-free vegetables.

3. Ms. Smita Bathnagar, SEWA India, shared the updates on MTCP2 programme implementation in

India. Presently, the platform in India consists of 15 NFOs with 6,691 SNFO members, and a total

constituency of 2, 643,337 individual farmer members. These FOs are operating in 15 out of 29

states/provinces in the country. SEWA is working on policies to provide minimum support income to

farmers in partnership with government, academe, IFAD, FAO and other organizations to get

knowledge, inputs and funds. The focus of the organization now is to bring insurance benefits for

the members.

So far, the impact that the programme has on the farmers include the following:

- Gained confidence and courage to learn new things and take risks

- Learnt to negotiate and ask for their rights including a better market price for their produce

- Gained access to a better standard of living for their family

- More informed about their own status through creation of a database

- Became tech-savvy and market-smart

- Gained a basic understanding f the value chain of their particular crop and the role of each actor

and enabler

- Learnt about alternative livelihood opportunities, leadership and managerial skills

- Understood the importance of being united strength and being

- Upgraded their knowledge about seed quality, soil quality, and organic farming, practices, etc..

NIA India also shared their accomplishments and the ways forward, to wit:

- A well established platform for small and marginal family farmers and landless labours

- Agriculture and Animal Husbandry continue to be important occupations in rural areas

- Leverage on the existing Database- plan more needs-based trainings and farmer-to-farmer

learning/s to strengthen the small and marginal farmer community

- Strengthen Agro based micro enterprises

- Convert data into our own algorithms in order to enable farmers to build resilience and use

technology to make their farming more sustainable

- Develop a strong two way communication channel and train farmers on using data for their

planning and monitoring

- Strengthen Climate Resilient Farming Practices and bring in technologies that small and marginal

farmers could use

- Food Security and Food Sovereignty

- Advocate and work out strategies for lifelong learning for the farmers

- Advocate for Pension and Social Security safety net for farmers

4. Dr. Keshab Khadka, NIA Nepal, shared the progress of MTCP2 implementation in the country. Right

now, there are 19 NFOs in the platform, with a total of 4,500,000 farmer members, 1.8M are

women and 2.7M are men. Under component 1, ANPFa, the NIA in Nepal, updated all profiles of

FOs, conducted meetings of the platform, conducted interaction program with Dalits, landless and

agriculture labor, and consultation meeting with FOs on current issues. Under component 2, FOs

conducted fact finding mission on sugarcane farmer, and lobbying with the local government

regarding Gandak Dam. Under component 3, the FOs conducted the first international confrene on

food sovereignty and peasant rights.

Mr. Boirard congratulated Nepal for the achievements thus far. He said that the MTCP2 will finish in

2019 and a new programme will be implemented: APFP. He suggested that the definition of

cooperative be clarified. He said that most coops mentioned in the reports are usually credit and

savings, which is just one aspect of a cooperative. He emphasized that the agricultural cooperative

as usually understood are those that are also involved in marketing, processing, and not merely

credit and savings. He urged the SA platform to establish a coop that is beyond credit and savings.

He appreciated that all countries completed their profiling, pointing out that the first step for APFP

would be creation of a directory.

5. Ms. Saima Zia, NIA Pakistan shared the MTCP2 updates in the country, the youngest in MTCP 2

South Asia. For component 1, NIA conducted planning sessions, meeting with coops and community

seed bank and collaborated with the Agriculture Department of the University of Punjab for

encouraging youth participation in agriculture. Under component 2, FOs conducted youth and

women’s forum. Under component 3, NIA conducted 2 training events on sustainable natural crop

production.

There are 4 NFOs in the platform with 8 SNFO members. They are now in the process of collecting

data to get the number of farmer members.

6. Mr. Shamila Rathnasooriya, NIA for Sri Lanka shared the updates of MTCP2 implementation in Sri

Lanka. Under component 1, Lankan Farmers Forum reviewed and prepared action plan while some

district farmers’ forum conducted field visit and discussed expansion of FOs. Under component 2,

awareness raising on water grabbing issue was conducted in Angunochhiya. LFF also conducted

seminar on joint campaign and discussed with the Finance Minister, Central Bank Governors and

some officers from the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Justice. Under component 3, LFF

conducted training on seed conservation for FOs, improved commodity processing center, provided

miner equipment, and created commodity clusters.

The national platform is composed of one NFO, 9 SNFO with a total of 24,650 members, and 12 agri

coop members.

7. Ms. Lany Rebagay shared the activities and engagement at SAARC level. Major activities other than

the sub-regional steering committee meetings (SRSC) are: (1) launching of MTCP2 in Pakistan where

4 FOs joined and the NIA was identified; (2) Learning exchange on community engagement on seed

sovereignty in partnership with SAARC Agriculture Committee (SAC); (3) SAARC Coop Forum

attended by all SAARC member states where a two=page communique was agreed by participants;

(4) Expert Consultation on Women Empowerment for Agricultural Development where CIWA, SAC

and AAB committed to explore partnership for follow up f the International Conference on Women

Empowerment; and (5) the first Asia Pacific FAFO where a two-page agreement between IFAD and

FOs was crafted.

Upcoming activities for 2019 include impact workshop in June or July, regional consultations,

women and youth in agriculture, gender sensitive value chain, coop forum, and global conference

on family farming.

Session 4. Emerging Trends and Concerns

Ms Rebagay highlighted the emerging trends and concerns based on the country and sub-regional

reports shared:

1. Training approach model – development of master trainer in India and inclusion of practical

interaction for potential market in China.

2. Transition process to build and strengthen NFO. Ms Rebagay posed the question on the best process

for FO autonomy in the platform such as the case of China, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka where AMI,

COAST BD and MONLAR (government and NGO) serve as the NIA on behalf of the FOs in the

platform. She also shared the experience of FO and NGO in Laos where CLICK serves as NIA for Lao

Farmer Network. As per SIS recommendation, CLICK applied as secretariat for LFN and won the bid.

3. Certification and registration of products. This serves as a barrier to enter the market such as the

food and drug certification. This is one area that the programme needs to improve on.

4. Advocacy strategy such as the conduct of case studies to support policy proposal in India and China

and the press conference in Bangladesh for the subsidy to fisherfolks.

5. Models for structuring economic services to members. Ms Rebagay surfaced the idea of agriculture

cooperative as a possible model for better service delivery to members. She iterated the point

raised earlier by Mr. Boirard on the definition of agri coop and comparing its specific nuances with

credit and savins coop. She mentioned other structures such as economic enterprise and commodity

clustering. A regional sharing on transformation models to deliver services to FOs will be conducted,

according to Ms. Rebagay so that FOs can choose and decide which structure would fit them.

6. Measuring income and other economic benefits. Ms. Rebagay mentioned ways of measuring

economic benefits such as income and purchasing power. She said that increase in income may not

necessarily allow the farmers to buy their needs. The challenge is how to put more money in their

pocket so that they can purchase their needs such as food, education, clothing, etc.

7. Use of media and communication such as community radio and publication (books, newspaper) for

awareness raising.

8. Business planning. Ms. Rebagay asked the participants to share their business planning tools to

ensure that everybody speaks of the same tool and that the business plan meet the standard format

and criteria.

9. Marketing strategy such as online marketing and responsible contract farming.

10. Climate adaptation and mitigation including gathering and popularizing of good practices that

farmers apply to adopt to changing situation. There are also case studies on setting up recovery fund

and having climate insurance.

11. Complementation with IFAD and EU country programme. As Mr. Boirard mentioned, there is huge

amount of money lodged at the country programmes. The idea for the MTCP2 grant is for FOs to use

as leverage for accessing the investment portfolio at the country level – thus, capacity building

component is a big chunk of the programme. This is to prepare the FOs in partnering with the IFAD

and EU country programmes.

12. Impact workshop. EU is not yet supporting MTCP2 in South Asia. SA has to show case the value of

the programe and how it could add value to the IFAD and EU country programmes.

Response from IFAD

1. Mr. Hubert Boirard explained the five criteria that IFAD looks for in a programme: relevance,

effectiveness, efficiency, targeting and sustainability. He explained that IFAD would like to see the

programme’s value for money – ensuring that what were done have value for money. IFAD would

also like to see if the programme reached the poorest farmer and how the programme will be

sustained though an exit strategy. Mr. Boirard iterated that these five criteria are the points that

IFAD looks into a design and go back to during assessment.

2. Regarding equipment that were bought using programme funds, Mr. Boirard explained that they

need not be returned. He explained that there are usually requirements for transfer of assets, an

inventory of the assets and some other financial and logistical forms needed to accomplish and

submit to RIA.

3. On the declaration of commitment, he said that it is best to pursue this as it does not cost anything

and it is based on the principle of cooperation. It will facilitate partnership with IFAD even when the

previous CPM for example, is transferred to another area of assignment.

4. Mr. Boirard explained that a lot of IFAD projects do not want to work with FOs for the latter’s lack of

credibility. IFAD colleagues complain that people come to them only for trip abroad. FOs need to

establish credibility – set up systems, produce results, etc.

Remaining Targets

Ms. Rebagay facilitated the process of identifying common activities. She shared the initially agreed

common activities during the RSC in Yogyakarta last October 2018:

1. Business planning for lead FOs. Ms. Rebagay said that all FOs with existing business plan should

send the format to RIA for review. The existing business plans will have to be revised according

to standard/criteria. FOs without business plan should have at least one lead FO. The lead FO is

mature enough and ready to engage in business. Each of the NFO needs to identify a member

SNFO and help it come up with business plan.

2. Impact story. This is supposed to be done in every country. This should highlight stories per

component. Each country will nominate a story they want documented.

3. Impact assessment. This is in preparation for impact survey and APFP transition planning. Each

NFO will send five participants each, with a combination of board member and staff. First day

would be a presentation of outputs and a reflection on the outputs and its relevance to the

participants. The stories to be nominated will be identified during this session. Second day will

be devoted for transition planning including a presentation of different models of FO structures

for better service provision such as cooperative, farmers’ corporation or other successful model

that can be considered by FOs in reflecting upon the concern of providing better services to

their members. The third day will be a discussion on APFP where the selection criteria for

choosing the lead FO will be decided.

Session 5. Identification and Calendaring of Common National and Regional Activities

Dates for Impact Assessment

Bangladesh: June 27-29

India: July 1-3

Sri Lanka: July 4-6

Pakistan: to be confirmed

China: May 27-29

Nepal: May 31-June 3

South Asia Impact Sharing: July 25-28

Deadline for submission of Completed Logframe: 15 April 2019

Day 3, 04 April 2019, Friday

Update on APFP and EU negotiation for FOs4Asia and Latin America

Ms. Rebagay shared the status of APFP which has been approved by IFAD with the amount of USD3M,

but still negotiating with EU for additional USD15M funding. Ms. Rebagay said that the programme may

also need to scout for other partners to support APFP.

Ms. Boirard iterated the need to work on M&E. He insisted that activities done do not matter much, but

whether the FOs have achieved the targets based on the logframe.

There are two main objectives of the programme:

1. Policy. To have an enabling environment for FOs to do business. If FOs, say, in Sri Lanka, cannot

have loans because of the legal status, then work on that in terms of policy. If FOs need to be

registered to have legal status, put it in place. It needs a legal framework. FO is a generic name,

but it can be cooperative, enterprise, etc.

2. Economic Services. At the end, we need to put money in the farmers’ pocket. Otherwise, IFAD

will not be interested. In most FOs visited, farmers would always say that they do not have

money. It is because there is no specific target for income. For example, an additional

incremental USD 100 increase in income per month can be a target. There must be a way to

demonstrate an equivalent of USD 100 increase in income. This is where the business plan

comes in. This has been done with 30,000 farmers in Sri Lanka and the same thing is being done

in Laos. Farmers need to be financially sustainable. Otherwise, FOs cannot evolve. If one FO in a

country becomes sustainable, it can adopt and support other FOs.

Key Points:

1. M&E is a key point.

2. Work with the country programme of IFAD.

There are so many things behind the scene that could not be explained, especially with regards fund

negotiation. It is true in every negotiation. However, what the program has is enough. If FOs can

work with IFAD at the country level, all projects can be possibly financed.

3. Credibility. FOs need to be audited and this is good because it gives FOs the credibility and exposure.

Mr. Boirard said that the ongoing activities can still be continued in APFP. However, the money that will

come from IFAD will have to focus on two things – policy for FOs to make business, and economic

services to FOs. There is enough money, but the problem is, FOs have not been able to show results.

IFAD will try to negotiate for additional grants through triangulate. There is a possibility with China. The

training in China is a good model where there is direct marketing and negotiation right after to make FO

more professional on finance and marketing aspects in particular. There is a good model in China which

can be replicated. There are farmers’ cooperatives that do not talk about agriculture but about business

and money. and maybe we have other models too. The other farmers’ cooperative, they do not talk

about agriculture; they talk about business and money. FOs must also wisely choose the commodity

they want to focus on. Rice for example, is a commodity that cannot make much money, but it doesn’t

mean farmers should stop working on rice. Mr Boirard advised the participants to consider spice,

livestock and other products such as those that have short cycles. He said that there are good samples

of what have been done in Sri Lanka through contract farming, another approach that can be used to

provide services to members. Usually, contract farming is done at the individual level because the FO is

not solid enough. What is the added value of your organization? What would be the price of your

produce with or without the organization?

Discussion on Prioritization and Budget Allocation

Reflection Sessions:

Comments on thoughts about the project?

Prioritization – what do you think about the criteria?

What are the priorities?

New partners who can help you?

Annex 1. Program Design

MTCP2 Sub-regional Steering Committee Meeting April 3-5, 2019 Hotel Marshyangdi, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal Program Design 1.Objectives: The meeting hopes to achieve the following objectives:

1. Provide venue for NIAs and Partners to share their 2018 accomplishment report and 2019 workplan and budget with particular focus on the commodity plan, women and youth activities and responses to SIS recommendations.

2. Agree on key targets for the remaining project period 3. Discuss and agree on concrete steps in completing the MIS system as important basis for

determining over-all program output based on logframe 4. Identify and discuss key documents needed for the project terminal report including the impact

stories. 5. Determine common national, sub-regional and regional activities related to the wrap-up of

MTCP2. 6. Identify other key regional activities for SAARC engagement 7. Review and level-off on the approved Asia-Pacific Farmers’ Program (APFP) particularly on

prioritization of FOs and budget allocation 2. Detailed Schedule

Date and Time Activity

Day 0 April 2/Tuesday

Arrival and Billeting

Day 1 April 3/ Wednesday

Country Updating, MIS and FINANCE

8:30– 9:00 Registration

9:00-10:00 Ceremonial Opening (c/o Local Host ANFPA)

10:00 – 10:15 Coffee / Tea break

10:15-12:35 Session 1: Country updating of implementation status (20 mins/country) - China -Bangladesh -India -Nepal -Pakistan -Sri-Lanka -South Asia

12:35 – 2:00 Lunch Break

2:00 – 3:45 Session 2a: MIS -review of logframe -accomplishment to date based on logframe indicator

-remaining targets based on indicators

3:45 – 4:30 Session 2b: MIS ways forward -status of MIS completion -agreements on operationalization of MIS

4:30 – 5:30 Session 3a: Financial Status -SOE update -remaining unliquidated funds per country -audit and terminal financial report requirements

5:30 onwards Networking time/ dinner

Day 2 April 4/Thursday

Remaining targets, key common activities

8:30 – 9:30 Session 3b: Review of Financial guidelines

9:30 -10:30 Session 4 Remaining Targets at country level and strategies to ensure achievement of program targets

10:30 -10:45 Coffee / Tea break

10:45 – 12:00 Session 5: Identification and calendaring of common national and regional activities

12:00 – 1:45 Lunch Break

1:45 – 5:45 Session 6 Guidelines for Impact Assessment / Strategic Planning and Transition Planning

5:45 onwards Networking time/dinner

Day 3 April 5/Friday

APFP Discussion

8:30 -9:30 Update on APFP and EU negotiation for FOs4Asia and Latin America

9:30 – 12:00 Discussion on prioritization and budget allocation

12:00 – 1:45 Lunch break

1:45 – 5:45 Workshop: -Completion of MIS & Logframe -Priority setting and targeting for APFP/FOsA-LA

Day 4 April 6/Saturday

Departure

Photos

Figure 1. Group photo during the SRSC SA + China

Figure 2. Mr. Boirard encouraging the FOs to establish more credibility.

Country representatives presenting the activities and outputs of MTCP2 in 2018.

RIA staff facilitating the three-day meeting in Nepal.