END-OF-THE-PROJECT EVALUATION REPORT OF SriLanKoRAA...

END-OF-THE-PROJECT EVALUATION REPORT

OF SriLanKoRAA PILOT PROJECTS

(Sri Lanka)

Prepared by:

Dr. G. A. Canute De Silva

16th July 2017

Sri Lanka Korea Rural Development Administration Alumni Association

Project Partners

GOSL DOA NCP NP NWP

2016-2017 END-OF-PROJECT EVALUATION REPORT

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Abbreviations

Abbreviations in Cover Page:

DOA Department of Agriculture

GOSL Government of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

NCP North Central Province

NP Northern Province

NWP North Western Province

Abbreviations in Text:

FCRDI Field Crops Research and Development Institute of DOA

GDP Gross Domestic Product

KoRAA Korea Rural Development Administration

MDF Model Demonstration Farm

MI Mahailluppallama (location of FCRDI)

NPDOA Northern Provincial Department of Agriculture

NR Not Relevant

NWPDOA North Western Provincial Department of Agriculture

OFC Other Field Crops

RDA Rural Development Administration

RRDI Rice Research and Development Institute of DOA


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Contents

Page No.

1. Introduction 4

A. End of the Project Evaluation

B. KoRAA Member Country: Sri Lanka

C. SriLanKoRAA: the profile

D. SriLanKoRAA Projects: the modus operandi

E. SriLanKoRAA Projects: the overall themes, goals and major activities

2. Implementation of the KoRAA projects 8

Table 1: KoRAA funded projects in Sri Lanka

3. Brief summary of the progress report 10

Table 2.1: Brief summary of progress of Project 1:



4. Monitoring and Evaluation of the projects 13

Table 3.1: OECD/DAC evaluation standards for Project 1:



Table 3.4: Overall evaluation standards of the projects:

5. Problems/ Constraints 17

6. Recommendations and lessons learned 18

7. Result and implication 19

8. Activity photos 20

9. Appendix 1 22

10. Appendix 2 23

11. Appendix 3 25


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1. Introduction

A. End of the Project Evaluation

1. This report is an ‘end of the project evaluation’1 of three projects completed by

SriLanKoRAA2. End-of-the-project evaluation is a useful analytical exercise to assess the way of

implementation of projects, achievement of original development objectives, their

endorsement by the beneficiaries and sustainability of the project interventions in the future. It

would draw the attention of implementers on refinements needed in designing future projects.

It is also useful for the donors to know the worth of their investments.

2. The evaluated three projects are: (i) Project 1: “Model farm for dissemination of

appropriate technology in agriculture-at MI”, (ii) Project 2: “Community based red onion true

seed production in Jaffna district”, and (iii) Project 3: “Seed multiplication of indigenous rice

variety, “Suwandhel” in Kurunegala district”.

3. The report is based on the “Guidelines for the End-of-the-Project Evaluation Report of KoRRA

Pilot Projects” prepared and instructed to use by the RDA of Republic of Korea. As directed in

the guidelines, performance of the three projects is evaluated using the standard evaluation

principles of the OECD3, the OECD criteria: relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability,

and impact. The guidelines recognize three possible levels of performance for each criterion to

assign an appropriate score from 1 to 5; where 4 or 5 being the satisfactory level.

4. The required information for the evaluation was obtained from various sources: (i)

Workshop; pre-evaluation data base clarification workshop with selected SriLanKoRAA

members, (ii) Interviewing; SriLanKoRAA executive committee members, project leaders,

project partners, (iii) Examining; original project proposals, refined project proposals, seminar

presentations, progress reports, (iv) Researching; scientific contents mentioned in proposals

and reports, national policies, sector policies, related publications, and (v) Triangulation: sorting

out few conflicting data.

1 Prepared by Dr. G. A. Canute De Silva, Agricultural Economist, and Consultant for End-of-the-Project Evaluation.

He wishes to thank especially the RDA of Republic of Korea, the Executive Committee of SriLanKoRAA for the offered consultancy and for the corporation extended to him, the project managers of the evaluated three projects as well as project managers of few other projects who have earnestly supported him with necessary information and deliberations to complete the report. 2 Sri Lanka Korea Rural Development Administration Alumni Association

3 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development/Development Assistance Committee (OECD/DAC)


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5. To supplement the report, an ‘enhanced synopsis of the project proposal’ for the three

projects is included in the Appendices.

B. KoRAA Member Country: Sri Lanka

6. Sri Lanka is an island in the Indian Ocean located to the south of the Indian subcontinent. It

lies between 50 55' and 90 55' north of the equator and between the eastern longitudes 79042'

and 810 52'. It has a total area of 65,610 km², with 64,740 km² of land, 870 km² of water and a

coastline of 1,340 km. The length and breadth of the island is 445 km north-south and 225 km.

east-west.

7. Sri Lanka's climate includes tropical monsoons: the northeast monsoon (December to

March), and the southwest monsoon (June to October). The relief consists of a mountainous

mass in the south-central interior, surrounded by terrain of mostly low, flat to rolling plains.

Beautiful tropical beaches surround the island with warm seas. In the lowlands the climate is

typically tropical with averages between 720F (220C) and 920F (330C). The mountainous central

region has a cooler temperature with averages between 440F (70C) and 710F (21.60C). Natural

resources include limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay, and hydropower.

8. A diverse and multicultural country, Sri Lanka has a population of 20.9 million, with many

religions, ethnic groups, and languages. In addition to the majority Sinhalese, it is home to Sri

Lankan and Indian Tamils, Moors, Burghers, Malays, Kaffirs and the aboriginal Vedda. Sri Lanka

has a rich Buddhist heritage and Buddhists constitute the majority with other religious groups

of Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Sri Lanka's literacy rate of 92% is the highest literacy rate in

South Asia. The successful social welfare policies had contributed to low mortality rates and

high life expectancy and literacy rates.

9. Sri Lanka is a lower middle income country with a nominal GDP of $84.023 billion, a GDP per

capita of $ 3,927 and a steady economic growth of over 6 percent in the recent years. It is

mainly an agricultural country. Rice is the staple food and the main food crop, other food crops

being grains, pulses, fruits and vegetables. Tea, rubber and coconut are grown as plantations.

Spice crops include cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, pepper and cloves. Sri Lanka is also a major

exporter of precious and semi-precious stones. Within the last few years remittances from Sri

Lankans employed abroad, including in South Korea have contributed a large share towards

foreign exchange.


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C. SriLanKoRAA: the profile

10. SriLanKoRAA, was established in 2005 with a seed grant from the RDA of the Republic of

Korea. It is the fifth foreign country Alumni Association of the RDA. Current membership is 130

representing several government departments, universities and private sector, with 70 life

members and 60 ordinary members.

11. SriLanKoRAA is a nonprofit organization of agricultural professionals, to disseminate their

professional knowledge for the betterment of the farming community of Sri Lanka. Specifically

it would: (i) disseminate proven technologies developed in Sri Lanka to government and

nongovernmental extension workers, students and entrepreneurs, (ii) forge liaison between

and among members through various activities such as conferences, seminars, dialogues, civic

and non-civic activities, among others, (iii) provide a venue for information exchange related to

research and development in agricultural and natural resources, (iv) encourage the

establishment of appropriate collaborative activities to ensure continuous technology sharing

among members and(v) facilitate the well-being of the members. SriLanKoRAA collaborates

with the Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, provincial

agriculture systems, and other organizations. With the wide range of experience of its

members, SriLanKoRAA has the capacity to undertake any crop-livestock-fishery and forestry

related project in Sri Lanka.

D. SriLanKoRAA Projects: the modus operandi

12. SriLanKoRAA had implemented several diverse projects all over the country. In

conceptualizing, designing, implementing and monitoring of such projects, it had followed a

logical procedure to ensure investment of funds and professional resources were well-

intentioned. Felt-needed project concepts that had been emphasized by its members or

concerned agricultural institutions or highlighted in public media had been deliberated at

executive committee meetings to evaluate their priority. Once the concepts had been screened;

appropriate institutions to collaborate, co-finance and implement them, potential project

managers to direct them and other logistics had been suitably identified. Project design and

proposals had been prepared for approval.

13. A unique design feature of SriLanKoRAA projects was the role and the work-load obligations

of collaborating institutions. By having proactive and foresighted discussions with potential

institutions, SriLanKoRAA had effectively enrolled relevant institutions to collaborate and

physically undertake the conceptualized project by-and-large with their own resources of funds,

material, skills and professionals; thereby confining the role of SriLanKoRAA to initial seed-

money, item-specific expenditure, advocacy, intermediacy, monitoring, and coordination. This


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arrangement had been mutually beneficial as the cost to the SriLanKoRAA was minimal and

implementation was efficient with collaborating institution financial and professional resources.

14. SriLanKoRAA members have professional relationships with major agricultural institutions

originating from their career experience. Hence forging such working arrangements was easier.

E. SriLanKoRAA Projects: the overall themes, goals and major activities

15. Since its inception, SriLanKoRAA had undertaken thirteen significant projects, in three broad

intervention themes; (i) community-based quality seed multiplication, (ii) demonstration-

based technology dissemination and (iii) corporate social responsibility based scholarship

support.

16. Theme 1: Community-based quality seed multiplication: Quality seed is crucial for realizing

productivity potential of crops and adoption of crops to different agro-climatic conditions. The

quality of seed alone is known to account for at least 10-15% increase in the productivity.

Fertilizers, irrigation, plant protection measures and suitable agronomic practices can increase

the yield and quality of crops substantially. However poor quality seeds can greatly suppress

the effectiveness of all other agronomic practices.

17. Insufficient quality seed is a major obstacle to achieve high productivity in Sri Lankan

agriculture. The current seed paddy production equals 17% of the national requirement,

vegetable seed production 3.8% of vegetable seed requirement and OFC seed production

equals to 8% of OFC seed requirement of the country. Apart from government institutions

producing quality seed, educating farmers to produce their own quality seed for them and for

trade is essential.

18. Under the community-based quality seed multiplication theme, seven projects with

following major objectives had been implemented: (i) Production of Red Onion True Seed

(Jaffna), (ii) Big Onion Seed Production (Kurunegala), (iii) Seed Multiplication of Traditional

Paddy (Kurunegala), (iv) Other Field Crops Seed Production (Kurunegala), (v) Wayamba Seed

Paddy Production (Kurunegala), (vi) Weedy-rice free Seed Paddy Production (Kurunegala), and

(vii) Seed Paddy Production Society (Polonnaruwa)

19. Theme 2: Demonstration-based technology dissemination: Adoption of appropriate

technology is necessary for the development of the agricultural sector. They can motivate

youth to stay in farm, increase farmer incomes, and make rural agriculture competitive.

Transferring and adopting new technologies in Sri Lanka is challenging. There is hesitance

among farmers to quickly embrace new technology. Successful technology adoption depends


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on an array of factors. Among them; appropriateness, affordability and appeal to youth and

farmers as well as profitability from the new technology are important. Even then, the crucial

issue is the competence of institutions to impart the knowledge to farmers and youth

effectively; through a skillful advisory service and demonstration farms that allows youth and

farmers to visualize them.

20. Under the demonstration-based technology dissemination theme, five projects with the

following major objectives had been implemented: (i) Model Farm for Dissemination of

Technology (Mahailluppalama), (ii) Technology Demonstration Farm (Polonnaruwa), (iii)

Vegetable Research, Training Demonstration Farm (Seetha Eliya), (iv) Integrated Organic Model

Farm-Village by Women (Anuradapura), and (v) Information Technology Bank on Rice

(Bathalagoda).

21. Theme 3: Corporate Social Responsibility based scholarship support: For agriculture sector

development, qualified professionals are continuously necessary and agriculture faculties of Sri

Lankan Universities provide the required knowledge and training to undergraduates. Though

the cost of education is totally subsidized by the government, students still have to manage

living expenses on their own. The state administered assistance programmes are often

inadequate for some students of underprivileged families. Yet, such students also would be

future stage-setters of the agriculture sector. With a financial support at student phase they

would be stress-free educated to render a better service for agriculture development.

22. Under the scholarship support theme, the following major activities had been implemented:

(i) scholarships to selected agriculture students at University of Peradeniya, University of

Ruhuna, University of Jaffna and University of Rajarata, (ii) scholarships to selected university

undergraduate children of SriLanKoRAA members, and (iii) assistance to faculties to upgrade

student welfare utilities.

2. Implementation of the KoRAA projects

The reviewed Projects are:

Project 1: “Model demonstration farm for dissemination of appropriate technology in

agriculture, at MI”

Project 2: “Community based red onion true seed production in Jaffna district”,

Project 3: “Seed multiplication of indigenous rice variety, ‘Suwandhel’ in Kurunegala

district”


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Table 1: KoRAA funded projects in Sri Lanka Serial No.

Project Title Project Leader/s Implementing organization(s)

Duration, budget

1 Model farm for dissemination of appropriate technology in agriculture-at MI

Dr. W.M.W. Weerakoon Mr. Chamila Perera

FCRDI Two years and to continue by FCRDI Supplementary floating budget from national funds as project is incorporated to FCRDI. KoRAA funds for initial expenditure and support; US$ 800

2 Community based red onion true seed production in Jaffna district

Dr. Ajantha De Silva Mr. S. Sivakumar

NPDOA FCRDI

Two years Supplementary floating budget as project was implemented by regular extension service of NPDOA and FCRDI with national funds. KoRAA funds for initial expenditure and material support to farmers; US$ 4,500

3 Seed multiplication of indigenous rice variety, “Suwandhel” in Kurunegala district

Mr. H.K.M.S.Kumarasinghe Mr. S.W. Abeysekera Mr. P. Sisira Kumara

RRDI NWPDOA

Two years Supplementary floating budget as project was implemented by regular extension service of DOA, RRDI and NWPDOA with national funds. KoRAA funds for initial expenditure and material support to farmers; US$ 400


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3. Brief summary of the progress report


Project Title Objectives Achievement/ Findings Project 1: “Model

demonstration farm for

dissemination of appropriate

technology in agriculture, at

MI”

Goal:

To transform dry zone

“cash-crop type

cultivation”, to

“commercial agriculture”

through appropriate

technologies.

Objectives:

Objective1: Disseminate

appropriate, affordable

and appealing technology

suitable for commercial

agriculture through real-

life visualization and

hands-on experience

Objective 2: Motivate

youth to stay in farm,

increase farmer incomes,

and make rural

agriculture competitive

commercial agriculture

Objective 3: Disseminate

self-seed production as

seed is critical input for

commercial agriculture

Objective 4: Demonstrate

soil fertility improving

land preparation to

lessen current destructive

methods

Output 1: SLanKoRAA motivated and

guided DOA to agree for a MDF at

FCRDI

Output 2: FCRDI established a 4 ha

MDF, with major infrastructures; i.

sprinkler irrigation, ii. drip irrigation, iii.

plant houses, iv. rain shelters, v.

thermo-gradient tunnel, vi. rain-out

shelter, vii. surface pipe-irrigation

Output 3: MDF had successfully

undertaken demonstration of new

technologies: i. Onion seed production

in rain shelter, drip irrigation; ii. Onion

mother bulb production under drip

/sprinkler irrigation; iii. Chilli hybrid

seed production in plant house, drip

irrigation; iv. Chilli pure-line seed

production in sprinkler/drip irrigation;

v. Agronomic Management with micro-

irrigation for chilli, onion, mungbean;

vi. low depth land tilling and organic

matter soil improvement, vii. Several

thematic technology dissemination

sessions

Output 4: MDF had successfully

addressed a larger than intended target

group for technology demonstration.

Instead of original objective of youth

only, had addressed: i. all levels of

farmers, ii. Extension officers of

mahaweli, agrarian, irrigation

departments, provincial administration,

interprovincial administration, iii.

Students of universities, schools of


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agriculture, secondary schools

Output 5: Effective extension system to

publicize the MDF and organize groups

to visit MDF: has a diverse network of

publicizing MDF with extension offices

of other departments, administrations,

universities, schools and organizing and

managing their visits


Project Title Objectives Achievement/ Findings Project 2:“Community based

red onion true seed

production in Jaffna district”

Goal:

Increase the production

and availability of red

onion true seed; promote

the use of red onion true

seeds for high yield, high

quality, and low cost

commercial red onion

cultivation; alternative for

mother-bulbs.

Objectives:

Objective1: SLanKoRAA,

FCRDI and NPDOA to

disseminate and increase

true seed production and

cultivation in Jaffna

Objective 2: True seed

farmers to realize higher

income, seed for next

cultivation

Objective 3: Lateral

spread the national true

seed production and

Output 1: SLanKoRAA has teamed up

FCRDI and NPDOA to mobilize a farmer

cluster of 20 farmers to produce red

onion true seeds.

Output 2: NPDOA Extension service

had provided training, advisory service,

regular supervision and direction to

participating farmers

Output 3: FCRDI had provided initial set

of seed bulb vernilization and

agronomic knowledge to NPDOA and

project farmers

Output 4: SLanKoRAA had supported

know how training, initial set of seed

bulbs, fertilizer, agrochemicals, nets to

support onion flowers

Output 5: Farmers had successfully

produced true seeds, realized

enhanced incomes from selling seed

and nursery plants.

Output 6: Participatory farmers had

own true seed for future season


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commercial cultivation of

red onions with true seed

technology

Objective 4: To realize a

decreased cost of red

onion production

cultivations, true seed producing

technique had laterally spread.

Output 7: Extent of red onion

cultivation with true seed had

increased. Subject to other agronomic

practices, cost of production of red

onion with true seed is less.

Output 8: NPDOA had expanded the

red onion true seed production

programme and advocacy to cultivate

red onion with true seeds

Table 2.3: Brief summary of progress of Progress 3:

Project Title Objectives Achievement/ Findings Project 3: “Seed

multiplication of indigenous

rice variety, ‘Suwandhel’ in

Kurunegala district”

Goal:

To train participatory

indigenous rice growing

farmers as commercial

level indigenous rice self-

seed producing farmers

Objectives:

Objective1: SLanKoRAA,

RRDI and NWPDOA to

promote “Self-seed

producing” farmer nuclei

Objective 2: to produce

quality seed of

indigenous rice variety,

‘Suwandhel’ for own

cultivation and other

farmers.

Objective 3: Self-seed

production and

Output 1: SLanKoRAA and NWPDOA

had mobilized 18 farmers in a cluster to

cultivate indigenous rice in 6 ha of land

using only organic manure

Output 2: NWPDOA Extension service

had provided training, advisory service,

regular supervision and direction to

participating farmers

Output 3: Participatory farmers had

obtained a higher than expected yield

of seed rice of the indigenous variety at

a lower cost of cultivation

Output 4: overall district extent is very

small, about 70 ha. Only minor lateral

spread in vicinity had been observed,

due to possibly minor demand already

saturated, need to cultivate as other

farmers in the same rice tract for

agronomic and logistic reasons


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commercial cultivation of

Suwandhel to

disseminate laterally.

Objective 4: Indigenous

rice seed farmers to form

producer and marketing

associations.

Output 5: No producer and marketing

association had been formed by the

participants or followers

4. Monitoring and Evaluation of the projects

Table 3.1: OECD/DAC Evaluation Standards for “Model demonstration farm for dissemination of appropriate technology in agriculture, at MI”

CRITERIA FACTORS STANDARDS SCORE Relevance How important is the project on local and national requirements and priorities

Relevance for national agricultural policy

Very relevant

5

Appropriateness of the project size

Appropriate

5

Communication with RDA Good communication 5

Efficiency Are the objectives of the interventions achieved

Budget enough for objectives Budget is enough

5

Willingness of Sri Lanka to implement

Very willing

5

Level of expertise in Sri Lanka High level of expertise

5

Completeness of the project outputs

Completed but need feedback monitoring

4

Effectiveness Are the objectives being

Achievement based on objectives

Highly achieved

5

Long-term economic impact High economic impact

5


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achieved economically

Compliance in establishing infrastructure

Complied

5

Impact Does the project impact the overall situation of the target group)

Change in perception/attitude of stakeholders

Change in perception/attitude but need to see change being implemented

4

Contribution to policy and institutional

Contributed, but not enough

3

Awareness of change in terms of importance of the project

Moderate level of awareness

4

Sustainability Are the positive effects or impacts sustainable

Independence in conducting projects

Has independence to conduct

5

Sustainability to maintain new technology and information sharing capability

Has capability to maintain 5

Capacity of project management to sustain the project

Has the capacity to sustain 5

Table 3.2: OECD/DAC Evaluation Standards for “Community based red onion true seed production in Jaffna district”



Very relevant

5


Appropriate

5


Efficiency Are the objectives of the interventions achieved


5

Willingness of Sri Lanka to implement

Very willing

5


5

Completeness of the project Completed but need 4


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outputs feedback monitoring

Effectiveness Are the objectives being achieved economically


Highly achieved

5

Long-term economic impact High economic impact

5


NR



Change in perception/attitude

5


Moderate contribution to change

4


Moderate level of awareness

4




5


Has capability to maintain 5


Has the capacity to sustain

5

Table 3.3: OECD/DAC Evaluation Standards for “Seed multiplication of indigenous rice variety, ‘Suwandhel’ in Kurunegala district”



Marginally relevant

3


Appropriate

5


Efficiency Are the objectives of


5

Willingness of Sri Lanka to Very willing


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the interventions achieved

implement 5


5

Completeness of the project outputs

Moderately Completed

4

Effectiveness Are the objectives being achieved economically


Moderately achieved

4

Long-term economic impact Moderate economic impact

3


NR



Moderate change in perception/attitude

4


Contributed, but not enough

3


Aware, but not enough

3




4


Recognized the need, but no action

3


Difficult to sustain

3


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Table 3.4: Overall evaluation standards of the projects (based on the detailed scoring):

“Model demonstration farm for dissemination of appropriate technology in agriculture, at MI”

“Community based red onion true seed production in Jaffna district”

“Seed multiplication of indigenous rice variety, ‘Suwandhel’ in Kurunegala district”

CRITERIA OVERALL

CRITERION SCORE

CRITERIA OVERALL CRITERION SCORE

CRITERIA OVERALL CRITERION SCORE

Relevance 5 Relevance 5 Relevance 3

Efficiency 5 Efficiency 5 Efficiency 5

Effectiveness 5 Effectiveness 5 Effectiveness 3

Impact 4 Impact 4 Impact 3

Sustainability 5 Sustainability 5 Sustainability 3

Overall Project Score

5 Overall

Project Score

5 Overall

Project Score

3

Overall Project Grading

Highly satisfactory


Highly satisfactory


Marginal

5. Problems/Constraints

1. Holistically, there were no major issues in conceptualizing, designing and implementing of the three

reviewed projects. The foremost reason for smooth implementation was the SriLanKoRAA policy of

implementing the projects through the relevant state institutions, such as the regional institutes of DOA,

extension service of provincial departments of agriculture.

2. Project proposals had been prepared by individual scientists specialized or skilled on the subject

matter of the project. Though RDA guidelines had been used to prepare the proposals, across board

proposals lack homogeneity, comparability and comprehensiveness; indicating weak fore thinking in

planning. This was due to not reviewing the proposals by a properly trained and skilled person. Most of

the members of SriLanKoRAA have a state service background and in state institutions of Sri Lanka prior

preparation of sound project proposals for small projects is weak or lacking. A sound project proposal is

critical for smooth implementation and subsequent evaluation.

3. Due to various reasons there had been moderate delays in commencement of programmes; delays in

identification of partner institutions, partner institution taking time to study proposals and consenting,

formalizing project managers, in complex projects with infrastructures, time and government procedure

for procurement are some reasons.

4. Projects had been designed for a minimum period of involvement, expecting them to self-run by

beneficiaries or by partners. This anticipation will not work universally. While it had worked well in


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project 1 being incorporated to the mandate of FCRDI, the project period to instill the interventions in

project 3 was totally inadequate.

5. Obligation or commitment to implement and continue projects lies with collaborating institutions,

specifically its hierarchy. While collaboration has ample advantages, it runs the risk of suspension of the

interventions over time due to change of personnel or priorities of colloborating institutions. In project

3, low performance and non-continuation can be partly attributed to this risk.

6. Lack of proper and systematic monitoring is prominent. This was due to leaving the responsibility of

implementation largely to a partner agency thereby self- diminishing the decisive role of SriLanKoRAA in

day to day project administration. All government institutions are used to conveying something

minimum as progress reporting without results oriented on-going monitoring. SriLanKoRAA cannot ask

for more rigorous reporting from partner institutions as over 70 -95% of cost is born by the partner

institution.

7. None of the projects have a delineated exit strategy. At the commencement of the project a sound

exit strategy defining who would continue the interventions and how it would be financed over a

reasonable time period had not been identified.

6. Recommendations and lessons learned

6.1 Recommendations:

1. It is beneficial to discuss preliminary project concepts with a wider specialized audience as a concept

appraisal approach and to review the draft project proposal by a qualified third party for

comprehensiveness and professional standards.

2. If partner institutions are enlisted, implementation and monitoring arrangements have to be

discussed in detail. What will happen if the responsible officers or priorities change over time etc. need

to be ironed-out.

3. A well-documented exit strategy; i. how the project sponsors will leave the project, ii. how and when

the project implementers leave the project and iii. how and who would continue the interventions after

the project, need to be documented in the exit strategy.

4. Very short project periods are liable to crash; depending on the extent and nature of interventions,

projects should have reasonably long project period to stabilize, mature and to set an impact on the

beneficiaries. It is more rational to have few long period projects than many very short period projects.

Usually projects change the attitudes and mind-sets of participants, which require time.

6.2 Lessons learned:

1. It was very evident that implementing projects with resourceful collaborating institutions was

efficient, but need to be aware that such institutions have their own mandates and priorities and

collaboration could be short lived and fragile.


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2. A well formulated on-going evaluation of the progress if built-in would have improved the

performance of the projects with mid-course rectifications.

3. By not having a binding exit strategy, projects could end up in a void at its conclusion without any

hold by the sponsors.

7. Result and implication

1. A sufficient period of time has not elapsed to access the impact of the projects. Furthermore

comprehensive impact assessment studies had not been undertaken by SLanKoRAA or the

collaborating institutions. In addition the Project 1; “Model farm for dissemination of

appropriate technology in agriculture-at MI” continues to function as part of FCRDI agenda with

FCRDI funds, expanding its focus, activities and outreach to beneficiaries.

2. However based on sound rationalization it can be said with fair certainty that the project 1;

“Model farm for dissemination of appropriate technology in agriculture-at MI” has a greater

impact on the farming community as what had been demonstrated at MDF was new and

appropriate technology for profitable farming. Moreover most of the farmer groups visited the

MDF had organized their visit voluntarily after coming to know about the project. Thus a

substantial impact on their attitudes towards commercial agriculture could be expected.

However to turn the expectations to active implementation, they would need much capital

investments; facilitating such a scheme as a follow-up to the project is not built-in the project.

3. The Project 2; “Community based red onion true seed production in Jaffna district” is

uplifting of already existing field programme of NPDOA with scientific assistance. Thus it would

undoubtedly have positive impact on lateral spread of production of quality red onion true

seeds.

4. Project 3; “Seed multiplication of indigenous rice variety, “Suwandhel” in Kurunegala district”,

was ill-conceived but in good faith due to sudden and over emphasized upsurge of interest in

the past on indigenous rice. Project failed to establish a tangible impact at least for the near

future.


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8. Activity photos

Project 1; “Model farm for dissemination of appropriate technology in

agriculture-at MI”

Project 2; “Community based red onion true seed production in Jaffna district”


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Project 3; “Seed multiplication of indigenous rice variety, “Suwandhel” in

Kurunegala district”


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9. Appendix 1

An enhanced synopsis of the project 1 proposal:

“Model demonstration farm for dissemination of appropriate technology in

agriculture, at MI”

Introduction:

1. Development of the agriculture sector in any country is based on adoption of appropriate

technological innovations. In developed countries where most of the innovations originate,

adoption is often customary, but transferring and adopting them in developing countries is

challenging. Even to promote appropriate modernizations conceived within the country is often

difficult. Efficient and appropriate agricultural technologies are crucial to motivate rural youth

to stay in farms, increase farmer incomes, make domestic agriculture competitive and for

poverty alleviation of the nation. Yet self- desire of rural youth and traditional farmers to

actively seek new technology is discouraging.

2. Successful agricultural technology adoption in Sri Lanka depends on three critical factors: (i)

acceptability factor; appropriateness, affordability and appeal to youth and farmers of the new

technologies, (ii) economic factor; profitability from the new technology and (iii) institutional

factor; ability of institutions to impart proper and thorough awareness of new technologies to

youth and farmers through extension service or thematic projects like model demonstration

farms.

3. Studies have shown that dry zone agriculture can be made more economical and profitable

with appropriate technological and agronomic modifications or modernizations. By addressing

the three critical factors for technology adoption stated above, the crop productivity and

farmer income can be increased, rural economy can be improved, and younger generation can

be motivated to stay in a commercial oriented agriculture.

Goal:

4. The project; “Model demonstration farm for dissemination of appropriate technology in

agriculture, at MI” had an overall goal to upgrade dry zone agriculture to “commercial-

agriculture” through especially youth and innovative farmers adopting appropriate modern

technologies.

Objectives:

5. Following objectives were earmarked to achieve the goal.


23

i. SLanKoRAA would persuade DOA, specifically the FCRDI at Mahailluppallama, to be the

technical and major financing partner of the proposed project. The FCRDI is the primary

research institute in dry zone with a mandate to develop dry zone agriculture. Chilli and onion

which are main dry zone cash crops are high in the FCRDI research and development agenda.

ii. FCRDI would establish a MDF within the research station. Initially innovative

technologies would be on water conserving irrigation and on productivity and quality

improvement of chilli and onion as they have a greater potential to transform to commercial

agriculture.

iii. MDF would have high- tech infrastructures such as low intensity-high-frequency

irrigation systems, fertigation systems, plant houses etc. and others as deemed appropriate

over time.

iv. FCRDI will establish an effective extension system to publicize the model farm among

farming community; arrange youth and interested farmers to visit to learn new technologies

through introductions, visualization and hands-on experience free of charge.

v. In time to come the demonstration service would be expanded to other potential

beneficiaries such as school children, university students, public sector offices etc.

vi. Follow-up the effectiveness of training, monitor post-training adoption and make

necessary adjustments to training content, approach and themes.

10. Appendix 2 An enhanced synopsis of the project 2 proposal:

“Community based red onion true seed production in Jaffna district”

Introduction:

1. Red onion or shallot is an important condiment in Sri Lankan cuisine. The annual requirement

is around 100,000 Mt of which about 70-80 percent is produced locally. It is grown in several

dry and intermediate climate districts; however Jaffna is the major traditionally red onion

growing district. Red onion is traditionally grown by planting selected red onion bulbs, called

mother-bulbs or sets. On the average around 1.2 Mt/ha of mother-bulbs are needed for small

bulb variety (Jaffna local) and 1.7 Mt/ha for large bulb variety (Vethalan).


24

2. Mother-bulb planting is not economical as it accounts for 35-40 percent of cultivation cost

and an enormous amount of bulbs used for planting could be used for food, if there is an

alternative way of cultivating red onion. The red onion variety Vethalan can be cultivated also

with true seeds, but production of true seeds is intricate but possible with proper technical

guidance.

3. Jaffna cultivates a total of around 1000 ha of red onion annually in two seasons and around

1400 Mt of onions are needed for planting (in Jaffna only) at an average cost of Rs. 140 million

(at time of proposal). However if red onion is grown with true seeds, seed requirement is about

5 – 6 Kg/ha, and for total extent in Jaffna 6.6 Mt costing around Rs. 55 million; a saving of Rs. 85

million and diverting 1400 Mt of onions for food consumption.

4. At present some farmers in Jaffna produce red onion seeds, but many need correct technical

guidance to obtain best quality and high yields of seed. If correct seed production technique

can be demonstrated with a group of participating farmers, other farmers would follow and

production of red onion seed can be increased.

Goal:

5. The project; “Community based red onion true seed production in Jaffna district” had an

overall goal to increase the production and availability of red onion true seeds; promote the use

of red onion true seeds for high yield, high quality, and low cost commercial red onion

cultivation, as an alternative for cultivating red onions from mother-bulbs.

Objectives:


i. SLanKoRAA would partly financially support and enlist NPDOA to disseminate true seed

production in Jaffna with the technical assistance from the DOA, specifically the FCRDI.

ii. True seed production participatory farmers to realize higher income, more true seed for

next season red onion cultivation

iii. Lateral spread the national true seed production through community base seed

production programmes and increase commercial cultivation of red onions with true

seed technology instead of from mother bulbs.

iv. To realize a decreased cost of red onion production


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11. Appendix 3

An enhanced synopsis of the project 3 proposal:

“Seed multiplication of indigenous rice variety, ‘Suwandhel’ in Kurunegala

district”

Introduction:

1. Rice cultivation is an important economic activity in Sri Lanka since ancient times. In the past

there had been hundreds of different indigenous varieties distinguished by their nutritional and

or medicinal properties. They were passed down for generations, and are called traditional,

indigenous or heirloom varieties.

2. Though comparatively low yielding than the modern varieties, the indigenous varieties have

strong characteristics to survive droughts, heavy rains, floods and other climate-change

impacts. The have natural climate change adaptations.

3. An analysis by Industrial Technology Institute of Sri Lanka has shown that compared to

normal white rice, the nutritive content of indigenous rice (Kuruluthuda, Pokkali, Suwandhel ) in

terms of protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc and copper was significantly higher. It is

believed that indigenous rice can aid cure or management of diabetes, cancer, neurological

disorders and promote wellbeing. The interest for indigenous rice has renewed in the recent

past due to publicity given for its nutritive values by various organizations and individuals over

the public media.

4. When indigenous rice is cultivated without the use of any agricultural chemicals or pesticides

as was done in the traditional agriculture systems, it fetches a higher price than the modern

rice, often in excess of twofold. Yet the cultivated extent of indigenous rice accounts for less

than ten percent of total rice extent, signifying that indigenous rice is still a niche market in Sri

Lanka.

5. There are only a handful of indigenous rice varieties in existence today due to desertion,

negligence, inclination for fertilizer and pesticide based varieties, scarcity of seed, mixing-up of

seed, and lost acquaintance and knowledge over time. Suwandhel (meaning fragrant) is a

popular indigenous rice variety. It is a delectable white rice with an exquisite aroma, has a

distinct milky taste; a choice variety for festivities and ceremonies.

6. However cultivators of indigenous rice face a major obstacle. It is difficult to procure pure-

line seed of indigenous rice and to maintain an uninterrupted supply for future plantings. This is


26

graver among smallholder farmers than among commercial enterprises. Without reliable seed

as a starter and an assured supply for future plantings, small farmers do not venture into

indigenous rice cultivation.

Goal:

7. The project; “Seed multiplication of indigenous rice variety, ‘Suwandhel’ in Kurunegala

district“ had an overall goal to train participatory indigenous rice growing farmers as

commercial level quality self-seed producing farmers and to establish indigenous rice seed

producing associations and traditional rice supplier association.

Objectives:


i. SLanKoRAA, RRDI and NWPDOA to promote “self-seed producing” farmer nuclei.

ii. Participatory farmers to produce quality seed of indigenous rice variety, ‘Suwandhel’

for own future season cultivation and other farmers to cultivate

iii. Self-seed production and commercial cultivation of of Suwandhel to disseminate

laterally.

iv. Indigenous rice seed farmers to form producer and marketing associations.

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