Background
The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) received a grant from the African Development Bank (AfDB), through a project called Promotion of Science and Technology for Agricultural Development in Africa (PSTAD). This grant provides financial support to two of FARA’s regional initiatives based on the demands of its stakeholders. These are:
• Regional Agricultural Information and Learning Systems (RAILS)
• Dissemination of New Agricultural Technologies in Africa (DONATA)
PSTAD’s executing agency is FARA, its management is handled by the SROs, and the NARS act as the implementing agencies. At the NARS level, focal institutions are selected using
the existing networks of FARA and the SROs. Details of the project can be found in the attached appraisal document.
A mid-term review of the project implementation was conducted in June 2010. The objective was to review the status of project implementation and to determine the progress in attaining the project objectives as indicated in the project logframe. Other issues were reviewed such as physical implementation, financial execution, procurement activities and disbursement, institutional arrangements, and fulfilment of grant conditions.
The review was led by an AfDB team and supported by both FARA and the SROs. It was conducted in different stages: NARS-SRO-FARA-AfDB five-day consultations, field visits, and final analysis at the FARA Secretariat. This highly interactive and intensive review resulted in various adjustments that reflected the recommendations of national and sub-regional partners. The lessons learnt provided a solid basis for improving the implementation activities. The procurement process, which had previously been a major challenge, was reviewed and adjusted. Various operational costs were also considered and adjusted.
The purpose of the post-MTR workshop is to share and discuss the final recommendations of the MTR with the project partners. The objective is to achieve a common understanding of the project implementation issues, guidelines, procedures and processes.
The post-MTR will also allow a continental knowledge exchange through both RAILS And DONATA. The purpose is to gain insights and perspectives on the proposed concepts and guidelines against field application over the past three years. The objective is to update the general concepts and guidelines on RAILS learning teams and the innovation platforms for technology adaption (IPTAs).
The specific objectives are:
• To allow national partners to share their knowledge on project implementation, especially lessons learnt in RAILS and DONATA derived after 2-3 years of implementation. Specific insights on the use of eRAILS and IPTA will be highlighted.
• To discuss and brainstorm on strategies for listening, writing and publishing stories about the project, which will provide materials for the publication of stories of change in African knowledge exchange and technology dissemination.
• To initiate the development of the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) mechanism for the project.
• To gather experiences and propose mechanisms to further improve project implementation such as reporting, procurement and fund disbursement.
• Regional Agricultural Information and Learning Systems (RAILS)
• Dissemination of New Agricultural Technologies in Africa (DONATA)
PSTAD’s executing agency is FARA, its management is handled by the SROs, and the NARS act as the implementing agencies. At the NARS level, focal institutions are selected using
the existing networks of FARA and the SROs. Details of the project can be found in the attached appraisal document. A mid-term review of the project implementation was conducted in June 2010. The objective was to review the status of project implementation and to determine the progress in attaining the project objectives as indicated in the project logframe. Other issues were reviewed such as physical implementation, financial execution, procurement activities and disbursement, institutional arrangements, and fulfilment of grant conditions.
The review was led by an AfDB team and supported by both FARA and the SROs. It was conducted in different stages: NARS-SRO-FARA-AfDB five-day consultations, field visits, and final analysis at the FARA Secretariat. This highly interactive and intensive review resulted in various adjustments that reflected the recommendations of national and sub-regional partners. The lessons learnt provided a solid basis for improving the implementation activities. The procurement process, which had previously been a major challenge, was reviewed and adjusted. Various operational costs were also considered and adjusted.
The purpose of the post-MTR workshop is to share and discuss the final recommendations of the MTR with the project partners. The objective is to achieve a common understanding of the project implementation issues, guidelines, procedures and processes.
The post-MTR will also allow a continental knowledge exchange through both RAILS And DONATA. The purpose is to gain insights and perspectives on the proposed concepts and guidelines against field application over the past three years. The objective is to update the general concepts and guidelines on RAILS learning teams and the innovation platforms for technology adaption (IPTAs).
The specific objectives are:
• To allow national partners to share their knowledge on project implementation, especially lessons learnt in RAILS and DONATA derived after 2-3 years of implementation. Specific insights on the use of eRAILS and IPTA will be highlighted.
• To discuss and brainstorm on strategies for listening, writing and publishing stories about the project, which will provide materials for the publication of stories of change in African knowledge exchange and technology dissemination.
• To initiate the development of the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) mechanism for the project.
• To gather experiences and propose mechanisms to further improve project implementation such as reporting, procurement and fund disbursement.