end-of-the-project evaluation report of srilankoraa...

END-OF-THE-PROJECT EVALUATION REPORT

OF SriLanKoRAA PILOT PROJECTS

(Sri Lanka)

(Supplementary Report)

Prepared by:

Dr. G. A. Canute De Silva

28th October 2017

UOPER UORHU UOJAF UORAJ

SSrrii LLaannkkaa KKoorreeaa RRuurraall DDeevveellooppmmeenntt AAddmmiinniissttrraattiioonn AAlluummnnii AAssssoocciiaattiioonn

Project Partners

GOSL DOA NCP NP NWP

2016-2017 END-OF-PROJECT EVALUATION – SUPPLEMENTARY 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 UOPER University of Peradeniya UORHU University of Ruhuna UOJAF University of Jaffna UORAJ University of Rajarata

Abbreviations in Text:

ARDC Agriculture Research and Development Centre

DTC District Training Centre

FCRDI Field Crops Research and Development Institute of DOA

GDP Gross Domestic Product

ICT Information and Communication Technology

ITB Information Technology Bank

KoRAA Korea Rural Development Administration

MDF Model Demonstration Farm

MI Mahailluppallama (location of FCRDI)

NCP North Central Province

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

TDF Technology Demonstration Farm


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Contents

Page No.

1. Introduction 4

A. End of the Project Evaluation 4

B. SriLanKoRAA Projects: the overall themes, goals and major activities 5

C. End of project evaluation of selected projects in Theme 1: 6

D. End of project evaluation of selected projects in Theme 2: 6

E. End of project evaluation of project in Theme 3: 7

2. End of Project Evaluation of Projects for the Supplementary Report 8

2.1. Project 1: Community Based Quality Seed

Paddy Production (Polonnaruwa) 8

2.2. Project 2: Weedy-rice Free Seed

Paddy Self-Production (Kurunegala) 12

2.3. Project 3: Technology Demonstration

Farm (TDF) (Polonnaruwa) 16

2.4. Project 4: Technology Demonstration

Farm (TDF) (Seethaeliya) 20

2.5 Project 5: Integrated Model Organic

Farm Village with Women (Anuradapura) 24

2.6. Project 6: Information Technology

Bank (ITB) on Rice, (Bathalagoda) 28

2.7. Project 7: Supporting Agriculture Undergraduate Students

in Sri Lankan Universities through Scholarship Programs 32

3. Evaluation Comparison 36

4. Problems / Constraints 37

5. Recommendations and lessons learned 38


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1. Introduction

A. End of the Project Evaluation

1. This is a Supplementary Report to the previously completed ‘end of the project evaluation’1 Primary Report2 on SriLanKoRAA3 projects.

2. The Primary Report contained detailed evaluation of end-of-project status of three projects

proposed by the RDA for evaluation and presentation at an international conference on KoRRA

Pilot Projects. The three projects included in the Primary Report were; (i) “Model farm for

dissemination of appropriate technology in agriculture-at MI”, (ii) “Community based red onion

true seed production in Jaffna district”, and (iii) “Seed multiplication of indigenous rice variety,

“Suwandhel” in Kurunegala district”. This supplementary report analyses another seven

projects completed by the SriLanKoRAA.

3. The rigour of analysis of seven projects in the Supplementary Report is same as in the

Primary Report with project background and project proposal description somewhat less

exhaustive. The Primary Report has for sake of comprehensiveness an ‘enhanced synopsis of

the project proposal’ for the three projects. The Supplementary Report instead has Background,

Problem Analysis, and Synopsis of Project and Achievements.

4. The Primary Report describes the purpose of end-of-project evaluation, the basis of

evaluation, source of data and the criteria of evaluation. Additionally it details the

characteristics of the member country, Sri Lanka, the profile and modus operandi of

SriLanKoRAA and categories, themes and goals of SriLanKoRAA projects. In this Supplementary

Report the basis and criteria of evaluation, sourcing of data, modus operandi and categories,

themes and goals of SriLanKoRAA projects are briefly reiterated for clarity and completeness.

5. The evaluation 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. Project

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 The primary report on detailed analysis of three projects was completed in September 2017 3 Sri Lanka Korea Rural Development Administration Alumni Association


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performance is evaluated using the standard OECD4criteria: 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.

6. 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) Triangulating: sorting

out few conflicting data.

7. 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

arrangement had been mutually beneficial.

8. SriLanKoRAA members have professional relationships with major agricultural institutions

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

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

9. 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.

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


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C. End of project evaluation of selected projects in Theme 1: Community-based

quality seed multiplication:

10. 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 poor quality seeds greatly suppress the effectiveness of all

other agronomic practices. Educating farmers to produce their own quality seed for them and

for trade is essential.

11. Under the Theme 1: Community-based quality seed multiplication, SriLanKoRAA had

implemented seven main projects: (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) Community Based Quality Seed Paddy Production (Polonnaruwa) , and (vii)

Weedy-rice Free Seed Paddy Self-Production (Kurunegala).

12. Of the seven projects, Primary Report has analysis of two projects; Production of Red Onion

True Seed (Jaffna) and Seed Multiplication of Traditional Paddy (Kurunegala).

13. Supplementary Report has analysis of another two projects from theme 1; (i) Community

Based Quality Seed Paddy Production (Polonnaruwa) and (ii) Weedy-rice Free Seed Paddy

Self-Production (Kurunegala).

D. End of project evaluation of selected projects in Theme 2: Demonstration-

based technology dissemination:

14. 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 on an array of factors including a skillful advisory service and demonstration

farms that allows youth and farmers to visualize them.

15. Under the Theme 2: Demonstration-based technology dissemination, SriLanKoRAA had

implemented five main projects: (i) Model Farm for Dissemination of Technology

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


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Demonstration Farm (Seethaeliya), (iv) Integrated Model Organic Farm Village with Women

(Anuradapura), and (v) Information Technology Bank on Rice (Bathalagoda).

16. Of the five projects, Primary Report has analysis of one project; Model Farm for

Dissemination of Technology (Mahailluppalama).

17. Supplementary Report has analysis of the remaining four projects from theme 2; (i)

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

(Seethaeliya), (iii) Integrated Model Organic Farm Village with Women (Anuradapura), and

(iv) Information Technology Bank on Rice (Bathalagoda).

E. End of project evaluation of project in Theme 3: Corporate Social

Responsibility based scholarship support:

18. 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.

19. Under the scholarship support theme, the following sub- programmes 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.

20. Primary Report has no analysis of the scholarship programme. Supplementary Report has

the analysis of full student support scholarship programme.


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2. End of Project Evaluation of SriLanKoRAA Projects for the

Supplementary Report:

21. Following projects are evaluated in this Supplementary Report:

Project 1: “Community Based Quality Seed Paddy Production (Polonnaruwa)”

Project 2: “Weedy-rice Free Seed Paddy Self-Production (Kurunegala)”

Project 3: “Technology Demonstration Farm (Polonnaruwa)”

Project 4: “Technology Demonstration Farm (Seethaeliya)”

Project 5: “Integrated Model Organic Farm Village with Women (Anuradhapura)”

Project 6: “Information Technology Bank on Rice (Bathalagoda)”

Project 7: “Student Support Scholarship Programme “

2.1. Project 1: Community Based Quality Seed Paddy Production (Polonnaruwa)

A. Background

22. Rice is the most important crop in Sri Lanka; staple food of the nation, main income source

of majority of farmers, primary determinant of food security, key role player in political

situation. Thus every attempt is made to increase the productivity of rice. Rice yields depend on

many factors among them the genetic purity, composition purity, and germination capability

are the critical quality determinants. Based on source of seed, there are two categories of seed

paddy; seed self-produced by farmers from their previous crops or borrowed from neighboring

farmers, called the informal seed supply and quality assured seed produced by a formal system

comprising the government institutes and the qualified private sector. About 80 percent of

farmers use seed from the informal system.

B. Problem Analysis

23. It is impossible for the formal system to produce all the required seed and there is no

necessity if the informal system too can produce quality seed for their own use and for a small

regional market. However producing seed paddy having prescribed genetic purity, composition

purity, and germination capability needs strict discipline and technical knowledge. Quality seed

should have germination (85%), moisture (13%), purity (98%) and acceptable minimum levels


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on contamination with seeds of other varieties, weed seeds, damaged seeds and seeds of other

crops. Yet with proper training farmers can be mobilized to produce quality seed and thereby

contribute to the national use of quality seed. They also can earn a higher income as seed

paddy fetches a higher price than consumption paddy.

C. Synopsis of Project and Achievements

24. The Executive Committee of the SriLanKoRAA had decided to promote the quality seed

paddy production by convincing the DOA to form a community based group to produce quality

seed paddy in a selected village in Polonnaruwa, with financial assistance from SriLanKoRAA.

Initially 25 farmers had been made into a group and trained by DOA on quality seed production.

SriLanKoRAA had financed supply of ‘registered seed paddy’ needed as the base to multiply into

seed paddy, farmer training, field inspections as per quality assurance procedure, supply of

microelement fertilizer, packing material etc. The group of farmers over a short period of time

had evolved into a ‘seed paddy producing society’ with a registered brand name “ISURU” and a

distinctly identifiable orange / green shaded packaging and a logo. During a four year period of

review, society had significantly contributed to national seed paddy requirement by producing

310 MT of seed and members earning about Rs. 17 MN. The ISURU seed paddy had been

marketed with ease due to its quality. The previous informal seed paddy using farmers had

successfully evolved into a quality seed paddy producing entity in the formal system.

Table 1: Brief summary of progress of Project “Community Based Quality Seed Paddy Production (Polonnaruwa)”:

Project Title Objectives Achievement/ Findings “Community Based Quality Seed Paddy Production (Polonnaruwa)”

Goal:

To empower farmers to be partners of quality seed paddy producing formal national system, increased productivity, value addition and incomes” Objectives:

Objective1: Increase the

quality seed paddy

production in

Output 1: SLanKoRAA successfully

involved in the national priority in

production of quality seed paddy.

Output 2: Farmers empowered for a

common goal of producing quality seed

paddy.

Output 3: Had produced over 300 MT

of seed paddy and earned over Rs 17

MN. during a four year period.

Output 4: Farmers obtained a sense of


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Polonnaruwa district

Objective 2: To increase

the incomes from

cultivation of paddy by

changing over from

consumption paddy to

seed paddy.

Objective 3: To impart a

sense of community

participation for a

commercial level

enterprise, maintenance

of quality standards and

adhering to marketing

requirements in a formal

system of production and

marketing.

community participation, business skills

and ethics by forming themselves into a

commercial entity, ISURU.

.

Table 2: OECD/DAC Evaluation Standards for Project “Community Based Quality Seed Paddy Production (Polonnaruwa)”:

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, but could be larger

4

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 Completed 5


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outputs

Effectiveness Are the objectives being achieved economically

Achievement based on objectives

Highly achieved

5

Long-term economic impact High economic impact

5

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

5

Contribution to policy and institutional

Contributed

5

Awareness of change in terms of importance of the project

aware

5

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

“Community Based Quality Seed Paddy Production (Polonnaruwa)”: Photo Gallery


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2.2. Project 2: Weedy-rice Free Seed Paddy Self-Production (Kurunegala)

A. Background

25. Rice is the staple food and main food crop in Sri Lanka. For the last several decades Sri

Lanka was struggling to become self-sufficient in rice. With the increasing population the

demand for rice was continuously increasing. Annually a total of around 1.8 million ha of rice is

grown in two monsoon seasons. Sri Lanka is in a volatile rice self-sufficiency status with

occurrence of minor shortfalls in good seasons to major shortfalls subsequent to droughts or

floods. Increasing productivity in rice is the acceptable means to achieve long lasting self-

sufficiency. Many factors contribute to increasing and maintaining a high productivity, among

which use of contaminated free seed paddy is the most important.

B. Problem analysis

26. Of the annual requirement of seed paddy, only 15% is provided by DOA and the private

sector, balance being of unknown quality, mostly self-propagated. This has led to extensive

sowing of weed contaminated seeds, which hinders achieving higher productivity. Repetitive

use of contaminated own seed has proliferated the contamination and decline of productivity.

Weedy rice (Oryza sativa L. f. spontanea), is a noxious weed in paddy fields of Sri Lanka.

Contaminated seed paddy had proliferated the weedy rice problem to new regions. Depending

on contamination density and degree of shattering in field it can cause yield losses of 40-90%.

27. The effective control of weedy rice cannot be achieved with a single practice, but

should be based on a complex program of preventative, cultural, mechanical, chemical and


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genetic means. However, development of a national programme to produce good quality

seed paddy free of weedy rice seed and repetitive use of seed paddy devoid of weedy rice

seed in same paddy tract is the strategic approach to efficiently wean out weedy rice

infestation and increase national rice productivity. Farmers need to be trained to produce

quality own seed. Implementation of community based self-seed paddy seed program with

proper training and guidance is the best option.


28. A farmer participatory quality seed paddy producing programme had been initiated with 50

farmers in the first season in a single paddy tract in Kurunegala district. They were trained on

high quality seed production including parachute method of nursery preparation necessary to

avoid weed contamination. Farmers were given certified seed paddy and parachute trays

sufficient for a 1/10th of an acre paddy cultivation. Main advisory institutions were RRDI and

NWPPDOA. Farmers were expected to replant the generated own seed paddy in the second

season onwards to cover the whole tract and beyond.

29. First season was not very successful due to rains affecting the crop. In the second season

only 35 farmers participated and all had not exclusively used the parachute method of plant

establishment deviating from the original intention of the project. A field day had been

conducted to demonstrate and disseminate the technology. The technology has not spread

rapidly as planned.

Table 1: Brief summary of progress of Project “Weedy-rice Free Seed Paddy Self-Production (Kurunegala)”:

Project Title Objectives Achievement/ Findings “Weedy-rice Free Seed Paddy Self-Production (Kurunegala)”

Goal:

To gradually eradicate the weedy-rice contamination of self-produced seed paddy and thereby increase the productivity of rice.

Objective1: Project

farmers will acquire

knowledge and skills to

produce seed paddy

devoid of weedy rice


initiated the farmer participatory paddy

nursery development programme with

RRDI and NWP PDOA in Kurunegala

with 50 farmers.

Output 2: First season was marginally

successful due to weather and second

season instead of proliferating a lesser

number participated in the programme.

Output 3: A field day conducted to

demonstrate the technology and to


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contamination.

Objective 2: At end of

first season farmer group

will produce 500 bu (10

MT) of weedy rice free

seed paddy

Objective 3: At end of

2nd season entire paddy

tract will be free from

weedy rice and produce

around 2500 bu (50 MT)

of weedy rice free quality

seed paddy

assess the yields, proliferation of

interest on new technology was below

the expectation of the project proposal.

Table 2: OECD/DAC Evaluation Standards for Project “Weedy-rice Free Seed Paddy Self-Production (Kurunegala)”:



Very relevant

5


Not Appropriate

2




5


Willing, but not active

3


5

Completeness of the project outputs

Completed, but not all outputs were achieved

3

Effectiveness Are the


Partially achieved

3


15

objectives being achieved economically

Long-term economic impact High economic impact (if outcome was complete)

3


Complied

4



Moderate change in perception/attitude

3


Contributed, but not enough

3


Aware, but not enough

3




5


Recognized the need 3


There is interests, but

difficulty in sustaining 3

D. “Weedy-rice Free Seed Paddy Self-Production (Kurunegala)”: Photo Gallery


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2.3. Project 3: Technology Demonstration Farm (TDF) (Polonnaruwa)

A. Background

30. Polonnaruwa is an agricultural district in the NCP of Sri Lanka. The great majority of

households depend on agriculture for a living. It is one of the main rice cultivating districts.

Apart from rice it is also a main OFC producing and cattle rearing for milk and meat district. The

district has great potential to introduce modern technology for enhancing the agricultural

productivity.

31. The most important approach in agricultural extension methodology is training farmers,

youth and officers on modern technologies making use of various training tools. Among them,

demonstration of technology and its end results is the most effective. For this purpose, the DOA

has established DTCs in all districts, including Polonnaruwa.

B. Problem Analysis

32. The DTC at Polonnaruwa was barely operational prior to 2007 due to series of constraints

including funds, staffing and lack of proper planning, motivation, management and foresight.

There was need of an external catalyst to transfer the succumbing DTC to a dynamic service

oriented modern training centre.

33. Resuscitating and structurally reorganizing the DTC to a TDF had innumerable advantages.

The main strengths were the; i. location in a central place among the farming community of the

district, ii. easy access, iii. being adjoining a main road connecting different districts, the

activities would be visible to a larger populace, iv. large extent of DOA farm land available for

demonstration cultivations, v. few neglected buildings available for upgrading, vi. agricultural

labour available in the adjoining farms. There were no significant weaknesses or threats. It was

most opportune to develop the DTC as a technology demonstration farm.


34. The SriLanKoRAA assisted the DOA to transform the ailing DTC to a model TDF. The DOA

would execute all technical activities through DDA (Extension) of Polonnaruwa. The

SriLanKoRAA would renovate, upgrade the existing and construct new infrastructural facilities

and lend partial financial assistance toward successful uplift of the centre.


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35. The TDF attended to relevant and necessary technical activates such as; demonstration of

various crops and crop production techniques including integrated farming, training farmers

youth and officers with lectures, field discussions at demonstration plots and conducting field

days, exhibitions etc. Over 10,000 farmers had been trained in the past on various technologies

and enterprising youth seeking employment in the private sector had been trained for NVQ

examinations. The SriLanKoRAA developed the logistics including; fencing of 1 ha of farm land

and the training centre, construction of a small irrigation water storage tank and a pump house,

a small anicut, a cattle shed with few cows, a mushroom production unit, a Sales Centre to sell

farm products, financial assistance for wages, farm equipment and maintenance.

Table 1: Brief summary of progress of Project “Technology Demonstration Farm (Polonnaruwa)”:

Project Title Objectives Achievement/ Findings “Technology Demonstration Farm (Polonnaruwa)”

Goal:

To integrate small holder farmers into modern agriculture and empower poor agricultural entrepreneurs through comprehensive training and demonstration.

Objectives:

Objective1: Disseminate

modern and appropriate

farming techniques

through training and

demonstration.

Objective 2: Training of

youth and women for job

opportunities.

Output 1: SLanKoRAA successfully in-

house evaluated the field situation of

the DTC and motivated DOA to agree to

convert the DTC to a TDF.

Output 2: Comprehensive training

programs, demonstrations and an

exhibition augmented by establishment

of a mushroom production and

demonstration unit, farm produce sales

centre, production and demonstration

dairy unit. Over 10, 000 farmers trained

during a 9-year period.

Output 3: undertaken training and

demonstration on irrigation and water

management with an irrigation system

and a rehabilitated anicut within farm.

Output 4: TDF had successfully formed

farmer groups for specialized activities;

mushroom production and bee keeping

including making and selling of bee

boxes and selling bee colonies.

Output 5: Training youth and women

for external job opportunities. Total of


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300 farming youth had been trained for

NVQ; two batches for Plant Nursery

Development Assistant, NVQ – level

3/4 and three batches for Agrochemical

Sales Technical Assistant, NVQ – level 3.

About 40 women are engaged in Hela

Bojunhala producing and selling

traditional food. Some farmers produce

and sell organic fertilizer.

Table 2: OECD/DAC Evaluation Standards for Project “Technology Demonstration Farm (Polonnaruwa)”:



Very relevant

5


Appropriate

5




5


Very willing

5


5


Completed but need feedback monitoring

4



Highly achieved

5


5


Complied

5


19



Change in perception/attitude but need to properly quantify the change being implemented

4


Contributed

4


Need to quantify the level of awareness

4




5





“Technology Demonstration Farm (Polonnaruwa)”: Photo Gallery


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2.4. Project 4: Technology Demonstration Farm (TDF) (Seethaeliya)

A. Background

36. Seethaeliya is an intensive vegetable cultivation area in the Nuwaraeliya district of Sri Lanka.

All the smallholder farmers depend on vegetable cultivation. Nuwaraeliya is famous for

potatoes and ‘exotic’ vegetables such as lettuce, radish, carrot, leek, cabbage, beans, and

cauliflower as well as for commercial floriculture. On the livestock side, best cattle; Ayrshire,

Friesian, Jersey for milk are reared in Nuwaraeliya. Very often crops are cultivated with

excessive use of organic matter and inorganic fertilizer aiming for higher productivity. Farmers

also use liberal quantities of agrochemicals as the crops are vulnerable for pests and diseases

due to extensive areas being intensively cultivated with same vegetables throughout the year.

Furthermore the very cold climate aggravates the problem. Vegetables from Nuwaraeliya are

distributed to many parts of the country.

B. Problem Analysis

37. Though vegetable farming in Nuwaraeliya was lucrative, many farmers were in debt due to

overuse of inputs often pressed by input dealers. Several studies have shown the ill effects of

excessive use of organic matter, phosphate fertilizers on health and natural water resources.

Liberal use of pesticides have led to pest resistance and need of more toxic chemicals with

longer residue periods harmful to health. There was a need to educate farmers on rational

organic farming, crop hygiene, high value crop cultivation, soil conservation, crop protection,

integrated farming, crop management with judicious use of inputs and integrated pest


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management. There was also a need for promoting environmental conservation and

environment friendly agricultural techniques.

38. The ARDC Seethaeliya was at an advantageous position to disseminate modern agricultural

technology to the large number of vegetable farmers in Nuwaraeliya district and the adjoining

Badulla district. It is the foremost vegetable research center in the region, well known to all

vegetable farmers with large extents of land available for cultivation and demonstration. It is

easily accessible. Nuwaraeliya is famous for a midyear holiday season where multitudes of

people visit the area, if needed the ARDC as well. Thus reorienting part of the ARDC to a model

technology demonstration farm was rational.


39. SriLanKoRAA had assisted the DOA in 2009 to transform part of the ARDC at Seethaeliya to a

model TDF to demonstrate and train all interested parties on up country vegetable cultivation.

It was operated jointly by the Research Division, Seed & Planting Material Division and the

Extension Division of the Department of Agriculture. It has a sales outlet for farm produce from

TDF and other DOA farms, cereal and vegetable seed produced by the DOA seed farms and

registered seed growers. Up to 2015 it had conducted 254 training sessions for 6754 vegetable

farmers on vegetable cultivation, nursery management, potato micro tuber production and organic

manure production. Additionally government and non-governmental extension workers,

students and entrepreneurs from all over the island had received training. TDF also paved the

way for interaction among research and extension through training programs, research-

extension dialogues and crop clinics. The TDF is consist of crop production unit, training centre,

seed production unit, protected and high tech agriculture unit.

Table 1: Brief summary of progress of Project “Technology Demonstration Farm

(TDF) (Seethaeliya)”:

Project Title Objectives Achievement/ Findings “Technology Demonstration Farm (TDF) (Seethaeliya)”

Goal:

Vegetable farming in

Nuwaraeliya is reoriented

to rational organic

farming with judicious use

of inputs, integrated pest

management, soil, water

and environmental


motivated DOA to form the TDF with

Research Division, Seed & Planting

Material Division and the Extension

Division jointly operating the entity.

Output 2: The model farm consist crop

production unit, training centre, seed


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conservation.

Objectives:

Objective 1: To

effectively demonstrate

and disseminate farmer

and environment friendly

agricultural techniques.

Objective 2: To establish

strong linkage between

research and extension

and thereby provide

better services to

farmers.

production unit, protected and high

tech agriculture Unit.

Output 3: Comprehensive training

programs, demonstrations and an

exhibition accomplished. 2007 to 2015

conducted 254 training sessions for

6754 vegetable farmers.

Output 4: One hectare farm has

demonstration plots of upcountry

vegetables, planting material

production of upcountry vegetables

and flowers, selling farm products at

the sales centre, using farm income for

further development of TDF.

Output 5: Established strong linkage

between research and extension

Table 2: OECD/DAC Evaluation Standards for Project “Technology Demonstration Farm (TDF) (Seethaeliya)”:



Very relevant

5


Appropriate

5




5


Very willing

5


5


Completed initial goals, slag in innovativeness in late

4


23

stages



Achieved

5


4


Complied

5




4


Contributed

4



4




5





“Technology Demonstration Farm (TDF) (Seethaeliya)”: Photo Gallery


24

2.5 Project 5: Integrated Model Organic Farm Village with Women

(Anuradapura)

A. Background

40. Anuradhapura is the largest district in Sri Lanka located in the NCP. It is primarily an

agricultural district. Farmers cultivate rice, OFCs, and rear cattle for milk and meat. Across the

district there is a wide variation in the type of agricultural practices, intensity of cultivation,

subsistence to commercial level of output and livelihood dependence on agriculture.

Commercial agriculture with cash crops such as irrigated rice, chilli, onions, maize, grains and

pulses in large extents is common. At the same time there are many interior rural villages solely

depending on agriculture for food and for an inadequate income. Agriculture is practiced with

application of modern inputs by those who can afford the cost; new varieties, chemical

fertilizers, agrochemicals, sprinkler irrigation etc. The deprived farmers use no or little of inputs

and reap a meager harvest for a subsistence living.

41. National agricultural policies in Sri Lanka discourage excessive use of chemical fertilizers and

agro chemicals. Wherever possible undertaking organic farming, integrated farming and

empowering of women for higher agricultural productivity, farm incomes and livelihood are

recognized as the best environmentally friendly approaches in agricultural and rural


25

development. Such an approach is most applicable to interior rural villages with small

populations engaged in marginal productivity agriculture.

B. Problem Analysis

42. Anuradhapura is primarily dry zone with low unevenly distributed annual rainfall. Last three

months of the year experiences heavy rains for the major cultivation season, Maha. Man-made

reservoirs, or tanks, store the rain water enabling the farmers to cultivate during mid-year in

the minor cultivation season, the Yala, having the low rainfall. Drought is experienced during

May to September. These natural limitations and dependencies affect the marginal farmers

most as their land size is small, located far interior, and possibly depending on silted reservoirs

and at tail end of unrepaired irrigation channels.

43. Such farmers and families need to be trained on various agricultural methods supported by

infrastructure to overcome their constrained situation. At present such approaches are lacking.

Though there are many large scale farms around, marginal farmers have no access to them for

learning. On the other hand, farms demonstrating organic farming and integrated farming are

not available in close vicinity. In this situation, a properly designed and guided to implement

organic integrated farm could be most appropriate.


44. SriLanKoRAA successfully negotiated the project as a joint venture with the NCP provincial

council, FCRDI and NCPPDOA. Project was established in a remote rural village in the Mihintale

divisional area of the Anuradapura district. Required infrastructure facilities were the

responsibility of provincial council. SLanKoRAA provided financial assistance. FCRDI was

responsible for training on integrated organic farming.

45. Initially a participatory rapid rural appraisal had been conducted to identify and map village

resources. Women were mobilized into a society; “Surukkulama Women Society” with the

participation of all female members of the village to implement the project. Under

infrastructure the village tank had been rehabilitated, irrigation mechanisms repaired, agro

wells constructed with accessories such as water pumps and tubes. Training on various

agricultural technologies had been conducted by resource persons. Cultivation under agro well

irrigation introduced. Very large number of planting materials; mango, pomegranate, guava,

orange, lemon, and pineapple had been distributed. Good quality seed on local maize, hybrid

maize, mungbean, black gram, sesame and finger millet had been distributed. Inland fish

introduced into the tank. Conservation methods of water and soil introduced. Selected farmers


26

were given financial assistance to start new enterprises or to improve existing enterprises in

animal husbandry or in inland fisheries.

Table 1: Brief summary of progress of Project “Integrated Model Organic Farm-Village with Women (Anuradapura)”:

Project Title Objectives Achievement/ Findings “Integrated Model Organic Farm-Village with Women (Anuradapura)”

Goal:

Improved agricultural productivity, livelihood of marginalized farmers through women participated integrated organic farming. Objectives:

Objective1: Empower women in a rural agricultural village to be partners of development Objective 2: Develop the natural and man-made resources in the village and supplement with additional infrastructure Objective 3: Disseminate

technology through

women participation.


negotiated the project proposal with

the multi partners to establish the

model organic farm in Surukkulama

village in Anuradhapura

Output 2: All the women in the village

were empowered in to a women

society to implement the programme

Output 3: The village tank, irrigation

channels, farm roads repaired, agro

wells and accessories supplied

Output 4: Large number of fruit plants

and a large extent of food crops

planted.

Output 5: Village resources identified

and mapped by participation,

environmentally friendly agricultural

system established

Table 2: OECD/DAC Evaluation Standards for Project “Integrated Model Organic Farm-Village with Women (Anuradapura)”:

CRITERIA FACTORS STANDARDS SCORE Relevance How important is the project on


Very relevant

5


Appropriate


27

local and national requirements and priorities

5




5


Very willing

5


5


Completed 4



Highly achieved

5


5


Complied

5



Change in perception/attitude but need to properly quantify the change

4


Contributed

4



4




5






28

“Integrated Model Organic Farm-Village with Women”: Photo Gallery

2.6. Project 6: Information Technology Bank (ITB) on Rice, (Bathalagoda)

A. Background

46. Agricultural extension is the vital linkage between ever changing agricultural technology and

motivating farmers to adopt them for higher production, farmer and national income. During

the past, agricultural extension adopted a traditional way of disseminating the technology by

way of a multitude of field extension officers. With the fast changes in technology, globalization

paving the way for availability of knowledge from other countries and the human limitation of

every extension officer remembering all the changing technological information, many

countries adopted a cyber-extension service for agriculture.


29

B. Problem Analysis

47. In Sri Lanka, the traditional agricultural extension service gradually deteriorated over time

with changes in grass root level extension officer cadre and their responsibilities. In order to

overcome the challenge of ever changing knowledge base and deteriorating human-dependent

extension system, the DOA initiated an Information and Communication Technology (ICT); a

cyber-agricultural extension mechanism in 2004, by establishing 45 cyber extension units at 45

Agrarian Service Centres and gradually strengthened them with equipment and IT facilities.

48. As a complement to this system, a need was felt for a repository of rice based agricultural

information. An ITB on rice under the administration of RRDI would be a repository of local as

well as international agricultural data, agricultural information and technology. It would provide

easy accessibility of stored information using latest ICT initiatives to farmers, youth and woman,

private and public officers, entrepreneurs, students, etc. according to their information

requirement.


49. The SriLanKoRAA after careful evaluation of the field situation and the request by the RRDI,

decided to support a project on ITB on Rice under the administration of RRDI. It was established

in 2010 and is managed by the training staff of the RRDI with technical assistance of RRDI

researches. SriLanKoRAA assisted the ITB by providing financial resources as well as other

necessary materials. Currently it is self-managed and maintained by the RRDI.

50. ITB has progressed with a vast collection of agricultural data, technologies and other

information stored as DOA publications (>80), video data base (>500), cyber extension CD

ROMs (> 60). It is equipped with training facilities for 25 persons at a time, 24 hour internet

facilities, a library, and equipment to store and disseminate information. It has trained large

number of farmers of NWP using its modern equipment as well as over 2500 officers of DOA,

DOA and other agencies. They also can utilize the facilities available to acquire necessary

information/technologies. More than 300 CD ROMs have been distributed.

Table 1: Brief summary of progress of Project “Information Technology Bank on Rice (Bathalagoda)”:

Project Title Objectives Achievement/ Findings “Information Technology Bank on Rice (Bathalagoda)”

Goal:

To increase the productivity of rice,

Output 1: SLanKoRAA successfully in-

house evaluated the need for an ITB as

suggested by RRDI and successfully


30

incomes of farmer and nation through adaptation of ever changing modern technologies” Objectives:

Objective1: Disseminate


rice farming techniques

through cyber based

training of farmers, youth

and officers.

Objective 2: Disseminate


rice farming techniques

through publications and

modern IT extension

materials.

Objective 3: Facilitate a

mechanism for

stakeholders to self-

search and source-in

needed agricultural

information.

established and equipped it under the

management of RRDI.

Output 2: Comprehensive IT based

training programs for farmers and

officers augmented by modern

multimedia facilities.

Output 3: Production or storage of

large number of publications, video

databases, cyber agriculture extension

IMM CD ROMs, data, information and

technologies using internet facility ,

agriculture related websites,

agriculture related weather, marketing

and statistical information.

Table 2: OECD/DAC Evaluation Standards for Project “Information

Technology Bank on Rice (Bathalagoda)”:



Very relevant

5


Appropriate

5



31



5


Very willing

5


5


Completed but need feedback monitoring

4



Highly achieved

5


5


Complied

5




4


Contributed

4



4




5






32

“Information Technology Bank on Rice”: Photo Gallery

2.7. Project 7: Supporting Agriculture Undergraduate Students in Sri Lankan

Universities through Scholarship Programs

A. Background

51. University education in Sri Lanka is free of academic costs, yet students need financing for

undergraduate living; the food and lodging, books and stationery, clothing and travelling. There

are many students from low income families and among them few from underprivileged

families as well, who have to struggle for existence and academic excellence at the same time.

B. Problem Analysis

52. The students from low income families are often recipients of the government scholarship

programme ‘Mahapola’, which is meant to supplement what they could get from parents

towards student expenses. For student from deprived families without much family support,

the scholarship is inadequate. There are other sources of funds such as ‘needy student fund’

operational at faculty level, but resources are limited and what can be disbursed is nominal.

53. It should be remembered that these students in spite of their financial handicap had

entered the university after a fiercely competitive entrance examination and supporting them

through university life is righteous.


33

54. Studies in other countries have conclusively shown that students who have immense

worries on their funding uncertainty underperform in their studies and assisting them with

funds help them to perform at their best.


55. SriLanKORAA based on the RDA policies of funding education of needy students, welfare of

institutions and children of SriLanKORAA members and the request made by the Faculty of

Agriculture, University of Peradeniya initiated the project. The Faculty of Agriculture would use

the already established procedure in selecting needy students and merit students. The same

procedure will be adopted in selecting students for the RAA scholarships. The Faculty also

would use the needy student scholarship fund account at a state Bank in Peradeniya and all

financial procedures and selecting procedures adopted by the Faculty would be approved by

the university council.

56. Project had provided scholarships at Rs. 2500 per student per month to: 8 students (4

needy basis and 4 merit basis) at Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya since 2010, 4

students (needy basis) at University of Ruhuna since 2015, 4 students (needy basis) at

University of Jaffna since 2015, 4 students (needy basis) at University of Rajarata since 2015.

Additionally it had provided 9 scholarships in 2016 for children of SriLanKORAA members and

had supported materially the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya.

Table 1: Brief summary of progress of Project “Supporting Agriculture

Undergraduate Students in Sri Lankan Universities through Scholarship

Programs”:

Project Title Objectives Achievement/ Findings “Supporting Agriculture Undergraduate Students in Sri Lankan Universities through Scholarship Programs”

Goal:

Irrespective of insufficient financial background, the underprivileged undergraduates of agriculture faculties would successfully complete their academic qualifications and become partners of future agriculture development process.


initiated the student support

programme in collaboration with four

universities

Output 2: Selected underprivileged

agriculture undergraduates in four

universities were awarded monthly

bursar scholarships.

Output 3: Selected children of


34

Objectives:

Objective1: To financially

and morally support the

under privileged

agriculture graduate

students enabling them

to successfully complete

their academic

qualifications.

Objective 2: To

financially support

selected children of

SriLanKORAA members.

Objective 3: To provide

limited material support

to universities as a matter

of appreciation.

SriLanKORAA members awarded

monthly bursar scholarships.

Output 4: Faculty of Agriculture

University of Peradeniya supplemented

with few material benefits.

Table 2: OECD/DAC Evaluation Standards for Project “Supporting Agriculture Undergraduate Students in Sri Lankan Universities through Scholarship Programs”:



Very relevant

5


Appropriate, but could be larger

4




5


Very willing

5



35

5


Completed 5



Highly achieved

5


5


Complied

5



Change in perception/attitude

5


Contributed

5


aware

5




5





“Supporting Agriculture Undergraduate Students in Sri Lankan Universities through Scholarship Programs”: Photo Gallery


36

3. Evaluation Comparison

57. The OECD Criteria evaluation rankings for the seven projects evaluated in the Supplementary Report are compared in the following table. Overall, the performance of most of the projects are satisfactory to highly satisfactory.


37

Table 3: Overall evaluation standards of the projects (based on the detailed scoring):

Co

mm

un

ity

Bas

ed Q

ual

ity

Seed

Pad

dy

Pro

du

ctio

n

(Po

lon

nar

uw

a)

Wee

dy

–ric

e fr

ee S

eed

P

add

y Se

lf-P

rod

uct

ion

(K

uru

neg

ala)

Tech

no

logy

D

em

on

stra

tio

n F

arm

(Po

lon

nar

uw

a)

Tech

no

logy

d

emo

nst

rati

on

Far

m

(See

thae

liya)

Inte

grat

ed

Mo

del

Org

anic

Fa

rm V

illag

e w

ith

W

om

en

(A

nu

rad

apu

ra)

Info

rmat

ion

Tec

hn

olo

gy

Ban

k (B

ath

alag

od

a)

Stu

den

t Su

pp

ort

Sch

ola

rsh

ips

CRITERIA OVERALL

CRITERION SCORE

OVERALL CRITERION SCORE






Relevance 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

Efficiency 5 4 5 5 5 5 5

Effectiveness 5 3 5 4 5 5 5

Impact 5 4 4 4 4 4 5

Sustainability 5 3 5 4 4 5 3

Overall Project Score

5 3 5 4 4 5 5

Overall Project Grading

Highly satisfactory

Marginal Highly

satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory

Highly satisfactory

Highly satisfactory

4. Problems/Constraints

58. Following observations on problems / constraints are extracted from the Primary Report

as they are relevant for the Supplementary Report as well.

i. 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.

ii. 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


38

for small projects is weak or lacking. A sound project proposal is critical for smooth

implementation and subsequent evaluation.

iii. 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.

iv. 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 project 1 being incorporated to the mandate of FCRDI, the project period to

instill the interventions in project 3 was totally inadequate.

v. 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

collaborating institutions. In project 3, low performance and non-continuation can be partly

attributed to this risk.

vi. 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.

vii. 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.

5. Recommendations and lessons learned

59. Following recommendations and lessons learned are extracted from the Primary Report as

they are relevant for the Supplementary Report as well.

5.1 Recommendations

i. 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.


39

ii. 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.

iii. 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.

iv. 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.

5.2 Lessons learned

i. 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.

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

performance of the projects with mid-course rectifications.

iii. By not having a binding exit strategy, projects could end up in a void at its conclusion

without any hold by the sponsors.

6. Results and implications

60. A sufficient period of time has not elapsed to assess the impact of the projects. Furthermore

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

collaborating institutions. However based on sound rationalization it can be said with fair

certainty that projects scored with an overall rating of satisfactory and highly satisfactory would

have a greater impact.

₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪

end-of-the-project evaluation report of srilankoraa...

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