Problem Addressed by the Project

Since its independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991, Karakalpakstan has carried out various innovations including institutional reforms for the dissolution of kolkhozes and introduction of market economy. However, in the process of transition, the agriculture sector, which plays a major role in the national economy, had to face various hardships in adopting itself to the new economic system. The objectives of the Study are: 1) To formulate the Master Plan on regional development focusing mainly on agriculture sector in 11 districts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan in the Republic of Uzbekistan, 2) To develop the capacities on planning and implementing the projects, of the Government of Karakalpakstan and other concerned organizations. The Study focuses on enhancing agricultural production by Dehkans and Fermers, based on the viewpoint of market economy. In this regard, activities concerning state controlled crops are excluded from the scope of the Study Services Provided

The Study steps are the following . Phase 1 Study; Preparation of Draft Master Plan and Draft Action Plan

1) Understanding the present conditions in the Study Area through data collection, workshops with farmers, questionnaires and filed survey

2) Analysis of present conditions 3) Formulation of the Draft Master Plan under the vision of “People will improve their livelihood

through development of market oriented farm management and good use of backyard farming, in consideration of regional environment” through developing sub-sectors of 1) agriculture, 2) livestock and fisheries, 3) irrigation and drainage and 4) distribution, marketing and processing.

4) Formulation of the Draft Action Plan showing the implementation plan of activities of the Draft Master Plan.

5) Formulation of Pilot Projects for the verification of issues of the Draft Development Plans

Phase 2 Study; Implementation of Pilot Projects for the verification of Draft Development Plans

1) Implementation of Seven Pilot Projects: 1) preparation of technical manual for farmers, 2) trial production of melons and promising crops, 3) promotion of vegetable production by women in backyards (Tamarka), 4) package program for livestock development including improvement of breeding, forage / silage and milk processing, 5) improvement of internal irrigation canal system and Management by water users, 6) improvement of water use and drainage conditions in the field, and 7) establishment of model agro-firm including vegetable/fruits processing.

2) Evaluation of the Pilot Projects will be conducted at the interim and final stage, utilizing PDMs. Evaluation will be done based on monitoring surveys, interview surveys and performance evaluation in participatory workshops. The points to evaluate the Pilot Projects will be: relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability. Comprehensive examination of these points will be done to reach the final conclusion.

3) Verification of the Master Plan and the Action Plan will be done through examination and analysis of the results of the final evaluation of the Pilot Projects and other relevant factors. The results will be fed back to the Draft Master Plan and Draft Action Plan. Through this process, the Master Plan and the Action Plan will be finalized.

Sector Agriculture & Rural Development Project Type Agriculture and Rural Development Planning Project Title The Study on the Regional Development in Karakalpakstan Location Republic of Karakalpakstan in Republic of Uzbekistan Client JICA Project Period 2008 to 2011

Aral Sea Problems Promotion of Vegetable Production

Pasteurized Milk Production Trial Production of Melon