Download Project Budget [and revision if applicable]

FIRST SIX-MONTH PROGRESS REPORT FOR PROJECT
OSRO/IRQ/801/UNDG – A5-24
REPORT COVER PAGE
Participating UN Organization: FAO
Cluster: A5
FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization of
the UN
Agriculture, Food Security, Environment
and Natural Resources.
Project No. and Project Title:
Report Number:
OSRO/IRQ/801/ UNDG ITF - A5 - 24
1
Modernization and Development of the Dairy
Cattle Sector in Iraq
Reporting Period:
17 OCT. 2008- 31 Dec 2008
Project Budget [and revision if applicable]:
Project cost: US$ 4,424,670 UNDG ITF
Funds received: US$ 4,424,670
List Implementing Partners:
- FAO
- Ministry of Agriculture (MoA)
Geographic Coverage/Scope:
Abbreviations and acronyms:
Project Status: Duration/Closed
Project/Timeline Extension:
MoA – Ministry of Agriculture
AUSAID – Australian Agency for International
Development
USAID – United States Agency for
International Development
AI – Artificial Insemination

2 years

Project starting date: 17 October 2008
Project end date: 17 October 2010
Wassit and Salah Al-Din (all outputs); Babylon,
Baghdad, Thi Qar, Tameem, Muthanna, Najaf
(output 1.1 )
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I. Purpose
1.1
Main
objectives
and
outputs
Project/Programme/project document:
expected
as
per
approved
The proposed project builds upon achievements of recently completed FAO
emergency assistance programs to Iraq in re-establishment of essential livestock
services which have collapsed due to widespread looting and damage during the last
war in 2003. The programme will introduce innovative techniques for efficient cattle
breeding and management and will work closely with government institutions and
producers to build their capacities in organizing the production base at grassroots
level with the aim of increasing milk production quantitatively and qualitatively,
reducing post-harvest losses, and creating market and employment opportunities
along the dairy value chain in both rural and urban areas.
The development goal of the project is to increase income, nutrition, health and
well being of the Iraqi population. Its objectives are to enhance the production and
the increase the productivity of milk and meat of the dairy herds in Iraq, to
strengthen rural and institutional technical and management capacities and to
create market and employment opportunities along the dairy value chain in both
rural and urban areas.
Expected outcomes are:
1. Enhanced production and increased productivity of milk and meat of the dairy herds in Iraq
2. Strengthened rural and institutional technical and management capacity
3. Enlarge the private sector base for participation in the development of dairy
sector.
The project will focus on the following main interventions:




Development and adoption of embryo transfer technologies, along with generalization
of artificial insemination techniques for accelerated breeding and genetic improvement
of the dairy herds.
Strengthening extension services to achieve an increased milk production and
productivity;
Organizing the production base through the formation of producers groups and
associations;
Setting-up efficient milk collection and marketing systems
Expected outputs are
1.1.1 Regional semen distribution centers established, equipped and active
1.1.2 Embryo transfer techniques implemented for dairy cattle breeding
1.2.1 Strengthened rural and institutional capabilities
1.2.2 Milk performance recording and monitoring schemes initiated at farmers
level
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1.2.3 Efficient milk collection and outlet systems established
1.3.1 Macro level: Policy frame work for the dairy sector formulated.
1.3.2.1 Meso level: Technical skills programme implemented.
1.3.2.2 Financing scheme implemented for small dairy producer groups.
1.3.3 Micro level: Value added products
1.2 Reference to how the programme/project relates to the UN Assistance Strategy
for Iraq, UN Millennium Development Goals, Joint Needs Assessment, Iraqi National
Development Strategy:
FAO will ensure project activities are integrated into the overall UN strategy for Iraq.
This supports the Iraqi National Development Strategy while contributing to the
Millennium Development Goals.
NDS:
The project is designed to directly contribute to Iraq’s National Development Goal number 1
to “Eradicate Hunger and Poverty” through its first pillar (Strengthening the foundations of
economic growth), which foresees to:


Transform the structure of the Iraqi economy to allow for a greater role for
Agriculture, and;
Establish agricultural demonstration sites throughout Iraq to reinvigorate crop and
livestock production and boost rural job creation.
In the light of this project, the following NDS prioritized actions are to be taken for this:


Development of a viable agricultural research and extension service to develop and
disseminate ...successful production practices;
Increasing production and productivity.
Moreover, the project will also increase primary milk production and availability on the
market of milk and milk products, thereby alleviating the people’s dependency on the Public
Distribution System (PDS) which is also an intention cited in the NDS (Box 1, page 11).
ICI:
The International Compact with Iraq in its Agriculture Strategy has specified goals and
objectives as follows: “To develop a stable, competitive and sustainable agriculture to
enhance food security and rural incomes, generate rural employment, diversify economic
growth and protect the natural environment.”
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The following ICI benchmarks with indicative actions are relevant to the project:

Benchmark # 4. Improve institutional and regulatory underpinning of public
agriculture;
Indicative actions: over 2008-2010, strengthen the technical and management
capacity of agricultural organization (priority action) JMM 4-2008

Benchmark # 5. Carry out investment plans;
Indicative actions: By 2008, develop financing plans and mechanisms including public
and private sources (priority action):
-
Rehabilitate damaged physical infrastructure;
-
Improve delivery of public agriculture services
-
Improve the efficiency of agricultural information services.
1.3 Main international and national implementing partners involved their specific
roles and responsibilities in project implementation and their interaction with the
agency:
FAO cooperates closely with the main development agencies involved in
rehabilitating livestock infrastructure, adopting modern technology and in providing
technical support to the animal production sector. These agencies include AUSAID
and other members of the international community.
The main implementing partners are the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture in general, and
the Department of Animal Production and the General Company for Livestock.
These are directly responsible for all the animal production issues and activities
inside Iraq and are the main counterparts of FAO for this project. Also the State
board for agriculture extension services and the state board for agriculture research
will play a cretin roles and according to the work plan. Private sector is also involved
in the implementation, where two large private dairy stations are going to be used as
a model for the implementation of all project activities. The project directly targets,
supports and collaborates with the senior management staff of these institutions as
well as with their animal production personnel in the field.
The FAO technical team will work closely with animal production counterparts and
assisted by a National Coordinator who will rely on them to implement project field
activities throughout Iraq.
FAO will also sought collaboration with a variety of international expert institutions
for institutional development and technical training.
II. Human Resources
2.1 National: 2, Project/Programme, National Personnel Officer
2.2 International: 1, Project/Programme Manager (FAO Head Quarter)
International: 1, Chief Technical Advisor, Consultant
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III. Methods of Operating
3.1This project will be executed by FAO and implemented by the Ministry of
Agriculture. FAO ensures a timely recruitment of project personnel, in collaboration
with the Ministry of Agriculture, including two National Project Coordinators (NPC)
to coordinate project activities from Salah-Aldeen and Waist with MoA counterparts.
The International project manager based in Amman is in constant contact with the
NPCs and FAO Head Quarter and will visit the field when ever it is possible.
3.2 The procurements of required equipment and supplies are by FAO in Amman
until the security situation permits entry of international staff to Iraq. Timely
procurement and delivery of the required equipment and supplies and timely
organization of trainings are considered major elements that determine the success
of the project implementation strategy.
The MoA’s involvement in FAO Procurement Process:
- Identification of inputs or services required undertaken jointly by FAO/Iraqi Line
Ministry;
- Preparation of detailed specifications, drawings, delivery time and destination by
FAO/Iraqi Line Ministry;
- Listing of local potential suppliers provided by Iraqi Line Ministry;
- Tenders launched by FAO inviting local and international potential suppliers;
- Technical review of the offers received and preparation of recommendation
carried out jointly by FAO/Iraqi Line Ministry;
- Purchase Orders or Contracts issued by FAO
3.3 Monitoring system: Telephone calls, e-mails and reports as well as periodic visits
to Amman of NPC and the counterparts (national counterparts and MOA) and to Iraq
by the project manager (when ever it is permitted) will take place for the monitoring
and follow up on implementation of the project. Continuous copying of the chain of
events and correspondence to all pertinent parties help in performing rough
subjective monitoring of the project details.
IV. Results
Procurements:
List of equipments prepared by MOA. Specifications are under preparation
Inception phase was carried out, where several meetings were conducted in
Baghdad /MOA headquarter. Representatives from SCLS, MOI/SCDO, and from the
two dairy station have attended these meeting. Allocation of the AL marketing
centers, embryo transfer stations, milk collection centers and the list of equipments
were identified (two minutes are attached)
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V. Future Work Plan
1- 1st PSC meeting will be conducted in Feb. 2009. MOA will prepare reports
regarding the allocation of the sites for embryo transfer, Ai marketing centers, milk
collection centers and the list of equipments to be reviewed and endorsed
22-1
2-2
2-3
Regional semen distribution centers established, equipped and active
Carry out a detailed inception / dairy cattle production system study
Identify project beneficiaries using results of Livestock survey
Identify / agree semen distribution centres in veterinary hospitals
3- Embryo transfer techniques implemented for dairy cattle breeding
3-1 Finalize development & adaptation of embryo transfer and implantation
techniques
3-2 Procurement and installation of equipment
3-3 Training of technical staff
3-4 Identify a group of pilot dairy farmers for initial field implementation of the
techniques
4- Efficient milk collection centres established
4-1 Identify suitable existing dairy centres (out of order)
4-2 Identify rehabilitation needs (by MoA)
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