2nd PSC Meeting held on 25th May, 2010 at Amravati

The meeting of Project Steering Committee (PSC) under CAIM held on 25th May 2010, under the Chairpersonship of Hon. Divisional Commissioner, Amravati Division at Divisional Commissioner Office Amravati. The Project Director-CAIM, Hon. N. Nawin Sona (IAS), and Additional Divisional Commissioner Amravati made a detailed presentation the CAIM programme.

Highlights of Presentation:

- Effective Date: 4^th Dec. 2009

- Shortlisting of suitable NGO\Institutes\ Private Agencies

- Submission of AWP&B and Procurement plan to IFAD

- IFAD-DEA led Joint Portfolio Review Workshop (PRW) at Bhopal

- DPR Guidelines workshop for RNGOs

- Preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) and Sub project Concept Note (SCN) by suitable NGO\Agencies.

- Recruitment of DPMT staff and formation of various committees (SPSC, PSC and DPCC)

- Compilation of BPL village list as per IFAD Guidelines

- Political Launch of CAIM programme by Hon’ble Chief Minister, Govt. of Maharashtra on 7^th May, 2010.

Detailed presentation made on Annual Work Plan and Budget besides components, subcomponents, activities, physical and financial targets (Appraisal and Annual), were explained to all the members.

Opportunities in Food Processing in Maharashtra State.

The event “Opportunities in food processing in Maharashtra State” was jointly organized by The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India and Government of Maharashtra on 10th May, 2010 at Amravati. The event was presides over by Shri. Rajendra Jawaharlal Darda, Guardian Minister and Minister for Employment and Self Employment, Industries, Govt. of Maharashtra in the presence of Mr. Subodh Kant Sahai, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, Govt. of India, Dr. Nitin Kashinath Raut, Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, Fisheries, Govt. of Maharashtra, Shri. Anandrao Adsul, Member of Parliament, MLAs, Shri. Raosaheb Shekawat, Ms. Yashomati Thakur, Mr. Nilesh Parwekar, Cap. Adsul, Shri. Shivkumar Rao, Chairman, CII Vidarbha Zonal Council & Director R & Y Logistics Pvt Ltd, Shri Ashok Sinha, Secretary MOFPI, Govt. of India, Shri. Amrit Lal Meena, Joint Secretary-MOFPI, Govt. of India, Shri. Pandurang Watharkar, Managing Director, Maharashtra Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium, Mr. K. J. Anthony, Dy. Director, MPEDA, Mr. R. V. Meshram, Regional Manager, Central Bank of India, Representatives of Industries and community.

The purpose of this event and the way forward for food processing industries was discussed in detail by Shri Shivakumar Rao. Thereafter, Mr. Amrit Lal Meena made an exhaustive presentation on schemes and programs of Ministry of Food Processing Industries i.e. Scheme for infrastructure Development which includes Setting up of Mega Food Park, Cold Chain infrastructure, Modernization of Abattoirs, Scheme for Technology up Gradation, Establishment and Modernization of Food Processing Industries, Scheme for up gradation of quality of street food, Scheme For Quality Assurance, Codex Standards, Research & Development And Other Promotional Activities, Scheme for Human Resource Development, Scheme For Strengthening Of Institutions etc.

Thereafter Mr Pandurang Watharkar, MD-SFAC explained the roles of Maharashtra Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium and Scheme of Venture Capital.

Shri A.K. Anthony made a detailed presentation on roles and work done by The Marine Products Export Development Authority, Govt. of India. Mr. Meshram explained how banking sector is inclined towards financing small and micro enterprises over a period of time. The same can be observed in District Credit Plan.

Thereafter Shri N. Nawin Sona, (IAS), Project Director CAIM and Additional Divisional Commissioner, Amravati briefed on Convergence of Agricultural Interventions in Maharashtra’s Distressed Districts (CAIM). And requested to coordinate with Shri Sudam Pawar, Additional Project Director, CAIM for any further assistance if required.

Shri. Nirmal Deshmukh, MIDC Amravati had a detailed discussion on the progress of MIDC.

Thereafter Shri. Ashok Sinha, Secretary MOFPI made detailed presentation on MOFPI’s schemes and programs. He told that he try to put few more personnel on job to study how MOFPI will get converged with CAIM for distressed districts. The schemes and programs can be linked with sub projects of CAIM.

Mr. Anandrao Adusl, Member of Parliament, Govt. of India, MLAs, Ms. Yashomati Thakur, Cap. Adsul, Mr. Ravi Rana, Mr. Nilesh Parwekar, Mr. Raosaheb Shekawat put forward the plans for the development of Vidarbha Region and requested to Mr. Subodh Kant Sahai, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, Govt. of India, to form new projects like Mega Food Park at Amravati.

Shri. Rajendra Darda, Guardian Minister and Minister for Employment and Self Employment, Industries, Govt. of Maharashtra briefed about the launch of CAIM programme for development of six distressed districts. Minister also announced that Maharashtra Government is going to declare the Agro-Industry Policy very soon with the amendments. It is a fact that Vidarbha region has full potential to sustain food processing industries. He briefed about the proposed Soya processing plant at Dhamangaon Rly. Ministry will ensure that enough land (at Nandgaon MIDC) for food processing park is reserve and will be made available. He declared the Food Processing Park for Vidarbha Region.

Thereafter Shri. Subodh Kant Sahai, Union Minister-MOFPI, Govt. of India shared his experiences about his Ministry’s progress over the period of time including identity crisis as well.

Highlights of the speech

• All food processing units will get 25% grant once there proposal is approved and same will be routed through only one channel which hassle free
• Assistance of Rs. 10 Corore for cold chain for milk processing
• Assistance for Quality Testing Labs: 100% if Govt. of Maharashtra undertakes and 50% if any private company
• All processing units of which CAIM will propose through their subprojects will get grant for the same.
• MOFPI will work very closely with CAIM Team for exploring scope of new food processing units.
• Fodder production should be connected with CAIM for sustainable livestock development
• MOFPI will take care of all post-harvest for increased production through the intervention of CAIM
• Industry, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and MOFPI should converge through CAIM programme
• MOFPI will provide all technical and financial assistance to CAIM for all subprojects.
• Minister also ensured that if required he will discuss with Hon’ble Prime Minister, Republic of India for further convergence through CAIM.
• Joint Committee will be formed to solve the problems related to food processing through one window
• 100% tax benefit for cold storage for initial 5 yrs. FDIs are also encouraged

Shri. Shivkumar Rao, Chairman, CII Vidarbha Zonal Council & Director R & Y Logistics Pvt Ltd expressed vote of thanks to all dignitaries

Launch of CAIM on 7th May, 2010

Hon’ble Chief Minister, Government of Maharashtra, inaugurated the Convergence of Agricultural interventions in Maharashtra’s Distressed Districts (CAIM)-exhibition stalls and took a brief look on the entire stalls and interacted with exhibitors and NGOs about their work and stall theme; was accompanied by his colleagues Ministers and other invitees. Dr. S. K. Goel, Principal Secretary, Co-operation, Marketing and Guardian Secretary, Amravati welcomed all dignitaries on the dais. Hon’ble Chief Minister, Govt. of Maharashtra inaugurated the CAIM programme by lighting the lamp and launched the CAIM programme.

Shri. Dinesh Waghmare, Divisional Commissioner, Amravati gave an introductory speech to the august gathering and briefed them about the project objectives, Goals and outcomes and thanks all partners for their extended support in designing and implementing the programme.

Dr. S.K. Goel, Principal Secretary, Cooperation and Marketing, gave all the details of the programme and requested to participate actively in CAIM programme.

Thereafter, Dr. Vincent Darlong, Country Programme officer IFAD briefed about IFAD’s active participation and ongoing Programme in India and highlighted how CAIM programme is innovative and important for all of us.

Shri. Firdoz Gandavia expressed the vision of the Tata Trusts for the participating in CAIM programme and briefed about the various programs of Tata trusts across the Republic of India.

Thereafter Shri Shivajirao Moghe, Minister for De-Addiction Activities, Social Justice, Welfare of Nomadic Denotified Tribes and Other Backward Classes expressed the burning problems in front of Vidarbha region, and issues related to quality of education need to be addressed urgently so our youth will be mainstreamed and will get the equal opportunities.

Shri. Vijay alias Balasaheb Bhausaheb Thorat, Minister for Agriculture, Employment Guarantee Scheme, Water Conservation, Govt. of Maharashtra shared his experiences about Vidarbha region. He also instructed that local cattle need to be improved rather than introducing new cattle which is not appropriate for the Vidarbha. He briefed about the CAIM programme.

Shri. Harshwardhan Shahajirao Patil, Minister for Co-operation, Marketing, and Parliamentary Affairs presides over and guided through his presidential speech, informed the audience that this programme is not the package, its loan from IFAD and people representative should participate in the selection process of the Villages as per the IFAD’s village selection criteria. He addressed the several problems that Vidarbha region is facing i.e. climate change, low irrigation, adverse marketing conditions which cumulatively results in distress. CAIM is designed to address all these problems.

Hon’ble Chief Minister, Govt. of Maharashtra released the Handbook of CAIM Programme and addressed the august gathering.

Highlights:

• The farmer suicides have been decreased over the period of time due to specific interventions and programme like Prime Minister Package and Chief Minister Package.
• Various development programme will be introduced till the zero suicides. He stated “I still feel that there is need to pay more attention towards it. And I will do until the suicide stop completely”
• Tenure of Vidarbha Statutory Development Board (Vidardha Vaidhanik Vikas Mahamandal) is extended for 5yrs for the development of Vidarbha Region.
• Chief Minister Package will be extended for 5 yrs.
• He called upon public representatives and people for their participation in it to ensure success.
• The State’s irrigation potential was 20-21% while that of the Country was 40 %. It will be my endeavor to bring State at par with the nation on this front.
• Storage Facilities: need to be improved and increased from 5.50 Lakh metric tonne to 13 Lakh metric tonne.
• He lauded Dr. S.K. Goel for his hard work for the development of Vidarbha regions as Divisional Commissioner as well as Principal Secretary therefore he decided to appoint him as Guardian Secretary of Amravati Division.

Shri. N Nawin Sona, Project Director CAIM and Additional Divisional Commissioner Amravati, gave vote of thanks to all the dignitaries for their valuable time and guidance, and to the audience for their cooperation and shown interest in CAIM programme.

DPR Workshop 15th -18 April, 2010

DPR Workshop: 15th-18th April, 2010

Participants: NGOs, Resource Persons, PSU,PMU,DPMT and Line Departments.
Day 1
15th April 2010:
The DPR Workshop started with the registration of the participant and Dr. S.K. Goel, Principal Secretary, Cooperation & Marketing, Government of Maharashtra chaired the session and welcomed all resource persons, Scientist and NGO representatives. Dr. Goel briefed about the objectives of the Workshop and overall strategy of Convergence of Agricultural Interventions in Maharashtra (CAIM). Mr. Dinesh Waghmare, Divisional Commissioner, Amravati as chairperson of Project Steering Committee (PSC) welcomed the all participants and briefed them about the goals and objectives of the CAIM programme.

Dr. Goel addressed the participants on the important aspects such as common comparable, market oriented, and Producer Company focused approach in DPRs. He requested all NGOs to be as much as interactive during sessions to understand the concept of Producer Company (PC) and preparation of DPRs.

Thereafter Mr. Subhas Metha addressed on the “Sustainability of the poor small producers and their communities”. In which he highlighted AR4D Mandate. The presentation highlighted an increase net productivity, safety and quality, Facilitate setting up of PCs by farmer organizations, value addition to optimize shelf life of produce/ products and improve, livelihoods by increasing net income and purchasing power, contact successful farmers to widely replicate their systems, develop small holder friendly and sustainable technologies, capacity building and education.

He highlighted the Actions for Institutional Issues on Improvement on research quality that is action research on successful farmer fields and follow the jury system in mandating AR4D, optimize the local area integrated farming system, all stakeholders to be equal partners, facilitate wide replication of local farming systems, document all sustainable farming systems, invest in creating required GPAs, fund setting up PCs by the poor small producers and staffed by professionals, and Contact successful farmers.
He suggested to have replicable models in their successful systems that can be the diversification of crops to reduce risk factor, Livestock enterprises, Horticulture crops, Locally Adapted Seed and Planting Material to reduce production cost, Fisheries, Highland/ Mountain agriculture, Water and soil resources and their management, Local water conservation management systems, proper Extension services, Successful farmers, ARS and PCs to be contracted for wide replication and optimize land use of the small producers, ARS/ PCs to document case studies of successful farmers, Establish improved ICT to connect the PCs/ successful farmers and ARSs with small holder producer communities and PC to ensure convergence to deliver all Govt. programme (Dindori district, East MP, the week April 18, 2010),

The same article distributed to all the participants.

Focus: Poor smallholder producers
Objectives:
• To meet their own needs for nutrition & food, increased safe and sustainable quality production
• To increase their net income, purchasing power
• To ensure sustainable livelihood improvement
• To primary and secondary value addition on farm
• To set up their own orgs (PCs), staffed by General Practitioner in Agriculture (GPAs )
 For Research Policy Shifts Necessary for Capacity Building
Agricultural development policy should focus on increasing net incomes, purchasing power and livelihood improvement, increased investments in AR4D to meet the plan and budget requirements of the poor small holder producers, investment in rural infrastructure, all policies to cover safety, quality, net farm productivity and delivery through PCs [link: www.serp-ncsa.com], diversification and producing inputs on farm, producing first to meet the producer and local communities own nutrition and food needs and primary and secondary value addition to optimize shelf life and zero post-harvest loses

Marketing of agricultural produce/products: Policy for local marketing of produce/products by PC at fair prices, to facilitate primary and secondary value-addition on farm to meet the seed capital requirements for setting up of PCs by the poor small producer organizations and staffing them by professionals, Creating local capacity of a land army to facilitate farmers during planting and harvesting seasons - KAU model, Education Needs, We need to introduce of agriculture general knowledge from primary school curriculum and practical work in secondary schools. Also Two year diploma course should be developed which may include working knowledge of agriculture, farm management, finance, planning and budgeting, ICT, marketing, etc., as general practitioners in agriculture (GPAs)

Thereafter Mr. P. S. Lonkar, Ex. Director of Extension, Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University (MAFSU), Nagpur addressed participants about his innovative efforts at MAFSU and they created 45 leaf lets (45 Folders) on animal husbandry and fishery which is available at free of cost online. He told that it is a sustainable model by sale of it of approx. Rs. 18,000 (Rs. 0.50/ for 45 leaflets/folders). He pointed out that the access to information is very important aspect in the context of timely information. He throw an idea of the different combinations of agriculture practices i.e. Least input- least output, Medium input-medium output, high inputs-high output among these we need to have best possible combination in given situation.

On behalf of MAFSU, due to his lifetime association with MAFSU, he assured that they will extend their all possible support to all NGOs and CAIM.

Dr. Alam, the architect of CAIM briefed the audience on objective and goals of CAIM and possible strategies for the implementation.

GCARD2010: Relevance to CAIM Project, SPS Beniwal, Asian Agri-History Foundation

Mr. Beniwal gave the brief overview of his presentation that the status of Agriculture in developing country, brief info about The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and The Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) followed by the objectives of GCARD 2010. He briefed that nearly half of the humanity (3 billion people) live in rural areas. Of these, about 2.5 billion are involved in agriculture of which 1.5 billion are resource-poor smallholders. They make up the majority (85%) of farmers in the developing world, and are among the poorest group of farmers. They become important in the context of eliminating poverty and hunger from the developing world. However, they have not been paid much attention so far, and thus deserve utmost attention now.
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research; Established 1970 to assist in Agricultural Research in the developing countries Sponsored by WB, UNDP, FAO, (UNEP), IFAD Funded by Development Banks, Organizations, Donors (Developed and Developing countries), Supports 15 CG Centers (IARCs), Governed by CG Board of Trustees assisted by Alliance of CG Centers; and Science Council; Executive Secretariat; Vice-President of WB as the Chair.

Global Forum on Agricultural Research; Established in 1996; based in FAO Rome which a Neutral Platform for agricultural research (AR) to create awareness and play an advocacy role for important issues in AR and they are financially supported by members of the donor community, development banks/organizations (ADB, IFAD), FAO, etc.

Key issues were discussed during the presentation.
• Pro-poor (small farmers/producers) and environmentally sustainable
• Balancing income generation and household and community food security
• Re-orienting agricultural research, education and support systems
• Blending knowledge systems for an inclusive approach to innovation
• Towards multidisciplinary and cross-sector research approaches (from NARIs to NARES)
• Demand-led AR and partnerships and mechanisms to generate and promote access to knowledge and technology
• Mobilizing financial resources and improving their allocation
• Future energy needs for agriculture with special emphasis on bio-fuels: Implications for farming communities
• Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), and markets
• Harnessing biodiversity for sustainable development
• Balance agricultural development with resilience and stability of livelihoods and equitability in gains of economic growth and development
He also shared the experience of white paper from India prepared by the group of committed social scientists and NGOs as ARD stakeholders.

Mr. Amar KJR Nayak, thereafter, had a detailed discussion on “Mitigating multiple Risks of Marginal & Small Rural Producers through Local Institution”. The participants was very keen to know the risk factors involved in agriculture sector, he highlighted the types of risks, current engagements for poverty alleviation and its disadvantages due to asymmetric information and session concluded with what are the means for mitigating risk factors. There was common consensus on two factors affecting agriculture that is weather and market. Dr. Goel putted them as the two monsters that are affecting agriculture development.

Ms. Sonali and Mr. Bharat Bisht, from Institute of Himalayan Environmental Research and Education (INHERE), Masi, Uttarakhand had exhaustive presentation on CAIM’s objectives and goal along with the active and responsible participation of NGOs had been discussed in great details.

All the NGOs made a brief presentation of their proposal on the following aspects
1. Cluster (community) you have selected or plan to select and its
• Strengths
• Weaknesses
2. Natural resource base of the area
3. Thoughts on how your NGO will enhance net incomes /purchasing power of the farmers
4. Your suggestion so that program objectives are met
• Inter-linkages among SHGs, JLGs, CMRCs, PC, NGO, RNGO
• Sustainable agriculture
• Value addition
• Market linkage
• Seed and planting material

The draft guidelines were given to all NGOs for the further suggestions and recommendations.

Day-2: 16th April, 2010

The Second day started with a prayer, “Itni Shakti Hume Dena data” followed by the presentation of Dr. Amar Nayak on case study of Nava Joyti. He highlighted that the knowledge should meet small and marginal farmers need. The point raised by Chaitanya representative on opportunity cost. There was common consensus that everybody should visit Nava Joyti to see the initiative of Mr. Amar Nayak. He also shared his practical experience that the people are willing to pay higher amount for their products, which is slightly less than the market price.

Thereafter Following line departments presented their ongoing schemes and budget.

List of the Line Departments presented:
1. Department of Agriculture
2. Department of Social Forestry
3. NREGA/EGS
4. Department of Social Welfare
5. Department of Animal Husbandry
6. Department of Fishery
7. Dairy Development Department
8. Tribal Development Department
9. Women and Child Development Department
10. NABARD

All representatives of NGOs were very interactive during their presentations and had clarifications on the implementation and fund release issues. Informative brochure of all line departments were circulated to all NGOs.

There was consensus on the point that it would difficult for any NGO to take follow up from all line department for their fund release and convergence so there should be some mechanism for implementation and execution of the same.

Thereafter Dr. Om Rupela had detailed discussion on Common platform for Detail Project Report. He expressed his view on asymmetries on the project information but the forum disagreed to the same and said they are well aware about the project information. The forum was agreed to add purchasing power alongwith increase in net income. NGOs disagreed as regards the duration of the subproject was modified as per the subproject requirement. Community representatives should be included in subproject evaluation.
It was also agreed that there should be several orientation programmes to all line department for different stakeholders at different level. Dr. Om Rupela also shared the common format for preparing Detail Project Report.

Day-3: 17th April, 2010
The 3rd Days started with prayer, “Itni Shakti Hume Dena Data” followed by the various presentation from PMU and SRTT representative on required components of the project. Ms. Chhaya Singh and Mr. Laxman Bake discussed about the suggestive guidelines to be followed by the NGOs for preparing their DPR. Mr. Amitanshu Choudhary and Mr. Himmat Patel had presentation on Sustainable Agriculture and Market Linkage, Micro enterprise and Small and Medium enterprise respectively. All Resource persons were very keen to understand the design of guidelines and to guide the PMU unit.

There was also common consensus that MOUs with private companies would not possible option for NGOs while submitting DPR therefore they should submit the letter of interest only. NGOs were keen to know about the selection of the programme area and non-duplication of schemes for the same village.

The experts shared information on LEISA and organic farming practices and it was commonly agreed to understand culture of Agriculture. Livestock component and deliverables are completely missing in DPR preparation guidelines and it is decided by all to revise it by discussing with resource persons.

It was also suggested that the Guideline will complete if we compile SCN guidelines and DPR guidelines together and PMU agreed to compile the same and prepare the final draft which agreed by the forum. There was common consensus that DPR document should look like innovative and NGOs need the hand holding support for the market aspect. Mr. Tarak Kate and Chaitnya agreed to share that marketing is completely different area for the NGOs.
Beginning of 3rd Day Dr. Alam gave a detailed presentation on the issues raised by the many experts and participants about the programme and informed that the project design can not be changed at this stage and if required this can be changed at time of Review mission.
Mr. Sudam Pawar APD expressed the vote of thanks to participants for their active participation and cooperation.

Day4: 18th April, 2010
On 18th April PMU has arranged field visit for NGOs, DPMT, PMU and PSU staff at Nerpinglaye cooperative Society, Nerpinglaye village of Morshi Taluka of Amravati District. The activities being carried out by the society for the community was very much appreciable and can be the successful model. The participants understood all the major functions of the society with various aspects like gender representation in the activities of society, marketing aspects etc.
Mr. Laxman Bake, Mr. Santosh Patil expressed vote of thanks to the society for this opportunity.

PRW-CPMT Meeting

The biannual portfolio review workshop (PRW) was conducted at Bhopal and Khajuraho respectively from 7th -11th April, 2010. All Participants arrived on 7th evening at Indian Institute for Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal.

Day 1-8th April 2010
The CPMT meeting started on 8th Morning by the introduction of the all IFAD Project and including IFAD ICO. This forum was gathered to discuss on common implementation issues and specific to the Project. The Country Programme Manager (CPM) Mr. Mattia Prayer Galletti welcomed the team and gave an informative analysis of the Action at Completion Point Report of the Country Programme Evaluation. He then spoke in detail about the new upcoming grant, APMAS (http://www.apmas.org/). Mr. Anupam, from Center for Creative Leadership conducted a needs assessment of the Project Directors.
Mr. Vincent highlighted important aspects of the programme implementation which includes Joint Review Mission (JRM), stories behind the numbers, Gender focus is increased but need more attention, poorest should not be left out, and programme must think who the people are participating in SHGs and so on. Programme must have their Knowledge Management (KM) strategy as it is increasingly important concern of IFAD HQ and programme should ensure the exit strategy or we will it as sustainable strategy. He also highlighted that JRM should be more participatory, knowledge and experiences should be impended in the programme for the JRM, Capacity building of the masses and Implementation Quality.

Mr. S. Sriram, Asstt. Programme Officer-IFAD, ICO had a detailed discussion on Financial Management aspects of the programme. He highlighted that the programme are not using accounting software at its full; it should be fully utilized to maintain the budgetary discipline. It is the prime responsibility of the Finance Mangers of programme to build the capacity of District Team in regards to financial rules to be explained to district team, contract issues need to train. There should be system in place for regular contract review. It is also observed that many programme are in rush to book expenses in 4th Quarter which should be spread across the year.
He had a discussion on the disbursement with the participants and said that overall disbursement process is satisfactory and all programme are following its procedures. The breakdown of the expenditure need to be submitted by the Finance Manager of PMU.
The most burning and important issue of procurement was discussed in great details. Mr. S. Sriram told that programme needs to maintain serious discipline in procurement process. We have observed that District teams are not clear with the procurement process and even there are confusions with PMU as well. He requested to all programme that define all the steps in procurement method wise and get the consent from IFAD ICO. Once we finalize the all step and procurement method to be adopted then get this incorporated in PIM at the time where programme can revise the Programme Implementation Manual (PIM). He said that the quality of Audit is improving over the period of time and it is also observed that the changes are quickly adopted by the new programme than older once.
Mr. Vijay Kumar, Project Director, Livelihood Improvement Project for the Himalayas ,Uttarakhand (ULIPH) raised few questions on the problems are with implementation and we should have uniform implementation frameworks and standard bidding documents to be uniformly given to all programme.
Following points were also discussed by various programme:
1. Funds were not released on time therefore procedures must be followed by Governments as per MoU and Programme Financing agreement.
2. Standard Capacity building programme should be organized for Standard bidding documents and procurement to PMU
3. Auditor reports are not clear to understand and even same auditor cannot be continued after 2yrs
4. Uniform charges should be there for Auditor across the programme and ICO help is needed for the Auditor selection.
5. MPOWER raised the issue of Coordination problems with lines departments due to the location of PMU office and head offices of line department are far away
6. Meghalaya: System of Quarterly reimbursement should be introduced.
Dr. S.K. Goel, Principle Secretary-DCMT-Maharashtra suggested to find out what are the common and specific hiccups of the project and ICO can extend its support accordingly.
It was also suggested to prepare the implementation bottleneck list and benchmark for the same should be prepared. There should be monthly meeting of PMU to find out issues.
Mr. S. Sriram and Mr. Shaheel Rafique addressed the many of the issues raised by the programme for clear and better understanding. Mr. S. Sriram told that IFAD does not have its standard bidding document but follows the World Bank bidding document. For Small procurements programme are not able to understand what need to be filled up in the bidding document. IFAD ICO will have several training on Financial Management and procurement procedure but its prime responsibility of the participant to work as trainer to his district and PMU team. IFAD is preparing its standard operational guideline and which will be share with all programme and it will take time of one to two months.

Mr.Anupam, from Center for Creative Leadership conducted a needs assessment of the Project Directors.

The afternoon began with the review lead by Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance. Each project presented their progress and discussed areas where DEA could smoothen implementation issues especially related to fund flow.

Day 2 - 9th April 2010
The second day started with brief introduction from Country Programme Manager, Mr. Mattia Prayer Galletti, who welcomed everyone and briefed project staff on the key discussion points of the previous day's DEA led PRW. He highlighted that this 3rd PRW outside the Delhi, in a project area and which is a good platform.
After brief introduction, the draft Results Framework for the forthcoming Country Strategy for India (2010-2015) was presented by Mr. Shaheel Rafique, India Country office, highlighting the salient features of the new COSOP. The presentation showed the results chain leading to the goal of the COSOP. The COSOP outcome indicators as well as the corresponding milestone indicators for monitoring the outputs were also presented. This was the first exposure of the new COSOP to the Projects of the India Country Programme.

Thereafter there was an "open source" session (KS tool) on M&E where the participants were given three topics related to M&E. The participants chose the topic of their interest and had a discussion followed by a presentation on the same.

The second session was on partnerships where Mr., Vincent Darlong, India Country Office made a presentation highlighting the essence of partnerships, mutual accountability and sustainability.
The projects were then grouped together to identify key partnerships while implementing the project activities. Thereafter, each project presented one success story on partnership to the other projects. The ULIPH story was adjudged the best story by the participants. He gave several examples of how our presentation should be and so on.

The last session for the day was on improving the communication skills focusing on oral and presentation skills. Mr. Rathin Roy facilitated the session and introduced new exercises like the role play to demonstrate how to communicate to put forth a point briefly, effectively to get the desired result/ change. He did an exercise to show how communications are important factor to disseminate our messages.
This session was highly appreciated by the participants, who are keen on getting resource materials for further improving verbal and written communication skills.

Day 3- 10th April
The third day started with Finance Management where Mr. S. Sriram, where he told to define all step and methods of the procurement and get consent of IFAD ICO then it will very easy for programme to deal with procurement.
Thereafter Mr. Jasvinder Singh, Dy. CAA&A, briefed about their website and all the procedures and project and grant wise disbursement structure and other details. He suggested to visit www.aaad.gov.in, and www.cdssindia.gov.in, websites for more details about AA&A.

The last session for the day was on gender mainstreaming, where Ms. Judith D’Souza on the finding of several exercises undertaken by IFAD ICO along with Programme. She highlighted on the special measures undertaken, developing gender strategy, institutional support for gender mainstreaming. She also highlighted on certain parameters i.e. drudgery reduction, gender advisory groups, gender reports, women participation in project committees. She suggested going through the IFAD’s Targeting Policy and the prepared checklist for the Gender mainstreaming.
This session was highly appreciated by the participants, who are keen on listening research findings and getting resource materials.

The Days ends with thematic Field visit, the theme were discussed with the participants and as per their choice they selected the theme and all were assigned to the exercise.

Day4- 11th April

The day started with the sharing findings of field visit through participatory way.

The last session of the PRW, the closing remarks were made by Country Programme Manager (CPM) Mr. Mattia Prayer Galletti; He thanked all the participants for their participation and interactions during the PRW. He told that our PRWs are getting more and more participatory these days. He made few announcements regarding the few changes at ICO “Implementation Support Specialist” will be now known as “Implementation Support Officer (ISO)” and announced the list of Programme wise responsible ISO.
Ms. Sudha Chaudhry, Managing Director, MVVN, Tejaswini Rural Women's Empowerment Programme (Madhya Pradesh) expressed vote of thanks all the participants for visiting programme and for their coordination.

Courtesy: IFAD INDIA Blog.

Inception Workshop on Convergence of Agricultural Interventions in Maharashtra 22nd to 26th of September 2009

Objectives of the workshop:
• To develop a comprehensive understanding about CAIM programme among the shortlisted partner organizations
• Ensuring Organizations thoroughly understand each sub component of CAIM
• Enable them to understand and develop the end to end sub projects to be implemented with the rural communities for livelihood promotion

The CAIM workshop was conducted in sprawling campus of government of Maharashtra’s training centre “Prabodini” in Amravati. Total 118 participants from 68 NGOs and private companies participated in the workshop. The schema of the five days workshop is as follows: The first day initiated with the welcome address and spelling out of the purpose of the workshop by Mr. Ganesh Neelam. A warm welcome was given by all participants to the dignitaries present in the dais. They were Dr. Goel, IAS, Principal Secretary, GoM; Mr Nawin Sona, IAS, Programme Director, CAIM ; Dr. Vincent Darlong, Acting Country Representative, IFAD; Dr Alam, Consultant, IFAD; Mr. Arun Pandhi, Programmes Manager, SRTT; Mr. Poreddyvar, Advisor, MSAMB, Dr. Toshniwal, General Manager, MSAMB; Mr. Ganesh Neelam, Executive Director, CInI. After giving an understanding of the context of the agrarian distress in Vidarbha Mr. Neelam welcomed Mr. Nawin who gave a detailed overview of the entire CAIM programme. Mr. Nawin emphasized the importance of the programme for the region and its design elements along with the strong monitoring aspects. Dr. Alam in his presentation went deeper on understanding of various contours of the CAIM project with respect to various programmatic and finance related components. He further explained the roles of various stake holders of the project like the PMU, PSU and NGOs. An introduction to the concept of sub projects was given by Mr. Narendra Kande. Dr. Goel chaired the open house session in which lots of doubts of the participants related to the CAIM were cleared. Next day onwards an orientation on the key components of the programme were given by the experts and implementers. Two parallel sessions on Institution Building (SHG-CMRC, VDCs) and INRM were conducted. Similar sessions were held on the third day. In day four the themes on Convergence, Producers Company and Livestock were dealt by various practitioners, academicians and researchers. A discussion on the format of the sub-project circulated to the participants was done by experts and their queries raised were addressed. Subgroups were prepared for discussion on the sub-projects. Day five was initiated with the presentation of sub-groups. Dr. Alam made an elaborate presentation on the queries that the participants had during the workshop. This was followed by the concluding session which was chaired by Mr. N. Nawin Sona.