LESSONS FOR PROJECT DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION FROM SELECTED RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN ASIA
(1990-1999)

by K.C.Lai

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EXTRACT

This report describes the results of lessons drawn from a review of Implementation Completion Reports (ICRs) from twenty-eight rural development projects that were financed by the World Bank in East and South Asia between 1990 and 1999. The Investment Centre Division (TCI) was involved in preparing these ICRs between 1997 and 1999.
The analysis identified commonalities and differences between groups of projects, based on good or poor assessment ratings for different types of interventions. As a result, a range of possible lessons for project design and implementation was identified.
Most of the projects (75%) were rated as having a satisfactory outcome and nearly two thirds were rated as sustainable. Actual disbursements averaged 70% of the total loan value. Lessons were identified in terms of good practices for four types of project intervention:

(i) area-based agricultural development and natural resource management;

(ii) water resources and irrigation development;

(iii) rural credit and finance; and

(iv) institution reform and innovation.

Results were assessed and categorised under three thematic groupings:

(i) project approach and strategy;

(ii) analytical requirements; and

(iii) purpose and scope of monitoring and evaluation.

Systemic weaknesses (information gaps and neglected actions) were identified concerning the conceptual bases and scope of ICRs. These related to three main areas:

(i) limited treatment of stakeholder/equity issues and unplanned impacts;

(ii) inadequate adherence to logical structure of projects; and

(iii) lack of borrower participation in preparation of ICRs.