ANNEX 1
TERMS OF REFERENCE

Joint Evaluation Mission by SADC Recipient Countries, Donor Governments (Sweden and Belgium), and FAO

on

ALCOM Programme
Aquaculture for Rural Local Community Development,
GCP/INT/436/SWE and GCP/INT/555/SWE
Utilization of Small Water Bodies for Aquaculture and Fisheries, GCP/RAF/277/BEL

I. BACKGROUND

Small-scale aquaculture provides a means for diversification of production and improved utilization of productive resources (land, labour, and capital) in rural areas. This would lead to increased availability of animal protein contributing to improved food security and/or increased incomes in rural households and communities.

The FAO World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development in 1984 recognized the potential for small-scale aquaculture development. It stated that the development of the sector could often best be approached within the context of integrated rural development, since the problems facing rural communities are not solely of a technical character. The Thematic Evaluation of Aquaculture (a joint undertaking by UNDP, Norway, and FAO - report in 1987) reviewed past aquaculture programmes and projects to analyze reasons for success and failure. One of its findings was that, generally, the social, cultural and economic factors had been given little consideration. Moreover, to minimize risks, fish farming is likely to be adopted as an additional rather than as a main activity.

Based on the above considerations, the ALCOM programme was approved to start, with funding from SIDA (GCP/INT/436/SWE), in October 1986 with a preparatory phase of three years. October 1989 – September 1990 was considered an interim period, pending approval of a five years main phase. This was implemented as Phase I (October 1990 – September 1992) and the current Phase II (GCP/INT/555/SWE) started in October 1992 for a duration of three years through September 1995. Sweden contributed a total of US$ 3,826.159 to GCP/INT/436/SWE and has committed a total of US$ 2,777.778 to GCP/INT/555/SWE.

Since inception, the Programme, in view of its wide scope, was not intended for financing by Sweden in his entireness. SIDA financing was thought of as the catalytic core contribution. The GCP/RAF/277/BEL project, operational since September 1992, is thus specifically covering the ALCOM element for utilization of small water bodies. Belgium committed US$ 2,172.877 for a duration of five years through September 1997. Other contributions to ALCOM were from the project “Strengthening the Role of Fish and Fisheries in Alleviation of Malnutrition”, GCP/INT/467/NOR during the period May 1990 – April 1992 for field studies in household food security aspects; and from the project GCP/RAF/273/JPN “Enhancement of the Role of Women in Inland Fisheries/Aquaculture Development” during the period June 1991 – March 1993.

The Programme is presently concentrating activities in Southern Africa, with headquarters in Harare, Zimbabwe. It is part of the SADC aquaculture development programme and covers Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The counterpart agencies are the Departments of Fisheries or equivalent in participating countries. Besides, each country collaborates to the programme activities through a liaison officer.

The overall (development) objective of the Programme is an increase in cash income and/or animal protein component in the diet of rural communities, achieved through increased production of fish from small-scale aquaculture integrated with mixed farming systems or as a complement or alternative to traditional small-scale fishing.

The intermediate objective is the adoption in such communities of appropriate fishculture practices, introduced, promoted and supported through other nationally and internationally funded projects concerned with rural development and integrated into the local farming systems.

The immediate objectives of the present phase of the Programme are:

• the provision of a whole series of tested technologically and economically appropriate fish culture systems which will enable members of rural communities to increase their small-scale aquaculture production;

• the implementation of these appropriate fish culture systems as part of mixed farming systems in a few selected pilot scale sites, so as to encourage other projects, farms, communities to adopt similar systems themselves.

The Programme reports at the beginning of each calendar year to the Steering Committee, consisting of representatives of participating countries, the donors, and the executing agency. The Committee also decides on the orientation and priorities for activities, provides guidelines and endorses annual work plans. Close collaboration is maintained with the SADC Sub-Committee on Fisheries and Wildlife to which the Steering Committee reports, through the Sector Coordinator. Moreover, two working groups have been established by the 5th Steering Committee: The ALCOM Management Working Group who meets at least twice a year to review the programme's policy issues as necessary; and the Working Group on the Future of ALCOM to prepare for a regional aquaculture development programme beyond the end of ALCOM's present phase.

Within the limits of funding availability, and in accordance with priorities decided upon at the Steering Committees, ALCOM has carried out desk studies, designed and implemented pilot projects, held technical consultations with respect: to the target areas specified in the project documents GCP/INT/436/SWE and GCP/INT/555/SWE and the action programmes identified at the Sixth Steering Committee. The set target areas were: extension for rural small scale aquaculture, methods to gather information for planning and project design, aquaculture and farming systems, utilization of small water bodies, environmental aspects of aquaculture, women and youth in aquaculture development, aquaculture and human nutrition, development support and information services. The action programmes derived from the results and findings of activities up to 1992 are: strengthening of institutions for aquaculture extension; strengthening of institutions for development planning, communication and information; testing and demonstration of methods and approaches for diversification of rural economies through aquaculture; testing and demonstration of methods and practices for utilization of small water bodies (covered by project document GCP/RAF/277/BEL). The Programme has closely assisted several aquaculture development projects and acted upon specific ad-hoc requests from SADC and participating countries, has organised training sessions and study tours, and issued a substantial series of publications.

A SIDA/FAO mid-term evaluation was carried out in May/June 1988. The mission concluded that, in light of aquaculture development in the region, there was a need and scope for a programme of this nature with the aim to develop and test methods and techniques for larger scale application in national programmes and projects.

This evaluation takes place in conformity with the requirements of the project documents to also determine future assistance needs. Its timing was recommended at the Sixth Programme Steering Committee meeting (Maputo, February 1993).

II. PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE EVALUATION

1. Purpose of the Evaluation

The evaluation will examine experience and results of the ALCOM Programme todate. Its findings and recommendations should help parties concerned to have a better insight into the impact of results achieved as well as the technical aspects requiring improvement. The Mission will particularly examine the sustainability of achievements. In the light of findings, the Mission will advise on the need for further assistance and make recommendations for follow-up.

2. Scope of the Evaluation

The primary scope of the evaluation is to:

• assess the effectiveness of the Programme in realizing its immediate objectives and the extent to which they have set the foundation for achieving the intermediate and long-term development objectives;
• assess how adequately the immediate objectives of the Programme are being attained and how effective they have been or are likely to be in helping to achieve the relevant sectoral development objectives;
• review the efficiency and adequacy in implementation and management of the Programme;
• identify the factors which may have facilitated or deterred the achievement of the programme's immediate and ultimate objectives;
• assess the likely relevance and application of the knowledge gained by participating governments and institutions through the Programme;
• determine the life span still necessary for the participating countries to attain self-sufficiency in planning, managing and monitoring development of aquaculture.

In carrying out the evaluation, the following points should be addressed with particular emphasis:

1. Clarity, continuing priority and realism of the Programme's development and immediate objectives, including specification of targets, identification of beneficiaries, linkages with other projects, and prospects of sustainability;

2. Quality, clarity and likely efficiency of design of the Programme including:

   • any major changes which might have a bearing on the continued relevance of the Programme;
   • clarity of specification of inputs, activities and outputs (quality, quantity and time frame);
   • logical consistency between provision of inputs, execution of activities, production of outputs and progress towards achievement of objectives;

   • the managerial and institutional framework for implementation of the workplan.

3. Efficiency, problems and successes of the Programme implementation, including:

   • quality and timeliness of input delivery;
   • managerial and work efficiency;
   • implementation difficulties;
   • realization of important prior obligations and assumptions;
   • adequacy of monitoring and reporting;
   • quality and quantity of administrative and technical support by FAO;
   • degree of involvement, cooperation, support and commitment by the governments and integration with other related projects;

   • extent and adequacy of FAO's support in terms of provision of all the requisite inputs.

4. Results of the Programme, including:

   • a full and systematic statement of outputs produced (quantity and quality) as compared with workplans, including appropriateness of the location of activities, relevance of technical choices, services provided by the programme and output of trained manpower;
   • progress towards achievement of development, intermediate and immediate objectives, including prospects for sustainability and the contribution to institution building in terms of technical and managerial capabilities of counterpart bodies;
   • any unplanned effects;
   • any significant lesson learned that can be applied in similar Programmes or projects.

III. COMPOSITION, TIMING, AND ITINERARY OF THE MISSION

1. Composition of the Mission

The Mission will be composed of one representative of Sweden, one representative of Belgium, one representative of FAO, who should be team leader, and one representative nominated by the SADC Sub-Committee on Fisheries. Each participant should have experience of rural development, preferably aquaculture development, in developing countries.

The Government of each visited country is invited to associate itself with the mission's work.

2. TIMING AND ITINERARY OF THE MISSION

The Evaluation Mission should take place in April 1994. The duration of the Mission will be 40 days from 24 April to 2 June 1994.

Three days should be spent for a joint briefing at FAO Headquarters in Rome, followed by three days at the programme Headquarters in Harare.

The Mission will visit some participating countries, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique for visit of pilot projects, consultations with government representatives and project staff, FAO Representative, Representatives of SIDA and Belgium, relevant bodies and institutions involved. They will thereafter spend one week at the Programme Headquarters for preparation of a complete draft report and two days in Rome for debriefing and presentation of their report.

Although the Mission should feel free to discuss with the authorities concerned anything relevant to its assignment, it is not authorized to make any commitments on behalf of FAO and the donors.

3. REPORTING

The mission leader will have the end responsibility for the final writing, editing and production of the report.

The report should follow the attached outline. The final version of the report should be delivered to FAO Headquarters within 10 days of debriefing in Rome, for onforwarding to the concerned parties. The FAO Representative in the Mission will be responsible for submitting the evaluation summary sheet during debriefing in Rome.