Project Organization 

• Develop/modify (annually) the design of the project component at the PLS, federal and regional level, including methodologies for project implementation.  
• Provide technical assistance/guidance to the implementation, including capacity building.  
• Monitor and evaluate and conduct studies with the aim of adjusting and developing recommendations for technology innovations and institutional innovations in collaboration with the project’s advisory and learning structures. 

5.2 Project consultants

During the planning phase the project recruited consultants in the following fields:  gender analysis, environmental assessment, HIV/AIDS analysis and RBM framework development. The consultant will assist the project in developing methodologies and guidance in their respective areas of expertise and contribute to capacity building. 

5.3 Project partners/taskforces 

During the planning phase the project collaborated with various research partners (regional and federal and international) and some private partners to plan activities in the PLS. During the implementation phase, the project intends to work with these partners for the implementation of the project activities. An overview of the potential partner institutions identified so far is presented in Annex 7. Additional partners may be identified during the implementation phase of the project. 

Project partners will be involved in the following activities: 

• Synthesis of knowledge on the priority commodities and supporting NRM technologies, including marketing and input supply systems (component 1).
• Provision/preparation of various extension materials on the priority commodities and supporting NRM technologies (component 1).  
• Synthesis and preparation of training materials on innovative technology transfer methods (component 1).  
• Synthesis and preparation of training materials on technical aspects of priority commodities and supporting NRM technologies (component 1).  
• Synthesis and preparation of training materials on input and output marketing systems for priority commodities and supporting NRM technologies (component 1).  
• Conducting training for staff at TVETs, Woreda Offices and FTCs in innovative methods of technology transfer, input and output marketing, and technical topics (component 2).  
• Provision of demonstration materials on priority commodities and supporting NRM technologies  to the TVETS and FTCs (component 2).  
• Providing technical assistance for introducing innovative methods of technology transfer, technologies and input and output marketing systems (component 3).  

Conduct/analyse studies and monitor introduction of innovative technologies (component 4), within and across PLS.  

The project will also form taskforces with partners on a need basis to develop and analyze a common strategy around common themes, e.g.

Interactive technology transfer approaches

•   Crop marketing innovations  
•   Livestock innovations  
•   Seed input supply systems 
•   Livestock service innovations 

Such taskforces will be an integral part of the expert consultation meetings mentioned in the knowledge management component (see 4.1.2).

6 Project advisory and learning structure

A major component of the project is to develop a learning and advisory structure which “links” the different private and public institutions for the development of the agricultural sector (also see section 4.2.3).   

At the National level, the project will establish a National Advisory and Learning Committee (NALC)[1] comprised of the senior project team members and the technical committee members nominated by the MoARD, one representative from each of the 4 RALCs, a representative from EARO and representatives of the IARCs and NGOs involved in project implementation. Additional members can be invited to this committee on a need basis. This committee will formally meet once every 6 months to discuss project progress and the lessons learned from the field implementation and advise in project design. An initial ToR has been developed for the NALC during the planning phase. The ToR may evolve as lessons learned on the operation of the NALC are included over time.   

At the Regional level, the project has established Regional Advisory and Learning Committees (RALC). Composition can vary by Regional State depending on the organizational structures and the nature of the selected PLS. In general, membership will consist of the Heads of Bureaus (or their representatives) including Rural Development, Agriculture, Cooperatives, Input supply, Micro Finance, Regional Agricultural Research Institute (RARI), and Marketing. Once appointed, RDOs and a representative from each of the WALCs will also be included in the RALC. The RALC is expected to meet 4 times a year, of which 2 times will be organized in PLS. During these meetings members of the Addis based project team will also be present.   A ToR was developed for the RALC and is included in Annex 16. The ToR may evolve as lessons learned on the operation of the RALCs are included over time.

At the Woreda level,  Woreda Advisory and Learning Committees (WALC) have been established. It is composed of the Heads (or their representatives) from the implementing institutions. These include experts from the project’s research (national and/or regional) and development partners (extension, NGOs, micro finance, marketing, cooperative, input supply, etc). The PLS RDO will act as a secretary to the WALC. The Woreda Office of Agriculture and Rural Development will chair the WALC. A ToR for the WALC was developed during the planning phase and is included in Annex 16. The ToR may evolve as lessons learned on the operation of the RALCs are included over time.   

Besides the NALC, RALC and WALC, the project will also have such learning structures with farmers and the various service providers in and around FTCs.