Annual Outcome Survey (AOS) and Opinion Polling/ Value Chain (VC) Assessment in High Value Agriculture Project in Hill and Mountain Areas (HVAP)-2016

Project Description

High Value Agriculture Project in Hill and Mountain Areas (HVAP) is a market led initiative that seeks to provide improved income and employment opportunities to poor small holder farmers, landless and agribusiness through development and upgrading of pro-poor value chains in Mid and Far Western Region of the country.
The project is executed by Ministry of Agricultural Development (MoAD) with financial support from International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).The Netherlands Development Organization (SNV) and Agro Enterprise Centre (AEC) are the implementing partners of the project. The project is being implemented in seven districts as Surkhet, Salyan, Jajarkot, Dailekh, Achham, Kalikot and Jumla served by three north-south road corridors: Chhinchu-Jajarkot, Surkhet-Dailekh and Surkhet-Jumla roads. So far, the project has directly supported a total of 264 producer groups/cooperatives and 8 agri-businesses till the last fiscal year 2071/72 (2014/15)through co-investments benefitting around 8,731 households under seven value chains in seven districts. The project has been collecting quantitative data of the outputs and outcomes and is being fed into the HVAP Information Management System (MIS) regularly. Seven Thematic Area for the Value Chain study were covered namely; Apple, Ginger, Goat, Off Season Vegetable (OSV), Timur, Turmeric, Vegetable Seed.

Assignment Description

The overall purpose of this survey is to assess the progress achieved in respective seven value chains against the project interventions and provide quantitative and qualitative interpretations on specific indicators as reflected in the project M & E matrix and results chains and provide suggestions to the project to improve project’s support to achieve targeted outcomes during the project implementation. The consultant furnished a comprehensive and analytical outcome survey report that is sufficiently disaggregated on caste, ethnicity, gender, and economic status of the anticipated beneficiaries and specific value chains focusing on project indicators. The consultant worked in close consultation with M&E team, particularly the M&E Expert, of the HVAP to achieve the following objectives specifically: ( Measure the positive and/or negative changes/outcomes taking place on relevant indicators at the household/group/cooperative/agribusiness level; ( Measure the significant change on project approaches and function of value chains: value chain development, inclusive business, gender and social inclusion, partnership in business (production and processing), access to inputs/information/technology/infrastructure etc. in line with in project documents; ( Provide timely performance information so that corrective actions may be taken to implement the project activities, if required; ( Provide early evidence of project success or failure; and ( Provide the opinions on the achievements as felt by the direct beneficiaries of the investment The consultant followed the following study methods: 1. Desk Study: Information on broader socio-economic, market, and livelihoods indicators established through the desk study of M&E Matrix, Value chain analysis reports, project design and baseline study reports, value chain intervention strategies and action plans, gender and social inclusion strategies and action plans, and other related project documents. 2. Households Survey: At least 880 households’ from project groups and 880 households’ survey from control groups surveyed for AOS (1760 Households in total) 3. Opinion Polling: At least 200 households’ from the project groups would be selected and fill up a separate form for polling opinion on about project intervention, approaches and methodologies; i) Focus Group Discussion (AOS): At least one focus group discussion per village/cluster/group and cooperative. The focus group discussion verified the information collected through the HH surveys and reported on indicators that could not be done through household surveys.; ii) Group/Cooperative/Trader Interview (AOS): At least one cooperative/group/trader interviewed in each production village/clusters that helped reporting on institutional aspects of agriculture production and marketing in the districts. For Opinion Polling, at least 5 groups or cooperatives surveyed focusing on institutional aspects. 4. Agribusiness (AOS): Using the agribusiness’ survey interview schedule, key agribusiness supported by the project and involved in value chains interviewed. For Opinion Polling, at least 5 agribusinesses interviewed. 5. Service Provider Mapping and Interview (AOS): Key private and public service providers mapped and interviewed. The study described performance of service providers, service offered and their outreach. 6. Key Informants (AOS): Key informants used to collect the information from the key person (FNCCI, DCCI, RDs, MoAD, VDC, Line agencies etc) who knows the project. 7. Data Analysis and Reporting: The study used proven data collection and analysis tools and techniques obtained during the survey and analysis. The report included pictures, graphs, diagrams, narrative analysis, and other inferential statements that sufficiently extrapolate the prevailing performance of selected indicators against the baseline. For the Opinion Polling, collected data was tabulated and analysed and report prepared as a separate section in the main AOS report. The consultant produced following deliverables; • Prepared survey instruments (in English and Nepali language) and study methodology (including data analysis design), questionnaires to be used for AOS and Opinion polling, • Conducted Short pre-test and finalized interview schedules (in Nepali); • Conducted workshop to present the findings of the study; • The consultant provided PMU with a list of GPS coordinates in decimal degrees of all areas visited during the mission • Preparation and submission of Inception, VC assessment study report, Draft and Final Reports along with Clean Data