Agrodev assisted the
Government of Sindh to design an integrated rural
development project suitable for external
financing. The focus was on selected villages and
rural communities in Thatta, Badin, Umerkot,
Mirpurkhas, and Dadu districts of Sindh.
The project aimed at improving the incomes,
agricultural productivity, employment
opportunities, access to markets, and living
conditions of poor households in southern Sindh.
In close consultation with stakeholders and
potential beneficiaries, the team assessed the
economic and community resources available for
development. Taking into account Government
policies and strategic plans for rural community-based
development, the team proposed appropriate uses
of human and economic resources in the identified
areas, and recommended policy changes for their
efficient, effective, and equitable use. In
project design the team reviewed (i) the impact
of completed and ongoing projects and the
important lessons learned; (ii) the physical
extent and cost estimates of sustainable
investment in the different components that could
be realistically implemented over a five-to-six
year period, (iii) the selection criteria for
identifying and choosing village-level
development components; (iv) the future
investment potential, the implementation
capacity, the future operation and maintenance
capacity, and the likely extent of beneficiary
participation in each component; and (v) the
implementation arrangements for each component
taking into account institutional, social, and
environmental concerns.
|
|
Poverty
reduction
through a more
equitable use of scarce
natural resources
A detailed socioeconomic survey, an initial
environmental examination, and detailed financial
and economic analyses were undertaken. The TA
determined the extent to which the Project could
work with existing line departments of the
Government, local government bodies, NGOs, and
village organizations, in pursing the goals of
the Project. The TA also assessed the rural
microcredit needs and whether the financing
mechanisms can be linked to other poverty
alleviation funding mechanisms in Pakistan.
The outcome of the TA was a fully documented and
justified rural development project valued at $71.8
million.
|
