The project will close on 30 September 2014. At the June 2014 review mission physical implementation was 94% against elapsed time of 97% since the project was approved. The last major project contract/activity was a project impact survey, of which a draft report was submitted in early-September 2014. A description of progress in implementing project activities by output follows: Output 1.1 Land rights secured All activities were completed as part of the Rushdie Dehot (Contract 8), which was completed on 15 December 2011, and PMU activities. ACTED (Contracts 4&5) further developed some of the activities for this output. Output 1.2 Policies and institutions for pasture lands improved All activities were completed as part of the GITEC (Contract 3) work. The main achievements were an international conference, development of a sector assessment, and government adoption of a pasture law. Output 1.3: Administrative and institutional aspects of business development improved All activities were completed. PMU submitted report in March 2010 on costs of business interference by raion authorities, and carried out various trainings. Output 2.1: Pasture and livestock planning and management skills demonstrated GITEC completed all activities as designed including establishment of pasture user committees and demonstration sites. Output 2.2: Capacity for effective land management Following failure to contract a bidder for contract 3, GITEC accepted responsibility and included the activities (on a reduced scale) into Contract 2. Apart from the establishment of a network of collaborative institutions, which was partly achieved, all activities were completed. Output 2.3: Degraded lands rehabilitated GITEC was responsible for these activities. The assessment of degraded arable land was partly achieved. The remaining activities were achieved, including establishment of demonstration sites, agroforestry and nurseries. Output 3.1: Demand-driven farm and rural business advisory services ADB advised the Government on 14 February 2014 cancellation of the $4.1 million credit line activity (activity 3.1.6). This was made on the basis that there was limited project impact from implementing the credit line at such a late stage given (i) the other activities that the credit line was to complement were completed, and (ii) there was insufficient implementation time remaining in the project. ACTED completed the remaining activities in this output including establishing advisory centers. Output 3.2: Market information system operational The activities for this output were completed. ACTED undertook a market appraisal of market chains in Kyrgystan, Kazakhstan, and Turkey. Output 4.1: Raion and jamoat infrastructure planning and maintenance capacity All activities were completed by the PMU including establishing community groups to develop subprojects, develop subsector plans, and undertake community training. Output 4.2: Raion and community infrastructure improved with sustainable operation and maintenance arrangements This output was partly achieved, with 23 out of 32 approved subprojects completed, while 4 contracts were declared misprocurement by ADB, and 5 bid evaluations were not supported and thus not contracted. Output 5.1: Project managed effectively The activities in this output were completed. International and national consultants were recruited, financial management system was established, and relevant QCBS and NCB contracts were prepared and contracted. Output 5.2: Project monitored and evaluated effectively Most activities were completed including establishing a M&E system, submission of reports, and undertaking a baseline survey. The final report of the project impact assessment survey will be submitted by 30 September 2014. |