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Project / Programme / Operations Evaluation 2023
Evaluation of the project "Agriculture for Economic Growth and Food Security/Nutrition to mitigate migration flows"
Agency
FAO

Summary

The evaluation of the "Agriculture for Economic Growth and Food Security/Nutrition to mitigate migration flows" project, implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in The Gambia from August 2017 to January 2023, aimed to foster sustainable agricultural growth and reduce food insecurity to mitigate migration to Europe. The evaluation assessed the project's relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability across four regions: North Bank, Central River, Lower River, and Upper River. It involved qualitative and quantitative data collection, including interviews with stakeholders and analysis of project documents. The project achieved significant milestones, such as the development of key agricultural policies, including the national cooperative and extension policies, which enhanced institutional capacities. It successfully established Farmer Field Schools (FFS) that reached over 16,000 farmers, predominantly women, promoting improved agricultural practices. However, challenges persisted, particularly in achieving expected results related to cooperatives and market access for smallholders, which hindered overall project sustainability. Operational difficulties, including recruitment delays and procurement issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, further impacted project implementation. Despite these challenges, the project contributed positively to women's economic empowerment and community cohesion. The evaluation concluded that while the project laid a foundation for future agricultural development, the lack of a clear exit strategy and insufficient monitoring and evaluation mechanisms limited its long-term impact. The recommendations included: 1. Systematic support for implementing developed policies; 2. Strengthening capacities in monitoring and evaluation; 3. Institutionalizing a clear exit strategy; 4. Creating synergies with other UN agencies; 5. Supporting national institutions to translate policies into actionable plans; 6. Reinforcing the FFS approach with a scaling-up strategy; 7. Ensuring regular stakeholder meetings for synergy.

Report Details

Year Published 2023
Type
Project / Programme / Operations Evaluation
Theme/s
Agriculture and Rural Development | Food Security | Gender equality and women's empowerment | Partnerships | Climate Change | Poverty Reduction | Emergency Food Assistance
Partner/s N/A
SDG/s
SDG2 - Zero Hunger | SDG9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure | SDG10 - Reduced Inequalities | SDG17 - Partnerships for the Goals
Managed by Independent Evaluation Office Yes
Geographic Scope Country
Country/ies Gambia
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Evaluation of the project "Agriculture for Economic Growth and Food Security/Nutrition to mitigate migration flows"