Agricultural Services and Producer Organisations Project – PASAOP Location: Regions of Ségou and Mopti

Narrative description of the project:

The PASAOP was at the centre of the Government strategy in rural development and aimed to provide institutional support to producers organisations such as Chambers of Agriculture, agricultural cooperatives, associations and the state extension services. There are three main components:

• Support to national associations such as the national association of professional farmers organisations (APCAM);
• Promotion of private agricultural advisory services as an alternative to State services;
• Support of local development projects by enabling farmers groups to formulate project applications for potential financing from the World Bank.

 The specific tasks of the Consultant include the following:

• Socio-economic survey of farmers organisations in the region (728 organisations examined);
• Design and implementation of accompanying measures in order or to ensure that farmer group applications succeed in attracting financial support of the World Bank. It included the preparation of realistic project applications demonstrating a high degree of user ownership and involvement;
• Provision of hands-on training programs for agricultural advisors and trainers;
• Identification of viable providers of agricultural services and provision of technical support.

Description of actual services provided by our staff within the assignment:

• Implementation of field survey of professional organisations;
• Training and support of agricultural advisors and other key staff of farmer organisations;
• Support to advisory services.