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TRANSCRIPT
Costa Rica
Support to the Costa Rican Agricultural Information System - INFOAGRO
Final Project Closing Report Project no 24591 December 2006
Project # 24591 Copyright Geomar International Page 1
Table of Contents Table of Contents.............................................................................................................. 1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 2 1. Summary Description of the Project ................................................................... 4
1.1 Background and rationale ........................................................................... 4 1.2 Project objective, purpose and results ........................................................ 4 1.3 Roles and Responsibilities of Stakeholders ................................................ 5
1.3.1 CIDA ................................................................................................ 5 1.3.2 Geomar International ....................................................................... 6 1.3.3 SEPSA............................................................................................. 6 1.3.4 Producers’ Organisations ................................................................ 7 1.3.5 Other Project Stakeholders.............................................................. 7 1.3.6 Management and organisation ........................................................ 8
1.4 Description of activities................................................................................ 9 2. Analytical Review of the Project.......................................................................... 11
2.1 Planned and achieved goal, objectives, impact, purpose and outcomes.... 11 2.2 Detailed final report on achievement of results ........................................... 12 2.3 Outcomes, Outputs, Indicators and Activities.............................................. 15 2.4 CIDA cross-cutting themes: Gender Equality .............................................. 29
3. Development and Management Factors ............................................................. 31 3.1 Political considerations and project relevance............................................. 31 3.2 Project Sustainability ................................................................................... 31 3.3 Synergy with other projects ......................................................................... 33 3.4 Management Factors .................................................................................. 33
4. Intellectual Property.............................................................................................. 35 5. Financial and Administrative aspects................................................................. 36
5.1 Original budget forecast and actual disbursements .................................... 36 5.2 In-kind and Financial contributions.............................................................. 37
5.2.1 Geomar International ....................................................................... 37 5.2.2 SEPSA – MAG................................................................................. 37 5.2.3 Private organisations (Producers’ and others organisations) .......... 38
5.3 Cumulative GST collected from CIDA ......................................................... 38 Annexes Annex 1 Institutional Capacity Index Annex 2 Operational Handbook Annex 3 Methodological Sheets Annex 4 Communication Strategies Annex 5 Information Mapping Annex 6 Gender Methodological Document Annex 7 Certificates (Project Outreach) Annex 8 Financial Report
Project # 24591 Copyright Geomar International Page 2
Introduction This document contains the Closing Report of the Project “Information for Competitiveness – InfoAgro” and its purpose is to give an account of the results attained at the end of this Project, in accordance with the Contribution Agreement signed with CIDA. The report is made up by five chapters. The first chapter presents a summary description of the Project, which follows both the original proposal and the Contribution Agreement; highlights the roles and responsibilities of main Project stakeholders; explains the management and organisation arrangements; and describes in general the mechanism of the Project activities, explaining in detail three activities that were changed due to different local factors. The second chapter offers an analytical review of the Project, explaining the progress toward the achievement of the expected impact and the achievement of the Project objectives, purpose and outcomes. It contains a detailed report on Outcomes, Outputs, Indicators and Activities, including a percentage of achievement. Five Outputs are presented in detail, with a breakdown of more than 30 different main activities carried out throughout the Project implementation. The degree of achievement by the Project is presented using the indicators originally established. This chapter also contains an explanation of the Gender Equality dimension of the Project, as CIDA cross-cutting theme, presenting the satisfactory results of the adopted gender approach, including some gender-sensitive tools and a gender-oriented methodological model developed by the Project team. The third chapter elaborates about development and management factors with emphasis on Project sustainability, explaining the main factors that assure sustainability of Project activities and results after the end of the Project. It also briefly presents the shared responsibilities of projects partners and the role of CIDA in supporting Project implementation. The one-page chapter four presents the different materials and tools created during the Project that are subject of Intellectual Property, in accordance with the Contribution Agreement. Some of those tools and materials are included in this report as annexes. In the chapter five are presented the Financial and Administrative aspects of the Project, including the budget forecast and the actual disbursements and the contributions of all Project partners. This chapter is complemented by the Annex Financial Report, which contains detailed information on: Total Actual Expenses; Original approved budget; Last revised budget (of July, 2006); Final budget, including all partners’ contributions; Budget Comparison (comparing the original, the last revised and the final budgets); Breakdown of counterpart of all project partners; and a detailed breakdown of actual costs by quarters. Finally, it is worth to note that this Project has been generous in the production of tools and materials intended to support the provision of strategic information through InfoAgro. Among those tools and materials, we can mention the following:
A substantive document for Strategic Planning
A five years strategic plan for InfoAgro
A Road Map and different strategies for the system
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Two Regional Communication Assessments and two Regional Communication Strategies
A Benchmarking of Information Systems
Detailed analysis of AAFC, CRAAQ, and Huaral Information Systems
Information Management Tools
The Information Mapping
The InfoAgro Communication Tool Kit, including a Handbook and a CD for Communication training
The Institutional Capacity Index (ICI)
The Operational Handbook
The Methodological Sheets
The Gender Methodological Document For the Project team in Geomar, the implementation of this Project was a real enriching and gratifying experience that hopefully can be replicated.
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1. Summary Description of the Project 1.1 Background and rationale InfoAgro was conceived as an information and communication system for the Costa Rican agricultural sector with the purpose of providing strategic information to small and medium sized producers, with the intention of improving their competitiveness and encouraging them to become active information users. However, InfoAgro failed in achieving its objective. This project was aimed at overcoming the main identified barriers that prevented InfoAgro from succeeding. The project consisted of institutional and technical strengthening of the Sectoral Directive Committee, the Executive Secretariat for Agriculture Sector Planning (SEPSA), the Directive Committee, the Consultative Committee, the Regional Agricultural Sector Committees, Regional InfoAgro Teams, and the Information Centres in the Brunca and Central Western Regions (the “pilot regions”). Further cooperation between the public and private sectors and institutional coordination were promoted throughout the Project, at local, regional and national levels. Geomar’s team worked with SEPSA and other Costa Rican public sector partners to improve their technical and management capacities. With a more efficient and flexible information system, the public sector is now in a better position to support the small and medium sized producers, promote their efforts towards diversification and exports, and finally become more competitive. During the Project, a special emphasis was given to promote gender equality both through and within InfoAgro. The project facilitated the inclusion of rural women in the management and use of the system. Another aspect of the project was to improve the transparency of government processes by facilitating increased community participation in agricultural initiatives and decisions. 1.2 Project objective, purpose and results The objective of the Project was to collaborate with local partners in overcoming development challenges related to economic competitiveness, at the national, regional and international levels.
The purpose of the Project was to strengthen the institutions of the public agriculture sector at the national (SEPSA, Ministry of Agriculture-MAG) and regional levels (in two pilot regions (Brunca Region and Central Western Region) with the Regional Agricultural Sectoral Committees, the Regional InfoAgro Networks, and the Information Centres) in their capacity to effectively utilize and provide strategic information to the agricultural sector via InfoAgro.
ASA Santa Barbara’s Director being interviewed in an Information Center
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The outcome of the Project was to strengthen the institutional capacity of the public agricultural sector to use and provide effectively strategic information through the InfoAgro system. At the national level, this strengthening targeted SEPSA, which acts as executing agent for the InfoAgro Sectoral Directive Committee, the Sectoral Directive Committee, the Directive Committee and the Consultative Committee. At the regional and local levels, the strengthening targeted the Regional agricultural sectoral committees, the regional InfoAgro networks and the Information Centres. The following are the five outputs of the Project: 1. A medium-term plan (5 years) and procedures in place for monitoring and evaluating. 2. An improved institutional structure of InfoAgro, with more participation of private
organisations and more gender equitable. 3. Increase in the efficiency of the services provided by the Information Centres (IC) in the pilot
regions. 4. Diversified channels and communication media conforming to the InfoAgro’s main users
(small and medium sized producers). 5. Standards and handbooks for the operation of the system. 1.3 Roles and Responsibilities of Stakeholders 1.3.1 CIDA CIDA was responsible for its contribution under the Project by providing in-time funding for Project activities and carrying out overall supervision. Throughout the Project, CIDA constantly supervised and evaluated it and under took the following:
Monitored the Project through the narrative and financial reports, semi-annual reports, Programme performance report, and Project closing report submitted by Geomar;
Participated in Project’s activities; Chantal Labelle and Willow Minaker, from CIDA, with SEPSA
Director Román Solera, in San José, Costa Rica.
Monitored missions and activities of Geomar and progress towards results through constant meetings in San Jose, Costa, between CIDA representative in Costa Rica and Project Coordinators / Project Steering Committee during Geomar’s missions;
Ensured gender equality through the participation of CIDA’s Gender Representative in Project’s activities.
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CIDA also participated in the project through:
The administration of the Project’s agreement in accordance with the terms of reference and conditions set forth herein;
The approval of the Project’s work plan;
The revision, comments on and approval of the activities and schedule of disbursements for CIDA’s Contribution through Annual Work plan.
1.3.2 Geomar International Geomar International was responsible for the efficient management of all contributions under the Project. It worked jointly with SEPSA for the achievement of the expected results by the end of the Project. Throughout the Project, Geomar International undertook the following tasks:
Managed, coordinated and monitored Project activities jointly with SEPSA and other Costa Rican partner organisations;
Reported to CIDA on Project activities through narrative and financial Reports, semi-annual reports, Programme performance report, and the annual work plan;
Administered CIDA’s contribution and other contributions according to Contribution Agreement.
Ensured the proper control and disbursement of project funds;
Provided the necessary contribution in information on supply chain and knowledge and additional time of the personnel participating in the Project.
1.3.3 SEPSA The Executive Secretariat of Agriculture Sector Planning (SEPSA) was the Costa Rican lead partner of the Project. SEPSA was responsible for the coordination of Project Activities, jointly with Geomar, in their respective areas. Through the Project, SEPSA undertook the following activities:
Participated in the Project Steering Committee and ensured its effective functioning;
Ensured the participation of all member organisations in the Consultative Committee;
Provided the necessary contributions and professional, technical and administrative services to ensure the achievement of the expected outcomes by the end of the project (special mention should be made for the considerable contribution of SEPSA to the Project, in terms of level of effort and participation in some direct costs related to project activities, as it is explained in Chapter Five of this report).
Provided timely information to Geomar on Project activities in Costa Rica as input into the narrative and financial Reports, the semi-annual reports, the Programme performance report, the annual work plans and the Project closing report;
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1.3.4 Producers’ Organisations Producers’ organisations were the main stakeholders of the Project and participated in almost all Project activities. At national level their participations was mostly referred to the Consultative Committee, were they had a prominent role. At regional level they were the protagonists of all Project activities, besides the public servants of the ASAs.
Aspect of a Communication Training Workshop with producers associated in a CAC and ASA representatives, in Central Occidental Region, in Costa Rica.
The producers’ organisations carried out the following activities:
Participated in the various workshops, in the two pilot regions Participated in the Consultative Committee Evaluated all Project activities at regional level Participated in the strategic planning process Undertook the communication assessments in their regions and in their organisations Formulated the communication strategies for their regions and for their organisations Established and developed Information Centres Produced “information programmes”, “ bulletins”, “radio spots” and other media products Provided information to Geomar (through SEPSA) for the reports to CIDA
1.3.5 Other Project Stakeholders Other project stakeholders include the Inter American Development Bank (IADB) and the Sustainable Agriculture Production Programme (PFPAS). The PFPAS, funded bye the IADB, will implement its “Information and Communication” component under the basis of the results of this Project and using the methodology, products, materials and tools created by this Project. The coordination with the PFPAS was done through:
Direct working sessions between the PFPAS team and the InfoAgro/SEPSA team; Working sessions with the PFPAS team and the InfoAgro Project Team1; Meetings with IADB representative of the PFPAS and Geomar / InfoAgro Project Team; The participation of the PFPAS Coordinator in InfoAgro project activities; The participation of the InfoAgro national coordinator as the task leader of the Project sub-
component of Information and Training; The Consultative Committee.
1 One of those sessions was hosted at the Canadian Embassy
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1.3.6 Management and organisation The Management and Organisation Structure of the Project consisted in the Ministry of Agriculture, the Consultative Committee and CIDA, followed by the Project Steering Committee, which is represented by SEPSA and Geomar and the Project Implementation team. Project Steering Committee The Project Steering Committee was constituted by members of Geomar and SEPSA and was chaired by the Director of the Project and the Director of SEPSA. The Committee held several meetings in San José, Costa Rica. There were also constant communication through telephone conferences and email to discuss progress towards expected results, activities, and missions and resolve any major problems relating to Project management. Throughout the Project implementation, the Steering Committee held meetings in San José, Costa Rica with CIDA and IADB representatives to discuss the Project’s progress. Consultative Committee The Consultative Committee had a broad mandate related to the information management of the agriculture sector, and was established with the participation of a variety of organizations, both public and private, including academic and producers’ organisations. This Committee was developed in close partnership with a related project funded by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and executed by the National Agriculture Technology Institute (INTA). The Consultative Committee consisted of the following groups2: private sector representatives, academic sector representatives, public sector representatives, regional representatives, the coordinator of the PFPAS, the InfoAgro team; The Gender Coordinator of the Agriculture Sector, and representatives of Project Administration. The Consultative Committee became a useful space of institutional strengthening for Infoagro. During its sessions, important issues were discussed, such as:
The selection of the pilot regions of the Project, Brunca Region and Central Western Region, through a working session and then presented to the InfoAgro’s Directive Committee.
The selection of InfoAgro’s Information Centre hosts.
2 CONARROZ, National Horticultural Corporation (“Corporación Hortícola Nacional”), Producers Federation of the Caribbean (“Federación de Productores del Caribe FOPRORCA”), Independent Producers Union of Perez Zeledón (“Unión de Productores Independientes de Pérez Zeledón UPIAV”), Livestock Promotion Corporation (“Corporación de Fomento Ganadero CORFOGA”), Central Western Region Agriculture Centres (“Centros Agrícolas Cantonales de la Región Central Occ.”), UPANACIONAL, National Agriculture and Livestock Innovation and Technology Transfer (“Instituto Nacional de Innovación y Transferencia de Tecnología Agropecuaria INTA”), National Learning Institute (“Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje INA”), Omar Dengo Foundation (“Fundación Omar Dengo”), National Research in Science and Technology Council (“Consejo Nacional de Investigación en Ciencia y Tecnología CONICIT”), Distance State University (“Universidad Estatal a Distancia UNED”), Technological Institute of Costa Rica (“Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica ITCR”), Research in Agronomy Centre of the University of Costa Rica (“Centro de Investigaciones Agronómicas de la Universidad de Costa Rica”), Promotion Programme to Sustainable Agriculture and Livestock Production (“Programa de Fomento a la Producción Agropecuaria Sostenible PFPAS”), Central Western, Brunca and Atlantic Huetar Regional Agriculture and Livestock Extension Chiefs on the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (“MAG -Jefes de extensión agropecuaria de las regiones Brunca, Central Occ., y Huetar Atlántica”), Gender Sectorial Coordinator (“la Coordinadora sectorial de género”), National Trainning and Communication Centre (“el Centro Nacional de Capacitación y Comunicación para el Desarrollo CENCCOD”), and technical team of INFOAGRO.
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The project’s implementation plan, work plan and progress reports.
The project methodologies and workshops.
The project’s activities and processes developed by Project coordinators.
The coordination of the following Programmes and projects and their relation with InfoAgro: 1) INTA-FAO that intends to consolidate InfoAgro’s technological Information node and 2) the PFPAS.
1.4 Description of activities During the implementation of the Project, most activities were carried out as they were planned and the expected results derived from them were achieved. The participation of private, academic and public organisations in all Project activities was considerable and increased constantly since the beginning of the Project. Several private organisations started using InfoAgro services in the two pilot regions and improved their services as a result of the project activities. Nowadays, producers’ and women’s organisations are more involved in the management and operation of InfoAgro. As a result, InfoAgro has seven Information Centres, hosted by private and public organisations, in the two pilot regions, and there are several other Information Centers growing in other regions. Most of Project activities were carried out with producers’ organisations, like
this Communication workshop held in an Information Centre. The activities were always carried out in close collaboration with SEPSA and the MAG, in close partnership with private organizations and with the participation of representatives of producers and women organizations. It is important to acknowledge that it was a delay in the implementation of some activities included in the original schedule established with SEPSA. This delay was mainly due to the public sector timing, which included some usual periods of minimal activity (the Holiday season, Easter, etc.) and the unusually long political transition in the country and the massive restructuring process that the new Administration is undertaking within the Agriculture Sector in 2006-07. The three following activities were not completed by the end of the Project as they were initially planned. They were changed, adjusted or modified, mainly because of the abovementioned
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reasons. Nevertheless, the expected results of each activity were satisfactorily attained with the alternative activities carried out:
Formalization of producers’ and women’s organisations’ participation in the system (Activity 123) The participation of producers’ and women’s organisations in all levels of InfoAgro was supposed to be reflected in an Executive Decree. While such participation was achieved at every level of the system, it was not possible to produce the Executive Decree because the current reorganisation process of the Ministry of Agriculture and the agricultural sector at large. Modification of the Executive Decree was proposed and is on hold In view of that, participation of private, producers and women’s organisations was clearly stated in the General Operational Handbook, at the point of even established specific minimal “quotas” in every level of InfoAgro.
The Bulletin of InfoAgro (Activity 126) Within the initial planning of the project, a periodical bulletin should have being produced and distributed; however, other means were used to disseminate the pertinent information in a more direct relationship with the users, such as handouts and other printing material. The electronic bulletin of InfoAgro was designed, the Editorial Board was established, the hard-copy was design and its main sections structured and produced by the project team. The bulletin was designed nationally, based on the communication workshops’ activities, and produced locally. The Brunca region produced its own bulletin while the Central Occidental region opted for a basic newspaper –still in a development stage. In accordance with InfoAgro operational plan, a national bulletin will be produced early 2007. There is a secured budget at SEPSA for it.
The Closing Event (activity 153) This activity was not carried out as planned due to the reorganisation process of the sector and the initial incertitude of SEPSA about its own role in InfoAgro. Because of that, a decision was made in the sense of conducting two Working Sessions with SEPSA team, the ERIs and other stakeholders, covering the following topics: Administrative, Operational, Financial, Mechanisms and Procedures; setting up a Governance Structure, Institutional Framework, links, relations and coordination with other systems and sectors. The task was completed through telephone conferences and e-mail communication. During the closing mission, a presentation and discussion of the basis of the rules of the game for the InfoAgro was made.
Finally, it is worthy to highlight two additional activities that provided valuable input for the entire project and have been assessed as remarkable outputs of this Project by the SEPSA team. There were the Information Systems Benchmarking and the Information Mapping. The Benchmarking exercise (activities 117-118) provided interesting information of more than fifteen information systems in different countries. The result of this activity was a State-of-the-art overview in Information Systems, which was included in the Bases for the Strategic Planning of InfoAgro. The Information Mapping (activity 137) was carried out under the basis of Geomar’s expertise in the management of the information pertaining to different fruits and vegetables supply chains. It was used for the design of the Commercial and Market Information Sub-system. It was also the base of the design of the Information Management and Monitoring Tool.
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2. Analytical Review of the Project 2.1 Planned and achieved goal, objectives, impact, purpose and outcomes The implementation of the project provided the opportunity of collaborating with SEPSA, the MAG, and Costa Rican private organisations in dealing with the developmental challenges inherent to the provision of strategic information for the agriculture sector and the digital divide in the rural sector in Costa Rica. In this sense it is clear that the project addressed the issue of economic competitiveness, as it was expected (project goal). The expected impact of the project was the improvement of business and export opportunities for the Costa Rican private sector, particularly small and medium-sized agricultural producers, and the increase of government efficiency3. It is still too early to identify the long term impacts, but after having implemented the project, it is possible to affirm that considerable progress toward the achievement of those impacts has been attained. With constant provision of strategic information services in the way the project has established, with the operation of an increasingly efficient governmental unit, it is very likely that small and medium-sized agriculture producers will improve their business and export opportunities. In this regard, the assumptions of keeping a stable economic and political situation in the region and having the political will to make the proposed changes seem to be adjusted to the current reality of Costa Rica. In terms of political will is important to mention that the new Administration is undertaking a critical reorganisation process in the public sector unifying two different Ministries in the new Ministry of Production and upgrading the status of the agricultural sector by including a business and export oriented component. Finally, in spite of the fact that at a certain point it was possible to think that the conclusion of CIDA’s bilateral direct activities in Costa Rica could affect to some extent the full achievement of the expected results of the Competitiveness Fund, SEPSA and the MAG are willing to maintain the linkages with Geomar beyond project life, especially in the frame of the IADB funded operation. The institutional capacity of the agriculture public sector was reinforced by the project, at the national level –SEPSA and the MAG- and in two pilot regions –Brunca and Central Occidental-, at the Regional Agricultural Sectoral Committees, the Regional Offices and the InfoAgro Information Centers. The expected outcome of this project was an increase of the use, access and communication of strategic information –through InfoAgro- for producers in the two pilot regions in order to improve competitiveness in the rural sector. The actual outcomes attained with project execution outdid those expected in the sense that much more information now is being communicated through InfoAgro and the public sector responsible for the system has been notably reinforced. Thanks to the Project, the system is ready to go a step forward, and it is now possible to affirm that access to, and use of strategic information for competitiveness in the agriculture sector will continue to be supported in an incremental way, building up on the InfoAgro Project experience.
3 Those are the expected results of the entirely Canadian Costa Rican Competitiveness Fund.
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Beside the institutional strengthening carried out by the project, some reasons for this optimism are the public sector awareness of the importance of information in the agricultural business; the effective linkages with other initiatives and the availability of “fresh funds” for InfoAgro in the PFPAS project; and more important, the high level of private participation, especially at Information Centres level. With the existing Information Centres (and the new ones that are likely to be formed, especially in the ASAs), InfoAgro is perfectly able to use and provide effective strategic information to its users. Producers and ASA representatives established partnerships aimed
at setting up Information Centres in their localities, like this group, responsible for an Information Centre in the Brunca Region.
2.2 Detailed final report on achievement of results The five expected outputs of the project were referred to the strategic planning process of the system, the improvement of its institutional structure, the diversification of its communication channels, the increase of the efficiency of services provided by the Information Centres, and the establishment of standards and handbooks for the system. Those outputs were successfully achieved, as it is explained below: 1. InfoAgro has a medium term plan (5 years) and procedures in place for monitoring and
evaluating (Output 110).
A Strategic Plan was formulated through a highly participatory process and a the bases of a Monitoring & Evaluation System for InfoAgro were set up, developed, and built-in the General Operational Handbook
The Strategic Plan was approved by the National Agricultural Council, including a Road Map for InfoAgro’s.
4 institutions assigned a budget for InfoAgro in their Annual Operations Plans. MAG assigned a budget to InfoAgro in the 2007 regular budget plan. Budget assigned to InfoAgro at the national level in the PFPAS Project. (Project POA
2007-2010) Budget assigned to InfoAgro at regional level, in the Annual Operative Plans of the
MAG regional Directions. (Regional POA). Budget assigned to InfoAgro at national level in SEPSA. (Budget SEPSA 2006/2007)
2. InfoAgro has an improved institutional structure which includes a diversified participation
from producers’ organisations and is equitable in terms of gender (Output 120).
The institutional structure of InfoAgro was notably improved at national, regional and local levels; now it counts with the participation of producers’ organisations in every level of the system and is more gender equitable.
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More than ten groups of producers and women participating in InfoAgro at the regional level.
Policy of “Positive Gender Discrimination” in place in InfoAgro –by the adoption of a “quotas” approach. Guaranteed women participation in: InfoAgro Coordination Committee, InfoAgro Management Committee, InfoAgro Monitoring and Evaluation Committee and in the Management of Information Centre. (Clearly stated in the Operational Handbook and should be reflected in the Executive Decree).
Guaranteed participation of producers’ organisations in InfoAgro at national and regional levels, where they participate in the directive and operational committees, and at local level, where they host, operate and manage Information Centres.
The participation of different organisations and institutions of the agriculture sector was either increased or improved at the central level and in the pilot regions by the adoption of an “umbrella system” methodology for InfoAgro.
3. Increase in the efficiency of services provided by the Information Centres (IC) in the pilot
regions (Output #130).
Seven Information Centres are operating in the two pilot regions, with customised Sustainable Management Plans: Four in Brunca and three in Central Occidental (Three private, four public).
Producer’s, women’s and academic’s organisations were identified, assessed and strengthened to become Information Centres, and an evaluation and monitoring tool for them was created, applied and put in place for a constant monitoring exercise (Institutional Capacity Index ICI).
4. InfoAgro has diversified channels and communication media conforming to the small and
medium sized producers –its main users. (Planned Output #140)
InfoAgro counts with different communication channels thanks to the Information Centres. Agriculture information is being disseminated by those Centres through local radio, printed media and other channels. (4 radio Programmes and several printed materials were developed by the Information Centres, and one video is in “production stage” with the participation of CENCOOD). Additionally, there is a new presentation format of the information in the InfoAgro website.
13 communication production workshops, divided in two phases, were carried out with seven Information Centres and other participants –mostly SEPSA staff, regional coordinators of Infoagro at MAG and other public servants. More than 50 people were trained in basic communication.
InfoAgro has a practical Communication Tool Kit (a Communication Handbook, a Hypertext support material, and pedagogical presentations) for training InfoAgro users and foster communication production in other regions.
5. InfoAgro has standards and handbooks for the operation of the system (Planned Output #150)
A General Operational Handbook was developed and agreed upon for national and regional system operation and seven local customized Operational Handbooks were produced. Each Information Centre has the General Handbook and its own Sustainable Management Plan. The General Operation Handbook contains standards, protocols for
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the system, and includes information management mechanisms and the fundaments of a Monitoring and Evaluation System.
Evaluation, report, documentation standards and formats were also established.
More than twenty stakeholders are using the handbooks, including SEPSA and the pertinent offices of the MAG, the Directive Committee, the Consultative Committee, the Regional Agricultural Sector Committees and the ERI, and the Information Centres
InfoAgro bears a Methodological Sheets Handbook, which recollect the most pertinent aspects of this project for the successful replication of its operation in other regions and constitutes a Methodological Model.
A detailed final report on achievement of results at outcome, output and activity levels is included in the following table.
Proj
ect #
245
91
Cop
yrig
ht G
eom
ar In
tern
atio
nal
Page
15
2.3
Out
com
es, O
utpu
ts, I
ndic
ator
s an
d A
ctiv
ities
Expe
cted
Res
ults
for L
ife o
f Pro
ject
Resu
lts P
lanne
d fo
r the
Pro
ject
(Indi
cato
rs)
Actu
al Re
sults
Ach
ieved
with
the P
rojec
t (In
dica
tors
) Pe
rcen
tage
of
Achi
evem
ent
(Indi
cato
rs)
Plan
ned
Outc
ome #
100
Thro
ugh I
nfoAg
ro, in
creas
e the
use,
acce
ss
and c
ommu
nicati
on of
stra
tegic
infor
matio
n for
prod
ucer
s in t
he tw
o pilo
t reg
ions i
n ord
er
to im
prov
e com
petiti
vene
ss in
the r
ural
secto
r.
Evide
nce o
f incre
ased
use o
f InfoA
gro.
Evide
nce o
f incre
ased
satis
factio
n am
ong t
he us
ers o
f InfoA
gro.
Evide
nce o
f an i
ncre
ase i
n volu
me,
quali
ty an
d per
tinen
ce of
infor
matio
n dif
fused
to th
e pro
duce
rs an
d amo
ng
the In
forma
tion C
enter
s.
Incre
ased
the n
umbe
r of p
artic
ipants
from
priva
te, ac
adem
ic an
d pub
lic or
ganis
ation
s in m
ore t
han 3
5 wor
ksho
ps an
d ac
tivitie
s.
Priva
te or
ganis
ation
s star
ted us
ing In
foAgr
o ser
vices
. (O
rgan
isatio
ns am
ong t
hem:
ASO
TROJ
AS, C
oope
Agri,
UPIA
V, C
entra
l Wes
tern R
egion
Agr
icultu
re C
entre
s -“C
entro
s Ag
rícola
s Can
tonale
s de l
a Reg
ión C
entra
l Occ
.”-,
Coop
eAlia
nza,
ECAG
)
Satis
factio
n lev
el of
InfoA
gro f
rom
priva
te or
ganis
ation
s and
pu
blic e
ntitie
s at lo
cal le
vel (A
SA) h
ighly
incre
ased
. Sev
en
Infor
matio
n Cen
tres i
n pilo
t reg
ions a
nd si
milar
numb
er in
oth
er re
gions
.
Incre
ase i
n qua
lity an
d per
tinen
ce of
the i
nform
ation
dis
semi
nated
thro
ugh I
nfoAg
ro (in
forma
tion n
ewly
poste
d, Inf
oAgr
o Stat
istics
Bull
etin,
Comm
ercia
l & T
rade
infor
matio
n, str
ategic
key i
nform
ation
for C
ompe
titive
ness
).
Plan
ned
Outp
ut #1
10
InfoA
gro h
as a
mediu
m ter
m pla
n (5 y
ears)
an
d pro
cedu
res i
n plac
e for
mon
itorin
g and
ev
aluati
ng.
A St
rateg
ic Pl
an is
form
ulated
and a
Mo
nitor
ing &
Eva
luatio
n Sys
tem fo
r Inf
oAgr
o is d
evelo
ped.
The S
trateg
ic Pl
an is
appr
oved
by th
e Na
tiona
l Agr
icultu
ral C
ounc
il.
Numb
er of
insti
tution
s in t
he se
ctor4
that a
ssign
a bu
dget
for In
foAgr
o in
their A
nnua
l Ope
ratio
n Plan
s.
Five-
year
Stra
tegic
Plan
form
ulated
(Doc
umen
t con
tainin
g the
Pl
an).
The S
trateg
ic Pl
an ap
prov
ed by
the D
irecti
ve C
ommi
ttee.
Monit
oring
and E
valua
tion S
ystem
built-
in the
Gen
eral
Oper
ation
al Ha
ndbo
ok.
4 ins
titutio
ns as
signe
d a bu
dget
for In
foAgr
o in t
heir A
nnua
l Op
erati
ons P
lans.
MA
G as
signe
d a bu
dget
to Inf
oAgr
o in t
he 20
07 re
gular
bu
dget
plan.
4 MA
G, C
NP
, ID
A, S
EN
AR
A, P
IMA
, IN
CO
PE
SC
A, O
NS
, SE
PS
A.
Proj
ect #
245
91
Cop
yrig
ht G
eom
ar In
tern
atio
nal
Page
16
Expe
cted
Res
ults
for L
ife o
f Pro
ject
Resu
lts P
lanne
d fo
r the
Pro
ject
(Indi
cato
rs)
Actu
al Re
sults
Ach
ieved
with
the P
rojec
t (In
dica
tors
) Pe
rcen
tage
of
Achi
evem
ent
(Indi
cato
rs)
Bu
dget
assig
ned t
o Info
Agro
at th
e nati
onal
level
in the
PF
PAS
Proje
ct. (P
rojec
t POA
2007
-201
0)
Bu
dget
assig
ned t
o Info
Agro
at re
giona
l leve
l, in t
he
Annu
al Op
erati
ve P
lans o
f the M
AG re
giona
l Dire
ction
s. (R
egion
al PO
A).
Bu
dget
assig
ned t
o Info
Agro
at na
tiona
l leve
l in S
EPSA
. (B
udge
t SEP
SA 20
06/20
07)
Road
Map
for I
nfoAg
ro’s
strate
gic pl
an fo
rmula
ted.
Plan
ned
Activ
ity #1
11
Infor
matio
n gath
ering
and a
nalys
is of
InfoA
gro’s
stra
tegic
plann
ing an
teced
ents
and f
ormu
lation
of th
e main
stra
tegic
inputs
, ba
sed o
n the
AAF
C ex
perie
nce f
or
InfoA
gro’s
stra
tegic
plan.
A co
mpre
hens
ive an
alytic
al do
cume
nt on
InfoA
gro’s
stra
tegic
plann
ing hi
story
and i
nputs
for t
he cu
rrent
strate
gic
plann
ing pr
oces
s. (D
ocum
ents:
“Bas
es
for In
foAgr
o’s S
trateg
ic Pl
an”.)
“Bas
es fo
r Info
Agro
’s St
rateg
ic Pl
an” (
InfoA
gro S
trateg
ic Pl
annin
g Ante
cede
nts do
cume
nt.)
Plan
ned
Activ
ity #1
12
Wor
king s
essio
ns in
orde
r to p
repa
re th
e ba
ses o
f the S
trateg
ic Pl
an an
d the
Mo
nitor
ing an
d Eva
luatio
n Sys
tem w
ithin
the
Proje
ct’s C
oord
inatio
n Per
sonn
el.
Metho
dolog
ical S
heet
numb
er i.1
. (In
dicato
rs for
InfoA
gro)
Metho
dolog
ical S
heet
numb
er 1.
2.a.
(Pro
file of
an In
forma
tion C
entre
) (A
ssist
ance
shee
ts.)
Metho
dolog
ical S
heet
numb
er i.1
. (Ind
icator
s)
Metho
dolog
ical S
heet
numb
er 1.
2.a. (
Profi
le of
an In
forma
tion
Centr
e). T
wo m
ethod
ologic
al sh
eets.
First
agre
emen
t on “
Wha
t to E
valua
te” w
ith In
foAgr
o Reg
ional
Coor
dinato
rs.
Plan
ned
Activ
ity #1
13
40 S
emi-s
tructu
red i
ntervi
ews
Wom
en’s
partic
ipatio
n in t
he st
rateg
ic pla
nning
impr
oved
. (W
omen
’s inp
uts
for st
rateg
ic pla
nning
; Meth
odolo
gical
tools
for ha
rnes
sing w
omen
’s pa
rticipa
tion i
n the
syste
m; G
ende
r ind
icator
s for
Diag
nosti
cs).
Regio
nal O
vervi
ew of
Agr
icultu
re In
forma
tion F
lows i
n eac
h pil
ot re
gion.
Dire
ct pa
rticipa
tion o
f mor
e tha
n 80 w
omen
in th
e stra
tegic
plann
ing pr
oces
s in t
he tw
o reg
ions.
Proj
ect #
245
91
Cop
yrig
ht G
eom
ar In
tern
atio
nal
Page
17
Expe
cted
Res
ults
for L
ife o
f Pro
ject
Resu
lts P
lanne
d fo
r the
Pro
ject
(Indi
cato
rs)
Actu
al Re
sults
Ach
ieved
with
the P
rojec
t (In
dica
tors
) Pe
rcen
tage
of
Achi
evem
ent
(Indi
cato
rs)
Pr
ivate
orga
nisati
ons p
artic
ipatin
g in
the st
rateg
ic pla
nning
(Reg
ional
Over
view5 ).
Publi
c org
anisa
tions
invo
lved i
n the
str
ategic
plan
ning.
(Reg
ional
over
view)
(Wor
ksho
ps’ e
valua
tion f
orms
.)
Dire
ct pa
rticipa
tion o
f mor
e tha
n 20 p
rivate
orga
nisati
ons.
Plan
ned
Activ
ity #1
14
Two R
egion
al Pl
annin
g Wor
ksho
ps w
ith th
e pu
rpos
e of d
esign
ing an
d for
mulat
ing th
e St
rateg
ic Pl
an an
d the
Mon
itorin
g and
Ev
aluati
on S
ystem
with
the R
egion
al l
Agric
ultur
al Se
ctor C
ommi
ttee (
CSRA
); Re
giona
l Offic
e of In
foAgr
o and
Infor
matio
n Ce
ntre;
Proje
ct Co
ordin
ation
Per
sonn
el.
Regio
nal in
put fo
r the
stra
tegic
plann
ing pr
oces
s, wi
th the
partic
ipatio
n of
key r
egion
al sta
keho
lders,
inclu
ding
wome
n’s an
d pro
duce
rs’ or
ganis
ation
s. (P
ower
Poin
t pre
senta
tions
, do
cume
nts.)
(Wor
ksho
ps’ e
valua
tion f
orms
.)
Regio
nal in
put fo
r the
stra
tegic
plann
ing pr
oces
s, wi
th the
pa
rticipa
tion o
f key
regio
nal s
takeh
older
s, inc
luding
wom
en’s
and p
rodu
cers’
orga
nisati
ons.
Plan
ned
Activ
ity #1
14
Natio
nal S
trateg
ic Pl
annin
g Wor
ksho
p. A
two d
ay w
orks
hop a
s a fin
al sta
ge of
the
proc
ess a
nd de
velop
ment
of the
InfoA
gro
State
gic P
lan, w
ith th
e par
ticipa
tion o
f the
InfoA
gro C
oord
inatin
g Com
mitte
e, the
co
ordin
ator o
f the P
rojec
t INTA
-FAO
, the
Dire
ctor o
f the I
ADB-
funde
d Sus
taina
ble
Agric
ultur
e Pro
ducti
on P
rojec
t, the
Geo
mar
team,
the g
ende
r rep
rese
ntativ
e for
CID
A,
Costa
Rica
. Dur
ing th
is wo
rksho
p, the
resu
lts
of the
regio
nal s
trateg
ic pla
nning
wor
ksho
ps
were
pres
ented
and t
he do
cume
nt- B
ases
for
InfoA
gro S
trateg
ic Pl
an -w
as di
scus
sed.
Stra
tegic
Plan
. (Do
cume
nt)
SWOT
matr
ix.
(Wor
ksho
p’s ev
aluati
on fo
rm.)
Stra
tegic
Plan
– Mi
ssion
, Visi
on, O
bjecti
ves,
Base
s for
the
Stra
tegies
. (Do
cume
nt)
InfoA
gro’s
SW
OT m
atrix.
(D
ocum
ent a
nd P
rese
ntatio
n)
Plan
ned
Activ
ity 11
5 Fo
rmula
tion o
f the R
oad M
ap fo
r Info
Agro
’s Ro
ad M
ap fo
r Info
Agro
’s str
ategic
plan
.
Inves
tmen
t Plan
(Actu
al bu
dget
for
Five s
trateg
ies es
tablis
hed w
ith m
id-ter
m ac
tions
for t
he ro
ad
map.
5 The
regi
onal
ove
rvie
w is
incl
uded
in th
e R
egio
nal C
omm
unic
atio
nal A
sses
smen
t of e
ach
regi
on.
Proj
ect #
245
91
Cop
yrig
ht G
eom
ar In
tern
atio
nal
Page
18
Expe
cted
Res
ults
for L
ife o
f Pro
ject
Resu
lts P
lanne
d fo
r the
Pro
ject
(Indi
cato
rs)
Actu
al Re
sults
Ach
ieved
with
the P
rojec
t (In
dica
tors
) Pe
rcen
tage
of
Achi
evem
ent
(Indi
cato
rs)
strate
gic pl
an, w
ith th
e nati
onal
strate
gic
plann
ing w
orks
hop’s
partic
ipants
. Fo
rmula
tion o
f Infoa
gro’s
Inve
stmen
t Plan
, wi
th the
Mini
stry o
f Agr
icultu
re an
d SEP
SA.
InfoA
gro i
n the
Ann
ual O
pera
tion P
lans
(AOP
) of th
e MAG
/ Agr
icultu
ral
Secto
r).
Ins
titutio
nal s
trateg
y and
actio
ns.
Te
chnic
al an
d con
necti
vity s
trateg
y and
actio
ns (in
cludin
g im
pleme
ntatio
n plan
).
Infor
matio
n and
Com
munic
ation
stra
tegy a
nd ac
tions
.
Finan
cial s
trateg
y and
actio
ns (in
cludin
g inv
estm
ent p
lan
for th
e Sus
taina
ble A
gricu
lture
Pro
ducti
on P
rojec
t fin
ancia
lly su
ppor
ted by
IADB
).
Gend
er st
rateg
y.
Budg
et as
signe
d to I
nfoAg
ro at
the n
ation
al lev
el by
the
Susta
inable
Agr
icultu
re P
rodu
ction
Pro
ject fi
nanc
ially
supp
orted
by IA
DB.
Actua
l bud
get a
ssign
ed to
InfoA
gro a
t nati
onal
level
by 20
06
SEPS
A’s b
udge
t. Pl
anne
d Ac
tivity
#116
Fo
ur w
orkin
g ses
sions
for d
iscus
sing a
nd
pres
entin
g the
Mon
itorin
g and
Eva
luatio
n Sy
stem
prop
osed
for I
nfoAg
ro, w
ith ke
y sta
keho
lders
and I
nfoAg
ro’s
core
staff
.
Monit
oring
and E
valua
tion S
ystem
. Lo
gical
frame
for I
nfoAg
ro.
Base
s for
mon
itorin
g and
evalu
ation
indic
ators
formu
lated
in
the S
ustai
nable
Man
agem
ent P
lans f
or th
e info
rmati
on
centr
es.
Monit
oring
& E
valua
tion S
tructu
re fo
rmula
ted in
the G
ener
al Op
erati
onal
Hand
book
for I
nfoAg
ro..
Unex
pect
ed O
utpu
t 110
A:
State
-of-t
he-a
rt ov
ervie
w in
Infor
matio
n Sy
stems
.
State
-of-t
he-a
rt ov
ervie
w in
Infor
matio
n Sy
stems
, as a
n inp
ut for
the s
trateg
ic pla
nning
proc
ess.
(inclu
ded i
n “Ba
ses
for In
foAgr
o’s S
trateg
ic Pl
an”.)
State
-of-t
he-a
rt ov
ervie
w in
Infor
matio
n Sys
tems,
as an
inpu
t for
the s
trateg
ic pla
nning
proc
ess.
(inclu
ded i
n “Ba
ses f
or
InfoA
gro’s
Stra
tegic
Plan
”.)
Activ
ity #1
17 fr
om 11
0 A
Benc
hmar
king (
comp
ariso
n of 1
5 Info
rmati
on
Syste
ms).
Crite
ria fo
r Ben
chma
rking
. Ag
ricult
ure I
nform
ation
Sys
tem
analy
sis.
Inter
natio
nal tr
ends
docu
ment.
Be
nchm
arkin
g sum
mary
table.
(D
ocum
ents,
Pow
er P
oint
Pres
entat
ions.)
20 cr
iteria
for B
ench
marki
ng an
d ana
lysis
of 15
Agr
icultu
re
Infor
matio
n Sys
tems
Activ
ity #1
18 fr
om 11
0 A
Analy
sis of
selec
ted In
forma
tion S
ystem
s. Me
thodo
logica
l She
et se
tting t
he
para
meter
s for
analy
sing a
n A
metho
dolog
ical s
heet
with
the pa
rame
ters f
or an
alysin
g an
Infor
matio
n Sys
tem.
Proj
ect #
245
91
Cop
yrig
ht G
eom
ar In
tern
atio
nal
Page
19
Expe
cted
Res
ults
for L
ife o
f Pro
ject
Resu
lts P
lanne
d fo
r the
Pro
ject
(Indi
cato
rs)
Actu
al Re
sults
Ach
ieved
with
the P
rojec
t (In
dica
tors
) Pe
rcen
tage
of
Achi
evem
ent
(Indi
cato
rs)
Infor
matio
n Sys
tem.
Analy
sis of
AAF
C on
-line.
Analy
sis of
CRA
AQ.
Analy
sis of
Hua
ral S
ystem
. (D
ocum
ents)
.
Detai
led an
alysis
of th
ree A
gricu
lture
Infor
matio
n Sys
tems
(AAF
C-on
line,
CRAA
Q, H
uara
l).
Plan
ned
Outp
ut #1
20
InfoA
gro h
as an
impr
oved
insti
tution
al str
uctur
e whic
h inc
ludes
a div
ersif
ied
partic
ipatio
n fro
m pr
oduc
ers’
orga
nisati
ons
and i
s equ
itable
in te
rms o
f gen
der.
Numb
er of
grou
ps of
prod
ucer
s and
wo
men p
artic
ipatin
g in t
he
mana
geme
nt, co
ordin
ation
and
oper
ation
of In
foAgr
o.
Incre
ase t
he pa
rticipa
tion o
f pub
lic
agric
ultur
al or
ganis
ation
s and
the
priva
te se
ctor w
ithin
the in
stitut
ional
struc
ture o
f InfoA
gro,
at the
centr
al lev
el an
d in t
he pi
lot re
gions
.
Modif
icatio
n of th
e exe
cutiv
e dec
ree o
f Inf
oAgr
o.
Impr
ovem
ent o
f the i
nstitu
tiona
l stru
cture
of In
foAgr
o with
pa
rticipa
tion o
f pro
duce
rs’ or
ganis
ation
s and
mor
e gen
der
equit
able.
More
than
ten g
roup
s of p
rodu
cers
and w
omen
partic
ipatin
g in
InfoA
gro a
t the r
egion
al lev
el.
Polic
y of “
Posit
ive G
ende
r Disc
rimina
tion”
in pl
ace i
n Info
Agro
(O
pera
tiona
l Han
dboo
k and
refle
cted i
n a –t
o be-
decre
e)
Guar
antee
wom
en pa
rticipa
tion i
n: Inf
oAgr
o Coo
rdina
tion
Comm
ittee,
InfoA
gro M
anag
emen
t Com
mitte
e, Inf
oAgr
o Mo
nitor
ing an
d Eva
luatio
n Com
mitte
e and
in th
e Man
agem
ent
of Inf
orma
tion C
entre
. (Op
erati
onal
Hand
book
)
Guar
antee
partic
ipatio
n of p
rodu
cers’
orga
nisati
ons i
n Inf
oAgr
o. (O
pera
tiona
l Han
dboo
k)
Agre
emen
t with
InfoA
gro’s
dire
ctive
sphe
re fo
r inclu
ding
priva
te or
ganis
ation
s in m
anag
emen
t, ope
ratio
nal a
nd
direc
tive l
evels
of In
foAgr
o.
Modif
icatio
n of th
e exe
cutiv
e dec
ree o
f InfoA
gro w
as
prop
osed
6 .-(S
ee F
ootno
te)
Plan
ned
Activ
ity #1
21
Two r
egion
al wo
rksho
ps w
ith pr
oduc
ers’
asso
ciatio
ns, p
ublic
orga
nisati
ons,
and
wome
n’s or
ganis
ation
s on t
heme
s of
Awar
enes
s on I
CTs f
or de
velop
ment
and I
nform
ation
Sys
tems r
ose a
mong
pr
oduc
ers’
and w
omen
’s or
ganis
ation
s an
d pub
lic en
tities
.
A wo
rksho
p in B
runc
a reg
ion w
ith th
e par
ticipa
tion o
f mor
e tha
n 30 p
eople
7 .
A wo
rksho
p in C
entra
l Occ
identa
l regio
n, wi
th the
partic
ipatio
n of
more
than
35 pe
ople8 .
6 The
exe
cutiv
e de
cree
of I
nfoA
gro
has
note
bee
n m
odifi
ed y
et d
ue to
a m
assi
ve re
stru
ctur
ing
proc
ess
that
the
Cos
ta R
ican
Agr
icul
tura
l Sec
tor i
s ex
perie
ncin
g.
7 Thi
s in
form
atio
n di
scrim
inat
ed b
y se
x is
ava
ilabl
e.
8 Sam
e as
abo
ve.
Proj
ect #
245
91
Cop
yrig
ht G
eom
ar In
tern
atio
nal
Page
20
Expe
cted
Res
ults
for L
ife o
f Pro
ject
Resu
lts P
lanne
d fo
r the
Pro
ject
(Indi
cato
rs)
Actu
al Re
sults
Ach
ieved
with
the P
rojec
t (In
dica
tors
) Pe
rcen
tage
of
Achi
evem
ent
(Indi
cato
rs)
“Rais
ing A
ware
ness
on IC
Ts”,
“Digi
tal
Divid
e, Ge
nder
Divi
de an
d Par
ticipa
tion
Mech
anism
s” an
d “Inf
orma
tion M
anag
emen
t of
the S
upply
Valu
e Cha
in“.
Awar
enes
s on I
CTs’
role
and
impo
rtanc
e for
agric
ultur
al ac
tivitie
s.
Unde
rstan
ding o
f key
conc
epts
of the
“In
forma
tion S
ociet
y” an
d the
“K
nowl
edge
Eco
nomy
”.
Know
ledge
of IC
Ts fo
r dev
elopm
ent im
prov
ed w
ith m
ore
contr
ol ov
er te
chnic
al ter
mino
logy,
mean
ings,
impli
catio
ns an
d po
ssibi
lities
.
Plan
ned
Activ
ity #1
22
Natio
nal W
orks
hop w
ith pr
oduc
ers’
asso
ciatio
ns, p
ublic
orga
nisati
ons,
and
wome
n’s or
ganis
ation
s on t
heme
s of
“Rais
ing A
ware
ness
on IC
Ts”,
“Digi
tal
Divid
e, Ge
nder
Divi
de an
d Par
ticipa
tion
Mech
anism
s” an
d “Inf
orma
tion M
anag
emen
t of
the S
upply
Valu
e Cha
in“.
Awar
enes
s on I
CTs’
role
and
impo
rtanc
e for
agric
ultur
al ac
tivitie
s. At
SEP
SA’s
requ
est, t
he na
tiona
l wor
ksho
p was
chan
ged b
y a
worki
ng se
ssion
with
the C
onsu
ltativ
e Com
mitte
e in o
rder
to
raise
awar
enes
s on I
CT fo
r Dev
elopm
ent a
t the n
ation
al lev
el.
Plan
ned
Activ
ity #1
23
Form
aliza
tion o
f pro
duce
rs’ an
d wom
en’s
orga
nisati
ons’
partic
ipatio
n in t
he sy
stem.
(T
his ac
tivity
is S
EPSA
’s re
spon
sibilit
y. SE
PSA
will p
rese
nt a n
ew D
ecre
e for
the
new
Gove
rnme
nt. N
ever
theles
s, the
Pro
ject
unde
rtook
an in
stitut
ional
reinf
orce
ment
proc
ess t
owar
ds th
e imp
rove
ment
and
forma
lizati
on of
a pa
rticipa
tory a
ppro
ach a
nd
repr
esen
tation
and p
artic
ipatio
n of
prod
ucer
s’ or
ganis
ation
s in t
he co
ordin
ation
, ma
nage
ment
and o
pera
tion o
f the s
ystem
by
revis
ing th
e per
tinen
t by-L
aws o
f InfoA
gro
and o
ther n
orma
tive a
ffecti
ng th
e sys
tem.
New
Exec
utive
Dec
ree o
f InfoA
gro.
Modif
icatio
n of o
ther p
ertin
ent b
y-law
s. (In
foAgr
o’s by
-laws
and n
orms
, for
mally
stati
ng th
e par
ticipa
tion o
f pr
oduc
ers’
orga
nisati
ons i
n the
ma
nage
ment,
coor
dinati
on an
d op
erati
on of
InfoA
gro)
Antec
eden
ts of
exist
ing by
-laws
and o
ther n
orms
affec
ting
InfoA
gro,
gathe
red a
nd an
alyse
d. (B
ases
for I
nfoAg
ro
Stra
tegic
Plan
)
Modif
icatio
n of th
e exe
cutiv
e dec
ree o
f InfoA
gro w
as
prop
osed
; how
ever
, it ha
s not
been
mod
ified y
et du
e to a
ma
ssive
restr
uctur
ing pr
oces
s tha
t new
Gov
ernm
ent o
f Cos
ta Ri
ca is
havin
g with
in the
Agr
icultu
re S
ector
and b
y so i
n the
Mi
nistry
of A
gricu
lture
. The
mod
ificati
on of
the e
xecu
tive
decre
e is o
n hold
.
Guar
antee
wom
en’s
and p
rodu
cers’
orga
nisati
ons p
artic
ipatio
n in
InfoA
gro.
(Ope
ratio
nal H
andb
ook)
Proj
ect #
245
91
Cop
yrig
ht G
eom
ar In
tern
atio
nal
Page
21
Expe
cted
Res
ults
for L
ife o
f Pro
ject
Resu
lts P
lanne
d fo
r the
Pro
ject
(Indi
cato
rs)
Actu
al Re
sults
Ach
ieved
with
the P
rojec
t (In
dica
tors
) Pe
rcen
tage
of
Achi
evem
ent
(Indi
cato
rs)
Plan
ned
Activ
ity #1
24
Tech
nical
Exch
ange
Miss
ion.
An ex
chan
ge m
ission
in C
anad
a with
the
partic
ipatio
n of th
e Dire
ctor,
the N
ation
al Co
ordin
ator a
nd tw
o Reg
ional
Coor
dinato
rs of
InfoA
gro (
Includ
ing m
eetin
gs w
ith di
ffere
nt Ca
nadia
n org
anisa
tions
: CID
A, A
gri-F
ood
Cana
da, In
dustr
y Can
ada,
The F
ood
Rese
arch
and D
evelo
pmen
t Cen
tre F
RDC,
Int
erna
tiona
l Dev
elopm
ent R
esea
rch C
entre
(ID
RC),
Le M
inistè
re de
l’Agr
icultu
re, d
es
Pêch
eries
et de
l’Agr
oalim
entai
re du
Qué
bec
(MAP
AQ),
Le C
entre
de R
éfére
nce e
n Ag
ricult
ure e
t Agr
oalim
entai
re du
Qué
bec
(CRA
AQ),
Équit
erre
, The
Inter
Pro
vincia
l Flo
ral M
arke
t, Tra
ns F
air C
anad
a, an
d Far
m Ra
dio.
Over
view
of Ca
nada
’s str
ategy
to
move
towa
rds a
n info
rmati
on so
ciety
and a
ware
ness
on its
impo
rtanc
e, co
mplex
ity an
d cos
ts.
Prac
tical
know
ledge
of fo
ur ha
nds-o
n ex
perie
nces
on pr
ovidi
ng se
rvice
s thr
ough
diffe
rent
infor
matio
n sys
tems
in the
agri-
prod
uctio
n and
agri-
food
secto
r in C
anad
a, at
both
Fede
ral a
nd
Prov
incial
leve
ls.
Ackn
owled
geme
nt of
the im
porta
nce o
f ali
gning
the i
nform
ation
servi
ces w
ith
the cl
ient’s
need
s9 .
Persp
ectiv
e of e
stabli
shing
med
ium
and l
ong t
erm
coop
erati
ve
relat
ionsh
ips w
ith C
anad
ian co
mpan
ies
and p
ublic
orga
nisati
ons.
The I
nfoAg
ro co
ordin
ating
team
has a
wide
r visi
on an
d bett
er
know
ledge
of th
e Can
adian
insti
tution
al ex
perie
nce i
n pr
ovidi
ng in
forma
tion s
ervic
es th
roug
h the
use o
f Infor
matio
n an
d Com
munic
ation
Tec
hnolo
gies (
ICTs
) to t
he ag
ricult
ural
secto
r.
Prac
tical
know
ledge
of se
ven10
hand
s-on e
xper
ience
s on
prov
iding
servi
ces t
hrou
gh di
ffere
nt inf
orma
tion s
ystem
s in t
he
agri-
prod
uctio
n and
agri-
food s
ector
in C
anad
a, at
both
Fede
ral a
nd P
rovin
cial le
vels.
Ackn
owled
geme
nt of
the im
porta
nce o
f alig
ning t
he
infor
matio
n ser
vices
with
the c
lient’
s nee
ds11
.
Persp
ectiv
e of e
stabli
shing
med
ium an
d lon
g ter
m co
oper
ative
re
lation
ships
with
AAF
C an
d IDR
C.
InfoA
gro’s
coor
dinati
ng te
am fa
milia
rized
, prio
r to t
heir a
rriva
l in
Cana
da, w
ith C
anad
ian so
ciety,
econ
omy,
demo
grap
hy,
and a
gricu
lture
and a
gri fo
od se
ctor w
ith a
focus
on th
e Pr
ovinc
es of
Que
bec a
nd O
ntario
, and
an ov
ervie
w of
the
status
of th
e Can
adian
Wom
en. (
Over
view
of Ca
nada
–Do
cume
nt).
Logis
tic pa
ckag
e pre
pare
d with
gene
ral in
forma
tion o
f eac
h or
ganis
ation
visit
ed, th
e age
nda,
gene
ral in
forma
tion a
bout
the
cities
of M
ontre
al, O
ttawa
, and
Que
bec,
and p
racti
cal
infor
matio
n for
their
miss
ion in
Can
ada.
(Log
istics
pack
age D
ocum
ent)
Gene
ral o
vervi
ew of
ICTs
and i
ts ap
plica
tion f
or D
evelo
pmen
t, Di
gital
Acce
ss an
d Univ
ersa
l Acc
ess i
nitiat
ives i
n The
9 Und
erst
andi
ng o
f eve
ry c
itize
n as
a c
lient
, an
d th
at th
e cl
ient
is th
e m
ain
reas
on fo
r pub
lic o
rgan
isat
ions
’ exi
sten
ce.
10 O
nly
four
wer
e pl
anne
d.
11U
nder
stan
ding
of e
very
citi
zen
as a
clie
nt,
and
that
the
clie
nt is
the
mai
n re
ason
for p
ublic
org
anis
atio
ns’ e
xist
ence
.
Proj
ect #
245
91
Cop
yrig
ht G
eom
ar In
tern
atio
nal
Page
22
Expe
cted
Res
ults
for L
ife o
f Pro
ject
Resu
lts P
lanne
d fo
r the
Pro
ject
(Indi
cato
rs)
Actu
al Re
sults
Ach
ieved
with
the P
rojec
t (In
dica
tors
) Pe
rcen
tage
of
Achi
evem
ent
(Indi
cato
rs)
Amer
icas,
and I
nform
ation
Sys
tems i
mpro
ved,
thank
s to a
Di
gital
Acce
ss an
d ICT
for D
evelo
pmen
t Wor
king S
essio
n12 in
Mo
ntrea
l. (M
eetin
g note
s and
pres
entat
ions).
Know
ledge
and u
nder
stand
ing of
the C
anad
ian ex
perie
nce i
n IC
Ts an
d pro
vision
of In
forma
tion s
ervic
es, tr
ansfe
rred.
(15 M
eetin
g note
s and
4 pr
esen
tation
s, dif
feren
tiatin
g the
m by
Fe
dera
l Gov
ernm
ent O
rgan
isatio
ns, R
egion
al Go
vern
ment
Orga
nisati
ons,
Priva
te Or
ganis
ation
s).
Plan
ned
Activ
ity #1
25
Diss
emina
tion o
f the T
echn
ical E
xcha
nge
resu
lts in
Cos
ta Ri
ca, a
t nati
onal
and
regio
nal le
vels.
Findin
gs an
d les
sons
lear
nt we
re
shar
ed am
ong d
iffere
nt Inf
oAgr
o sta
keho
lders.
Findin
gs an
d les
sons
lear
nt we
re sh
ared
amon
g diffe
rent
InfoA
gro s
takeh
older
s. Mo
re th
an 60
peop
le we
re di
rectl
y info
rmed
abou
t the
Cana
dian e
xper
ience
in th
e two
pilot
regio
ns.
15 S
EPSA
publi
c ser
vants
wer
e info
rmed
of th
e Can
adian
ex
perie
nce.
All m
embe
rs of
the C
onsu
ltativ
e Com
mitte
e of In
foAgr
o lea
rnt
abou
t the C
anad
ian E
xper
ience
and w
ere g
iven p
rese
ntatio
ns
and d
ocum
ents.
(P
ower
Point
pres
entat
ions i
n the
two r
egion
s and
to th
e who
le SE
PSA
staff i
n San
Jose
).
Plan
ned
Activ
ity #1
26
Perio
dical
Bulle
tin of
InfoA
gro.
A pe
riodic
al bu
lletin
being
prod
uced
an
d dist
ribute
d eith
er by
elec
tronic
for
mat (
month
ly) an
d har
d cop
y (q
uarte
rly).
Elec
tronic
Bull
etin d
esign
ed.
Edito
rial C
ommi
ttee e
stabli
shed
. El
ectro
nic bu
lletin
desig
ned.
Ha
rd co
py pr
e-de
signe
d. Ma
in se
ction
s and
stru
cture
estab
lishe
d. Re
giona
l bull
etin p
rinted
13.
Plan
ned
Outp
ut #1
30
Incre
ase i
n the
effic
iency
of se
rvice
s pr
ovide
d by t
he In
forma
tion C
entre
s (IC
) in
the pi
lot re
gions
.
Numb
er of
Infor
matio
n Cen
tres
oper
ating
in pr
oduc
ers’
orga
nisati
ons,
publi
c org
anisa
tions
and w
omen
’s or
ganis
ation
s in t
he tw
o pilo
t reg
ions.
Seve
n Info
rmati
on C
entre
s - F
our in
Bru
nca R
egion
(one
pr
ivate,
thre
e pub
lic) a
nd th
ree i
n Cen
tral W
ester
n Reg
ion
(one
acad
emic,
one p
rivate
and o
ne pu
blic).
Susta
inable
Man
agem
ent P
lan w
orks
hops
with
the I
nform
ation
12
With
the
occa
sion
of t
he T
echn
ical
Exc
hang
e.
13 W
ithin
the
fram
ewor
k of
the
proj
ect,
a pe
riodi
cal b
ulle
tin s
houl
d ha
ve b
eing
pro
duce
d an
d di
strib
uted
; how
ever
, oth
er m
eans
wer
e us
ed to
dis
sem
inat
e th
e pe
rtine
nt in
form
atio
n. T
he
bulle
tin w
as d
esig
ned
natio
nally
, bas
ed o
n th
e co
mm
unic
atio
n w
orks
hops
’ act
iviti
es, a
nd p
rinte
d lo
cally
. A n
atio
nal b
ulle
tin w
ill b
e pr
oduc
ed e
arly
200
7.
Proj
ect #
245
91
Cop
yrig
ht G
eom
ar In
tern
atio
nal
Page
23
Expe
cted
Res
ults
for L
ife o
f Pro
ject
Resu
lts P
lanne
d fo
r the
Pro
ject
(Indi
cato
rs)
Actu
al Re
sults
Ach
ieved
with
the P
rojec
t (In
dica
tors
) Pe
rcen
tage
of
Achi
evem
ent
(Indi
cato
rs)
Numb
er of
Infor
matio
n Cen
tres w
ith
"Ope
ratio
nal a
nd M
anag
emen
t" pla
ns
which
inclu
de a
strate
gy fo
r su
staina
bility
in th
e two
pilot
regio
ns.
Centr
es w
ere h
eld in
the t
wo pi
lot re
gions
.
Susta
inable
Man
agem
ent P
lans f
ormu
lated
for e
ach
Infor
matio
n Cen
tre.
Plan
ned
Activ
ity #1
31
Reinf
orce
ment
of the
insti
tution
al ca
pacit
y in
publi
c-priv
ate or
ganis
ation
s in t
he tw
o re
gions
by ap
plying
a ca
pacit
y ind
ex in
orde
r to
estab
lish d
iffere
nt ra
nges
of th
eir
institu
tiona
l cap
acity
, and
the i
deal
tools
for
its re
infor
ceme
nt an
d pro
motio
n for
gu
aran
teeing
an ad
equa
te an
d auto
nomo
us
mana
geme
nt for
the I
nform
ation
Cen
tres.
Institu
tiona
l Cap
acity
Bas
e Line
.
Institu
tiona
l Cap
acity
of or
ganis
ation
s-to-
be-IC
estab
lishe
d by d
iffere
nt ra
nges
.
Institu
tiona
l Cap
acity
Inde
x for
mulat
ed.
Base
s for
an in
stitut
ional
reinf
orce
ment
strate
gy fo
rmula
ted.
Index
calcu
lation
mec
hanis
m an
d ind
icator
s cre
ated.
Institu
tiona
l Cap
acity
Inde
x app
lied i
n Info
rmati
on C
entre
s Ex
cel fi
le co
mplet
ed
Plan
ned
Activ
ity #
132
Identi
ficati
on an
d eva
luatio
n of w
omen
’s or
ganis
ation
s and
insti
tution
s to b
ecom
e an
Infor
matio
n Cen
tre (I
C).
Impr
ovem
ent o
f wom
en’s
partic
ipatio
n in
the m
anag
emen
t and
oper
ation
of
Infor
matio
n Cen
tres.
Metho
dolog
ical to
ols fo
r har
ness
ing
wome
n’s pa
rticipa
tion i
n the
syste
m.
(Doc
umen
t).
Wom
en’s
partic
ipatio
n in I
nfoAg
ro’s
activ
ities i
mpro
ved b
y mo
re th
an 80
%.
Gend
er In
dicato
rs for
the R
egion
al Co
mmun
icatio
n as
sess
ments
form
ulated
.
“Tim
e lin
e re
-con
struc
tion”
tool
desig
ned a
nd te
sted w
ith
wome
n org
anisa
tions
.
59 w
omen
inter
viewe
d. 18
prod
ucer
s’ or
ganis
ation
s, 6 w
omen
orga
nisati
ons,
and 1
4 pu
blic o
rgan
isatio
ns as
sess
ed.
Wom
en’s
orga
nisati
ons a
sses
smen
t pro
duce
d. As
sess
ment
of wo
men’s
roles
in m
ixed o
rgan
isatio
ns pr
oduc
ed.
(Doc
Wor
d and
in P
ower
Point
)
Plan
ned
Activ
ity #
133
Two w
orkin
g ses
sions
for a
sses
sing t
he
institu
tiona
l cap
acity
of or
ganis
ation
s with
the
InfoA
gro R
egion
al Co
ordin
ators
(ERI
) Te
am.
Institu
tiona
l cap
acity
of or
ganis
ation
s as
sess
ed at
the r
egion
al lev
el.
Wor
ksho
p with
the I
nfoAg
ro R
egion
al Co
ordin
ators
(ERI
) Te
am w
as he
ld in
June
06
Plan
ned
Activ
ity #
134
Oper
ation
al an
d Sus
taina
ble M
anag
emen
t Op
erati
onal
and S
ustai
nable
Ma
nage
ment
Plan
s agr
eed u
pon i
n Su
staina
ble M
anag
emen
t Plan
s for
mulat
ed by
each
Inf
orma
tion C
entre
.
Proj
ect #
245
91
Cop
yrig
ht G
eom
ar In
tern
atio
nal
Page
24
Expe
cted
Res
ults
for L
ife o
f Pro
ject
Resu
lts P
lanne
d fo
r the
Pro
ject
(Indi
cato
rs)
Actu
al Re
sults
Ach
ieved
with
the P
rojec
t (In
dica
tors
) Pe
rcen
tage
of
Achi
evem
ent
(Indi
cato
rs)
Plan
s for
Infor
matio
n Cen
tres h
osted
by
orga
nisati
ons (
publi
c and
priva
te –in
cludin
g wo
men’s
orga
nisati
ons)
orga
nisati
ons.
(Doc
umen
ts).
Plan
ned
Activ
ity 13
5 Tw
o reg
ional
works
hops
on “O
pera
tiona
l and
Su
staina
ble M
anag
emen
t Plan
s” of
IC in
pu
blic-p
rivate
orga
nisati
ons (
includ
ing
wome
n’s gr
oups
).
Basis
for O
pera
tiona
l and
Sus
taina
ble
Mana
geme
nt Pl
ans f
or an
orga
nisati
on
hosti
ng an
Infor
matio
n Cen
tre.
(Doc
umen
ts)
Two r
egion
al wo
rksho
ps on
Sus
taina
ble M
anag
emen
t Plan
s we
re ca
rried
out w
ith In
forma
tion C
entre
s.
Susta
inable
Man
agem
ent P
lans f
ormu
lated
by ea
ch
Infor
matio
n Cen
tre, in
cludin
g Ann
ual W
ork P
lan.
Plan
ned
Activ
ity 13
6 Tw
o wor
king s
essio
ns fo
r sup
portin
g the
int
erna
l man
agem
ent o
f Infor
matio
n Cen
tres
in pu
blic a
nd pr
ivate
orga
nisati
ons (
includ
ing
wome
n’s or
ganis
ation
s).
Oper
ation
al an
d Sus
taina
ble
Mana
geme
nt Pl
ans a
gree
d upo
n in
ever
y priv
ate or
ganis
ation
hosti
ng an
Inf
orma
tion C
entre
–and
in se
lected
pu
blic o
rgan
isatio
ns ho
sting
Inf
orma
tion C
entre
s. (D
ocum
ents)
Two r
egion
al wo
rksho
ps on
Sus
taina
ble M
anag
emen
t Plan
s we
re ca
rried
out w
ith In
forma
tion C
entre
s, inc
luded
a wo
rking
se
ssion
with
Infor
matio
n Cen
tres,
in ea
ch re
gion,
on
orga
nisati
onal
capa
city,
orga
nisati
onal
motiv
ation
and
orga
nisati
onal
perfo
rman
ce of
each
Infor
matio
n Cen
tre.
Unex
pect
ed O
utpu
t 130
A:
Infor
matio
n Map
ping &
Infor
matio
n Ma
nage
ment
and M
onito
ring T
ool.
Infor
matio
n for
comp
etitiv
enes
s be
nchm
arkin
g:
Analy
sis of
the I
nform
ation
Map
ping a
nd th
e su
pply
chain
of fr
uits a
nd ve
getab
les in
dif
feren
t sys
tems.
An In
forma
tion M
appin
g and
an
Infor
matio
n Man
agem
ent a
nd
Monit
oring
tool
for In
foAgr
o –inc
luding
the
Infor
matio
n Cen
tres.
An In
forma
tion M
appin
g dev
elope
d. (T
wo do
cume
nts –F
rame
work
and P
racti
cal A
ppro
ach-
; two
mode
ls; on
e Info
rmati
on M
onito
ring T
ool)
Activ
ity 13
7 fro
m 13
0 A
Analy
sis of
Key
Agr
icultu
re In
forma
tion
sour
ces a
nd sy
stems
. (Fo
cuss
ing on
fres
h fru
its an
d veg
etable
s)
Infor
matio
n Map
ping f
rame
work,
Pr
actic
al Ap
proa
ch, a
nd m
odels
. (D
ocum
ents)
Infor
matio
n Map
ping F
rame
work
deve
loped
. Inf
orma
tion M
appin
g App
roac
h dev
elope
d.
Two “
Infor
matio
n for
comp
etitiv
enes
s” mo
dels,
form
ulated
, pr
esen
ted an
d sha
red w
ith C
osta
Rica
n par
tners.
Activ
ity 13
8 fro
m 13
0 A
Desig
n of a
n Info
rmati
on M
anag
emen
t Too
l un
der t
he ba
sis of
the I
nform
ation
Map
ping.
Infor
matio
n Man
agem
ent a
nd
Monit
oring
Too
l (Spr
eads
heet)
Ba
ses f
or an
Infor
matio
n Man
agem
ent a
nd M
onito
ring T
ool
deve
loped
. Ma
pping
tool
deve
loped
.
Plan
ned
Outp
ut #1
40
InfoA
gro h
as di
versi
fied c
hann
els an
d co
mmun
icatio
n med
ia co
nform
ing to
its m
ain
InfoA
gro’s
conte
nts ar
e diss
emina
ted
throu
gh al
terna
tive,
local
comm
unica
tion m
edia
that a
re ad
apted
Comm
unica
tion c
hann
els im
prov
ed an
d dive
rsifie
d. Ag
ricult
ure
infor
matio
n diss
emina
ted by
the I
nform
ation
Cen
tres a
nd lo
cal
radio
, prin
ted m
edia
and o
ther m
edia.
In ad
dition
, new
Proj
ect #
245
91
Cop
yrig
ht G
eom
ar In
tern
atio
nal
Page
25
Expe
cted
Res
ults
for L
ife o
f Pro
ject
Resu
lts P
lanne
d fo
r the
Pro
ject
(Indi
cato
rs)
Actu
al Re
sults
Ach
ieved
with
the P
rojec
t (In
dica
tors
) Pe
rcen
tage
of
Achi
evem
ent
(Indi
cato
rs)
user
s (sm
all an
d med
ium si
zed p
rodu
cers)
. to
the S
ystem
by ea
ch In
forma
tion
Centr
e in t
he tw
o pilo
t reg
ions.
Incre
ase i
n the
acce
ss an
d use
of
InfoA
gro i
n the
rura
l sec
tor in
the t
wo
regio
ns th
roug
h mea
ns of
co
mmun
icatio
n alre
ady d
evelo
ped.
Peop
le tra
ined i
n bas
ic co
mmun
icatio
n pr
oduc
tion.
(Num
ber o
f wor
ksho
ps an
d peo
ple
traine
d)
Comm
unica
tion P
rogr
ams a
re
deve
loped
by th
e Info
rmati
on C
entre
s. (N
umbe
r and
pertin
ence
of th
ose
prog
ramm
es)
pres
entat
ion fo
rmat
of the
infor
matio
n in t
he In
foAgr
o web
site.
Priva
te an
d Pub
lic or
ganis
ation
s sele
cted a
d Info
rmati
on
Centr
es, w
ith th
e acti
ve pa
rticipa
tion o
f sma
ll and
med
ium
prod
ucer
s.
13 co
mmun
icatio
n pro
ducti
on w
orks
hops
, divi
ded i
n two
ph
ases
, wer
e car
ried o
ut wi
th se
ven I
nform
ation
Cen
tres.
More
than
50 pe
ople
were
train
ed in
basic
comm
unica
tion.
4 rad
io Pr
ogra
mmes
and s
ever
al pr
inted
mate
rials
were
de
velop
ed by
the I
nform
ation
Cen
tres.
One v
ideo i
n pr
oduc
tion w
ith th
e par
ticipa
tion o
f CEN
COOD
.
Activ
ity 14
1 Tw
o Reg
ional
Comm
unica
tion A
sses
smen
ts an
d Pan
oram
as.
Comm
unica
tion A
sses
smen
ts.
(Doc
umen
ts: S
urve
y for
mats,
data
and
infor
matio
n, an
d “Co
mmun
icatio
n Ca
pabil
ity A
sses
smen
t”).
Comm
unica
tion P
anor
amas
of B
runc
a an
d Cen
tral O
ccide
ntal re
gions
. (D
ocum
ents
and P
rese
ntatio
ns).
Regio
nal C
ommu
nicati
on A
sses
smen
t car
ried o
ut in
each
pilot
re
gion.
A
Comm
unica
tion P
anor
ama d
evelo
ped i
n eac
h pilo
t reg
ion.
(Doc
umen
ts an
d Pre
senta
tion,
Aide
-mem
oir w
orks
hops
.)
Plan
ned
Activ
ity 14
2 Tw
o Reg
ional
Wor
ksho
ps fo
r Rais
ing
awar
enes
s on C
ommu
nicati
ons,
ICTs
for
deve
lopme
nt, an
d digi
tal di
vide.
(With
the
occa
sion o
f the f
irst tw
o reg
ional
works
hops
).
Key c
once
pts sh
ared
; ICTs
, the d
igital
div
ide, th
e gen
der d
ivide
. Ke
y con
cepts
shar
ed; IC
Ts, th
e digi
tal di
vide,
the ge
nder
div
ide.
(Pow
er P
oint P
rese
ntatio
ns, E
valua
tion F
orms
)
Plan
ned
Activ
ity #
143
Two R
egion
al wo
rking
sess
ions f
or th
e for
mulat
ion of
Com
munic
ation
Stra
tegies
in
each
pilot
regio
n.
One c
ommu
nicati
on st
rateg
y in
Brun
ca.
One c
ommu
nicati
on st
rateg
y in C
entra
l Oc
ciden
tal.
A co
mmun
icatio
n stra
tegy t
ailor
ed fo
r ev
ery p
artic
ipatin
g org
anisa
tion h
ostin
g an
Infor
matio
n Cen
tre.
Alter
nativ
e med
ia ide
ntifie
d at r
egion
al lev
el.
Comm
unica
tion S
trateg
ies de
signe
d.
Comm
unica
tion s
trateg
ies de
velop
ed in
each
pilot
regio
n.
Metho
dolog
ical d
esign
for t
he fo
rmula
tion o
f com
munic
ation
str
ategie
s dev
elope
d. (D
ocum
ent M
ethod
ologic
al sh
eet c
15.)
Proj
ect #
245
91
Cop
yrig
ht G
eom
ar In
tern
atio
nal
Page
26
Expe
cted
Res
ults
for L
ife o
f Pro
ject
Resu
lts P
lanne
d fo
r the
Pro
ject
(Indi
cato
rs)
Actu
al Re
sults
Ach
ieved
with
the P
rojec
t (In
dica
tors
) Pe
rcen
tage
of
Achi
evem
ent
(Indi
cato
rs)
Profi
le of
“Info
rmat
ion F
acilit
ator
” –Inf
oMed
iario.
(D
ocum
ent)
Infor
matio
n and
Kno
wled
ge M
anag
emen
t (Pr
esen
tation
) Pl
anne
d Ac
tivity
# 14
4 Pe
dago
gical
traini
ng m
ateria
ls an
d mod
ules:
“The
Info
Agro
Com
mun
icatio
ns T
ool K
it” W
ith th
e pur
pose
of in
trodu
cing
comm
unica
tions
and a
ppro
priat
e med
ia for
ag
ricult
ural
comm
unica
tion,
and p
rovid
ing
tools
to lea
rn th
e bas
ic sk
ills ne
cess
ary f
or
using
and p
rodu
cing w
ith co
mmun
icatio
ns
media
addr
esse
d in t
he T
ool K
it (IC
Ts,
Comm
unity
Med
ia, P
rint a
nd R
adio)
in or
der
to im
prov
e the
conte
nt an
d dist
ributi
on of
Inf
oAgr
o.
Six t
raini
ng m
odule
s:
ICTs
for D
evelo
pmen
t
Writi
ng fo
r Med
ia
Comm
unity
Med
ia &
Popu
lar
Comm
unica
tion
Pr
int C
ommu
nicati
on
Ra
dio F
orma
ts
Audio
Pro
ducti
on
Modu
les’ c
onten
t agr
eed.
Modu
les de
velop
ed an
d prin
ted.
Six d
ocum
ents,
each
inclu
ding:
Ha
ndou
t (co
re co
ntent)
Reso
urce
s (on
how
to ge
t mor
e info
rmati
on on
the
subje
ct on
the U
nit)
Ex
ample
s (on
the s
ubjec
t of th
e Unit
) Exe
rcise
s (re
lated
to
infor
matio
n pote
ntiall
y con
taine
d on I
nfoAg
ro)
Un
it Ove
rview
(intro
ducti
on, d
urati
on, c
onten
t outl
ine an
d ma
in top
ics co
vere
d, tar
get a
udien
ce, p
rere
quisi
te sk
ills/kn
owled
ge, u
nit ob
jectiv
es/ex
pecte
d outc
omes
, no
tes on
exer
cises
, res
ource
s inc
luded
with
Unit
, eq
uipme
nt ne
eded
, com
ments
)
Activ
ity 14
5 Tr
aining
& P
rodu
ction
Wor
ksho
ps in
tende
d to
make
Infoa
gro’s
conte
nt ap
prop
riate
to a
diver
se ru
ral a
udien
ce, o
ffer a
cces
s to
Infoa
gro’s
conte
nt to
broa
der a
udien
ces,
includ
ing th
ose w
ithou
t acc
ess t
o Inte
rnet,
an
d mak
e Info
agro
a tw
o-wa
y co
mmun
icatio
n sys
tem.
Two t
raini
ng w
orks
hops
for E
RI an
d CI o
n the
diffe
rent
comm
unica
tion m
edia
such
as
radio
& ot
her a
ltern
ative
med
ia (tr
aining
for
the tr
ainee
s)
Infoa
gro’s
conte
nts co
mmun
icated
thr
ough
alter
nativ
e med
ia.
Abilit
ies to
comm
unica
te tra
nsfer
red t
o Inf
orma
tion C
entre
s. Tw
o pro
gram
mes,
prod
ucts,
in ea
ch
Infor
matio
n Cen
tre.
Two p
eople
in ea
ch In
forma
tion C
entre
tra
ined i
n alte
rnati
ve m
edia
prod
uctio
n.
Comm
unica
tion w
orks
hops
carri
ed ou
t with
eigh
t Infor
matio
n Ce
ntres
in th
e firs
t pha
se an
d sev
en in
the s
econ
d pha
se.
First
phas
e (Ma
r-Apr
il) of
a Com
munic
ation
Tra
ining
stra
tegy
with
eight
Infor
matio
n Cen
ters w
ere c
arrie
d out
in pil
ot re
gions
. (IC
Ts fo
r Dev
elopm
ent; W
riting
for M
edia;
Com
munit
y Med
ia &
Popu
lar C
ommu
nicati
on)
Seco
nd ph
ase (
April-
May)
of a C
ommu
nicati
on T
raini
ng
strate
gy w
ith se
ven I
nform
ation
Cen
ters w
ere c
arrie
d out
in pil
ot re
gions
.( Ra
dio F
orma
ts; A
udio
Prod
uctio
n)
Proj
ect #
245
91
Cop
yrig
ht G
eom
ar In
tern
atio
nal
Page
27
Expe
cted
Res
ults
for L
ife o
f Pro
ject
Resu
lts P
lanne
d fo
r the
Pro
ject
(Indi
cato
rs)
Actu
al Re
sults
Ach
ieved
with
the P
rojec
t (In
dica
tors
) Pe
rcen
tage
of
Achi
evem
ent
(Indi
cato
rs)
Plan
ned
Outp
ut #1
50
InfoA
gro h
as st
anda
rds a
nd ha
ndbo
oks f
or
the op
erati
on of
the s
ystem
.
One G
ener
al Op
erati
onal
Hand
book
ag
reed
upon
.
One R
egion
al Op
erati
onal
Hand
book
ag
reed
upon
in ea
ch pi
lot re
gion (
two
in tot
al).
Numb
er of
stak
ehold
ers u
sing t
he
Hand
book
s with
in Inf
oAgr
o’s st
ructu
re.
One G
ener
al Op
erati
onal
Hand
book
deve
loped
and a
gree
d up
on fo
r nati
onal
and r
egion
al sy
stem
oper
ation
and s
even
loc
al cu
stomi
zed O
pera
tiona
l Han
dboo
ks14
.
Monit
oring
and E
valua
tion S
ystem
built-
in Ge
nera
l Ope
ratio
nal
Hand
book
.
Evalu
ation
, rep
ort, d
ocum
entat
ion st
anda
rds a
nd fo
rmats
wer
e es
tablis
hed.
Mana
geria
l and
oper
ation
al me
chan
ism an
d stan
dard
s wer
e es
tablis
hed.
Metho
dolog
ical s
heets
hand
book
finali
zed.
More
than
twen
ty sta
keho
lders15
using
the h
andb
ooks
.
Plan
ned
Activ
ity #
151
Wor
king s
essio
ns fo
r the
prep
arati
on of
the
Hand
book
s. (D
iffere
nt wo
rking
sess
ions w
ith In
foAgr
o’s
core
staff
and E
RI in
tende
d to s
tanda
rdise
Inf
oAgr
o’s m
anag
erial
and o
pera
tiona
l me
chan
isms)
InfoA
gro h
as st
anda
rds f
or
admi
nistra
tive,
mana
geria
l, and
tec
hnica
l acti
vities
. Inf
oAgr
o has
cohe
rent
oper
ation
al an
d ad
minis
trativ
e for
mats.
Evalu
ation
, rep
ort, d
ocum
entat
ion st
anda
rds a
nd fo
rmats
wer
e es
tablis
hed.
Profi
le of
Infor
matio
n Cen
tre an
d TOR
of F
acilit
ator w
ere
deve
loped
.
Wor
king s
essio
n with
InfoA
gro’s
core
staff
and E
RI to
disc
uss
mana
geria
l and
oper
ation
al me
chan
isms a
nd st
anda
rds w
ere
carri
ed ou
t.
Activ
ity 15
2 W
orkin
s ses
sions
: Di
scus
sion a
nd A
gree
ment
on th
e rule
s of
the ga
me of
InfoA
gro,
at na
tiona
l and
re
giona
l leve
ls.
Gene
ral O
pera
tiona
l Han
dboo
k. W
orkin
g Ses
sions
with
SEP
SA an
d ERI
s wer
e car
ried o
ut.
14 E
ach
Info
rmat
ion
Cen
tre d
evel
oped
its
own
Han
dboo
k, w
hich
is th
e S
usta
inab
le M
anag
emen
t Pla
n. E
ach
Info
rmat
ion
Cen
tre h
as th
e G
ener
al O
pera
tiona
l Han
dboo
k an
d its
ow
n S
usta
inab
le M
anag
emen
t Pla
n.
15 S
ecto
ral D
irect
ive
Com
mitt
ee, S
teer
ing
Com
mitt
ee, I
nfoA
gro
Exe
cutiv
e Te
chni
cal U
nit (
UTE
), th
e M
inis
try o
f Agr
icul
ture
, the
Exe
cutiv
e S
ecre
taria
t for
Agr
icul
ture
Sec
tor
Pla
nnin
g
(SE
PS
A),
the
Dire
ctiv
e C
omm
ittee
, the
Con
sulta
tive
Com
mitt
ee, t
he R
egio
nal A
gric
ultu
ral S
ecto
r Com
mitt
ees,
Reg
iona
l Inf
oAgr
o Te
ams,
7 In
form
atio
n C
entre
s, o
ther
regi
ons,
AS
As
,
PFP
AS
, CN
P.
Proj
ect #
245
91
Cop
yrig
ht G
eom
ar In
tern
atio
nal
Page
28
Expe
cted
Res
ults
for L
ife o
f Pro
ject
Resu
lts P
lanne
d fo
r the
Pro
ject
(Indi
cato
rs)
Actu
al Re
sults
Ach
ieved
with
the P
rojec
t (In
dica
tors
) Pe
rcen
tage
of
Achi
evem
ent
(Indi
cato
rs)
Activ
ity 15
3 A:
Pres
entat
ions,
discu
ssion
and a
gree
ment
on
the ru
les of
the g
ame f
or th
e Info
Agro
Pr
ogra
mme.
(Adm
inistr
ative
, Ope
ratio
nal,
Finan
cial, M
echa
nisms
and P
roce
dure
s; se
tting u
p a G
over
nanc
e Stru
cture
, Ins
titutio
nal F
rame
work,
links
, rela
tions
and
coor
dinati
on w
ith ot
her s
ystem
s and
se
ctors.
)
Gene
ral O
pera
tiona
l Han
dboo
ks
agre
ed up
on.
Comp
letion
of Le
sson
s Lea
rned
thr
ough
out th
e exe
cutio
n of th
e Pr
oject.
Co
mplet
ion of
Stra
tegies
for t
he
Susta
inabil
ity of
the I
nfoAg
ro S
ystem
. Pr
opos
al to
incre
ase I
nfoAg
ro’s
oper
ation
al co
vera
ge.
One G
ener
al Op
erati
onal
Hand
book
deve
loped
for n
ation
al an
d reg
ional
syste
m op
erati
on an
d sev
en lo
cal c
ustom
ized
Oper
ation
al Ha
ndbo
oks.
Thes
es w
ere p
rese
nted,
discu
ssed
an
d agr
eed t
hrou
gh:
Te
lepho
ne co
nfere
nces
and e
s.
Two w
orkin
g ses
sions
in S
an Jo
sé, C
osta
Rica
with
SE
PSA
repr
esen
tative
s, ER
Is an
d othe
r stak
ehold
ers.
Activ
ity 15
3 W
orkin
g Ses
sions
: Pr
esen
tation
s, dis
cuss
ion an
d agr
eeme
nt on
the
rules
of th
e gam
e for
the I
nfoAg
ro
Prog
ramm
e. (A
dmini
strati
ve, O
pera
tiona
l, Fin
ancia
l, Mec
hanis
ms an
d Pro
cedu
res;
settin
g up a
Gov
erna
nce S
tructu
re,
Institu
tiona
l Fra
mewo
rk, lin
ks, r
elatio
ns an
d co
ordin
ation
with
othe
r sys
tems a
nd
secto
rs.)
Regio
nal a
nd N
ation
al ha
ndbo
oks
agre
ed up
on.
Comp
letion
of Le
sson
s Lea
rned
thr
ough
out th
e exe
cutio
n of th
e Pr
oject.
Co
mplet
ion of
Stra
tegies
for t
he
Susta
inabil
ity of
the I
nfoAg
ro S
ystem
. Pr
opos
al to
incre
ase I
nfoAg
ro’s
oper
ation
al co
vera
ge.
Wor
ksho
p will
carry
out a
t the c
losing
of th
e Pro
ject in
late
July
0616
.
16 T
his
clos
ing
wor
ksho
p w
as c
ance
lled
by M
AG
due
to th
e re
stru
ctur
ing
proc
ess
that
the
Min
istry
of A
gric
ultu
re a
nd b
y so
the
Sec
tor i
s cu
rren
tly e
xper
ienc
ing.
Project # 24591 Copyright Geomar International Page 29
2.4 CIDA cross-cutting themes: Gender Equality As it has been said in previous reports, all of the Project’s components and activities were transversally crossed by implementing a gender equality approach, from which it is worth mentionning the following aspects:
Support to SEPSA focussed on Gender issues. As an integral part of the project, Geomar provided direct support to SEPSA in Gender
issues through the ONG Voces Nuestras. With a total level of effort of more than 70 days, three consultants in Gender and Communication worked side by side with the SEPSA and InfoAgro team in fostering the Gender agenda of the System.
Gender awareness and women promotion. The Project devoted a great deal of human and financial resources as well as time in
order to raise awareness on the role of women in generating, gathering, processing and disseminating information in the agriculture sector. Accordingly, the Project promoted the use of diverse communication means by women in each region and effectively promoted personal training to the members of women’s organizations in the access and use of ICTs.
In order to guarantee adequate levels of women participation in all project activities, a “gender quotas” approach was adopted, creating a women friendly environment in InfoAgro.
Through direct promotion of women and women’s participation, the Project was able to secure leading positions for women in the Information Centers at the regional level. It is worth noting that such leading positions for women were already secured at the national level. Hence, InfoAgro has a gender balanced structure presently.
An inclusive gender friendly language was promoted by the Project and was adopted in the Strategic Plan, The InfoAgro Communications Tool Kit, the national and regional levels of InfoAgro, and the Information Centres through an extensive training delivered by the Project team.
Gender assessment and Gender sensitive tools. The project undertook an assessment of participating women organisations and
implemented a special gender methodology with those organisations conducting semi-structured interviews in an effort to understand women’s needs in terms of information and therefore to propose tools and mechanisms intended to solve those needs.
The Institutional Capacity Index (ICI) created and implemented by the project is “gender sensitive”: it gives specific attention to gender issues such as i) quantity and quality of women participation in the organisation that will become an Information Centre; ii) existence of gender differentiated mechanisms; iii) existence of women information needs assessments; iv) existence of gender oriented projects and activities; etc. The results of the ICI will help the InfoAgro team to develop comprehensive gender training for the organisations that will become Information Centres and for other organisations.
Women Equality policy. A women equality policy was agreed upon and included in the InfoAgro General
Handbook. It clearly states the importance of women participation at every level of the System and establishes specific “quotas” of women in the different bodies of
Project # 24591 Copyright Geomar International Page 30
governance, such as the Directive Committee, the Coordination Committee, the Management Committee, the Executive Technical Unit and the Information Centres.
Methodological Model for Women and ICTs. A methodological model for working with women in ICT related projects and activities,
including some gender sensitive tools, was developed during the project implementation and is available for the national operation phase of InfoAgro.
Project # 24591 Copyright Geomar International Page 31
3. Development and Management Factors 3.1 Political considerations and project relevance The main political considerations are related to the unusually long transitional period of the new Administration, which took office in the first half of this year (2006). This fact generated undesirable uncertainty in the entire agriculture public sector and was responsible for the delay of some of the closing activities of the project. It is important to note that this was identified as a risk during the project design and, therefore the project implemented the mitigation measures that were foreseen; the most important being the adoption of a strategic plan for five years and the promotion of private involvement in the system. Those measures proved to be right. The project is highly relevant to the Costa Rican agriculture sector and to the Central American region. Nowadays, information is considered as a key factor in attaining good levels of competitiveness in the agriculture sector. With InfoAgro, strengthened by this project and by the IADB funded project, Costa Rica is at the “avant-garde” of the agricultural information for competitiveness in Central America.
An Information Centre hosted by an ASA in the Brunca Region.
The current policy at the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Economics (being united at the Ministry of Production) relies heavily on “information access and use” for increasing market access and dominance, and for securing emerging markets. For SEPSA, our partner in Costa Rica, the project was particularly appropriate and it came at a perfect time. The InfoAgro project allows them to be ready for the implementation of the IADB funded Sustainable Production Project (PFPAS) well ahead of other offices at the same Ministry. Additionally, the project provides SEPSA with a sensible framework for using ICTs in the rural sector, in a time when the new Administration was asking precisely for this kind of frameworks. 3.2 Project Sustainability As it was said before17, sustainability is a complex concept, which includes social, institutional, economical, human, and cultural aspects. At the end of the Project, it is feasible to state that we
17 Semi-Annual report.
Project # 24591 Copyright Geomar International Page 32
did all we could do in order to secure project sustainability, and project benefits are clearly going to outlast the CIDA funded project itself thanks to different factors such as the following:
The participation of private organisations in every level of InfoAgro. For the Project it was clear that the best way to secure sustainable conditions for
InfoAgro was by working in close partnership with producers’ organisations and other private organisations in the operation and management of the system. In order to do so, the establishment of alliances with the private sector (associations, cooperatives, universities, others) was instrumental.
The participation of producers and other organisations in the direction, management and operation of the system was stated in the Handbook and has been a reality in the pilot regions.
The existence of Information Centres hosted by producers’ organisations. The existence of three Information Centres working in private organisations in Brunca
and Central Occidental is producing an interesting demonstrative effect in other private organisations and also in public entities.
The existence of sustainable management plans at the Information Centre level and the ongoing partnership between private organisations and public Agriculture Services Agencies (ASA) promoted by the project, allow us to be optimistic in terms of sustainability at the local level.
The planning process and the investment plan. The adoption of a strategic plan for the next five years was a great step toward
institutional and economical sustainability for InfoAgro. For the first time in its history, the system established a vision, a mission and a road map.
Additionally, InfoAgro now counts with a logical framework, a monitoring and evaluation system and could be easily converted in an official Programme with a specific budget from national financial sources.
The improvement of institutional capacities of the public sector. Thanks to the project a change of attitude of the public servants toward private
participation was produced: now they are more open to collaborate with the producers and women’s organizations in a meaningful and productive way. Hence, the system has started to satisfy regional needs by recognizing and understanding their differences
SEPSA and the MAG are in better condition for undertaking InfoAgro related tasks; there are now 4 full time public servants working both at the national and regional level in improving the InfoAgro system. They are better organized in terms of disseminating information and providing services to the producers.
As it was said in previous reports, SEPSA is now better able to manage the International Trade Agreements that have been signed between Costa Rica and Canada, and between Costa Rica the US and the Caribbean. A real indicator has been the steps that SEPSA has taken to establish and manage International Trade Agreement Committees within the Ministry. This will assist in improving business and export opportunities for the Costa Rican private sector, particularly small and medium-sized agricultural producers.
SEPSA is self sufficient in constantly updating, improving and managing the system and does not rely solely on Geomar’s expertise.
Project # 24591 Copyright Geomar International Page 33
The PFPAS project The very existence of the Sustainable Production Programme PFPAS project, co-funded
by the IADB, is an important boost to InfoAgro’s sustainability. The readiness of InfoAgro for the implementation of the IADB funded project which
secures significant funding for the system, including the Information Centres. The Infoagro’s replicable model, including handbooks, Institutional Capacity Index, communication tool kit and other materials, have been presented to the IADB and the Executing Agency of that Programme and are going to be used for the InfoAgro national operation.
3.3 Synergy with other projects The Project established an appropriate synergy with other projects. A network of different initiatives related to ICT and agriculture was created. The most important projects related to InfoAgro were the PFPAS, the INTA-FAO Project, and the SEPSA-FAO project.
Sustainable Agriculture Production Programme-PFPAS.
The Communication component of the PFPAS is going to be entirely devoted to InfoAgro. The coordination between InfoAgro and this project was done through direct working sessions and the participation of the InfoAgro national coordinator as the task leader of the Project sub-component of Information and Training; and through the Consultative Committee.
The INTA-FAO Project.
The InfoAgro’s Technological Subsystem was created thanks to this project. The coordination was done mostly through the Consultative Committee and at the managerial level of both projects. The head of the INTA-FAO project actively participated in the InfoAgro planning process.
The SEPSA-FAO Project.
Part of the Trade and Commerce and Competitive Subsystems of InfoAgro was developed through this Project.
3.4 Management Factors The project management was appropriated and facilitated the assumption of shared responsibilities between Geomar and SEPSA. The mechanism of having SEPSA as a focal point of this project in Costa Rica and coordinating everything with them, proved to be highly positive. Nevertheless sometimes it delayed some of the project activities,. With SEPSA, it was possible to establish a fruitful relationship, which we expect to be longer than the project itself.
Project # 24591 Copyright Geomar International Page 34
Special mention should be given to the role of CIDA, which notably helped the project implementation thanks to its flexibility, its in-time funding, and its participation in different project activities. Thanks to a mature environment created by the project, the departure of CIDA from Costa Rica in July 2006 did not affect the InfoAgro project. As it was stated in previous reports, the design of this project is flexible enough to allow the adaptation of project activities and outputs to the changing local situation without compromising the output of impacts thus supporting accomplishments. Margie Hernández (MAG-Brunca), Chantal Labelle (CIDA), Jennifer Noriega
(Geomar), Alvaro Quesada (SEPSA), Seidy Salas (Geomar Team – VN) and Willow Minaker (CIDA)
The MAG usually lacks the same level of flexibility, therefore goes though a more intricate mechanism of project design, implementation and budgeting. In this regard is possible to say that flexibility and soundness of project design greatly complemented local partners (SEPSA, MAG) and helps them overcome outdated and exhaustive institutional and budgetary restrictions. As it was said in other report, one of the main lesson extracted from the implementation of the Project is that the relationship between costs and results is reasonable when the results last longer than the project. The results of this project clearly outlive the project and the improvement of the ability of producer’s organizations to gather, process, disseminate and use key information for their agricultural activities are very well balanced with the costs of implementing the project. It is also necessary to highlight the importance of clearly identify responsibilities and fields of action between the Implementing Agency, the Recipient Organization, and other participating organizations: the clearer the identification, the higher the level for self-responsibility and the better the disposition for accountability. For future projects, it would be advisable to strongly insist on this particular point - to clarify roles, responsibilities and fields of action. In this Project, especially in the second half of the year, such clarification was instrumental in accomplishing satisfactory levels of responsibility and accountability. This project is worth replicating in other countries in the region. SEPSA and Geomar have begun discussions in this sense and an opportunity was foreseen in Nicaragua. Further development in this direction should be done.
Project # 24591 Copyright Geomar International Page 35
4. Intellectual Property Different materials and tools were created through the implementation of this project and Geomar holds their copyright. SEPSA and the MAG are allowed to use those materials and reproduce them, always giving credit to Geomar and mentioning that they were produced through a CIDA funded project. The main materials and tools are:
The Communication Handbook (The Communications Tool Kit)
The Institutional Capacity Index ICI (The Handbook and the Excel Tool)
The Methodological Model (Methodological Sheets)
The Information Systems Overview
The Information Systems analysis (CRAAQ, AAFC)
The Methodological Model for women working with ICTs
The Information Mapping
The General Handbook The copyright of the analysis of the Huaral System belongs to Doctor Peter Sterns (who was an external consultant for this project).
Project # 24591 Copyright Geomar International Page 36
5. Financial and Administrative aspects This chapter contains the financial and administrative information of the Project and is complemented by the Annex Financial Report, which contains the following tables: 1. Total Actual Expenses 2. Original approved budget 3. Last revised budget (of July, 2006) 4. Final budget, including all partners contributions 5. Budget Comparison (comparing the original, the last revised and the final budgets) 6. Breakdown of counterpart of all project partners (in different sheets) 7. Breakdown of actual costs (by quarters, in different sheets) All the financial information of this report is supported by documents kept in our files in accordance with the contribution agreement. The formal information related to the contribution of SEPSA, MAG, and other public entities as well as private organizations in Costa Rica, has been provided to Geomar by SEPSA, as lead local partner. 5.1 Original budget forecast and actual disbursements The original budget forecast and the actual disbursements present some variations that are worth discussing. Some of those variations have already been outlined in previous reports. The CIDA contribution included in the original budget totalled $ 340.536 CAD. It was expected to have contributions for all project partners totalling $ 55.000 CAD, for a total Project cost of $ 425.000 CAD (see Annex Financial Report, sheet “Approved Budget”). During project execution and mostly thanks to the demonstrative effect of this pilot operation, the contributions of all Project partners appreciably augmented, increasing the total Project cost in more than $ 200.000 CAD, for a final cost of $ 670.990 CAD. The CIDA contribution did not vary, which means that the total counterpart of the Project went up from 16% to more than 90% of total Project cost. Although the CIDA contribution did not vary during Project life, there were some adjustment within different budgetary categories, as it is shown in the Annex Financial Report, sheet “Budget Comparison”. Those variations were mostly due to the emphasis in developing a methodological model18 which required more dedication and time, the need of providing a more direct guidance to SEPSA in the management of the system and the need of promoting private participation in a more aggressive way, especially in the pilot regions, where the number and intensity of the training workshops were increased. The necessity to overcome the difficulties in implementing some Project activities derived from the long political transitional period of the new Administration was also responsible in part of the increased of the level of effort of all Project partners.
18Including methodological tools such as the Methodological Sheets, Institutional Capacity Index and Sustainable Models, Handbooks, the basis of a Monitoring and Evaluation System.
Project # 24591 Copyright Geomar International Page 37
The budgetary variations are referred to the increase of the level of effort of Geomar, in 26%; the decrease of direct Project expenses in Canada, in 35%; the decrease of direct Project expenses in Costa Rica, in 20%; and the decrease of other direct Project expenses in 24%. All this variations can be seen in detail in the Annex Financial Report, sheet “Budget Comparison”. 5.2 In-kind and Financial contributions As it was said, the financial and in-kind contributions of the different partners of the Project were significantly increased during the Project life, demonstrating the importance of this initiative and the high degree of commitment of the local counterparts. As it was said, the total counterpart of the Project went up from 16% to more than 90% of total Project cost, from $ 55.000 CAD to $ 323628 CAD. It is interesting to note that keeping records of time spent in different activities and therefore being able to establish the cost of a given project or activity was not the habit of our Project partners. This lack of “costing” skills was early identified as one of the weakness of InfoAgro’s partners, including SEPSA. The Project team dedicated some time to train SEPSA in estimating the cost of producing something or carrying out a programme of an activity. Detailed information about the contribution of Project partners can be found in the Annex Financial Report, sheets “FINAL_BUDGET_&_COUNTERPART”, “SEPSA_MAG Contribution” and “Private_Org_Contribution”. 5.2.1 Geomar International The contribution of Geomar consisted in time of its staff that was not billed to the Project, and materials and models developed by Geomar that were adapted and applied in InfoAgro. The contribution in time mainly refers to time spent by Geomar staff involved in the Project that exceeds the 7.5 hours / day limit; the time spent in Project related activities (such as trips) that were not contemplate in the 37.5/45 hours / week maximum limit; and time of Geomar Staff dedicated to the Project that exceeded the budgetary limit. In general, a 15% of time spent in activities related to the Project by Geomar Staff was not billed to the Project. The models and materials originally developed by Geomar mostly refer to the methodology of analysing and mapping the supply chain of fruits and vegetables, which was extensively used in the design and development of the Information Mapping, the information management tools and the architecture of the system. The financial information related to Geomar’s contribution could be seen in the Annex Financial Report, sheet “FINAL_BUDGET_&_COUNTERPART”. 5.2.2 SEPSA – MAG The more significant part of the contribution of the Project partners corresponds to the agricultural public sector, especially to SEPSA, which was the main local partner. SEPSA reinforced its InfoAgro team with three new professionals –though at the end of the project they were just two. Also, by SEPSA decision, was dedicated more time of the public servants who were already working with InfoAgro.
Project # 24591 Copyright Geomar International Page 38
SEPSA reported the contribution of other public entities, most notably the MAG and the ASA (Agriculture Services Agencies). It also included some other public entities such as the CNC, the INTA, and others, and members of the Consultative or the Steering Committees. Regarding SEPSA reports is possible to affirm that a sizable level of effort was made by the Costa Rican agricultural public sector in the implementation of this project (more than 1600 days). It can be explained by the fact that this project provided a clear path for InfoAgro and therefore was easily accepted and greatly supported by the public sector. SEPSA also took care of a significant portion of some direct Project expenses, such as printing and reproducing materials designed by Geomar, and Project promotional activities and materials. This contribution allowed Geomar to do some adjustments in the budget in order to increase its level of effort for this Project. It is worth to recall that many of the Project activities took place in small towns in the countryside in accordance with the decentralization spirit of the Project, and SEPSA –through the MAG- provided a significant part of the transportation services required by this type of implementation. Finally, SEPSA and the MAG also provided in-kind support consisting in locations, offices services, local communications and other. Detail information about SEPSA and MAG contribution to the Project can be found in the Annex Financial Report, sheet “SEPSA_MAG Contribution”. 5.2.3 Private organisations (Producers’ and others organisations) The contribution of private organizations to the Project was notable and increased from $ 20.000 CAD to more than $ 40.000 CAD. It was made up by time of people devoted to training activities (more than $ 10.000 CAD) and to the set up and operation of the Information Centres (more than $ 25.000 CAD), as well as transportation and participation in the Workshops (almost $ 4.000 CAD). More information about Private organisations’ contribution to the Project can be found in the Annex Financial Report, sheet “Private_Org_Contribution”. 5.3 Cumulative GST collected from CIDA The cumulative GST collected form CIDA during the execution of the Project adds up to $ 24.315.34 CAD.
Project # 24591 Copyright Geomar International Annex 1
Costa Rica Support to the Costa Rican Agricultural Information System - INFOAGRO
Annex 1 Institutional Capacity Index
Project # 24591 Copyright Geomar International Annex 2
Costa Rica Support to the Costa Rican Agricultural Information System - INFOAGRO
Annex 2 Operational Handbook
Project # 24591 Copyright Geomar International Annex 3
Costa Rica Support to the Costa Rican Agricultural Information System - INFOAGRO
Annex 3 Methodological Sheets
Project # 24591 Copyright Geomar International Annex 4
Costa Rica Support to the Costa Rican Agricultural Information System - INFOAGRO
Annex 4 Communication Strategies
Project # 24591 Copyright Geomar International Annex 5
Costa Rica Support to the Costa Rican Agricultural Information System - INFOAGRO
Annex 5 Information Mapping
Project # 24591 Copyright Geomar International Annex 6
Costa Rica Support to the Costa Rican Agricultural Information System - INFOAGRO
Annex 6 Gender Methodological Document
Project # 24591 Copyright Geomar International Annex 7
Costa Rica Support to the Costa Rican Agricultural Information System - INFOAGRO
Annex 7 Outreach (Certificates)
Project # 24591 Copyright Geomar International Annex 7
Outreach Certificates Attached are 4 examples of the various certificates of the training activities.
Project # 24591 Copyright Geomar International Annex 8
Costa Rica Support to the Costa Rican Agricultural Information System - INFOAGRO
Annex 8 Financial Report