RESEARCH NO.2: BOKEO FOOD SECURITY

TABLE OF CONTENT

1. Introduction………………………………………………………………...............2
2. Theoretical literature review………………………………………………………..3
2.1. Project profile……………………………………………………………………..3
2.2. Definition of terms………………………………………………………………. 4
3. Empirical literature review………………………………………………………… 4
3.1. The extent to which the project addressed the causes of poverty………………….4
3.2. How the project contributed to the development goals……………………………8
4. Personal Perspective: Critical analysis of the project………………………………10
5. Policy issues on food security in Tanzania…………………………………………..15
6. Lessons that we can learn from Bokeo food security project for
poverty reduction in Tanzania………………………………………………………16
7. Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………18
8. References………………………………………………………………………… 19


















1. INTRODUCTION
In an attempt to analyze the downloaded project document, our paper will be divided into the following sub-heading: Project profile, Definition of terms, How the project addressed the causes of poverty, How the project contributed to the development goals, critical analysis of the project and the conclusion.
Under the project profile, we shall identify the project title and its location .We shall then mention the financial sponsors of the project and give briefly the background of the country hosting project.
Upon completing project profile, we shall embark on definition of the terms. The major terms worth definition in this paper are poverty and development.
This paper will then examine the extent to which the project addressed the causes of poverty. In this case, Stan Burkey (1993), People first, will provide great aid.
The paper will then explore the contribution of the project to the development goals by using the development indicators. The People first, by Stan Burkey, will also be of much help in this regard.
With the help of CED principles, the paper will critically analyze the project through various level of its development. That is, from its initiation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation to the adaptation stage.
We shall also explore Tanzania’s economy with the aim trying to identify its ability in ensuring food security. Our levels of focus will be agriculture, fishing and livestock.
We shall then try to examine the lessons that we can from Bokeo Food Security Project in our effort to reduce poverty in Tanzania.
Finally, we shall give the conclusion by trying to reflect the activities of the project in relation to poverty, development and its ability to involve the CED principles. At this stage, we shall also be able to cite the weaknesses of the project and possibly offer the solutions.

2. THEORITICAL LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1. PROJECT PROFILE
The name of project is Bokeo Food Security.
The project is located in Bokeo Province in Lao People's Democratic Republic in Asia. This a poor country with a per capita GDP ranking at 16 out of 206 according to the World Bank Development indicators, and 140 out of 176 in the UNDP Human Development Index.
The project timeframe is forty years, from 1994 to 2033. However, our analysis will be based on the report and evaluation issued in 2005- the project Mid-Term Review/ Evaluation (MTR/E) carried out during the project's third year of operation.
The project is co-financed by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Government of Lao (GOL) and GTZ, with a total direct budget of USD 15 330 000.
The project is located in five districts: Houayxai, Tonpheung, Meung, Phaoudom, and Paktha. The target population living in the project area consists of rural communities which do not have an assured food security. They are estimated to be around 101 500 or about 17 500 households.
The general objective of the project is to improve food security in five districts in Bokeo Province through development objective of achieving more secure life and improving the income generating potential for rural population.

2.3. DEFINITION OF TERMS
2.3.1. Poverty
Poverty can be defined in terms of basic needs. A group of development workers in Uganda defined absolute poverty as the inability of an individual, a community or a nation to satisfactorily meet its basic needs. They defined relative poverty as the conditions in which basic needs are met but where the have an inability to meet the perceived needs and desires in addition to basic needs. (Stan Burkey (1993) chapter 1)

2.3.2. Development
According to Development theorist, development is essentially a question of increasing gross levels of saving and investment (both internal and external, private and state) until the economy reached a take off point into self-sustaining development. (Stan Burkey (1993) chapter 2)

3. EMPIRICAL LITERATURE REVIEW
3.1. THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE PROJECT ADDRESSED THE CAUSES OF POVERTY

3.1.1. Lack of transport
The project evaluation report addressed lack of transport as a cause of poverty. It was reported that 38 km of rural roads have been built or upgraded with funds from the IFAD loan and a further 16km were under construction. They further reported that construction of rural infrastructure plays a significant role in poverty alleviation: road construction has led to more than 50% reduction in transport costs for freight and passengers. It has also increased the village-gate prices of crops (maize prices has risen on average by 27% in the areas reached by project-built roads) and of non-timber forest products (palm nuts are sold at prices 20% higher in villages along the roads, and sandalwood prices are 23% higher).

3.1.2. Lack of market
Lack of market for the village products due to inaccessibility has been addressed. More crops are now being sold at higher price and therefore the effective demand also has been improved.

3.1.3. Lack of diversification
Lack of diversification as a cause of poverty has been addressed following the introduction of new crops such as mushrooms and ginger with varying success. There has also been introduction of new rice cultivars, which have been widely adopted. A number of fruit trees have been successfully distributed. There is also a number of animals that have been introduced in the area such as buffalo, ducks, sheep, pigs and goats.
Potential group formations under the irrigation, the pilot watershed management and the technology generation and dissemination aspects of the project may prove to be quite diverse and numerous. In addition, provision has been made to allow supports to groups like: Rice Bank Groups (RBGs) ; Oil Processing Groups (OPGs); Draught Animal Scheme Groups (DASGs) and Micro-irrigation Scheme Groups (MISs).

3.1.4. Ethnic Differences
The project also acknowledged ethnic differences as a cause of poverty. Ethnically the population of Bokeo can be considered under three main groups with Lao Loum (lowland) 40%, the Lao Theung (upland) 30%, Lao Soung (highland) about 20%. Since poverty is concentrated in minority communities, the project has assisted in reaching the poor.

3.1.5. Lack of Credit
Lack of credit as a cause of poverty has also been addressed. The interim evaluation, indicate that no rural credit mechanism was included in the design. The revolving fund included at Mid-term Review (MTR) has not been operational due to different views on procedures between project management, the Technical Assistance (TA) team and UNOPS. Among other activities that have suffered from lack of rural finance, the absence of credit has prevented farmers from clearing new lands, and women from setting up better marketing networks for their handcrafts and other produce.

3.1.6. Poor farming methods
The project further addressed poor farming method as the cause of poverty. While the Lao government policy is to reduce shifting agriculture, in practice, there few economically viable alternatives for upland farmers. The stabilization of their agriculture has reduced fallow cycles, no alternative sustainable sources of income have been created, and inefficient lowland irrigated land is available for those who need it.

3.1.7. Low level of knowledge and skills
Relatively low level of knowledge and skills among the project beneficiaries were also identified as the root cause of poverty. The traditional knowledge and skills available in project area is not only incapable of assuring household food security but are increasingly showing declining returns under traditional practices.

3.1.8. Low income
Low income as a cause of poverty has also been addressed. The results of modeling of the irrigation development suggest that annual incremental benefit per ha and hence the incremental benefit per household at full development would be: rehabilitated farm, USD 1290, upgraded farm, USD 1260, and the new farm, USD 1370.

3.1.9. Unemployment
Unemployment as a cause of poverty has also been addressed by the project. The project impact upon farm family labour will be very positive both in absolute number of days required in return per labour day. Additional labour is required in the rehabilitated and new irrigation from more intensive rice production.

3.1.10. Gender Discrimination
Gender discrimination which culminates to high level of illiteracy and lack of education has also been addressed in the project as a major cause of poverty. It is on this ground that the government has been urged to improve the effectiveness of the policies in favour of women.
The project has also made some provisions to ensure that women will participate in and benefit from all aspects of the project. The women's Union will be an integral part of management of the project and will be instrumental in ensuring the participation of women in all components. The project is expected to have an important impact upon their standard of living and quality of life in a number of ways.

3.1.11. Drug abuse
The project report addressed the issue of drug abuse, that is, opium cultivating and smoking as a cause of poverty. The report states that there may not be immediate impact of the project on local opium production but it will contribute in longer term to reduction of its production in Bokeo.

3.1.12. Poor Technology
Lack of proven and acceptable technology has also been an obstacle in achieving a sustainable upland farming system. Technology could help farmers convert from traditional slash-and-burn system to amore permanent cropping system.

3.1.13. Lack of water
Unreliable and insufficient water leads to low agricultural production in the lowland farming system has also been addressed as principal cause of poverty. There is thus a strong motivation on the part of the farmers to improve their traditional irrigation systems and to expand the area covered by irrigation but the principal constraint has been both insufficient paddy area and water.


3.1.14. Income Inequality
The project also addressed the issue of income inequality as a cause of poverty. In laying down the selection criteria and procedures, it cited the main aspect to be taken into account in the investment programme as social and economic equity. There would be no cut-off criteria in income terms; rather, the district and sub-district staff would be asked to identify the poorest communities among those making proposals for scheme rehabilitation or construction. Whenever practical and when they meet other criteria, the poorer communities would be given the first priority.

3.1.15. Resistance to Change
Finally, resistance to change has also been addressed as a fundamental cause of poverty. In working out the method of introduction and diffusion of the component products among the beneficiaries, a seed exchange scheme (SES) was put in place as means of substituting traditional seed for improved material. Farmers in all irrigation schemes supported through the project will be issued with mini-kits for technology promotion consisting of seeds relating to various improved cultural practices to be introduced under project.

3.2. HOW THE PROJECT CONTRIBUTED TO THE GOALS OF DEVELOPMENT
3.2.1. Irrigation Rehabilitation and Development
Financial provision has been made under the project for the upgrading of 480 ha (approximately 16 schemes), rehabilitation of 270 ha (approximately 9 schemes) and new development of 150 ha (approximately 5 schemes). Survey will be made on river flow and soils both with respect to schemes likely to be improved with project support and in areas with a major irrigation potential.

3.2.2. Agricultural-related Group Promotion
The project provides specifically for the development of approximate beneficiary organizations in relation to the agricultural components to be supported under the project. Two members of the five-person field contact team expected to work under the Technical assistance (TA) community development. One member of the team will be responsible for such organization in the lowland agro-ecological zone and the other member will be responsible for it in the upland/highland agro-ecological zones.

3.2.3. Technological Development
This sub-component seeks to address the problem of lack of articulated packages for improved farming systems in the project area and limited extension capability in the province. Three elements may be identified:
5.3.1. Observation trials;
5.3.2. A “Needs Assessment Survey” for constraints analysis of farm-level production;
5.3.3. Extension support.

3.2.4. Pilot Watershed Management
The watershed management is directed towards highland/upland farmers with a view to developing with them more profitably, sustainable and environmentally friendly farming systems. The programme will focus on village water supply provision as an entry activity and reforestation, introduction of pasture cover, fodder and nitrogen-fixing tree crops.

3.2.5. Veterinary Support and Livestock Development
The investment involved will allow the provincial Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services to reach most of the villages of the province with: a self-financing veterinary programme; an extension programme for improved livestock husbandry with emphasis on nutrition; and improved marketing facilities. The components will involve completion of the cool chain for supply of vaccines to district level and village level, training and equipping village veterinary workers (VVW’s), training provincial and district staff, training farmers in better animal health care and construction and supervision of sale yards.

3.2.6. Road Development
In addition to the OPEC-funded 29 km of paved road, a further 38 km of rural roads have been built or upgraded with funds from IFAD loan, and a further 16 km were under construction. In addition support is provided for the provincial Department of communication, transport, post and construction (DCTPC) in the form of office rehabilitation and furniture, equipment, transport and regional and international technical assistance in the field of road design, road construction supervision, bridge design and bridge construction supervision.

3.2.7. Health Development
The programme will have eight elements, these being: maternal and child health; birth spacing; nutrition promotion and education; communicable disease control with emphasis on malaria, acute respiratory infections and diarrhoea; water supply and sanitation; basic drug supply and training in their use; health information materials development and establishment of community health education and provision process based on beneficiary groupings and dialogue. Implementation will be through the Department of Public health supported by the office of Technical Assistance, Advisory and support unit for the project. So far IFAD fund has been used for the construction of health centre.

3.2.8. Education
To date, 15 primary schools have been built and a further 7 rehabilitated. A further 4 educational buildings are either designed or contracted. The impact of these buildings cannot be measured immediately but is clearly assisting and improving the school attendance among girls, in particular.



3.2.9. Institutional Support and Community Development
Community Development activities have been implemented by the Technical Assistance (TA) team and include adult literacy training, village-level hygiene improvement- was including the supply of latrines and the impregnation of mosquito nets- as well as the formulation of village Development Plans. In addition, provision has been made for five-person beneficiary contact team under the leadership of a long- term, internationally recruited TA community Development Expert.

4. PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE: CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE PROJECT
4.1. CED is Inclusive
During the Participatory Research Assessment for this project the needs of the farmers were divided into eight main topics, which now became the eight objectives of the project. These eight objectives could be summarized into one development objective for the project- to achieve a more secure life and improve the income generating potential for the rural population. In their attempt to identify the needs of the community, they adhered to CED principle of inclusive. This principle states that every community is made up of people with different interests and needs, having a CED plan that meets the needs of the whole community, means consulting and involving all members of the community.
However, the GTZ, IFAD and Government of Lao (GOL) practitioners went to the group of farmers with the aim of improving food security and therefore all their discussion revolved around their main objective. So this could not fully give the farmers an opportunity to wholesomely express their needs. There were other needs such as market access which was ignored.

4.2. CED is Process
If community is to do CED, the people have to get together, organize themselves and develop a plan. Often they do this by identifying their strength and assets and deciding how they can be used to help the community become stronger, socially and economically. The communities can turn to CED practitioner but the goals that are set and things that they need to be done are delivered upon and carried out by the people who live in the community.
However, in this project, provision has been made for five-person beneficiary contract team under the leadership of a long- term, internationally recruited Technical assistance (TA) community Development Expert. These five contact team members will have responsibility for beneficiary organization in relation to lowland agriculture, upland / highland agriculture, health, education and participatory development. Further provision has also been made for 17 person/months of development management/institution-building, consultancies and four person\months of community development consultancy. Therefore, there is no provision that was made for local leadership.
Further violation of “CED is a Process” principle was under education provision component. In trying to identify and establish education–cum–development in the province, the process started with discussions with villagers on their immediate practical educational needs. But implementation was being done through the Department of Education supported by the Technical Assistance (TA) and Advisory Support Unit (ASU) of the project.
4.3. CED is the Development of People
Key to the success of CED are committed leaders and participation by abroad range of community members. Sometimes in order to participate and to be effective, people need to learn how to organize themselves, how to work together and how to cooperate. They may also need training programs and education to help them achieve their goals. “People Development” helps the community take control of its future.
With reference to the project, there have been over 2400 village-level participants in training activities, including 31% of women, though the total number of trainees is probably about half as most trainees have been involved in more than one training course. Training has taken place in crop production (horticulture, mushroom cultivation, fruit tree propagation), livestock husbandry, rural credit, non- formal education, community development and health. A further 423 participants have been government staff trained in rural credit, education, community development, rural infrastructure and institution building activities. In addition, 10 study tours have taken place in Laos and in Thailand for line agency staff and farmers.
However the evaluation report points out that although the project targeted minority populations, the targeting of the women and of poorer people within communities have been neglected. Very few women have been trained, even in subjects which are of prime interest to them, such as livestock. Poorer people have not been given priority for project support within communities.
Furthermore, Community Development activities have been operated entirely through the Technical Assistance (TA) team, and implemented by their staff. As a result, local government Rural Development and Women’s Union staff have not developed the capacity to assist communities in mobilization and other community development activities, nor have community members developed a capacity for self-management.
4.4. CED is Collaborative
In order to accomplish their goals, communities often build partnerships with other communities, with educational organizations, government and regional development agencies. Partnerships like these give people access to knowledge and resources that might not be available in their own community.
As for Bokeo food security project, community mobilization and participatory Development was to be undertaken through institutional, financial and other sustainability considerations. The most important institutional point of contact at village level between the project-related staff and beneficiaries was the village Development Committee (VCD). A key aspect to establishing the participatory process was the building up of confidence between beneficiaries and the project with the understanding that adequate incentives was to be provided to enhance community participation.
The report further points out that under the current Lao PDR structure, it would be inconceivable for the project to by pass VDCs since they are the lowest level of the government. However, serious management problems which dogged project implementation with lack of cooperation and coordination between National Project Management and the TA team, led to the latter to get involved in activities that were not intended at design, namely investment funding.

4.5. CED is founded upon Sustainability
When a community is deciding what they want to do they have to ask questions about sustainability. Sustainable development is multi-faceted and includes four central components namely: economic, political, social and environmental aspects.
Bokeo Food Security Project has made a major effort to avoid any increase in staff members. With the exception of the two group promoters, there was recruitment of only Village Veterinary Workers (VVWs). But after the first two to three years they would be self-financing and not part of the government payroll. Major activities such as the animal health programme and the irrigation programme have been designed to cover their operating costs and also a substantial part of the associated investment costs. The total incremental revenue to the government generated by the project is estimated to be around USD 32,000. This incremental revenue will be sufficient to cover the incremental recurrent expenditure arising from the livestock and agriculture production components.
However the sustainability component addressed only sustainable economic development. No political and social sustainability was put into consideration.

4.6. CED is a holistic approach to development
CED includes both social and economic development. It is sensitive to the local culture and rural environment.
According to Bokeo food security report, all projects interventions have been designed to be “environmentally friendly” even down to the incorporation of fish ladder in the irrigation development component. The road programmes are expected to be indirect, rather than direct in that the programme is mainly one of rehabilitation rather than new construction. However, the work on upland/highland production system should bring substantial environmental benefits in the longer term.
The report also had it that an economic internal rate of return (EIRR) was estimated on the basis of a built-up of incremental net benefits from the irrigation and livestock models. The expected incremental benefit stream was assured to continue for 30 years and as set against the economic project costs. This analysis produces a EIRR of 15%.
However, no incremental benefits were estimated for the roads, social services or institutional support and community Development components.

4.7. CED aims for diversification
Diversification means creating economic opportunities in a variety of different, smaller sectors, rather than relying on one single industry. This allows communities to ride out the boom and bust cycles so common when a town or region has only one major industry or employer.
Bokeo Food Security Project has made provision to allow support to groups like:
4.7.1. Rice Bank Groups (RBGs) - are a credit-in-kind device for back-stopping household food security.
4.7.2. Draught Animal Scheme Groups (DASs) - are “revolving” animal schemes to help meet the need for draught animal power associated with rice production development under the project and
4.7.3. Oil Processing Groups (OPGs) and Micro-irrigation Scheme Groups (MISs) - are demonstration vehicles for technologies related to improved and expanded food production and processing.
According to the evaluation write-up, however, the agriculture component has achieved little, involving a wide dispersal into trials of new crops without attention to marketing. Minimal attention has been given to the important sector of Non-timber forest products (NTFPs). Farmers introducing new crops, particularly fruit trees have not been provided with technical support needed.



4.8. CED is innovative
The CED process requires participants to ask not only “what is?” and “why?”, but also “what if?” and “why not?” This means finding new ways to use both our human, natural and material resources to create new opportunities.
Bokeo ford security project workshop was to be held within the first three months of the project. The monitoring and evaluation (M&E) workshop would be held to introduce the principles of M&E to the project staff and the key people involved with project execution and monitoring. Furthermore, the activities would rely heavily on donor support and external technical assistance for several years to come.
In the course of holding the workshop, the beneficiaries were not involved hence violating the “CED is innovative” principle. As if that was not enough, community development activities have also been operated entirely through the Technical Assistance (TA) team and implemented by their staff.

4. 9. CED is Long term
CED doesn’t happen overnight –successful CED means that people stay involved, that they get organized and that they keep reaching for their goals.
In Bokeo food security project, there are no immediate impact of the project on local opium production but it is expected that the project will contribute in the longer term to reduction of opium production in Bokeo. The project is also expected to benefit from the continuous presence of a GTZ advising team and by the strong emphasis placed by GTZ on the need for institutional strengthening and community mobilization.
In order to ensure the non violation of “CED is long-term” principle the Mid–term Review (MTR) should be constantly made so as to ensure the participation of majority. Greatest attention should also be paid to avoid Technical Assistance (TA) to act as either parallel or substitute implementing structure.

4.10. CED is participation
CED is development of the community, by the community, for the community. “Experts” from outside don’t take charge. The community takes the lead right from the beginning.
Under Bokeo food security project, the pilot watershed management will be composed of Provincial Agricultural Service (PAS) with Technical Assistance Support. A planning and monitoring officer was recruited, as a member of the Bokeo office, to be responsible for organizing studies and data collection and planning backup for the Project Manager and National Project Director.
However, the report also pointed out that farmers would receive training in techniques of scheme construction and maintenance and other technical aspects. But prior to this, session ought to have been held to assist farmer’s groups in organizing themselves, in assigning responsibilities, and in preparing work programme for scheme construction and in the drawing up of contracts.


5. POLICY ISSUES ON FOOD SECURITY IN TANZANIA
5.1. AGRICULTURE
The structure of Tanzanian economy reveals that agriculture still dominates the economy. The sector employs about 85% of the population’s workforce and accounts for over 50% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at factor cost and 75% of foreign exchange earnings. It is the main source of food supply and raw material for industrial sector, as well as the major market for industrial goods and services.
There are two product categories namely food and cash crops. Major food crops include maize, paddy (rice), sorghum, wheat, beans, cassava, potatoes and sugar canes. Major cash (export) crops are further subdivided into traditional and non-traditional products. Traditional crops are coffee, cotton, sisal, tea, cashew nuts, tobacco, pyrethrum and cloves. Non-traditional export crops include a wide range of exportable products, but the most common are groundnuts, cowpeas, wine grapes, sunflowers, soybeans, castor seeds, cardamoms, sesame seeds, palm oil seeds, copra, cut flowers, fruits and vegetables.
5.2. FISHING
Tanzanian’s potential fish resources are promising in both marine and fresh water as well as in aquaculture. Tanzania is endowed with natural water bodies located in every side of the country’s borders. In the North is Lake Victoria, in East is Lake Tanganyika, in the South are Lake Rukwa and Nyasa. The Indian Ocean surrounds the country in East Coast strip from north to south.
The annual yield in the fresh water fishing is about 307,150 metric tones while that of the coastal fisheries is around 51,669 metric tones. This figure excludes the Exclusive Economic Zones, which has substantial fish resources that are unexploited. The contribution of the fisheries sector to the economy is providing food, employment opportunities and foreign exchange earnings.



5.3. LIVESTOCK
Tanzania is among the top three countries in Africa boasting of having the largest livestock population. Other countries are Ethiopia and Sudan.
Livestock keeping contributes an average of 7% of the country’s GDP and about 13% of the country’s agricultural produce. Its annual performance stands at an average of 2.4%.
Tanzania’s official statistics indicate an estimate of 13.7 million cattle, 11.0 million goats and 3.6 million sheep. Importantly, this livestock resource provides a substitute for food imports. Each year about 500,000 tons of milk are produced, while consumption of meat reaches 360,000 tons per annum.

6. LESSONS THAT WE CAN LEARN FROM BOKEO FOOD SECURITY PROJECT FOR POVERTY REDUCTION IN TANZANIA
6.1. Improving Transport
The construction of rural infrastructure plays a significant role in poverty alleviation. This will reduce 50% of transport costs for freight and passengers. This will also increase the demand for rural produce since it will be more accessible. In turn, the prices of rural products will increase.
6.2. Encouragement of diversification
Introduction of new crops such as mushrooms ginger will also reduce poverty. Introduction of animals such as buffalo, ducks and tigers may be of paramount importance. In addition provision has to be made to allow supports to various groups.
6.3. Reduction of Ethnic Differences
The project also acknowledged ethnic differences as a cause of poverty. Though ethnic differences are not an issue in Tanzania but knowing its effect as scholars is also important. But it must be noted that poverty is normally concentrated in minority communities, so the project must help in reaching the poor.
6.4. Provision of Credit Facilities
The absence of credit may prevent farmers from clearing new lands, and women from setting up better marketing networks for their handcrafts and other produce. The technical assistance for any project must ensure that the revolving fund must be operational.
6.5. Improve Farming Methods
Though government policy may discourage shifting cultivation, in practice but there may be few economically viable alternatives for highland farmers. However, the stabilization of agriculture should not reduce fallow cycles.


6.6. Improvement of knowledge and skills
The traditional knowledge and skills available in project area should enable the household food security and hence avoid the increasingly declining returns under traditional practices.
6.7. Improving Income
The results of modeling of the irrigation development suggest that annual incremental benefit per ha and hence the incremental benefit per household at full development can be improved through rehabilitating, upgrading and establishing new farms.
6.8. Provision of Employment
Lack of employment can be reduced through establishment of projects. Additional labour is always required in the rehabilitation of farms and establishment of irrigation schemes.
6.7. Gender Equality
Gender discrimination which culminates to high level of illiteracy and lack of education has also been addressed in the project as a major cause of poverty. The government should be urged to improve the effectiveness of the policies in favour of women.
Some provisions should be made to ensure that women should participate in and benefit from all aspects of the project. The women's associations should be an integral part of management of the project and be instrumental in ensuring the participation of women in all components.
6.8. Encourage people to accept change
Resistance to change has also been addressed as a fundamental cause of poverty. In working out the method of introduction and diffusion of the component products among the beneficiaries, a scheme should be established in order to put in place the means of substituting traditional seeds for improved one. Farmers in all irrigation schemes supported through the project should be issued with mini-kits for technology promotion consisting of seeds relating to various improved cultural practices to be introduced under project.
6.9. Discouragement of Drug Abuse
The project report addressed the issue of drug abuse, that is, opium cultivating and smoking as a cause of poverty. There may not be immediate impact of the project on local opium production but it will contribute in longer term to reduction of its production in the project area.



6.10. Provision of Water
Unreliable and insufficient water leads to low agricultural production in the lowland farming system. There is need to motivate, on the part of the farmers, to improve their traditional irrigation systems and to expand the area covered.

6.11. Introduction of Modern Technology
Lack of proven and acceptable technology has also been an obstacle in achieving a sustainable upland farming system. Technology could help farmers convert from traditional slash-and-burn system to a more permanent cropping system.

7. CONCLUSION
Poverty in Bokeo Province is a compound product of the number of inter-related and naturally reinforcing and aggravating circumstances. There is no uni-dimensional solution to the project area’s poverty. Alleviating poverty will therefore require a multi-faceted approach consisting of individually small but cumulatively significant improvements on a number of fronts. The Bokeo food security project has tried to address a number of poverty causes and insofar as poverty is concentrated in minority communities has assisted the project in reaching the poor.
With regard to development, Bokeo food security project concentrated on social and economic development. It actually failed to address both human (personal) and political development. A project of such magnitude could have taken the initiative of addressing the democratic issues, particularly in their project planning and sharing of power. Lao People’s Democratic Republic had one time been ruled by a socialist government (1975) and therefore, there could be still some elements of dictatorship in terms of resource allocation. This was therefore an opportunity for the project to address such issues.
Human (personal) development which involves the individual’s development of self- respect, self –confident, self - reliant, cooperative and tolerant of others, was not in any point addressed. There were some youth who could seek some part-time jobs after spending several hours in the project area and none could raise his/her voice to complain over low salaries. This could have been due to fear of loosing even the little they were getting from the project.
The CED principles also came in handy. Some principles were partially addressed in the project proposal but in the Mid-Term Review, were not actually given the space they deserved. For instance, the community development activities were being implemented by Technical Assistance (TA) team, who in one time were involved in activities that were not intended at design, namely investment funding. But remedy for this can be training local government staff in the relevant management, participatory and accounting skills so that their way of working and work culture is changed so that it becomes demand-driven and in participatory manner.
In a nutshell, the most important lesson one can learn from this project is that once trained, district and village-level staff should be given more responsibility and authority with respect to financial management of government and project budgets. These responsibilities and power must be accompanied with procedures of financial reporting, monitoring and supervision in order to ensure accountability and transparency.


REFERENCE

1. Stan, Burkey. People first: “A guide to self-reliant participatory rural development”, Zed Books, London, chapter 1&2 (1993).
2. Lao People's Democratic Republic: Bokeo Food Security Project proposal, evaluation and report for 2005
3. Lecture notes: - Understanding CED
–What is CED?
4. U.S. Department of State: Bureau of African Affairs (December 2007)—United Republic
of Tanzania. Also available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2843.htm
5. Tanzania Economy available at htt://www.tptanzania.co.tz/economy_body.html