MAGIP joint review mission and design mission for CARLEP
By Sangay Wangdi
A joint review mission team led by Ms. Lakshmi Moola from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is in the country to review the implementation progress for the Market Access and Growth Intensification Project (MAGIP) and to follow up on the last supervision mission recommendations discussed in November 2013.
The team will undertake the appraisal mission (final design) for the Comprehensive market focused Agriculture and Rural Livelihood Enhancement Project (CARLEP).
The mission along with the MAGIP officials and partners were in the field for from 31 October till 14 November interacting with Dasho Dzongdags, RNR sector heads, Dzongkhag and Extension Officers; implementation partners and project beneficiaries.
MAGIP in Lhuentse, Mongar, Pemagatshel, Samdrupjongkhar, Trashigang and Trashiyangtse aims to achieve a sustainable poverty reduction of over 4,000 poor households through improved livestock, crop development, marketing, road and irrigation.
For CARLEP design, besides the field visits, the mission led by Mr Hendrik Visser met with the Ministry of Finance, Gross National Happiness Commission, the Agriculture Lyonpo and Secretary, line departments under the Ministry, UN Country Office, FAO, HELVETAS, SNV, SABAH, Bhutan Development Bank Limited, Business Opportunity and Information Centre (BOIC) and Tarayana Foundation.
The Ministry and MAGIP in particular take the opportunity to welcome Ms. Lakshmi Moola, the new IFAD Country Programme Manager who took over the office in May 2014. Besides Bhutan, Ms. Moola looks after Nepal IFAD project in the region.
The wrap-up meeting with the Royal Government of Bhutan for both the missions will be held today ie 21 November under the chairmanship of the Hon’ble Lyonpo. The meeting will discuss on agreed actions, recommendations, necessary changes and cost for approval from both parties. It will be attended by the MAGIP project steering committee (PSC) members and its stakeholders. For CARLEP, the task force members and representatives from the Food Corporation of Bhutan Limited will attend in addition to MAGIP PSC members.
The MAGIP’s project coordination unit and the Policy and Planning Division are jointly coordinating the mission programs. The mission commenced on 26 October and will conclude on 22 Nov for MAGIP and 23 Nov for CARLEP.