OPAC training: TOC and Logframe (Module 2)
Theory of Change – example of narrative description
The target group of SALPP consists of poor smallholder farmers. Some cultivate small areas of rain-fed crops or
irrigated crops, while others are pastoralists. Woman-headed households are an important sub-group. Food
insecurity and poverty levels are high for the target group mainly because of low productivity and production
levels, which is typical for the country's smallholder producers. This development problem is caused by: a) soil
moisture deficiency due to low and erratic rainfall; b) land degradation and low soil fertility; c) limited access to
inputs; d) high post-harvest losses; and e) a low level of technical skills. Limited knowledge on production and
consumption of nutritious foods exacerbates food insecurity, while lack of productive resources and income
earning opportunities is a constraint that disproportionately affects women and youths.
The project aims to increase agricultural production and productivity in a sustainable and climate-resilient
way. If successful, this development objective will contribute to poverty reduction and household food and
nutrition security.
If smallholder agriculture becomes more environmentally sustainable and climate resilient, increased
production and productivity is possible. To achieve this outcome requires: improved water resources planning
and watershed management; hillside and on-farm soil and water conservation; integrated water supply and
small-scale irrigation systems; tree planting; and having effective watershed committees and water users’
associations.
Adoption of improved production practices and livelihood diversification is another pathway to increased
production and productivity. To achieve this second outcome requires: effective advisory services on climate-
smart agricultural practices (e.g. integrated pest management); decentralized input supply (e.g. seed for priority
crops, tools for production); post-harvest handling and storage methods to reduce losses (e.g. on-farm
processing); decentralized animal production and health services (e.g. feed strategies, vaccination); and
enhanced capacity of producer organizations.
Enhanced institutional capacity and support services for agriculture, livestock and natural resources is a
third outcome and precondition for the other two. If technical functions and management skills in the MOA at
central, regional and local level are sufficiently strengthened, this outcome will be achieved. This will be done
with the help of TA, specialized training, and investment in equipment and facilities. Key areas include natural
resources and climate (e.g. watershed management, land use planning, early warning systems); agricultural
production (e.g. seed production, irrigation development); livestock production (e.g. water supply, rangeland
management, animal health services); and general management (procurement, finance, M&E, social inclusion).
In parallel, policy engagement is needed to update sub-sector policies and strategies, and translate these into
enabling operational procedures and regulations (e.g. seed sector development, animal health legislation).
Gender and youth pathways. Conducting a needs assessment, training project teams in gender mainstreaming,
having quota for women’s participation, and directly targeted interventions (income generation, time and labour-
saving technologies, institutional representation) will ensure that project outcomes specifically benefit women.
Youth empowerment will be achieved through training in entrepreneurship and technical skills; support for
micro-enterprises; and employment creation in agriculture (e.g. para-vets, post-harvest services). Starter packs
for women and youths will facilitate income generation initiatives.
Nutrition pathway. Besides production and productivity, the goal of improved household food and nutrition
security requires improving the quality and diversity of food consumed. This involves raising awareness on
nutritional values, healthy diets, food processing and preservation, through nutrition education (mass media and
at household level). Support packages will facilitate more diverse crop production (intercropping, off-season
horticulture) and livestock production (poultry, rabbits, small stocks, dairy cows); beekeeping; and multi-
purpose crop and tree varieties (fruits, vegetables, nuts). Training and inputs will also help the establishment of
homestead gardens (vegetables, fruits).
The following assumptions would have to be valid to achieve project objectives. The MOA will assign sufficient
staff and recurrent budget to the project, and timely completion of procurement processes and construction of
water-related infrastructure will be possible. There will be timely distribution of improved inputs and
technologies to farmers; and they will be receptive to climate-resilient soil and water management practices, as
well as improved technologies. Watershed management, combined with irrigation development, will sufficiently
address water-related constraints, and, finally, the effects of climate change will not outstrip the gains made
through project interventions.