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BACSA TCP project proposal

PRO FORMA PROJECT AGREEMENT

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Technical Cooperation Programme

Countries	Armenia , Azerbaijan , Bulgaria , Tajikistan , Uzbekistan
Project Title	Improvement and Revival of Sericulture Industries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Project Number	Inter-regional TCP request 06/VII/INT/218-C-ODG2006-001475/001830
Starting Date	February 2007
Completion date	February 2009
Agencies responsible for project execution	Black, Caspian Seas and Central Asia Silk Association (BACSA). Other institutions collaborate with BACSA to implement project activities, including Ministries, national sericultural research and extension systems, NGOs and private businesses in the participating countries
FAO Contribution	US$ 495,000
Signed:.............................................	Signed:.............................................
-----------------------------------------	-----------------------------------------
(on behalf of the Government)	( on behalf of FAO)
Date of signature: ...........................	Date of signature: ...........................

I. PROJECT SUMMARY

One very important consequence of the economic collapse in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) region is that all countries experienced a sharp decline in the demand for labour. The jobs once guaranteed by the state simply ceased to exist, and new private-sector activities that could absorb these workers have been slow to emerge.

By the same time the sericulture can be undertaken as rural micro-enterprise initiatives by resource-poor farming communities, moreover this industry has been a common culture of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region countries for thousands of years. The sericulture has an enormous potential as a source of income because the annual farmer?s gross incomes at the regional level could reach US$ 200-300 million. On the other hand the sericulture industry development in the EECA region is presently restricted by some constraints such as lack of ways and means to be accessed to potential markets for the producers, crop loses due to mulberry and silkworm diseases, too low raw silk quality produced, the silkworm breeds are genetically not upgraded, unsuitable silkworm rearing houses and equipment, too high production costs due to traditional technology, lack of dissemination of new research information, appropriate skilled trainers, relevant technical advice and training materials and possibilities. The producer organizations are still weak and not having strong cooperation from international organizations, the coordination between sericulture and other sectors such as forestry, health and environment is poor to be additionally supported by the government, NGOs and private sector. It is necessary to formulate effective state polices for promotion sericulture industry in the region. In order to successfully rehabilitate the on-going traditional sericulture in the region as an economically viable agro-industry in the future, the countries should strengthen their close collaboration for the effective role of the Black, Caspian Seas and Central Asia Silk Association (BACSA) as a network between them, assist each other with their advanced technologies, experience and genetic resources of mulberry and silkworm.

These proposed immediate targets could be effectively achieved with substantial technical and financial assistance of the present inter-regional project to be funded from the FAO. The development objective of the project is to strengthen the livelihood options available to existing and potential sericulture farmers, by using sericulture to enhance their productive, social and environmental assets. Immediate objectives are to analyze the technical issues, investment, support requirements and prospects to foster sericulture income generation activities and p repare the formulation of a larger project either at country level or at regional level, to strengthen technical and managerial capacities of state research institutes, NGOs and the private business, development and functioning of a regional market information system for the sericulture products, e xchange and comparative testing of sericulture germplasm resources between the participating countries and development of programmes for mulberry and silkworm breeding and diseases?free egg production.

The essential outputs expected after project implementation are the formulation of a larger project as a donor funded proposal for the region or for specific countries, improved basic infrastructure, provided overseas specializations (study tour) and local training courses for selected trainees, organized 2 regional international workshops aiming to exchange advanced technologies and experience, improvement the silk quality, created regional market information systems, enriched and upgraded sericulture germplasms for more effective mulberry and silkworm breeding.

II. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION

The poverty situation in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) region is unusual and represents a unique challenge for the international donors. Although conditions vary greatly from country to country, transition economies are set in the context of an abrupt termination of central planning and state services, including a reduction in public-sector spending and the dissolution of production, marketing and distribution channels at regional, national and local levels. Since the collapse of the former Communist system, poverty has increased at a pace unparalleled elsewhere in recent times.

One very important consequence of the economic collapse is that all countries of the EECA region experienced a sharp decline in the demand for labour. The jobs once guaranteed by the state simply ceased to exist, and new private-sector activities that could absorb these workers have been slow to emerge. Given the lack of alternatives, many families have turned to subsistence agriculture and other forms of small-scale self-employment for basic survival. By the same time the sericulture can be undertaken as rural micro-enterprise initiatives by resource-poor farming communities, moreover this industry has been a common culture of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region countries for thousands of years. It is also one of the important potential agro-industry in the region, now that the increasing numbers of farmers, i.e. approximately 500000 households are involved in order to generate their income resources, and another about 3 million people are engaged in the silk processing industry and trading. Sericulture has an enormous potential as a source of income because with proper support, about 2 million farmers could probably earn approximately US$450 - 500 per crop/family and involves marginal sectors of the society, contributing to the improvement of its standard of life.

The preconditions/prospects for regional sericulture revival and development are such as very long tradition and experience in sericulture, availability of rich mulberry natural resources, favorable climatic conditions, governmental support to the sector, the increasing demand within the European countries for natural and biological products along with the close huge European silk market , already attracted foreign investors.

Five countries, namely Armenia , Azerbaijan , Bulgaria , Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are proposed to participate actively in the project activities. Bulgaria has both rich and recent tradition of silk production , the beginning dated back to 8 century A.D. and currently has an well functioning 110 years old Sericulture research institute. Until the near past Bulgaria with an annual fresh cocoon production around 2000-3000 tons occupied the first place in Europe , and more than 100000 farmer?s households were engaged with the sericulture. The country is still one of the poorest in Europe and with comparatively high unemployment therefore the sericulture industry development is amongst the highest priorities of the Government as an way for contribution to poverty alleviation and food security through a quick increase of the incomes without big capital investments especially in rural and semi-urban area. The Caucasus region ( Armenia , Azerbaijan and Georgia ) occupied the second place after Central Asia in the Ex-Soviet Union in fresh cocoon production (over 10000 t annually), by the same time having the highest cocoon/silk quality and modern silk processing industry ( Armenia ). The Central Asian region, including Tajikistan and Uzbekistan has been and still is the highest cocoon and silk producer in CIS, engaging in this industry more than 400000 farmer?s households.

On the other hand the sericulture industry development in the region is restricted by some common both for Eastern Europe and Central Asian countries constraints such as too low raw silk quality produced presently, resulting in fail to receive the standard price in the markets and to loose existing markets, lack of ways and means to be accessed to potential markets for the producers, difficulty with accessible approach to suppliers, traders, technical advisers, means for communication, crop loses due to mulberry and silkworm diseases. Other big problems are that the silkworm breeds are genetically not upgraded, so the quality of presently available silkworm eggs in some of the region countries do not meet the international standard and their quantity can not satisfy the local needs, most of the silkworm rearing houses and equipment are unsuitable, leading to low cocoon yield per box and too high labour expenses which could result in high production cost, the production technologies at the field level are still more relying on the traditional technology and management system thus not to be commercially oriented operation. In the region still there is lack of appropriate skilled trainers, relevant technical advice and training materials and possibilities, dissemination of new research information. The producer organizations are too weak and not having strong cooperation from international organizations, the coordination between sericulture and other sectors such as forestry, health, environment etc. is poor to be additionally supported by the government, NGOs and private sector.

It is necessary to formulate effective state polices for promotion sericulture industry in the region.

While the Central Asian countries have bigger cocoon/raw silk production, the East European countries ( Bulgaria ) have richer mulberry and silkworm genetic resources and more advanced cocoon/silk production and processing technologies. For example in the recent years Tajikistan imports about 90 % and Uzbekistan - 60 % of the necessary silkworm eggs. One of the basic aims of expansion of the inter ? regional cooperation is therefore to transmit the richer sericulture germplasms and advanced technologies from the West to the East and simultaneously the East European countries to play a role as a bridge for opening the European silk market to the silk products both from Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Considering the above constraints and the high potential of sericulture for income generation, an ?International Workshop on Revival and Promotion of Sericultural Industries and Small Enterprise Development in the Black, Caspian Seas and Central Asia Region? was organized by the AGST, Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) in collaboration with the Government of Republic of Uzbekistan from 11 to 15 April 2005 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

This workshop identified major constraints which might had caused today?s critical situation and recommended immediate follow-up activities which would be required for trouble shooting and also to produce executable long-term development strategies, while laying the ground work for restoration and further progress of sericultural industries in the Region.

At the workshop a common institution was created to facilitate and expedite regional collaboration, in an effort to realize the recommendations to be made. The institution had been named as The Black, Caspian Seas and Central Asia Silk Association (BACSA), it was registered as a legal entity in Bulgaria and unified most of the sericultural countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, i.e. Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Kazakhstan, Romania, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. The members are not only from the region countries, but also from other countries, who are possibly interested in making technical cooperation or business with the EECA region as well as some countries, who may be possible donors for sericulture revival projects. BACSA has currently members from 18 countries, including China , Egypt , Japan , India , Ghana and Korea . (more information about BACSA may be found at its web site: www.bacsa-silk.org )

From 6 to 10 March 2006, in Bursa, Turkey an ?International Workshop on Silk Handcrafts Cottage Industries and Silk Enterprises Development in Africa, Europe, Central Asia and the Near East? and a satellite ? Second executive meeting of BACSA? were organized by the FAO in collaboration with the BACSA, the Government of Republic of Turkey and ?Kozabirlik? sericultural cooperative in Bursa where 62 delegates from 22 countries took part at the meeting.

The two international meetings laid the fundament of a sound cooperation between the countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia in the field of sericulture through the activities of BACSA as well as strengthened their relationships with other sericulture countries from Africa and Asia .

Following the decisions taken at the second BACSA executive meeting a Project Concept Note, summarizing the project content was prepared and submitted to the following potential donors in May 2006: UNDP, A DA , CIDA, DCI, DEZA, DFID, FAO, GTZ, IFAD, ITC, UNCTAD, JICA, KOICA, NORAD, SIDA, UNIDO, USAID, EBRD and the World Bank.

The purpose of this initial approach to the prospective donors was just establishing on-line status and letting them know about BACSA and its activities in operating a field project in the region and seeking for funds. However BACSA is in continued efforts, as follow-ups to present TCP request and it is still too early to assess the donors? intension.

T he regional project for sericulture industries improvement and revival was finally discussed at the international conference on Problems of maintenance and use of mulberry and silkworm genetic resources? and the third executive meeting of BACSA, organized by Bulgarian government and BACSA from 26 to 29 September 2006 in Vratza , Bulgaria .

BACSA members consider that after a successful implementation of sericulture revival and development projects more than 2 million farmer?s households would get income from sericulture and could probably earn approximately US$ 450-500 per crop/family and also expect to have a potential for possible income of more than US$ 1500-2000 per hectare and year from mulberry plantations. The annual sericulture farmer?s gross incomes at the regional level could reach US$ 200-300 million. Another about half of million people will be hired in the cocoon/silk processing industry sector, getting salaries of US$ 30-40 million /year. The project implementation would contribute to decrease of unemployment in the region, which is still comparatively too high.

The donor assistance is needed to strengthen the technical and managerial capacities of the participating countries in making substantial sericulture revival and development within a short period by an established provision of training, advisory services, exchange of information and genetic resources.

In order to successfully rehabilitate the on-going traditional sericulture in the region as an economically viable agro-industry in the future the region countries need a TCP assistance which should be designed to prepare the formulation of a larger project either at country level or at regional level. T he EECA countries should strengthen their close collaboration for the effective role of the Black, Caspian Seas and Central Asia Silk Association (BACSA) as a network between them and conducting regular meetings/or symposium(s). These activities could thus assist each other with their advanced technologies, experience and genetic resources of mulberry and silkworm. These proposed immediate targets could be effectively achieved with substantial technical and financial assistance of the present inter-regional TCP project to be funded from FAO.

III. OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSISTANCE

Development objective: The development objective of the project is to strengthen the livelihood options available to existing and potential sericulture farmers, who usually are one of the poorest rural people, by using sericulture to enhance their productive, social and environmental assets. Support for sericulture can enable them increase in the productivity and growth of agriculture, textile industry and several related sectors in the participating countries.

Immediate objectives are to:

1. Analyze the technical issues, investment, support requirements and prospects to foster sericulture income generation activities and p repare the formulation of a larger project either at country level or at regional level.
2. Strengthen technical and managerial capacities of state research institutes, NGOs and the private business for sericultural industries and silk enterprises management, increase both of production quantity and quality, for disease-free silkworm egg production, mulberry cultivation for high yield of leaves, silkworm disease control and cocoon quality control.
3. Development of a regional market information system for the sericulture products.
4. Exchange and comparative testing of sericulture germplasm resources between the participating countries and development of programmes for mulberry and silkworm breeding and diseases ? free egg production.

IV. PROJECT OUTPUTS

1. A larger project as a donor-funded follow-up proposal for the region or for specific countries prepared under TCP support .
2. Provided overseas specializations (study tour) to 8 research, technical/managerial staff and local training of 250 selected trainees who will further replicate and expand training in their own countries under the follow-up programme.
3. Organized 2 regional international workshops aiming to exchange advanced technologies and experience.
4. Provided recommendations for achieving high grade (3A and 4A) raw silk quality through improvements at the institute/farmers/cocoon purchasers/silk reelers levels.
5. Created regional market information systems along with provided recommendations for an improved operational system for local cocoon/silk marketing.
6. Enriched and upgraded sericulture germplasms at the participating countries.
7. The research institutes strengthened in their capacity for mulberry selection and silkworm breeding, through provision of breeding facilities for maintenance and genetic improvement of mulberry varieties and silkworm stocks.

Beneficiaries: The direct recipients of the project activities will be those people, having a responsibility for sericulture development institutions, organizations and groups in the participating countries. These will be governmental staff (from the agriculture/sericulture departments of MOA, sericulture research institutes/university departments, etc.), the existing sericulture non-governmental organizations and associations and the private business. If producer groups can access fair raw silk/silk allied products prices in world markets, then this will stimulate sericultural industries development. It needs to be emphasized that it is raw silk market access that is the major constraint to sericultural industries revival and development in Black/Caspian seas and Central Asia region countries. The exchange of mulberry and silkworm germplasm between the participating countries will facilitate the initiation, expansion or rehabilitation of silkworm and/or mulberry breeding programmes in the recipient countries. This will enable the promotion of sericulture industries which will contribute to national economic development.

The target beneficiaries will be the sericulture farmers dealing with silkworm rearing and cocoon production (through upgraded mulberry leaf and cocoon productivity) and silk entrepreneurs/industries (through improved silk quality).

V. WORK PLAN

The project activities will start with the appointment of a Project Team-leader Consultant (PTC) as well as National Project Consultants (NPC) who should be experts in general sericulture. The project activities will take place for a 20-month period, involving consultancy, training, procurement and delivery of equipment and supplies.

The PTC will be responsible for developing a detailed work plan and finalizing lists of equipment, tools and supplies with specifications, and will work closely with the NPCs, in planning, implementing and reporting. The PTC and NPCs will be recruited on a When-Actually-Employed (WAE) basis to execute the activities during the project period and assist the international experts during the entire period of their travel, training and performing their respective duties. The plan, especially timing of seasonal activities, would be flexible to reflect adjustment of specific activities to prevailing seasonal conditions.

1. Month 1 ~ Month 3: Period for inception arrangements

1.1 Recruitment and fielding of the PTC (TCDC/ TCCT Expert in general sericulture, assignment for 6 months, WAE basis during the entire project period). The PTC will implement:

* Overall administration of the project in collaboration with the FAO, BACSA, international experts and Government Offices, NGOs and private businesses concerned.

? Preparation of detailed work plan; finalization of lists of equipment, materials and supplies with specifications.

? Preparation of status report of the sericultural sector in the participating countries;

1.2 Selection and appointment of the National Project Consultants (NPC) for 6 months, When-Actually-Employed basis, (WAE/part-time) during the entire project period. The NPCs will be assisting the PTC and experts in implementation of the project activities throughout the project duration.

1.3 Final selection of 250 selected trainees who will participate in the local training courses (by the end of Month 3)

1.4 Initiation of procurement procedures for equipment, tools and materials.

1.5 Technical backstopping mission to facilitate project inception.

2. Month 4 ~ Month 17: Period for major project activities

2.1 Recruitment of the TCDC/ TCCT experts:

One international consultant in moriculture and silkworm rearing for introduction of multi-cropping systems: TCDC/ TCCT expert, for 2 month in 2 assignments;
One international consultant in silkworm breeding and egg production: TCDC/ TCCT expert, for 2 months in 2 assignments;
One international consultant in silk reeling/processing, cocoon/silk quality control and silk market development: TCDC expert, for 3 months in 3 assignments;

Each participating country will be visited selectively by the international consultants and the Project Team-leader Consultant (PTC) according to their specific needs for expert assistance.

2.2. Procurement of equipment/appliances completed.

2.3 Selected trainees and project staff training: All the selected 250 trainees and project staff will be trained at the local implementing institutes in each country by the consultants during their missions.

2.4. Organizing a regional training workshop on the modern methods of silkworm breeding, egg/cocoon production and diseases control and r evival of sericultural industries through silk commodity and business development .

2.5 Study tour of selected 8 research, technical/managerial staff and project personnel.

2.6. Development and operation of a regional market information system for the sericulture products (mulberry sapling, silkworm eggs, rearing equipment, dry cocoons, raw silk, silk yarn, fabrics, garment etc.).

2.7. Working out and adoption of a methodology for conservation, database creation and utilization of sericulture genetic resources in the BACSA countries.

2.9. Exchange and comparative testing of sericulture germplasm resources as well as commercial silkworm hybrids between the participating countries and development of programmes for mulberry and silkworm breeding and diseases ? free egg production.

3. Month 18 ~ Month 20: Period for finalization of project activities

3.1. The Project Team-leader Consultant shall perform the following duties:

Drafting the terminal statement.
Recommendation of follow-up activities, short, mid and long-term strategies for sericulture development. Drafting a larger project as a donor funded proposal for the region or for specific countries.
Assisting the Governments of participating countries and BACSA in soliciting participation of the local NGOs and other possible donors with the follow-up project activities.

3.2 Organizing a Regional Workshop to review the project results and impacts and further sensitize stakeholders, potential NGOs and donors in the participating countries sericulture promotion.

3.3 Second Technical Backstopping Mission :

Overall review of project results/outputs in view of each immediate objective of the project.
Recommendations for follow-up strategies to maintain and improve each project output.
Finalization of the terminal statement.

VI. CAPACITY BUILDING AND SUSTAINABILITY

The project focuses on capacity building of the Black, Caspian Seas and Central Asia Silk Association (BACSA) and the following local implementing institutions in each participating country:

Country	Local implementing institution	Main contribution to the project
Armenia	Institute of Zoology of National Academy of Sciences, Yerevan ; ECO-SILK ( NGO ), Yerevan ; Yans Sheram LTD, Yerevan	Local training, testing sericulture germplasms
Azerbaijan	Sericulture Research Institute, Gandja; Sheki ipak J.S.C., Sheki	Local training, exchange and testing sericulture germplasms, experts through the TCCT
Bulgaria	Agrarian university, Plovdiv ; Sericulture Experiment Station, Vratza	Local and study tour training, exchange and testing sericulture germplasms, experts through the TCCT
Tajikistan	?Pilla? company, Dushanbe	Local training, testing sericulture germplasms, hosting regional workshop
Uzbekistan	Uzbek Sericulture Research Institute, Tashkent	Local and study tour training, exchange and testing sericulture germplasms, hosting regional workshop, experts through the TCCT

In addition the following EECA countries and institutions may participate also in some of the project activities:

Country	Institution
Albania	Ministry of agriculture, Animal husbandry institute, Tirana; National Association of Silk of Albania ?ALBAMEN?, Tirana
Georgia	Sericulture coordination center, Tbilisi ; Education-Research Institute of Sericulture under the State Agrarian University , Tbilisi ; company ?Georgian silk?, Tbilisi
Greece	MOA: Agricultural Research Station of Komotini, Department of sericulture in Athens ; Laboratory of Sericulture and Apiculture under the Agricultural University of Athens; The Soufli Sericulture and Silk Municipal Enterprise; Silk Research and Technology Centre, Athens
Kazakhstan	South-West Scientific-Productional Centre of Agriculture, Chimkent
Romania	Commercial society ?Sericarom?-research branch, Bucharest
Turkey	Kozabirlik sericultural cooperative, Bursa
Ukraine	Sericulture Research Institute, Merefa, Kharkov district

National project officers concerned will gain further valuable technical and managerial expertise while they interact with international experts and the FAO officials.

VII. INPUTS TO BE PROVIDED BY THE FAO

1. Personnel services (up to $ 161,000)

One Project Team-leader Consultant - TCDC/ TCCT Expert in general sericulture, for 6 months in When-Actually-Employed basis, WAE/part-time during the entire project period (TOR in Annex 2): $42,000 (Travel 10,000, DSA 16,000, Honorarium 16,000)
One TCDC/ TCCT Expert in moriculture and silkworm rearing, for 2 months in two assignments (TOR in Annex 2): $17,500 (Travel 5,500, DSA 6,000, Honorarium 6,000)
One TCDC/ TCCT Expert in silkworm breeding and egg production, for 2 months in two assignments (TOR in Annex 2): $17,500 (Travel 5,500, DSA 6,000, Honorarium 6,000)
One TCDC Expert in silk reeling/processing, cocoon/silk quality control and silk market development, for 3 months in three assignments (TOR in Annex 2): $25,000 (Travel 8,000, DSA 8,500, Honorarium 8,500)
5 National Project Consultants in General Sericulture, 6 months, WAE basis throughout the project duration (TOR in Annex 3): 5 x $8000 = $40,000
Technical Backstopping Mission, 4 weeks in four visits (TOR in Annex 4): $19,000 (Travel 13,000, DSA 6,000)

2. Duty travel (up to $ 20,000): Official travel of the project team within the country.
3. Contracts, letters of agreements or contractual service agreements: None
4. Materials, supplies and equipment: (up to $ 141,000) List in Annex 5 (to be finalized with specifications, by the PTC in the Work Plan).

Expendable materials and supplies: 66,500
Non-expendable equipment: 74,500

5. Training (up to $ 123,000): Training courses, workshops, study-tour (Details in Annex 1)
6. General operating expenses (up to $ 20,000): General operating expenses related to the project at the country level, including reporting costs, preparation of Terminal Statement.
7. Direct operating expenses (up to $30,000): Direct operating costs to cover for expenses related to project implementation at FAO Headquarters.

TOTAL: $ 495,000

VIII. REPORTING

At the end of each mission, the TCDC/ TCCT experts and study-tour trainees will prepare a mission report according to the FAO formats and suggestions from the FAO Technical Officer. The National Consultants will prepare a briefing or activity report made available to the visiting FAO Officer on each technical backstopping mission and also to the Government authorities concerned and BACSA as necessary. The terminal statement will be drafted by the Project Team-leader Consultant under the supervision of the FAO.

IX. GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION AND SUPPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

The Governments of the participating countries will participate in implementing the project through technical and operational activities of the local implementing institutions. The Government will:

recommend a National Project Coordinator to work as counterpart to the Project Consultancy Team;
assign technical staffs and provide secretarial and logistic support for the TCDC/ TCCT experts in performing their duties;
provide logistical support for delivery and custom clearance of project inputs imported, office accommodation, water, power, infrastructures and laboratory facilities to the TCDC/ TCCT experts related to sericulture.
throughout the project period, provide basic materials necessary for project implementation, not supported by the project inputs, such as training rooms, mulberry leaves, silkworm eggs, rearing tools, disinfectants, etc.;
provide funds for all local expenses not otherwise provided by the project;
provide preparatory arrangements, personnel, transportation and facilities necessary for training courses to be organized by the project.

X. PROJECT BUDGET

The project budget covering the FAO contribution is prepared by FAO.

Country: Armenia , Azerbaijan , Bulgaria , Tajikistan , Uzbekistan

Project title: Improvement and Revival of Sericulture Industries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Project symbol: TCP /....... / ......

Budget line	Component Description	Sub Comps.	Main Comp.
5013	Consultants		113,000
5542	Consultants - International
5543	Consultants ? National (5 Persons)	40,000
5544	Consultants - TCDC/TCCT 1) Project Team-leader Consultant 2) Expert in moriculture and rearing 3) Silkworm breeding and egg production 5) Silk reeling / processing	32,000 12,000 12,000 17,000
5545	Consultants - Retired Experts	-
5014	Contracts		-
5650	Contracts Budget	-
5020	Locally Contracted Labour		-
5652	Casual Labour - Temporary Assistance	-
5021	Travel		94,000
5661	Duty travel others (FAO staff only)	19,000
5684	Consultants - International	-
5685	Consultants ? National	20,000
5686	Consultants - TCDC/TCCT	29,000
5692	Travel TSS	-
5694	Travel ? Training	26,000
5698	Travel non staff (counterparts)
5023	Training		97,000
5920	Training Budget	97,000
5024	Expendable Equipment		66,500
6000	Expendable Equipment	66,500
5025	Non Expendable Equipment		74,500
6100	Non Expendable Equipment Budget	74,500
5027	Technical Support Services		-
6111	Report Costs
6120	Honorarium TSS	-
5028	General Operating Expenses		20,000
6300	General Operating Expenses Budget	20,000
5029	Support Cost		30,000
6118	Direct Operating Costs	30,000
	Grand Total		495,000

Duration : 14 days: India for 7 days and China for 7 days

Activity Outlines

1. Visits to and observations of sericulture institutes for cocoon and silk production, and also for silk processing and marketing of final silk products.
2. Meetings and Discussions with key staff members of the institutes visited, on overall aspects and also on specific technology and extension/management systems and skills in each institute concerned, especially in relation to future application to project outputs in home country.
3. Collection of and organizing information and data for review/analysis for reporting: brochures, documents, samples, trainee?s views and evaluation, discussion results, etc.
4. Conclusion: to be submitted as a study-tour training report, highlighting what the trainee obtained and learned as a result
5. Submission of training report, as outlined in Reporting Requirements.

Study tour tentative itinerary

Day 1. Arrival at Bangalore , India ; Preliminary discussions with the Local Hosting Organization (LHO) and finalization of itinerary. Go through the literature package of LHO on sericulture.

Day 2. Leave Bangalore towards Ramanagaram (60 km south of Bangalore); Visit sericulture villages, meet farmers and observe sericulture practices, to economics and technologies of sericulture and related matters; Discuss extension methodology at field level with Sericulture Department Officials; Visit cocoon market; Visit a multi-end Reelers' unit. Observe reeling processes; Discuss technical and economics and other related matters with reelers and officers; Visit KSIC Spun Silk Mills at Channapatna. Visit Extension Centre of CSRTI, KP Doddi. Discussions with LHO officers and clarifications. Arrive at Bangalore . Preparation of Notes.

Day 3. Leave Bangalore and proceed to Kolar (60 km north of Bangalore ) to visit sericulturists. Visit Chawki (young silkworm) Rearing Centres. Visit a Government and a Private Sector Grainage and discuss the technology and practices followed in producing silkworm eggs. Visit a silk twisting and reeling filature and observe technology. Arrive at Bangalore . Preparation of Notes.

Day 4. Visit Sericulture Development and Research Institute at Talaghattapura
(25 km from Bangalore ). Visits Laboratories and observe technological developments. Hold Seminar with Scientists and Technicians. Arrive at Bangalore . Preparation of Notes

Day 5. Visit Silk Exchange and observe raw silk auctions. Discussions with officers and buyers and sellers in Silk Exchange. Visit Central Silk Technological Research Institute at Bangalore and discussions with Technologists. Visit a silk powerloom and silk handlooms units. Return to Hotel. Preparation of Notes

Day 6. Forenoon - Wrap-up discussions with LHO. Leave Bangalore for Bangkok

Day 7. Arrival in Hangzhou from Bangalore through Shanghai .

Day 8. Visit Department of Sericulture, Zhejiang National University . Visit Hangzhou Textile Machinery Factory.

Day 9. Visit Zhejiang Sericulture Research Institute. Visit the Silk market in Hangzhou .

Day 10. Visit Tongxiang Silk Knit Garments Factory, Incubation Center , Sericulture company. Visit Haining Silk Reeling Factory, Silk knitting factory, silkworm rearing farmers.

Day 11. Visit China silk museum in Hangzhou . Visit Deqing Sericulture Demonstration Farm, rearing farmers.

Day 12. Visit Provincial silkworm egg control station in Hangzhou and Hangzhou Silk Factory.

Day 13. Travel to Shanghai . Make survey on the silk commodities market in Shanghai .

Day 14. Departure for home country.

1.2. Selected trainers training courses

Sl. No	Description and unit cost	Number	Cost in US$
1.	Travel of the participants from their home places to the training place and back : US$ 32	250	8,000
2.	Stationers: US$ 12	250	3,000
3.	Foods: US$ 60	250	15,000
4.	Accommodation: US$ 80	250	20,000
TOTAL	US$ 184	250	46,000

1.3. Workshops

Sl. No	Description and unit cost	Number	Cost in US $
1.	Travel of the participants: US$ 1,000	36	36,000
2.	Resource person travel and honorarium: US$ 2500	2	5,000
3.	Local Hosting Institution: US$ 5,000	2	10,000
TOTAL			51,000

2. Itemized list of equipment

Equipment	Quantity	Unit value	Cost in US $
Microscope for moth inspection	20	1,100	22,000
Digital balance for cocoon weight	35	1,500	52,500
Total	-	-	74,500

3. Itemized list of materials and supplies

Materials and supplies	Cost (US$)
Rearing tools and accessories for 10 demonstration farms	30,000
Exchange and testing sericulture germplasm Sapling and egg delivery Mulberry planting, silkworm rearing, data collecting, processing and dissemination	2,000 10,500
Disinfectants, chemicals and fertilizers for 3 crops	7,000
Silkworm eggs for 3 crops (import and locally produced)	12,000
Miscellaneous items	5,000
Sub-Total	66,500

4. Terms of reference

4.1. Terms of reference-1

Post: TCDC/TCCT Expert in General Sericulture (Project Team-leader Consultant)

Duty Station: Yerevan, Armenia; Baku, Azerbaijan; Sofia, Bulgaria; Dushanbe, Tajikistan; Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Duration: 6 months, on a When-Actually-Employed (WAE) part-time basis, covering the entire project duration

Language: English and Russian

Under the overall and the technical supervision of the Operation Branch of the FAO, in collaboration with the international and national consultants, BACSA, Government authorities, NGOs and private businesses concerned, the Project Team-leader Consultant (PTC) will perform the following duties:

1. Assess general status of sericulture in Armenia , Azerbaijan , Bulgaria , Tajikistan and Uzbekistan by reviewing existing data and information, and confirm the extent of major constraints against sericulture revival and development in the past, in relation to supply of silkworm eggs, environmental factor, rearing, incidence of silkworm disease and cocoon processing.
2. Review the government's short/medium/long term strategy for sericulture revival and improvement in the participating countries and provide the governments with appropriate recommendations to improve the existing strategy and plan.
3. Prepare a detailed work plan and finalize items and their specifications for equipment, supplies and materials.
4. Assist the NPCs in selection of 8 research/technical/managerial level staff for overseas training and in selection of 250 trainees for participation at the local training courses.
5. Supervise procurement, production and incubation of parental and hybrid silkworm eggs for cocoon production and assist the NPCs in initiating procurement procedures for equipment, tools and materials.
6. In cooperation with the international and national consultants prepare a manual on Opportunities for donor funding of sericulture industry development projects with special emphasis on the countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia .
7. Review and evaluate the project progress and results and assist BACSA and governmental authorities concerned in soliciting participation of the local NGOs and other possible donors in regional/national promotion of sericulture development.
8. Organize 2 regional workshops on Modern methods of silkworm breeding, egg/cocoon production, diseases control and r evival of sericultural industries through silk commodity and business development in the Black, Caspian Seas and Central Asia Region?
9. Review the progress of the project activities for possible revision of work plan components, including improvement potential in technical and managerial capacity of Government authorities, BACSA, NGOs and private businesses concerned.
10. Assist the NPCs and the international consultants in survey of domestic and external markets for raw silk/silk allied products.

Based on the experience gained and follow-up strategies conceived prepare a draft project proposal for follow-up activities in expanding cocoon and raw silk production.
Draft the Terminal Statement (TS) for the project in consultation with the FAO and submit it to be finalized by the FAO.

11. Prepare the mission reports in the required by the FAO format, and submit in MS-Word files to the FAO. Prepare the final mission report, as the draft follow-up project proposal and the draft TS annexed, and submit in MS-Word files to the FAO.

Qualifications : The expert must possess a Doctoral degree (PhD) in any field of sericulture, but she/he must also have broad knowledge and experience in general sericulture. Minimum 15 years practical experience in the field of sericulture management, training of cocoon farmers and extensionists is essential. Experience of consultancy service in sericulture development programme(s) in developing countries will be given preference. Experience in work with UN organizations is also required.

4.2. Terms of reference-2

Post: TCDC/TCCT Expert in moriculture and silkworm rearing for introduction of multi-cropping systems

Duty Station: Yerevan, Armenia; Baku, Azerbaijan; Sofia, Bulgaria; Dushanbe, Tajikistan; Tashkent, Uzbekistan (some of them)

Duration: 2 months

Language: English

Under the supervision and guidance of the FAO and in close collaboration with the Project Team-leader Consultant, the National Project Consultants and international experts the consultant will undertake the following duties:

1. Review past and ongoing activities in mulberry propagation, cultivation and harvesting systems and silkworm rearing technologies in Armenia , Azerbaijan , Bulgaria , Tajikistan and Uzbekistan . Compile the information/data, and identify major constraints against economically effective mulberry propagation, cultivation and harvesting systems and production of high yield and quality cocoons and recommend ways and means to alleviate such constraints in the course of rehabilitation of sericultural industries at the regional level.
2. Provide the local sericulture research institutes and demonstration farms with technical recommendations on mulberry cultivation and multi-cropping systems.
3. Prepare in English a technical manual, which will provide the BACSA countries with appropriate methodologies and technologies on the selection and cultivation of mulberry for multi-cropping system, which could be developed in selected areas..
4. Undertake in-service training in mulberry cultivation for young/advanced silkworm rearing for research/extension workers. Train farmers, lab technicians and extension staff.
5. Select suitable buildings/land for the establishment and operation of young silkworm centralized rearing centres in consultation with the NPCs. Select suitable villages for the establishment and operation of demonstration farms in consultation with the NPCs.
6. . Provide technical guidance to counterpart staff regarding relevant sericulture development activities, particularly on silkworm rearing technology.
7. Prepare mission reports in accordance with standard FAO format.

Qualifications: A Ph.D. or its equivalent with more than 15 years experience at both laboratory and field level.

4.3. Terms of reference-3

Post: TCDC/TCCT Expert in silkworm breeding and egg production

Duty Station: Yerevan, Armenia; Baku, Azerbaijan; Sofia, Bulgaria; Dushanbe, Tajikistan; Tashkent, Uzbekistan (some of them)

Duration: 2 months

Language: English

Under the supervision and guidance of the FAO and in close collaboration with the Regional Project Coordinator, the National Project Coordinators and international experts the consultant will undertake the following duties:

1. Collect, review and assess information and data on silkworm breeding/egg production, diseases and pests incidence and their control in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan . Compile the information/data, and identify major constraints against effective silkworm breeding/egg production and recommend ways and means to alleviate such constraints in the course of rehabilitation of sericultural industries at the regional level.
2. Assist in arranging in-service training for local counterpart staff and extension workers in silkworm breeding/egg production, classification of the silkworm diseases and application of early diagnosis for prevention of silkworm diseases at both institutional and field level by using both traditional and updated technologies.
3. Assist local researchers in undertaking appropriate activities on silkworm breeding/egg production and provide the necessary technical guidance. Assist local research officers concerned with silkworm rearing for seed cocoon production and provide them with plans and action.
4. Provide necessary training courses in a few important areas of sericulture related to silkworm breeding/egg multiplication and commercial-oriented silkworm rearing/quality cocoon production at both institutional and field level. Assist the local counterpart staff in the preparation of a draft technical manual on silkworm breeding and egg production.
5. Review and assess the interim outputs of the activities in silkworm egg production units and their positive impact on the stable supply of eggs to sericulture farmers. Provide technical guidance to counterpart staff regarding pebrine inspection of larvae/eggs/mother moths.
6. Select suitable buildings/land for the establishment and operation of young silkworm centralized rearing centres in consultation with the NPCs. Select suitable villages for the establishment and operation of demonstration farms in consultation with the NPCs.
7. Prepare a concise manual on ?C onservation, database creation and utilization of silkworm genetic resources in Eastern Europe and Central Asia ?.
8. Prepare mission reports in accordance with standard FAO format.

Qualifications: A Ph.D. or equivalent and more than 15 years experience at both laboratory and field level.

4.4. Terms of reference-4

Post: TCDC Expert in silk reeling/processing, cocoon/silk quality control and silk market development

Duty Station: Yerevan, Armenia; Baku, Azerbaijan; Sofia, Bulgaria; Dushanbe, Tajikistan; Tashkent, Uzbekistan (some of them)

Duration: 3 months

Language: English

1. Review and assess past and current activities in relation to cocoon quality control, silk reeling/testing and processing and potential market development in Armenia , Azerbaijan , Bulgaria , Tajikistan and Uzbekistan .
2. Compile the information/data, and identify major constraints against cocoon quality control, silk reeling/testing and processing and potential market development and recommend ways and means to alleviate such constraints in the course of rehabilitation of sericultural industries at the regional level.
3. Identify major technical problems, which are closely related to silk reeling and testing to improve the quality of raw silk. Assist the NPCs in selecting potential reeling units under the technical supervision by the Project. Introduce new skills and methods to improve productivity and quality of raw silk to the international standard.
4. Provide silk reeling/processing companies with technical recommendations on the relevant subject to improve their technologies and the quality of final products. Prepare a concise ?Raw silk Reelers Manual? for training purposes.
5. Review and assess the interim outputs of the relevant project activities on cocoon quality control/silk reeling/testing and processing.
6. Assist the NPCs and factories in undertaking in-service training courses for staff and technicians of factories in various areas of silk reeling/ testing and processing for the improvement of silk quality at commercial level.
7. Make visits to selected areas where potential local markets could be developed and conduct a broad survey on the identification of silk allied products, which could be marketable in the future.
8. Identify technical problems in promoting potential local markets and provide the government authorities, NGOs and private businesses with technical guidance for possible solutions.
9. Assist NPCs in survey and analysis of domestic/regional demand and supply of raw silk for promotion of raw silk reeling in the country. Prepare a fresh/dry cocoon quality evaluation system in conformity with the international standards.
10. Prepare a raw silk quality evaluation system in conformity with the international standards.
11. Develop a regional market information system for the sericulture products. Prepare the information system to be ready for uploading in internet. Train the Governmental/BACSA staff to operate and maintain the system.
12. Finalize at FAO headquarters the above activities in discussion with Technical Officer, and submit the resulting documents, along with recommendations for follow-up activities.
13. Prepare mission reports, following FAO format.

Qualifications: The expert should have university degree with specialization in uni-bivoltine cocoon processing from cocoon harvesting to raw silk. Minimum 15 years practical working experience in uni-bivoltine raw silk reeling filature and training experience in bivoltine raw silk reeling will be given preference. Experience in producing raw silk of more than 3A quality preferable.

4.5. Terms of reference-5

Post: National Project Consultant (NPC)

Duty Station: Yerevan, Armenia; Baku, Azerbaijan; Sofia, Bulgaria; Dushanbe, Tajikistan; Tashkent, Uzbekistan (one of them)

Duration: 6 months on a When-Actually-Employed (WAE) part-time basis, covering the entire project duration

Language: English

Under the supervision and guidance of the FAO and in close collaboration with the Project Team-leader Consultant (PTC) and international experts the consultant will undertake the following duties:

1. Assist the PTC in overall operational/technical activities of the project and in communication as necessary with TCDC Experts, the FAO and Government Offices, NGOs and private businesses concerned in relation to the project activities.
2. Assist the PTC in preparing briefing reports or field activity reports, as required by officers concerned from the FAO and the government and in performing their duties.
3. Initiate procurement procedures for equipment, tools and materials. Recommend suitable research/technical/managerial level staff for overseas training and selected trainees for local training.
4. Select suitable buildings/land for the establishment and operation of young silkworm centralized rearing centres in consultation with the PTC and TCDC/TCCT experts. Select suitable villages and farmers for establishment of demonstration cocoon farms, representing strategic areas for sericulture development.
5. Attend and recommend participants at the regional workshops.
6. Recommend possible revisions of the work plan, especially concerning the time-schedule of fielding the international consultants.
7. Organize training courses for extension workers and selected sericulture farmers of demonstration and other farms established.
8. In consultation with the TCDC expert in silk reeling select potential reeling units under the technical supervision by the Project. Make visits to selected areas where potential local markets could be developed and conduct a broad survey on the identification of silk allied products, which could be marketable in the future.
9. In consultation with the TCDC / TCCT experts identify technical problems in promoting potential local markets and provide the government authorities, NGOs and private businesses with technical guidance for possible solutions.
10. Make survey and analysis of domestic/regional demand and supply of raw silk for promotion of raw silk reeling in the country.
11. Interpret or translate technical information and data and training materials into local language, as necessary.
12. Review the mission reports of the TCDC/TCCT experts and assist the PTC in following through with the technical and managerial recommendations to the beneficiaries.
13. Supervise and/or assist cocoon farmers, extensionists and lab technicians in continuing project activities throughout the project period, especially while the TCDC/TCCT experts are away.
14. Prepare consultant reports, describing chronologically her/his work done, and submit in MS-Word files to the FAO for technical clearance.

Qualifications: Postgraduate university degree in agriculture, biology or sericulture with 15 years experience in silkworm rearing management and at least 5 years field operation experience are essential. Clear understanding about the prevailing socio-economic conditions of the sericulturists in the country is needed. In addition, proven experience in writing reports on sericulture issues, spoken English, good social skills and strong desire to share information and expertise would be given preference. Some experience of working with international experts and agencies is desirable.

4.6. Terms of reference-6

Post/Title: Technical Officer in charge of Supervisory Technical Services

Duty Station: Yerevan, Armenia; Baku, Azerbaijan; Sofia, Bulgaria; Dushanbe, Tajikistan; Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Duration: Four weeks in four assignments, at the beginning and at the end of project

Language: English

In close collaboration with the BACSA, PTC, NPCs and Government authorities concerned, the Technical Officer will perform the following duties:

First assignment (1 week) :

1. Review and assess the progress of the project inception activities, in relation to production of each project outputs.
2. Recommend adjustment of objectives and outputs to fit to prevailing conditions and revise work plan, if necessary.
3. Supervise and provide technical backstopping to the Experts in the field and to the RPC and NPCs in project implementation.
4. Prepare a back-to-office report, including the results of performing all the above duties.

Second assignment (1 week) :

1. Review and assess the progress of the project inception activities, in relation to production of each project outputs.
2. Recommend adjustment of objectives and outputs to fit to prevailing conditions and revise work plan, if necessary.
3. Supervise and provide technical backstopping to the Experts in the field and to the RPC and NPCs in project implementation.
4. . Prepare a back-to-office report, including the results of performing all the above duties.

Third assignment (1 week) :

1. Review overall project outcome in terms of each output and immediate objective of the project.
2. Provide recommendations arisen as a result of evaluation of each project output and also for its sustainability.
3. Assess the project impact and Government?s intention to maintain the project contribution through follow-up activities.
4. Recommend follow-up activities and strategies for sericulture industries development in Armenia , Azerbaijan , Bulgaria , Tajikistan and Uzbekistan .
5. Supervise and collaborate with the PTC in finalization of the draft terminal statement.
6. Prepare a back-to-office report, including the results of performing all the above duties.

Fourth assignment (1 week) :