Summary of the Evaluation
1．Outline of the ProjectCountry：Union of Myanmar

Project title：Project for Eradication of Opium Poppy
Cultivation and Poverty Reduction in Kokang SpecialRegion No.1

Sector：Agriculture Development
Division in charge ： RuralDepartment
Period of 2005.4.1 ～ 2010.3.31
Cooperati
onDevelopment

Cooperation scheme：Technical Cooperation
Total cost：800 Million JPY
Partner Country’s Implementing Organization ：Natala, KSR1, MAS, MOE, MOH

Supporting Organization in Japan：
Related Cooperation

1. Background of the Project
JICA had dispatched experts since 1997 to support and promote buckwheat cultivation as substitute cropcultivation mainly in Kyaukme, Northern Shan State. In 2003, JICA launched a technical cooperation project with acomprehensive approach of agricultural development, renovation/construction basic infrastructure, enhancement ofeducation and health for 5 years scheduled from April 2005 to March 2010 during the dissemination of buckwheat
cultivation after the eradication of poppy opium.
In Mid-term evaluation executed in September 2007, the Project and its stakeholders confirmed that it would beimplemented in line with “pilot village tract development support” for the latter half of the project implementation.
The Project has practiced tea cultivation as a substitute crop, lowland and upland rice maize cultivation, school
health activities through rural health centers, rural health activities, literacy education, water supply facilities, animal
dispersal through revolving system (pig, goat, buffalo and cattle), and promotion of handy crafts mainly for 6 pilot
village tracts.
The incident occurred in August 2009 in City of Laokai, Kokang Special Region No.1 (KSR1). Due to the incident,
experts moved to Lashio in the end of September and they are currently executing project activities for the scopes
described above through remote operation with CPs that are continuously engaged with the project activities inKSR1.
The terminal evaluation study was carried out mainly through interviewing survey with 6 experts and 7 CPs andquestionnaire survey. The objectives of the terminal evaluation mission are to verify outcomes produced bycompeted activities and degree of project achievement compared with the initial plan from the launch of the Projectto the present (including remote operation in Lashio), evaluate the Project with 5 evaluation criteria based on theverification, and obtain lessons learned and recommendations based on the evaluation results.

2. Project Overview(1) Overall Goal
(Overall goal 1) Living conditions of the beneficiaries are improved.
(Overall goal 2) Successful experiences of the poverty reduction and rural development in Kokang Special Region

No.1 is demonstrated as a rural development model of post opium poppy cultivation areas.
(2) Project Purpose(Project purpose 1) Critical situation of people in poverty right after the eradication of opium poppy cultivation ismitigated.
(Project purpose 2) Successful experiences of poverty reduction activities implemented with collaboration ofMyanmar government and Kokang Special Region No.1 and villagers' self-reliant participation are demonstrated
mainly in the Pilot Areas.
(3) Outputs(Output 1) Urgent critical situation is mitigated in Kokang Special Region No. 1.
(Output 2) Technicques and approaches regarding the whole process from cultivation to marketing of substitutecrops are improved mainly in the Pilot Areas.
(Output 3) Improved farming techniques are disseminated and used by farmers mainly in the Pilot Areas.
(Output 4) The villagers' livelihood is improved (e.g. through group activities) mainly in the Pilot Areas.
(Output 5) Basic health situation and education environment are improved mainly in the Pilot Areas.
(4) Inputs
Japanese side：
Long-term Experts

10 Experts (302.93M/M)

Equipment

25,037,000 Yen

Short-term Experts

1 Experts (1.19M/M)

Local cost

679,996,000 Yen

Trainees received

5 Trainees

Myanmar side：
Counterparts (CPs)
Provision of office space

19 CPsLocal Cost 20,000,000 Kyat

2．Evaluation Team
Members ofEvaluation

Satoshi HAGIWARA

Team LeaderTeamHiroshi HIDAKA

Study Planning

Akira OGASAWARA

Evaluation and Analysis

Satoshi HAGIWARA

Team Leader

Hiroshi HIDAKA

Study Planning

PeriodofEvaluation2010 /2 /9 ~ 2010/2 /24

Consultant, VSOC Co., Ltd.

Type of Evaluation：Terminal Evaluation

3．Results of Evaluation
3-1. Measurement of Results(1) Project Purpose
Project purpose 1 is achieved according to the following outcomes.
-Food self sufficiency rate has shown about 6 months per year on average according to monitoring by CP.
-After the distribution of malaria bed-nets. malaria-related mortality and infection rate is kept lower levelin all village tracts, compared to those in 2004. These tendencies can be identified as outcomes ofemergency support by the Project and the results of emergency support operation executed by otherdevelopment partners (WFP, AMDA, ADRA, CARE, etc.).
Project purpose 2 is almost achieved.
-"Good examples of successful experiences" by the project activities are explained as following activities;
1) improved farming system for cultivation of substitute and cash crops such as maize, rice, tea,
buckwheat, and walnut, 2) training and practicing bokashi and compost making, 3) practicing animal
dispersal system, 4) operating literacy class for out of school children, and 5) practicing school andcommunity health.
-Expected successful experiences in FY 2009 have not been sufficiently accumulated.
(2) Output 1
Output 1 is achieved according to the following outcomes.
-Fertilizers and seeds distributed as emergency assistance contributed to increase in agriculture
production of the beneficiaries due to the improvement of accessibility to agricultural production
materials.
-The distribution of malaria bed-nets contributed to preventing from massive prevalence of malaria afterthe emergency support. There has been no massive infection/outbreak reported since distribution ofmalaria bed-nets.
-Road renovation between Tarshwetan and Konkyan made human movement and transportation easiereven during rainy season. The renovation has positively facilitated the smooth activities/operations of not
only the Project (production of other outputs and achievement of the project purposes), but also
development partners (WFP and NGOs).
(3) Output 2
Output 2 is partly unachieved according to the following outcomes.
-Recommended variety of maize seed (QPM) was distributed to farmers in Taushwe, Manlow, Chuntaiand Shaukai village tracts and its distribution amount counted 678 kg from FY 2008 to FY 2009.
-Lowland rice "YJ-202" and upland rice “CNBR” and “WAB” have been identified as promising varieties
through experiment and delivered to farmers in Manlow, Minchen and Chuntai village tracts. Theirdistribution amount counted 1,020 kg of lowland rice seeds and 526 kg of upland rice seeds in 2008 and2009. Lowland rice variety “YJ-202” has been spread among farmers in Manlow village tract throughmultiplication and distribution by farmers.
-A total of 2,100,000 tea seedlings were provided to farmers in mainly Minchuen and Chuntai village
tracts where a small number of tea seedlings were cultivated. Also, Sloping Agricultural Land Technology(SALT) has been introduced and promoted. It is obvious that yield of cash crops (tea) may increase
considerably due to the introduction of dense planting. However, there is no sale amount data available atpresent since tea trees are still under-growing stage.
-In Marlipyn village tract, buckwheat cultivation is continuously practiced mainly by, buckwheat
cultivation committee. Sales amount of buckwheat produced in Kokang to Shwe Yi Company counted 7.5
ton in 2008.
-Having the support from the Project and introduction of recommended varieties, yield of substitute crops
is expected to increase. Some model farmers have already shown 30% increase in lowland riceproduction.
-In FY 2009, buckwheat cultivation, technical advices for tea farmers and experimental demonstration in
Tarshwetan farm were remained unimplemented.

(4) Output 3
Output 3 is partly unachieved according to the following outcomes.
-More than 1,600 farmers from all of 18 village tracts received agriculture training from FY 2005 to FY
2009.
-More than 100 farmers out of 1,000 farmers who received bokasi training are continuously practicing
bokshi making from FY 2006 to FY 2009. Also, 54 farmers out of 133 farmers who have received
compost training from FY 2007 to FY 2009 are making compost.
-MAS project staffs can organize by themselves agricultural training on Bokashi and some usefultechniques. Also, their communication skills with farmers have been improved.
-In FY 2009, bokashi training, and demonstration in Nali farm and model farmers were remained
unimplemented.
(5) Output 4
Output 4 is partly unachieved according to the following outcomes.
-More than 3 activity groups in each pilot area were organized and 29 activity groups in total have been
engaged with income generating activities such as animal dispersal through revolving system.
-Water supply facilities in 9 villages for 486 households constructed or renovated by the Project havecontributed to the improved life standard of the people.
-CP’s communication skills with villagers and vaccination skills for pig have been improved.
-In FY 2009, monitoring for animal dispersal through revolving system and 3 water supply facilities in
Taukshwe village tract were remained unimplemented.
(6) Output 5
Output 5 is partly unachieved according to the following outcomes.
-In total, about 4,200 school children have received health education by school teacher at 50 out of 60schools in pilot areas. Children in 9 schools in pilot areas have secured access to sanitary school toilets
constructed by the Project.
-A total of 73 literacy classes have been held and operated in cooperation with literacy educationcommittees and 2,364 villagers have studied in 5 pilot village tracts.
-CP from MOH can promote and mange EPI program through experiencing project activities. CP fromMOE can promote and coordinate literacy education program.
-Awareness to cleanliness and sanitation has been raised among participants. Through the instruction by
the workshop participants to students, change of behavior, reduction of parasite and malaria infection
among students has been observed.
-In FY 2009, teacher training on literacy class and health education, 2 literacy classes in Lontan andMinchuen village tracts, 1 school construction in Chuntai village tract, 1 school renovation in Shaukai
village tract, 13 school latrines in Lontan, Mincuhen and Chuntai village tracts were remained
unimplemented and implementation of EPI program in Lontan and Taukshwe village tracts is delayed.
3-2. Summary of Evaluation Results(1) RelevanceThe relevance of the Project is high according to the following outcomes.
-The Government of Myanmar promulgated “15 year-plan of opium poppy eradication" in 1999 anddeclared to achieve the eradication of opium poppy cultivation by 2014. Therefore, the Project isconsistent with the policy of the Government of Myanmar.
-The Project is also in line with Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) policy and JICA’spriority area of assistance.
-The Project meets with the urgent needs of people in critical situation.
(2) EffectivenessAs described in “3-1. Measurement of Results, (1) Project Purpose” Project purpose 1 is achieved andProject purpose 2 is almost achieved. Successful experiences have been accumulated in CPs althoughsome of project activities were not executed. the effectiveness of the Project is relatively high according
to the following outcomes.
-Remarkable number of malaria patients has not been reported after distribution of malaria bed-nets by
the Project. Distribution of fertilizers and crop seeds has improved productivity of farmland andcontributed to food security.
-The road renovation between Tarshwetan and Konkyan has contributed to better accessibility to markets,
public facilities and transportation of commodities even during the rainy season.
-Accumulation of successful “experiences” through self-reliant participation in the relevant stakeholders(CPs, beneficiaries, etc.) has been observed through the project implementation.
-Effectiveness is influenced by the unsatisfactory achievement in FY 2009 due to the delay in someproject activities.
(3) Efficiency
The efficiency of the Project is adequate according to the following outcomes.
-Road renovation work was executed jointly by local construction companies and beneficiaries. Localtechnology, “manual stone pitching” was adopted with local materials utilized.
-Project activities start to contribute to the production of outputs; in particular, local committees such as
literacy committee, animal dispersal committee and buckwheat cultivation committee established at thecommunity level highly contribute to the achievement of outcomes. Also, each output starts to produce
outcomes gradually.
-Capacity of CPs has been strengthened in each activity. CPs in the agriculture, livelihood improvement,
health and education sections have been assigned with appropriate timing, although assignment of CP
from MOH was delayed.
-Efficiency of the Project has been negatively influenced by delay of activities in FY 2009.
(4) Impact
The impact of the Project is medium. The following concrete impacts in terms of technology andorganization are observed:-The renovated road shortens traveling time between Laukai and Konkyan to about 2.5 hours from about
6 hours especially during rainy season. KSR1 constructed a feeder road of more than 5 km to Manlow
under their initiative. Maintenance has been properly carried out by KSR1 in cooperation with Natala.
-There is one village tract that has begun to demonstrate their ownership: Manlow village tract is in thestage of multiplying and distributing rice seeds (YJ-202) on their own after receiving primary seeds fromthe Project.
-A few of activity groups for income generating activities demonstrate sustainable efforts: 3 groups havestarted to manage animal dispersal without financial assistance from the Project.
-No negative impact has been observed.

(5) Sustainability
The sustainability of the Project is medium. The sustainability in terms of organizational, financial andtechnical aspects are shown in the following:<Organizational Sustainability>-Organizations including various kinds of beneficiary committees established by the Project are notmature yet as independent organizations. Therefore, committees need to be supported by the Myanmarside continuously.
-Rural health sub-centers (RHSC) supported by the Project in Lontan and Taukshwe village tracts havebeen functionalized with initiative of MOH by assigning midwifes and provision of medicines, etc.
<Financial Sustainability>-The Myanmar side has share local cost of 20,000,000 kyat only in FY 2005. The situation on budget
allocation from the Myanmar side for the future activities still remains to be uncertain.
<Technical Sustainability>-CPs have upgraded various skills and techniques in the fields of farming system and extension,livelihood improvement, health and education.
-Some farmers have started to practice methods acquired in the agricultural trainings (Bokashi, compostand their utilization) by themselves. The number of practicing farmers is still limited.
-Most of the beneficiary committees in every sector have started to take their positive actions in theiractivities.
3-3-1. Factors that promoted realization of effects(1) Factors Concerning to Planning-As a result of adopting to selecting 6 pilot village tracts and pilot village tract development support as aproject approach, the Project has successfully benefited a wide range of beneficiaries.
(2) Factors Concerning to the Implementation Process-Beneficiary committees have been indispensable to implementing community-level project activities.
Most of the beneficiary committees such as literacy committee, animal dispersal committee establishedby the Project started to take their positive actions in their activities, even though they are immature interms of management and human resource.
3-3-2. Factors that impeded realization of effects(1) Factors Concerning to Planning-Nil(2) Factors Concerning to the Implementation Process-Due to the incident occurred in August 2008, some of the project activities were delayed, which has been
an inhibiting factor for the project implementation.
-Due to a lack of means of communication, unsecured access to main roads especially during the rainyseason, coverage areas by the Project has been limited to some extent.
-Low-literacy and a lack of awareness of farmers sometimes resulted to not executing monitoring
activities for the Project appropriately. The hardships/difficulties of obtaining data for sufficiently
measuring project outcomes have inhibited appropriate evaluation by the Team, which impeded
implementing an appropriate evaluation.
3-4. Conclusion
Through the active implementation by Japanese experts, CPs, project staffs and the concerned people bynow, the Project produced its outcomes at a certain level. However, the outcomes do not yet reach the fullachievement level since outcomes of some activities are not produced yet because of unimplementedactivities.
3-5. Recommendations(1) Based on the results of the survey, the Team recommends that extension of the Project period for atleast one and half years should be considered in order to recover their delay. Activities which should be
implemented during the extension period as follows:
Output 2: buckwheat cultivation, technical advices for tea farmers and experimental demonstration in
Tarshwetan farm
Output 3: bokashi training, and demonstration in Nali farm and model farmers
Output 4: monitoring for animal dispersal through revolving system and 3 water supply facilities in
Taukshwe village tract
Output 5: teacher training on literacy class and health education, 2 literacy classes in Lontan andMinchuen village tracts, 1 school construction in Chuntai village tract, 1 school renovation in Shaukai
village tract, 13 school latrines in Lontan, Mincuhen and Chuntai village tracts, EPI program in Lontan
and Taukshwe village tracts(2) In case of extension, assignment of the same CPs, and provision of office compound withmulti-purpose functions in Laukai are indispensable.
(3) Continuous monitoring and support by the Myanmar side to the constructed/renovated facilities by theProject and the beneficiary committees organized by the Project is strongly advised for their sustainable
use and their sustainable activities.
3-6. Lessons Learned-In setting up numerical verification indicators described in PDM, accurate data collection through propermeans is indispensable. Therefore, when it is fond out that accurate data is not available and/or accessible,
numerical verification indicators should be reconsidered or preconditions on data quality and quantity
should be defined.
-In collection of data in the remote areas, special attention should be paid in that accurate data collection
is practically difficult. Therefore, more practical data collection methods should be discussed in the initialstage of project implementation.
3-7. Follow-up Situation
Recommendations for assignment of the same CPs, and provision of office compound in Laukai wereprovided. Both of Myanmar and Japanese’s sides are going to start to follow necessary procedures for theextension of the project period.
(end)