Delegation of the European Commission - Cameroon

ANNEX A

Delegation of the European Commission - Cameroon

Non-State Actors in Development

Actions in partner countries

Republic of Cameroun

Grant Application Form

Budget line 21 03 01

Reference: EuropeAid/ 128276/C/ACT/CM

Deadline for submission of Concept Notes: 30 April 2009

For economical and ecological reasons, we strongly recommend that you submit your files on paper-based materials (no plastic folder or divider). We also suggest you use double-sided print-outs as much as possible

Title of the action: / Mbaw Development Programme
Number and title of lot / 01 - Preparatory Activities
Location(s) of the action: / <specify country(ies): Cameroon, region(s): North West, area(s) or town(s): Bamenda that will benefit from the Action>
Name of the applicant / Centre for Reconstruction and Development
Nationality of the applicant[1] / Cameroon
Dossier No
(for official use only)
EuropeAid ID[2] / CM-2008-BDK-1204129377
Legal status[3] / Non-Governmental Organisation
Partner(s)[4] / Name, EuropeAid ID, Nationality: N/A
Total eligible cost of the action (A) / Amount requested from the Contracting Authority (B) / % of total eligible cost of action (B/Ax100)
EUR1,921,626 / [EUR499,998 / 26 %
Total duration of the action: / 60 months
Contact details for the purpose of this action:
Postal address: / P.O.Box 771Bamenda,North West Province, Cameroon
Telephone number: Country code + city code + number / 237(0) 99 297 615
Fax number: Country code + city code + number / E-fax: 44(0)871 2393455
Contact person for this action: / Mbuti Mboyam Godwill
Contact person’s email address: /
Website of the Organisation /

Any change in the addresses, phone numbers, fax numbers and in particular e-mail, must be notified in writing to the Contracting Authority. The Contracting Authority will not be held responsible in case it cannot contact an applicant.

NOTICE

All personal data (such as names, addresses, CVs, etc.) mentioned in your application form will be processed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18December2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data. Your replies to the questions in this form are necessary in order to assess your grant application and they will be processed solely for that purpose by the department responsible for the Community grant programme concerned. On request, you may be sent personal data and correct or complete them. For any question relating to these data, please contact the Commission department to which the form must be returned. Beneficiaries may lodge a complaint against the processing of their personal data with the European Data Protection Supervisor at any time (Official Journal L8, 12.1.2001)].

EuropeAid/128276/C/ACT/CM

Page 1 of 12

Part A. CONCEPT NOTE

I. INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DRAFTING OF THE CONCEPT NOTE

There is no specific template for the Concept Note but the applicant has to ensure that the text of his/her concept note:

• does not exceed 4 full pages (A4 size) of Arial 10 characters with 2 cm margins;
• responds, in the same sequence, to the headings listed below. It is expected that the size of each section will reflect the relative importance of each heading (ref max scores in the evaluation grid and in the Guidelines). The applicant may provide any additional information that he/she may deem useful for the evaluation, but which might not have been specifically requested (e.g. added value and/or synergy with other similar interventions - past, present, or planned - activities, multiplier or spill-over effects, why the applicant is the best placed for the implementation of the action etc). The evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the evaluation grid and it will be based solely on the information provided by the applicant in the concept note.
• Is drafted as clearly as possible to facilitate its assessment.

1.Relevance of the Action

Provide a general presentation and analysis of the problems and their interrelation at all levels.

Agricultural production in Cameroon is predominantly subsistence and extensive with very low input supply of seeds, bad machinery and fertilizers as wells as application of farming methods by personnel resulting to poor harvests, hunger and malnutrition of children. Moreover, the efforts made by peasant farmers are insignificant coupled with no structured production chain, access to better markets and capacity building. However, rice is a common staple consumed in most households in Cameroon besides other local foods. But the supply is just 60,000 tonnes compared to a total market demand of 700,000 tonnes (MINADER 2008). Importation therefore accounts for over 80% consumption, with barely less than 20% produced locally (MINCOMMERCE). Food productivity in Cameroon is 2.6% by contrast; the population growth rate is 3.8% (MINADER 2005). Food security can be enhanced if Cameroon vast flood plains and rich fertile soils are exploited instead of relying on importation.

Identify clearly specific problems to be addressed by the action.

The specific problems to be addressed by this action are: farmers livelihoods, extreme poverty and hunger, farm inputs particularly quality seeds, structured chain of production and marketing of products, transformation of produce, transportation and distribution, unemployment, capacity building for farmers and CBOs, financial autonomy for this organisation, promotion of millennium development goals and trainingcourse for CREDEV director.

Include a brief description of the target groups and final beneficiaries.

The target groups comprise of disadvantaged and poor people of the project area as the follows:

• Children; constituting over 60% of the population of the action area, which under 70% complete primary schooling.
• Community-based organisations (CBOs); are inexistent in most villages of the action area that will be created and empowered through capacity building.
• Indigenous population; comprised of over 70% illiterates with a high death rate.
• Migrants; making up about 45% of action area inhabitants solely involved in farming.
• Women; comprising the main work-force in farming activities.
• Young people: who are not employed, migrating to townships in search of jobs.

The final beneficiaries comprise of the following disadvantaged groups of people in the society:

• Consumers; totalling about 4 million people within two provinces of project location.
• Educational organisations; in need of better access to education in the society.
• Elderly people; in need of basic services including healthcare in the society.
• Displaced refugees; comprising about 5% of project area population from Nigeria.
• Ill-affected people; in the area and health services improvement in the society.

Demonstrate the relevance of the proposal to the needs and constraints in general of the target country(ies) or region(s) and to the target groups/final beneficiary groups in particular.

Food is a basic need to human survival and a fundamental human rights upheld by the United Nations. Mbaw Development Programme enhances this right by pursuing the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) of the Cameroon government launched in August 2007. It is a policy which promotes the transformation of massively consumed foods in Cameroon, which rice is one. Over 80% of the rice consumed in Cameroon is imported from Asia which this action will reduce the quota of importation if funded. The rising world food prices can only be reduced through measures of the sort that boost food productivity. Acquiring finance from the state under the PRSP is cumbersome with strings, the reason why we are relying on foreign bilateral assistance to implement this action.

This action furthermore, promotes human values by attempting to advance some key MDGs for the benefit of the target groups and final beneficiaries at various levels of the society. The target groups live in a region where clean drinking water is very scarce that shall be supported. Infant mortality rate is also high and life expectancy is very low, with just under 10% adults living above 50 years. Health services access will be supported to carter for infectious diseases and many more, with funds appropriated from net profit reserves of this action. This action is principally socio-economic because any proceeds generated will be reinvested back into social change programmes, to reduce poverty for the vulnerable and income generation for poor farmers. It also builds CREDEV’s financial autonomy to promote MDGs thereby reducing her reliance on foreign funding support in future, enhancing European Commission’s policies.

Demonstrate the relevance of the proposal to the objectives and priorities and requirements of the call for proposals (point 1.2 of in the Guidelines for grant applicants).

The relevance of the proposal to the objectives and priorities and requirements of the call for proposal is the promotion of socio-economic development within the context of sustainable development in pursuit of Millennium development goals ( MDGS).

It seeks to promote agricultural production to boost food security as an investment that creates employment and increases poor people’s income through a structured production chain, in the form of a quasi – cooperative. It also strengthens local development through capacity building, improving their livelihoods, cultural heritage enhancing fair-trade for their produce.

The relevance of this action’s is the increase of the level, quality and educational services that targets education for all particularly at primary school level and also the institutional building capacity of CREDEV. This is to enable CREDEV director to undertake a one year training course in Development Managementin School for International Training Vermont – USAto effectively operate as a civil society organization that promotes social change in the society.

The proposal also seeks to improve public health services by supporting access to clean drinking water for all in the project community area and other social change initiatives through the appropriation of a quota of net project reserves from turnovers

2.Description of the action and its effectiveness

Provide a description of the proposed action including, where relevant, background information that led to the presentation of this proposal. This should include:

Mbaw Development Programme is a sustainable development project that empowers this community holistically in its approach to development. Part of this project is to purchase and build up sets of pre and post harvests machinery and equipment and facilities. It first builds the capacity of the target farming groups through workshops, seminars in the seed breeding and testing centre on a 50 hectares plot already secured. This centre will equip farmers as a field school with the technology of land preparation, planting and plant care, harvesting, milling and marketing. Moreover, it then secondly introduces a participatory contract growing scheme where CREDEV will play the role of financier and buyer, wherein this option will generate group income to sustain operations and also generate employment opportunities. Finally, it will proceed to development of Mbaw Plain through the appropriation of net-profit reserves of the proceeds to promoting some key MGDs and social change.

CREDEV has the vision for Mbaw Plain because the director is indigenous to the area being his focus and also sphere of influence. Mbaw Plain is situated within the coordinates of 5.8o – 6.5oN and 10.7o – 11.8oE with a total population of 100,000 inhabitants located close to the Cameroon / Nigeria border. A pre-feasibility study carried out showed that rice is a substitute or complementary to maize as a staple and also a major source of their livelihoods. The rice species cultivated in this area was introduced since in 1970 by a Catholic priest that is glutinous, not attractive and viable to be produced commercially for this action to be replaced by high-yielding varieties from research stations abroad. The action will set-up a production and marketing structure, very similar to that of a cooperative organisation that protects poor farmer’s interests.

a description of the overall objective of the action, duration, expected results;

1)To introduce 23 high high-yielding varieties of rice species to scale-up productivity and consistency of supply to over 10,000 farmers: The results are accepted by 80% users and a distribution of more than 6 tonnes of tested quality seeds made available yearly from the seed testing and breeding centre. Practice of organic farming techniques to scale up productivity by 90% in the next 5 years.

2)To establish a participatory contract rice production scheme for the project: farming groups, associations and cooperatives will form the supply chain of raw materials to the rice milling system of 2500kg/hr to 4000kg/hr capacity, adding value and attracting better markets. A build-up of these organisations by creation or reorganisation enhances productivity and scalability by over 15,000 tonnes of paddy annually. The result is improved food security and a reduction in child malnutrition.

3)To promote sustainable rural development by improving access to resources for poor people through social change initiatives. This will result to empowerment of the target groups and beneficiaries in various contexts, amongst which are the millennium development goals. At most 5% of project area target groups / beneficiaries live on less than 1dollar per day. Access to education will be improved for boys and girls; health services will be improved, reduced child mortality and early deaths.

4)To assert financial autonomy for this organisation from net profit reserves. At least 25% of net profit reserves will be appropriated yearly to support development initiatives in the target region in particular and also the society. The area lacks clean drinking water, basic health services and good school buildings and also has a very low level of education. This action will support CREDEV in the promotion of MDGs by generating social capital, limiting external funding reliance after 5 years.

A description of the proposed activities and their effectiveness;

1)Train project director in development management and other key technical personnel: 12 months of postgraduate training in Development Management offered at School for International Training Vermont–USA building CREDEV’s institutional capacity in international development. The capacity of some key technical personnel will also be enhanced by bringing in a rice specialist possibly from abroad to train project staff on rice production aspects.

2)Detailed feasibility studies and planning: 6 months of detailed feasibility study of the project area in order to prepare a long-term sustainable development plan.

3)Seed trail and multiplications: 18 months trial of 23 rice species secured from the African Rice Centre (WARDA) – Nigeria and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) – Philippines to only multiply and distribute those that adapt well to the project environment to farmers.

4)Public sensitisation and registration to action: 12 months of public awareness of the action and registration of farming organisations with the legal Administrative Authorities to be responsive. This is to build a horizontal partnership empowering them as shareholders to also be decision-makers.

5)Water supply provision to the milling unit: 8 months of water supply provision to cool the rice milling system and also to benefit the village where it is situated.

6) Construction of processing unit buildings: 24 months of constructing processing unit buildings such as: milling building, warehouse, administrative block, drying shed, seminar / workshop hall, garage, seed and multiplication vault, and a guest house.

7) Supply of 2500kg/hr – 5000kg/hr rice milling system and its commissioning, 2 – 4WD double cabin vehicles for human transport, one 20 tonne Mercedes-Benz dumper truck to transport paddy rice from farms and raw materials to factory site, one 40 tonnes Articulated Mercedes-Benz (Actros 3340) lorry to transport processed rice to markets, 5 computers and a Xerox machine for office use and accounts, 3 Yamaha motorcycles for extension field technicians and office equipment.

8)Milling of rice and packaging: Milling high quality rice with the system and packaging it in 25kg and 50kg bags ready for distribution to markets.

9)Training farmers and provision of extension services: Continuous training of farmers on organic food production methods and soil fertility maintenance, including organisation and extension services for sustainable effectiveness and responsiveness.

10)Transportation, distribution and marketing: Products have to be transported, distributed and marketed in various distribution or sale-out points to reach consumers, completing production chain.

Involvement of any implementing partners, their role and relationship to the applicant, if applicable;

United Nations Volunteers recruited from are the associate partners involved in this action. The UN Volunteers roles include the design and writing of the proposal, its implementation and consultancy as agricultural development expatriates with extensive experience in this sector: Ms. Jocelyn Palacpac, Tel: (034)707-0535, email: ; an agricultural business consultant and researcher with over 20 years experience from the Philippines; Ms. Veronica Savon,e-mail: , Tel: (54)-114662-5942, an agricultural business consultant from Argentina with over 18 years of experience and Mr. Animesh KUMAR, Tel: 91-11-46554072, email: , Development Project Analyst and Econometrics / GIS Expert, from India with over 10 years of experience in this sector.

Other possible stakeholders (national, local government, private sector, etc.), their anticipated role and/or potential attitudes towards the project.

Cameroon Administrators such as the Governor and Senior Divisional Officers role in the action shall be the enforcement of law and order to protect the interest of the action. This action ties with state policies of food security, which they should ensure its sustainability and ask farmers to subscribe, solve farmer/grazer’s problems on transhumance and access to farm land for settlers. The Quality Control Department, being the pest and disease control service of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development are also stakeholders that shall be involved in the project to intervene, where crop diseases occur to control its spread. The potential attitudes of these stakeholders are positive and responsive to this project. In addition, WARDA and IRRI shall supply non-glutinous high-yielding, quality rice seeds already secured for this action in 2008. Alvan Blanch - UK with over 50 years in the production of agro-industrial machines shall supply the rice milling system,be responsible with the commissioning and will guarantee maintenance for some years. Their engineers will intervene at short notice as expressed in the warranty of the machine quotation we have received.