SPFS Phase I which commenced its operation in March 2002 has been developed using the experience gained in a Pilot Project which was conducted from 1999 to 2001. The pilot project was initiated with TCP Project assistance at two sites in the North Western Province with a focus on water management. It introduced and promoted improved farming systems, on-farm water management in the highlands and improved agronomic measures and water management in the paddy fields. An innovative participatory training and extension approach based on farmers field school experience was introduced providing direct assistance and support to farmers organizations and groups to adopt the new improved irrigation and crop production technologies.

The SPFS Phase I will complement the national strategies undertaken to achieve food security. The stakeholders of the project are the men, women and the youth striving to ensure food security with poor resource base, such as water and land and lack of technology, information and capital. The project envisages empowering and motivating the community in planning and implementing local interventions for food security and improved livelihood after identifying their constraints to overcome increased food security and livelihood through participatory constraint analysis, training and monitoring skills. In order to increase the farmers' capabilities for food security and livelihoods the farmers will be trained on integrated farming that includes agriculture, livestock and aquaculture. It will also have programmes to improve capacity of the staff involved in the extension and technology dissemination.

The project activities will be implemented in 7 provinces. Inclusion of the North and East provinces is being considered based on the improvement of security situation in these areas. Depending on the needs of the target beneficiaries several demonstrations and training will be provided on agriculture, livestock and aquaculture. Training and technical assistance also will be provided in post harvest technology and marketing. Some seed money and inputs will be provided to farmers through a revolving fund. The community and its Farmers' Organizations are mobilized and sensitized to be active partners in the decision making at all levels of planning, implementing and monitoring. The project would facilitate linkages among farmers' organizations and other institutions to develop their capacity to negotiate for obtaining inputs and services.

At the national level, the project is coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and at the provincial level the project activities will be implemented by the Provincial Councils. The National Steering Committee (NSC), chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock provides overall guidance. The Secretary of Agriculture and Livestock has nominated the National Project Coordinator (NPC) in consultation with SPFS Steering Committee. The project is headed by the Team Leader who also serves as the specialist in agriculture. Other than the Team Leader, Specialists in on-farm water management, livestock and aquaculture provide expert advice, training and other technical support and annual evaluations through collaborative arrangements. The Team Leader and the specialists together form the Project Implementation Unit /The National Project Team (PMU).

The project activities are planned through a participatory process and the guidance of the PMU will be provided to the Provincial Steering Committee chaired by the Chief Secretary of each Province for approval of the plan. The approved plan will be implemented through the PMU and with the co-operation of line agencies. At the end of the project period it is expected that the line agencies and the farmers will take over the full control of the project.