Capacity Building for Sustainable Delivery of Agribusiness Advice to Market-oriented Farmers, Bulgaria, 2003-2004 (TCP/BUL/2901 (T)
Many small and medium-sized farms in Bulgaria are far behind in the process of producing for a market-oriented economy. For these types of farms, the profitability is seriously affected by both the lack of skills and techniques to operate in the commercialized market economy and the difficulty of reaching economies of scale. At the same time the processing industry lacks experience in managing the thousands of small producers that provide an insufficient supply of raw materials, resulting in the underutilisation of processing capacities. The project strengthens the National Agricultural Advisory Service (NAAS) and supports its reorientation towards delivery of market relevant advice and assistance aiming at the integration of small and medium sized farmers in the market economy.

Promotion of Conservation Agriculture in South Africa, 2002-03 (TCP/SAF/2902(A))
Conservation tillage is one of the few technologies which can reduce and even reverse the environmental degradation devastating South Africa. The project focuses on training South African conservation tillage practitioners. A South - South exchange of information and experience on technical details and organization catalyses a sustainable national process of adaptation and adoption of Conservation Agriculture not only on large farms, but also in small-scale indigenous farming communities. The objective of the project is to formulate a national strategy to accelerate the adoption by farmers throughout South Africa of Conservation Agriculture principles and practices, and initiate and facilitate its implementation.

Capacity Building in Support of Farming Systems Development, Vanatu, 2001-2003 ( TCP/VAN/0165 (T))
Considerable effort has been placed in applying participatory approaches and conducting research into more sustainable and more productive farming practices and intensified production systems. However, the transfer of research findings into farmer fields is the current challenge. It has been recognized that there is insufficient knowledge and capacity on how to get reasonable data from on-farm demonstrations, insufficient experience and capacity for doing financial as well as yield analysis, and insufficient feedback and utilization of results for the benefit of participating farmers and communities. The project aims at farmers and extension service training in effectively and appropriately design, implement, monitor and analyse participatory on-farm demonstrations This includes data collection based on the demonstrations for improved farm planning.

Capacity Building for Improved Agricultural Marketing and Farm Management, Papua New Guinea, 2002-03 (TCP/PAN/ (T))
Horticultural production remains below its potential in Papua New Guinea despite an increased internal demand for traditional fresh produce. One of the major impediments to growth is a lack of marketing knowledge and farm management skills. The objective of the project is to support national institutions in the preparation and delivery of training courses and material on farm management and marketing extension for technical staff and farmers. FAO's Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS) in the country support post-harvest handling and processing, market infrastructure improvement and micro-credit. 

Capacity Building for Farming Systems Development, Solomon Island (TCP/SOI/8921 (T))
Under the influence of modernisation and related socio-economic changes, farmers are not making the adjustments necessary for sustainably maintaining or increasing food production, resource productivity and food security. One of the consequences has been increasing migration to urban areas and a growing dependency on imported food. Field agents of research, extension services and NGOs in the Solomon Islands are not sufficiently trained to help farmers to deal with sustainability problems, adjustments to liberalisation or transition to market-oriented agriculture. The limited capacity of field agents is a key problem affecting the success and sustainability of small farmer development programmes and projects. The purpose of the project is to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of farming systems development programmes, projects and support services by reinforcing the capacity of field agents (research, extension and NGOs). 

Enhancement of Sustainable Small Farming Food Production in Belize (TCP/BZE/8922)
The Government of Belize has adopted a diversification strategy for the agricultural sector to improve its competitiveness and sustainability. Strengthening the national capacity to diversify and intensify agricultural production is the main objective of the activity. Outputs of the project are an action plan for increased food production by small farmers, and the development of guidelines on applying new and improved technology for food crop production. 

Strengthening the Delivery of Agricultural Extension Services in St. Lucia (TCP/STL/8921)
Appropriate methodologies and approaches designed to collect, process and analyze information are delevoped for the Extension Services. This includes rural and agricultural production systems, beneficiaries' views and expectations, and community realities. A clientele-oriented extension services to improve agricultural productivity and enhance food security will be developed. AGSP contributes to this project by identifying farm management tools needed by small-scale farmers, analysing economic aspects of agricultural production systems. A survey methodology for data collection of selected crops and animal production systems is developed as well as training material for extension officers in essential farm management skills. 

Promoting Sustainable Farming Systems Management through on-the-job training on conservattion agriculture(TCP/MOZ/ (T))
The Government of Mozambique is looking for long-lasting solutions to improve agricultural conditions. This 18-month project is promoting the exchange of expertise and experience in the main principles of Conservation Agriculture (CA) between key players in the agricultural sector of Brazil and Mozambique. The main objective is to make Mozambican farmers and extension agents become active promoters of this new technology by being a motivating force to increase the adaptation and the adoption of CA principles and processes in Mozambique. Improving the management of existing farming systems through an integrated strategy - exchange of experiences and capacity building - will lay the basis for training. 

Introduction and Adoption of Participatory Approaches and Methodologies for Strengthening the Agricultural Extension Service, Dominican Republic, June 2002 (TCP/DMI/0166)
With the decline of banana exports, the Republic of Dominica has focussed on agricultural diversification, in particular on promoting non-traditional crops for export as well as increasing domestic food production. However, to date, the diversification programme has had very limited success largely because of a perfunctory infrastructure, including the absence of efficient marketing and distribution system matched with ineffective or scarce use of farm planning and management principles at the production level. There is the urgent need to increase the competence and ability of agricultural extension workers to understand the principles of farm planning and management and to build their capacity to help farmers make sound management decisions.