The Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2018 to 2023 sets out four government priority areas to guide FAO support and partnership with the Government of The Gambia – bringing together innovative international best practices and global standards with national and regional expertise during the next four years. It is informed by the nationally defined sector priorities and objectives expressed in the National Development Plan (2018 – 2021), UNDAF (2017 – 2021) as well as regional and global commitments including the Malabo Declaration, the African Union Agenda 2063 and the 2030 agenda (SDGs).
The CPF takes cognizance of the Government’s prioritization of the SDGs which ranked SDGs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 16 as high priority. It was prepared following consultation and collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources, the Ministry of The Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources, the UN Country Team, Non-State Actors, Civil Society stakeholders and other partners.
The CPF priority areas are designed to enhance food and nutrition security, promote commercialization and value chain development, create employment, promote youth and women participation, contribute to resilience building, and to sustainably manage the natural resource base.
Priority Area 1: Enhance Enabling Environment and Capacity Development for Increased, Sustainable and Diversified Agricultural and Fisheries Production and Nutrition.
This priority area focuses on strengthening Agriculture and Natural Resources sector (including Fisheries and Forestry) policies, strategies and work plans to address the many gaps that do exist. Government strategies are aimed at modernizing the agriculture, livestock and fisheries sectors, promoting and strengthening agribusiness, investing in human capital development, empowering youths and women and creating meaningful employment opportunities for them. In addressing the Government’s priorities, the CPF will support enabling environment and capacity development for sustainable, increased and diversified production for nutrition promotion in agriculture, livestock and fisheries. All actions will be implemented taking into consideration inclusiveness and gender equity.
Priority Area 2: Sustainable Natural Resources Management for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation.
This priority area focuses on improved environment, natural resource management and climate change adaptation/mitigation. The CPF will use the five principles of Sustainable Food and Agriculture to promote integrated natural resources management for climate change adaptation and mitigation. FAO technical assistance will focus specifically on the following: (1) Enhancing the capacity of institutions (Government and non-state) at national and regional levels to plan, develop policies, strategies and programmes for the sustainable management of forest resources taking into consideration climate change; (2) Improving the capacities of communities to sustainably manage land and forest resources, including measures for climate change adaptation and mitigation; (3) Improving the capacities of authorities and local communities to sustainably increase the productivity of fisheries and aquaculture while addressing climate change and environmental degradation. The actions will be implemented taking into consideration the gender dimension of the agriculture and natural resources sectors. The role of women in natural resources management is recognized and will be mainstreamed in decision-making and programme implementation.
Priority Area 3: Strengthened Food and ANR Value Chains for Income Generation and Employment Creation.
Under this priority area, the CPF seeks to contribute to promote commercialization of agriculture and strengthen the agricultural and natural resources value-chains. FAO will focus on the following: (1) Increasing the capacity of value-chain actors in value addition and managing ANR enterprises that promote youth and women’s employment; (2) Increase the capacity of marketing bodies and small-scale entrepreneurs to like to markets and; (3) Strengthen food safety and quality control systems. These actions will be implemented taking into consideration the gender dimension of agriculture and natural resources sector. The roles of women and youth in the ANR value-chain are recognized and will be mainstreamed in decision-making and programme implementation.
Priority Area 4: Strengthened Resilience and Capacities for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation.
Under this priority area, the CPF will invest in resilience building and disaster risk reduction/management and climate change adaptation to safeguard against disaster risks and hazards. FAO technical assistance will focus specifically on the following: (1) Strengthening institutional capacity to address disaster risks including environmental challenges and climate change; (2) Improving information gathering and dissemination on food security and nutrition Early Warning Systems for timely decision making; (3) Improving the resilience of households through prevention and mitigation measures at community level and; (4) Improving the resilience of households through climate change adaptation and mitigations measures at community level.
Budget, Implementation, Monitoring and Reporting Arrangements
The estimated total budget requirement for the programming period is US$ 42,744,000. Of this amount, a total of US$ 28,659,000 is available. There is a deficit of US$ 14,085,000. It is envisaged that US$ 2,000,000 will be mobilized from FAO’s internal resources; notably, its Technical Cooperation Program (TCP and TCPf and telefoods) and US$ 12,085,000 will be mobilized from external sources including South-South Cooperation.
The CPF will be pursued in partnerships as broad as possible and in alignment with the joint efforts of the Government of The Gambia and the development partners for enhanced coordination and aid effectiveness. The Government of The Gambia and FAO look forward to seeking collaboration and support from all concerned partners for the successful implementation of the CPF.
Monitoring and evaluation of the CPF will be in accordance with a results matrix and monitoring and evaluation plan agreed upon by FAO and the Government. CPF reporting will be done annually to show progress on implementation. Implementing partners will provide periodic reports on progress, achievements and results in accordance with a format established by FAO and the Government. There will be a review of the CPF as agreed upon between the Government and FAO. A mid-term review of the CPF will be done. FAO’s CPF results matrix will inform the UNDAF results matrix.