Extension Guide TWG Report - 2016

In the meeting held in Yei between 24 and 26 June 2015 three extension guides were validated and approved by an expert panel and government ministries. During the 5th QRM in Rumbek in February 2016 NRC agreed to lead the process of printing the extension guides and that all SORUDEV,  FSTP and ZEAT BEAD partners would order their copies through NRC, amounting to a first print of 3000 copies per guide. At the 6th QRM in Aweil it was agreed that a small group of partners will meet in Juba to do the final review of the layout of each document prior to printing. NRC has kindly agreed to host this half day meeting in their head office in Juba.

The purposes of the session are to (i) review the guides for the last time before it is printed, (ii) toget the endorsement of the government, (iii) to confirm, obtain the financial commitment of allpartners (SORUDEV, FSTP and ZEAT BEAD) concerned to fund the production and (iv) to discuss thelaunch and dissemination plan.

For the session,  a technical person each from NRC, VSF-G, NPA, CWW, HARD, FAO-IES, World Vision, National Ministry of Agriculture and the National Ministry of Livestock & Fisheries Industry were requested to participate in a final review of the guides. After this meeting NRC will launch the procurement process for printing the guides on behalf of the partners. 

In line with the agreement reached in Yei in 2015, participants at the final review meeting agreed onproducing 300 copies of each of the booklets. Six SORUDEV and FSTP partners will fund the printing of 1000 booklet each. Primary distribution channel will be at state level. However, each NGO will donate 10% of the booklets funded to the national ministry of agriculture (5%) and the ministry of livestock (5%).The participants reaffirmed their confidence in NRC to lead the production of the booklets on behalf of the partners. To this end, the preferred arrangement is for NRC to proceed with sourcing the quotations from minimum three printing houses in Juba. Do an analysis of the quotes and share this with the partners. Document the process. Contract and pay the selected printing press. NRC will issue an invoice to each partner after production and partners will collect and reimburse NRC accordingly. Since FAO was not in the meeting to confirm their commitment, the five partners agreed to proceed with printing the 5000 copies of the booklets regardless.The Extension Guides will be launched on Wednesday 15th June 2016; along with NALEP and the inauguration of the South Sudan Forum on Agricultural Advisory Services (SoSFAAS). The proposed speakers are: (i) Adoption of improved Agricultural Practices: challenges and impact on Food Security in South Sudan by Prof. Matthew Udo the Under Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and (ii) Challenges and opportunities in the livestock production sector in South Sudan by Dr. Makuei Malual Kaang the Under Secretary of Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries.