China - Jiangxi Integrated Agricultural Modernization Project : environmental impact assessment (Vol. 4 of 5) : Beneficiary participation manual

E519 Volume 4 China Jiangxi Integrated Agricultural Modernization Project (JIAMP) Beneficiary Participation Manual Draft (05/04/03)  Table of Contents Page No. 1 Objective and Principles for Participation ................................................................ 3 1 1 Objective and Principles for Participation ... 3 1 .2 Definiltion of Participation ... 3 1.3 Participation in JIAMP ............................................................... . 3 2 General Project Information ................................................................4 3 Main Stalkeholder Groups and the Types of Activities They Are Involved In .................4 3.1 Farmers ................................. .... 4 3.2 Women. . .... .. .. ...........................................................................................5 3.3 National M inorities ...................................................................5.........................5 3.4 Non-Governmental Organizationis ........... ..............................5.......................5 3.5 Enter-prises .................. ...... ... 5 3.6 Governm11enlt Agencies and InstitUtions ...... . ................................5 3.7 Otlher Entities Involved in Project Implementation ....................................6 .... ............6 4 Mechaclismiis for Beieficiatry Participation .....................................7 4.1 NatLilre of Beneficiary Participation ........................ . ......................................................7 4.2 Commiiui11cationi Approaclhes and Channiels .........................................7............. ..... 7 4.3 Possible Conflicts Durinig Interactionis and their Mitigation ............................................8 5 Miniimiium Required Participatory Activities .......................................... 10 Table 1: ComiipositionI and Ftunctionis of Key Project Entities ..........................................................6 Table 2: Participationi Approaches for Different Target Groups .. 8 Table 3: Possible Interaction Conflicts and Mitigation Measures ...............................................9 Annex 1: Summary Table of Anticipated Beneficiary Participation Activities ......... ...... ... 12 Annex 2: Participatory Rural Appraisal Metlhodologies.15 .............................. .. 15 Annex 3: Guidanice for a Geiider Specialist Training Program ................................... ... 17  1 Objective and Principles for Participation 1.1 Objective and Principles for Participation The nature of the project requires close involvemenit of the beneficiaries in the detailed design of the various plroject activities. In order to streamline beneficiary participation in implemenitationi, this Beneficiary Participation Manual (BPM) has been prepared. The BPM is an integrate part of the overall Project Implementationi Manual (PIM). The purpose of this BPM is to describe and formialize the consultationi and participation process with affected and beneficiary groups. As sucIh, it is a strategy for allowiing stakelholders to influenice and share control over the decisions and resouices that affect them. The BPM shiould provide guidance to project implementing units at county, townshiip and village levels (Project Managemenlt Units, PMOs) in hlow to eiisure effective participation of project affected groups in project implementationl. The BPM is viewed as a workinig documelit that is modiFied to reflect any changes in the project and/or In the economic, political, and social conditionis. 1.2 Definition of Participation "Participationi" in the context of this docuelineit refers to a wider range of activities thian simply takinig part in project activities or being in receipt of and then repaying a loan. This broader concept of participationi encompasses a broad spectrum of activities ranginig from information and disclosLure to active involvemilenit. Participation is defined as "'informed participation" and "imeaninigful participation," depending on the degree that project participants' views are a factor in decision-mliakinig and to what degree that the project reflects their desires. Participation is ranked into foLu- levels from low to highi: * Inforinaton Sharing = one-way flow of inforimiationi from project officials to project-involved households * Consultation = two-way floxv of inforimiationi. * Collaborailon shiared control over decision-milakinig. * Enmpoverinent = transfer of contiol over decisions and resources to those affected by the project. 1.3 Participation in JIAMP The BPM identifies the project's mnain stakeholder groups (beneficiaries in general, women in particular, goverinimlenit leaders, academicians, and any other groups that would be affected by the project; sumllimiarizes the types of activities project houselholds and affected groups are involved in at different points in the project life cycle for eachi of the componenits; describes the extent of participatioin by houselholds and affected groups, and theforum and meansforparticipation. Participation related processes, procedures, and activities, relevant for the various project activities are also described in the Self Managed lrrigationi and Drainage District (SIDD) Manual, the Irrigation Manual, the Farm Productionl Improvement Manual, the Enterprise Lending Manual, and the Minority Nationalities Development Plan. The detailed beneficiary selection criteria and eligible activities are described in the Irrigation Manual, the Farn Production lImprovement Manual and the Enterprise Lendinig Manual. All these manuals are an integrate part of the overall PIM. Aninex I summarizes the nature and extent of the various beneficiary participation activities 3  2 General Project Information JIAMP covers 4 cities', 21 couLnties2, 174 townslhips, 795 villages, and an estimated 283,000 lhouseholds witlh about 1,267,000 farmers. In addition, relevant agro enterprises will be able to borrow project ftinds for activities that support the project objectives. Project investmenits in on-farril irrigation and drainage account for about 55% of the total project cost. The componienit will cover 96 irrigation sclhemes with an area of about 70,000 hla (1,035,000 muL) withi 283,000 farmier lhouseholds. About 30% of the project cost is allocated to fariml production improvement activities. To ensure integrationi of project activities, h1ouselholds lhave to participate in the irrigation and drainage activities in order to be able to participate in the farm production improvement activities. It is estimated that about 85,000 houselholds of the 283,000 lhouseholds (about 30%) will participate in the farm production improvement activities. 3 Main Stakeholder Groups and the Types of Activities They Are Involved In The maini stakeholder- groups ulider JIAWP may be divided into: (1) farm houselholds; (2) rural womenl; (3) nationlal minior-ities; (4) nonigover nimienital orgaiiizationis; (5) private and public enterprises, farmis, and stations at townslhip/towin level; (6) government organizationis and agencies; anid (7) specific organizationis/enitities already determined to be involved in project imple me ntat ion 3.1 Farmers Since this project specifically aims to improve farmers' livelihoods with focus on the principle of farmers' participation, farmers should be deemed as the main body of active participants. Farmers in rural comm11unlities may be divided into groups dependinig on levels of income (higlh, middle, low). Farmer-s par-ticipate in the irrigation and drainage activities in the following ways: (a) participating in the design of irrigationi and drainage works; (b) sharing part of the irrigation and drainiage investmlienits; (c) participation in con1struction1 works, (d) involvement in deterininiiig of and collecting \vater clharges; (e) being responsible for operation and maintenanice of related irrigation facilities In the farn production improvement activities, farmers participate in thie: (i) investmiienit maniagemlenit; (ii) determinationi of varieties to be planted; and (iii) arrangements for product sales. lrrigationl and drainage activities and farn production improvement activities will be organized through the farmers participation in the water users' associations (WUA). Farmers' participation in the market system developmenit activities are mainly manifested by thleir affiliation in farmers' mar-keting groups and involvement in marketing training programs, etc. Thle implemenitationi of all activities include training of farmer houselholds. The contenit of training shall be identifiecl in line witlh farmer's practical needs based on full acquisition of their opinionls. Th1e traininig shiall be conducted interactively, Using media and methods such as videos and phiotos, grotip CiIscussioll, field simulation, etc. JIujiang, Shangrao, Fuzhou, Ganzhou. 2 QUannan, Longilnal, XUI1WU, Congyi, Xinguo, Shicheng, Gan, Xingfeng, Zhanggonig, Golden development district, Yugaan, Hengfeng, Guangfenig, Dexing, Wunilg, Hukou, Pengze, Yongxiu, Yihuang, Nancheng, Chliongren, etc 4  3.2 Women In Jiangxi, wvomen represent a major- part of the labor force and hence an important target and participation group of thie project. Takinig into account the realities in the countryside and the need to enilanice womeni's status, women should account for at least about a third of total staff in project maiagemilenit and implementationi institutiolIs. In villages where most young male adults are emigranit workers the proportion of women in project implementation agencies at village level should reach at least 50%. Any activity to the detriment of equality between men and women will be rejected 3.3 National Minorities As a small group of project beneficiaries are nationlal minorities. Their involvemenit in the project will be guided by this BPM and also a Minority Nationalities Development Plan whichi is a part of the overall plroject Implemenitationi Manual. 3.4 Non-Governmental Organizations There are two main kinds of noni-goverinimlenital organizationis in the project areas: clan and economic organizationis. Rural clan organizationis should be a target group of the project in rural communities with strong clan influenice. By utilizing the integrity evaluation on clan organizationis made by rulal communities, clan organizationis shall be allowed to participate in the design and establishmiienit of nonigoverinimienital economic organizations and coordinate relations amonig inter-est glrOUpS. The second type of nonigovernmenltal organizationls is rural economic cooperative organizations and mar-ket-or-ienited specialized farmer- associations (e.g. vegetable associations, etc.). Such cooperative organlizations are glradually developing in Jiangxi. However, they are few In number and have exerted very limited influenice on the development of commercial agricultural productioll, processinig, and marketing. An objective of the project is to support Jiangxi's long- term strategy to develop moderin farmer associations. 3.5 Enterprises Rural enterprises and leading houselholds ulidertakinig enterprise like activities can borrow project funds for activities that support the project objectives. The process through which the entrepreneuis can participate in the project is described in detail, in the Enterprise Lending Manual. The rules and decision-milakinig criteria of the lending process have been publishied and will be communillicated to all potential borrowers. Borrower feedback and suggestions for improvement will be discussed in semi-aninual traininig sessions. 3.6 Government Agencies and Institutions Various types and levels of govermenit organizationis participate in the project mainly for the purpose of coordiniatinig implemenitationi and in order to provide public services and institutional assistance to farmers and other- project stakeholders. 5  3.7 Otlher Entities Involved in Project Implementation Other types of entities that are stakeholders in the project are the entities involved in project managemeint (Project Leading Groups (PLGs), Project Management Offices, Techinical Advisory Groups (TAGs) at provincial, COulnty and townsilips levels, and an Investmenit Lendinig Comilmittee (ILC) at the provincial level.) Thie roles of thlese project management entities are described in detail in the PIM. In addition, there are tile water, supply organizations (WSO), water user's associations (WUA), water user's groups (WUG), loan approval committees; loan implemenitingi teams (LITs), and farimier mar-ketinig groups (FMGs). Table 1 summarizes the compositionis and key funictionis of thlese entities- Table 1 Compositioni and Functionls of Key Project Entities Project Selection Method Functionis Type of Supervised Funding Entity Activity By Source PLGs Appointed by Guidance and Management None Governor supervision of l'MOs PMOs Appointed by PLG Project managemient Management PLG Management fees TAGs Selected by l'MOs Technical advise to Advise PPMO Management advised by PLGs PMOs on project issues fees ILC Selected by PPMO Decision making of Decision PLG Management advised by PPLG enterprise investment making fees proposals (after appraisal) WSO Reservoir see SIDD manual Mgmt. and op- County Water Water fees adm iiii stration, erations (non-- Conservancy township/town water profit) Bureau station WUA Elected by water see SIDD manual Management None Water fees users WUG Water users in the see SIDD manual Management WUA None irrigated area of a lateral canal County loan Appointed by COunity Decision makinlg of Decision PLG None approval PLG farmer loan making commillttee applications Farmer Volun,taly farmers Organizing team Production, None Self-raised groups memilbers in sales, operations, loaiis inifor-imation feedback, management production, training, and loan application_ 6  4 Mechaniisms for Beneficiary Participation 4.1 Nature of Beneficiary Participation As explained -in the beginniniig of this documelit, comprehensive beneficiary participation comprises differenlt degrees of involvemlienit: (1) One-way flow of information (information material; posters, village meetinigs, etc ); (2) Two-way flow of information (to and from potential beneficiaries), (3) Joint decision-making; and (4) "Empowerment." Wlile all approachies are needed for effective participation, commulnication approaches and channels need to be adjusted accordinig to the specific target group. A number of different methods and methodologies can be utilized in facilitating participation. A common methiod is Participatory Rural Appraisals (PRAs). Annex 2 provides short explanationi of the PRA methiod. 4.2 Cotmmuniication Approaches and Channels In order to ensure effective participation, different chaniels and approaches have to be utilized whell commuLlicatinlg with the different stakeholder groups. * Commuiiicattion with higher incomie, midildle income, and poor farmer households. The higher inicome, middle income and the poor exist in all village communities and can be classified accordinig to their finanicial situation. A simple and highily reliable method to assess and commnllllicate with these groups is to draw village social maps (Annex 2). * Comimluniicationi with women. The project will take advantage of Chinla Women's Federationi groups that are wide in coverage and experienced working with womeni in a numliber of areas. Womenl's Federation grOUpS will be used to link women beneficiaries in the project areas and project manlagemenit entities. Specially assigned representatives from provinicial/counlty/town1sIlip Womell's Federation shall act as women coordinators. County and townshiip coordinators will do door-to-door interviews and hold regular women's discussionI meetings to hear- womenl's views, understanld their desires and needs, and provide timely 1eed back on problems to COulnty PMOs. CouLnty PMOs shall respond to and address these problemils individually and report to the Provincial PMO accordingly. The Provincial PMO shiall Iollow tip The womenl coordinators will also participate in recommending which project 1housellolds should participate in the project, assist the county PMO in ensurinig timely allocation of loan funids to farmer 1households as well as organize and provide traininig to womeii See Aninex 3 for gulidance on gender traininig for project personnel. * Comimiitinicationi with noni-governimienital organizations. PMOs at various levels will reinfoice the comimiuniicationi with clan organizationis in the project areas, especially the liaison with clan leaders and elders, and take active counsel with them on matters related to the project to str-ive for their understanding, coordinationi and support. All such communlicationis will be documenited and kept in the PMO offices. * Comiminiitication vithi miniority nationiality groups. In addition to the regular chaninels of comm11ullication to project entities described in this document, national minority groups will hlave an additional, exclusive chaniniel to communicate with project maniagement organizationis, the National Commiilttee of Minority Affairs and its affiliated provincial/county miniority adiniiiistiationis These adminiistiationl are an effective medium for communication due to thieir specialized knowledge in policies and regulations with relation to minority nationialities and the knowledge of the local situation of minorities development issLies. 7  Possible participationi approaciles to be utilized during thle complete project implementationi cycle by various levels of project managemilenit are sumrmarized in Table 2. Table 2. Participation Approaches for Different Target Groups Target Key issues Maii Details of participation Manners of group comminiuicators participation Low income - Low self-esteem All levels of PMOs - Groups of poor to Group approach houselholds - Weak ability to self- implement activities develop. - Consult farmers about - Low volumes of detailed design product and no - Target Training for infrastructure to hanldle productive and operational it skills for poor - Limn1ited market in