Chapter 5


In order to ensure that both conditions are met, the implementation of targeted production
support programmes requires particular planning and monitoring elements as follows:

1) Identification of the target groups;

2) Identification of the constraints to increased production which the target group faces;

3) Design of appropriate measures to overcome the constraints;

4) Implementation of the programme;

5) Monitoring of the programme performance (are target groups reached and do they benefit
 effectively?).

 Although a 100 per cent targeting can never be achieved in reality, it must be ensured that the
 major part or, at least, a significant proportion of the benefits reach the intended target group.
 Otherwise, the cost-effectiveness ratio will be low (see Box 5.3), and the programme may
 impede efforts to improve overall economic efficiency in the economy as a whole.

 The relevant target groups for production support programmes in agriculture are primarily
 poor and small-scale farmers involved in livestock, food crop or export crop production.
 Target groups may be tenants or subsistence farmers, and could also include urban and
 suburban dwellers who derive part of their subsistence from small-scale farming and home
 gardening activities.

 If the programmes are effective, access to food will be improved either from the supply side,
 via increased subsistence production, or via increased household food demand, resulting from
 higher cash income brought about by increased production and sales revenues. The impact
 path of such interventions is illustrated in Figures 5.6 above and 5.7 below.

 Targeted production support and income generating schemes may also be initiated in favour
 of vulnerable population groups involved in non-farming sector activities, e.g. by promoting
 urban or rural small-scale industries and other informal sector activities.

 3.3 Public works programmes and Food-for-Work schemes

 The main type of targeted interventions that governments apply to augment the incomes of
 poor un- and under-employed people in urban and rural areas are public works programmes.
 People involved in such programmes may be paid in cash or in kind (e.g. food).

 Four categories of public work projects can be distinguished (Webb et al., 1992, op.cit.)

 Emergency relief projects, providing temporary (food) wage employment to supplement
 or replace a crisis-induced loss of income;

 Seasonal projects, aimed at supplementing the income of poor households during slack
 agricultural seasons;


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