The effectiveness of large-scale projects in delivering value for money, particularly concerning food security, agriculture, and rural development, presents a multifaceted challenge. The definition of what constitutes a "large" project can vary significantly based on context and circumstances. For example, in some regions, projects exceeding USD 5 million may be considered large, while in more challenging environments, investments below USD 10 million could be seen as inadequate for driving impactful change. Through my evaluation work, I have encountered a variety of successes and challenges that might be relevant for this discussion.
1. Outreach Opportunities The scale of a project significantly influences its ability to reach beneficiaries. Large projects often mobilize substantial resources from both domestic and international sources, enabling comprehensive interventions at scale that can lead to meaningful transformations within rural economies and food systems.
2. Ability to deliver multiple benefits
Large-scale projects have the capacity to generate multiple advantages, as these interventions often aim to tackle various development challenges simultaneously. One example is the Programme for Improvement of Irrigation Systems in Afghanistan, implemented by the FAO. This initiative aimed to modernize the country's irrigation infrastructure, where over 70 percent was in disrepair, necessitating significant rehabilitation. The evaluation of this programme found that this intervention not only enhanced agricultural productivity and bolstered food security but also fostered local capacity building and promoted community participation in sustainable water management practices. The diverse benefits derived from the programme included: - Increased Agricultural Production and Productivity - Opportunities for Livelihood Diversification - Enhanced Food Security - More Equitable Water Distribution - Capacity Building for Farmers and Local Institutions - Community Engagement and Ownership - Environmental Benefits
3. Long-Term Commitments Large projects typically necessitate longer-term commitments, both financially and technically. Adequate resources and sustained technical support are crucial in converting initial investments into long-standing impacts. For instance, a partnership between a government agency and an international NGO to develop a sustainable farming initiative might span several years, allowing stakeholders to build trust and refine practices collaboratively. This time investment is essential for fostering deeper collaborations among development actors.
4. Innovation and Technology Transfer Large-scale initiatives can effectively facilitate the introduction and dissemination of innovative agricultural practices and technologies, with adequate time and resources allocated for piloting and scaling up. For example, a large project could introduce precision agriculture techniques through workshops and demonstrations, empowering local farmers with new methods and tools that enhance productivity and reduce environmental impact. This is particularly vital in regions facing resource constraints, where specialized technical assistance can significantly uplift agricultural practices.
5. Infrastructure Development Many successful agricultural and rural development projects have focused on the construction of essential infrastructure, such as roads, irrigation systems, and storage facilities. These infrastructures serve as foundational elements for enhancing market access and bolstering food security. For instance, a project that constructs new rural roads can significantly improve farmers' access to markets, enabling them to sell produce at better prices and reducing post-harvest losses.
6. Inefficiencies and Bureaucracy However, one of the significant challenges that large projects face includes inefficiencies stemming from bureaucratic processes. Stringent preparatory requirements and increased scrutiny for large procurement contracts can result in delays, cost overruns, and a misalignment between project objectives and local needs. For instance, excessive bureaucracy in a large-scale agricultural initiative may hinder the procurement of necessary inputs, causing delays in implementation and increasing frustration among local stakeholders.
7. Alignment with Local Needs and Ownership Another frequent challenge for large projects is the difficulty in fostering genuine local ownership. Decision-making often occurs at higher institutional levels, leading to inadequate engagement of local stakeholders in the planning and execution phases. This disconnect can result in projects implementing solutions that are misaligned with community contexts or priorities. For example, a large-scale irrigation project designed without local consultation might focus on cash crops that do not align with local subsistence needs, jeopardizing the project's sustainability once funding ends.
8. Measuring Impact Evaluating long-term impacts presents its own set of challenges. Immediate outputs, such as the distribution of agricultural tools or construction of various infrastructures and facilities, are relatively easy to measure. However, assessing sustained changes in food security or rural livelihoods often requires extended timelines and a nuanced array of indicators. Implementing robust impact evaluations that include building baseline assessments and monitoring frameworks can enhance the assessment of impact. For instance, a project aimed at improving food security would benefit from multi-year evaluations to capture changes in dietary practices, agricultural resilience, and income stability.
Although large-scale projects have the capacity to significantly enhance food security, agriculture, and rural development, they frequently face major challenges. Careful assessment of their design, execution strategies, and involvement with the community is crucial to determine if they provide value for money and produce lasting benefits. The effectiveness of these initiatives ultimately relies on a dedication to learning, flexibility, and genuine partnership with local communities. Ongoing monitoring and adaptive project management, bolstered by quality evaluative work, can help optimize the positive effects of large-scale projects and ensure they address the needs of their intended beneficiaries.
RE: Do Big Projects Deliver Effective Solutions in a Complex World?
Italy
Serdar Bayryyev
Senior Evaluation Officer
FAO
Posted on 07/04/2025
The effectiveness of large-scale projects in delivering value for money, particularly concerning food security, agriculture, and rural development, presents a multifaceted challenge. The definition of what constitutes a "large" project can vary significantly based on context and circumstances. For example, in some regions, projects exceeding USD 5 million may be considered large, while in more challenging environments, investments below USD 10 million could be seen as inadequate for driving impactful change. Through my evaluation work, I have encountered a variety of successes and challenges that might be relevant for this discussion.
1. Outreach Opportunities
The scale of a project significantly influences its ability to reach beneficiaries. Large projects often mobilize substantial resources from both domestic and international sources, enabling comprehensive interventions at scale that can lead to meaningful transformations within rural economies and food systems.
2. Ability to deliver multiple benefits
Large-scale projects have the capacity to generate multiple advantages, as these interventions often aim to tackle various development challenges simultaneously. One example is the Programme for Improvement of Irrigation Systems in Afghanistan, implemented by the FAO. This initiative aimed to modernize the country's irrigation infrastructure, where over 70 percent was in disrepair, necessitating significant rehabilitation. The evaluation of this programme found that this intervention not only enhanced agricultural productivity and bolstered food security but also fostered local capacity building and promoted community participation in sustainable water management practices. The diverse benefits derived from the programme included:
- Increased Agricultural Production and Productivity
- Opportunities for Livelihood Diversification
- Enhanced Food Security
- More Equitable Water Distribution
- Capacity Building for Farmers and Local Institutions
- Community Engagement and Ownership
- Environmental Benefits
3. Long-Term Commitments
Large projects typically necessitate longer-term commitments, both financially and technically. Adequate resources and sustained technical support are crucial in converting initial investments into long-standing impacts. For instance, a partnership between a government agency and an international NGO to develop a sustainable farming initiative might span several years, allowing stakeholders to build trust and refine practices collaboratively. This time investment is essential for fostering deeper collaborations among development actors.
4. Innovation and Technology Transfer
Large-scale initiatives can effectively facilitate the introduction and dissemination of innovative agricultural practices and technologies, with adequate time and resources allocated for piloting and scaling up. For example, a large project could introduce precision agriculture techniques through workshops and demonstrations, empowering local farmers with new methods and tools that enhance productivity and reduce environmental impact. This is particularly vital in regions facing resource constraints, where specialized technical assistance can significantly uplift agricultural practices.
5. Infrastructure Development
Many successful agricultural and rural development projects have focused on the construction of essential infrastructure, such as roads, irrigation systems, and storage facilities. These infrastructures serve as foundational elements for enhancing market access and bolstering food security. For instance, a project that constructs new rural roads can significantly improve farmers' access to markets, enabling them to sell produce at better prices and reducing post-harvest losses.
6. Inefficiencies and Bureaucracy
However, one of the significant challenges that large projects face includes inefficiencies stemming from bureaucratic processes. Stringent preparatory requirements and increased scrutiny for large procurement contracts can result in delays, cost overruns, and a misalignment between project objectives and local needs. For instance, excessive bureaucracy in a large-scale agricultural initiative may hinder the procurement of necessary inputs, causing delays in implementation and increasing frustration among local stakeholders.
7. Alignment with Local Needs and Ownership
Another frequent challenge for large projects is the difficulty in fostering genuine local ownership. Decision-making often occurs at higher institutional levels, leading to inadequate engagement of local stakeholders in the planning and execution phases. This disconnect can result in projects implementing solutions that are misaligned with community contexts or priorities. For example, a large-scale irrigation project designed without local consultation might focus on cash crops that do not align with local subsistence needs, jeopardizing the project's sustainability once funding ends.
8. Measuring Impact
Evaluating long-term impacts presents its own set of challenges. Immediate outputs, such as the distribution of agricultural tools or construction of various infrastructures and facilities, are relatively easy to measure. However, assessing sustained changes in food security or rural livelihoods often requires extended timelines and a nuanced array of indicators. Implementing robust impact evaluations that include building baseline assessments and monitoring frameworks can enhance the assessment of impact. For instance, a project aimed at improving food security would benefit from multi-year evaluations to capture changes in dietary practices, agricultural resilience, and income stability.
Although large-scale projects have the capacity to significantly enhance food security, agriculture, and rural development, they frequently face major challenges. Careful assessment of their design, execution strategies, and involvement with the community is crucial to determine if they provide value for money and produce lasting benefits. The effectiveness of these initiatives ultimately relies on a dedication to learning, flexibility, and genuine partnership with local communities. Ongoing monitoring and adaptive project management, bolstered by quality evaluative work, can help optimize the positive effects of large-scale projects and ensure they address the needs of their intended beneficiaries.