1. Uganda: Draft Terms of Reference for Second Phase Research Study
FEATS Project
Uganda: Draft Terms of Reference for Second Phase Research Study
Policy Study of Linkages between Agricultural Productivity and Rural Livelihoods, and Trade in Agriculture and Trade Facilitation: Recommendations for Poverty Reduction and Development for a Landlocked Country like Uganda
By Rashid S. Kaukab
Deputy Director and Research Coordinator, CUTS Geneva Resource Centre

2. Background
Findings of phase one study affirm the importance of agriculture in Ugandan economy
Agriculture sector contributes substantially to GDP, provides bulk of employment, foreign exchange earnings and export diversification efforts focused in agriculture
Yet, rural areas have high poverty rates and substantial informal sector employment
Livelihood and employment concerns must be included in development of the agricultural sector
Criteria for topic
Within “trade in agriculture”; important for livelihoods and employment; and an area where further research and analysis can add real value
Feedback from Uganda National Reference Group
Desire a topic in agriculture within the context of larger development constraints of Uganda (rural poverty, livelihoods, landlockedness, under developed trade facilitation, etc.)
This study will provide valuable insight into these complex relationships

3. Study Objectives
Collect information and analyze recent trends in agricultural productivity, agricultural trade, livelihoods, and trade facilitation measures
Examine the complex relationships involved using a holistic framework
Generate new insights and knowledge that carry practical implications
To contribute to the finding of solutions through a coherent policy framework that will assist Uganda in meeting the objectives of PEAP and NTP 2007

4. Key Substantive Issues to be covered
Role of and constraints faced by the agricultural sector with focus on rural livelihoods, productivity, and trade
Trade facilitation needs and measures with a focus on those directly related to landlockedness
Linkages and relationships among various issues with focus on identifying areas for synergetic action
Policy frameworks related to agriculture, trade, and trade facilitation
Development of coherent thinking and practice in the areas under study to advance poverty reduction and development objectives.

5. Methodology Principles Plan
Pooling of knowledge and expertise on agricultural productivity, rural livelihoods, agriculture trade, and trade facilitation
Cross-fertilization of ideas and experiences during the study process through involvement of national and international experts
Facilitation of buy-in of the research and its findings by the relevant stakeholders in the country by involving them through UNRG and meetings etc.
Plan
Literature search to expand and annotate research questions
Data collection, fact finding and testing of hypotheses through UNRG consultations, other meetings, on-line collaboration with national, regional and international experts and partners, and targeted surveys
Consultation with the Project Advisory Committee
Presentation of draft findings to another National Stakeholders Dialogue for validation and finalization

6. Detailed Draft ToR of the Study Organization of Sections
Introduction
Analysis
Recommendations

7. Detailed Draft ToR of the Study Introduction
Brief economic, trade and social profile of agriculture sector: trends in total and main crop-wise production, agricultural exports and imports, formal and informal employment in agriculture, rural poverty, and land tenure system (annual time series for last ten years or so)
Trends in agricultural productivity: developments in the productivity of main crops in the last ten years
Landlockedness and trade facilitation issues: identification of main constraints due to landlockedness and under-developed trade facilitation measures particularly as they relate to agriculture sector; description of key corridor projects
Policy framework: key features of development, trade, agriculture and trade facilitation policies and their linkages

8. Detailed Draft ToR of the Study Analysis
A. ) Agricultural productivity, trade and livelihoods
What is the relationship between agricultural productivity and agriculture trade performance?
What is the relationship between agricultural trade performance and rural livelihoods and employment?
B.) Landlockedness, trade facilitation, and trade in agriculture
What are the main constraints for trade in agriculture resulting from landlockedness?
What are the past, present, and planned trade facilitation measures that attempt to address the identified constraints?
What are the main corridor schemes and how do they address the identified constraints?

9. Detailed Draft ToR of the Study Analysis (cont…)
C.) National, regional and international policy dimensions, and the role of stakeholders
What are the key features of national policies related to agriculture, trade and trade facilitation?
What is the impact of regional (e.g., EAC) and international (under the WTO) rights and obligations on national policies on trade, agriculture and trade facilitation?
Who are the main domestic stakeholders? What is the level of their respective capacities and involvement in relevant policy making and implementation?
What is the role of international donors with focus on agricultural productivity and corridors development?

10. Detailed Draft ToR of the Study Analysis (cont…)
D.) Synthesis of linkages
What are the existing positive and negative linkages among agricultural productivity, trade facilitation and landlockedness, and rural livelihoods? How well are these linkages understood? How can understanding of these linkages be improved among policy makers?
How do relevant policies (e.g., related to agriculture, trade, and trade facilitation) take these linkages into account? What are the gaps?
What are the positive and negative impacts of regional and international commitments under the relevant trade agreements?
How can the positive linkages be strengthened and the negative linkages addressed? What an be a holistic framework for comprehensive analysis and coherent responses?
What are the main capacity building needs?

11. Detailed Draft ToR of the Study Recommendations
 To the government
 To the development partners
 To the CSOs, particularly farmers organizations
 To the private sector and business organizations

12. Timeline Research Advocacy Networking Sept. 2009: June 2010:
Oct.-Dec. 2010:
Jan. – March 2011:
Detailed ToR to be finalized
First draft shared with PAC and peers for review
Revised draft research studies ready
Present draft to National Dialogues in all project countries
Share research results at international conference in Geneva

13. Thank You. Looking Forward to Your Comments and Suggestions to Finalize the ToR.