Course Code: AEC 404
Course Title: Agricultural Project Planning
Credit Hours: 3 (2+1)
Full Marks: 75
Theory: 50
Practical: 25
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Understand the concepts of plans, programs, and projects in the agricultural sector.
- Prepare scientifically sound agricultural research proposals.
- Apply tools for project planning, appraisal, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
- Gain practical experience in project feasibility studies, proposal writing, and technical report preparation.
I. Course Syllabus
- Basic concepts: Plan, program, and project.
- Project cycle: Steps, need assessment/problem identification.
- Project preparation aspects: PESTEL analysis.
- Proposal: Concept, types, and methods.
- Scientific proposal writing: Logical Framework Approach (LFA), Project Concept Note (PCN), proposal development.
- Project appraisal: Concept and techniques.
- Monitoring and evaluation (M&E): Concepts, methods, and techniques.
- Participatory approach to M&E: Concept, approach, and methods.
- ZOPP approach in project planning.
- Socioeconomic research methods.
- Technical writing: Report contents, presentation and visual display of data, acronyms and footnotes, abstract, summary, conclusions, references, appendices, proofreading.
II. Course Breakdown
A. Lecture Plan
| S.N. | Topics | No. of Lectures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Basic concept – plan, program, and project | 1 |
| 2 | Project cycle – steps, need assessment/problem identification | 2 |
| 3 | Different aspects of project preparation (PESTEL Analysis) | 2 |
| 4 | Proposal – concept, types, and methods | 2 |
| 5 | Scientific proposal writing – LFA, PCN, and full proposal | 5 |
| 6 | Project appraisal – concept and techniques | 2 |
| 7 | Monitoring and evaluation – concept, types, and techniques | 2 |
| 8 | Participatory approach of M&E – concept, approach, and method | 2 |
| 9 | ZOPP approach in project planning | 2 |
| 10 | Socioeconomic research methods | 3 |
| 11 | Report contents | 1 |
| 12 | Presentation and visual display of data | 1 |
| 13 | Acronyms and footnotes | 1 |
| 14 | Abstract, summary, and conclusions | 2 |
| 15 | References, appendices, and proofreading | 2 |
| Total | 30 |
B. Practical Plan
| S.N. | Topics | No. of Practicals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Need assessment / Case study | 2 |
| 2 | Pre-feasibility and feasibility study of a project | 2 |
| 3 | Financial and economic analysis of research and development projects; conducting a sample survey, data analysis, and interpretation | 2 |
| 4 | Preparation of project concept notes and research project proposals | 4 |
| 5 | Technical writing | 5 |
| Total | 15 |
References
- NEDA. (1984). Project Development Manual. National Economic and Development Authority, Republic of the Philippines.
- Gittinger, J. P. (1982). Economic Analysis of Agricultural Projects. Published for the Economic Development Institute of the World Bank, The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore and London.
- Reutlinger, S. (1970). Techniques for Project Appraisal under Uncertainty. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.
