INTEGRATED SAFEGUARDS DATA SHEET CONCEPT STAGE Report No.: 73790 Date ISDS Prepared/Updated: 02/02/2011 I. BASIC INFORMATION A. Basic Project Data Country: Haiti Project ID: P126744 Project Name: Strengthening Agriculture Public Services II Task Team Leader: Diego Arias Carballo Estimated Appraisal Date: April 28, 2011 Estimated Board Date: July 1, 2011 Managing Unit: LCSAR Lending Instrument: Specific Investment Loan Sector: General agriculture, fishing and forestry sector (100%) Theme: Rural policies and institutions (50%);Rural services and infrastructure (50%) SPF Amount (US$m.): 0.00 GEF Amount (US$m.): 0.00 PCF Amount (US$m.): 0.00 Other financing amounts by source: Borrower 0.00 Global Agriculture and Food Security Program 10.00 10.00 B. Project Objectives [from section 2 of PCN] The proposed development objective is to increase access by small farmers to agriculture extension services. It is expected that project activities will: (i) support the adoption of improved agriculture technologies and best practices on animal and plant health by small farmers; and (ii) allow an increase in the capacity to undertake key bio-security analysis in-country by investing in necessary equipment and technical assistance. C. Project Description [from section 3 of PCN] The total project cost is estimated at US$10 million (financed by a grant from the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program, GAFSP). Given the executing capacity of the MARNDR and the nature of project activities and investments, a 5-year investment project execution period, from 2011-2016, is deemed appropriate. The details of component costs and activities remain to be confirmed during the course of project preparation. The proposed components are listed below, and complement ongoing activities under the Bank-financed Strengthening of Agricultural Public Services Project (RESEPAG I) project, which is currently under Bank supervision, as well as ongoing activities under the NAIP that will be financed by other donors. Component 1: Strengthening the Public Sector#s Animal and Plant Health (SPS) Capacity (US$4 million). This component includes: (i) strengthening the community-based veterinary groups (GSB) and plant health groups (GSV); (ii) expanding the capacity for animal and plant disease (SPS) surveillance; and (iii) investments to secure the certification of a national bio- safety laboratory. In order to execute these proposed activities the component would finance: (i) consultancy and training material and costs for Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development (MARNDR) staff, GSB and GSV volunteers, and farmers; (ii) laboratory equipment, materials, and works; and (iii) information systems (hardware and software) for SPS surveillance. Component 2: Supporting Research & Development (R&D) Capacity in the Public Sector (US$5 million). This component includes: (i) strengthening farmer extension and advisory services to improve livestock management practices in hillsides; (ii) providing training and information to farmers on the optimal choice and use of improved agriculture inputs and services for more informed production decision-making; and (iii) training public and private sector extension service providers. In order to execute these proposed activities, the component would finance: (i) consultancies and training material and costs for training of extension agents, organizations and farmers; (ii) material, equipment and works to rehabilitate existing Research and Extension Centers and Vocational Training facilities and to conduct pilot plot/livestock demonstration activities; and (iii) information systems (hardware and software) for improved monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of extension services. Component 3: Project Management (US$1 million). Project execution will replicate the institutional arrangements in place under RESEPAG I, which fall under the responsibility of the Director General (DG) of MARNDR. The DG would coordinate project implementation across MARNDR#s units, in particular the Directorate of Animal and Plant Health (DPAV) and the Directorate of Research and Training (DRF). The program coordinator in the DG team would be the primary Bank counterpart for the purposes of project supervision and would interface with the fiduciary functions. The coordinator would also supervise the work of the different Directorates responsible for the two components (DRF and DPAV).To support project coordination and supervision, this component would finance technical assistance, operational costs, and other related incremental costs associated with project implementation. D. Project location (if known) The project will take place in rural areas throughout Haiti. Exact locations are not yet known, but will correspond to the priority agricultural landscapes identified in the NAIP. E. Borrower’s Institutional Capacity for Safeguard Policies [from PCN] Due to the substantial experience of MARNDR in executing Multilateral Development Bank (MDBs) financed projects (mainly IADB, IFAD, and WB), there is sufficient existing capacity within MARNDR for addressing such issues. In particular, MARNDR is currently successfully executing two IDA-financed operations that are complementary to the activities foreseen under this project. As part of these projects, a robust Environmental and Social Management Frameworks (ESMF) has been prepared. Given the emergency nature of all projects in Haiti currently, experience implementing this ESMF is not extensive. As a result, the project will develop an ongoing training program to sustain and build any additional capacity that is deemed necessary based on an assessment of gaps that will be completed during preparation. F. Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialists Ms Valerie Hickey (YPP) Ms Rachel Hannah Nadelman (LCSAR) II. SAFEGUARD POLICIES THAT MIGHT APPLY Safeguard Policies Triggered Yes No TBD Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01) X This project focuses on expanding access to extension services and promoting environmentally-friendly investments and practices in agriculture. The project will not support any activities that have large-scale, significant or irreversible impacts on the environment. For this reason the project is proposed as a Category B because its suite of potential adverse impacts on the environment are easily identified, mitigated and managed. Because exact investments are not yet known and will remain unknown at the time of Board approval, and many of these investments will complement those investments made under RESEPAG I and the Avian Flu Project (PRECONIA), the project will update and expand the existing Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) that is in place for the RESEPAG I and PRECONIA projects to identify and manage the suite of potential adverse impacts under this project. Three types of impacts are foreseen under this project, arising from: 1. Civil works: some construction impacts will be associated with the rehabilitation of existing Research and Extension Centers and Vocational Training facilities. No new facilities will be supported under this project. These impacts (e.g. noise, construction waste, etc.) will be limited in time and space, and actions to minimize and mitigate them will be included in the project#s ESMF. 2. Waste management: some activities may include the proper treatment and disposal of animal carcasses, some of which may carry diseases. The ESMF will adopt procedures outlined under the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) developed for the Avian Influenza Control and Human Influenza Emergency Preparedness and Control project (PRECONIA), to minimize, mitigate and manage these potential impacts. In addition, a waste management plan for laboratory waste will be prepared in the event that the project will support the building of a laboratory. 3. Occupational health and safety: during both construction and extension services, the project will expose workers to a variety of potential safety hazards. As such, the ESMF will be updated to include actions and training programs to safeguard workers. Consultations. Under RESEPAG I, a social assessment was carried out in February and March 2009, based on extensive consultations, with both MARNDR staff and community members in the pilot areas, and a stakeholder analysis. The results of this assessment are serving as the basis for the design of this project, RESEPAG II. MARNDR will continue to consult with potentially project-affected peoples during preparation and in anticipation of the start of project Safeguard Policies Triggered Yes No TBD activities, as well as disclose all safeguard instruments both locally and globally. For example, beyond the extensive consultations and peer reviewing undertaken in the context of the NAIP, on which this project is based, this specific project has already been discussed in June 2010 among the main local development partners in Haiti in the context of the Agriculture Sectoral Table. The Sectoral Table is represented by civil society, farmers groups, the private sector, women#s groups, youth organizations, donors, technical cooperation agencies and other ministries. Gender. A gender review has been carried out during RESEPAG I. Consultations with women during the project preparation phase ensured women#s inclusion at the policy and program levels. A resultant just-in-time grants series # Fostering Economic Empowerment for Women Agricultural Producers in Haiti # is working to integrate gender, particularly women#s issues, within the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as within two community-level pilots. Commitment to this initiative from both the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry for Women#s Affairs remains a key element of RESEPAG II. Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04) X This project will focus on capacity building and providing agricultural extension services to existing agricultural lands. No new lands cleared after the appraisal of this project will be eligible for direct support. No agriculture activities that would require the clearing of forested land or would damage freshwater habitat will be supported. Nonetheless, because of the potential for indirect impacts on natural habitats, particularly if some agricultural landscapes abut protected areas, the need to trigger this safeguard policy will be confirmed during preparation. Forests (OP/BP 4.36) X Because of the project#s potential to indirectly influence the management of natural forests, particularly in silvo-pastoral landscapes, the team will confirm if this safeguard requires triggering during preparation. Pest Management (OP 4.09) X The project will support investments related to agriculture extension services. These investments may include the procurement, handling, storage and use of pesticides for plot demonstration. No pesticides that are unlawful under national or international law will be supported under the project. A list of pesticides that fall under these categories or are otherwise ineligible for support will be included in the ESMF. In line with the approach taken under RESEPAG I, the Project will avoid the use of pesticide and herbicide intensive techniques and instead will support an approach that includes: (a) avoiding the use or promotion of pesticides with toxic categories I or II used for weed control or as insecticides; (b) promoting production practices such as rotational grazing and SPS that reduce the appearance of pests and increase natural enemies; (c) promoting the use of biological controls; (d) using animals more resistant to pests and applying products only when infestation level are critical; (e) avoiding the use of herbicides and pesticides near water sources and their contamination with pesticide residues when cleaning the equipment used; and (f) training producers, technicians, and farm workers to responsibly manage products, equipment, and containers to avoid their own contamination or that of cattle food or produce. This project will attach and update the Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPMP) developed under RESEPAG I to its ESMF, and will include screening criteria to exclude pesticides that are Safeguard Policies Triggered Yes No TBD prohibited under the Bank#s policies. A specific plan will be included in this IPMP to provide for screening, no-objection and monitoring during the procurement of pesticides. The IPMP also includes guidelines on the relevant aspects of integrated pest management that will be included as part of the extension and training services provided under the project. Physical Cultural Resources (OP/BP 4.11) X No areas that house physical cultural resources as defined under the policy will be eligible for support under this project. Criteria to screen these sites out will be included in the ESMF. In addition, chance finds procedures will be added to the ESMF to safeguard any cultural resources that may be discovered during works or services performed under the project Indigenous Peoples (OP/BP 4.10) X Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12) X While the policy on Involuntary Resettlement (OP 4.12) is not triggered (as no involuntary land acquisition or displacement of people will be supported), compensation of farmers and owners for any loss of stock through potential culling actions promoted under the project will follow the compensation practices more usually associated with Involuntary Resettlement. These procedures have been developed under the Avian Influenza Control and Human Influenza Emergency Preparedness and Control project and will be included in the ESMF. The ESMF will include screening criteria to screen out any involuntary resettlement, as defined under the policy, and will also include screening criteria to document any voluntary land donations. Safety of Dams (OP/BP 4.37) X Projects on International Waterways (OP/BP 7.50) X Projects in Disputed Areas (OP/BP 7.60) X Environmental Category: B - Partial Assessment III. SAFEGUARD PREPARATION PLAN A. Target date for the Quality Enhancement Review (QER), at which time the PAD-stage ISDS would be prepared: 01/20/2011 B. For simple projects that will not require a QER, the target date for preparing the PAD-stage ISDS: N/A C. Time frame for launching and completing the safeguard-related studies that may be needed. The specific studies and their timing1 should be specified in the PAD-stage ISDS. An Environmental Assessment would be done during the months of September and October 2010. 1 Reminder: The Bank's Disclosure Policy requires that safeguard-related documents be disclosed before appraisal (i) at the InfoShop and (ii) in-country, at publicly accessible locations and in a form and language that are accessible to potentially affected persons. IV. APPROVALS Signed and submitted by: Task Team Leader: Mr Diego Arias Carballo 08/24/2010 Approved by: Regional Safeguards Coordinator: Mr Glenn S. Morgan 11/22/2010 Comments: Sector Manager: Ms Ethel Sennhauser 11/22/2010 Comments: