The project consists of three components financed by the Government of Uzbekistan, the World Bank and the SDC.

The first component of RESP-II, ”Rural Enterprise Finance” is focused on a credit line for loans and leases to be issued through participating financial institutions. These funds will be used to finance investments in agricultural machinery, food processing equipment, storage, packaging, provision of agricultural services and inputs. The component also includes technical assistance for capacity building of financial intermediaries and provision of prospective loan applicants’ access to business planning services.

Another component, “Irrigation and Drainage” (I&D) is aimed at achieving improved irrigation water management and service delivery, through the rehabilitation of critical inter-farm and on-farm irrigation and drainage infrastructure. It will also strengthen the Water Consumer Associations (WCA) and provide a pilot demonstration of applied modern water management techniques in 7 districts selected by the project. The “Irrigation and Drainage” component is divided into three subcomponents, two of which are funded by Switzerland.

The third component, “Rural Training and Advisory Services” covers the entire area of the 7 oblasts selected for RESP II. Within this component training and advisory services to farmers outside of the pilot districts will be provided. Training and advisory services will focus on entrepreneurial, legal, accounting, business and farm management issues, as well as technical aspects, namely:  water management and agronomy. Farmer Training Workshops, Training of Trainers, and specific Mass Media Campaigns will be organized within the framework of this component.

Switzerland is involved in two subcomponents of the (I&D) component: “Strengthening of WCAs and WCA support services” and “Support for Improved Irrigation and Drainage Technology”.

In the Swiss funded “Strengthening of WCAs and WCA support services” subcomponent technical assistance is provided to WCA development and water management. These consist foremost of national/regional expertise to ensure feasibility and appropriateness of advice, support and training provided. The Swiss contribution in this subcomponent is combined with US$ 2.72 of the World Bank loan funds for procurement of basic equipment necessary for operation and maintenance works of on-farm irrigation and drainage infrastructures. This subcomponent builds on experiences and best practices of the IWRM project.

The “Support for Improved Irrigation and Drainage Technology” subcomponent is financed by Switzerland as well. This subcomponent focuses on the provision of water extension messages through demonstration and dissemination plots at each WUA in the selected 7 districts.

Il progetto in breve

Contesto	Uzbekistan’s dependence on the agricultural sector was the main rationale behind the decision of the World Bank to start the Rural Enterprise Support Project (RESP) implemented in Uzbekistan from 2001to 2007. After the successful completion of the first phase of the Rural Enterprise Support Project (RESP I), it has been decided to begin preparations for a second 6-year phase of the project (RESP II). In this context, the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the World Bank started discussions with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) for a parallel financing of RESP II. Switzerland already has supported several successful water sector projects in the Central-Asian region. One of these projects is the “Integrated Water Resource Management Project in the Ferghana Valley” (IWRM). This project has been implemented in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan from 2001 until the end of 2012, with financial support of the SDC. The project activities focused on institutional, organizational and managerial aspects of water management to enhance judicious water use and thus water productivity by promoting a change from a top down to bottom up demand oriented water allocation along hydro-graphic principles. Participation of Switzerland in the RESP-II project ensures effective combination of IWRM institutional innovations with investments into the rehabilitation of irrigation and drainage infrastructure by the World Bank. This teaming-up promises efficient synergies and enhances impact and outreach of donor interventions.
Obiettivi	The main objective of the RESP-II is to increase the productivity and financial and environmental stability of agriculture and the profitability of agribusiness. As such the project contributes to the further development of private farming, more secure livelihoods, increased environmental stability, greater social harmony, and to improved effectiveness of water resources management.
Gruppi target	AIS - Administrations of Irrigation Systems; WCA - Water Consumers’ Associations; Farmers.
Effetti a medio termine	Swiss participation in the RESP-II project will enhance effective use of available assets and resources, thus making a valuable contribution to supporting the agricultural sector of Uzbekistan. The objectives of the RESP-II are fully in line with the Welfare Improvement Strategy of Uzbekistan.
Direzione/Ufficio responsabile	DSC
Credito	Cooperazione con l'Europa dell'Est
Partner del progetto	Partner contrattuale Instituzione universitaria e di ricerca straniera Economia privata Settore privato svizzero Research Organisation of South East Altri partner Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Rural Restructuring Agency; World Bank.
Budget	Fase in corso Budget Svizzera CHF    2’465’000 Budget svizzero attualmente già speso CHF    2’454’047
Fasi del progetto	Fase 2 01.03.2012 - 31.12.2015   (Completed) Fase 1 01.03.2009 - 28.02.2012   (Completed)

Ulteriori dettagli tecnici

• Settore in base alle categorie del Comitato di Aiuto allo sviluppo (DAC) dell'OCSE	APPROVVIGIONAMENTO IDRICO E IGIENIZZAZIONE DELLE ACQUE AGRICOLTURA AGRICOLTURA
  Sotto-Settore in base alle categorie del Comitato di Aiuto allo sviluppo (DAC) dell'OCSE	Preservazione delle risorse idriche (raccolta dati inclusa) Agricultural water resources Sviluppo agricolo
  Temi trasversali	Prevenzione delle crisi Il progetto contempla la parità di genere come tema trasversale. Il progetto contempla la democratizzazione, il buongoverno e i diritti dell'uomo come temi trasversali.
  Tipo di aiuto	Mandato con fondo fiduciario Mandato senza fondo fiduciario
  Numero del progetto	7F06401