This was the first country strategy and programme evaluation (CSPE) conducted by the Independent Office of Evaluation of IFAD (IOE) in Guinea-Bissau. The evaluation covered the years 2008-2022.

The period covered by the CSPE was marked by institutional fragility and frequent political change. IFAD-supported projects contributed to improving the availability of basic social infrastructure, the population’s access to it, and the accessibility of very poor rural areas. The development and rehabilitation of lowlands enabled resumption of the exploitation of abandoned lowlands of rice crops, and thus increased production of rice, a key stable food in Guinea-Bissau. Simple techniques based on local knowledge were used, which promoted the sustainability of the interventions. The CSPE noted the importance and effectiveness of IFAD’s role in supporting smallholder rice farmers.

However, the evaluation also found a number of weaknesses. Those relating mostly to the failure to adopt a value chain approach in rice cultivation included dysfunctionalities in the supplying of inputs, weak post-harvest operations and access to remunerative markets. In addition, farmer organizations are not yet strong enough to fully perform their roles.

The CSPE makes a number of recommendations for the future country strategy and operations. Among these are the adoption of a value chain approach, adaptation to climate change, and strengthening of institutions and farmer organizations.