ABSTRACT
In recent discussions it is argued that a more timely evaluation of impact is needed to steer projects to more effective and efficient approaches. This requires more from the monitoring system. Following the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system and the logical framework of a soil and water conservation (SWC) project in southern Mali, we found that baseline information and monitoring were insufficient at the goal level and long-term targets were missing at the purpose level. This hindered the evaluation of impact on land degradation – one of the project goals. Complementary monitoring by the SWC project and a project-external M&E Unit made it possible to evaluate impact on crop yield – another project goal. Efficiency was evaluated by comparing the costs for the SWC project with the benefits (additional cotton yield) for farmers. SWC projects should document baseline data and assure monitoring at all levels in the logframe, and set long-term targets at the purpose level. Monitoring will be more efficient when the SWC project collaborates with a project-external 208M&E Unit, especially for general indicators at the project goal level (e.g., crop yield). Specific indicators for the SWC project (e.g., land degradation) could be monitored by the SWC project in the fields of the M&E Unit sample.
