During 2006, work will continue on expanding the role of the RUTA project’s National Technical Units (NTUs), in terms of their relations with different programs within the ministries of agriculture; with the ministries of the environment, especially in connection with the agro-environmental agenda and payment for environmental services; and with the ministries of economic affairs, especially in connection with agricultural trade.

The NTUs will also pursue their relations with institutes or public agencies involved in implementing projects, providing methodological support for the investment project cycle. They will expand their relations with research and training centers, trade associations and rural entrepreneurs’ associations, with representatives of RUTA partners in individual countries and with representatives of other donor agencies.

The National Technical Units are also expected to play an active role in the process of formulating the Central American Agricultural Policy. At a videoconference held on 7 November 2005, Róger Guillén, Executive Secretary of CAC, presented the agenda for drawing up the policy to RUTA partners in each country, as well as to the coordinators of the NTUs.

RUTA is achieving the right balance between policy activities and dialogues, and advisory services and technical support for national and regional programs and projects. This was the conclusion reached by the second supervisory mission for RUTA V, which was carried out from 9 to 14 October 2005. The mission began in Managua, Nicaragua, on 9 to 11 October, and continued in San José, Costa Rica, on 12 to 14 October.

The mission expressed its satisfaction at the consolidation of relations and dialogue between RUTA and government entities, particularly the ministries of agriculture and CAC, civil society organizations and research centers in the region. During the second half of 2005, the director and the regional and national teams discussed the work of RUTA with these stakeholders and explored new lines of action for their joint efforts.

A particularly significant development during this period was the dialogue between RUTA and the Central American Agricultural Council (CAC), which resulted in an alignment of common issues that are relevant to the inter-agency agenda. These include the strengthening of dialogue between CAC and civil society organizations in the context of regional discussions on issues such as CAFTA, direct support to rural enterprises and organizations, and associative processes and production chains. Emphasis was placed on developing a common regional policy framework covering aspects such as agricultural trade, technology, health and food safety.

The RUTA work plan also includes support for the development of a common agro-environmental agenda for CAC and the Central American Commission on Environment and Development (CCAD). The director has held fruitful discussions with CCAD on this matter.

With respect to management issues, the mission also expressed satisfaction at the achievements of RUTA, including the consolidation of an efficient management process, the good morale of RUTA staff, the progress made in planning of the annual work program and the design of a knowledge management strategy, among other findings.

The evaluation mission was also satisfied with RUTA’s work in the area of knowledge management and communication, which was begun in June 2005. It made a positive evaluation of the project’s work in conducting systematic analyses of experiences, disseminating information and facilitating dialogue between stakeholders in rural development.