Food and Nutrition Security
REPORT ON BASELINE ASSESSMENT OF THE FAGNOITSE PROJECT District of Ambovombe
As a result of the combined effects of the El Niño phenomenon and prolonged drought in southern Madagascar, this part of the island faces severe food insecurity and economic vulnerability hampering its capacity to cope with shocks. According to the recent update of FEWS NET1 (April 2018), Madagascar is considered as in crisis for the period running from October 2017 to June 2018 because of poor rainfall forecasts, resulting in below-average harvests and limited food access. The latest monitoring report of the food security cluster2 (April 2018) shows that 820,299 people are in need of food assistance, including 586,076 people considered as in “crisis” and 234,223 who have reached the “emergency level” as regards exposure to food insecurity in southern Madagascar. Irregular, uneven and insufficient rain during the farming season (December 2017 to March 2018) raised concerns about the population's ability to store food and survive until next harvest. Despite food distributions (mainly school meals provided by WFP) and food production interventions (conducted by FAO and other agencies), drought has put extreme pressure on local communities and has led to an increase in the number of people suffering from food insecurity.
The disruption of work and income opportunities and livelihoods has also caused serious gaps in income generation, loss of productive assets and adoption of harmful coping mechanisms. The recent WFP/FAO Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission (CFSAM, December 2017) showed that loss of productive assets, such as the sale of production means, equipment and tools, has prevented people from producing food and generating income. In the absence of targeted assistance due lack of funding, people with moderate malnutrition may face severe malnutrition during the dry season. Vulnerable groups need immediate assistance in addition to an intervention aiming at increasing their resilience to shocks over the long term.
CARE is proposing, through the OFDA South project, a specific humanitarian intervention in the Ambovombe district for a period of 12 months in 6 communes in the Ambovombe district, including: Imanombo, Ambanisarika, Tsimananada, Marovato-Befeno, Ampamata, and Jafaro to save lives among the most vulnerable groups, prevent an aggravation of food insecurity and promote resilience building measures in parallel to the humanitarian response. The overall outcome of the project is to alleviate the drought-affected populations’ suffering in southern Madagascar through food production restoration, improved livelihoods and improved access to water. Read More...
The disruption of work and income opportunities and livelihoods has also caused serious gaps in income generation, loss of productive assets and adoption of harmful coping mechanisms. The recent WFP/FAO Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission (CFSAM, December 2017) showed that loss of productive assets, such as the sale of production means, equipment and tools, has prevented people from producing food and generating income. In the absence of targeted assistance due lack of funding, people with moderate malnutrition may face severe malnutrition during the dry season. Vulnerable groups need immediate assistance in addition to an intervention aiming at increasing their resilience to shocks over the long term.
CARE is proposing, through the OFDA South project, a specific humanitarian intervention in the Ambovombe district for a period of 12 months in 6 communes in the Ambovombe district, including: Imanombo, Ambanisarika, Tsimananada, Marovato-Befeno, Ampamata, and Jafaro to save lives among the most vulnerable groups, prevent an aggravation of food insecurity and promote resilience building measures in parallel to the humanitarian response. The overall outcome of the project is to alleviate the drought-affected populations’ suffering in southern Madagascar through food production restoration, improved livelihoods and improved access to water. Read More...
Promoting Resilient Livelihoods in Borana (RESET II) – Midterm
RESET II project, which began in October 2016, has been implemented for 42 months with a total budget Euro 6,586,291 and is financed by European Commission through European Union Trust Fund (EUTF). Implemented through a multi stakeholders consortium which included CARE Ethiopia, Oromo Self Help Organization (OSHO) and Action Against Hunger (AAH), the project was designed to address root causes of displacement and irregular migration in Arero, Miyo, Dire, Moyale, Dillo and Dhas Woredas within the Borena Zone, Oromia region. With the overall aim of enhancing the resilience of over 100,000 PSNP and other vulnerable communities, of which over 70,000 are women covering 21,000 households in total, the project results framework consists of five outcomes i.e. improved access and coverage of health and nutrition, diversified and increased livelihood opportunities and incomes, improved Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) capacity, enhanced research and knowledge management systems and reduced barriers to women empowerment. In order to achieve the above aim, the project partners employed CARE’s Pastoralist Resilience Casual Model (PRCM) using proven CARE’S Village Saving and Loan Association (VSLA), Climate Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (CVCA), Social Analysis and Action (SAA), Participatory Scenario Planning (PSP) and AAH’s as well as Assisting Behavior change (ABC) methods and approaches throughout the project implementation.
The main purpose of this evaluation is to assess the progress, achievements, constraints and lessons learnt from the implementation of the project and to produce sufficient evidence that would help achieve the project overall objective. With that in mind, while the primary audiences for the evaluation are the consortium partners and the European Union, the secondary audience could also include relevant sector government offices and other Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) implementing similar projects as lessons learned here may guide similar programming. Read More...
The main purpose of this evaluation is to assess the progress, achievements, constraints and lessons learnt from the implementation of the project and to produce sufficient evidence that would help achieve the project overall objective. With that in mind, while the primary audiences for the evaluation are the consortium partners and the European Union, the secondary audience could also include relevant sector government offices and other Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) implementing similar projects as lessons learned here may guide similar programming. Read More...
Krishi Utsho Endline Evaluation
Krishi Utsho is a self-sustaining market based model that operates through a multi-stakeholder participatory approach, wherein stakeholders such as private sector, government bodies and extensions, local community level shop owners (enlisted as franchisees), and rural farmers all come together to form a network of interconnected business and market interactions and relationships that benefit all. Through its unique business model, KU provides support to rural smallholder farmers (especially women) in accessing quality agro-inputs, market information, and technical assistance to strengthen and realize their agricultural
potential and help to sustain livelihoods as well as ensure food security.
This impact assessment has been undertaken to identify Krishi Utsho’s impact (economic and social) on beneficiary groups, and to assess performance in terms of intended objectives and outcomes. To capture the information required, mixed methodology was used – quantitative survey was administered to 400 KU farmers, while 9 FGDs (with farmers), 9IDIs (4 KU franchisee shop owners, 2 private suppliers, financial institution representatives, and 1 Upazila Agriculture Officer (UAO) were conducted to supplement the
qualitative information to support the quantitative data.
Under the umbrella of KU, the project has successfully developed a network of 251 agro-input shops (franchisees), 25 private sector suppliers with quality agro-inputs, strategic partnerships with government extension agents and financial institutions. Through this extensive and interconnected network, the project is able to serve the agro-input, technical support and information needs of over 51,788 smallholding rural farmers, out of which (27% are women). Apart from this, KU has ensured employment, income and different social securities of project beneficiaries. To ensure that vulnerable women are also benefited through the KU project, it undertook EWYSEA - an initiative under the broad KU umbrella, to facilitate and engage women and youth in income generating activities especially in agro-business. To advance in agriculture and increase outputs, it is important to have access to finance – something that the vulnerable farmers often lack. As such, to address this issue, KU started another initiative, namely MEDA that promotes and facilitates access to non-traditional financing for rural farmers in the KU geographical areas. Read More...
potential and help to sustain livelihoods as well as ensure food security.
This impact assessment has been undertaken to identify Krishi Utsho’s impact (economic and social) on beneficiary groups, and to assess performance in terms of intended objectives and outcomes. To capture the information required, mixed methodology was used – quantitative survey was administered to 400 KU farmers, while 9 FGDs (with farmers), 9IDIs (4 KU franchisee shop owners, 2 private suppliers, financial institution representatives, and 1 Upazila Agriculture Officer (UAO) were conducted to supplement the
qualitative information to support the quantitative data.
Under the umbrella of KU, the project has successfully developed a network of 251 agro-input shops (franchisees), 25 private sector suppliers with quality agro-inputs, strategic partnerships with government extension agents and financial institutions. Through this extensive and interconnected network, the project is able to serve the agro-input, technical support and information needs of over 51,788 smallholding rural farmers, out of which (27% are women). Apart from this, KU has ensured employment, income and different social securities of project beneficiaries. To ensure that vulnerable women are also benefited through the KU project, it undertook EWYSEA - an initiative under the broad KU umbrella, to facilitate and engage women and youth in income generating activities especially in agro-business. To advance in agriculture and increase outputs, it is important to have access to finance – something that the vulnerable farmers often lack. As such, to address this issue, KU started another initiative, namely MEDA that promotes and facilitates access to non-traditional financing for rural farmers in the KU geographical areas. Read More...
Secure Farming for Rural Smallholder Farmers An Initiative on Non-traditional Financing Services
Krishi Utsho is a successfully proven supply chain model which has improved the food security situation of vulnerable farmers and their families. As part of the KU initiative, the idea of MEDA (Non-traditional financing initiative) project is to mitigate the financial predicaments of vulnerable farmers, through introducing financial institutions to provide benefits to the farmers and bring banks and financial services closer to them. The plan is to create a linkage with bank and insurance company to secure financial offers
by becoming a guarantor where farmers’ loan will be secured by the insurance services. The project is being piloted in Bogura and Jashore. As the starting point, a baseline study has been commissioned to assess the current situation and circumstances of the target beneficiaries. This report is a reflection of the findings of the baseline survey.
To capture the information to fulfill the objectives of the study, mixed methodology was used – wherein 100 KU beneficiaries (randomly selected) participated in the quantitative survey, while six FGDs (target beneficiaries), two IDIs (KU franchisee shop owners) and two KIIs (representatives from insurance company and commercial bank) were conducted to supplement the qualitative information to support the quantitative data.
Read More...
by becoming a guarantor where farmers’ loan will be secured by the insurance services. The project is being piloted in Bogura and Jashore. As the starting point, a baseline study has been commissioned to assess the current situation and circumstances of the target beneficiaries. This report is a reflection of the findings of the baseline survey.
To capture the information to fulfill the objectives of the study, mixed methodology was used – wherein 100 KU beneficiaries (randomly selected) participated in the quantitative survey, while six FGDs (target beneficiaries), two IDIs (KU franchisee shop owners) and two KIIs (representatives from insurance company and commercial bank) were conducted to supplement the qualitative information to support the quantitative data.
Read More...
Impact Report Empowering Women and Youth for Sustainable Entrepreneurship through Agro Business
The idea of EWYSEA (Empowering Women and Youth for Sustainable Entrepreneurship through Agro-business) project was
conceived with the objective to create opportunities for earning income and becoming self-reliant, for both rural women and
youth groups through avenues of entrepreneurship. Krishi Utsho is a successfully proven supply chain model which has
improved the food security situation of vulnerable farmers and their families. As part of its commitment to improve the
gender parity in rural areas, where women and youth are the most vulnerable segments of society, and to improve the food
security situation in its program areas, KU implemented EWYSEA under its umbrella project to act as a vehicle for support.
This endline study was commissioned to assess the economic and social impact of the project and its initiatives on the target
groups, and the satisfaction level of customers and stakeholders of the EWYSEA project, with direct impact of EWYSEA on
beneficiaries. The endline study was designed as mixed methodology.
In the case of women entrepreneurs, major sources of income were found to be petty trade, agriculture and livestock farming.
All depended on cash income and only 33% on in-kind income. Range of monthly average income varied from BDT 2,100-
9,300, and major expenditures were for food, health, household purchase and children’s education. Most respondents
reportedly take household decisions jointly with their husbands; furthermore as earning members in HH they now enjoy more
decision making authority. Community level participation has increased since EWYSEA started. Women entrepreneurs found
training and awareness sessions conducted by Krishi Utsho highly informative and enlightening, by receiving information on
business strategy and marketing. Read More...
conceived with the objective to create opportunities for earning income and becoming self-reliant, for both rural women and
youth groups through avenues of entrepreneurship. Krishi Utsho is a successfully proven supply chain model which has
improved the food security situation of vulnerable farmers and their families. As part of its commitment to improve the
gender parity in rural areas, where women and youth are the most vulnerable segments of society, and to improve the food
security situation in its program areas, KU implemented EWYSEA under its umbrella project to act as a vehicle for support.
This endline study was commissioned to assess the economic and social impact of the project and its initiatives on the target
groups, and the satisfaction level of customers and stakeholders of the EWYSEA project, with direct impact of EWYSEA on
beneficiaries. The endline study was designed as mixed methodology.
In the case of women entrepreneurs, major sources of income were found to be petty trade, agriculture and livestock farming.
All depended on cash income and only 33% on in-kind income. Range of monthly average income varied from BDT 2,100-
9,300, and major expenditures were for food, health, household purchase and children’s education. Most respondents
reportedly take household decisions jointly with their husbands; furthermore as earning members in HH they now enjoy more
decision making authority. Community level participation has increased since EWYSEA started. Women entrepreneurs found
training and awareness sessions conducted by Krishi Utsho highly informative and enlightening, by receiving information on
business strategy and marketing. Read More...
Baseline Survey of Hariyo Ban Program II
Building on the accomplishments and learnings of Hariyo Ban Phase I, the second phase is being implemented in Nepal since July 2016. The objective of phase II is to increase ecological and community resilience in Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) and Chitwan Annapurna Landscape (CHAL) across 15 districts (Figure 1). The program focuses interventions on specific working sites having common issues, threats and opportunities in the biological corridors in TAL while it works in sub-river basin in CHAL. The program is implemented by a consortium of WWF Nepal, Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE), National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) and the Federation of Community Forestry Users Nepal (FECOFUN), with WWF serving as the managing partner for the program. [55 pages] Read More...
Fonds Regionaux de Developpement Agricole – ASARA
Le Projet intitulé « Opérationnalisation du Fonds Régional de Développement Agricole dans la région
Anosy », a démarré début janvier 2014 pour une durée initialement prévue de 42 mois. Le projet a
été prolongé par voie d’avenant sur 6 mois, soit jusqu’au 5 janvier 2018. Le projet est mis en oeuvre
par CARE International à Madagascar qui intervient dans la Région Anosy depuis 1995, sur des
actions liées au développement agricole et rural (22 projets réalisés). L’Action s’inscrit dans la continuité de l’appui apporté par CARE à la mise en place FDAR entre 2009 et 2011. CARE a été opérateur du projet FDAR pilote dans la Région Anosy, avec l’appui de la Délégation de l’Union Européenne à Madagascar (DUE), et du projet Appui au Renforcement des Organisations Professionnelles et des services Agricoles (AROPA) financé par le Fonds International pour le Développement Agricole (FIDA).
L’Action vise à opérationnaliser le FDAR de la Région Anosy, pour soutenir l’accès des Exploitations Agricoles Familiales (EAF) aux services. Au sein du projet ASARA, l’Action est connectée à un appui à amélioration de la couverture des services d’épargne et de crédit (lot 1) et d’actions qui permettront de structurer les filières et l’économie agricole régionale (lot 3). L’Action s’intègre dans une logique de partenariat avec les attributaires de ces lots. Read More...
Anosy », a démarré début janvier 2014 pour une durée initialement prévue de 42 mois. Le projet a
été prolongé par voie d’avenant sur 6 mois, soit jusqu’au 5 janvier 2018. Le projet est mis en oeuvre
par CARE International à Madagascar qui intervient dans la Région Anosy depuis 1995, sur des
actions liées au développement agricole et rural (22 projets réalisés). L’Action s’inscrit dans la continuité de l’appui apporté par CARE à la mise en place FDAR entre 2009 et 2011. CARE a été opérateur du projet FDAR pilote dans la Région Anosy, avec l’appui de la Délégation de l’Union Européenne à Madagascar (DUE), et du projet Appui au Renforcement des Organisations Professionnelles et des services Agricoles (AROPA) financé par le Fonds International pour le Développement Agricole (FIDA).
L’Action vise à opérationnaliser le FDAR de la Région Anosy, pour soutenir l’accès des Exploitations Agricoles Familiales (EAF) aux services. Au sein du projet ASARA, l’Action est connectée à un appui à amélioration de la couverture des services d’épargne et de crédit (lot 1) et d’actions qui permettront de structurer les filières et l’économie agricole régionale (lot 3). L’Action s’intègre dans une logique de partenariat avec les attributaires de ces lots. Read More...
PROGRAMME EUROPÉEN DE SÉCURITÉ ALIMENTAIRE ET NUTRITIONNELLE ASARA
L’Union Européenne finance les Programmes ASARA (Amélioration de la Sécurité Alimentaire et Augmentation des Revenus Agricoles) et AINA (Actions Intégrées en Nutrition et Alimentation) dans le cadre de son initiative visant à accélérer l’atteinte de l’Objectif du Millénaire pour le Développement (OMD) 1c, « réduire de moitié, d’ici 2015, la proportion de la population vivant dans l’extrême pauvreté et souffrant de la faim ».
ASARA et AINA pilotés respectivement par l'USCP (Unité de Suivi et de Coordination du Projet) et la FAO (Organisation des Nations Unies pour l’Alimentation et l’Agriculture) visent la réduction de l’insécurité alimentaire des familles vulnérables dans les zones ciblées. Le programme AINA vise en plus l’amélioration de la sécurité nutritionnelle de ces familles. Les Régions Androy, Anosy et Atsimo Atsinanana sont des zones communes aux deux programmes si AINA intervient également dans les Régions Amoron’i Mania, Vatovavy Fitovinany et ASARA dans le District de Fort-Dauphin. Read More...
ASARA et AINA pilotés respectivement par l'USCP (Unité de Suivi et de Coordination du Projet) et la FAO (Organisation des Nations Unies pour l’Alimentation et l’Agriculture) visent la réduction de l’insécurité alimentaire des familles vulnérables dans les zones ciblées. Le programme AINA vise en plus l’amélioration de la sécurité nutritionnelle de ces familles. Les Régions Androy, Anosy et Atsimo Atsinanana sont des zones communes aux deux programmes si AINA intervient également dans les Régions Amoron’i Mania, Vatovavy Fitovinany et ASARA dans le District de Fort-Dauphin. Read More...
Women’s Empowerment Program (WEP) Midterm Report
In 2009, Norad-funded women empowerment programs (WEPs) started implementation in seven countries: Burundi, Mali, Myanmar, Niger, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. In 2009 and early 2010, an extensive quantitative baseline study was conducted in these countries around a common set of indicators. The present mid-term review (MTR), which was done using qualitative methodology, analysed in depth the process and nature of changes that the programs are contributing towards. In all the program countries, the country WEP team carried out the review internally with the technical assistance of an external consultant and CARE Norway (CN).
With slight variations, the overall objectives of the country WEPs focused on the economic, social, and political empowerment of women. The village savings and loan association (VSLA) methodology was common for all the programs; and these groups create the platform for working on other aspects of the program besides economic empowerment. The initial changes that the programs produce are seen in terms of increased access to savings and loans, employment opportunities, and asset ownership. The ability of the women to earn income, generate their own savings and make financial contributions in the household (HH) has greatly improved their self-esteem, thereby giving them better leverage to involve in and influence HH decision making processes. Men were highly appreciative of the income women were able to bring in to the family as a result of being involved in VSLAs. Through their improved position in the household, women reported being able to negotiate the use of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and the abandonment of different harmful practices. Through the use of couples-based approach and engaging men initiatives, HH relationships are beginning to improve; men in these households are reportedly starting to have a more positive attitude towards women’s empowerment and are themselves even taking part in domestic activities in some contexts. The VSLA approach is enabling women to create strong social networks that are becoming an influential force for social change. As a result of increased knowledge on their human rights and increasing leadership skills, women are beginning to understand how they have to position themselves to realize their strategic interests. The VSLA groups and networks also enable women to mobilise support when they are running for elections; this support has increased number of women being elected into different posts. The contribution of women in VSLAs and in community leadership positions is being increasingly recognised and appreciated by local authority figures, which can be seen when they actively seek the advice of women and VSL groups in relation to different community development initiatives.
Through working in partnership with others, the programs are being implemented in a high quality and timely manner. Engagement with strategic partners has occurred effectively in some countries, and been instrumental in enabling the programs to link grassroots evidence to national level advocacy activities which have achieved concrete results. [52 pages] Read More...
With slight variations, the overall objectives of the country WEPs focused on the economic, social, and political empowerment of women. The village savings and loan association (VSLA) methodology was common for all the programs; and these groups create the platform for working on other aspects of the program besides economic empowerment. The initial changes that the programs produce are seen in terms of increased access to savings and loans, employment opportunities, and asset ownership. The ability of the women to earn income, generate their own savings and make financial contributions in the household (HH) has greatly improved their self-esteem, thereby giving them better leverage to involve in and influence HH decision making processes. Men were highly appreciative of the income women were able to bring in to the family as a result of being involved in VSLAs. Through their improved position in the household, women reported being able to negotiate the use of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and the abandonment of different harmful practices. Through the use of couples-based approach and engaging men initiatives, HH relationships are beginning to improve; men in these households are reportedly starting to have a more positive attitude towards women’s empowerment and are themselves even taking part in domestic activities in some contexts. The VSLA approach is enabling women to create strong social networks that are becoming an influential force for social change. As a result of increased knowledge on their human rights and increasing leadership skills, women are beginning to understand how they have to position themselves to realize their strategic interests. The VSLA groups and networks also enable women to mobilise support when they are running for elections; this support has increased number of women being elected into different posts. The contribution of women in VSLAs and in community leadership positions is being increasingly recognised and appreciated by local authority figures, which can be seen when they actively seek the advice of women and VSL groups in relation to different community development initiatives.
Through working in partnership with others, the programs are being implemented in a high quality and timely manner. Engagement with strategic partners has occurred effectively in some countries, and been instrumental in enabling the programs to link grassroots evidence to national level advocacy activities which have achieved concrete results. [52 pages] Read More...
Community-Driven Financial Inclusion for the Most Vulnerable Households
The Tat Lan Programme, funded by the Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT) in Myanmar was implemented in two phases (2013-15 and 2017-18). The overall goal was to ensure a sustainable increase of food and nutrition security and incomes of participant households in 259 communities in the townships of Myebon, Pauktaw, Kyaukpyu and Minbya in Rakhine State. [24 pages] Read More...