Pastoralist Areas Resilience Improvement and Market Expansion (PRIME) Project Funded by the United States Agency for International Development

Year 7, Quarter 1 Report Reporting Period: 1 October 2018 – December 31 2018

Submitted to:

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... 1 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATION ...... 2 I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 4 II. SUMMARY OF RESULTS TABLE ...... 9 III. CORRELATION TO THE MONITORING PLAN ...... 12 IV. RESULT BY RESULT ANALYSIS ...... 12

IR 1: IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY AND COMPETITIVENESS OF LIVESTOCK AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS ...... 12 IR 2: CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ...... 22 IR 3: STRENGTHENED ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOODS FOR HOUSEHOLDS TRANSITIONING OUT OF PASTORALISM (TOPS) ...... 35 IR 4: ENHANCED INNOVATION, LEARNING AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT ...... 45 IR 5: USE OF NUTRITIONAL PRODUCTS ...... 51 V. CROSS-CUTTING THEMES ...... 58 A. GENDER ...... 58 B. DISABILITY ...... 58 VI. FINANCIAL SUMMARY ...... 58 VII. ANNEXES ...... 59

Acronyms and Abbreviation

AC: Afar cluster ACPA: Aged and Children Pastoralists Association AHS: Annual Household Survey AEWs: Agricultural Extension Workers AISDA: Action for Integrated Sustainable Development ARRA: Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs AWD: Acute Watery Diarrhea BCC: Behavior Change Communication DPPB: Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Bureau CAHW: Community Animal Health Worker CE: Cost Extension CHV: Community Health Volunteers DA: Development Agent DPPO: Disaster Preparation and Prevention Bureau EBF: Exclusive Breast Feeding EC: Eastern Cluster ECDD: Ethiopian Center for disability and Development EMDIDI: Ethiopian Meat and Dairy Industry Development Institute ENA: Essential Nutrition Actions ETB/birr: Ethiopian Birr, the currency of Ethiopia. EWICs: Early Warning Information Centers EW: Early Warning FA: Field Agent FMoH: Federal Mistry of Health FSA: Friendship Support Association HEWs: Health Extension Workers HRD: Humanitarian Requirements Document H/WDA: Health/Women Development Army HU: Haramaya University IIF: Investment and Innovation Fund IR: Intermediate Result KHG: Keyhole Gardening LCRDB: Livestock, Crop and Rural Development Bureau LKM: Learning and Knowledge Management MAD: Minimum Acceptable Diet MH: Model Households M2M: Mother to Mother MIYCF: Maternal, Infant and Young Child Feeding MIYCN: Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition NSA: Nutrition Sensitive Agricultural PADO: Pastoral Agriculture Development Office PVP: Private Veterinary Pharmacy PLW: Pregnant and Lactating Woman RL/C: Range Land/Council RLG: Radio Listener Group

SC: Southern Cluster SBCC: Social Behavior Change and Communication SME: Small and Micro Enterprises U5: Under Five Children USAID: United States Agency for International Development VSLA: Village Savings and Loan Associations TOT: Training of the Trainers TVET: Technical and Vocational Education and Training WASH: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PRIME is a five-year, USAID-funded initiative designed to support resilience among pastoralist communities in Ethiopia, and thus enhance prospects for long-term development in Ethiopia’s dryland landscape where the pastoralist livelihood system prevails. Financed through Feed the Future (FTF) and Global Climate Change (GCC) facilities, PRIME was designed to be transformative and innovative, and to achieve scale through market-driven approaches to livestock production and livelihood diversification that simultaneously support dryland communities to adapt to a changing climate. In order to achieve its overall goal of increasing household incomes and enhancing resilience to climate change through market linkages, the program works to meet the following five major objectives (intermediate results): 1) Improve productivity and competitiveness of livestock and livestock products; 2) Enhance pastoralists’ adaptation to climate change; 3) Strengthen alternative livelihoods for households transitioning out of pastoralism; 4) Ensure enhanced innovation, learning and knowledge management; and 5) Improve nutritional status of targeted households through targeted, sustained and evidence- based interventions.

Highlights from Quarter 1 of FY 19 This report summarizes the key activities implemented, and the associated accomplishments for PRIME during quarter one of FY2019 which covers between 1 October 2018 and 31 December 2018. Major accomplishments for this quarter include:

INTERMEDIATE RESULT 1: IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY AND COMPETITIVENESS OF LIVESTOCK AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS:

Despite the damage to one of its milk transporting trucks during the violent unrest in Jigjiga on the 4th of August 2018, Berwako Milk processing plant has continued collecting raw milk from milk collecting cooperatives and processing the milk to reach more markets in the Eastern cluster. During the reporting quarter the plant has purchased 58,500 liters of milk from El-gari milk collection center in Babile Somali directly benefiting eighty-nine (89) households. In turn, Berwaqo has processed and produced 108,200 bottles of camel milk (half liter each) and sold them in Jigjiga, Harar, Awaday, and Dire Dawa towns; generating a total revenue of ETB 2,364,000 (=USD 85,963) from the sales. Likewise, milk collection centers in the Southern cluster have provided market access for 3,925 pastoralist households thereby reducing pastoralists’ transaction and other implicit costs. Performance monitoring of those milk collection centers indicated that they have sold a total volume of 73,800 liters of milk and generated revenue amounting ETB 2,377,350 in the reporting quarter.

Two new milk-processing factories namely Haldhaa Milk Processing Factory in Jigjiga and Haji Khalif Milk Processing Factory in Degahble (Fafan) are emerging through independent investors may result in a “crowding-in”, with potential prospects of fair competition, better prices, and alternative markets for pastoralists/agro-pastoralists. Haldhaa Milk Processing Factory has started its operation about a week ago and it is already present in the market while Haji Khalif Milk Processing Factory is aiming to start operation within the next three months.

Performance monitoring of, PRIME-supported, twenty-seven (27) Private Veterinary Pharmacies operating in Jarar, Fafan and Siti zones in Somali Region has indicated they have served 20,258 households who visited PVPs to buy veterinary drugs and receive services. Accordingly, those PVPs have generated a total revenue of ETB 1,504,930 (=USD 54,724) working through 150 community animal health workers (CAHWs) having established linkage with PVPs and through direct sales of veterinary drugs and services.

Similarly, performance monitoring of, PRIME-supported, seven (7) Private Veterinary Pharmacies (PVPs) in the Southern cluster have supplied quality veterinary drugs and services to 8,740 pastoralist and agro-pastoralist households generating total revenue of ETB 2,078,280 (=USD 75,849) during this reporting quarter. This performance has been accomplished through sixty-two (62) CAHWs who have established business partnerships with PVPs and through direct sales of veterinary drugs to remote pastoralist/agro-pastoralist communities through extended outreach services.

INTERMEDIATE RESULT 2: CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT:

During the reporting quarter, PRIME continued supporting the ongoing activities and processes under both the Natural Resource Management and Climate Change Adaptation. The natural resource management component has been facilitating and supporting rangeland council’ dialogues, restoration of rangelands, endorsement of rangeland management plans and regional rangeland management learning workshops. Two regional PRM learning workshops were facilitated at Adama and Jigjiga bringing together regional partners mainly Pastoral Area Development Commission and Land Use and Administration Bureaus. The learning workshops were aimed at identifying opportunities and constraints, to jointly propose the next actions within the context of improving PRM model and contextualizing PRM process for enhanced application. PRIME also supported restoration of degraded rangelands through soil and water conservation measures, bush thinning, enclosures and Prosopis clearing. Accordingly, 1,490 ha rangeland has been rehabilitated across the three PRIME clusters; Afar, Oromia and Somali (1,140 ha through SWC, bush thinning and dry season reserves and 350ha through prosopis control and management) with participation of 2,556 (781 female) community members, councils of respective rangelands, and government line departments.

Under Climate Change Adaptation component, PRIME continued to apply a PSP (Participatory Scenario Planning) approach to build resilience capacities in household and community livelihood decision-making and in local climate risk management and contingency planning initiatives. During this quarter, PRIME facilitated 4 PSP workshops in Eastern cluster for Deyr rainy season. The events involved 210 participants drawn from government partners, key rangeland elders, traditional forecasters, community representatives, PA leaders, and experts from the Meteorological Agency. The process allowed stakeholders to evaluate previous seasons’ performance mainly on forecasted weather information, its dissemination channels, and utilization. For the coming rainy season, both the traditional and the Met agency forecasters presented their analysis and developed advisories and dissemination plans for the wider community. Normal to above normal rainfall was forecasted for Southern Somali region. On the other hand, following the current government reform, officials at all levels have been reshuffled and this affected most

PRIME activities, PSP institutionalization dialogue, in particular. However, in Afar cluster, a separate discussion was made with regional disaster preparedness and food security coordination director gave positive feedback in promoting PSP as a good climate information tool. PRIME also established an additional 10 community based early warning centers in the Southern cluster making a total of 20 climate information centers in Borena and Guji zones. In Afar region procurement of all materials is done and will be installed soon in 6 Woredas. Moreover, National Meteorological Agency has accomplished all planned installation work for 4 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) and the stations are fully functional now.

PRIME also continued strengthening the adaptive capacity of SAA groups who are engaged in various livelihood initiatives through providing technical and material support. During this quarter PRIME monitored SAA groups in all clusters, conducted review and reflection meetings with SAA groups, identifying their status and rewarded the 5 best performing SAA groups in Eastern cluster through provision of materials such as water pumps, geo-membrane and water pipes for those involved in irrigated vegetables and fodder production as well as providing solar panels for two Harshin groups who want to embark in a mobile charging service as a business in their village.

INTERMEDIATE RESULT 3: STRENGTHENED ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOODS FOR HOUSEHOLDS TRANSITIONING OUT OF PASTORALISM (TOPS)

During this reporting period, a total of 93 trainees (20% female and 80% Male) were enrolled in in both Negele and Yabelo TVETs in different skill training fields like dress making, hair dressing and construction. PRIME’s Eastern cluster team conducted a quick youth assessment to understand the changes in their livelihoods status and the current labor markets situation for the targeted youth. The assessment was conducted in four woredas in Fafan and Jarar zones and targeted graduated TOPs from TVETs. In support of women and youth TOPs to increase their income with additional business skills, PRIME faciliated a short term on-the job training on clothes tailoring for 55 young TOPs (43 female &12men) in K/Bayah, Hartsheik and Ararso towns. The training was conducted over 25 consecutive days in collaboration of the respective district women and children affairs offices. In this reporting quarter, SMFI Hellocash mobile & agent banking continued to serve and reach new users and hellocash agents. To this end, the coverages of the mobile agent banking account users of SMFIs extended to 241,823 and the agent banking services decreased from 1116 to 1,028 in this reporting period. 88 agents closed their businesses due to the conflict in the region. The PRIME-supported, Afar MFI has continues to grow and in this reporting period the MFI opened four new branches for a total of 13 branches. Accordingly, the number of volunteer/compulsory savers and borrowers reported by Afar MFI are 13,416 and 5,530 respectively. To improve the inclusive financial service uptake and culture of saving in the Afar pastoral and agro-pastoral community groups, PRIME’s Afar cluster team facilitated an awareness creation workshop about the expansion of existing mobile and agent banking in collaboration with Anbesa and Abyssinia Banks on 22 November, 2018 in Awash 7 Kilo Town. In addition, PRIME facilitated a one-day awareness creation and experience sharing forum for 45 (41 female and 4 male) representatives from 20 RuSACCOs in Fafan and Jarar Zones of Somali region. PRIME in collaboration with Shaya Shone Plc, who specializes on postharvest technology and trainings, facilitated a three day training of trainers on postharvest skills for 31 (30 male & 1

6 female) people including development agents, extension experts, agricultural input suppliers and agro-pastoralists on food grain postharvest loss management practices. A demonstration was conducted on the use of PICS storage bag technology in Somali Region. The objective of the training was to improve Crop Seed bags (PICS) by sharing their experiences about the impact of the technology on reducing postharvest losses from other parts of Ethiopia. In this quarter a 4 day training, on horticulture production and agronomic practices, was provided to selected agro-pastoralist from Negele and Yabelo areas. The training was attended by 64 participants (8 females) that consisted of 50 agro-pastoralists drawn from seven Kebeles, 12 government extension workers, and 2 agricultural-input suppliers.

INTERMEDIATE RESULT 4: ENHANCED INNOVATION, LEARNING AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT PRIME assembled its key program staff, leadership partners, and selected HQ staff to celebrate and reflect on the PRIME program and its experience, results, findings, and key lessons. In addition to a document review of all PRIME’s resources that will result in a thorough synthesis and summation of PRIME’s results, this in-person workshop was intended to further document the PRIME story and elicit key lessons for Mercy Corps. The workshop was held in Addis Ababa from Dec 10 to 12, 2018. PRIME staff told stories, shared experiences, and critically reflected on what worked well or not by cluster and by component. The main goals of the workshop were to review program results and to identify lessons learned (per PM@MC Minimum Standards).

PRIME supported the Ministry of Federal and Pastoral Development Affairs (MoFPDA) to enrich and update the draft Pastoral Development Policy and Strategic Framework. Mercy Corps Ethiopia hired SEGEL Research and Training Consults PLC to conduct a pastoral and agro-pastoral policy gap analysis and facilitated six consultative workshops in Ethio Somali, Afar, Oromia, SNNPR, Gambela and B/Gumuz Regional States to enrich the policy. Based on the recommendations of the study, a team composed of MoFPDA, USAID, as well as the LAND and PRIME projects, enriched the final draft of MoFPDA Pastoralist Policy and Strategy Framework. The draft is endorsed by MoFPDA and submitted to the council of ministries and the latter has reviewed the draft and shared their feedback. Feedback has been incorporated and shared to the Ministry of Councils for final approval. During this reporting quarter, PRIME hired a consultant to translate the pastoral development policy and strategic framework into English. The translated version was submitted to Ministry of Peace (the former MoFPDA).

INTERMEDIATE RESULT 5: USE OF NUTRITIONAL PRODUCTS During this reporting quarter, PRIME’s Nutrition component (IR5) continued supporting interventions mainly focused in sustaining key nutrition outcomes. PRIME supported and strengthened local capacity and community-based behavior change interventions. Accomplishments of PRIME’s Nutrition component can be summarized under three key sub- results including; 1) Knowledge, Awareness and Practices around Household Nutrition; 2) Increased and sustained availability of and access to dairy and other livestock products for children under 5 years; and 3) strengthened local capacity for supporting improved nutrition. Activities accomplished during this period were Mothers, Infant and young Children Nutrition (MIYCN) trainings for health workers and community level beneficiaries, counseling of MIYCN at the household level, Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture ( NSA)training and review workshops, cooking

7 demonstrations, promotion of Keyhole gardening (KHG) and Perma Gardens, supportive supervision and refresher trainings for school clubs and teachers.

II.SUMMARY OF RESULTS TABLE

Five years Five years Quarter Disaggregati Targets Achievement 1 of Indicator FY19 Target Remark on (FY13-FY18 (FY13-FY18 FY’19 cumulative cumulative Target) Achievement) Actual

CROSS CUTTING INDICATORS A discount based on IR EG.3.2-x14: Number of integration vulnerable households benefiting Total 298,576 321,772 33572 73,757 found through the AHS directly from USG assistance (69.67%) will applied EG.3.2-17: Number of farmers and others who have applied Annual improved technologies or Total 98,827 174,952 11,838 NA report only management practices with USG assistance PPR 4.8.2-26: Number of Annual stakeholders with increased report only capacity to adapt to the impacts of Total 102,440 180,422 11,838 NA climate variability and change as a result of USG assistance EG.11-6 Number of people using Annual climate information or report only implementing risk-reducing actions Total 54,760 78,606 13018 NA to improve resilience to climate change as supported by USG assistance (O) EG.3.2-1: Number of individuals Total 64,029 62,501 923 690 who have received USG-supported short-term agricultural sector Male 36,957 36,232 449 471 productivity or food security 27,072 26,269 training Female 474 219 EG.3.2-19: Value of small-holder Annual incremental sales generated with USD 35,821,317 40,057,376 4,921,059.50 NA report only USG assistance 4.5.2(38): Value of new private sector investment in the agriculture sector or food chain Total (USD) 15,871,000 16,340,333 NA NA leveraged by FTF implementation (RIA) PPR 4.8.1-29 Number of person IR 135,500 225,791 0 hours of training in natural Total 3,140 trainings resources management and/or were not 96,116 163,157 0 biodiversity conservation Men 2,300 provided supported by USG assistance during this Women 39,390 62,640 0 840 quarter

Five years Five years Quarter Disaggregati Targets Achievement 1 of Indicator FY19 Target Remark on (FY13-FY18 (FY13-FY18 FY’19 cumulative cumulative Target) Achievement) Actual EG.3.2-18: Number of hectares of land under improved technologies Total 58,260 42,008 420 1,140 or management practices with USG assistance EG.3.1-12: Number of agricultural and nutritional enabling environment policies The pastoralist policy is Total 10 11 1 submitted council of analyzed, consulted on, drafted or ministries for approval revised, approved and implemented with USG assistance Area Institutional architecture for improved policy formulation Enabling environment for private 3 1 sector investment Agricultural trade policy Agricultural input policy 1 Land and natural resources tenure, 1 2 rights, and policy Resilience and agricultural risk 1 1 management policy Nutrition 2 2 Other (Pastoral Development Policy) 2 5 Disaggregates Not Available Process/Step 10 11 Analysis 1 1 Stakeholder consultation/public 3 5 debate Drafting or revision 1 2 Approval (legislative or regulatory) 2 Full and effective implementation 3 3 Disaggregates Not Available Total policies passing through one of more processes/steps of policy 10 11 change Total 7,108 5,668 106 66.25 EG.3-9: Number of full-time New 22 0 equivalent (FTE) jobs created with USG assistance Continue 84 66.25 Obtained 1,213 -

Five years Five years Quarter 1 of Disaggregatio Targets Achievement Rema Indicator FY19 Target FY’19 n (FY13-FY18 (FY13-FY18 rk cumulative cumulative Actual Target) Achievement) 39,100 PPR 4.7.1-12: Total number of Total 108,860 341,316 9227 clients (households and/or microenterprises) benefiting from Borrowers 581 17,400 37,838 36,500 financial services provided through USG-assisted financial Savers 8646 intermediaries, including non- 190,930 301,578 2,600 financial institutions or actors Insurance 560 1,900 5,930 4,559 301 571 Total EG.3.2-20: Number of for-profit Private Sector 5,104 2,397 249 437 private enterprises, producers Producer Orgz 279 36 0 organizations, water users Water User 13 0 2 associations, women’s groups, Assoc trade and business associations Women's 350 28 55 and community-based groups organizations (CBOs) that applied Trade and 60 101 improved organization-level Business technologies or management assoc practices with USG assistance CBOs 721 570 24 24 Disaggregates 447 393 0 53 not available 3.1.9(1): Number of people Total 21,321 26,889 trained in child health and Male 8,439 13,030 Dropped Replaced by indicator nutrition through USG-supported since FY17 HL.9-4. 12,882 13,859 programs (S) Female HL.9-4 Number of individuals 4,815 640 302 receiving nutrition related Total 5,683 professional training through Male 2,741 2,130 305 101 USG supported programs (RAA) Female 2,942 2,685 335 201

3.1.9(15): Number of children 126,546 110,744 Total Dropped Replaced by indicator under five reached by USG- Male 64,158 56,161 since FY17 HL.9-1. supported nutrition programs (S) Female 62,388 54,283

HL.9-1: Number of children 60,910 59,451 5450 12336 under five(0-59 months) reached Total by USG-supported nutrition Male 30,172 23,917 2700 5926 programs (RAA) Female 30,738 35,537 2750 6410

III.CORRELATION TO THE MONITORING PLAN

Data for this quarter report was gathered through PRIME’s Output Tracking Sheets (OTS) and jobs created tracking sheets, after verification from the sub activity reports approved by technical leaders and through business information gathered by the Economic and Market Development team at field level and reported to IR1 and IR3. Information for institutions supported is continuously collected using tacking sheets with PRIME supported institutions. Data for VSLA members (financial beneficiaries) is being collated and reported through the SAVIX information system which is a Savings Groups Management Information System (MIS) enables implementers of Savings Group Projects to monitor and assess the performance of groups, staff and projects. IV. RESULT BY RESULT ANALYSIS

IR 1: IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY AND COMPETITIVENESS OF LIVESTOCK AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS

Key Result 1: Productivity in Key Livestock Market Systems Increased

Competitive Business Expansion Grants for Milk Collection & Distribution Center PRIME South Cluster team has continued coaching and giving technical support to milk collection and distribution businesses supported through competitive cost-share grants. Six (6) out of those ten supported milk collection centers/businesses have been actively engaged and providing the intended service to the community. Currently, the six milk collection centers have fifteen (15) agents who directly buy milk from pastoralists in rural villages and then supply to milk collection centers. This agent- based business model has created sustainable local market outlet channel and reduced the time that pastoralists used to spend on traveling long distance to market and over staying in the market. In the reporting quarter, milk collection centers have provided market access for 3,925 pastoralist households thereby reducing pastoralists’ transaction and other implicit costs. Milk collection centers have created jobs for 15 TOPs as well. Performance monitoring of those milk collection centers indicates that they have sold a total volume of 73,800 liters of milk and generated revenue amounting ETB 2,377,350 in the reporting quarter. Just like previous quarters, Abdi and Galgalo milk collection centers from Negelle and Yabello have been outstanding in terms of performance in this reporting quarter with milk collection volume and sales of 54,000 liters and 5,850 liters and the corresponding sales value of ETB 1,728,000 and ETB 193,050 respectively.

Promotional workshop on the commercialization of Camel milk in Afar Regional State Scaling up the marketability of camel milk in Ethiopia in general and in Afar in particular should be encouraged specially through attracting and supporting the private sector to commercialize camel milk. Attracting potential private sector market players in to the dairy sector in general and camel milk processing and trading in particular in Afar area could potentially upgrade the market environment where pastoral producers, collectors and aggregators, processors and distributors benefit from the livestock economy. It is in view of this that a workshop was organized where stakeholders sat together and generated ideas on how to achieve on the ground, a system where camel milk can be commercially produced and marketed in Afar.

The two-day workshop brought together fifty-two (52) participants including senior experts and directors from line ministries, research institutes, universities, parliamentary delegate, EMDIDI Director General, Deputy Director General and Directors and, Afar Region’s senior officials (including the current president of Afar Region) and private institutions. Private sector institutions (Addis Kidan and Dobi milk processing establishments) and PRIME delegates. The workshop involved presentations and plenary discussions and a field visit to the recently established Camel farm. The new farm holds 1500+ camels and is planning to engage in dairy processing around Semera. The new farm could open up new market opportunities for milk producing pastoral communities in five surrounding woredas. Presentations on draft Dairy Camel development strategic plan in Ethiopia by MoALR and Business development experiences by PRIME funded Addis Kidan milk processing were significant in envisioning and exploring market opportunities so that it will widely pursue to accommodate camel milk from local producers at scale. Finally, Director General of EMDIDI has promised to prepare a documentary film and an action plan on how to support the establishment and expansion of Dobi Camel Dairy Farm in Semera. Afar Regional government has also promised to continue its support for establishment and expansion of Dobi Camel Dairy Farm every time it requires governments’ involvement. H.E. Mohammed Yusuf, Chairperson of Pastoral Standing Committee, has promised to bring the innovation and its likely impact to the attention of the Ethiopian parliament. Growing business partnership between Berwako Milk Processing Factory and Milk Trading Cooperatives PRIME has continued making follow up and providing technical supports to the existing milk collection cooperatives in the Eastern Cluster. Despite the damage on one of its milk transporting trucks during violent unrest in Jigjiga on the 4th of August 2018, Berwako Milk processing plant has continued collecting raw milk from milk collecting cooperatives and processing the milk to reach more markets in the Eastern cluster. Accordingly, in the reporting quarter, Berwako Milk processing plant has purchased 58,500 liters of milk from El-gari milk collection center in Babile Somali directly benefiting eighty-nine (89) households. In turn, Berwaqo has processed and produced 118,200 bottles of camel milk and sold in Jigjiga, Harar, Awaday, and Dire Dawa towns generating a total revenue of ETB 2,364,000 (=USD 85,963) from the sales. Monitoring of Business Performance and Technical Gaps Identification on local Dairy Value Chain Actors in Afar Cluster

To access dairy value chain actors business and technical performance gaps and problems gap identification was conducted in Afar cluster. Four (4) Animal production professionals from two Pastoral Agricultural Development Offices (PADOs) and 3 PRIME staff participated in collecting and filling the required information using the questionnaire. Interrelated questionnaires were administered to milk producers and milk collecting cooperatives, private milk producers or collectors who have been producing or collecting milk who supply to others (milk processers or traders) and Woreda PADO livestock health experts who has technical supervisory roles to local dairy value chain actors. Findings of the assessment showed that local dairy value chain actors lack market access or linkage as well as milk price information and awareness on milk hygiene and sanitation especially Uribeto village women milk group. Following this, milk hygiene and sanitation training was facilitated for Uribeto milk producer/collecting women groups.

Business Skills and Financial Management Training for Milk Collectors, Local Traders and Milk Cooperatives

Prior to facilitating the training, need assessment was conducted to identify the existing gaps and required technical assistance to local milk value chain actors. The following gaps and related limitations were identified; lack of basic business knowledge, lack of business plan, starting business with no or less preparations and, no business record keeping practice, as they are illiterate. Following the assessment, basic business skills and financial management training was facilitated for thirty-five (35) participants (32F, 3M) from Amibara and Awash Fentale woreda that comprises of thirteen (13) milk cooperative members and twenty-two (22) milk collectors and local traders for the period of 10 -12 September 2018

Pre and post-training capacity assessment of trainees was made (in groups as most of them were illiterate) to measure the awareness level of the trainees on basic business skills and financial management before and after the training. According to the findings of the pre-training assessment, the awareness level of the trainees on basic business skills and financial management was around 40%. Post-training assessment result revealed a significant improvement of trainees’ level of awareness from 40% to 83%. Based on the identified gaps, the following training topics were covered during the training; Importance and concepts of planning, concepts of savings, basic concepts marketing strategies, building relationships and communication, basic financial management and record keeping required for non-literate business partners.

Training on Milk Hygiene and Sanitation for Milk Cooperatives/Traders

Milk quality improvement intervention was initiated to build the skills of milk cooperatives and strengthen their linkages with Berwako milk processor. PRIME has facilitated milk hygiene and sanitation training for thirty (30) members (19 female) from six (6) cooperatives and representatives from emerging Milk processor and experts from Gursum, Babili, Togwajale and Jigjiga woredas. The objective was to deepen the understanding of the participants on the importance of quality milk trading and avoid milk adulteration, bad practice that processors and customers mostly complain. The training has given more emphasis on increasing their awareness on best ways to produce clean and hygienic milk, factors and sources of milk spoilage, preservation skills during transportation, cleaning containers, milk testing, healthy milk and Zoonosis. Improved practices in milk handling, preservation and strengthened linkages will be the expected outcomes of the training, which will ultimately contribute to the improvement of quality of milk traded and increased income of pastoralists and agro-pastoralists. The challenges in milk postharvest losses and milk spoilage are expected to decrease significantly. Training on Milk Hygiene and Sanitation to Milk Marketing Cooperative, Private Milk Collectors and Milk Aggregators on Milk Hygiene and Sanitation Three-day training on milk hygiene and sanitation was facilitated for fifty-five (55) milk value chain actors (42 Female) including milk collectors, local traders and milk cooperatives from Amibara, Dulesa and Awash Fentale woredas of Afar cluster at Awash 7 kilo. Participants were from 25 private milk value chain actors, twenty-two (22) cooperative members and eight (8) were from Addiskidan milk processing Plc. The training was intended to enable the trainees to improve their milk quality through improved preservation and hygienic practice from milking,

14 transportation, storage and transporting to selling points for further improvement on the quality and reduction of spoilage of milk in target areas. The training would also be helpful in reducing economic loss due to compromised quality milk supplied to markets through enabling suppliers and producers delivering competitive/quality dairy products to markets and minimizing consumers’ health risks. Three trainers from the Ethiopia Meat and Dairy Industry Development Institute delivered the training covering the following training topics; basic milk quality testing methods/techniques used in milk testing and quality control, milk spoilage, hygienic milk handling and transportation, quality control in milk marketing chain, milk sample collection, and milk preservation methods and cleanness of milking material/equipment. Likewise, a similar training on milk hygiene and sanitation training was facilitated for thirty-eight (38) individuals (35 female) from Uribeto village of Dudub kebele in Awash Fentale woreda. The training was facilitated by three (3) experts from Afar Pastoral Agricultural Research Institute (APARI) from Semera. On the last day of the training day, trainees paid visit to AddisKidan milk processing factory in Awash town to learn how the factory operates keeping the required standards of hygiene. Finally, trainees have mentioned that the training combined with the visit has brought their motivation and encouraged them to improve their milk quality through improving milk hygiene practices to develop strong trust between them and AddisKidan milk processor for mutual future business partnership. Business-to-Business (B2B) Linkage Workshop between Milk Producers, Milk collectors, Cooperatives and Addis Kidan Milk Processing Plant

One-day linkage workshop was facilitated for milk producers, aggregators/collectors, milk cooperatives and Addiskidan milk processing Plc in Awash 7 kilo town. Twenty-seven (27) value chain actors (23 female) from Amibara and Awash Fentale woredas participated in the workshop. The participants were from different cooperatives and private milk collectors/traders. Discussion was made on status of dairy sector within Afar cluster and Addiskidan milk processing plc current relationship with local milk value chain actors. Among others, milk spoilage due to delay in milk collection by Addiskidan milk processing company, absence of timely discussion between milk producers/collectors and Addiskidan milk processing plc to fix their issues and, poor market linkage between value chain actors , were identified as challenges of milk business. On the other hand, the presence of Addiskidan milk collection plant and hence direct milk collection from the local milk collectors by the processing company, significant reduction of milk spoilage because of timely collection of milk from collection center and, increased demand for milk in the urban areas were identified as opportunities. The workshop helped the participants to discuss on the challenges and opportunities of milk business sector to commit themselves for a strong business partnership with Addiskidan as well as for regular and timely communication. PRIME-supported Private Veterinary Pharmacies (PVP) Business Performance Monitoring and Gap Analysis in Eastern Clusters PRIME has continued follow up and technical support to PVPs and performance monitoring of PRIME-supported twenty-seven (27) PVPs operating in Jarar, Fafan and Siti zones in Somali region has indicated they have served 20,258 households who visited PVPs to buy veterinary drugs

15 and get services. Accordingly, those PVPs have generated a total revenue of ETB 1,504,930 (=USD 54,724) working through 150 community animal health workers (CAHWs) having established linkage with PVPs and through direct sales of veterinary drugs and services. Four Veterinary drug wholesalers also played key role in the supply chain of animal health inputs and maintained good business partnership with PVPs. PRIME also conducted a rapid capacity assessment or gap analysis on PVPs to identify key challenges that stand against their optimal performances, identify capacity gaps and devise appropriate interventions towards supporting them to overcome these challenges. To do this, preliminary discussions with PVPs, animal health professionals were conducted. Besides, checklists and data collection tools were prepared in partnership with Somali Regional Livestock and Pastoral Development Bureau and district level offices. The assessment has captured data on sources and types of drugs they sell, their supply chains, linkage with CAHWs, and advices they provide to their customers, business management and barriers to access etc. The assessment has covered twenty-eight (28) PVPs in Fafan, Jarar and Siti zones. Major findings of the assessment include; PVPs are providing veterinary services to pastoralists and (on average) each PVPs is linked with 5 CAHWS; in some areas, CAHWs are also engaged in running other small businesses like small shops, HelloCash agents and sometimes as ABE teachers in their localities. There is significant increase in the number of PVPs in Fafan and Jarar zones. Some of the PVPs are newly established PVPs trying to compete with existing ones. Most of the PVPs reported that they do not get any supervision or support from government. PVPs reported that there is serious shortage of vet drugs supply. Most of the PVPs complain about disappearance of some quality drugs. PVPs need support in the areas of drug administration, drug handling and counselling of their clients. PVPs are established by the licenses of animal health professionals but daily sales/dispensing is done by untrained individuals and this needs to be improved through continuous supervision by relevant government offices. CAHWs’ Service Performance Monitoring and Technical Gaps Identification PRIME did technical gaps identification on CAHWs to determine areas of capacity building and come up with relevant and meaningful training with contents that meet the desired needs. Eight animal health professionals from six PADOs and PRIME field team took part in collecting data and filling the required information using the questionnaires. Accordingly, four interrelated questionnaires were administered to thirty-six (36) CAHWs themselves to see if the spectrum of livestock disease challenge is changing and how their skills is reasonably enough to cope up livestock health challenge, fifteen (15) community members, six (6) government livestock health experts and two (2) private veterinary drug retailers (PVPs). The assessment has shown that CAHWs have a big role in addressing request for veterinary clinical services, assisting veterinary service of the local government through conveying desired message, mobilizing community for disease control campaign and through active involvement vaccination and deworming programs as well as disease reporting. Utilization of CAH services seem to have no substitute yet in terms of complementing the national veterinary services particularly in a unique pastoral set up. According to this assessment, the importance of CAHWs as development actors is found to be still pivotal. They exclusively support the community in handling veterinary clinical cases because of access to veterinary drugs and their close proximity to the pastoral communities.

They are also the ones who respond to an urgent need of pastoralist communities and who report unusual clinical and epidemiological cases. Moreover, they play important role in community mobilization during vaccination and mass treatment programs as well as in providing vaccinations effectively matching the mobility patterns of pastoralists. The results of the assessment, from the views of stakeholders involved in the interview, have shown that CAHWs are not meeting expectations in both capacity and willingness to serve in some places to handle livestock health challenges under their area. The information collected has indicated a set of gaps identified and the likely factors associated with the gaps. Refresher Training for Existing Active CAHWs in Afar cluster

Following CAHWs’ service performance monitoring and technical gaps identification assessment, refresher training was facilitated for existing active CAHWs. Accordingly, seventy-nine (79) CAHWs (21 female) from four woredas namely Awash Fentale, Amibara, Gewane, and Galalo in zone 3 of Afar cluster have attended the refresher training to strengthen outreach animal health services by CAHWs. The refresher training was facilitated depending on CAHW’s training manual for facilitator Guide and CAHW’s Refresher training needs assessment findings. Business-to-business Linkage and Networking Workshop for PVPs, Veterinary drug Wholesalers and CAHWs in Fafan, Jarar and Siti Zones. With the objective of improving the existing business connections between actors in the animal health services, PRIME team in collaboration with ESRS Livestock and Pastoral Development Bureau, has organized one-day business-to-business linkage workshop in Jigjiga. Forty-one (41) participants (1 female) representing veterinary drug wholesalers, PVPs and other animal health actors have attended the B2B event to share market information, exchange ideas and create or strengthen business network/mutual business relations among themselves. The event was an opportunity for the actors to learn from one another, exchange business information and develop future communications for strong business partnership. Consultative Workshop on Animal Health Networking and Coordination Among Actors Lack of coordination, collaboration and information sharing between actors coupled with contradictions of approaches by some supporting institutions were among the key challenges in animal health service delivery. After conducting several rapid assessments and generating clear understanding of the challenges, PRIME learned the importance of creating a platform for the stakeholders to know each other’s’ role, discuss on the appropriate ways to collaborate for attaining an improved animal health service delivery. To this end, PRIME in collaboration with Somali Regional State Livestock Resources and Pastoral Development Bureau organized one-day consultative workshop on animal health networking and coordination for key actors in the sector. The objective was to bring together the actors at different levels including animal health practitioners to discuss on ways to achieve improved collaboration and knowledge sharing mechanisms. Fifty-five (55) participants from key government institutions, NGOs, PVPs, CAHWs universities and research centers attended the workshop. PRIME, will make follow up for making such platforms to continue in the future. It is believed that the workshop will develop trust and new improved collaboration and opens new horizons for improved coordination and common modalities in the sector.

Performance of PRIME-supported Private Veterinary Pharmacies in South Cluster Performance monitoring of PRIME-supported seven (7) PVPs have supplied quality veterinary drugs and services to 8,740 pastoralist and agro-pastoralist households generating total revenue of ETB 2,078,280 (=USD 75,849) during this reporting quarter. This performance has been accomplished through sixty-two (62) CAHWs who have established business partnership with PVPs and through direct sale of veterinary drugs to remote pastoralist/agro-pastoralist communities through extended outreach services. Besides, the PVPs businesses have created job opportunity for 15 TOPs. The community mentioned that getting the PVPs at their vicinity helped them to reduce transaction costs of buying as well as improved access to the drugs timely. Performance Monitoring of PRIME-supported Feed Suppliers To increase availability of quality feed in Negelle local market and undertaking of supplementary feed production and marketing in Yabello, PRIME had supported Mohammed Sharifo Feed/Fodder Retailer and Oromia Pastoralist Areas TVET College in Yabello and Negelle towns respectively. Following business-to- business linkage workshop facilitated for feed value chain actors in and around Yabello, performance monitoring of Oromia Pastoralist Areas TVET College has indicated that it has produced and sold 200 quintals of value added concentrate livestock feed and generated revenue of ETB 150,000 serving 252 households plus one (1) institution. Assessment of Potential Areas for Fodder Production through Irrigation in Southern Cluster With the objective of identifying potential areas for fodder production through irrigation, PRIME South Cluster team in collaboration with Yabello Pastoral and Dryland Agricultural Research Centre have conducted in both Borana and Guji Zones. In Borena zone, six woredas (Yabello, Dire, Elwayye, Miyo, Moyale, and Telltale) were selected and assessed whereas in Guji zone four woredas (Liben, Gumi-Eldallo, Gorodola & Wadera) were selected and assessed. Accordingly, thirty-nine (39) sites in Borana and eleven (11) sites in Guji have been identified for potential fodder development through irrigation. Besides, the assessment result has shown that are four potential sources of water for fodder development through irrigation namely micro earth dams (22 sites), rivers (8 sites), ponds (15 sites) and deep wells (5 sites). However, water from deep wells is not recommend for irrigation because of high salinity. The study team recommends that different development actors, agencies, NGOs, public and private sectors should focus on fodder development in future development programming/initiatives in Borana and Guji zones. Due to security issues, the assessment team was not able to visit each potential site in Borana and Guji Zones. Assessment of Potential Areas for Fodder Production through Irrigation in Eastern cluster In the reporting quarter, PRIME EC team has assessed potential areas for fodder production through irrigation in Fafan, Siti and Shebelle zones and riverine areas with a primary objective of determining the scale/size and geographic locations of irrigable land areas for fodder production. Additionally, an emphasis was made in looking at the current functioning fodder market system as well as challenges and opportunities associated with feed and fodder marketing in Somali region. Assessment team comprising of Mercy Corps and experts from Somali Regional Livestock Resources and Pastoral Development Bureau and Pastoral Research Institute was established, developed the checklists, and visited ten (10) woredas in Fafan, Siti, Jarar, and Shebelle zones.

The preliminary findings indicate that Hadegala, Shinile in Siti zone, Gode, Bar-ano woredas and other areas close to Shebelle river have great potential for large scale fodder productions. Several investors from Jigjiga and other parts in the country have obtained license to produce irrigated fodder for commercial purpose while fodder production in most parts in Siti, Fafan and Jarar zones is subsistence production done by farmers and cooperatives. Market distortion by NGOs and government through direct supply of inputs coupled with weak market-oriented fodder production, has been contributing factor for the individual and small-scale farmers not to continually produce fodder and supply to markets. Facilitate TOT Training on Alternative Feed Technologies, Feed Formulation and Improved Feeding Practices in Partnership with Research Institute ToT training on alternative feed technologies, feed formulation and improved feeding practices was facilitated for fifteen (15) participants (7 female) during 21-31 Oct 2018. Following the ToT training, one-day cascading training was facilitated for 102 community members ( 60 female) in three woredas; Awash Fentale, Amibara and Gelealo woredas. The training was conducted in coordination with Afar Pastoral and Agricultural Research Institute and woreda PADOs. The training was participatory having both theoretical and practical sessions. The theoretical part has emphasized on improved forage production, management, utilization, and alternative feed technology, rangeland as a major source of fodder for livestock production, and animal husbandry and improved feeding practices. The practical session included demonstration of urea molasses block formulation and preparation and utilization, demonstration of urea treatment to enhance feed quality demonstration and application of feed cutter technology, and demonstration of adapted improved forage seed types. The main outputs of the training include; improved awareness and skills of the trainees about feed preservation, proper utilization, application of technologies for feed treatment, treatment of roughage to improve quality, supplementary feeding especially during dry seasons. Practical demonstration of hay/straw and wheat bran and preparation of mixed ration with locally available feed ingredients, fodder preservation, storage and, utilization techniques, feed ration formulation and making urea molasses block. Key Result 1.2: Market Linkages Improved Performance Monitoring of PRIME-Supported Feedlots in the South Cluster PRIME has continued coaching and providing technical supports to feedlot businesses. During this reporting quarter, performance monitoring of 7 PRIME-supported 7 feedlots indicated that they have bought 189 heads of cattle from the local livestock markets with an injection of ETB 1,976,000 into the rural pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities. In turn, the feedlots have fattened and sold ninety-nine (99) cattle generating revenue of ETB 2,064,000. Business Performance monitoring and Identification of Technical Gaps on Livestock Traders and Feedlots Operators After several intervention and actions to support live animal trading, PRIME conducted rapid business performance monitoring and gap analysis in livestock market systems and actors with the objective to assess the business and sales performance achieved by the livestock traders and fattening groups. A team composing of experts from regional government and MC staff conducted consultative discussions with actors in the live animal trade and made close review of the sales,

19 livestock trading practices, linkages with slaughter houses, exporters and the returns they generated and how their trading trickles down to the communities. Made quick scanning on reports by federal customs authority, regional bureaus and districts, they also visited the major livestock markets centers in Shinile, Erer, Degahbur, Kebribayah and Babile districts and met with forty (40) livestock trading enterprises. In the reporting quarter, performance monitoring of eighteen (18) livestock traders indicated significant sales by trading with central highland-based abattoirs, live animal exporters and expanded their networks to reach out several mini markets. These livestock traders reported that they have bought and sold 11,770 livestock to both domestic and export markets. Training on Standards and Requirements of International Livestock Marketing With the objective of improving awareness on standards and requirements of international livestock market, PRIME has organized two-day training at Yabello town for thirty-six (36) livestock traders and feedlot operators (1 female) drawn from Guji and Borena zones. The training was facilitated by an expert from Oromia Market Development Bureau who have a lot of relevant experience in working with private sector and public institutions. Among others, the following topics were covered during the training; introduction to live animal marketing in Ethiopia, why we need to know standards of live animal trade, current status of live animal trade and export, unique features of Live Animal trade, major criteria for exporting live animal, rights and obligations of live Animal exporter, and challenges of exporting Live animal. The participants of the training have acknowledged their gaps and agreed to work on the required standards in livestock marketing. Training for Livestock Traders and Feedlot Operators on Standards of International Market Requirements PRIME has facilitated two-day training on standards of livestock fattening cycles, international livestock standards and requirements for 35 livestock trading enterprises (15 female) including feedlot operators, livestock traders and livestock trading cooperatives). Key topics covered during the training include; skills and practices of animal feeding and nutrition, health and welfare aspects of livestock as preconditions to meet target market specifications on time, livestock standards, preferences and requirements and, how these interact to influence product quality and, regular evaluation of livestock market situation as feed supply, financial situation or market prices change.

Training to Live Animal Traders and Transporters in Animal Handling and Welfare

With the objective of creating awareness on livestock transportation, welfare and handling at market place, loading time and during transportation and, introducing downstream livestock market actors to the requirements of the universal food safety management framework whereby high value meat consumers strongly demand for humanly handled and slaughtered food animals, PRIME has facilitated two-day training in animal handling and welfare for loading, livestock trader and transportation associations in Borena zone, Yabello town.

Forty-four (44) primary livestock market traders (44M) from Borana zone have participated and completed the two-day training. To give in-depth understanding on animal welfare and handling, the following topics were covered; introduction to animal welfare definition, why animal welfare,

Animal Welfare Improvement, Animal Welfare Assessment, Animal Rights vs. Animal Welfare, Animal transportation system, and Animal handling system. Participants have agreed that animal welfare and transportation practices in Ethiopia in general is very poor all the way from peripheral markets to central markets. This has emanated from lack of standard facility of animal loading points, vehicles and follow up from concerned government sector offices.

Facilitate Workshop to Identify Gaps and Opportunities on Reactivating Moyale Veterinary Border Inspection Posts (BIPs) in Borana zone Moyale Veterinary Border Inspection Post (BIPs) in Borana zone has not been serving the function it was established for many years. Therefore, with the objective of identifying current gaps of Moyale veterinary border inspection post and opportunities to reactivate Moyale veterinary border inspection post (BIP), PRIME has facilitated stakeholders’ workshop to discuss and identify constraints and opportunities of Moyale public veterinary inspection check post and help find lasting solutions. The workshop has brought forty (40) participants (35M, 5F) from Federal, Oromia Region, Borena and Guji Zones and woredas as well as private businesses. During the workshop, a representative from Ministry of Agriculture and livestock Resources development has led the discussion and presented roles and responsibilities of Moyale veterinary border inspection post, specific constraints and opportunities and purpose of Moyale veterinary border inspection post was discussed, next action and way forward was set which could lead the BIP to resume functioning. Participants from Federal and Region have led group discussion on identifying gaps, setting responsible stakeholders for identified constraint and each group has presented what have been discussed and finally, Ministry of Agriculture Livestock Identification, Traceability and Welfare Directorate has taken the lion share for the follow up and make the post functioning. On the final day, participants from Ministry of Agriculture Livestock Identification, Traceability and Welfare Directorate, Oromia Region Pastoralist Areas Development Commission (OPADC), Oromia Livestock Resource and Development Agency and zonal representatives have travelled to Moyale town, visited and observed the status of Moyale Veterinary Inspection post.

Supporting Control of High Impact Animal Disease through Facilitation of Vaccination against Sheep and Goat Pox

With the objective of curtailing sheep and goat pox transmission and spread and limiting both direct and indirect impacts of the disease on livelihoods of the pastoralists, PRIME has supported vaccination campaign against pox disease following reported and confirmed outbreaks of sheep and goat pox based on requests from six woredas in zone 3 of Afar Region. Accordingly, a total of 141,582 sheep and goats were vaccinated against Sheep and Goat pox in the six woredas. The vaccination campaign has benefited 5,743 households (1578F, 4165M). A total of 122 technical experts from regional BoLANRD and woreda PADOs were involved in the vaccination campaign.

Challenges:

 Sporadic violent conflict and sustained tension and fear between communities along the borders of Somali and Oromia Regions in both SC and EC,  JESH hasn’t yet resumed operations-buying, slaughtering and exporting meat.

IR 2: CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Key result 2.1: Improved science and information sharing for decision making 2.1.1. Participatory Scenario Planning (PSP) to strengthen local adaptation planning and risk Reduction During this reporting quarter, PRIME facilitated four PSP workshops in Eastern cluster at Daroor, Gashamo, Kebribayah and Harshin Woredas for Bega/Deyr rainy season. Southern Somali region areas has its second rainy season at Bega (September –December) having maximum peak in October and its main rainy season at Belg (March-May) having maximum peak in April. The workshops were conducted in the first two weeks of October, 2018 with the participation of 210 participants of which 46 were Female members. The participants were from the community, customary institutions, traditional weather forecasters, local meteorologists, and woreda government offices. Community members were mainly from the sub-grazing units underlying these rangelands/woreda administrations. The workshops started with the review of the Last Season’s Performance on the forecasted weather, dissemination approach and implementation of the disseminated advisories. The previous Gu’u season rainfall was normal rainfall as predicted by traditional forecasters and NMA. There was uneven distribution of rainfall with early onset and the actual was similar to the expected. Participants indicated that the rainfall which was below normal in some areas was as approximately as forecasted. The availability of pasture and water, livestock body condition were also in good condition compared with previous rainy seasons. There was no disease outbreak, mobility of herds had existed as normal but not too extreme as per the forecast. The rainfall was not bad as compared to previous years but the rainfall distribution was uneven across the different areas. In general, the Last season advisories like the desilting of Birkads, Pond rehabilitation, selling of weak animals, rehabilitations of range lands, awareness creation, saving cash and pasture, early plantation, pasture saving and not selling in exchange for cash were addressed with the community. The dissemination was effective mainly in using government organized community meetings to disseminate advisories, and there are more pastoralists who used the advisories. The individuals indicated that the season was not too harsh overall, and didn’t cause far reaching livelihood damages although those accepted and used the advisory was often lightly affected. Bega 2018 seasonal forecast: as usual the traditional forecasters addressed the participants with the upcoming seasonal forecast and expressed their forecasting approach. Chances were being given to different traditional forecasters from different sub-grazing unit to present the outlook using different customary trigger factors. As per traditional forecasters, good normal rainfall was forecasted and more rain could be in coastal area of Somalia. They expected that storms might hit around the coastal areas, and we might felt in the form of heavy rain or winds possibly around Harshin and Jigjiga areas. While others forecasted that Deyr rain will be extended beyond normal period and will be good rainy Deyr season in this year. It could rain in the coming dry season but to limited intensity/erratic but not drought.

Workshop Participants at KebriBeyah

Scientific forecast and assessment by NMA: NMA forecasted Bega/Deyr season as probabilities of above normal (35%), Normal (40%) & below normal (25%) for most parts of Fafan zone, Nagob & Northern Jarar zone. Dry and warm/cool condition dominates due to the dry air masses that originate from Siberia/Arabia and Sahara. Existence of un-seasonal rainfall likely will be expected during Bega Season. There are also occasional rainfalls due to tropical cyclones (depressions) of Northern Arabian Sea as well as due to red sea convergence zone. As revealed by the regional methodology, from Sep to November all Deyr benefiting catchments will remain under wet condition, soil and ground water will get saturated at early flowed by heavy rain fall that might result the probability of flash flood, cooling and land slide which are highly anticipated over most flood prone areas and rugged places of the region. Overall, NMA team forecasted that:  High probability of above normal rainfall than normal condition will be expected over Southern parts of Ethiopian Somali region areas such as Jarar & Southern Nagob zone, Liben and Afder zone, Shebelle and Korahe zone as well as Warder Zone.  Lowest degree of night time minimum temperature fall will be expected from the previous climate year ever records.  Generally, windy and sunny weather condition over Northern Ethiopian Somali, occasional rainfall condition will be expected for the oncoming Bega 2018-19G.C. Comparing the forecasts, almost the two outlooks have the same characteristics in that there is timely onset and late cessation, above normal to normal rainfall and that rainfall is anticipated to get better from October to December in Daroor and Gashamo will have a positive impact for availability of pasture and water over pastoral and agro pastoral areas. The partcipants analysed the possible secnarions, and thenafter proposed key advisories to be dessiminated across the target areas. Key advisories were:

 Enclosure and reserve of pasture areas for dry season grazing  Channel preparation and channelling surface water to pasture land and protected grazing areas for quick regeneration and pasture production  Water harvesting and proper utilization  Silt removal of water harvesting structures and rehabilitation of minor breakages  Flood measure particularly protecting flash floods around rivers from children and livestock  Forage farming and production during rainy season  Vaccination and medication of the livestock  Improving saving culture, particularly cash from livestock and crop sales  In areas where business is booming, engage diversification of livelihoods  Restoration of degraded pasture area, using SWC measures

2.1.2. Establishment Community based Early Warning Information (CbEWI) centres

During this reporting quarter PRIME continued follow up of the establishment of Community based Early Warning Centers in Afar and Southern clusters. In Southern cluster, PRIME established additional 10 Centers by improving some of the limitation s observed in the pilot stage for instance only 1 horn speaker was installed at the beginning but now each center is fitted with 2 horn speakers). All except one is installed and completed, making the total CbEWC established by PPRIME 20. All centers are equipped with solar powered sound systems, table and chair. The one at Guchi is pending due to the fact that the area is highly insecure and impossible to travel to. With a conservative estimate, each center is believed to serve about 1000 people and in total about 20,000 people are expected to benefit from the Centers. Sample of Recently established CbEW Center In Afar cluster, all the necessary materials for the centers i.e. solar panels, horn speakers and appliances, batteries, charger controllers, table and chairs are procured and delivered to the field office for installation. Meteka, Debel, Sabure, Worer, Dulessa and Gachene Kebeles were selected from Gewane, Gele’alo, Awash Fentale, Amibara, Dulessa and Argoba Woredas respectively for the CBEW information centers establishment.

Pictures of materials procured for the CBEW centers

Key result 2.2: Increase capacity for effective governance for climate resilience

2.2.1. Facilitate Rangeland Council’ review and reflection dialogue

This quarter, PRIME facilitated 3 community level dialogues in Afar and East clusters. The main objective of the dialogues was to discuss on the seasonal resource conditions and utilization, governance related issues and monitor the overall performance of their rangelands at sub-grazing unit levels. Participants were invited from members of rangeland councils, Woreda Agriculture and NRM offices including key elders and youth groups. In East cluster, Mulli Rangeland system, 55 (8female) participants drawn from members of rangeland councils, Woreda PDOs, Kebele chair persons, and different community segments (key elders, Women and Youth) were gathered at Mulli. The meeting was started by evaluating the performance of councils at sub-grazing unit, activities planned and performed by the respective sub-grazing units and collaboration of the woreda sectors offices. The councils from sub-grazing units reported that they conducted their monthly meetings in all the 5- subrangeland units and were able to strengthen restoration of about 65 ha of rangeland and

24 planned to have dry season reserves and enclosures covering 30-50 hectares. During the event, the participants were also able to review implementations of endorsed rangeland management plans based on the agreed up on roles and responsibilities of stakeholders and the councils requested the new government structure in place to support them in realizing the implementation of planned activities already endorsed by the government. Occasional conflict happening in the area was the main challenge reported by the participants.

Councils of Mulli RL holding their meeting

In Afar, councils of 2 rangeland systems hold their regular review and reflection meetings from 20-26th October, 2018 at Argoba and 3 sub-rangeland units of Amibara (Andido, Arba, and Be’ada), focusing on implementation of planned rangeland rehabilitation activities. A total of 485 participants drawn from council members, local administration office, impact beneficiary, PADO, women and locally influential persons were able to attend the meetings. The participants mentioned that regular review and reflection forums enhances their capacity and enable them to better understand and manage their resources such as adoption of rotational grazing, managing dry season reserve areas, and controlling invasive species. During the meetings in all sub rangeland systems, review and evaluation of the previous achievements mainly the accomplishments in relation to grazing land rehabilitation, Prosopis juliflora clearing, area closure, soil and water conservation activities, and challenges encountered during the last quarters were thoroughly discussed. Participants understood that there are still steps that should be gone through by each rangeland system to have a more coordinated effort and improve their rangeland productivity.

Sub-rangeland unit review meetings in Andido and Tachmetekleya 2.2.2. Facilitation of Regional PRM learning Workshop

PRIME has been supporting implementation of natural resource activities to enhance rangeland productivity through improving their governance, strengthening customary and government institutions at different levels using PRM model. Over the last six years, series of dialogues and reflection meetings facilitated by PRIME at rangeland and sub-rangeland unit levels enabled communities to better understand and exercise the PRM approach (Investigation, Negotiation and Implementation phases). With this PRM approach, the project has supported agro/pastoralists to enhance their capacity to climate change. This quarter, PRIME facilitated regional PRM learning workshop at Adama and Jigjiga (the one at Semera was cancelled because of the conflict incidence in the area) bringing together regional partners mainly pastoral area development commission and Land use and administration Bureaus. The learning workshops were aimed at presenting PRIME’

25 rangeland related accomplishments, identify opportunities, constraints, and to jointly propose the next actions within the context of improving PRM model.

In Oromia, the learning workshop was held from 24-25th November 2018 at Adama town and attended by 28 (7female) participants including regional and zone level offices of OPADC, Land Use Land Administration and heads of four Rangeland Councils. During the workshop four different papers were presented both by the OPADC and PRIME. The general overview of PRIME project, the three stages of PRM (as investigation, negotiation and implementation), PRIME’s NRM plan implementation, challenges and opportunities of rangeland management: Current Actions and the Prospective (By representative of OPDC) were presented. After the presentations, participants had group discussions on the three stages of PRM and on how to improve the steps and eventually results of the discussions were presented and discussed up on. Questions were also raised by participants; the common one was ‘who carries on these activities after PRIME phases out?’ and it was discussed that continuation of the initiatives through own channels and structures is important than expecting the coming of the project in its new phase. With this, the rangeland councils and government sectors are called upon to continue joint implementation of the range management plans of the grazing systems during post PRIME periods. The rangeland management directorate director of OPADC, in his presentation indicated that the following are the future direction of the Rangeland & Livestock Production Directorate and the focus of the OPADC in relation to rangeland resources management:

 Aligning livestock population with carrying capacity, and improving carrying capacities.  Fighting pastureland degradation through adopting viable grazing practices such as, - o rotational grazing, o resting grazing, o supporting Range Councils and woredas to reinstate a coordinated livestock mobility, o over sowing severely degraded pasturelands with grass seeds, o investing on SWC works o forming area closures/land rehabilitation/  Improving the availability of pasture throughout the year by working on: o encouraging the establishment and development of communal /Kelo/enclosures/ as dry season grazing reserves at kebele, village, and sub village levels; o harvesting grasses from area closures, communal enclosures /kalo/ or grazing reserves, o establishing grass storage sites in selected /accessible centres, o Scaling up the existing grass cutting, bailing, and storage practices through providing the RCs, cooperatives with grass mowing, belling, and transporting machines and tractors with cart. o Linking grass producing youth groups and cooperatives with hay marketing centres. o Working to reduce the dependence of the livestock production on rain through harnessing the potentials of ground water, o Wider scale engagement in Bush thinning works, o Application of Fire in bush infested grasslands,

OPDC deputy commissioner addressing the participants Similarly, in Jigjiga, PRIME organized PRM learning workshop from December 31st, 2018 to January 1st, 2019. The workshop was participated by 38 (2 female) participants drawn from regional agricultural and NR development bureau, PSPN project, pastoral and livestock resources development bureau, environmental, forestry and mines bureau, Research institute, Disaster prevention and preparedness bureau, woreda agriculture and livestock offices from six Woredas, and zonal agriculture and livestock representatives. The workshop was started with opening remarks addressed by the regional NRM, Protection and Utilization directorate director _____. The director explained the key strategies, potential in the region, possible prospects and challenges of rangeland. He included key intervention strategies and technologies used to address rangeland, and show cased good natural rangeland pictures from the region. PRIME team also presented the overview of the PRM model indicating the three stages, and underlying steps. The team presented the different dialogues, map development activities, different level review meetings, supporting implementation and key interventions, different capacity building interventions and how pasture availability and access to water enhanced in the target areas.

Participants of PRM learning workshop-Jigjiga

Members of the rangeland councils also discussed how well they get revitalized after getting obsolete and losing power with the modern state. They witnessed that their scientific capacity increased and built through time, abled to systematically learn their environment, sorted out contextual issues and gently applied the PRM model to improve the management practices of their respective pastoral communal grazing areas. They appreciated how the scientific based range management helped them in the course of improving land productivity and pasture condition. The participants were then divided into three groups focusing on the three stages of the PRM to address about the strengths, weaknesses; necessary improvements needed and sort out important takeaways for the regional government. Accordingly, the group after long discussion of the proposed stage had come up with following key points for action: -

PRM What worked well What need Improvement What need to take-up by the gov’t/ Phases Continued  Resource inventorying, use  Limited coordination  Resource inventory should be done and governing institution with the government Investigat  Mapping  Shortage of time, need to ion  Acquainting the community had more 5 years to about the rangeland status effectively implement from the start the PRM  Awareness creation among the community and RLCs  Development and use of the  Lack of finalized bylaws  Strengthening integration and PRM for rangeland is critical coordination of the PRM with the regional management is outstanding  Weak integration with government  GPS mapping and the regional level  Reseeding of the degraded rangeland at digitalization government, beginning of the rainy season  Rangeland institutions set up  and lack of close  Speeding up of the finalization of the  Linkage between collaboration with rangeland bylaws community courts and country’s greatest

Negotiati rangeland council is rangeland development  Afforestation of the deforested or arid on wonderful step ahead for program-the PSNP is yet land, and strengthening of the nursery sites legitimacy another responsibility for seedling production that gov’t was to take the  Government-Should have to finalize and lead approve the regional land use policy on bases of the proposed PRM, and MC should play a good role in the process  Improved the collaborative  -Limited flow up of the  Biological interventions are needed to be communal rangeland council included  Built the resilience of the  -Lack of plan review and  Integrate with PSNP works Impleme community in face of the evaluation  Inter rangeland council experience sharing ntation changing climate  Legitimacy and certification of the  Access to water in dry rangeland council season grazing areas  Frequent awareness to community on RM improved practices  Government should support and recognize the rangeland council 2.2.3. Facilitation of Community Rangeland Management Plans Rangeland management plan development processes have played a significant role in enhancing the capacity of stakeholders in participatory planning, negotiation and implementation of natural resources and thereby strengthening adaptive capacity against the impact of climate related shocks and stresses. PRIME continued to support the endorsement of draft rangeland management plans developed in the previous quarters.

2.2.3.1.Endorsement workshop for rangeland management plan

Communities of Got-Biki rangeland system have developed and verified their draft rangeland management plans last year. This endorsement is a stage of the PRM process that comes after verification of the components of the community’s management plan and it is the stage at which the plan document is recognized and endorsed by all stakeholders. Along with the final plan document, PRIME has developed an accompanying standard agreement format, which was presented and indicted to put the signature of the range councils, and stamp of the stakeholders to mark the official endorsement. The endorsement workshop was conducted at two venues of Gota- bike rangeland, namely Gota and Bike towns on November 12th and 14th, 2018 respectively involving 61 (18 female) participants drawn from member of range council members from all the all sub grazing systems, stakeholders from Gota-bike woreda, government sector offices, delegates of woreda & kebele administration offices and community elders. Role and responsibilities of signatories are clearly stated and communicated in the management plan.

Councils of Got-bike, Gota-bike woreda agriculture and natural resource development office and woreda livestock and pastoral development office signatories whereas woreda administration office, water resource development office and woreda justice office have signed the agreement as a witness. The community and the participating rangeland council members agreed to downscale the PRM document into their respective sub-grazing units and make further elaboration and discussion on the endorsed plan with the community for them to play their key roles and responsibilities. Copies of the signed and translated documents shall be distributed to the target

28 kebeles and sub-grazing unit representatives so that respective institutions will take care of the implementation from their side. Key result 2.3: Implementation of climate solutions

2.3.1. Restoration and Rehabilitation of Rangelands and Catchment areas

This quarter, PRIME continued to support rehabilitation and restoration of rangelands across the three clusters Afar, Oromia and Somali to enhance rangeland productivity. Prosopis clearing, soil and water conservation measures, and enclosures were the major techniques considered.

2.3.1.1. Rehabilitation of degraded catchment and rangelands sites In Afar, Be’ada and Salamankorkoriya sub-rangeland units were designated as dry season reserve areas and were given priority in community’ rangeland management plans. Extent of the grazing areas to be closed, its management and utilization were considered and agreed up on considering communities’ free mobility corridors and potentials of resource based conflict following the enclosures. Area closures, removal of unwanted and noxious plant species (Rebireb, Halimeto, Parthenium We`ema, Kirbihala, and Prosopis juliflora) and physical conservation measures (soil bund, stone bund, trench, percolation pits, half-moon pits, and hillside terraces) were identified as the most appropriate technologies to restore the productivity of the grazing reserves. Hand tools were delivered to the council with the intention that the tools will be distributed to the sub-units based on their demand and will be managed by the council in the future. Accordingly, a total of 275 ha (Be’ada 150 ha and SalaMankorkoriya 125 ha) grazing land was designated, delineated, closed, and protected by applying community bylaw and fencing with using local materials. These two dry season grazing reserves are expected to support 1360 (520 female) pastoralist and agro-pastoralist HHs during the dry season.

Salamankorkoriya grazing land under Argoba Rangeland System In East Cluster, communities of Kebribeyah, Babile Oromia and Gota-Biki rangeland systems continued to rehabilitate their rangelands that are unhealthy due to severe degradation, deforestation and overgrazing. In this quarter, a total of 220ha (#20ha Kebribeyah, #50ha Babile.O and #150ha Gota biki) rangeland was rehabilitated with different physical conservation measures which will improve water holding capacity and reduce run-off. Similarly, in southern cluster, rangeland rehabilitation efforts continued in 3 rangeland systems Golbo, Malbe and Did Liban. Accordingly, 623ha of rangeland was cleared of unwanted bush and 22ha rehabilitated through

physical soil and water conservation measures. As part of the rehabilitation, onsite training was given for 7 woreda PDO experts and DA as well as 6 selected community members/ group leaders, on techniques of bush thinning and identification of unwanted bush species. Pastoral development offices of the three woredas (Elweya, Dillo and Liben) have assigned experts and field agents who monitored the activities out in the field. During the rehabilitation, PRIME supported them by providing refreshment costs and technical support and the community covered their labour cost. Rehabilitation of these sites will help in improving pasture availability during critical seasons and support livestock production and productivity that enhances resilience capacity of communities. It also helps to reduce workloads of women who used to travel long distances in search of grass for calves and weak animals. The below table summarizes the restoration efforts in different sites:

Rangeland Specific site Technologies applied Rehabilitated Participants system (Ha) 6km soil bund, 300m stone bund, Kebribeyah Gilla 120m3 gully treatment,1.6km 20ha 118(38femanle) fencing 3.6km hill side terracing, 1.78km Babile.O Willa stone faced soil bund, #845 50ha 125(30female) trenches, #1500 improved pits, bush thinning, 3.1km fencing, 9.8km hill side terracing, 3km Gota-bike Danayaro stone faced soil bund, 50m3 150ha 200(22 female) gully treatment, 4.8km fencing Golbo Girrisa&Kombolo Bush thinning and fencing 366ha 300(81female) Malbe Qalla Bush thinning and fencing 267ha 300(60female) Did Liban Kersamalle 11.38km soil bund, 3.98km 22ha 153(30female) fencing

Rehabilitated sites through Bush thinning (most left-Malbe) and SWC (right-two Did Liban) 2.3.1.2. Prosopis control and management

Prosopis juliflora is a strongly suppressive plant affecting the availability of important indigenous grasses and palatable browse species. Because of its wider invasion, access roads are blocked, rangelands are shrinking and challenges from predators have increased. This quarter, PRIME continued to support the invasive control operation in Amibara rangeland system. Before the actual clearing, the rangeland management councils, community, Kebele Administration, Land Use Management unit, Pastoral Agriculture Development Office (PADO) and PRIME have jointly identified the sites. Specific sites were selected based on rangeland health condition (abiotic

30 characteristic, recovery mechanisms and rangeland vegetation conditions), the security condition (absence or low incidence of conflict that will not affect implementation of activities), and the potential regeneration of native grass species. PRIME facilitated community consultations at all sites regarding the necessary follow up and management of sites after clearing. Communities of all sites have agreed to monitor and manage the sites after clearing. During the operation two methods were applied. The first method was the integration of PRIME’ front wheel loader and community labor. The machine did the clearing from areas where the bush cover was medium to dense and the community collected the cleared Prosopis stand for burning and cleared the smaller ones that could not be managed by the machine. On the other hand, manual clearing was applied in areas where smaller, less thick and sparsely populated stands are located. Accordingly, a total of 350 ha (195 ha in Halidegi, 120 ha in Andido and 35 ha in Arba grazing lands) rangeland under Amibara rangeland system was cleared from Prosopis juliflora.

Mechanized and manual labour used for prosopis juliflora clearing in Amibara Rangeland System (before& after)

2.3.1.3. SAA groups review and reflection meetings

PRIME facilitated a one-day review and reflection meeting with SAA groups found in Harshin sub-rangeland unit aimed at sharing experience among the group, identify major challenges, know their status and find out best performing SAA group/s or individuals within the groups. A total of 27 people participated on the meeting of which 24 were from the different SAA group members while the rest 3 individuals were from line government offices of Harshin district. The meeting was opened by the Woreda Livestock, Crop and Rural Development office head and encouraged different stakeholders to exchange their experiences and cascade the information to the rest of the community in a wide range. As revealed from the discussions, the community in Harshin Woreda especially SAA group members in the sub-rangeland units are heterogeneous in many ways like wealth, power, educational status, and attitude. Due to this, it has come true that their vulnerability to climate change and adaptations are also variable. Usually those who migrated to the area (IDPs), landless or with small land, women household headed, the elderly and children and those with disabilities are the most vulnerable to climate vulnerability mainly due to limited access to resources and among range of options respectively. The SAA groups under Harshin sub-rangeland units are practicing rearing livestock like camels, shoats and rarely view number of cattle, petty- trade, milk selling and other livestock products, farming systems, fodder/pasture renting and remittance.

During the discussions some of the elders emphasized that environmental and socio-economic dynamics were skewed to negative trends to the extent where the livelihood of the group members become under a big threat. On the other hand, in adapting to the impact of climate change as a means of coping strategy, the group members during our discussions mentioned several strategies which they have been using for long time to withstand under such hash environment and with erratic climate changes, for-instance migrating to an areas where they could get water and pasture for their animals, herd diversification, herd splitting, income diversification, restocking and as also using a wide range of group and or individual local innovations like hand crafts, cooperative formations with the help of government, selling shoats either individually or by groups, owning petty-trade, making teashop and income generating from solar panel energy -through providing mobile recharging services for the community and other guests in the vicinity who needs such services.

Rewarding and supporting livelihood initiatives of SAA groups

Social analysis and action groups were established in several woredas of the eastern cluster to dialogue, and facilitate exploration of the social dimensions of well-being, create understanding among community members of the social complexities that aid or impede progress towards better adaptation of climate change. The groups had performed greater works in enhancing the use of climate information in the community, improving saving culture, better managing pasture, improving rangeland health and water reserve, and reducing adverse implication of harmful traditional and social economic behaviors on adaptive capacity of the community. The group having different facilitative and community reflection action oriented change leading dialogue approaches, and trainings had shown greater improvement both in the group, individual and influencing members outside the group.

In this reporting quarter, PRIME rewarded 6 best performing SAA groups in Eastern cluster following the continuous assessments and identification of better performing SAA groups in previous quarter. The rewarded SAA groups were: - Warabajirew and Dibile from Kebribayah engaged on vegetable production; having 30 members of which 14 are female - Hartashiekh from Kebribayah: engaged on fodder production; having 15 members of which 8 are female - Shek Abdi from Babile Oromia: engaged on vegetable and fodder production; having 15 members of which 8 are female. - Lan-keyrta and Aran-Arey from Harshin Woreda engaged on mobile charging business; having 18 members of which 9 are female.

The groups are engaged on various livelihood initiatives to enhance their adaptive capacity and build their resilience. The adaptation options were not without obstacles that impeded the groups not to benefit from the new technologies they embarked on. Among the challenges raised by the Kebribayah and Babile Oromia groups were: water shortage (resulting in very low production of fodder and vegetables due to reoccurring and unprecedented dry spells in the rainy season) and limited income generation options in pastoral areas. These challenges called the need for supporting the groups to break cycle and effectively move into new ways of livelihood that will reduce the adverse impact of the climate change by introducing new technologies to pump water from nearby ponds, Birkades and other water sources available.

Onion production at the Warabajirew site

On the other hand, as evidenced during the review and reflection meeting with Harshin SAA groups, Harshin pastoral community were using wide range of coping mechanisms for-instance engaging on local and modern innovations, such as farming practices, establishment of multi- functional cooperatives, live animal marketing, teashop engagements, income generating from solar panel energy -like charging mobiles to get in return 5 birr from each mobile, mini grocery and many others. Absence of electric power in the locality created an opportunity for some of the community members who already managed their livelihood by using discarded car batteries/solar panel energy to generate income through providing mobile recharging services. Therefore, based on the request of two best performing SAA groups of Harshin woreda, PRIME rewarded the groups full package solar energy generating equipment.

The major objectives of the reward are:

- To support and reward good SAA best performance on implementation of climate solutions by provision/promotion of improved cereals, vegetables and forage species for selected model targeted beneficiaries - To promote the use and implementation of new adaptive strategies at local community level by demonstrating an effective implementation at community, woreda & zonal stakeholders - To create demand for the uptake of new adaptive strategies by linking the activities with IR1 & IR3 components - To create market linkage with local Agro-input suppliers around intervention areas Accordingly, the four Kebribayah and Oromia Babile groups were rewarded with 4 water pumps, 450 m length irrigation pipes and 2 geomembrane (15m*14m, and one with 10m*10m) to boost their production, and reduce water stress challenges during the dry spell. The items were provided on cost share basis while the community contributed on excavation of ponds. Water sources are from nearby dam, constructed ponds, and Birka’s. The groups were oriented on the utilization and better management of the equipment provided.

Warabajire SAA group finalizing and cleaning pond for the geomembrane (left) and handover of the Pump machine, Geomembrane and Pipes(Right)

Hartasheikh and Babile Oromia SAA group handover of the material support

PRIME also rewarded two SAA groups of Harshin (Lan-keyrta and Aran-Arey) with two solar packages (2 solar panel 100 watt, 2 reversers 600 watt, 2 batteries 150 & 100 Amp and 2 dividers). They reached on consensus under which all the group members had agreed and promised that they will work as per their agreement and fulfill all the action points so far proposed: a) the cashier will operate and collect every day income generated from the solar energy service, b) they will have monthly meeting and check the status of their income, c) the cost of single charged mobile should be 5 birr, d) the saved money will not be used for personal issues rather group interests only. The

33 two SAA groups were very happy and delighted for the support and promised that they will not waste this opportunity and make more savings in the near future. The result of monitoring visit done lately by IR2 team revealed that even though they are new to the business, they managed to earn and saved 1800 birr within 8 days of operation which is encouraging for the group. In addition, all groups except those from Harshin were trained technically on agronomic packages, post-harvest handling, fattening, and crop protection to enhance their production and commercialize their products. Such reward is expected to enhance their adaptive capacity and build their knowledge on the new livelihood initiatives to cope with the changing context of increased risks and uncertainty, and will eventually increase their production and income.

Dibile (right) and Harshin (left) SAA groups during the material handover Follow up and monitoring of SAA group performance: In Afar cluster, SAA group follow up activity continued in this reporting quarter mainly to capture business performance of Goze local SAA group in Argoba woreda after they received business training in previous quarter. They fully embarked on crop business and continued collecting agricultural products from local producers to supply to the nearby markets. Accordingly, the SAA group has traded 13 quintal of Mung bean/Maash (as collected from local farmers for 28,600.00 birr) and sold for 30,400.00 birr and made a net profit of 1,800.00 birr. The groups’ momentum in boosting their business in their locality using their own capital is so encouraging and will enhance their adaptive capacity.

In southern cluster, the status of SAA groups which was previously established and supported by PRIME in Borena and Guji zones named Erdar, Buradhera, Sarite, Hariwayu, Dharito and Cholkasa groups was assessed. According to the assessment made, some are very weak while some others are in a better condition. Sarite and Dharito SAA groups are very week and they rarely meet since their establishment while from Cholkasa group some members used to engage on some livelihoods activities for certain times. Whereas Hariwayu SAA group is relatively strong in practicing SAA approaches and implementing livelihoods adaptation activities.

The SAA group at Erder in Dhas woreda was also one of the groups monitored. During this event the field team facilitated and participated on review and reflection meeting of the group members with total participants of 16(4 male). During the reflection session the participants presented their individual plans and progress. Generally, members indicated that most of them constructed additional and new houses for rent having money from petty trade, livestock and grain trade, house rent and livestock selling. Some of them also have been doing different activities like buying bicycle and motor bicycle for rent, mobile charging by installing solar energy, keeping poultry for egg production, conserving hay, and saving money using “Equb” and local safe box. They agreed to continue their existing activities as their individual plan for the coming three months including: petty trading, livestock and grain trading, house construction for rent, livestock fatting, poultry production, mobile charging business, and renting bicycle and motor bicycle. Major challenges facing SAA groups in Borena zones is the recurrent conflicts which have created great impact on implementing their previous and future individual plans by restricting movement in the area,

34 increasing fears and losing hope of doing field activity like reserving range land for hay making and fattening. Lessons learned: - - Government institutions interested to integrate climate aware planning and expected to collaborate in PSP ownership and institutionalization - Regional PRM workshop had generated greater interest among the different stakeholders and will foster the process for certification of the target rangeland councils - Supporting key climate smart livelihood diversifications through rewarding the community initiatives will have greater impact in bringing behavioural and attitudinal changes. - Link the successful key change agents to other programs of PRIME-nutrition, VSLAs, financial services, market linkages (forward and backward), business skill development, financial literacy, technically supported in the areas of agronomic packages/fattening/entomology Challenges: - - Total restructuring of the regional government had rewind back the history at the start of PRIME, and make the project new to many of the officials hence forced the team to engage from the grassroots to regional level. - Conflict in most of the operational areas - Delay of releasing the metrological forecast of Belg before the start of the season. The forecast was received in October instead of at the beginning month of September. PRIORITIES FOR NEXT QUARTER

- Safeguarding, maintaining and strengthening the PRIME delivered structures, institutions and technically supporting community and other institutions - Strengthening the PSP institutionalization, and institutional capacity building for quick take up by the new officials

IR 3: STRENGTHENED ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOODS FOR HOUSEHOLDS TRANSITIONING OUT OF PASTORALISM (TOPS) 3.1. TOPs employability increased through life skills, financial literacy and entrepreneurship training During the period under review, with the main objective to improve TOPs life skills and enhancing their employability in labor market and creating self-employment, PRIME supported TVETs continue short term vocational and technical skills training to provide demand based skills and services for youth and TOPS.

Short Term Training Scholarship Program: - PRIME Supported TVET Colleges continue providing short term technical skills training to create opportunities for TOPs youth. This reporting period, the students joined and completed vocational and technical skills training in TVETs in the southern cluster. Accordingly, a total of 93 trainees (20% female) were enrolled in both Negele and Yabelo TVETs in different skill training fields like dressing, hair making and construction. The table below indicates the number and fields of training in the TVETs.

Table: Number of TOPs trained in different skills in Yabelo and Negele TVETs

Woreda Field of Training Male Female Total Dressing 0 10 10 Yabello Hair making 0 8 8 Construction 18 0 18 Negelle Construction 57 0 57 Total 75 18 93

Assessment on status of livelihood of youth who obtained skills via PRIME scholarships PRIME continues to support activities for youth who previously obtained skills via PRIME sponsored scholarships in different short term skills. In the reporting quarter, PRIME Eastern cluster team conducted assessments to understand the changes in their livelihoods status and the current labor market situation of targeted youth. The assessment was conducted in four woredas in Fafan and Jarar zones and targeted graduated TOPs from TVETs. During the visit, the team managed to talk to 79 out of the 120 trainees and out of the 79 interviewed persons 63% of them reported that they got jobs and worked for some time after the graduation, but lost it again due to fluctuations in the labor market and reduced level of government budgets in public works. Through this assessment, it was also realized that cobble-stone and driving skills provide better opportunities to be employed than other skills. Interviewed participants also mentioned that there is very limited demand for metal and wood work/household furniture skills in Degahbur and Ararso districts and youth who obtained skills from those districts are not in a position to get jobs or establish a business. The assessments identified the gaps that exist in the market and proposed to link to microfinance institutions to get start-up business loan to run their own businesses in larger towns where there is demand for their skills. Support Increased income streams and business performance of women TOPS via skill building: To support women and youth TOPs to have increased income by augmenting additional skills in their business activities, PRIME conducted and completed a short term on-the job training on tailoring for 55 young TOPs (43 women & 12 men) in K/bayah, Hartsheik and Ararso towns in 25 consecutive days. The short term training was implemented with the collaboration of the respective district women and children affairs offices which played an important role in the selection and implementation process of the training. Most of the participants were previously engaged and involved in petty businesses and tailoring skills were given to strengthen their income and capitalize on available opportunities in the local markets. The participants have acquired the basic skills to self-employ and generate additional income.

Table below summarizes number of tailor trainees per Skill trainees practicing tailoring in Hartasheik site

S.n Town Female Male Total 1 Kebribayah 6 9 15 2 Ararso 17 3 20 3 Hartasheik 20 0 20 Total 43 12 55

Competitive Cost Share Grant for SMEs: To strengthen the short term scholarship graduates of Yabello, Negelle and Moyale TVETs, PRIME signed sub award agreements with five businesses. Based on the payment made, they have undertaken transactions amounting to 53,000 ETB and created opportunities for 15 job seekers (8 females). Table: Summary of SMEs business performance in south cluster

#Jobs created S/N Name of the Business Address Sales Female Male Total 1 Asma garment SME Nagelle 2 1 3 12,000 2 Genet beauty salon Nagelle 2 0 2 6,500 3 Galma Photo Printing and IT Studio Yabello 0 3 3 9,500 4 Fardosa and Nedhi Garment Yabello 3 0 3 10,000 Wario,Guracha and Meselech 5 Yabello 1 3 4 15,000 computer Total 8 7 15 53,000

Family Liquid Soap Producer Cooperative PRIME provided short term skill training on liquid soap and detergent material manufacturing. One of the two graduates from this short term training established a cooperative called Family Liquid Soap Producer’s, in Awash 7 kilo town on October, 2018. As part of strengthening the liquid soap producer cooperative, PRIME in partnership with Awash 7 kilo Women and Children Affair Office has created a market linkage through the concerned Awash 7 kilo Town Administration Trade and Industry Offices and Small and Micro-Enterprise with local Hotels, Restaurants, Bars, Shops and Public organizations. Currently, they are in their fourth production round and the cooperative has sold more than 400 litres of liquid soap. On the other hand, the cooperative product becoming popular and has potential market and the demand is increasing from time to time as well the production capacity of the cooperative improved and increasing. Key Result 3.2: Increased income opportunities for TOPs Financial Services: MFIs/Banks: Strengthening, Expanding and linking performance update During the reporting period, PRIME supported MFI continue to provide financial services to reach new customers in terms of outreach, savings and credit recorded impact in terms of creating financial inclusion services to the community in their respective operation regions. These financial service providers enable people to have the ability and tools to manage and save their money and empower people with the skills and knowledge to make the right financial decisions. Somali Microfinance Institution: This reporting quarter, the number of borrowers counted 4,757 while the number of savers noted 10,636. The total saving mobilized and loan disbursed Somali MFI are ETB 38,746,357.72 and ETB 106,333,875.86 respectively.

Somali MFI Hello Cash Service Status update: Hellocash mobile & agent banking continued to serve and reach new users and hellocash agents. In this reporting period, the coverages of the mobile agent banking account users of SMFIs extended to 241,823 and the agent banking services decreased from 1,116 to 1,028 in this reporting period. The Institution closed a number of agents because they were not providing services to the community during the crisis in Somali Region. This reporting quarter the Hellocash SMFI mobile and agent banking recorded number of transactions touched 1.5 million while the transaction value documented 1.7 ETB billions. Table: Somali MFI Hellocash service Status (October 01 –December 31 2018). Indicator Added on the last 3 months Over all Total Number of Customers (End Users) 6,488 241,823 Number of Agents 23 999 Number of Branches 0 29 Total Service Locations (Agents + Branches) 23 1,028 Number of Merchants accepting Payments 2 585 Total No of Transactions 1,545,939 20,368,580 Value of Transactions ETB 1,783,505,053 ETB 22,042,725,027

Afar Micro Finance Share Company (AMFI): During this reporting period, Afar MFI opened four new branches for a total of 13 branches. Accordingly, the number of volunteer plus compulsory savers and borrowers reported by Afar MFI are 13,416 and 5,530 respectively. The savers increased from 11,947 last quarters to 13,416 clients while the borrowers increased from 4,937 to 5,530. The total amount of loans disbursed as of December 31, 2018 is about ETB 148,151.22 and the total amount of savings mobilized as of December 31, 2018 is ETB 40,448,486.76 (Compulsory saving = 24,949.04, Voluntary saving = 15,499,437.72). 27% of the Afar MFI amount of loan disbursed covered from their saving mobilized. Rays Microfinance Institution: PRIME Supported Rays MFIs continue providing financial services in their operation areas. In this reporting period, Rays MFIs opened new branches in Addis Ababa, Hargele and Wardher. Rays MFIs Continued awareness creation, promotion and saving mobilization across all its branches in Moyale, Harakalo, Negele, Jig Jiga, Godey, Degahle, Addis Ababa, Hargale and Warder. Rays MFI performance showed some improvement during this reporting quarter as they expanded new areas and increased their savers during this reporting period as the table below reveals the numbers of savers increased from 2,259 to 2356 while the borrowers augmented from 203 clients in previous quarter to 240 clients in this period. Table: Rays MFI’s performance of savers and borrows status

# Branches Savers Borrowers

Male Female Total Male Female Total 1. Moyale 296 172 468 8 24 32 2. Nagelle 427 253 680 8 21 29 3. Harkalo 65 113 178 1 20 21 4. Jig Jiga 276 347 623 19 61 80

5. Fafan( Dgagahle 38 72 110 9 16 25 6. Gode 152 60 212 23 30 53 7. Addis Ababa 28 18 46 - - - 8. Hargele 14 4 18 - - - 9. Wardher 12 9 21 - - - Total 1,308 1048 2356 68 172 240

Awareness creation on Mobile and agent banking PRIME Afar cluster facilitated awareness creation workshop on expansion of existing mobile and agent banking with collaboration Anbesa and Abyssinia Banks on 22nd November, 2018 in Awash 7 Kilo Town. The objective of the Awareness creation was to improve and increase the inclusive financial service uptake and culture of saving in the Afar community and to ensure the financial service access to the pastoral and agro-pastoral community groups in the areas. During the workshops 54 (45 male / 9 female) participants attended and the participants were comprised of religious leaders, clan leaders, traders, government officials, women and youth representatives from Argoba, Dulessa, Awash Fentale, Amibara, Gele’alo and Gewane woredas.

The banks distributed More than 200 flyers/ brochures distributed to community representatives participated in the workshop and on spot more than 15 participants registered and opened mobile banking accounts. In addition, during the event the banks 5 businesses showed their interest in agent banking and signed agreements with them. The expected result is that communities in the target areas will have access to financial services and will have sustainable inclusive financial services to save and to use during future shocks and stresses. Currently, 22 clients signed up for mobile banking accounts, 3 individuals also already completed agent banking agreements out of 7 who started the process in Abyssinia and 36 clients signed up for HelloCash mobile banking account and 4 individuals also signed agreements to serve as hello cash agent for Anbessa International Bank. Number of the Interest Free Banking accounts opened and amount of saving: Following up the Interest Free Banking awareness creation forum that was conducted with Afar MFI and CBE in Gewane, Worer and Awash 7 kilo to stimulate the expansion of existing sharia compliant financial products and improving the culture of savings. During of this quarter more than 388 new potential individual clients opened new accounts.

Table: Islamic Finance Banking market campaign opened accounts and saving mobilized

S/N Location of Bank Branches Number of Individual opened saving Amount Saving account Mobilized Male Female Total Awash 7 Kilo Anbesa Bank 49 29 78 502,837 Awash 7 Kilo CBE 153 87 240 1,524,871 Gewane CBE 75 33 108 355,408 Gewane Afar MFI 126 18 144 39,418 Worer Afar MFI 133 25 158 424,000 Awask7kilo Afar MFI 45 41 86 1,146,272 Awash 7kilo Abyssinia Bank 18 16 34 10,2000 Total 599 249 848 5,867,234 39

Financial Services: VSLAs/RuSACCO: Strengthening, Expanding and linking update Establishment of VSLA groups through private service provider: PRIME supported and created Private Service Providers (PSPs) for supporting VSLA groups in all PRIME operational areas. The PSPs continue to supervise and support the existing VSLA groups. During the reporting period the total numbers of VSLA groups formed were 778 with VSLA membership at 14,221. Out of this 60.8% are women while 39.2% are men. The total value of savings mobilized this cycle by members’ is about 6,447,425 ETB with total loan value of outstanding balance of ETB 2,768,006.

Support Transition of VSLAs in to RUSACCOs

In this quarter, in collaboration with cooperative promotion office, the process of transition of VSLA groups into RUSACCOs has started and conducted in Dubluk woreda. To improve VSLA group members’ awareness on principle and benefits of RUSSACOS and community mobilization activities have been conducted. During this period, five VSLA groups that exist in Dubluk woreda, Gale Fale kebele, which consists of 80 members (48 Females) have successfully transitioned into Rural Saving and Credit Cooperative society in the name of “Gale Fale Rural Saving and Credit Cooperative Society.” The RUSACCO has conducted their General Assembly meeting and elected new joint management committees such as, chairperson, loan and saving, office controller, and education committee members. In addition, the RUSACCO members have jointly decided the amount of share, monthly saving and membership registration fees by considering their capacity. Strengthening Access to Financial Services (RuSACCOs Strengthening): To improve the outreach of RuSACCOs, PRIME supported Somali Regional State Cooperative Promotion agency conducted outreach technical support and follow up for 59 RUSACCOs in 14 woredas of Fafan, Siti and Jara zones. The objectives were to mentor the RuSACCOs activities for enhanced management practices and identify their technical gaps for possible interventions. The Cooperative Promotion Agency deployed three teams and conducted field visits to 59 RuSACCOs and discussed their management committees. The team checked the RUSSACOs’ documentation, services delivery, reviewed their financial management systems, documented the challenges they encounter and the opportunities. During the field visit the team identified the challenges and gaps that exist within the 59 RUSSACOs: There is very poor financial literacy among the members, scarce loan funds from their savings, poor documentation, missing obligatory materials, poor knowledge of SACCO management and ability of settling saving and loan procedures properly.

As result, PRIME supported field visits for 59 RUSACCOs in 14 woredas from three zones, the team provided on-the-spot business advice, the ways they can communicate and request support from the cooperative agency, and acknowledged the technical and administrative gaps, business performance and challenges they encounter as mentioned above. In addition, the team in order to improve and strengthen the performance of the RUSSACOs proposed the following recommendation: Unlike other types of cooperatives, RuSACCOs/ SACCOs requires a very cautious regulatory, standard accounting and record keeping system, strong and commitment of managing committee members and strongly recommend to continuously monitor the RuSACCOs; To encourage the cooperatives to be committed and continue working in a group manner continues coordination between regional, woreda cooperative promotions and PRIME implementing organization greatly recommended.

Awareness Creation Workshop for Saving and Credit Cooperatives (RuSACCOs) to upgrade in to Cooperative Unions: PRIME facilitated one-day awareness creation and experience sharing forums for 45 (41 female and 4 male) representatives from 20 RuSACCOs in Fafan and Jarar Zones on how to establish a RuSACCO union. The forum was organized to give a platform to exchange experience and conduct some thoughtful discussions over the challenges and opportunities to operate RuSSACOs and unions in Somali Region. The participants acquired about the key requirements, benefits and laws governing unions. Finally, participants agreed to review their internal situations, create discussions among their members and continue communicating each other. From the SRS Cooperative Promotion agency promised to continue the discussions and support them to establish their unions and provide all the necessary assistance.

Follow up and Supervision of RUSSACOs: During the reporting period PRIME Afar Cluster conducted follow up and supervision of RUSACCOs’ to Awareness workshop participants at venue in evaluate and monitor their performance status. The team Jigjga supervised and monitored three RUSSACOs originally upgraded and promoted from six VSLA groups in Amibara Woreda at Worer, Gedamayetu and Awash Arba kebele. Moreover, the updated data of RUSACCOs are as follows: Table: Updated status of RUSSACOs including saving and loan in Amibara Woreda

Current Compulso Total Outstandi # of VSLAs Name of Membership Size ry saving Savings ng loan merged for RUSACCOs Address M F T rate Mobilized upgrading Timret Gedamaytu 3 35 38 120 132,000 2,000 3 Hibret Awash Arba 1 17 18 100 38,885 20,000 1 Biruh Tesfa Worer 6 9 15 50 30,000 4,000 2 Total 10 25 71 225 200,885 26,000 6

Business development skill and financial management skills for RUSACCO

In this quarter, PRIME southern cluster conducted and facilitated RUSSACO trainings for a total of 129 participants (75 female) in Dubluk, Goro Dola, Wadera, and Liben woredas of Borena and Guji zones. During the training, the RUSSACO members learned a set of skills, a training on financial literacy, saving and credit loan management, record keeping, cooperative planning and leadership was facilitated. The training participants have gained practical knowledge on how to record financial transactions, ledgers, journal, members saving and credit. The output of this training was that RUSSACOs management will able to manage their daily transaction effectively and efficiently.

Table Participants of business development training Woreda # of Trainees Males Females Total Dubuluki 17 16 33 Goro-Dolla 4 28 32 Waderra 22 10 32

Liben 11 21 32 Total 54 75 129

Business Development, Skill and Financial Management Training for RUSACCO Union

In collaboration with Liben and Moyale woreda cooperative promotion office, training on cooperative financial management, business planning, cooperative management and leadership training was facilitated to improve the technical capacity, managerial skill, the functioning and efficiency of management committee of the RUSACCO Unions. The training was attended by 38 union management committee members (24 female) of Liben and Moyale woredas.

Table. Summary of Training Participants by Woreda S/N Intervention Woreda Training Participants Male Female Total 1 Liben 8 11 19 2 Moyale 6 13 19 3 Total 14 24 38

Key result 3.3 Market Access expanded to increase employment Opportunity Access of Pro-poor agriculture input Training on postharvest skills and showcasing improved PICs; Post-harvest grain losses have been major problems in agro-pastoral areas due to limited postharvest management skills and lack of appropriate postharvest storage technologies. Agricultural input suppliers operating to facilitate agro pastoralist’s access to improved agricultural technologies are not linked to postharvest technology suppliers. To alleviate this problem and strengthen market linkages, PRIME and Shaya Shone PLC who specializes on postharvest technology and trainings facilitated a three day training of trainers on postharvest skills for 31 participants (30male & 1 female) from development agents, extension experts, agricultural input suppliers and agro pastoralists on food grain postharvest loss management practices and conduct demonstration of the use of PICS storage bag technology in Somali Region.

The objective of the training was to improve Crop Training participants (left) making practice on PIC bag, Seed bags (PICS), share their experience on (right) participating in the discussion at Hamda Hotel (Jigjiga) impact of the technology on reducing postharvest losses from other parts of Ethiopia. Moreover, Shaya Shone PLC company also distributed 100 PIC bags to farmers and agri input suppliers to prototype and promote them in the localities and to establish business linkages with agricultural input suppliers to promote PIC storage bags to agro pastoralists.

Cross learning visits for model pastoral and agro pastoralists: AISDA facilitated a cross learning visit for 28 participants (22 agro-pastoralists, 4 development agents) on model pastoral and agro-pastoral preparation and use of sugarcane byproducts for

42 livestock supplementary feed. The objectives of the October 18 – 20, 2018 visit was to show the benefits of using sugarcane byproducts and how it can improve livelihoods, and to motivate participants to adapt and apply the lessons they learned to their own local context.

The participants observed and learned the various livestock feed related activities with high emphasis on the preparation and use of sugar cane byproducts for livestock supplementary feed and how the cooperative union who engaged in these activities are benefiting. In addition, the participants appreciated the visit learning how to connect the use of sugarcane byproducts feed production cooperatives. The visit motivated and encouraged the participants to take commitment to scale up the experience they gained to replicate in their locality. Irrigation agronomic training for agro pastoralists on selected horticultural crop production AISDA facilitated irrigation agronomic training for agro pastoralists on horticultural crop production from October 13 - 16, 2018 in Awash town for 55 agro-pastoralists (45 agricultural experts, 2 developments agents). The objectives of this training were to improve the technical capacity of agro-pastoralists on irrigation based agronomic practices of selected horticultural crops production and contributing the diversification of agro-pastoral livelihoods thereby to improve their entrepreneurship skills. The main topics covered were irrigation scheduling and irrigation water management, irrigation agronomy, improved management of selected horticultural crops grown in the area, crop protection (integrated pest management practices), post-harvest handling, consumption and marketing of surplus products. The training was delivered using appropriate participatory adult-learning approaches to keep everyone actively involved in the sessions. The key output of the training is that trainees were acquired with different techniques of irrigation water management practices, easy and environment-friendly crop protection techniques such as intercropping (of compatible plants to repel insect pests & improve soil fertility) and cheap source of fertilizer preparation (bio- fertilization) and marketing of their surplus products. Horticulture production and Agronomic Training In this quarter, a four day training on horticulture production and agronomic practices was provided to selected agro-pastoralist from Negele and Yabelo areas. The training was attended by 64 participants (8 female) that consist of 50 agro-pastoralists drawn from seven Kebeles, 12 government extension workers and two agricultural-input suppliers. Different topics emphasizing major agronomic practices of four selected vegetable crops such as onion, tomato, cabbage and pepper were covered during the training session. Agricultural-Input Suppliers business follows up In this quarter the performance of two agricultural-input suppliers (Abdurrahman & Kifle) have been collected and the businesses have sold different agricultural inputs such as vegetable seeds, herbicides, pesticide, agro-chemicals and farm-tools to agro pastoralists. The businesses were able to make sales of total monitory value amounting 77,800 ETB and also reached a total number of 177 agro-pastoralist

Regional Market Linkage Workshop for Solar Energy Product Distributors and Retailers: PRIME facilitated two day regional market linkage workshops in which 22 (20 male and 2 female)

43 participants representing 10 enterprises including solar distributors, suppliers, district-level retailers and partner offices attended and actively engaged in the discussions. The objective was to facilitate exchange of information and build trust and business relations between solar distributing and retailing businesses, to identify solar energy products market constraints, barriers, and figure out the appropriate solution actions and to strengthen solar energy market systems in the region. During the discussions, participants discussed and presented stock availability constraints, supply side challenges and functioning warranty systems. The participants able to identify the gaps and constraints that limit the expansion of the solar market system.

Facilitate solar display and mini trade fair events for Solar Distributors and Retailers for Wider Promotion and Awareness Creation: PRIME facilitated three-day solar product displays and mini fair events in Degabur and Degahle towns. The objective of the mini trade fair was in order to facilitate the regional solar distributors and retailers to scale up their marketing and take the opportunities in gathering in livestock market days in Fafan and Jarar zones. During the event 7 solar selling businesses and retailors participated in, displayed and promoted their products and sold their solar apparatus to the visiting clients and buyers in these towns. Businesses showcased their products, explained the utilization and maintenance service, customer education activities to advise on where and who they can buy the solar products from, and to create new linkages between buyers and retailers and improve access for the households who are out of the power grid to get reliable solar products.

Within these events, participating businesses reported that they received large visitors to their business, distributed their leaflets and sold more than 60 solar lanterns and products worth about 52,000 ETB. As a result of the events, solar distributors will closely follow-up with their clients, and further strengthen their markets in these areas.

IR 4: ENHANCED INNOVATION, LEARNING AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT Key result 4.1: Project Performance Enhanced through Effective Monitoring Management Information System for PRIME PRIME had been using web-based project management, performance measurement and information dissemination applications called Ki project and Kimetrics that were developed by its Learning and Knowledge Management (LKM) partner called KIMETRICA. During the cost extension period, PRIME senior management team decided to use Tola data due to the high running cost for using these tools and limited amount of budget for the cost extension period. Toladata is Mercy Corps project management information system, which is developed and successfully used in many countries for the last five years. TolaData provides a dynamic platform for data discovery and high-impact analysis. However, Toladata is developed to be accessed using Mercy Corps user account or email that limited PRIME implementing partners to use the system. Customization of the system to allow partners access in to the system is on process to suit with the project reporting systems and indicators. PRIME has been using Concept Note and Output Tracking Sheet (OTS) to track the status of the SACNs and SARs respectively during the reporting period. The project will continue using the same tools until Tola becomes fully functional. Sub-Activity Concept Note Tracking Sheet: This is an excel tool used to track the status of sub activity concept note initiating providing PRIME team the knowledge on budget, schedule and scope of activity design. Each week the updated SACN tracking sheet summited to Addis level LKM team containing the SACN status whether it is in development, ongoing, pending and completed on monthly basis. The Addis level LKM team presents the status of CN provided by the field team and then senior management to take any decisions needed corrective actions to accelerate activity implementations respective to each clusters. The LKM team track the status until the activity is completed and documentations of the concept notes. Output Tracking Sheet: This is also an excel tool used to track the progress of sub activity implementation and PRIME output level indicator on quarterly basis. Each cluster LKM staffs complete their respective output tracking sheets at the field level and submitted to Addis Ababa LKM team. Upon receiving the OTS from the field, the Addis level LKM staffs check the data quality and forwards the data quality issues to their field LKM team, who then share the deviations with field level technical officers. During the reporting quarter, 71 SACNs were fully implemented in all the clusters of which 41 of them were from Eastern, 10 from Southern and 20 from Afar clusters. Table: status of SACNs developed during the reporting quarter by cluster and IR

East cluster South Custer Afar cluster IRs Ongoing Completed Total Ongoing Completed Total Ongoing Completed Total 1 1 10 11 3 3 4 4 2 1 12 13 1 1 1 4 5 3 0 8 8 1 1 2 2 2 5 0 11 11 5 5 10 10 Total 2 41 43 1 10 11 1 20 21

Data Quality Checks To enhance data quality in PRIME, LKM team conducts routine assessments on daily basis that includes comparing the data captured on the reporting format to the output-tracking sheet. The team communicates with report responsible persons for the data that needs to be corrected and to attach the supporting documents required for the specific activities like signup sheets and EMMP by field technical officers. The Addis Ababa based LKM team then aggregates and prepare quarterly and yearly output indicator reports. Conducted Joint Data Quality Assessment (DQA) PRIME Agreement Representative, together with the Activity LKM Lead and Deputy Lead, conducted a Data Quality Assessment (DQA) at Mercy Corps Head Offices in Addis Ababa on Oct 16, 2018 for full day. Joint DQA was conducted to create further learning opportunity for M&E staff to improve MLE capacities and improve future DQA outcomes. The DQA was conducted on four indicators selected by USAID Ethiopia.  Custom: Number of vulnerable households benefiting directly from USG assistance  HL.9-1 Number of Children under five (0-59 month) reached by USG-supported nutrition program  EG. 3.9. Number of full time equivalent (FTE) jobs created with USG assistance  EG 3.2-18 Number of hectares under improved technologies or management practices with USG assistance

The DQA team first agreed on using same IRS and created common understanding of the definitions. The team also saw soft and hard copy of PRIME Performance Management Plan’s (PMP) for the activity and indicators selected for the DQA. It was also reported by PRIME team that the same plan is available at the field level with all the consortium partners. PRIME used to use Web based reporting system called Ki project in the previous years, which was accessible to all partners. However, due to budget constraint this year the Ki project was terminated and the activity depend on using hard copies and excel sheets to collect and summarize information at activity level. Although staff and management were not able to secure real time results, the excel sheet helped to progress across the three PRIME clusters on quarterly basis. PRIME follows the concept note approach for submission of intervention proposal, approval, implementation and reporting of results. Indicator results are posted in the Excel spread sheet by the LKM field advisors, and reviewed by LKM deputy, then by the LKM lead staff and finally by the CoP for administrative follow-up and action. IR leads gets weekly or monthly updates for follow up and to take timely corrective actions and do not wait for the quarter aggregations for tracking progress at activity level. Documents required for verification-field visit reports, training reports, training materials, trainee’s attendance, activity photos, Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring plan (EMMP) report, etc. are attached into the e-mails sent by cluster managers and field staff for verification at different levels. DQA team was able to witness and understand the Excel system PRIME started using this year. Since the data are posted and summarized manually, there were some discrepancies on the numbers reported to USAID and office records. Thought the variation was not significant, it was evident in three of the four indicators assessed. Moreover, after PRIME started using the excel sheet for data

46 aggregation, management staff are not able to monitor progress in real time similar to the web based system. The details of the DQA report is annexed herewith (Annex 1). Institutional Performance Tracking System (IPTS) PRIME hired Super Information Technology Solution PLC to design, develop and implement a comprehensive computerized and web-enabled tracking database system to update the performance of institutions supported so far. During the reporting quarter, our brand new Institutional performance tracking database system designing phase is completed, tested and proved it is properly functioning. Accordingly, a ToT training for PRIME LKM staffs were faciliated for two days, from November 29-30, 2018 at Addis Ababa. The training aimed for effective rollout of the systems and benefit PRIME for improved management of activities and performance reporting. On the training, the IPTS demoed for the trainers and they trained on how to collect, aggregate and enter institutional data. The participants of the training has did though exercise in using several intuition data. In the coming quarter, PRIME LKM will ensure that all the institutions performance data for the period October 1 2017 to December 2018 updated accordingly. PRIME Program Results and Learning Workshop at Eliana Hotel, Addis Ababa PRIME assembled its key program staffs, leadership, partners and selected HQ staffs to celebrate and reflect on the PRIME program and its experience, results, findings, and key lessons. In addition to a document review of all PRIME’s resources to assemble a thorough synthesis and summation of PRIME’s results, this in-person workshop is intended to further document the PRIME story and elicit key lessons for Mercy Corps. The workshop was faciliated in Addis Ababa from Dec 10 to 12, 2018. PRIME staffs tell stories, share experiences, and critically reflect on what worked well, and less well by cluster and by component. The main purpose of the workshop were two. The first one was to review Program Results (building on what is documented already, to let the staff tell stories, share experiences, and critically reflect on what worked well and less well in PRIME. The second one was to Identify Lessons Learned (per PM@MC Minimum Standards).

The major takeaways and emerging themes include:

 Crisis Modifiers, USAID flexibility, and principles and components of adaptive management (including Concept Notes) all contributed to PRIME’s ability to manage the challenges faced over the course of this program (including devastating droughts, government challenges, civil unrest, and localized conflicts).  Budget flexibility from USAID made a huge difference in the program’s ability to pivot.  Concept Note system seemed to be a net benefit and positive approach to participatory, adaptive programming. It should be noted, however, that this is a complex system and over 1000 concept notes were submitted over the course of the project.  Resilience research (both the TANGO research and the Research and Learning team’s original research on drought resilience) were both felt to be very valuable and important to PRIME, but could be better integrated in the future.

 Market facilitation appears to be understood by and believed in by most staff – there is acceptance that it works. Convincing others (including government, but also implementing partners) is a challenge and takes time, especially in the beginning. But it’s also important, in the midst of staff turnover within MC and among partners, to ensure that the trainings, refreshers and conversations are ongoing. There’s never a time when that aspect of the program is ‘complete.’  NRM and Climate Change appear underrepresented in comments and input, but there is undoubtedly more to explore in the details of the program’s work and successes.  GDI. Considerably more attention needs to be paid at the design phase, as well as implementation and analysis of data to understand impacts of the program on issues of gender, diversity and inclusion.  Skills Training. Limited evidence, but worth noting that one experience on training in use of heavy machinery led to too many people trained for too few jobs. Recommend better labor market analysis before doing skills training.  Guiding/Standard Protocols. It was noted in a few spaces that there is a need for more standardization of approaches with training or guidance materials, protocols. Especially with respect to MSD, it can result in people interpreting things in many different ways. The first draft report of the results and lessons learned is shared with participants of the workshop for their feedback. The participants reflected their ideas of the report and Mercy Corps HQ Technical Support (TSU) team members are reviewing the report. The final report on PRIME Results and Lessons Learned will be annexed to the next quarterly report. Progress Monitoring in Southern Cluster PRIME IR4 teams are always using different techniques and methodologies to measure the project progress and subsequent outcomes, this team do meet with different stakeholders, beneficiaries and private service providers that PRIME project is dealing with. The progress monitoring is mainly used for early decision on areas where need adjustment and it gives lessons for the betterment of future implementation. During the reporting period, PRIME SC LKM team has visited 4 Community Early Warning Information center in Yabelo, Elwaye, Arero and Dubluk woredas of Borana zone to monitor the progress and Status of the center installed by PRIME. Accordingly, we have observed the following good finding and challenges. Due to material damage, Harobake CEWIC interrupted its service for three months while Dubuluk and Halona stopped its service for two months. Based on the feedback the team gave the proper maintenance are happened and are functional right now. Major good findings observed during monitoring include;

 Early warning information are easily and timely reaching the community in all PRIME installed centres and community are testifying the benefit of getting information ahead of things happened to get prepared  In addition to DRMO office, the rest sectors are also using the centres to easily reach the community. E.g. Vaccination, school registration and Health education

 The woreda DRMO offices told us that using these centre is minimizing even the costs and many burdens. E.g. fuel for vehicles, motorcycles perdium… other costs to reach many villages to disseminate the information  Now days communities are eagerly waiting for the message transmitted from CEWIC every market days they visit PA centers. Area needs improvement and challenges observed

 Poor follow up and supportive supervision from woreda DRMO  Reporting system and beneficiary tracking system should have to established and standardized  In each PA there should have to be focal person assigned by woreda DRMO to manage the centers.  Training should have to be given for all focal person on operating the systems and reporting issue  Woreda DRMO expected to support the centres on maintenance of the materials Table: Community Early Warning Information Centers (CEWIC) in Borana zone

CEWIC Woreda Current status of Accessibility of CEWIC Frequency of message CEWIC installed location dissemination Harobake Yabelo Functional Good location seasonal Elwaye Elwaye functional Good location Every Thursday on market day Dubuluk Dubuluk functional Its needs improvement Every Friday on market (additional horn) day Halona Arero functional Good location No fixed day, its seasonal

Key result 4.3: Policy information base strengthened

Pastoralist Areas Policy Gap and Context Analysis study

PRIME supported the Ministry of Federal and Pastoral Development Affairs (MoFPDA) to enrich and update the draft Pastoral Development Policy and Strategic Framework. Mercy Corps Ethiopia hired SEGEL Research and Training Consults PLC to conduct a pastoral and agro-pastoral policy gap analysis and facilitated six consultative workshops in Ethio Somali, Afar, Oromia, SNNPR, Gambela and B/Gumuz Regional States to enrich the policy. Based on the recommendations of the study, a team composed of MoFPDA, USAID, as well as the LAND and PRIME projects, enriched the final draft of MoFPDA Pastoralist Policy and Strategy Framework. The draft is endorsed by MoFPDA and submitted to the council of ministries and the latter has reviewed the draft and shared their feedback. Feedback has been incorporated and shared to the ministry of Councils for final approval. During this reporting quarter, PRIME hired a consultant to translate the pastoral development policy and strategic framework into English. The translated version submitted to Ministry of Peace (the former MoFPDA). Upgrading PRIME Website

Similarly, Super Information Technology Solution PLC has hired to upgrade PRIME website developed by PRIME implementing partner KIMETRICA five years ago, that transferred to Mercy corps in January 2017. During this reporting the process of upgrading the website is completed. The major features upgraded include; o Upgraded dashboard in the website for admin where the admin user can get an insight on the latest development (usage related with visit statistics) o Ensured a discussion forum is present in the website where users can post their queries and get answers from the fellow users. o Enabled a mass e-mail functionality for selected emails or a group in the website for communication sharing between sectors and users with the capability to limit communications to specified groups. Key Result 4: Enhanced Two Way Communications PRIME has been facilitating joint participatory monitoring and evaluation visits with all stakeholders including government, community and private sector actors as part of its effort to ensure accountability and transparency at all levels in all the clusters. Conduct PRIME Quarterly Review and Reflection Workshop in Jigjiga Conducting review meeting with project stakeholders, impact beneficiaries and recipients is a key strategy for PRIME to share the project progress, get feedbacks from the participants to improve the implementation of program activities. The activity is normally planned on quarterly bases and performed after conducting participatory monitoring with regional, zonal and woreda level government sector bureau/offices. This activity was conducted in Jigjiga, at Hamda Hotel on December 7, 2018 and was participated by 45 participants five being female. The PRIME coordinator officially opened the workshop with brief presentation of PRIME overview and its approaches that aimed at briefing new participants while the IR leaders presented their respective team achievements and lessons learned during the cost extension period. After successful IR based presentations, the participants from the government bureaus who have conducted the participatory monitoring presented the finding of their field visit. ____, the team leader of the visiting team from Somali regional BoFED presented the objective, methodology, areas of visit and their observation; ______stated that the visiting team had a chance to see many PRIME implemented activities in sample woredas of three zones. He witnessed that PRIME project had really impacted many pastoral and agro pastoral communities in the target woredas and the monitoring were impressed by the innovativeness and impactful of the implemented activities in both cost extension period and beyond. Finally some of the participants had raised very important questions and asked for clarification for certain issues they see as un clear, the questions were directed to both PRIME implementing partners and the sector level monitoring team, those questions were smartly addressed by the concerned bodies in the meeting. Recommendation and suggestions by the house were documented by PRIME team and will be used for the future quality implementation of the project. Conducted Natural Resource Management interventions Visits in PRIME implementation woredas

PRIME organized a joint monitoring visit to the NRM sites in collaboration with the Regional Bureau of Livestock and Natural Resource Development (BoLANRD) prior to the Participatory Rangeland Management (PRM) workshop conducted from December 26-27, 2018 in Samara town. Based on this the project arranged a site visit for a team of 3 NRM Experts from the BOLANRD NRM Core Process. The team visited

 Beada Dry Season Reserve Area in Amibara Rangeland System,  Area Closure and Soil and Water Conservation activities in Salamankorkoriya, Argoba Rangeland System,  Garos-le-Dorwa water harvesting pond in Gewane-Gele’alo Rangeland System,

During the visit the team used observation, interview with Rangeland council members, Woreda and Kebele level government counterparts including the DAs in each sites. The team were very impressed with the PRIME PRM approaches where Government need to adopt the PRIME PRM approaches and scale up that experience to other potential areas with in the Region. In addition to this, the team appreciated the coordination and active engagement of respective Woreda PADO, Land Use and Administration, and Rangeland councils with PRIME project.

The Regional BOLANRD requested PRIME PRM approaches and lessons to be documented and submitted to their office to use for other similar intervention/ Projects/ NGOs.

Visit in Amibara Rangeland System – Beada Dry Season Reserve Visit in Argoba Rangeland System – Area Closure and SWC

Areas for future improvement

 The project demonstrated a strong working relationship with Woreda PADO and requires to actively engaging the Regional BOLANRD.  Scale up the project in other potential areas in PRIME II if any.

IR 5: USE OF NUTRITIONAL PRODUCTS Key result 5.1: Knowledge, Awareness and Practices around Household Nutrition MIYCN refresher training for HEWs It was evident that PRIME program has facilitated a basic MIYCN training for a number of health extension workers in the past years of the project implementation period, with the objective of strengthening the proper MIYCN counseling for pregnant and lactation women. In this quarter the prime project has extended its capacity building training by organizing two days refresher training for the already trained HEW through identifying skill gabs during the joint monitoring. Accordingly this two days refresher training was focused on counseling skill, proper use of the SBCC materials, strengthening reporting systems in a harmonized manner, communications with the volunteers whom they are working with. Accordingly, 206 (124 female) from Borena, Guji zones of Oromiya region and from Siiti Zone of Somali region has benefited from the training. The following points are some of the major achievements from this refresher training;

Harmonized the implementation process of MIYCN counseling and the status of the work process which was reviewed/ presented by HEWs and constructive ideas were forwarded by woreda nutrition focal persons and woreda health office head The coordination and relationship of HEWs and CHVs was discussed and way forward set Some of the changes and best practices were presented by HEWs like in some W2W groups there are model women using exclusive breast feeding and others started complementary feeding for children above six months. HEWs set their own area specific action plan for smooth coordination with CHVs for proper counseling of nutrition for the communities at HH level.

Figure: Photos during refresher training of MIYCN for HEWs at Guji and Borena

MIYCN Cascade Training for Community Volunteers It is believed that building the capacity of community health volunteers would help in reaching out the unreachable pastoralist communities with MIYCN in order to back up the existed shortage of health workers manpower. Taking this objective in to account, PRIME Borena zone operational areas provided full package of MIYCN training to community volunteers to enable them deliver a key message for the communities especially PLWs. The below points are the major achievements from this training;

 Harmonized the implementation process of nutrition counselling among the CHVs  The status of the work process was reviewed and constructive ideas were forwarded by woreda nutrition focal persons and woreda health office head  On the review meeting, discussed in detail among the work including nutrition integration with agricultural office for home gardening like keyhole gardening.  The relationship with CHVs with HEWs was discussed and way forward set  Some of the changes came because of the MIYCN training, counselling and best practices were presented by CHVs like in some W2W groups there are model women using exclusive breast-feeding, and others started complementary feeding for children above six months.  Four keyhole garden demonstration and promotion has been done post of the refresher training and improved their skills for adopting key-hole gardening at their home and for its promotion for the communities.  Pastoralist office agricultural expert made brief description of keyhole garden and then during field visit one HHs selected in every district for demonstration.  CHVs set their own action plan to counsel the already formed groups and to construct the k-hole garden at their home to use during the W2W group discussion.

The training was provided for 69 (26 female) in Borena and 60 (53 female) in Guji zones that enabled them to properly utilize the counseling materials of mother action cards adopted for MIYCN training and counseling package by PRIME, which were drawn from the already available nationally developed appropriate MIYCN counseling materials specific to the areas for similar purposes based on the research conducted across specific areas.

Facilitation of Community dialogue on MIYCN With the objective of improving knowledge, attitudes and practices of households towards improved nutrition for pregnant and lactating mothers and for under 5 children, PRIME FSA team has organized a community dialogues on MIYCN in Argoba and Dulesa woredas of Afar regional states. HEW and CHV who have received refresher trainings facilitated consecutive community dialogue sessions on MIYCN in Dulessa and Argoba districts, arranging community conversation (CC) groups composed of pregnant and lactating women and utilizing recently adapted MIYCN BCC materials by Mercy Corps. A total of 20 CC groups composing 20 PLW were organized in Dulessa and Argoba district. Each CC group had a series of 6 consecutive dialogue sessions on MIYCN. Therefore, a total of 20 * 20 = 400 PLW were reached with these community dialogue sessions. Dissemination of ‘Mirgituu’ recorded radio drama episodes through memory card The Soap Operas for Social Change (SOSC), taps into the strong Ethiopian tradition of oral storytelling, and harnesses the power of stories not only to entertain, but also to provide education, “edutainment.” Edutainment methodologies of the SOSC allow for rendering of the 5 behavioral messages of IR5 Nutrition, and blended information for long and short-term behavior change that improved the communities’ awareness and adopt positive behaviors so that through this serial radio drama community gets necessary health education. PRIME approach of delivering key Behavioral Change message for better nutrition out come through innovative approach called Edutainment using SOSC Radio serial drama is one of the strategies to influence community and bring positive behavior on nutrition access and utilization. After the completion of this broadcasting, prime program designed new dissemination approaches and as a result all the twenty episodes were copied on the memory cards and shared with trusted institutions that have commitment and capacity of sharing the recorded messages through their memory cards of the cellphone and mini Medias. Accordingly, 34 memories recorded with radio dramas and video clips has been provided for 34 public service providers and reached about 200 (50 female) in Borena zone. Key Result 5.2 Increased and sustained availability of and access to dairy and other livestock products for children under 5 years Cooking Demonstration on Preparation of diversified diets for PLW PRIME South cluster team in coordination with the health institutions, HEWs and CHVs facilitated participatory cooking demonstration events. The events were organized to provide basic knowledge around importance of maternal nutrition particularly for PLW and to show steps on how to prepare well diversified diets for PLW. Cooking demos used locally available foods in

53 order to get acceptance and motivating the PLW to practice recommended maternal nutrition to their home. The facilitators used pre-distributed guideline and counseling cards for facilitating the complementary food preparation for the target group. Through this event a total of 878 (672 Female) beneficiary’s reached. Among the participants 330 of them were PLWs. In addition to cooking demos on how to prepare recommended diversified diets for PLW, key messages around preparations and feeding complimentary feeding for children also passed to the participants Refresher Training on Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture for Agriculture Extension Workers/DAs PRIME East Cluster teams both Mercy Corps and HAVOYOCO, in collaboration with zonal and district level agriculture and health offices of Somali Regional State, facilitated refresher training on nutrition-sensitive agriculture for 40 (4 Female) agriculture extension workers/DAs. These extension workers were selected from Shinile, Erer, K/Beyah and Harshin woredas. The training was facilitated by experts, who had previous training on PRIME Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture (NSA) approach. These experts were selected from agriculture and health offices for two main reasons (1) to develop a sense of ownership among both sectors for the future integration and (2) to share responsibility in facilitating the technical training section. Accordingly, sessions focused agri-nutrition linkage, was facilitated by Experts from the agriculture office and Health and nutrition linkage interventions, facilitated by experts from Training participants making discussions in DD woreda health offices. Training included both theoretical (in class) and practical sessions. Training was concluded, by developing joint action plan among on how to cascaded NSA and sustaining suggested NSA interventions in the target community. To highlight some of the actions:

 Demonstration of perma-garden (as part of cascading the training) in their respective Kebele

 Invite at least 40 local community members per the event. Including not limited to School Community Members, Model Household (HHs), School Health Clubs, Mother to Mother support groups and CHVs will be the main targets of the events

 The demonstration events will be organized at Schools or health facilities. Finally, participants received PRIME social marketing items as part of motivation and also to use for the community level work. The items are bags, printed BCC materials, and memory cards having recorded 30 episodes of Adoole Geel nutrition Serial drama. Promotion of Key Hole Gardening technologies and Perma gardens PRIME Afar cluster team (CARE) and East cluster (HAVOYCO) supported the promotional events on keyhole gardens and Perma gardens in the target kebeles. The promotional events targeted those primary group (HHs with first 1000 days’ period). Through this interventions, a total of 440 beneficiaries reached in two regions:

 PRIME Afar team (CARE) reached total 160 pregnant and lactating women’s and men’s selected from 9 kebeles (Beida, Meteka, Debel, Gefrem, Bonta, Worer, Sidhafage, Doho and Boloyta) of the 4 woredas, namely: Gewane, Gele’alo, Amibara and Awash Fentale.

 East cluster team (HAVOYOCO) also reached to 280 (153 Men and 127 Female) model HHs members selected from four sites of two Woredas of Fafan zone, Harshin Woreda (harshin town & Lanqayrta) and K/beyah Woreda (Harta sheik & Qota roble).

Vegetables grown in Perma garden Perma garden theoretical training The promotional event involved orientation on how to construct KHG / Perma garden, materials needed, what type of fruit/vegetable can be grown, how to manage the garden and how to harvest and utilize and vegetables from the garden. Then practical KHG and perma gardens were constructed in all kebeles where the promotional event took place. The overall activities were conducted in close collaboration of the respective woreda Agri-Extension Expert/ Nutrition Focal persons and kebele level DAs and Managers.

Perma garden practical demo planting seeds in the Perma garden Demonstration events on production vegetable through KHG technology During this reporting period, PRIME south cluster team (Mercy Corps) and Afar (FSA) supported demonstration events on building KHG and production of vegetable for household consummation. Total of 45 demonstration events conducted in both clusters and able to reached 1065 people. Beneficiaries per cluster summarized in the table below.

Cluster /Zone # Demonstrations Male Female Total Event

SC / Borana 27 110 220 330

SC / Guji 11 282 205 485

Afar/ Dulesa & Argoba 7 139 111 250

The demonstration events were facilitated by AEWs who had NSA training during the last quarter. The promotional events included both practical session on how to build KHG and also question and answer session that aiming to convening key messages on the benefit production and consumption on vegetable among the target group. In addition, of those HHs who were benefited from KHG provided testimonies for the participants. In south cluster, 27 model HH in Guji and 40 HHs in Borena zone were rewarded with four varieties of vegetables such as spinach, beetroot, Carrot and Cabbage. These HHs received the seeds as reward because of their participation on question and answer session.

Figure : Photos during DAs facilitating Demonstration events Key result 5.3: Strengthened Local Capacity for Supporting Improved Nutrition

Refresher training for school club members and teachers on PRIME nutrition drama performance PRIME South cluster team (Mercy Corps) and Afar (FSA) in collaboration with education offices organized the refresher training workshop. On this workshop a total of 96 School club members and teachers reached in both clusters. Participants per cluster were:

 In south cluster total of 36 (31Men, 5 Female), school club members and teachers selected from Borena zone participated.

 In Afar cluster total of 60 (21 men, 39 Female), school club members and teachers selected from Dulesa and Argoba woredas participated The refresher workshop was organized to refresh skills related to performing PRIME drama on stage, how to write story lines, scripts and also skills on monitoring and evaluation for the behavior change at community level. In addition, this refresher workshop event used as reviewing and reflection of their past performance. Accordingly, each school club presented their past performance, challenges and way forward. PRIME has been using school club as one of the most common existing community level delivery channel of PRIME Nutrition message to the target groups. PRIME Linked nutrition education in school club mainly for two purposes: 1) support in changing the behavior of school communities and to practice the desired behaviors in school and at their house and 2) uses the school club members to support nutrition education through edutainment for the community at large. Therefore, training and review session is basic to maintain these key objectives. Participants, confirmed as PRIME drama approach helped them a lot in delivering the key messages and get attention of training of the target audience. The training in Afar, included key messages on WASH-nutrition linkage, and the school club will be expected to cascade the nutrition messages mainly on the critical hand washing, promotion of tippy taps, safe disposal of human feces through use of edutainment approach to school community and their parents. Training on Supportive Supervision and Joint monitoring for government experts PRIME East Cluster team (Mercy Corps) and Afar (FSA), has facilitated 3 days training on Supportive supervision and joint monitoring skills for 46 (38 male & 8 female) participants from regional and district level government offices. The objective was to build the skills and capacities of the key government partners on the basic skills, tools and principles that help them for conducting supportive supervision. Moreover, the training organized in order key government staff at different level understating PRIME interventions that required ongoing support to scale up in the target areas and those already included in their routine services. The training has delivered by a professional TOT trainer who has an expertise in the areas of supervision and monitoring nutrition projects. As per the assessment at end of the training, participates expressed as they acquired new skills for supportive supervision and agreed to keep doing necessary supports for primary extension works to keep implementing PRIME interventions through their routine services. At end of the training participants developed action plan to conduct joint monitoring visits to PRIME intervention areas. Review meeting with DAs on Nutrition-sensitive Pastoralism and Agro-pastoralism

PRIME Afar cluster team (CARE) in collaboration with respective woreda PADO Office, conducted a two day (October 26-27, 2018) review meeting, at Awash 7 Kilo. A total of 27 (5 female) Agricultural extension workers (AEWs) and district level supervisors attended this review meeting. The aim of the review meeting was to exchange experiences among the participants, to draw lessons, to identify potential challenges, and to set future directions in the implementation of nutrition sensitive agriculture interventions like home gardening. As recalled, during March 2018, PRIME Afar team supported training on NSA for AEWs, thus this review meeting has potential impacts for its overall aims. The review meeting started by presentations of AEWs of 8 kebeles (Doho, Boloyta, Bonta, Sidhafage, Beidaforo, Gefrem, Meteka and Gebyabora), their presentation was focused on sharing experience on how conducted promotion of home gardening. Key points highlighted by AEWs were includes: selection criteria, steps followed for community based training, what kind of TA required by beneficiaries, and success on promotional interventions on cooking demos. From the reports and discussions, success observed included;

 Averagely 50 % of beneficiaries have grown vegetables practically in their home gardens, which is a promising result.

 There is potential and great demand in production of vegetable in the backyard

 The promotional interventions conducted in each kebeles around vegetable production and consummation was taken as best example for changing current eating behaviour. In addition, participants shared key challenges and supports they required to scale up NSA interventions. which include:

 Accessing vegetable seeds in the area,

 Lack of pesticides, some of the vegetable grown in the KHG attacked by the pests.

 Irregular technical support and follow up at beneficiary’s level.

 Given, there promising practice among the target community there is still lack of knowledge in the practicing production and consumption of vegetable. On the second day of the meeting Ethiopian Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture Strategy (MoA-2016) was presented to participants, in order they have better understanding about the policy and to motive them as what they have doing at community level is right intervention for their sector to achieve better nutrition outcome. Above all, the training was successful in meeting its objectives and also provided opportunity between PADO Office Agriculture Extension Process Owners, who led the meeting session and AEWs to prepared agreed action plan to keep promoting of Home gardening in the target kebele with especial focus in targeting pregnant and lactating mothers. (HHs in first 1000 days).

Keyhole Garden Permagarden Vegetable attacked by Pests

PRIME Partner Review Meeting at Zone Level Afar cluster team (FSA) in collaboration with zonal government offices organized joint review meeting. The review meeting conducted to discuss on past PRIME accomplishment in Argoba and Dulesa areas and to agree with future support from zonal and regional offices to sustain key PIRME interventions. In this meeting 19 (five Female) participants from Zonal, Regional and Woreda were participated. Participates form zona and regional level appreciated PRIME past accomplishments and agreed to provide necessary support for district and community level to sustain key PRIME nutrition intervention. NSA handbook for Development Agents (DAs) / Agriculture extension Workers During this reporting period, PRIME finalized the development of NSA handbook and distributed 300 handbooks to DAs /AEWs. The handbook is developed for AEWs to use as reference in promoting recommended NSA interventions in the pastoralist and agro-pastoralist context of PRIME areas. The handbook included selected NSA intervention topics that expected to improve nutrition outcomes. PRIME hired local production company for development of handbook in English then translated to the three local languages. PRIME technical team ensured all steps of the development as per the agreed contract. Finally, after the handbook translated to the local languages, tested in the three cluster and inputs from the field also well incorporated.

V. CROSS-CUTTING THEMES

A. Gender The women’s participation in decision making indicator increased from 63 percent in 2014 to be 72 percent which exceeds end of project target (66 percent). The increase seen is the result of the NRM activities that have been promoting the participation of women in these committees; as well as the SAA and Village-level Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) groups whose members are mostly women. During reporting quarter PRIME focused on implementing activities that increase the participation of women in decision making and socio economic development in the implementation areas.

B. Disability PRIME Supported People with Disability (PWD) Small and Micro Enterprise (SMEs) have continued business operations. The package of PRIME scholarship program for PWD includes skills training, disability adjustment equipment and materials support for kick-start of the business. Thus in the reporting period three PWD SMEs being supported by PRIME in southern cluster are performing well.

VI.FINANCIAL SUMMARY PRIME expenditure summary report as of December 31, 2018

Actual %age Intermediate Result Total Budget Expenditures Utilized

IR1: Improved productivity and competitiveness 15,864,064 15,969,852 101% of livestock and livestock products IR2: Enhanced adaptation to climate change 16,951,484 14,854,360 88% IR3: Development of alternative livelihoods for 13,263,837 13,039,299 98% households' transition out of pastoralism IR4: Enhanced innovation, learning and 9,458,067 9,304,469 98% knowledge management IR5: Nutrition 4,257,758 4,375,713 103% Crisis Modifier 3,225,717 1,797,908 56%

63,020,927 59,341,641 94% Total Program Expense Actual Total Budget %age Funding Stream Expenditures GCC 18,617,753 16,258,511 87% FTF 36,119,637 36,065,415 100% Nutrition 5,057,821 5,219,767 103% Crisis Modifier TOTALS 63,020,927 59,341,641 94%

VII. Annexes Annex1. PRIME Joint DQA report

Annex 2: success stories